If his incredible two-goal display against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday was any indication, Atlético Madrid superstar Sergio Agüero could be on the path to recovery after a frustrating beginning to the 2009-10 season.
Former Argentina international defender Fernando Caceres is fighting for his life in a Buenos Aires hospital after being shot in the head during an armed robbery.
Diego Maradona could have compromised his role in Argentina's World Cup build-up after world governing body FIFA announced they are to investigate his conduct in a reportedly obscene TV interview following his side's 1-0 win over Uruguay.
Substitute Mario Bolatti scored in the 85th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 victory against 10-man Uruguay on Wednesday night and send the struggling South American football heavyweights through to next year's World Cup finals.
Substitute Martin Palermo's close-range finish deep into injury time earned Argentina a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 win over Peru in Buenos Aires just minutes after Diego Maradona's side looked to have suffered yet another World Cup qualifying setback.
Diego Maradona has threatened to quit as Argentina coach next week unless certain terms and conditions are met.
Brazil and Paraguay already booked their tickets for the 2010 World Cup, but six other teams are still in the running. There are only two automatic tickets left for South America, and one playoff berth against the fourth-place team from CONCACAF.
Argentina will be missing striker Diego Milito for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay as Diego Maradona's struggling team battle to reach the finals in 2010.
From the outside looking in, most don't appreciate how hard it is to qualify for the World Cup from the South American region.
With Argentina on the brink of elimination from the 2010 World Cup, which would be the first time it missed out on the finals in 40 years, immediate measures need to be taken. Diego Maradona, who will remain the coach for Argentina's final two qualifiers versus Peru and Uruguay next month, will need to pick up positive results to avoid the embarrassment of elimination.
If his incredible two-goal display against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday was any indication, Atlético Madrid superstar Sergio Agüero could be on the path to recovery after a frustrating beginning to the 2009-10 season.
Former Argentina international defender Fernando Caceres is fighting for his life in a Buenos Aires hospital after being shot in the head during an armed robbery.
Diego Maradona could have compromised his role in Argentina's World Cup build-up after world governing body FIFA announced they are to investigate his conduct in a reportedly obscene TV interview following his side's 1-0 win over Uruguay.
Substitute Mario Bolatti scored in the 85th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 victory against 10-man Uruguay on Wednesday night and send the struggling South American football heavyweights through to next year's World Cup finals.
Substitute Martin Palermo's close-range finish deep into injury time earned Argentina a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 win over Peru in Buenos Aires just minutes after Diego Maradona's side looked to have suffered yet another World Cup qualifying setback.
Diego Maradona has threatened to quit as Argentina coach next week unless certain terms and conditions are met.
Brazil and Paraguay already booked their tickets for the 2010 World Cup, but six other teams are still in the running. There are only two automatic tickets left for South America, and one playoff berth against the fourth-place team from CONCACAF.
Argentina will be missing striker Diego Milito for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay as Diego Maradona's struggling team battle to reach the finals in 2010.
From the outside looking in, most don't appreciate how hard it is to qualify for the World Cup from the South American region.
With Argentina on the brink of elimination from the 2010 World Cup, which would be the first time it missed out on the finals in 40 years, immediate measures need to be taken. Diego Maradona, who will remain the coach for Argentina's final two qualifiers versus Peru and Uruguay next month, will need to pick up positive results to avoid the embarrassment of elimination.
Football legend Diego Maradona had his earrings seized by Italian authorities Friday to help pay off his back taxes, according to media reports.
It was just more than five months ago that Diego Maradona's reign in charge of Argentina seemed on the right track. After a couple of wins in friendly matches, he debuted in World Cup qualification with a conclusive 4-0 triumph at home to Venezuela.
With only two rounds remaining until the conclusion of two years of South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, only Brazil and Paraguay have booked their tickets to South Africa.
Diego Maradona's Argentina suffered a potentially fatal blow to their World Cup qualification hopes after a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in Asuncion.
