Marcelo signs 2-year deal with Brazil’s Fluminense
February 24, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Real Madrid left back Marcelo signed a two-year deal with Brazil's Fluminense on Friday.
The 34-year-old Brazilian terminated his contract with Olympiakos last week, only five months into a one-year deal.
Brazil picks Ramon Menezes as interim national team coach
February 15, 2023 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Ramon Menezes will serve as Brazil's interim coach while the search continues for a permanent successor to Tite, who stepped down after the World Cup.
The 50-year-old Menezes guided Brazil's Under-20 team to the South American championship title on Sunday and will be in charge for a friendly against World Cup semifinalist Morocco in Tangier on March 25, the Brazilian Football Confederation said Wednesday.
Pelé brought renown to Santos, Brazilian port city and team
January 1, 2023 GMTSANTOS, Brazil (AP) — Pelé. Santos, Brazil.
Over decades, adoring fans around the world mailed thousands of letters, postcards and packages to the sports legend without his address or full name.
Brazil mourns Pelé, who made every part of the country proud
December 30, 2022 GMTBocaina de Minas, BRAZIL (AP) — Down a dirt road in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Pelé’s home state, Jorge Tavares received the news of the star’s death from a 4 a.m. newscast.
As a boy, Tavares and his cousins listened to Pelé’s World Cup games on the radio.
Pelé invigorated US soccer, paved way for ’94 World Cup, MLS
December 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Clive Toye traveled to Jamaica and walked unannounced into the hotel where the Brazilian club Santos was staying ahead of a friendly against the Reggae Boyz in January 1971. Pelé was sitting by the pool, and the New York Cosmos general manager began the cold call that changed U.S.
Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world
December 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth.
“Before Pelé, ’10′ was just a number,” current Brazil forward Neymar wrote following the soccer great's death Thursday at the age of 82.
Thursday’s Sports In Brief
December 30, 2022 GMTSOCCER
SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday. He was 82.
World reacts to death of Brazilian soccer king Pele
December 30, 2022 GMTReactions poured in from around the world to the death of Brazilian soccer legend Pele. He died of cancer in Brazil at age 82.
Movies, music and TV helped Pelé to even more stardom
December 30, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Whether or not Pelé scored almost 1,300 goals in his professional soccer career, all of his biographers agree that the three-time World Cup champion wrote more than 100 songs and sold more than 100,000 copies of one of his albums.
‘Greatest of all time’: Pelé as described by his peers
December 29, 2022 GMTPele has been praised over the decades by everyone from world leaders to artists. Here are superlatives from over the years about Pele, who died Thursday in Brazil at age 82:
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“To watch him play was to watch the delight of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man in full.” — Nelson Mandela.
Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ has died
December 29, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday.
Pelé set the standard for greatness in the land of his sport
December 29, 2022 GMTFrom spearheading the “beautiful game" to helping Brazil win three World Cup titles, Pelé embodied greatness in his sport.
The incarnation of the country’s style and elegance on the field, Pelé began enchanting Brazilian fans as a teenager.
Pelé, who died at 82, was a sports star and cultural icon
December 29, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé will be famous for 15 centuries.
The Brazilian soccer star said Andy Warhol told him that. It was a twist on something else the American artist is widely credited with saying, that “in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Warhol made the soccer star's portrait in 1977, and Pelé took great pride in turning his sports fame into decades of global affection and renown.
As ‘The King,’ Pelé enchanted fans and dazzled opponents
December 29, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé was simply “The King.” He embraced “the beautiful game” of soccer in his 1958 World Cup debut for Brazil and never really let go.
He won a record three World Cups and was widely regarded as one of his sport's greatest players.
Jogo bonito: Pelé ’s 10 most memorable goals
December 29, 2022 GMTPelé made scoring look easy, getting the ball into the net in the most varied and beautiful ways — dribbling past defenders, firing powerful shots, striking well-placed free kicks or using firm headers.
Neymar sent off for PSG after dive in 1st game since WCup
December 28, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Neymar was sent off in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 win against Strasbourg after the Brazil forward’s second-half dive in the penalty area Wednesday in his first match since the World Cup.
Pelé’s family gathers at hospital in Sao Paulo
December 24, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Family members of Brazilian soccer great Pelé are gathering at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo where the 82-year-old global icon has been since the end of November.
Doctors said earlier this week that Pelé’s cancer had advanced, adding the three-time World Cup winner is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.” No other hospital statements have been published since.
Argentina only No. 2 in new FIFA rankings led by Brazil
December 22, 2022 GMTZURICH (AP) — Winning the World Cup was not enough to lift Argentina atop the FIFA world rankings with Brazil keeping the No.
Pelé’s cancer worsens, kidneys and heart affected
December 21, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé's health has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication, doctors said Wednesday.
The Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement Wednesday that Pelé's cancer has advanced and that the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer great is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.”
Weekend Sports In Brief
December 19, 2022 GMTSOCCER
LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete: He is a World Cup champion.
