Brazilian club Santos on Friday turned down an €8 million bid from Portuguese club FC Porto for their midfield wizard Paulo Henrique Ganso. However, what seems to be rubbing people the wrong way is club president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro's comments where he labelled Porto's bid as comical and that it should have at least contained an extra zero for Santos to consider it.

Queens Park Rangers are set to land Nigerian international Taye Taiwo from Italian champions AC Milan within the coming days. The left back joined Milan from Marseille last summer but has struggled to make it to the first team despite not suffering from any injuries.

The finer details of Taiwo 's transfer are not clear, however what is known is that the defender will be joining QPR on a loan deal.

Together with Neymar, Santos midfield wizard Paulo Henrique Ganso is another of Brazil's hottest prospects who is continually been linked with a move to Europe with Italian giants Inter and Milan thought to be seriously eying his services.

However, there seems to be a new entrant in the race to acquire Ganso's signature.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has already picked his eleven players that will start against Gabon on Thursday. Menezes gives Valencia keeper, Diego Alves, and Benfica midfielder, Bruno César, their first caps.
Injuries have robbed the coach of Real Madrid's Kaká and Marcelo and Bayer Munich's Luiz Gustavo.

(Photo by AP)
Lille's Eden Hazard (R) challenges Ondrej Celustka of Trabzonspor during their Champions League Group B soccer match at Huseyin Avni Aker stadium in Trabzon,Turkey.
Gustavo Colman's late penalty kept Trabzonspor's lead at the top of UEFA Champions League Group B.

It's official two time FIFA World Player of the Year, seemingly consigned to football's has-been pile after five years at the Camp Nou theatre, announed his return to the big time in the rather less inspiring surroundings of Fulham's Craven Cottage. Granted, the opposition was Ghana, not one of football's big hitters, and granted they were down to ten men, but the touches and vision of the former master were there to see.

Steve Clarke has admitted to heading to the Brazil v Ghana game at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with the Liverpool first team coach looking for future talent.
"You can always pick up a game that's interesting, whether it's by television coverage or getting down to watch it," Clarke said of his plans for the international break.

Ronaldinho performed well versus Ghana. Brazil want more of the same vs Argentina

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Brazil have announced the squad that will face Argentina in Cordoba on 14th September for the ‘Superclássico das Américas'.

Ronaldinho hoping to prove that looks aren't everything

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Brazil take on Ghana at Fulham's Craven Cottage today with a side packed with plenty of attacking options. Paulo Henrique Ganso, Neymar, Leandro Damião and Ronaldinho Gaúcho are all expected to start.

By DAVID MOSSE
The first half of the Brazilian Championship came to a close this weekend with a number of local derbies highlighting the schedule. It's all part of a strategy to avoid teams fielding second-string lineups in the final round of the competition, and the most fascinating matchup took place on Sunday between Santos and Sao Paulo.

The Future of Brazil is a post from: Just Football

Brazil's performance at the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups this year, where they finished respectively in third place and as winners, as well as the presence of some exciting young players in the Copa América squad gave us a glimpse of the future of the national team.

18.08.2011 - Un jugador de más durante 83 minutos, un penal a favor no cobrado (a Llorente ´92), alta performance de los ofensivos (Munian y Herrera), 70% de posesión y 8 córners a favor (1º tiempo), situaciones claras de gol y un dominio de partido (y rival) como hace mucho tiempo no se veía en San Mamés: el Athletic de Bilbao tuvo el sello de Marcelo Bielsa desde hoy, su primera presentación oficial.

Aaaand... he's back for Brazil next month against Ghana! What a relief, eh, Ronaldinho? / via Reuters

(See Brazil's official squad list to face Ghana after the cut)

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Fabio (Cruzeiro), Jefferson (Botafogo)

Defenders: Lucio (Inter Milan/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Dede (Vasco da Gama), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Danilo (Santos), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Adriano (Barcelona/ESP)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool/ENG), Ralf (Corinthians), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich/GER), Elias (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato, Robinho (both AC Milan/ITA), Neymar (Santos), Hulk (FC Porto/POR), Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Leandro Damiao (Internacional)

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Menezes and Brazil hoping for great things from Ronaldinho

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Brazil have called up 24 players for the international friendlies versus Ghana on September 5that Fulham's Craven Cottage. Under pressure coach, Mano Menezes, has recalled Ronaldinho Gaúcho after an absence of nine months from the national team.

