Posted on 06/20/2014 11:19:50 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The Real Madrid winger scored 51 goals in 47 matches across all competitions in 2013-14, ending Lionel Messi’s four-year reign as world player of the year. Ronaldo has posted 252 goals in 246 appearances since joining the Spanish titans in 2009 — the primary reason he is, according to Forbes magazine, the world’s second highest-compensated athlete at more than $80 million ($52 million in pre-tax salary, $28 million in global endorsements).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
▶ Nike Football: Risk Everything. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. & Wayne Rooney - YouTube
Ronaldo’s contract states a billion dollar buyout clause.
Then Friday, against a solid Switzerland squad, France opened the scoring with two goals in rapid succession. And they didn't stop scoring.
Five-star France show they can go all the way... four years to the day of World Cup revolt
On June 20, 2010, France's World Cup squad refused to train in South Africa in protest at the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home after he argued with coach Raymond Domenech during their defeat to Mexico.
Their captain at the time Patrice Evra brawled with France's fitness coach Robert Duverne, before handing a statement from the players to Domenech outlining their feelings about Anelka's expulsion.
That was arguably the darkest day in the history of French football.
Les Bleus marked its fourth anniversary with a blistering display against Switzerland that suggests they are genuine contenders to win this World Cup.
Honduras had looked on course for their first ever World Cup win when Carlo Costly fired them in front on 31 minutes, but Valencia levelled from close range just three minutes later.
And the Pachuca striker moved alongside Karim Benzema, RobinvVan Persie, Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben as the tournament's joint top scorer on three goals when he headed home the winner from Walter Ayovi's free-kick 25 minutes from time.
Switzerland 2:5 France Match Highlights
Honduras 1:2 Ecuador Match Highlights
Messi and his team-mates face outsiders Iran, providing the Barcelona forward with the perfect opportunity to impress again on the biggest stage.
Argentina v Iran
Germany v Ghana
Nigeria v Bosnia-Hercegovina
Alejandro Sabella's side used five defenders in the victory and Messi said the approach made them "suffer a bit".
"I was not hurt by Leo's comment and he has said that before," said Sabella, whose side face Iran on Saturday.
"We can all make mistakes. We will start with a 4-3-3 formation and we will take it from there."
Carlos Queiroz to leave job as Iran coach
"Yes my connection will finish here at the World Cup," confirmed Queiroz, 61.
"There was not support from the government - there has stopped being a genuine interest because of the financial situation."
"The dialogue has been cut off and I have already decided not to stay," added the former Real Madrid manager.
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Argentina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 2. | Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3. | Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4. | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Costa Rica | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| 2. | Italy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3. | Uruguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 4. | England | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Even though Bosnia ultimately lost to Argentina 2-1 in its opening game of the World Cup, the feeling of Bosnian pride was overwhelming.
Midfielder Onazi has revealed how he escaped being caught in an attack in Jos having left the central market barely 15 minutes before a massive explosion went off killing almost a hundred people.
“Football is the biggest unifying factor in Nigeria. It is shocking that some people should engage in such callous acts by killing fellow human beings at a time that the world is in celebration mood of the biggest sport in the world,” said the team’s media officer Ben Alaiya on Wednesday.
“Our heart goes out to them, we feel very pained and we want to win for them. Even if we win the trophy it would not bring back the lives that we’ve lost.
“The players want to win, they want to do well for those lives that were lost and for the Nigerian people who have seen football as the force to bring them together all the time,” he said.
Joachim Low warns Germany of second-game syndrome against Ghana
Having witnessed Italy and Holland make encouraging starts but then struggle in their second matches, Germany’s coach insists that qualification for the knock-out phase is not guaranteed.
He also believes Germany’s experiences of the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship should keep his squad focused against Ghana. Löw’s teams won both opening matches at those tournaments only to lose their second and put themselves under pressure for the final game; both were overcome successfully.
| Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| 2. | USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3. | Ghana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 4. | Portugal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 |
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