The year is almost done, so here’s the final part of the World Cup Blog A-Z of 2007. Part one (A-M) can be found here, part two (N-Z) is after the jump and features everything from Hope Solo’s tantrum to Ashley Young’s bout of exhibitionism. If any big stories are missing, let me know in [...]

It’s the last day of 2007, so here’s an alphabetical look back at the last twelve months in world football. There’s so much happened that it’s impossible to cover all of it, so please remind me of anything that’s been missed out in the comments. Part one covers A to M, with part two to [...]

Like most English tabloids, The Sun is mostly full of gossip, nonsense and hastily assembled headlines. But every once in a while they do something decent, like compiling a list of 20 young players to watch in 2008 (list after the jump.) It’s a little bit Euro-centric, but there’s still plenty of talent to get [...]

Ronaldo’s career-rejuvenating move to AC Milan isn’t quite going as planned is it? Despite an encouraging end to last season the now afro-sporting striker has only played one Serie A game for Milan this season and is battling some oddly persistent thigh and calf injuries. Now rumour has it that the buck-toothed wonder could be [...]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is pushing for his Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to get a call up to the England squad. You read that right. Though Almunia is Spanish, he’s never been capped by his country and looks very unlikely to ever get a game. Not with the likes of Iker Casillas and Santiago Cañizares [...]

If this question hasn’t already been asked, it will be soon. We are coming to the point in Gianluigi Buffon’s career where it’s impossible not to wonder, “Is he….the greatest?”. Obviously it’s tough and complicated question but the list is short, which makes it a little bit easier. In fact, the list is two names [...]

Chris spent the weekend lining up a European XI and a South American XI, and that got me thinking about Africa. What would an African XI look like, and how would they fair against their European and South American counterparts? The standard of African football gets better every year. More and more African players are [...]

Europe v South America
With the Club World Cup final this weekend, we get a chance to see who is supposedly the best club in the world. Plenty of South Americans will admit that, as they watch boatloads of elite, young South American talent make the trip northeast, European clubs have far better players in their [...]

Brazilian coach Professor Neto gave a speech in South Africa recently, arguing that for football to develop in the 2010 World Cup host nation, the word “soccer” needs to be abandoned. Apparently the 74 year old gave an impassioned speech arguing that the use of the term “football” is integral to developing a strong national [...]

Ever since 2001, UEFA have embraced the magic of the internet and asked readers of their website to vote on a Team of the Year. 2007 is nearly done with, so it’s that time again. Go to their website and vote for your first choice 11 from the shortlist of 60 players they’ve narrowed it [...]