Reuters Soccer Blog

Is it fair to compare greats from different sports?

Mark Meadows — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:59:01 +0000

I just came across an interesting blog on the bleacher report comparing the greatness of Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. Here in Italy, the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper has been running a series called "Impossible duels" where the likes of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt have gone up against each other in a bizarre statistical battle. But [...]

In Argentina, fans from the same team fight

Rex Gowar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:44:14 +0000

The English hooligan problem was at its worst outside Britain, when fans went to international matches abroad. Violence in Argentine football, by contrast, has reached a point in recent years where it is rarely even a confrontation between the hardcore fans of rival teams. Now, factions who support the same team fight each other. At stake is control [...]

Referee’s apology does little to calm Huracan

Rex Gowar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:41:14 +0000

As Estudiantes bid to give Argentina the South American crown by winning the Libertadores Cup final, the fallout from Sunday’s Clausura title decider continues at an intensity not unlike that which followed Chelsea’s elimination by Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final. It was not a final as such, but Huracan went into their last game of [...]

Move over U2, now Real’s Ronaldo rocks

Iain Rogers — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:44:37 +0000

Watching Cristiano Ronaldo getting the rock star treatment at a packed Bernabeu stadium on Monday night, I found myself thinking back to the U2 concert I had been to at Barcelona’s Camp Nou last week. At a record $130 million, the Portuguese winger has cost Real considerably more than the Irish band’s entire world tour, which [...]

Madrid’s millions prompt anger in Milan

Mark Meadows — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:21:24 +0000

While new Real Madrid signing Cristiano Ronaldo was being presented in front of a packed and excited Bernabeu, another great European club was dealing with an influx of fans but for a very different reason. Hundreds of AC Milan ultras turned up at the first day of pre-season training to protest against the sale of Kaka [...]

Owen, a busted flush or another inspirational Ferguson signing

Ed Osmond — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:34:08 +0000

Most Manchester United fans will not have been excited when they heard of the club’s plans to sign Michael Owen. The experienced England striker certainly did not fit the usual profile of Alex Ferguson’s signings, at too old and far too injury-prone. But could Owen prove to be another one of Ferguson’s transfer masterstrokes to rank [...]

Can Owen revive career at Manchester United?

Mark Meadows — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:30:33 +0000

On the face of it, replacing world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo with an injury-prone forward whose side just got relegated does not seem like a great bit of business. The British media is certain that Michael Owen, a free agent after leaving Newcastle United, is on the verge of joining Manchester United if he [...]

Mourinho is back and his tongue is sharper than ever

Mark Meadows — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:49:23 +0000

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has interrupted his holidays to remind soccer fans what they have been missing in the month since the end of the season. The outspoken Portuguese, whose side are favourites for a fifth straight scudetto this term, has far from mellowed while lying on the beach. Here’s his latest amusing rant from the [...]

A question for all you trivia buffs

Patrick Johnston — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:41:52 +0000

Giorgi Megreladze - remember the name, it may well earn you some money in later life. Why, I hear you ask. Well, the FC Olimpi forward has become the first man to score a goal in the newly revamped UEFA Europa League. Yes UEFA’s second tier competition is underway on the second day of July, with Wimbledon still [...]

Bolton leave Portsmouth red faced and empty handed

Neil Maidment — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:02:42 +0000

Much like a homeowner who decided to hold out for a higher offer and now finds himself stuck in a credit crunch, negative equity nightmare, Premier League side Portsmouth have made a highly regrettable financial faux pas. Amidst the crazy antics of the January transfer window, Portsmouth decided to reject a 3.5 million pounds bid for [...]