Back in 1970 Gerd Muller scored 10 goals in the World Cup. Since then only one player has come anywhere near that standard. That man was the great Ronaldo, who managed eight goals in that tournament and holds the record for highest scoring player in World Cup history with 15. Ronaldo did not earn the Golden Ball for his performance in 2002; that honor was given to the nearly impenetrable Oliver Kahn. But Kahn, who had been dominant throughout the first seven games of the tournament (he only conceded one goal in that span), met his match in the decisive match and allowed not one, but two goals against the superstar forward.
The World Cup is a showcase for some of the best teams in the world, but also one in which the major stars make get a chance to express themselves to billions of people. The 2010 World Cup featured a number of brilliant superstars playing their best soccer. Uruguay's Diego Forlan managed to win the Golden Ball for a sizzling performance as he led his nation to the semifinals. Wesley Sneijder was the star behind the Netherland's finals berth while Thomas Muller was a major breakout star for Germany in their third place finish. But the performance of the tournament would go to Spain's top goaltender Iker Casillas who became the backbone of a team that won with a team-first mentality.
The Spanish League title will be decided on Saturday when Atletico Madrid and Barcelona face off at the Camp Nou. Los Colchoneros were seen as the favorites to take the trophy, but slip-ups in recent weeks have given Barcelona a chance to lift the trophy on home turf with a win.
In a move that surprised many, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced this week that he'll be putting on his cleats and playing professional soccer while still acting as Bolivia's leader.
FC Barcelona put an end on the talks suggesting that they are considering moving Lionel Messi this summer, announcing that they have reached a new deal with the star forward.
On Tuesday May 13, Spain's manager Vicente del Bosque announced his preliminary squad for the national team. The roster featured most of the mainstays from last year's Confederations Cup roster.
For the last few years, Spanish soccer has prided itself on dominant midfield play. While Barcelona was the earliest adopter of this style, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have caught on and have a crop of impressive midfielders. But which side will dominate the midfield in the Champions League final? Here is a comparison between the two contenders.
Group H is one that is passing under the radar as it does not contain any of the major contenders. Belgium and Russia are seen as favorites, but the group also contains South Korea and Algeria. The latter side has a huge task on its hands as it is undoubtedly the least favored side in the tournament. Can the Algerians surprise the world and make a run at the knockout rounds?
Four years ago, the African nations bonded around one country in the World Cup knockout rounds. Despite hosting the tournament for the first time in the event's history, the African nations continued to struggle in the group stage and only saw one of its neighbors manage a berth in the round of 16. That nation was Ghana and it carried the hopes of a continent. Despite falling short, the run was one of the most impressive in Africa's history. Ghana is arguably the best African side at this year's World Cup in Brazil, but the team is faced with a monumental group to overcome. Can Ghana prove to be among the world's elite in 2014?
Offense wins game. Defense wins championships. That old saying transcends all sports when referring to a team's ability to make a run in a tournament. Defense has played a huge role in the Champions League runs for both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. But which side has the better defensive setup? Here is an analysis of how the team's top defenders compare.
When one thinks of Asian superpowers in soccer, Japan and South Korea immediately come to mind. Iran is not usually included in that group. However, Carlos Queiroz's side has proven to be one to contend with and could surprise a few people in Brazil. The team has been placed in arguably the least competitive group of all and could finally earn its way to the knockout round. Can Iran pull off the historic feat?
Latin Post.com breaks down the team's in Group E of the 2014 World Cup; which of these teams are the favorites to win futbol's biggest prize in Brazil this summer?
The World Cup is a major showpiece for some of the biggest soccer teams around the globe. However, one of the highlights of the tournament is watching how some of the relative "unknowns" fare against the bigger powers. Costa Rica enters this tournament as one of this lesser-known soccer nations and actually fits the aforementioned description of a small country taking on big powers as it will face Italy, England and Uruguay in the group stage. Can the underdog seize the spotlight from the aforementioned World Cup champion nations?
Japan has grown into an Asian superpower in international soccer over the last few years. However, many have been waiting for the Samurais to take the next step and be contenders for the World Cup. Is this the year that Japan does it?
The last time a World Cup champion won back-to-back tournaments was in 1962, when a Pele-led Brazil managed the feet. That generation of players was widely considered the greatest international team of all time. However, another team has managed to enter into that conversation after being the first team to win three straight international tournaments in a row. That team is the current defending champion Spain, which enters the tournament after winning the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups and the 2010 World Cup. Can Spain make history by winning its second straight World Cup and its fourth straight major tournament?
African sides have never had formidable success at the World Cup and many do not believe that that trend will come to an end in Brazil this summer. There are some teams that are expected to get out of the group stage, but Cameroon in not one of them. Can the team prove doubters wrong?
Korea Republic will look to continue building a solid World Cup resume in 2014. The Asian side had the fortune of being placed into a relatively inexperienced group and could emerge as the surprise favorite of its group. Can the team pull off the feat?
The soccer world mourned on Friday at the announcement of the passing of former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova. The former manger passed away at age 45 after losing a battle with cancer.
