Central & South America

Lionel Messi says he's counting down the days until his final World Cup

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is counting the days until the World Cup and believes his team have a good chance of winning the tournament.

Messi, who will be playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar, told Star+ he is feeling nervous ahead of the tournament but is in positive mood.

Argentina will arrive in Qatar with their confidence high after winning the 2021 Copa América final against hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning-point for his team after several near misses.

Latest FIFA rankings: USMNT anxiety reflected in fall from top 15

The final FIFA rankings before the 2022 World Cup were released Thursday, revealing a top five that's largely in line with what the odds makers have for the tournament in Qatar. 

Brazil rightfully holds the top spot and is seen as the favorite after turning its qualifying campaign into a program on Joga TV, while the Seleção's eternal rivals, Argentina, sit third riding a 35-match unbeaten streak.

Well, now we know why Darwin Núñez has been so bad at Liverpool

Liverpool fans are not happy with Darwin Núñez. The club paid a hefty $82 million to Benfica for the Uruguayan in an attempt to strengthen its front line after Sadio Mané's exit, while also providing talk for pundits about how he would compete with Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. However, the striker hasn't hit it off and is starting to be called a bust. 

Núñez has played a mere 340 minutes across all competitions and scored two goals (one in the PL and one in the Community Shield) — far from the 34 he bagged with Benfica last campaign.

Why such a difference?

Gonzalo Higuaín breaks into tears after announcing his retirement from soccer

Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain will retire at the end of the season, the 34-year-old said on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laden career that lasted almost 18 years.

Higuain started his career with River Plate but made a name for himself at Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus before moving to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in 2020, scoring over 300 goals in his club career and 31 times for Argentina.

The worst soccer stadium disasters over the last 40 years

Saturday night's soccer stadium disaster in Indonesia was one of the world's worst such incidents. Here is a look at some of the worst soccer stadium disasters over the last 40 years:

Fact Checked! U.S. ref Nima Saghafi let Colombia kick off both halves vs. Mexico

While Mexico is still licking the wounds left by the 3-2 loss against Colombia in a friendly match played in Santa Clara, California, an unusual and unnoticed mistake made by U.S. referee Nima Saghafi is starting to make the rounds online. He let Colombia kick off both halves of the game.

Nima Saghafi let Colombia kick off both halves vs Mexico

We all know it. One team starts the game and the other restarts it in the second half, according to what is determined in the coin toss. 

"Rule 8.1: Kick-Off

Messi has a new nickname - Why are his teammates calling him La Comadreja (The Weasel)?

La Pulga (The Flea), El Enano (The Dwarf), Messías (The Messiah) and The G.O.A.T are some of the nicknames people use to talk about the incomparable Lionel Messi. Quite an array of options to which we have to add one more: La Comadreja (The Weasel). 

Predicting 10 Of The Biggest World Cup Snubs

This week serves as the final international break before clubs must release players to their national teams just one week before the World Cup begins, so the latest squad selections should be huge indicators of the final 26-man rosters for the competing nations.

However, a look at the current teams indicates that this won't be a traditional World Cup of blockbuster snubs, but rather an exploration of player pools in an attritional battle against lingering muscle strains.

Coleccionista de huesos ahora casi deja sin tobillos a Yefferson Soteldo

Con apenas 21 años en la espalda, Danilo comienza a hacerse fama de coleccionista de huesos. El volante de Palmeiras tiene talento, pero su ímpetu a la hora de recuperar balones lo ha llevado a ir construyendo un generoso archivo de patadas criminales.

Hace poquito más de un mes, de hecho, le dejó sus tapones de recuerdo a Zaracho del Atlético Mineiro, en un duelo por Copa Libertadores...

Neymar Tees Up Lionel Messi For PSG's Game-Winning Goal

PARIS - Lionel Messi's early goal earned Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win at Lyon on Sunday as they opened a two-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.

Messi found the back of the net with his fourth league goal of the season in the fifth minute to put Christophe Galtier's side on 22 points from eight games.

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