Men's National Teams

BERLIN — Organizers of Euro 2024 on Wednesday unveiled the official ball for the continental tournament next year, with its colorful pattern designed to reflect the energy of the event and with built-in technology to assist in VAR decisions.

Tournament director Philipp Lahm, along with others including Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, led the reveal of the Adidas-made "Fussballliebe" (love of football) on the Maifeld, next to Berlin's Olympic stadium, where the final will be played on July 14.

Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz has reunited with his father for the first time since the latter's kidnapping ordeal, the Colombian football federation said on Tuesday.

Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was released on Thursday by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) 12 days after he was taken hostage on Oct. 28 in Barrancas, a rural municipality where he lives in the northern province of La Guajira.

Luis Diaz reunites with father

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Landon Donovan being left off Jürgen Klinsmann’s 2014 World Cup roster was a stunning move from the German head coach. Now nearly 10 years later Donovan has confessed what he said to Klinsmann after being told he wouldn’t go to the World Cup.

Donovan appeared as a guest on CBS Sports’ show “Kickin’ It” with Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu and Charlie Davies and was asked about that moment in 2014.

Brazil have called up five players for the first time including Palmeiras' teenage prodigy Endrick for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and leaders Argentina in the squad announced by interim coach Fernando Diniz on Monday.

Endrick, who will join Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July, joins Douglas Luiz, Pepe, Joao Pedro and Paulinho for the first time for Brazil's trip to Colombia on Nov. 16 and the home game against world champions Argentina five days later.

When will Neymar be back?

Brazil forward Neymar underwent surgery on Thursday after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee on international duty.

The 31-year-old was forced off during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay two weeks ago before an MRI scan confirmed the extent of his injuries.

Lionel Messi was voted as the best player in the world on Monday winning his eighth Ballon d’Or award. A new thing fans got to see is a Messi rings photo with the Inter Miami star having specially made rings for each of his Ballon d’Or wins.

The 36-year-old Argentine and adidas teamed up to make the iconic photo happen as it’s a nod to the legendary basketball star Bill Russell who passed away last year.

Russell won eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966 and took a historic photo wearing all the championship rings.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from soccer for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.

Tonali was sanctioned with an 18-month ban, eight of which will be commuted to alternative treatment, after an agreement was reached with the Federal Prosecutor's Office, the FIGC confirmed.

It will rule Tonali out for the remainder of the club season and next summer's Euro 2024 tournament should Italy qualify.