Germany have returned to the top of FIFA s rankings after their World Cup triumph in Brazil.
Joachim Low s side have sat second behind Spain for all but one month since April 2012, but their Maracana success last Sunday puts them back to the top of the rankings for the first time since June 1994.
Beaten finalists Argentina climbed three places to sit just behind the Germans in second.
Spain had led the way in every year since the side s 2008 UEFA European Championship triumph, but they slip to eighth after a disastrous World Cup campaign that saw them exit at the group stage.
Netherlands rose 12 spots to return to the top three for the first time in two years and Costa Rica s own 12-place jump leaves them in their best position in 16th.
Colombia a…
Serge Gnabry faces a period on the sidelines after suffering a fractured forearm in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 DFB Pokal win at Preussen Munster.
The 28-year-old fell awkwardly in an early challenge and was substituted shortly after Eric Choupo-Moting fired the Bundesliga champions into a ninth minute lead.
Bayern later revealed the extent of Gnabry’s injury on their social media accounts, writing: “Serge Gnabry is confirmed to have suffered a fracture of the ulna in his left forearm.. following an X-ray examination during the match.”
Serge Gnabry suffered a fracture of the ulna in his left forearm during the cup match against Preußen Münster.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Serge!
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)
Bayern boss Thomas …
Racing Club president Victor Blanco is confident of sealing the signing of Inter striker Diego Milito.
The Argentine started his career with the Avellaneda-based outfit, who compete in the Primera Division in his homeland, and despite signalling his intent to extend his contract at San Siro earlier in the season, could now be on the verge of a return to his former club.
Blanco revealed talks had already taken place over a potential transfer.
Yesterday (Sunday) we had a meeting here in Milan, Blanco is quoted as saying by Gianlucadimarzio.com. We spoke and we are confident that Diego will return.
The fans at Racing are waiting for him.
We will reconvene soon, once the league season has finished.
Milito won Serie A with Inter in 2009-10 and has scored …
Joel Obi scored his first Serie A goal to rescue a 1-1 derby draw for Inter against Milan in Roberto Mancini s first match back in charge.
Former Manchester City boss Mancini was confirmed as Walter Mazzarri s successor during the international break marking his return to the club he left in 2008.
Mancini won three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia crowns in his four-your spell at the Inter helm, but he failed to get his latest tenure off to a winning start at San Siro on Sunday.
Despite applying the early pressure, Inter found themselves a goal down after 23 minutes when Jeremy Menez volleyed home superbly from 12 yards.
Inter struggled in their push for an equaliser, but eventually got back on terms shortly after the hour mark Obi driving a low effort…
Luka Modric has left open the possibility of a future move to join Zlatan Ibrahimovic in MLS if he is unable to finish his career with Real Madrid.
Croatia international Modric, 32, is nearing the end of his sixth season in LaLiga, having joined from Tottenham in 2012.
Like many, he has been intrigued by the circus surrounding Ibrahimovic s recent switch to LA Galaxy and is not ruling out treading a similar path.
The former Barcelona forward has netted three goals in as many matches since arriving from Manchester United and Modric admits he tries to keep an eye on the enigmatic striker, providing kick-off times are favourable.
It s difficult [to watch because of the time zones]. Sometimes I watch the games when they are early in Europe, Modric told SVT …
An eye-catching Juan Mata goal secured Manchester United an underwhelming 1-0 win over Rostov to book their passage to the last eight of the Europa League.
Jose Mourinho s side – held 1-1 in Russia – were wasteful in front of goal for much of the match at Old Trafford and looked to be heading for a goalless stalemate before Mata prodded home 20 minutes from time at the end of a well-worked move from the hosts.
United were dominant throughout, with Rostov offering little attacking threat and generally relying on defensive stubbornness and good fortune – the post coming to their rescue twice in the first half to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic at bay.
The home side suffered the blow of losing Paul Pogba – who enjoyed a strong first half – to a suspected hamst…
Even though he said he would announce his decision on July 1, Marouane Fellaini has agreed a new deal with , according to .
Manager Jose Mourinho achieved a personal victory by convincing the club to offer Fellaini a contract extension. The Belgian has been criticized for his style of play and Mourinho has been criticized for insisting on keeping him at the club, but the fact remains that the central midfielder helped United turn quite a few games around since his arrival from Everton in 2013. He made 156 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions so far and scored 20 goals. His 6 4 frame offers a focal point in attack when a more technical, on-ground approach fails to produce results, and Mourinho has often resorted to deploying Fellaini all the way up front.
T…
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi celebrates his 30th birthday on Saturday, another milestone for the record breaker.
Since making his Barca debut aged 17 Messi has been the scourge of defenders in Spain and across the globe, racking up 568 goals for club and country.
In the process the forward has collected 29 trophies but international honours with Argentina still elude him.
To celebrate Messi s milestone birthday, we take a look at 10 of his best goals throughout a sensational career that still has plenty more to come.
Albacete (H): May 1, 2005
Even at 17, Messi had the confidence of a veteran. Having already had one goal wrongly ruled out for offside an audacious chip from the edge of the box Messi s confidence was far from knocked …
Burnley are lining up a bid for Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters, according to the Mail Online.
The thirty-three old is considering his options after falling out of favour at the Bet 365 Stadium, and the Clarets are ready to pounce after beating the odds to retain their top flight status last season.
There is one year remaining on the Republic of Ireland international’s current deal so their bid of £3m may just be enough to persuade the Potters to do business.
Walters only started thirteen league games for Mark Hughes’ side last season, scoring just four goals his lowest return since signing from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2010.
In total, he has made two hundred and seventy-one appearances in all competitions, netting sixty-two times while…
Everton are keen on signing Tom Cleverley at the end of the season, .
The England international is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where he has made twenty-nine appearances in all competitions since temporarily moving from Manchester United last summer.
Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, West Ham United Hull City are also interested in signing the midfielder, who looks unlikely to earn a new deal at Old Trafford.
Since making his debut for United in 2011, the 25 year old racked up seventy-nine appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring five goals, and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in 2012/13 – Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge of the club.
He has also had loan spells with Leicester City, whom he helped …