News for '-ballon-d'or'

Egypt's World Cup hopes hinge on Salah's lethal finishing

Egypt's World Cup hopes hinge on Salah's lethal finishing

Rediff.com22 May 2018

Mohamed Salah heads to the World Cup with the reputation of being one of the most lethal finishers in the game, and his country's hopes of making it to the knockout stages rest overwhelmingly on his shoulders.

Wenger's biggest Arsenal transfer regret

Wenger's biggest Arsenal transfer regret

Rediff.com17 May 2018

Failing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo is outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's biggest transfer regret

Ronaldo signs off perfect year in style

Ronaldo signs off perfect year in style

Rediff.com20 Dec 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo signed off his stellar 2016 in style on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick to lift Real Madrid to Club World Cup glory and underline his status as the world's best player.

Messi joins PSG in two-year deal after leaving Barca

Messi joins PSG in two-year deal after leaving Barca

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

The PSG frontline is already formidable, with Messi's former Barca team mate Neymar and young France striker Kylian Mbappe seen as two of the best players on the planet.

'Goalless Ronaldo is angry with himself'

'Goalless Ronaldo is angry with himself'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo is angry with his recent record in front of goal but not anxious about when he will find the net next, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday.

Top 20 Sports Photos of the Year

Top 20 Sports Photos of the Year

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

As the curtains fall on another year, Rediff.com brings you all the action from the sports field that defined 2019.

FIFA WC: Vinicius Jr. and Brazil ready for challenge

FIFA WC: Vinicius Jr. and Brazil ready for challenge

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

Vinicius started a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and is investing in research to develop new ways to improve the education system in Brazil.

Champions League is the Real deal, says Madrid's Bale

Champions League is the Real deal, says Madrid's Bale

Rediff.com25 Apr 2016

The Champions League is part of Real Madrid's folklore and it is the nature of the Spanish side to always set their sights on Europe's most prestigious club tournament, having won it more times than any other team, winger Gareth Bale has said.

Rainy Manchester ideal for Messi, jokes Aguero

Rainy Manchester ideal for Messi, jokes Aguero

Rediff.com22 Jan 2016

It rains hard and often and is a far cry from the beaches of Barcelona, yet Argentina striker Sergio Aguero believes world player of the year Lionel Messi would find Manchester to his liking. Manchester City striker Aguero said he had extolled the virtues of England's north-west city to his compatriot and Barcelona forward who is the most valuable player in the game. Messi, 28, has expressed no desire to leave Barca, where he is contracted to until 2019, but Abu-Dhabi owned Manchester City, backed by the billions of Sheikh Mansour, are one of the few clubs who could afford to buy him. "He already knows there's no beach!," Aguero, who has scored 120 goals in 185 appearances during his four-and-a-half years at the Etihad, told Sky Sports. "We play every three days so we just eat, rest between games -- so the weather is not really that important.

Ronaldo signs for Juventus from Real Madrid

Ronaldo signs for Juventus from Real Madrid

Rediff.com10 Jul 2018

Five-times world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Juventus from Real Madrid.

Messi retirement date not far away, warns Valverde

Messi retirement date not far away, warns Valverde

Rediff.com7 Dec 2019

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said the football world must get used to the idea that Lionel Messi will retire in the near future.

PIX: The hand of God touches Messi

PIX: The hand of God touches Messi

Rediff.com28 Apr 2018

An Argentine football club has recreated the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of its gymnasium, with Diego Maradona as God, Lionel Messi as Adam and a host of angels that include Mario Kempes, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Batistuta.

The night Ronaldo stole the show

The night Ronaldo stole the show

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

The night Ronaldo stole the show

Champions League: We need the fans, says Barca coach Xavi

Champions League: We need the fans, says Barca coach Xavi

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

PSG's Champions League tie with Newcastle is like a final, says Luis Enrique

Brought down to earth, Ronaldo says, 'I'm not from another planet'

Brought down to earth, Ronaldo says, 'I'm not from another planet'

Rediff.com16 Jan 2015

The Real Madrid forward apologises after Real Madrid dumped out of King's Cup by Atletico Madrid.

Mbappe stays with PSG; Griezmann makes shock Atletico return

Mbappe stays with PSG; Griezmann makes shock Atletico return

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

Real Madrid failed in their attempt to sign France striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint Germain on the final day of the transfer window as Cristiano Ronaldo completed his move from Juventus to Manchester United.

Ronaldo says Champions League is Real's for the taking

Ronaldo says Champions League is Real's for the taking

Rediff.com14 Sep 2017

The reigning Ballon d'or winner gave a perfect start to his side's new campaign by scoring twice in Madrid's comfortable 3-0 win over Cypriot visitors APOEL in the opening match.

Ronaldo helps lift Real to the top of La Liga

Ronaldo helps lift Real to the top of La Liga

Rediff.com25 Jan 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 22nd La Liga goal of the season to set Real Madrid on their way to a laboured 2-0 win at home to Granada on Saturday that lifted them above Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to the top of the standings.

Insatiable Ronaldo collects fourth Golden Shoe award

Insatiable Ronaldo collects fourth Golden Shoe award

Rediff.com13 Oct 2015

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo collected a record fourth Golden Shoe award as Europe's top scorer on Tuesday for his 48-goal haul in La Liga last season.

Just who is Robert Lewandowski?

Just who is Robert Lewandowski?

Rediff.com12 Oct 2015

Poland's star striker Robert Lewandowski scored the winner to secure Poland a place at Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory in Warsaw on Sunday.