It was a rollercoaster night of highs and lows for football nations around the globe as teams competed for the limited number of World Cup qualification spots left.
Five-times world champions Brazil booked their place at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa with a 3-1 win in Argentina that keeps the home side's qualification prospects -- and coach Diego Maradona's future -- in the balance.
In a little more than a week, we'll likely know if Argentina is a contender for the 2010 World Cup or a pretender, and a serious risk to miss out on South Africa altogether. Diego Maradona's squad has little option but to claim all three points on Sept. 5 when it takes on archrival Brazil in a decisive South American qualifier.
English rugby coach Dean Richards has been banned from coaching for three years for his part in masterminding a fake blood injury to one of his players.
With South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup resuming next month, the top four positioned teams of the continent tested their strength in what ended up being worthwhile friendly matches on Wednesday. While Brazil, Argentina and Chile claimed hard-fought victories in Europe, Paraguay lost in Asia.
Substitute Jermain Defoe scored two second half goals as England came from two down to draw 2-2 against the Netherlands in a friendly international on Wednesday.
As Brazil coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari's most controversial decision was his refusal to pick Romário. Even at 36, Romário was still one of his country's most prolific strikers at the time and "Big Phil" faced a Spanish inquisition at every media conference. TV stations and newspapers launched pro-Romário campaigns and even Fernando Henrique Cardoso, then the Brazilian President, joined in.
These lists are not mere compilations of all-time bests in their respective sports but all-time bests at quickening the pulse and evoking a visceral response from those fortunate enough to have witnessed their artistry.
Brazil need just three more points to clinch qualification for the 2010 World Cup after beating former South American Group leaders Paraguay on Wednesday, but Argentina's hopes suffered a big blow.
Lionel Messi is universally recognized as being one of football's greatest current players and the Argentine, who does not turn 22 until June, will have a captive world-wide audience watching his every move when he dons the famous red and blue Barcelona shirt for Wednesday's Champions League final against Manchester United.
I am told that if you want to be a part of today, you have to Twitter. So I am Twittering ? JPosnanski, if you want to follow ? but since I have no idea what I'm am supposed to say, I just posted this: Pete Rose's career hit total is made up of Jackie Robinson's number (42) and Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak (56).
Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo is at the center of furious debate as to whether his decisions denied Chelsea their place in the Champions League final.
Diego Maradona's first competitive match in charge of Argentina saw the South American powerhouses thrash Venezuela 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.
With the South American World Cup qualifiers set to resume on the weekend after more than a five-month break, all eyes will be glued on Diego Maradona and the exploits of the Argentine national team.
All over South America, international squads are being called up as the continent's World Cup qualification campaign resumes after a 5½-month break. The 11th and 12th games for each nation are coming up in late March, followed by two more in June, two in September and the final two in October.
Michael Ballack has been promised he will be the captain of Germany provided they reach next year's World Cup.
All goals count, so we're told. But some are more equal than others and this is a rundown of the best 11 of all time.
A year-and-a-half ago, Juan Sebastián Verón got cold feet and backed out of a deal that would have made him one of the biggest stars ever to join Major League Soccer. Could the Argentine international be ready to try again?
Stylish playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has apparently turned his back on the Argentina national side after a row with coach Diego Maradona.
As a player, Oscar Ruggeri bludgeoned his way through 97 games for Argentina, winning one World Cup and two Copa América titles to become one of his country's most successful internationals. His coaching career, on the other hand, has been an extraordinary run of failure. It began reasonably well at San Lorenzo, when he was close to winning the championship in his first season. But it has been all downhill since then.
After a couple of years with nothing to show, FC Barcelona has finally been transformed into the most feared club in Europe. The Catalan giants have been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and if their magnificent form continues, they could be on track for a rare triple.
Argentine coach Diego Maradona has urged Carlos Tevez to quit Manchester United at the end of the season and head for Italy.
