By Chris Wright

On the day of his 30th birthday, Genoa's Rodrigo Palacio (he of 'abysmal rat-tail/Jedi bog chain' horror hair fame) scored against Lazio on Sunday with an absurdly deft, over-the-shoulder flick at the near post that lobbed over the flapping Federico Marchetti and in at the far post.

The Talking Bull boys are back with their latest, greatest and 40th episode. This week, our own Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) and Ben Schneider (of Once A Metro fame) discuss the Tim Ream transfer, the signing of Conde, Pálsson and (re-signing of) Joel Lindpere and goalkeeping options.

Though Ronaldinho hasn't been paid in months, a new deal has been reached to ensure he gets what he's owed, he's still training with Flamengo and still focused on getting results for the club. And as Flamengo head into the second leg of their Copa Libertadores tie trailing Real Potosi (who share a ground with Nacional Potosi, of recent scorpion kick fame) 2-1, Ronaldinho was uncharacteristically serious in training on Tuesday.

Live life in the fast lane with the NUFC Blog prediction competition, the second of which starts this weekend. Cash prizes to be won and I wouldn't be surprised if the ensuing fame leads to a book deal and your own reality TV show! The second NUFC Blog prediction competition kicks off this weekend and [.

It's the eve of Christmas Eve... and um fim de semana de festas para Neymar! We know there are many out there who're close to joining the "Neymarzetes" (the equivalent of Justin Bieber's street team) and for that, we wish you the best of luck.

If soccer becomes more popular with tween girls in the United States it won't be because of Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, or MLS, it'll be because of Justin Bieber using his fame to hang out with top international clubs - okay, that fits for when he hung out with Barcelona, considering the state of Chelsea fans they might argue my calling their club a "top international club.

By Chris Wright

Just a few hours after getting done over by Chelsea at the Bridge, Man City celebrated their Christmas party just down the road at the Anaya nightclub in Mayfair.

Sadly, there were no Azerbaijani cults, Bengal tigers or Dwarf darts on the night just a good ol' fashioned fancy dress theme and, as with most fancy dress parties, some of the guests went all out (Joe Hart, Owen Hargreaves, etc) and some skirted by on bits and bobs nabbed from their kids' bedrooms at the last minute (Edin Dzeko).

Any change? Any change? Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner shocked diners in his native Denmark by resorting to begging for someone to buy him a late night pizza. The on-loan Arsenal man called into Pizza Huset after a drunken night out with actress Julie Zangenberg. With a taxi waiting outside, Bendtner ordered two pizzas.

Got, Not Got: You Too Can Go To Bed With George Best Shock

Now here's an offer you don't get every day it's your chance to hit the sack with 1970s sex god, boutique owner and noted footballer George Best of Manchester United and Northern Ireland fame. What's more, Alan Ball, Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks come as a special bonus a dream Christmas gift for the lady football fan who previously imagined she had everything.

The world of professional football isn't as carefree as it seems. Look past the fame, fortune and adoration and you'll discover that all is not rosy in the garden of the beautiful game. Game Intelligence opens our ears those whose ... Continue reading →

It's yet another dissapointing end to an MLS season for the New York Red Bulls and the Talking Bull duo is all over it. In this episode, our own Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) and Ben Schneider (of Once A Metro fame) review the second leg of the RBNY/Galaxy series, take a look at the positives and negatives of this past season, discuss personel decisions and what needs to be fixed for the coming season.

Tasty We saw this live during Soccer Saturday and now the gang at Pies have tracked down the videos for us to share with you. This Portsmouth fan found himself in the limelight during Paul Walsh's reports from Fratton Park... and he couldn't resist capitalising on his 15 minutes of fame. In the video above [.

Seattle Sounders winger Steve Zakuani is known for being a bright personality who joyfully shares his ability with fans, while using his fame to help others through many charity paths. Today Zakuani was not bright, there weren't many smiles. At final availability day he revealed some of the harsh realities of his recovery from the double leg break, most notably his suffering compartment syndrome.

