Taking the Day Off

I hung out with Lilian Thuram last night. I'm taking a day off to let that sink in. More over the weekend. -Sanford

AC Milan's Gattuso Stolen Car Found in Albania

Police are currently investigating how the stolen vehicle entered Albania. Luxury vehicles stolen from Western Europe often end up on Albania's streets after their plates are changed and are then sold on with falsified documents. The car, a Range Rover SUV, stolen from the Italian football player three years ago, had Tirana plates and was registered to an Albanian national.

Norman Hubbard: The Truth Behind Benitez

He has won the Champions League, but only one of his last nine fixtures. He still appears adored by many on the Kop, but is derided by still more on messageboards and phone-ins. He is one of the most divisive figures in football. But how many of the criticisms commonly levelled at Rafa Benitez stand up to analysis?

Football Unites, from Tanzania to Tottenham

When future historians look back at the age of globalisation, it is not the Americanisation of the planet’s culture that will amaze them most, nor the pervading presence of brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike. No, it is the global conquest of football.

Rebel clubs plan breakaway North American league

North America will have a new soccer league from April after rebel clubs broke away from the established second tier league to form a new competition.

The seven include USL champions Montreal Impact and the team they beat in the league's final game -- Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC and Minnesota Thunder have also split from USL to form the new league along with former USL team the Atlanta Silverbacks and a new team from St. Louis.

Football's Forgotten Superstar

Remember Freddy Adu? Of course you do. In 2004, he was the 14-year-old who was seen as the future of the game in the United States and a potential new global star. The subject of gargantuan hype when he made his Major League Soccer bow in April of that year for DC United, Adu still holds records as the youngest player and goalscorer in the MLS's short history and is also the youngest player to appear for the senior US team.

Premier League Rejects Old Firm

The Premier League has rejected a plan to bring Celtic and Rangers into English football's top flight.

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

Post-war Germany is traditionally reluctant to dwell on the past. But, as the country mourns the loss of a great footballer, for once the show cannot go on.

Robert Enke's death has cast a long shadow over German football.

The Big Interview: Kaká

Brazil's playmaker on Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo and why England can triumph in South Africa.

'I have no doubt England can win the World Cup' says Kaká.

French Revelations: The Team To Send France Past Ireland To The World Cup

Using the squad that Raymond Domenech has picked for the World Cup play-offs, Goal.com's Robin Bairner has picked his starting XI to send France to South Africa. In addition, he has selected a wildcard player to keep an eye on...




The wildcard...

World Cup Qualifying: Gourcuff and Benzema fear play-off date with Ireland

France stars Yoann Gourcuff and Karim Benzema give off the impression that they have been pinned back on the ropes for a little too long as they prepare for Saturday's World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland.

'Sad' Nani lifts lid on fiery Sir Alex Ferguson outbursts

"Ferguson is a very complicated man," Nani said. "He's tough. If things are all right, then they are all right. But when he thinks something is wrong, everything is screwed.

"He can go from complimenting you to just plain trashing you in a matter of minutes. Has it happened to me? Hell, yes! He'll say 'Nani, how could you miss this or this'?

"He shouts at players in front of everyone. No one escapes, everybody is the same. Giggs and Neville suffer most, because they have more experience. It is 'F**k' here and 'F**k' there."

Bayern Munich turn into FC Hollywood again

One suspected it was bound to happen. Every year we are presented with a new edition of the internal drama at Bayern Munich. It's a phenomenon that takes place frequently at Saebener Strasse and leaves the club's management in sheer disillusion and the fans in astonishment while blood-thirsty journalists start sharpening their pens.

Gabriele Marcotti Column

I don't really want to go back to the Michael Owen issue, but, since with eerie regularity people mention his "great goalscoring record for England" I might as well chip in. First of all, a "goalscoring record for England" is put together over a long period of time, especially in his case, since he made his debut back in February of 1998. That's why it's largely irrelevant. If Owen scored a lot of goals for England a decade ago, so what? Gary Lineker scored plenty for England in the 1980s, that's about as relevant as Owen's goalscoring record at the turn of the Millennium.

Roman Pavlyuchenko demands to leave Tottenham Hotspur

The 27-year-old striker says he wants to hold talks with Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, after becoming disillusioned with life at White Hart Lane.

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"He'd clean my shoes, make me cups of tea and even came to one of my fan club afternoons...he may be a global superstar but has he ever sold out Discotheque Royale on a Sunday afternoon?"
Lee Sharpe on the days when he was king and David Beckham was his bootboy.

"Phil's having a Guinness in his office at the moment - and he deserves one."
Hull assistant Brian Horton explains why Phil Brown would not give any interviews after the last-gasp win over Stoke.

"If you don't score at this level, unfortunately you aren't going to get a win."
Steve Bruce.

"At this level you've got to score goals to win matches."
Mark Lawrenson commenting on 5 live after Andriy Voronin's miss in the Lyon-Liverpool match.

"I will ask the medical staff to take as long as they need to try to get him back into shape as quickly as they can."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson on Damian Duff.

"Are you Sandra in Disguise?"
Following Darren Bent's penalty miss at White Hart Lane, referring to Harry Redknapp's wife. Last season, Redknapp said of Bent 'My missus could have scored that'.

"No Woodman - No cry."
At Wycombe v Brighton,when Wycombe took a second-half lead after Craig Woodman's first-half dismissal.

The Rest

Spanish Inquisition: Real Madrid Edge Alcorcon, But There’s Still Egg On Their Face

What’s a bigger embarrassment? Real Madrid labouring to a 1-0 home win over Alcorcon with their big guns out on show, or Alcorcón demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 at their 3,000-capacity Santo Domingo stadium with half of the mini-Galacticos day-dreaming out on the pitch?

The answer? Both are equally disgraceful.

Real Madrid jeered off the pitch by their own fans after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by minnows Alcorcón.

Alcorcón's home ground. Not quite the Bernabéu...

Manchester United Comment: Trailing By Five Points...It Was Worse Last Season

Alex Ferguson has the experience to close the gap on Carlo's Ancelotti's table-toppers...

Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke commits suicide

The 32-year-old was hit by the train as it passed through a crossing at Neustadt-Eilvese on its route between Hamburg and Bremen. Police said the Hannover 96 captain's car, parked metres away from the tracks, was unlocked and his wallet still inside. The two train drivers reported seeing a man on the tracks but could not stop in time, police reported. Enke was pronounced dead at the scene.

Widow reveals struggles with depression

U.S. striker released from hospital after car crash

United States and Sochaux striker Charlie Davies has been released from hospital after being injured in a car crash last month near Washington DC.