FIFA World Cup

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Fiorentina, at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)
December 30, 2020 - 5:39 am

Ronaldo Plans 'many Years' Playing As 36Th Birthday Looms

Approaching his 36th birthday in February, Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of slowing down. “I still feel good, sharp and in a good moment in my life,” the Juventus and Portugal star said in a video interview. “I hope to play many, many years more, but you never know.” The forward still has...
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December 21, 2020 - 1:03 pm

Star Midfielder Kyle Beckerman Retiring After 21 Mls Seasons

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Nine-time All-Star midfielder Kyle Beckerman retired Monday after 21 seasons in MLS, the last 14 with Real Salt Lake. “There are so many people to thank over 21 years,” Beckerman said. “I appreciate all of the teammates I’ve battled with on the field and the coaches who put their...
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FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010 file photo, Aston Villa Gerard Houllier looks on before his team's English Premier League soccer against Birmingham City at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England. Gerard Houllier, a Frenchman who won three titles in one season as coach of English club Liverpool, has died. He was 73. Liverpool announced the death on Twitter on Monday Dec. 14, 2020. French sports daily L’Equipe said Houllier died following heart surgery in France. (AP Photo/Simon Dawson, File)
December 14, 2020 - 4:24 am

Gerard Houllier, Former Liverpool Coach, Dies At 73

PARIS (AP) — Gerard Houllier, a Frenchman who won three titles in one season as manager of English club Liverpool following a disappointing spell as the coach of France's national team, has died. He was 73. Liverpool and the French soccer federation announced the death Monday. French sports daily L...
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FILE - In this July 5, 1982 file photo, Italy's Paolo Rossi, left, celebrates, after scoring the second goal for his team during their World Cup second round soccer match against Brazil, in Barcelona, Spain. Rossi died of Cancer, Dec. 10, 2020. He was 64. (AP Photo/File)
December 10, 2020 - 4:45 am

Paolo Rossi, Who Led Italy To 1982 World Cup, Dies At 64

ROME (AP) — Paolo Rossi, who led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title and later worked as a soccer commentator in his home country, has died. He was 64. Rossi’s wife, Federica Cappelletti, said Thursday he died in his sleep after assuring him that he “had already done so much." State-run RAI, where...
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U.S. forward Ayo Akinola, on ground, scores a goal against El Salvador during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
December 09, 2020 - 8:11 pm

Mueller Scores Twice, Us Routs El Salvador 6-0 In Exhibition

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. soccer team ended a pandemic-shortened year with a blowout that raised confidence heading into a busy 2021 highlighted by the first eight World Cup qualifiers jammed into an 11-week span. Chris Mueller had two goals and two assists in his international debut,...
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In this Monday, Oct. 29, 2018 picture, Nasser al-Khater, deputy-secretary general of the World Cup organizing committee, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Doha, Qatar. Qatar is now planning for a "complete normal” World Cup in 2022 after rapid progress in producing vaccines for the coronavirus, the tournament CEO told The Associated Press on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 ahead of the European qualifying draw. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, file)
December 06, 2020 - 2:15 pm

Ap Interview: Qatar Plans 'normal' World Cup After Vaccines

Qatar is now planning for a "complete normal” World Cup in 2022 after the rapid progress in producing vaccines for the coronavirus, the tournament CEO told The Associated Press on Sunday ahead of the European qualifying draw. Early in the pandemic that forced the cancelation of the European...
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Mourners embrace as they wait to see Diego Maradona lying in state outside the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The Argentine soccer great who led his country to the 1986 World Cup died Wednesday at the age of 60. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
November 26, 2020 - 3:32 pm

Argentines Bid A Raucous Farewell To Maradona Amid Clashes

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Soccer superstar Diego Maradona was buried Thursday in a private ceremony attended by only two dozen people — a stark contrast to earlier in the day when tens of thousands of weeping fans filed past his coffin for hours in an observance that mixed head-of-state-like honors with...
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CORRECTS LOCATION - FILE - In this March 1987 file photo, Pele, left, and Diego Maradona, hold trophies during an awards ceremony in Italy. The Argentine soccer great who was among the best players ever and who led his country to the 1986 World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and obesity, died from a heart attack on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at his home in Buenos Aires. He was 60. (AP Photo/File)
November 25, 2020 - 5:36 pm

Feuding No More, Pelé Joins World In Mourning Diego Maradona

The most heated wrangling over the title of soccer’s greatest player could be found between Diego Maradona and Pelé themselves. So often, their squabbling would descend into acrimonious barbs and taunts launched between the finest to play the game. It was a feud in which FIFA did not want to takes...
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FILE - In this June 29, 1986 file photo, Diego Maradona holds up his team's trophy after Argentina's 3-2 victory over West Germany at the World Cup final soccer match at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The Argentine soccer great who was among the best players ever and who led his country to the 1986 World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and obesity, died from a heart attack on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at his home in Buenos Aires. He was 60. (AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli, File)
November 25, 2020 - 2:16 pm

Argentine Soccer Great Diego Maradona Dies At 60

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Diego Maradona, the Argentine soccer great who scored the “Hand of God” goal in 1986 and led his country to that year's World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and obesity, has died. He was 60. Maradona's spokesman, Sebastián Sanchi, said he died...
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Diego Maradona blows a kiss to fans in Cannes, France, on May 20, 2008. Diego Maradona has died. The Argentine soccer great was among the best players ever and who led his country to the 1986 World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and obesity. He was 60. (Gian Mattia D'Alberto/LaPresse via AP)
November 25, 2020 - 12:59 pm

Remembering Diego Maradona: 'the World Has Lost A Legend'

Tributes to Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday at age 60: ___ “A very sad day for all Argentinians and for football. He leaves us, but he is not gone because Diego is eternal. I stay with all the beautiful moments I lived with him and I wanted to send my condolences to his...
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