Passes, tackles, shots, saves, goals -- you go to a football match expecting to see these kind of things.
Barcelona continued their charge towards the Spanish Primera title by opening 2009 with a 3-1 home win over Real Mallorca on Saturday night.
It's that time. So why not make a list of things I hope to see in 2009?
An eighth-minute Maxi Rodriguez goal gave Argentina a 1-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park as Diego Maradona's reign as national coach began with a positive result.
Diego Maradona thinks it is time the English stopped complaining about the 'Hand of God' goal he scored against their team at the 1986 World Cup.
New Argentina coach Diego Maradona has left Boca Juniors striker Juan Roman Riquelme out of his first squad, for the friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on November 19.
Veteran forward Alessandro del Piero turned back the clock to score two superb goals as Juventus beat Real Madrid 2-0 at the Bernabeu to secure qualification from Champions League Group H.
Football legend Diego Maradona has been officially confirmed as the new coach of the Argentina national side.
Diego Maradona has announced he will make his debut as head coach of Argentina in the friendly match against Scotland at Hampden Park next month.
He is hailed as a god in his native Argentina, has been a vital part of the country's culture since the mid-70s and is largely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Diego Maradona will become Argentina's soccer coach next week, leaving the team in the hands of a national icon whose achievements have been undercut by a controversial history
Diego Maradona will be confirmed as the new coach of South American powerhouses Argentina next week.
Diego Maradona is in Tblisi, Georgia, this week preparing for a game of Showbol. But he surely has his ears glued to the telephone, waiting to hear what becomes of Argentina's latest coaching drama.
Last month, Brazil opened their first-ever football museum in the newly-renovated Pacaembu Stadium in Sao Paulo, where Corinthians play their home matches.
BEIJING -- It was a zany night at Workers' Stadium, a Brazil-Argentina soccer showdown that included a Kobe Bryant-driven human stampede, a good-old-fashioned journalist scuffle, the sight of Diego Maradona talking on a 1980s-style cellphone and a beleaguered Brazilian manager who dressed like a Club Kid, coached like a fraidy-cat and, in the end, mistook me for an Englishman.
My favorite sports venue? Whenever I want to explain why it's La Bombonera, the Buenos Aires home of Boca Juniors, I simply refer to the photograph. It was taken by ace SI snapper Simon Bruty at Diego Maradona's farewell game in 2001, and it captures everything I love about Argentine soccer supporters -- for my money the most passionate sports fans in the world.
All my life, Naples has been the symbol of chaos, stress and culture shock for European travel.
Two documentaries at this year's Cannes Film Festival dealt with sporting legends.
Whenever the two greatest soccer players of all-time set foot in the same country these days, it seems like it's for some luxurious awards ceremony.
And then, just like that, he went down again. A sprint into space, his left foot seemingly crazy-glued to the San Siro pitch, his left knee buckling and his body collapsing in a heap.
It's getting harder and harder to find superlatives to describe Cristiano Ronaldo. When he burst onto the scene at Old Trafford, he was exciting and talented, then he turned into skilful and dangerous. Now, if you ask me, he is simply the best.
Up until now, Lanus' best claim to footballing fame has been as the birthplace of Diego Maradona. But the Buenos Aires district may finally have a team to do its most famous son justice.
Diego Maradona was one of my idols. He was always the man to me. Do you remember the 1986 World Cup? Forget about the 'Hand of God' goal. What about the second goal? You could not deny that this dude was the best. I think he's the best player in the history of soccer. I met him once in a restaurant in Buenos Aires, and he once came to one of my concerts with his wife and kids. Last year I did a TV show with him. Maradona was the guy I always wanted to meet. The first time I met him I was like, "Oh, my God, I can't believe I'm actually sitting down in a restaurant talking to him." Soccer is my favorite sport to watch, definitely. I also love going to Miami Heat games. It was a tough year, though. D-Wade got hurt, and there is no way the Heat can win without Dwayne Wade. I follow them on a daily basis and if I am in Miami I will always try to go to a game. A friend of mine is the doctor for the Miami Heat, Dr. Harlan Selesnick. So I always get to sit with him.