Intelligent Ronaldo accepts need to rest more: Zidane

Intelligent Ronaldo accepts need to rest more: Zidane

Rediff.com6 Jan 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted that he needs to rest more and that sitting out the odd game is in the interests of him and Real Madrid, coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday. Real's all-time top scorer has missed four of his team's 15 league games this season, two more than in the whole of the last campaign, and he was a surprise omission from the squad for Wednesday's King's Cup game against Sevilla. Zidane remarked last year that he would prefer Ronaldo to rest more after injuries forced him to miss vital games at the end of the season, although the Frenchman appears to have reached agreement with his talisman this campaign.

Ronaldo 'still handsome' after face injury

Ronaldo 'still handsome' after face injury

Rediff.com27 Jan 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is "still handsome" after his face was left covered in blood from being kicked in the face against Deportivo La Coruna last week and declared he wants to remain at Real Madrid despite reports that he is unhappy in Spain.

10 best moments from Qatar World Cup

10 best moments from Qatar World Cup

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

The Qatar World Cup has delivered a rich feast of soccer for the past month

Has Magical Messi saved his best for last in Qatar?

Has Magical Messi saved his best for last in Qatar?

Rediff.com17 Dec 2022

With immense pressure on him to match the late great Diego Maradona and send the trophy back to Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi has lit up the Qatar tournament while others in the superstar stratum - Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo - have underwhelmed and gone home.

'Debutant' Ronaldo brings house down at Old Trafford

'Debutant' Ronaldo brings house down at Old Trafford

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

CR7 started the game against the Toons in his second debut at Old Trafford.

Women try to settle turf war lawsuit against FIFA

Women try to settle turf war lawsuit against FIFA

Rediff.com13 Jan 2015

Players at this year's women's World Cup, trying to settle a lawsuit against FIFA, will play on artificial turf as long as the final matches are on natural grass, their lawyer said.

Ronaldo's return to United sparks hopes of reviving glory days

Ronaldo's return to United sparks hopes of reviving glory days

Rediff.com28 Aug 2021

They say never go back, but United fans had been longing for Ronaldo to rejoin their side for many years, more in forlorn hope than anything else.

Women's Euros PICS: Germany, Spain score big wins

Women's Euros PICS: Germany, Spain score big wins

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

Germany's bid to win a record ninth European Championship got off to an emphatic start as they beat Denmark 4-0 in their Group B opener on Friday.

Magic Modric living the dream for Croatia

Magic Modric living the dream for Croatia

Rediff.com30 Jun 2018

After scoring one of the goals of the tournament and upstaging Lionel Messi by leading his team to the top of their group, Croatia captain Luka Modric hopes to fulfil a dream that began when he watched his nation record a best ever World Cup showing.

Messi, Bolt, Serena vie for Laureus honours

Messi, Bolt, Serena vie for Laureus honours

Rediff.com17 Apr 2016

From soccer genius Lionel Messi to sprint king Usain Bolt, a shimmering array of the world's greatest sports stars are in the race for top honours at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards -- also called the 'Oscars of Sport' -- to be presented.

Ronaldo to sit out for Granada visit, no problem says Zidane

Ronaldo to sit out for Granada visit, no problem says Zidane

Rediff.com5 May 2017

'I speak with Cristiano all the time and I know him very well. He knows that until now he played 60-70 games a season and the accumulation of all those years meant he needs to rest a little'

Out Of Africa: The Real Story Behind World Cup

Out Of Africa: The Real Story Behind World Cup

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

More than 50 Africa-born or African-origin players are spread across 11 teams -- excluding sides from the continent -- that are part of the tournament in Qatar.

Full Real Madrid squad available to Benitez for El Clasico

Full Real Madrid squad available to Benitez for El Clasico

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has a full squad available, including forward Karim Benzema, for Saturday's La Liga Clasico at home to Barcelona.

Griezmann must prove worth to Atletico in Barca clash

Griezmann must prove worth to Atletico in Barca clash

Rediff.com23 Nov 2018

When Griezmann fired Atletico to victory over Olympique de Marseille in the Europa League final in May it was widely viewed as his last stand for Diego Simeone's side before a move to Barca but they successfully convinced the Frenchman to stay.

Will he be the next big star to emerge from Real Madrid?

Will he be the next big star to emerge from Real Madrid?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

Federico Valverde has already made over 100 appearances at senior level - while winning silverware and recognition both with his current side Madrid and country Uruguay, and showing the physical, technical and mental attributes to become one of world football's outstanding midfielders.

Extras: Solskjaer likens Rashford to Ronaldo

Extras: Solskjaer likens Rashford to Ronaldo

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

Ronaldo scripts unwanted personal record at Real

Ronaldo scripts unwanted personal record at Real

Rediff.com24 Oct 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo's teammates have issued a strong defence of his value to Real Madrid as the Portuguese striker grapples with a barren streak that has sparked a debate about his place in the team.

CL Preview: Be optimistic, Pochettino urges depleted Spurs ahead of Barca clash

CL Preview: Be optimistic, Pochettino urges depleted Spurs ahead of Barca clash

Rediff.com2 Oct 2018

Tottenham Hotspur will be without five key players for at least two weeks due to injury, but manager Mauricio Pochettino was in upbeat mood ahead of the Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Soccer in 2017 Ronaldo continues reign; Aizawl FC make their mark

Soccer in 2017 Ronaldo continues reign; Aizawl FC make their mark

Rediff.com30 Dec 2017

Laggards in international rankings, India finally made their presence felt by pulling off an impressive under-17 World Cup that drew all-round praise even though the country was eliminated in the very first round.

Intrigue surrounds Messi's next move after Barca bombshell

Intrigue surrounds Messi's next move after Barca bombshell

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

Finances aside, though, there is an even bigger question mark hanging over Lionel Messi. Is he a fading force?