Neuer challenging Ballon d'Or regulars

The goalkeeper who won the World Cup is challenging Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or.

Bottle-thrower facing lifetime ban from Valencia

Valencia will hand out a lifetime ban when it identifies the fan who hit Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on the head with a plastic bottle, the club said on Monday.

'I live on Messi street, near Mascherano intersection'

You will find Lionel Messi Street at an intersection with Javier Mascherano if you visit the town of El Chanar in the northwestern Argentine province of Tucuman.

Lippi eyeing Brazilian talent

World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi is in Brazil on a scouting mission for China's Guangzhou Evergrande.

Spieth 'very far' from best

Rising star Jordan Spieth obliterated world No 1 Rory McIlroy by 15 strokes in his runaway Australian Open triumph but says he is "very far away" from becoming the top-ranked player.

Nine rescued as boat runs aground

Nine sailors waded to safety in pitch darkness in the middle of the Indian Ocean early on Sunday morning after their Volvo Ocean Race boat, Vestas Wind, became stranded on a reef.

Ko to balance Tour with university life

Rookie golf sensation Lydia Ko says she will have to learn to balance the demands of the LPGA Tour with her upcoming studies after being admitted to one of South Korea's most prestigious universities.

Score board

Qatar will host in 2022, claims defiant Blatter

A defiant FIFA president Sepp Blatter said there would be no moving the 2022 World Cup from Qatar, despite widespread concerns about the bidding process that took the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.

Platini denies sunday times' picasso claims

UEFA president Michel Platini told AFP on Sunday that rumors he was given a Picasso painting in return for voting for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup were "totally fictitious".

Fan clash leaves 1 dead, 11 injured

One man died and 11 others suffered minor injuries after a fight broke out outside Atletico Madrid's stadium between its fans and those of visiting team Deportivo La Coruna, officials said on Sunday.

Kidney treatment suspended as Pele improves

Pele's condition is continuing to improve and doctors have suspended kidney treatment for the soccer great, a Brazilian hospital said on Sunday.