Italy

Mario Balotelli Returns To Italy National Team Ahead Of Vital World Cup Qualifiers

ROME — Mario Balotelli was named in the Italy squad for the first time since 2018 on Monday, as the Adana Demirspor striker joined seven uncapped players in Roberto Mancini's 35-man training camp selection.

Balotelli, who worked under Azzurri coach Mancini earlier in his career at Inter Milan and Manchester City, has not featured for the national team since September 2018.

But the 31-year-old earned a recall for this week's three-day training camp after scoring eight goals in 18 league games to fire Adana Demirspor to fourth place in the Turkish Super Lig.

2021’s Most Successful Coach Snubbed From FIFA Best Finalists; We’re Not At All Surprised

There was but one major global international soccer tournament in 2021. For some reason, the coach who inspired an underdog victory in that competition wasn’t deemed worthy by FIFA to even be a finalist for the organization’s FIFA Best Coach of 2021 award. Not that we’re the least bit surprised; we’ve long learned to expect the worst from FIFA.

Lorenzo Insigne Is About To Become The 11th Highest Paid Team In MLS

Back on Dec. 28, news broke that Napoli captain and Italian international Lorenzo Insigne was seriously considering joining Toronto FC in the summer following the completion of the 2021-22 European season. The rumor had a lot of clout, especially the bit about Toronto making him Major League Soccer's highest-ever paid player.

Lorenzo Insigne Joining MLS In Deal That Makes Him League's Highest-Paid Ever

According to multiple sources, Napoli and Italy international Lorenzo Insigne has agreed to join Toronto FC in the summer after finishing out the 2021-22 season in Italy. It's an incredible coup for both Bob Bradley's Reds and MLS as the 30-year-old winger arrives at the height of his power.

Investigating The Most Egregious Ballon d'Or Winners Of The Last 20 Years

After a decade-plus of domination by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, fans expected Ballon d'Or voting to bring some different results in 2021.

The obvious choice was Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was coming off a record-breaking 41-goal campaign in the Bundesliga. 

Instead it was Messi — seemingly entering the twilight of his career — who won the award for the seventh time. "Surely something must be done," the people exclaimed at this perceived injustice. "He still can't be the best player in the world."

Italy, Portugal Placed In Same World Cup Qualifying Path, Can’t Both Make 2022 World Cup

The last two European champions, Italy and Portugal, could face each other for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn in the same path for the playoffs in Zurich on Friday.

The 12 teams — 10 of which finished runners-up in their groups — were split into three four-team paths, each with its own semi-finals and final. Seeded teams were guaranteed a home game in the semifinals.

European Heavyweights Given One Last Chance To Qualify For 2022 World Cup Through UEFA Playoffs

The past two European champions could have to play against each other in a playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup as a consequence of failing to secure automatic qualification this week.

Both Italy, who won the continental title in July, and Portugal, who were winners of Euro 2016, will be on tenterhooks as they await the outcome of the draw for the March playoffs for the 12 European countries who remain in contention for three places at the World Cup.

Italy Blows Chance To Qualify For WC Directly As Switzerland Surges Into Qatar

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Italy missed out on automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar four months on from their Euro 2020 triumph after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Northern Ireland on Monday.

The Azzurri went into their final Group C qualification clash knowing they needed to win by enough goals to stay ahead of Switzerland to claim a place at next year's finals in Qatar.

¿Quiénes Eran Los Jugadores De México Y Otras Selecciones En El International Superstar Soccer Deluxe?

En medio de los estrenos del FIFA 22 y eFootball se apareció la nostalgia y el recuerdo del videojuego que más disfrute en la vida, el International Superstar Soccer Deluxe.

Las tardes de mediados de los noventa eran mágicas cuando alguien sugería jugar Super Nintendo y lograba reunir a cuatro o cinco amigos, convirtiendo casas en estadios con un ambiente similar al Teatro de los Sueños o el Infierno de Estambul, pero también con padres de semblante preocupado, preguntándose si aquellos quinceañeros que tenían frente a sus ojos harían algo con sus vidas algún día.

Pages