Suleiman Kerimov: The vanguard of the Russian revolution

The Anzhi Makhachkala revolution continues as Samuel Eto'o is set to join the Russian Premier side. His agent Claudio Vigorelli confirms that the two parties have reached an agreement on personal terms and he expects Inter to follow suit.

Neymar (front) Ralf (background) getting ready for Brazil

Brazil take on Germany in an international friendly in Stuttgart later today. The match will mark a year in charge for Brazil coach Mano Menezes. The coach is under growing pressure after Brazil failed miserably in the recent Copa America in Argentina.

Trabzonspor vs Benfica Highlights 1-1 Goals Video 2011 Champions League is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Trabzonspor vs Benfica Highlights 1-1 Goals Video 2011 Champions League is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Trabzonspor vs Benfica 2011 ( Trabzonspor v SL Benfica) 2011 Champions League Qualifying- 3rd August, 2011 Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul Final score:- Trabzonspor vs Benfica 1-1 ( Paulo Henrique/Nolito) ( Benfica win 3-1 on [.

28.07.2011 - Mientras Ronaldo Nazario panzea en Ibiza, en el partido más emocionante de la historia del Brasileirao, Santos cayó (4-5) ante el Flamengo en Belmiro (por la 12º jornada).
La defensa de Flamengo salió un poco tarde al partido: al minuto 26 Santos ganaba 3-0 con un doblete de Borges y una perla de Neymar que, sonriente, se paseaba por el área.

Vasco centreback Dedé gets his first call up

Mano Menezes has called up 23 players for Brazil's outing against Germany in Stuttgart. Six of the Copa America squad have been left out: Adriano, Elano, Jadson, Jefferson, Luisão, Sandro (injured). They've been replaced by centreback Dedé (Vasco), midfielders Fernandinho (Shakhtar Dankest), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen) and Ralf (Corinthians); and forward Jonas (Valencia).

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In May this year, FootBrazil talked to São Paulo and Brazil star Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva. In this video we chart the midfielder's short career and take a look at why his club have slapped an €80 million price tag on his head.

Paraguay shocked Brazil in a penalty shootout to advance to the Copa America semifinals today. In 24 hours both Argentina and Brazil have been knocked out of the Copa America on penalties.

Amazingly, Paraguay is yet to win a game in the tournament, but it will face either Chile or Venezuela, for the right to reach the Copa America Final.

Brazil were fortunate to draw with Paraguay in the Group stage

Brazil take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America this afternoon in La Plata. With hosts Argentina out of the competition, Brazil are now the firm favourites but Paraguay will be a tricky opponent. In the Group stage, the pair drew 2-2; Fred coming off the bench to secure a late equalizer for Brazil.

Is Mano Menezes waving goodbye to Brazil's chances of success in the Copa?

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Brazil go into their final Group game in the Copa America in Argentina with just two points after drawing with Venezuela and Paraguay.

Mano Menezes has lots to think about including his future as national coach

Argentina found themselves as a team facing Costa Rica after desultory draws against Bolivia and Colombia. A must win situation against a team with a huge incentive to force a draw.

Brazil also followed suit with draws against Venezuela and Paraguay.

Brazil's Lucas Moura, Elano, Neymar and Fred

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Brazil's second outing in the Copa America sees them go up against Paraguay in the city of Cordoba. Despite drawing their opening fixture, Mano Menezes has ignored the pressure for change and has stuck with the side that drew 0-0 with Venezuela.

Neymar, Pato, Ganso and Robinho in confident mood

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Brazil get their Copa America campaign underway on Sunday versus Venezuela in La Plata, Argentina. The two have met 20 times with Brazil well on top as Venezuela have managed just one win and a draw.

By DAVID MOSSE

When Brazil won the last Copa America back in 2007, Lucas Moura was busy competing in the Under-15 Paulista State Championship. Four years later, the Sao Paulo winger is one of three supremely gifted youngsters being counted on to help Brazil capture another title, while restoring some luster to a soccer nation perceived by many around the globe to be in decline.

One of the great soccer tournaments in the world kicks off Friday as Brazil will attempt to win its third straight Copa America title. The world's oldest continental tournament, the Copa was first staged in Argentina in 1916 and has been graced by some of the greatest players in the game

The 2011 might be the most formidable Copa ever played due to the strength in depth of the South American national teams.