We're pretty smart, when it comes to cheating in sports. We pick and choose. There's real cheating and then there are episodes we let slide.
"Brazil won. End of story!"
They may be used to success in Argentina, but in Buenos Aires last week they celebrated Boca Juniors' Copa Libertadores victory as if it was 1978 or 1986 again.
World Soccer's Keir Radnedge recently interviewed Barcelona wonder-teen Lionel Messi about his tremendous potential, European stardom and comparisons to his idol, Diego Maradona.
Argentine legend Diego Maradona said he has kicked his alcoholism and plans to return playing friendly matches.
Diego Maradona has been re-admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital just two days after he left a private clinic where he was being treated for acute hepatitis linked to alcohol abuse.
"I believe I'm the best ambassador baseball has, because I'm constantly selling the game of baseball." -- Pete Rose on the Dan Patrick Radio Show
If you ever really want to test your knowledge of soccer, try your luck with an Argentine cab driver. During a recent ride I took to meet River Plate's latest European export, Gonzalo Higuaín, my cabbie, a passionate River supporter, asked me: "Tell me, who do you think is the best Argentine soccer player at the moment?"
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- "El papa es alemán, pero el Dios es Argentino."
Throughout the World Cup, CNN is compiling its own "Dream Team" of the greatest-ever players who have competed in the tournament.
Argentina | Forward
2002 Japan/South Korea
Diego Maradona made a remarkable return to the football field when he played for 68 minutes in a charity match in Rio de Janeiro.
Diego Maradona, who pointed Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986, has failed to respond to FIFA's invitation to participate in Friday's draw for the 2006 finals.
A slimline Diego Maradona arrived in Madrid on Monday saying he had put all his problems behind him and had come to Spain to catch up with some old friends at Real Madrid.
Diego Maradona has been offered the job of youth team coach at Boca Juniors, the club he supports and where he had two stints as a player.
Argentine legend Diego Maradona was admitted to hospital with breathing problems on Saturday, according to local radio reports.
A federal judge in Buenos Aires on Monday gave the go-ahead for Diego Maradona to return to Cuba and continue his drug rehabilitation.
Diego Maradona has been put under sedation by doctors in a private drug rehabilitation clinic in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, according to reports.
Ailing soccer legend Diego Maradona has been forced by his family to enter a drug rehabilitation clinic, according to his personal doctor.
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has left hospital and entered a drugs rehabilitation center in Castelar in West Buenos Aires.
Diego Maradona is back in hospital after eating something he should not have, one week after discharging himself after heart and lung trouble.
Diego Maradona, in his first public statement after 10 days in intensive care with heart and breathing problems, on Tuesday thanked fans for their support.
Diego Maradona was breathing with the aid of an oxygen mask as he began a second week in intensive care with heart and lung problems.
Boca Juniors shrugged off concerns about Diego Maradona's health to beat Bolivar 3-0 at a soggy Bombonera stadium in the Copa Libertadores.
Diego Maradona has been taken off artificial respiration but remains in intensive care for a fifth day, according to a hospital statement.
Diego Maradona, still in intensive care four days after being taken to hospital with heart and breathing problems, could be taken off a respirator this week.
Argentines are continuing a vigil outside the hospital where Diego Maradona is being treated for heart and blood pressure problems.
Diego Maradona was the best football player since Brazilian legend Pele, and arguably an even greater talent.
Diego Maradona remained in intensive care on Wednesday three days after the Argentine football legend was admitted to hospital with heart problems and pneumonia.
Colo Colo finally picked up Chile's first win in this year's Copa Libertadores while Diego Maradona's cheered his beloved Boca Juniors to a 3-0 win at the Bombanera.
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed | Top Searches |
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed | Top Searches |
Photos
Video
