The Professional Footballer's Association has announced its nominees for the top players in English soccer. The nominees are voted on by the players themselves and this year's finalists include Diego Costa, Philip Coutinho, David De Gea, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez.
Winning the Ballon d'Or is the dream of every soccer player in the world. And why wouldn't it be? To win the award is to be recognized as the finest soccer player in the entire universe.
But the problem is that the award is tough to get and the last few years have required superhuman feats to claim ownership of the trophy. Exhibit A: Lionel Messi. Exhibit B: Cristiano Ronaldo.
In essence, to win the award these days you have to overcome either of those two titans.
Which makes the follow proclamation from Mesut Ozil rather shocking.
In 2012-13, Arsenal and Manchester United were both knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16, leaving England with no representative in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1999-2000.
In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Arsenal created a massive hole for itself to get out of. Despite being home against a "weak" Monaco side, the team wound up losing 3-1 and found itself with only one possibility toward advancing -- 3-goal victory or bust. Here is what we learned from the thrilling knockout match.
Year in and year out the world expects a surprise. And yet every year the same teams continually make reappearances in the latter stages of the Champions League. But for once, the 2014-15 UCL is threatening to show a new level of excitement as the first host of matches have featured some tremendous shockers.
Real Madrid and Barcelona continued their winning ways in this tournament, the latter doing so at the expense of a suddenly mediocre Manchester City. However, there were some other puzzling situations that have left the second legs with tremendous amounts of tension. Here are some of the big shockers of the UCL round of 16's first legs.
Poor Arsenal fans. There must be no other crowd of fanatics in the entire sports universe that endures as much disappointment as those who support the Gunners year after year.
Spanish League soccer clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are by far the two most popular sports franchises in the world today on social media. The two Spanish clubs are also the most valuable franchises in sports.
Luis Suarez's time in Barcelona has not been what most have expected. And as a result, the Uruguayan, who already has a target on his back every time he steps on the pitch for his biting antics, is under ever increasing scrutiny at one of the most challenging places to play in the world - the Camp Nou.
Chelsea maintains their lead in the English Premier League (EPL) after 1-1 draw against fourth-place Southampton while second-place Manchester City and third-place Manchester United fail to make up ground in the standings. Arsenal managed to creep into the top five with a key victory on the road against West Ham United.
The Round of 16 in the Champions League is arguably one of the most entertaining in soccer. This year's Champions League Round of 16 draw took place on Monday and brought up about some unique matchups that feature a number of major winners and losers. Here is a look at those smiling and those crying after Monday's draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo passed Raul on the UEFA Champions League all-time scorers league as he tries to catch Lionel Messi who currently holds the record. Meanwhile, Liverpool failed to qualify into the Round of 16 of the tournament, eliminated by FC Basel after 1-1 at Anfield.
Manchester United continues their resurgence, beating Hull City 3-0 thanks to goals from Chris Smalling, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. English Premier League (EPL) leaders Chelsea managed a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on the road to stay unbeaten over the last 20 matches across all competitions while Arsenal snaps a 2-game EPL losing streak beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0.
Manchester United defeated Arsenal 2-1 despite only two shots-on-target, Crystal Palace moves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Liverpool, and defending champions Manchester City tries to keep pace with league leader Chelsea -- who rolled over West Bromwich Albion.
One of the greatest soccer players in the world may be switching leagues. Lionel Messi could be transferring from FC Barcelona to an English Premier League team sooner rather than later.
Uruguay turn to Edinson Cavani and Abel Hernandez as they look to make adjustments with Luis Suarez banned from playing in the 2015 Copa America tournament. Meanwhile, Chile is looking to stay unbeaten, with help from Alexis Sanchez who is having a career year, after their heartbreaking exit from the 2014 World Cup.