25.06.2011 - Los campeones de América (Santos) Neymar, Elano y Paulo Henrique Ganso llegaron a Buenos Aires el jueves por la noche para completar la nómina de 23 jugadores adelantada por el DT Mano Menezes.
Ya todos están en trabajos físicos y sesión de entrenamientos en el búnker elegido para la concentración: el hotel Sofitel Los Cardales (Km.

Appreciating the little things which create big things: Paulo Henrique's cheeky backheel.

• The clubs to watch in the summer. (SB Nation)
• The players to watch in the Copa America. (The Elastico)
• The inevitable comparison continues. (BBC)
• Football and advertising.

Appreciating the little things which create big things: Paulo Henrique's cheeky backheel.

• The clubs to watch in the summer. (SB Nation)
• The players to watch in the Copa America. (The Elastico)
• The inevitable comparison continues. (BBC)
• Football and advertising.

Santos, de la mano de Neymar y sus jóvenes estrellas, ganó por tercera ocasión la Copa Libertadores al vencer el 2-1 a Peñarol en el partido de vuelta por la final.

El club brasileño -cuna de Pelé y ahora dominio de joyas como Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso y Danilo- se impuso por el mismo marcador global tras empatar sin goles en el partido de ida en Montevideo.

By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

Two of South America's most storied clubs -- Brazil's Santos and Uruguay's Penarol -- face off in the return leg of the Copa Libertadores final tonight (8:30 p.m., Fox Sports en Espanol) after a goalless match last week at the famed Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.

ARQUEROSJulio César (Inter de Milán-ITA)Víctor (Gremio)Jefferson (Botafogo)
DEFENSORESLúcio (Inter de Milán-ITA)Thiago Silva (AC Milan-ITA)Luisao (Benfica-POR)David Luiz (Chelsea-ING)Daniel Alves (Barcelona-ESP)Maicon (Inter de Milán-ITA)André Santos (Fenerbahçe-TUR)Adriano (Barcelona-ESP)
VOLANTES Lucas Leiva (Liverpool-ING)Sandro (Tottenham- ING)Ramires (Chelsea-ING)Elías (Atlético de Madrid-ESP)Elano (Santos)Jadson (Shakthar Donetsk-UKR)Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo) Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)
DELANTEROS Robinho (AC Milan-ITA)Alexandre Pato (AC Milan- ITA)Fred (Fluminense) Neymar (Santos).

Penarol was one of the seven clubs in the inaugural Copa Libertadores in 1960 and it also had the distinction of winning the first edition. They successfully repeated as champions the following year. In 1963 the Uruguayan side came across a sublime Santos side led by Pele in the finals and waged a series of classics, losing the first leg at home and then rebounding on the road to force a playoff which they lost 0-3.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has finalized the 22 players that will be heading to Argentina for the Copa America. The announcement came directly after Brazil's 1-0 win over Romania in a friendly international at the Pacaembu on Tuesday night. From the 28 man squad that were included for the games against Holland and Romania out go Fábio and Jefferson (keepers), Henrique, Anderson and Thiago Neves (midfielders) and Leandro Damião and Nilmar (forwards).

By DAVID MOSSE

Pumas UNAM is in solid position to capture its seventh league title after earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Mexican Clausura final against Morelia Thursday night.

Francisco Palencia gave Pumas the lead with 69th-minute strike with a blast from outside the area to quite the home crow.

Mano Menezes looking for success before the Copa America

Mano Menezes has called up 28 players for the friendly internationals versus the Netherlands on June 4th and Romania 3 days later.
The Brazilians will take on the Dutch in the estádio Pacaembu in São Paulo. The Romania will be in the city of Goiânia and the estádio Serra Dourada.

Is Jean Chera on his way out of Santos before playing a single game?

15-year-old midfielder, Jean Chera, has stunned Santos by announcing that he's leaving the Vila Belmiro. The much coveted teenager, who turns 16 in May, was expected to sign professional papers with the club he's been with since he was a ten-year-old.

Lucas Moura with mum and dad

São Paulo's teenage sensation, Lucas Moura, has renewed his contract with the Morumbi club. The new deal runs until December 2012 and Lucas is expected to earn around €50,000 per month – an increase of around tenfold on his current wage. São Paulo have also written in a buyout clause of €80 million (£67 million), which dwarfs that of Santos pair Neymar (€45 million) and Paulo Henrique Ganso (€50 million).