'Living in Brazil, I had internalised the football mythology of that country, the way I had learnt Mahabharata stories in my childhood. The tragedy at the Maracana stadium in 1950, when a confident Brazil had lost to Uruguay in the finals. They tell the story of this debacle, this 'Hiroshima' that hit them, like the Shias lament the death of Ali. It led to the Brazilian team burning their white uniforms and switching later to Yellow and blue symbolising their national colours,' says Ambassador B S Prakash, India's former envoy to Brazil.
FIFA slapped the Mexicans with a CHF 10,000 fine for what it called "discriminatory and insulting chants" during their surprise 1-0 win over Germany on Sunday.
How did how a reluctant, chain-smoking, beer-swigging footballer captain the greatest football nation in the world?
India has potential to play in FIFA World Cup soon, says Rathore
World Cup hosts Brazil are back in the spotlight with the chance to get one foot in the last 16 when they face Mexico in Fortaleza on Tuesday.
Describing Cristiano Ronaldo as a `phenomenal` player, Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed that he was in awe of the Real Madrid star as a youngster and wanted to be exactly like him in his career. "As a young player I watched him and said to myself 'I want to be exactly like that'. the player who makes the difference, the shining light, simple as that," the United player was quoted as saying by goal.com.
'Those who worked with him or came to know him rated him as one of our best, with a sharp intellect, unfailing courtesy and ready wit.' Ambassador T P Sreenivasan fondly remembers Ambassador B S Prakash, wonderful human being, unusual diplomat and long-time Rediff.com columnist, who passed away into the ages on Monday, October 4, 2021.
Real Betis right-back Emerson Aparecido's first year in La Liga went superbly well, but there is plenty to come from one of the league's most talented and determined rising stars.
The midfield duo, who both have dual Moroccan-Belgian nationality, kept Belgium alive with their goals off the bench in the extraordinary round of 16 comeback against Japan and were handed starts in the 2-1 win over Brazil.
'I start my 60th with these marvellous messages that you've all sent me. Thank you.'
Former Brazil and Barcelona player Ronaldinho Gaucho his brother Roberto Assis, who were arrested on Friday for using a false Paraguayan passport, would present their case to a judge on Tuesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Brazil's poster-boy striker Neymar flicked and tricked and along came the goals for Brazil.
Rediff.com brings you the buzz around celebrity sportspersons and their glamorous lives!
Believe it or not, the football frenzy across the state has contributed nearly 50 per cent to the network's viewership for this edition of the football tournament.
They came to watch their men turn up the heat on Uruguay, but all that they got was boring football and a ticket back home. Italian WAGS were left dejected by their partners.
Supported by his sons and receiving a standing ovation from a 12,000-strong crowd, Serbia midfielder Dejan Stankovic entered retirement as his country's most capped player with a 2-0 victory over Japan in a friendly on Friday.
'It is no accident that politicians strive to control sports bodies, and get their names associated with popular sports, sometimes by renaming stadiums after themselves,' observes Devangshu Datta.
It seems that Brazil World Cup fever has taken over Bollywood as well, with Shah Rukh Khan taking to Twitter to express his excitement over the sports fiesta.
Brazilians brought a soccer fan's raucous attitude to the Rio Games on Monday, wildly cheering their own athletes, booing and mocking opponents -- and creating uncomfortable moments for Olympic athletes unaccustomed to no-holds-barred partisanship.
Rediff.com brings you the buzz around celebrity sportspersons and their glamorous lives!
Neymar, 28, one of five players sent off during the match at the Parc des Princes, informed the fourth official he had heard a racist comment while walking off the pitch.
With the world gearing up for the FIFA World Cup on June 12 in Brazil young footballers are enthusiastically training with local clubs in the hope of taking football to newer heights in the country.
Six people survived, including three members of the club, en route to the Copa Sudamericana final against local side Atletico Medellin, the biggest game in Chapecoense's history.
The football fans in Kochi will get a chance to witness a fascinating contest between Brazilian attacking flare and Spanish 'tiki-taka' possession football in what could be a final before the final of this tournament.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Rediff.com brings you a quick flashback of the Round of 16 matches at the World Cup through these stunning captures!
