South America

Pope Francis Hails Diego Maradona As A Fragile Poet

ROME — Pope Francis has hailed fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as a "poet" on the pitch, but also acknowledged his frailty away from the sport.

In a wide-ranging interview with Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport published on Saturday, Francis recalled his own days playing soccer as a child with a ball made of rags and laid bare his scorn for doping cheats.

Francis is a big soccer fan and met Maradona, who died in November, several times after becoming pope in 2013.

Neymar’s 5-Day Super-Spreader New Year’s Party Will Continue Without Government Interference

RIO DE JANEIRO — An end-of-year party for 150 people attended by Brazilian soccer star Neymar is drawing scrutiny from local prosecutors, but the town where it is being held said on Wednesday it cannot do anything to prevent the bash from taking place.

Paraguayan Striker Faces Potential Ban After Flashing Privates During Goal Celebration

A striker for Paraguayan club Guaraní is in hot water after he revealed a little too much skin during a goal celebration during a quaterfinal match on Dec. 23.

Raúl Bobadilla, a former striker for Bundesliga clubs Borussia Monchengladbach and Augsburg, was quite excited to score a game-sealing goal for his team. Bobadilla was substituted into a crucial quarterfinal cup match in the 72nd minute with the game tied at 1-1.

Santos Pulls Fantastic Number Out Of Its Ass To Claim Pelé Has 447 More Goals Than Messi

You know that one friend that always has to ruin a special moment with some snarky comment? That one ass-hat who still has to make it about themselves no matter the situation? On Sunday morning, Brazilian club Santos woke up and decided to be that person.

Messi Stays In Argentina For Ankle Treatment, Misses Final Match Of 2020

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday's match at home to Eibar due to an ankle injury, the LaLiga club said on Sunday.

Autopsy: No Booze, Illegal Drugs In Maradona’s System Upon Death

BUENOS AIRES — Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona did not consume alcohol or illicit narcotics in the days before his death, an autopsy released on Wednesday said.

Maradona, who died in November aged 60, had taken seven different medicines to treat depression, anxiety and other ailments but "there was no presence of (illegal) drugs," a judicial official told Reuters.

Messi Explains His Worst Form In 13 Years And Talks About 2021

Lionel Messi has admitted the ill feeling between him and Barcelona over his attempt to leave the club in the close season has affected his form this season, in which he has posted his lowest goal and assist tallies in 13 years.

Messi caused consternation at Barça when he sent the club a burofax (official notice) that he wanted to leave in August, but then president Josep Maria Bartomeu blocked the move and the Argentine committed to stay this season to avoid a legal battle. He has less than seven months left on his contract and is able to negotiate with other clubs from January.

Atlanta United Taps Former Man Utd, Real Madrid CB Gabriel Heinze As New Coach

Atlanta United named Gabriel Heinze as head coach Friday, ending a five-month search for a new manager. Heinze, 42, most recently coached Velez Sarsfield (2017-20) in his native Argentina.

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