Now, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo venturing into smaller leagues as they near the end of their brilliant careers, 2024 may finally be the year for the next in line in football royalty.
FIFA launched proceedings against the players who angrily harangued the referee after crashing out of the tournament in Qatar, despite beating Ghana 2-0 in their final group match on December 2.
Neymar injured as Brazil lose 2-0 in Uruguay
More than 30 supporters were arrested in violent clashes that followed a tense cup match between Everton and Manchester United.
Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-1 to keep alive their chance of finishing second in the English Premier League
Late goals from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matric sealed a 4-2 victory for Chelsea over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a rip-roaring FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.
Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure scored an extra-time winner as they edged Rotherham United 2-1 in an absorbing FA Cup
Germany's World Cup hopes suffered a severe blow on Monday when captain Michael Ballack was ruled out of the finals in South Africa with an ankle injury.
Arsenal's miserable week got worse on Saturday when they were knocked out of the FA Cup in a 2-0 fifth round defeat at Sunderland while beleaguered Chelsea fared only slightly better by scraping a 1-1 draw against second tier Birmingham City.
Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott has been ruled out for at least six months after rupturing knee ligaments and will miss this year's World Cup, the club said on Monday.
Manchester United will be back in action in next season's Champions League after they hammered Chelsea 4-1.
Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in January on an initial 18-month deal with the possibility of an extension, which was granted six days after he led Chelsea to Champions League glory.
Cavani suspended by FA for three games over use of racial term
Manchester United have the perfect opportunity to repair their battered pride on Wednesday when they head across town to face Manchester City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
Manchester City suffered a third loss in four matches as Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at the Etihad Stadium Wednesday.
Australia's goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer fractured a cheekbone playing for Middlesbrough in the FA Cup semi-final against West Ham United.
Late goals from Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi salvaged a 2-2 draw for AC Milan against English FA Cup winners Portsmouth and took the seven times European champions into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup on Thursday.
Araujo to miss Uruguay friendlies due to thigh injury
The east London side suffered a humiliating 2-1 third-round League Cup defeat at the hands of third division Chesterfield to chalk up their eighth defeat in a row.
Not only the senior team but the young Blue Colts also emerged victorious in the SAFF Men's U-19 champions after hammering Pakistan in the final and clinching a vigorous 3-0 victory.
Trinidad & Tobago's squad for the World Cup finals in Germany comprises the following 23 players:
When asked about Barcelona's youth and talent in midfield especially, Gundogan said he had a lot to offer the team with his experience.
Ahead of Wednesday's crucial Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is expected to shake up the side.
Arsenal won the FA Cup for the 10th time on Saturday when they beat arch-rivals Manchester United 5-4 on penalties.
The Liverpool striker has been suffering from various leg injuries.
Chelsea started life after Andre Villas-Boas with an improved performance as goals from Juan Mata and Raul Meireles secured a 2-0 win over second tier Birmingham City in an FA Cup fifth-round replay.
Kyle Walker extends Manchester City stay until 2026
The 30-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of next season, says he is happy at the club amid transfer talks
Arsenal knock out Cup holders Liverpool There were no such problems for Chelsea, however, as a Frank Lampard hat-trick helped them thump Macclesfield in the FA Cup.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa must serve an extra one-match ban after being sent off in last month's FA Cup tie at Everton, the Football Association said on Friday. "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Thursday, Chelsea's Diego Costa has been given a one-match suspension, fined 20,000 pounds ($28,600 ) and warned as to his future conduct," the ruling body said in a statement. Costa admitted a charge of improper conduct in relation to his behaviour after he was shown a second yellow card in the FA Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte paid tribute to the performances of his back-up players as his in-form team moved a step closer to a league and cup double.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said the COVID-19 outbreak which forced the postponement of their League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal last week included many false positives.
Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has joined Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli from Manchester City on a deal until 2027.
Manchester City crushed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday
Manchester United have lost 11 of their 27 league matches this campaign, two more than all of last season. The two previous seasons with 12 league losses (2013-14 and 2021-22) led to managerial changes.
Mighty Liverpool were given the fright of their lives by tiny Havant & Waterlooville before beating the non-league side 5-2 in an astonishing FA Cup fourth round tie at Anfield on Saturday.
Manchester United, who won a record nine FA Cups at Wembley between 1948 and 1999, face Chelsea, the last winners under the Twin Towers in 2000, with the intense rivalry between the two teams adding spice to the occasion.
City fans were in dreamland after their side finally lifted the Champions League trophy
The win moved Liverpool level with City on 86 points in the standings
Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell will miss Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers due to injury
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances