SoccerBlogs

"The MLS Messi" But will he be lining up for the USA in the next World Cup? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Being labeled the "new Messi", has over the last few years become so commonplace that it has almost become somewhat of a footballing cliche.That considered it has to even my own amazement, crossed my mind that if by labeling Diego Fagundez (19th of February 1995 Montevideo, Uruguay) the "MLS Messi" if I am not in fact paradoxically doing him a disservice, such is the range & depth of his current & future talent.

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Did you know that the 2014 World Cup qualifying rounds have already started? With 'only' just under a thousand days until the big kick-off in Brazil, we take a look at one of the most hotly-contested qualifying groups: South America.

The European football season gets under way this month but this does not mean that no football has taken place during July and August. The Copa America, The Women's World Cup, World Cups at U-17 and U-20 levels, as well as major domestic leagues including Brazil, Argentina, the MLS and the J-League have all seen football action this summer.

By Chris Wright

After David Villa prodded them ahead in the fourth minute, Barcelona pootled along as per until Chivas midfielder Marco Fabian decided to put on a one-man exhibition of outrageous goalscoring on the hour mark to get the ball rolling with the staunchly Mexican side going on to squash the Spanish giants 4-1 (Giovanny Casillas bagged the other two) in Miami last night.

By Chris Wright

After David Villa prodded them ahead in the fourth minute, Barcelona pootled along as per until Chivas midfielder Marco Fabian decided to put on a one-man exhibition of outrageous goalscoring on the hour mark to get the ball rolling with the staunchly Mexican side going on to squash the Spanish giants 4-1 (Giovanny Casillas bagged the other two) in Miami last night.

In case you lost track of Diego Forlan's career after his forgettable stint with Inter Milan, he offered a helpful reminder of his existence by scoring both goals in Internacional's 2-0 win against Esportivo to reach the Taca Piritini final. Forlan's first goal was a rocket fired into the top of the net from distance when he was afforded far too much open space (video above).

If Franck Ribery's panties are an indication of things to come this week, we're afraid.

Let's cheer ourselves up with a quick look at what else footballers got horribly wrong this weekend, shall we?

EPL

League leaders AC Milan host their cross city rivals Inter Milan in the 204th meeting between them at the San Siro. Though Milan leads with the most number of wins in all meetings, there really is nothing to separate both sides.

Milan have won 72 of all the 204 meetings just one more than Inter with the pair each having scored an 279 goals in all meetings.

League leaders AC Milan host their cross city rivals Inter Milan in the 204th meeting between them at the San Siro. Though Milan leads with the most number of wins in all meetings, there really is nothing to separate both sides.

Milan have won 72 of all the 204 meetings just one more than Inter with the pair each having scored an 279 goals in all meetings.

Man United's greatest wins over Liverpool: Neville, Forlan, Cantona and Carragher!

United have knocked Liverpool off their perch and beaten the Anfield side plenty of times along the way

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-10-13 08:20:40 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

'Transfer snub' round up: Man United, Liverpool, Jagielka, Cork, Forlan and Mourinho

Who's snubbing who?

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-08-03 14:50:17 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

For the first time in quite a while, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona placed among the five biggest spenders of the summer according to Transfermarkt.

Madrid shelled out just 55 million euros, and a large chunk of that was reserved for Fabio Coentrao. Nuri Sahin, Jose Callejon and Raphael Varane arrived for modest fees, while Hamit Altintop was acquired on a free.

For the first time in quite a while, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona placed among the five biggest spenders of the summer according to Transfermarkt.

Madrid shelled out just 55 million euros, and a large chunk of that was reserved for Fabio Coentrao. Nuri Sahin, Jose Callejon and Raphael Varane arrived for modest fees, while Hamit Altintop was acquired on a free.

By David Chalmers, writing from Clackmannanshire, Scotland

With the hype surrounding ‘Deadline Day' dying down, I thought I'd draw up a list of the smartest transfer deals ever made. Though subjective, this is based mostly on players that cost very little money who turned into major stars for their club.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Tweet from SBI: "I'm told Philadelphia Union midfielder Michael Farfan will be heading to England for a training stint with Premier League side Sunderland." As of this writing, we are waiting for confirmation from the Union about this report.