Shanghai (AFP) – Barcelona fans were delighted that he left and at Tottenham Hotspur they called him lazy, but Brazil's Paulinho is on a punishing run of matches that has earned him the nickname "Iron Man" in China. The international midfielder re-signed for Guangzhou Evergrande from Barcelona last month after Brazil's World Cup ended and […]

Washington (AFP) – Wayne Rooney scored twice as DC United, fighting for their Major League Soccer playoff lives, beat the Portland Timbers 4-1 on Wednesday. With MLS still buzzing from the dazzling tackle and pass from Rooney that led to DC's stoppage time game-winner over Orlando on Sunday, the former England and Manchester United star […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Title-holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco are among four clubs who could secure CAF Champions League quarter-finals places this weekend. A matchday-five home victory over Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa would ensure two-time champions Wydad qualify from Group C with a game to spare. Record eight-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Mouloudia […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus has injected an air of expectation into the Italian championship not felt in decades while spending has smashed the one billion euro mark with more than a day still to go before the transfer window closes. Champions Juventus top the spree with 235 million euros ($265 million) […]

Tallinn (AFP) – Saul Niguez and Koke scored in extra time as Atletico Madrid fought back to beat city rivals Real Madrid 4-2 and win the UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn on Wednesday, as Julen Lopetegui got off to a losing start with the European champions. Real had earlier looked set to win the trophy […]

Washington (AFP) – With Major League soccer still buzzing over Wayne Rooney's late-game exploits in DC United's Sunday win over Orlando, the former England star said Tuesday he's not in North America on holiday. "I understand people might get frustrated when they see players coming over maybe a bit later in their career, but that's […]

Rabat (AFP) – A member of the Moroccan women's football team took advantage of being on tour in Spain to abscond, despite her visa expiring, her club said Wednesday. Meriem Bouhid, 24, a professional player for l'Olympique de Safi, disappeared at Valencia airport after an international match in the city last week, club president Mustapha […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona star Lionel Messi said the club will "do everything possible" this season to prise the Champions League trophy away from arch rivals Real Madrid, who have won the competition each of the past three years. "This year I think we have a squad that allows us to dream. The new players […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea and Nigeria winger Victor Moses, who played in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, saying he wants to develop his club career. The 27-year-old has played 37 times and scored 12 goals for the Super Eagles. His last international appearance — and goal […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Facebook will broadcast Champions League matches in Latin America through 2021, UEFA announced Wednesday, in the latest bid by online platforms to tap into the lucrative live sports market. The deal will make Facebook "the exclusive free-to-air home for certain UEFA Champions League live matches across Spanish-speaking territories during the 2018-21 cycle," […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne could face a spell on the sidelines after injuring his right knee in training, the Premier League champions said Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who enjoyed a superb World Cup as Belgium reached the semi-finals, is undergoing tests to assess the seriousness of the injury. "Kevin De Bruyne […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke 04 are reportedly the latest big-name Bundesliga club chasing Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rudy, who has also been linked to RB Leipzig. Domenico Tedesco, Schalke's head coach, was photographed leading a three-man delegation from last season's German league runners-up through Munich airport on Tuesday, but refused to confirm reports of a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Mathias Pogba, the brother of France's World Cup winner Paul Pogba, has been turned down by third division German minnows Uerdingen — because the Guinea international midfielder is too heavy. "He's been and gone. Mathias couldn't help the team, he is currently not in good physical shape," Uerdingen coach Stefan Kraemer told […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic announced his international retirement on Wednesday one month after starring in the World Cup final. "The time has come after 10 years on the national team to say goodbye my favourite jersey," Subasic wrote in a letter published by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), a day after striker […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City don't need to win the Champions League to be judged a success, claims Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne in an interview with the BBC. European club football's most prestigious trophy has proved elusive to City despite the hundreds of millions invested in players since Abu Dhabi United Group bought the […]