Brazil

Flying Kicks, Avant-Garde Linesmen's Flags And Other CONMEBOL Qualifiers Highlights

Here it's a pill hard to swallow: Concacaf doesn't have the monopoly on absurdity. Sorry. Other confederations also have a fair share of the industry, and they are not shy when it is time to demonstrate it. 

And yes, we are looking at you, CONMEBOL.

Thursday night there were three games in the South American qualifiers, and all of them brought goals, emotions but also a good amount of WTF moments.

You don't have time; I don't have time, so let's go to the point.

Alisson Praises VAR After Two Red Cards Rescinded

QUITO — Alisson said the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had prevented his side from being "punished unfairly" after the Brazil goalkeeper had two red cards rescinded in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier.

Alisson was shown a red card after 25 minutes for a fierce tackle and another in stoppage time for felling Ayrton Preciado as he attempted to punch the ball, but on both occasions the referee consulted VAR and changed his mind.

"I think this was the first time this has happened in the history of football," the Liverpool keeper said.

Neymar's Netflix Series Is Fascinating In Ways That Neymar Probably Didn't Intend

Warning: Spoilers Ahead (Brazil doesn't win the 2014 World Cup) 

"He's in constant chaos, you know? He often creates it," says Dani Alves with a laugh during the opening of Neymar's new Netflix documentary. "He seems to enjoy that perfect chaos."

And with that we not only have the basis of the title — Neymar: The Perfect Chaos — but a good synopsis of the polarizing footballer who delights in the roles of entertainer, savior, clown, antihero and villain without ever really knowing, or caring, which mask he's going to don on any given day. 

Italy’s Supreme Court Confirms Robinho’s 9-Year Rape Verdict

ROME — Italy's Supreme Court confirmed the conviction of former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho to nine years in prison for his involvement in a gang rape of an Albanian woman in 2013, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

The ruling cannot be challenged and is definitive.

In 2017 a Milan court found Robinho and five other Brazilians guilty of assaulting the woman after plying her with alcohol in a discotheque. The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020.

38-Year-Old Dani Alves Earns Brazil Recall For Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers

Brazil coach Tite has left out Renan Lodi for their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay because the Atlético Madrid full back has not had a full course of COVID-19 vaccines.

"Renan Lodi was excluded from the possibility of being called up due to his non-vaccination," Tite, who recalled Dani Alves and Philippe Coutinho, told reporters on Thursday. "He missed the chance to compete (for a place)."

You Can Sign Roberto Carlos To Your Sunday League Team For £5 On eBay (Yes, It’s Real)

Sick of showing up for your Sunday League match with half your team hungover and the other half 15 minutes late? Tired of getting your ass handed to you by organized opposition in your local amateur league? Are you just over teammates who take free kicks with all the power and accuracy of a plastic bag blowing in the wind? Well, if you’ve got £5, you can change all of that — at least for one game.

Welcome To The 2024 UEFA Nations League Featuring … Messi And Neymar?

The draw for the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League took place on Friday, but that wasn’t the biggest Nations League news by a longshot. A massive announcement was made that in 2024 we will see a Neymar and Lionel Messi Nations League crossover. That’s right, South America is joining the UEFA Nations League. All 10 South American members will be joining Europe's best.

The Trailer For Neymar's New Netflix Series Is Here

Love him, hate him or simply appreciate the dazzling array of skills and laugh at the ability to turn into Simone Biles on the floor, Neymar is one of only a handful of footballers that completely captivate when taking the pitch. Of course there's also the lifestyle off it: the numerous love interests, the Gatsby-esque parties fueled by an annual income of $95 million, the ever-present entourage and everything he means to a football-mad country like Brazil.

Pelé's Daughter Provides Update After Legend Is Hospitalized For Colon Tumor Treatment

Pelé was hospitalized for a scheduled procedure as part of his treatment for a colon tumor and the Brazilian soccer great will be home in time to spend Christmas with his family, his daughter Kely Nascimento said.

Three-time World Cup winner Pelé, who was admitted to São Paulo's Hospital Albert Einstein on Wednesday, underwent an operation to remove the tumor in September and spent nearly a month under care.

Investigating The Most Egregious Ballon d'Or Winners Of The Last 20 Years

After a decade-plus of domination by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, fans expected Ballon d'Or voting to bring some different results in 2021.

The obvious choice was Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was coming off a record-breaking 41-goal campaign in the Bundesliga. 

Instead it was Messi — seemingly entering the twilight of his career — who won the award for the seventh time. "Surely something must be done," the people exclaimed at this perceived injustice. "He still can't be the best player in the world."

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