In probably the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history, Argentina won its third World Cup title by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from the 35-year-old Messi and a hat trick by his heir apparent, Frech forward Kylian Mbappé.
Argentines erupt in joy after epic World Cup final
December 19, 2022 GMTBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines let loose on Sunday and streets across the country became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties.
Messi wins World Cup to push claim to be soccer’s GOAT
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — After finally winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi made his strongest case yet to be considered soccer’s greatest player of all time.
It will never be possible to say definitively, though, even after Argentina's 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France on Sunday in the final at Lusail Stadium.
Pelé congratulates Messi and Mbappé after World Cup final
December 18, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil great Pelé congratulated Lionel Messi and Argentina for winning the World Cup and Kylian Mbappé for his goal-scoring exploits in Sunday's final.
Mbappé electrifies in World Cup epic, ends up on losing side
December 18, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored a hat trick seemingly from out of nowhere to electrify the World Cup final, he ended the tournament as the leading scorer with eight goals, and he still missed out on winning a second straight title.
France’s dismay mixed with awe for Messi in World Cup final
December 18, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — In the pain, there also was consolation. Losing to Argentina in the World Cup final wasn't the ending that heart-broken France fans hoped for.
How Argentina can beat France in the World Cup final
December 17, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi stands on the brink of a long-awaited World Cup winner's medal as Argentina faces defending champions France in Sunday's final.
Messi, Mbappe, other leading storylines for World Cup Final
December 16, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi's last chance. Kylian Mbappé's shot at emulating Pelé. A third World Cup title for either Argentina or France.
Wednesday’s Sports In Brief
December 15, 2022 GMTSOCCER
AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer’s latest superstar against perhaps the sport’s greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
Mbappe, France advance to World Cup final, beat Morocco 2-0
December 14, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi.
Soccer's latest superstar against perhaps the sport's greatest player in the World Cup final just about everyone was hoping for.
France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run at the World Cup on Wednesday.
Klinsmann opines on World Cup exits of Brazil and England
December 12, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Missed penalty kicks cost both Brazil and England in their World Cup quarterfinal losses, and FIFA analyst Jurgen Klinsmann shared his theories on both matches on Monday.
USA Basketball to play men’s World Cup group games in Manila
December 12, 2022 GMTUSA Basketball will play all its games at next year’s World Cup in Manila and won’t need to travel during the tournament, assuming the American men qualify for the event.
FIBA, the sport’s governing body, made the announcement Monday.
France advances to semifinals at World Cup, tops England 2-1
December 11, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — France’s players reacted as if they had already won the World Cup. What they were actually celebrating, though, was Harry Kane's missed penalty.
Tenacity and penalties, keys to Croatia’s deep World Cup run
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — With a population of around 4 million people, the magnitude of Croatia's win against Brazil wasn't lost on the team's coach, Zlatko Dalić.
Neymar’s future with Brazil uncertain after World Cup loss
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — The joy of scoring one of his biggest goals for Brazil quickly turned into tears after yet another disappointing elimination for Neymar with the national team.
Brazil fails again in quest to end World Cup drought
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil's hopes of ending a 20-year wait for a World Cup title vanished in a 4-2 loss to Croatia in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.
Dutch eliminated from World Cup in Louis van Gaal’s finale
December 10, 2022 GMTLUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — The Dutch were outnumbered in their quarterfinal match at the World Cup.
Argentina had one Lionel Messi and the Netherlands had none.
And still, the Oranje came back and forced extra time in a knockout match for the ages by scoring in the 83rd minute and then on a playground-type restart in the 11th — yes, 11th!
Neymar ties Pelé’s record but loses again at World Cup
December 9, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Neymar walked off the field with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward's cheeks.
Other players had already tried to console Neymar as he cried while sitting near midfield, head down, hiding his face.
Pelé sends message of support to Neymar after World Cup exit
December 9, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer great Pelé congratulated Neymar for matching his national team scoring record on Friday, and then commiserated with the player for his World Cup exit.
Croatia beats Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals
December 9, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Neymar is again going home without a World Cup title. Luka Modric's quest continues unabated.
Modric converted one of the penalties as Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup on Friday, beating the five-time champions 4-2 in a shootout to reach the semifinals for the second straight time.
Croatia wins yet another penalty shootout at World Cup
December 9, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — When it comes down to a penalty shootout at the World Cup, count on Croatia to make it through.
Twice already at the tournament in Qatar and twice four years ago in Russia, the Croats had to steel themselves for one of the toughest — and certainly one of the cruelest — tests in soccer.
Brazil fans back home shocked after World Cup elimination
December 9, 2022 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil soccer fans were shocked into silence back home after the national team was eliminated by Croatia from the World Cup on Friday.
Vinícius Júnior thanks Ancelotti for success at World Cup
December 7, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior praised Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti for his success at the World Cup.
Vinícius Júnior arrived in Qatar without knowing if he was going to get a chance to start for Brazil, but heading into Friday’s quarterfinal match against Croatia, no one questions his spot in the lineup or his importance for the team.