You may recall that a month or so ago we shared a video of what was generally believed to be the longest headed goal in the history of football. Jonas Samuelson had scored this header from his own half in a Norwegian league match, leading to a well-deserved fifteen minutes of fame.
Well, he must be livid.

Most of the people remember the great goals of the Ronaldo Nazario in WC 2002, or in CL with Real Madrid and some moves and goals with Inter Milan. These memories are mixed with the over-weight Ronaldo, with the lazy Ronaldo, with the Corinthians Ronaldo, where he will score once in a while, but he was not really that efficient.

MirrorFootball Podcast: Robbie Savage, Miles Jacobson, Derek Hammond and Gary Silke

On this week's MirrorFootball Podcast Robbie Savage shares his predictions on this weekend's Manchester derby and Miles Jacobson of Football Manager fame reveals the new features of Football Manager 2012.

Alright, so this is a bit odd.

Based on what we did for Pele yesterday, I've run the numbers for Diego Maradona.

And they're surprising.

High level:

With Maradona in the side Argentina were P90, W41, D 29, L20. Without him they were P97, W43, D34, L20.

Points per 38 games: 64 and 64!

Ah, how quickly the weekend has rolled by but the debauchery continues, of course, in our Blind Items Monday where our sources have been working all week to deliver the saucy stuff to YOU! Happy guessing!

1. This player currently plays for one of the top two best teams in Europe and is having the "time of his life".

That's Amy for you!!! I just could not recall when was the last time my hair actually STAND during a match, but when Malay rock legend Amy of Search fame wowed his audience of his classic - ISABELLA during the half time of the veterans match - it did!
Such an impact was that song that whole stadium actually sang it when it was performed by the legendary singer during the interval.

Nope, nothing to do with Ryan, Babel is an acronym for the island province of Bangka Belitung. Flushed with the success of a local movie, Laskar Pelangi, the islands have become a popular tourist destination for locals looking for a bit of peace and quiet basking in the glamour of fame.
The Depati Amir Stadium in Pangkal Pinang normally hosts local amateur team Persipas but this coming weekend will see the glamour of the Indonesia Super League descend with Deltras and Sriwijaya from nearby Palembang competing with a Babel Stars for the inaugural Babel Cup.

September 15 was the kick-off for the group stage of the Europa League. The Europa League isn't the most popular competition for some in the Premier League. Harry Redknapp isn't thrilled to be in the Europa League. I think it's very fair to say he doesn't like it since he thinks it will interfere with his quest to achieve Champions League football next season.

The world of professional football isn't as carefree as it seems. Look past the fame, fortune and adoration and you'll discover that all is not rosy in the garden of the beautiful game. Game Intelligence opens our ears those whose ... Continue reading →

As expected Sylvain Marveaux will make his debut tonight for Newcastle United in the second round of the Carling Cup at Scunthorpe United, in what looks a strong Newcastle side. The 25 year-old Frenchman is in midfield and surprisingly Yohan Cabaye starts the fame tonight and Dan Gosling and Peter Lovenkrands make up the midfield.

Wicked cool stuff from Mr. Swarbrick of Gareth Bale also-cool-animation fame.

(Via AFR)

At a first glance, for an outsider, the 2-0 victory for Saudi vs. Croatia in 2011 WC U20 might not seem a big deal, but anyone knowing the Asian and Saudi football realizes how important this victory was.
The victory came at the worst stage for the Saudi football in 30 years. Saudi football been declining slowly since the big bang defeat in 2002 0-8 vs.

An abbreviated episode of this great RBNY-themed podcast, but a must listen nontheless. This week, Mark & Dave discuss the 2-2 home draw vs FC Dallas, the MLS All-Star game @Red Bull Arena, and the Emirates Cup. Their guest this week is Michael Lewis, of Big Apple Soccer fame.

Destined for fame Ahead of Uruguay's appearance in the Copa America final tomorrow evening, star striker Luis Suarez's first venture into the South American country's national consciousness has come to light. The Liverpool man made a childhood appearance on a Uruguayan kids' television show not dissimilar to our very own 'Fun House'.

Destined for fame Ahead of Uruguay's appearance in the Copa America final tomorrow evening, star striker Luis Suarez's first venture into the South American country's national consciousness has come to light. The Liverpool man made a childhood appearance on a Uruguayan kids' television show not dissimilar to our very own 'Fun House'.

Ryan Giggs is one of ten players who has been nominated for the Golden Foot award which is given to players over the age of 29.

Sports journalists from all over the world have shortlisted the ten players and the winner will leave his footprint on Monaco's Champions Promenade 'Walk of Fame'.

By WAG Watcher

Hey, remember Larissa Riquelme? Y'know, the Paraguayan 'World Cup super fan' that just about everyone wanted to gashmoygady last summer right up until they realised just what a desperate, fame-craving harlot she was?

No? Allow us to refresh your memories.

Another great episode of this, the original RBNY-themed podcast. This week, Mark and Dave have a supersized 68 minute episode for us, where they discuss the loss @Seattle, the draw @ Chicago, the DeRo/McCarty shocker, the Open Cup victory vs FCNY and preview tomorrow's away fixture @San Jose.

One should NEVER co-sign on an article they haven't read. So I won't co-sign on this article in Grantland from Carles of Hipster Runoff fame...but maybe read it anyway. Not because it's Carles and his sh*ts always bratty and funny but because maybe if a soccer piece gets good traffic on Grantland they might actually feature it from time to time.

Chicago's finest fans get their 15 minutes of fame --seriously, this clip is 15 minutes long-- courtesy of DePaul University film students Marlin Kolev, Ethan Faure and Heather Eidson. Good stuff. Always good to see the SG's get some shine.

Adidas are modestly calling it ''A boot made for players who can change a game with one touch. Players who control not just the ball with their feet, but the whole match with their vision. This is not about the fame or the flashes. It¹s about earning the ultimate sign of respect inside the four lines.

Os primeiros sorteios das competições de clubes da UEFA para a época de 2011/12 terão lugar a 20 de Junho.
Os acasalamentos para as primeiras duas pré-eliminatórias da UEFA Champions League, assim como para as primeiras duas pré-eliminatórias da UEFA Europa League terão lugar durante cerimónias que terão lugar na sede da UEFA, em Nyon, e começarão pelas 11h00 e 12h00, respectivamente.

Another great episode of this, the newest RBNY-themed podcast. Our own Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) and Ben Schneider (of Once A Metro fame) discuss the crushing defeat at the hands of Columbus (yeah, I know it was a tie - but it sure felt like a loss), rake RBNY Gaffer Hans Backe over the coals and preview tomorrow's massive, massive home fixture against New England.

Almost missed this one as it came out very late this week. In fact, I just finished listening to it. Nevertheless, it's another great episode of this RBNY themed podcast. This week, Mark and Dave discuss the two draws against Colorado and Vancouver and preview the home game against Columbus (a disaster of a draw, played yesterday).

Another great episode of this, the newest RBNY-themed podcast. This week, our own Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) and Ben Schneider, of Once A Metro fame, discuss our previous two leagues games (vs Houston & Colorado), our fading Supporter's Shield hopes, question Mr. Backe's substitution policy & preview today's first League meeting against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Chris Toy of Studs Up fame has a new concern called Beautiful Gear. It's basically Uncrate for footie freaks. Among the wares currently on display is the really fine kit from local Dallas team Portman Kunis which is pictured above.
The team name is an homage to the sapphic love scene between unnecessarily sexy Black Swan co-stars Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis.

Another fantastic episode of this, the newest RBNY-themed podcast. This week, our own Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) and Ben Schneider (of Once A Metro fame) discuss the victory over Sporting KC, the draw @Los Angeles, the friendly loss @Montreal and preview tomorrow's massive, massive home fixture against Chivas USA.