Football

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at a "disrespectful" claim that his only remaining ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or more times than Lionel Messi. Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at a "disrespectful" claim that his only remaining ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or more times than Lionel Messi. Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi won the prestigious award for a seventh time on Monday. Ronaldo, who finished sixth in this year's voting, has earned the Ballon d'Or

Asian champions Qatar started their FIFA Arab Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain in second Group A match at the brand new Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday.   Abdulaziz Hatem scored the winner in 69th minute off an assist from striker Akram Afif. With Iraq and Oman playing a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, the win took Qatar on top of Group A. The hosts will meet Oman in their next match on December 3 at Education City Stadium.

Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world for a record-stretching seventh time on Monday, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer's most prestigious trophy yet again. The forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 trophies after winning the Copa America for the first time with his country last July. "It's incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp urged forward Sadio Mane to control his emotions when opponents try to wind him up and "pay them back" with the quality of his football. Klopp was involved in an ugly altercation with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during Liverpool's 4-0 win last weekend after the Arsenal bench appealed for action to be taken against Mane for his aerial challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu. Klopp said opposition players often try to antagonise Mane, who has scored nine goals for Liverpool in

As anticipation builds across the world for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar is ready to host the event ahead of a year unlike other countries, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.  “I have never seen a country which is so ready to host FIFA World Cup. One year ahead, all venues are ready, unlike other countries,” said Infantino yesterday, while speaking at the latest edition of Education City Speaker Series.  The virtual event, under the theme ‘FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: The Countdown

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and FIFA yesterday celebrated the one-year to go milestone for the World Cup Qatar 2022 in a colourful ceremony at the picturesque Corniche Fishing Spot in Doha. In an amazing evening, the Countdown Clock was unveiled in front of a gathered crowd of FIFA World Cup legends, invited guests and fans.  The launch ceremony also featured a drone show, special guests and other surprises, ramping up the anticipation as the first FIFA World Cup in

Argentina joined Brazil in qualifying for next year's World Cup in Qatar despite the arch-rivals playing out a dour 0-0 draw in San Juan on Tuesday. Argentina joined Brazil in qualifying for next year's World Cup in Qatar despite the arch-rivals playing out a dour 0-0 draw in San Juan on Tuesday. Defeats for Uruguay (3-0 to Bolivia) and Chile (2-0 to Ecuador) ensured Argentina, unbeaten in 27 matches, booked their ticket, leaving just two more automatic spots available in South American qualifying

Italy will have to get through the play-offs if they are to return to the World Cup after a goalless draw at Northern Ireland on Monday allowed Switzerland to pip them on the final day of qualifying. Italy will have to get through the play-offs if they are to return to the World Cup after a goalless draw at Northern Ireland on Monday allowed Switzerland to pip them on the final day of qualifying. Roberto Mancini's European champions, who started the night top

Brazil beat Colombia 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo on Thursday to become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar 2022. Lucas Paqueta got the vital goal 72 minutes into the match with a shot that goalkeeper David Ospina got a hand to but could not stop. The result means Brazil top the 10-team South American group with 34 points from 12 games, nine clear of second-placed Argentina. The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 and

Xavi Hernandez, who took over as the new manager of FC Barcelona, revealed that his former teammate and friend Lionel Messi texted him and congratulated him after he became the club's new boss. Xavi Hernandez said Barcelona's players will have to play by his rules and raise their standards as the club's new coach laid down a firm message at his unveiling on Monday. Xavi was presented in front of almost 10,000 fans at Camp Nou before signing his contract on the pitch,

UEFA Europa League: West Ham secured a berth in the knockout ages despite a 2-2 draw against Genk in David Moyes' 100th game of his managerial career. West Ham qualified for the Europa League knockout stages despite Tomas Soucek's own goal costing them victory in a 2-2 draw at Genk on Thursday, but Leicester City have work to do after being held 1-1 at home by Spartak Moscow. Celtic gave their chances of reaching the last 32 a boost by beating Ferencvaros 3-2

UEFA Champions League: Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid to make it four wins out of four in Group B to reach the last 16. Liverpool and Ajax kept up their perfect records in the Champions League this season to qualify for the last 16 on Wednesday, while a Paris Saint-Germain side missing Lionel Messi were held by RB Leipzig. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool blew Atletico Madrid away in a whirlwind start at Anfield, with Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane scoring in the first 21 minutes

Lionel Messi scored two second-half goals as Paris Saint-Germain fought back to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 when the sides met in Paris two weeks ago. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig due to injury, his club confirmed Tuesday. The 34-year-old six-time Ballon d'Or winner has a problem with his left hamstring and a painful knee, PSG said, and sits out Wednesday's match away to Leipzig. The Argentinian scored two second-half goals as PSG fought back

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero will be out for at least three months while his treatment for a heart problem is assessed, the club said. Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero will be out for at least three months while his treatment for a heart problem is assessed, the club said on Monday. "Aguero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr. Josep Brugada. He is unavailable for selection and during the next three months the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in

Xavi is currently coach of Al Sadd but prising him away from the Qatari club is not expected to be a problem, with the Spaniard eager to complete a sensational return. Barcelona are close to finalising Xavi Hernandez's long-anticipated return as coach, according to various reports in the Catalan press on Thursday, with B team coach Sergi Barjuan put in temporary charge following the sacking of Ronald Koeman. Barca president Joan Laporta was reportedly in talks with Xavi about the vacant position on

Atletico Madrid spurned the chance to move level on points with Real Madrid on Thursday after conceding from two penalties, the second in the 89th minute, to draw 2-2 away at Levante. Atletico Madrid spurned the chance to move level on points with Real Madrid on Thursday after conceding from two penalties, the second in the 89th minute, to draw 2-2 away at Levante. Atletico led twice at the City of Valencia Stadium as Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring before Matheus Cunha's first

Olivier Giroud scored the only goal in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Torino on Tuesday to move his side to the summit of Serie A. Olivier Giroud scored the only goal in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Torino on Tuesday to move his side to the summit of Serie A despite an underwhelming performance at the San Siro. France forward Giroud tapped home his fourth league goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer in the 14th minute of a largely dreary contest

Premier League: Manchester United, revived by their European escape act, face a stern test against bitter rivals Liverpool in a crucial clash in the Premier League title race this weekend. Manchester United, revived by their European escape act, face a stern test against bitter rivals Liverpool in a crucial clash in the Premier League title race this weekend. Rocked by injuries to Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, Chelsea need their understudies to rise to the challenge when the leaders host Norwich. After Steve

Argentina took their unbeaten run to 25 matches and moved a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Peru. Argentina took their unbeaten run to 25 matches and moved a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Peru on Thursday. Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the game two minutes before the break with a powerful header while Yoshimar Yotun missed a second half penalty for Peru. On

Lionel Messi, Neymar and a host of other South American stars are missing for Paris Saint-Germain this weekend but Kylian Mbappe will take centre stage after starring for France in their successful UEFA Nations League campaign. Lionel Messi, Neymar and a host of other South American stars are missing for Paris Saint-Germain this weekend but Kylian Mbappe will take centre stage after starring for France in their successful UEFA Nations League campaign. Messi, along with Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria, is with