Cristiano Ronaldo Still Waiting for Platform to Shine with Portugal

Let’s make no bones about it. Euro 2016 is well and truly up for grabs. Germany probably remain slight favourites, even if they have had a few issues during qualifying. Spain are still striving to find their most imperious selves. Host nation France are still evidently a work in progress. Portugal may be within touching distance of reaching next summer’s tournament finals in France, but... 

Brazil’s Hungry New Wave Launch Copa America Campaign

At this time last week, this column was discussing Spain’s attempts to recover from a World Cup humiliation the extent of which was hard to absorb. It was, of course, not even the defining humbling of the tournament. That infamous title fell to the host nation, Brazil. Failing to lift the trophy on home soil was one thing. Enduring a 7-1 semi-final defeat, one that outstripped even the pain of... 

Spain Rebuild Slowly but Surely After World Cup Blowout

When Spain’s players step off the team bus at the Amsterdam Arena early on Tuesday evening next week, it is doubtful that they will be burdened with the ennui that most assume to be part of being involved in international friendlies. More than nine months on from the most chastening of World Cup openers for La Furia Roja in Salvador, it is safe to say that the memory of it still regularly haunts... 

For Cristiano Ronaldo, Less Is More for Fernando Santos and Portugal

It was another weekend and another record for Cristiano Ronaldo, as his 22nd La Liga hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao took him level on the landmark with club legend Alfredo di Stefano and Telmo Zarra, who starred for Athletic in the 1940s and 1950s. It left Ronaldo with 13 goals in just six league starts so far this season. Ronaldo’s next match will be on the international stage, against... 

Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey Make Wales Aim High

If ever the dangers of a team pinning its hopes on one megastar were apparent it was this weekend, as Portugal spluttered to a home defeat to Albania. If Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Sunday fatally compromised Paulo Bento’s team, Wales have no such worries with his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale as they begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Fortunately for Wales, even if plenty... 

Micah Richards and Ashley Cole Lead the Way for England Change

Transfer deadline day always throws up its little curios, and few were as eyebrow-raising this time around as Micah Richards’ loan move from Manchester City to Fiorentina. English players moving abroad are still as rare as hen’s teeth even if the City youth product always had a sense of the adventurous about him. It is a fresh chance for Richards, and by goodness he needs to take it. Perpetually... 

World Cup Hero Mario Gotze Proves He Has Mettle To Rival Lionel Messi

Rarely has such a feat been made to look so simple. When Mario Gotze took down Andre Schurrle’s pass on his chest, there was no sense of the potentially pivotal nature of the moment which could win Germany the World Cup. There was nonchalance in the manner with which he controlled and swept past the excellent Sergio Romero, from an unpromising angle. Not only was the 22-year-old’s sweet... 

Brazil’s Support Can Restore Cristiano Ronaldo’s Fortunes

SALVADOR, BRAZIL — It is safe to say that this was not part of the plan. If there was much angst outside the Portugal camp on the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s fitness, the comprehensive opening match defeat to Germany shifted the focus. Few expected such a stark jolt to Portugal’s hopes, but criticism of Ronaldo’s performance is misplaced. The supply to their talisman... 

Could Croatia Spoil Brazil’s Opening-Night World Cup Party?

As the temperature rises in Rio de Janeiro, there appears to be no doubt we’re in the midst of something historic. Bunting comprised of myriad replicas of that familiar green and yellow flag, shot through with the motto, “Ordem e Progresso,” decks every restaurant and shop. The sand sculptors on Copacabana have turned their hand from castles and famous faces to likenesses of the trophy... 

Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud Shows Us Why International Football Still Matters

It was as the night drew in back in December, in the corridors of Napoli‘s Stadio San Paolo, that it first became apparent that Olivier Giroud was in for a long, long season. Arsenal had just been beaten 2-0 in southern Italy in their final Champions League group game. It was a defeat that ultimately cost Arsene Wenger’s side, catapulting them into a last-16 tie with Bayern Munich, rather... 

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