FIFA.com - News

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:19:10 GMT

Featuring Julio Cesar on goalkeeping craziness, Ramon Calderon blasting Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp on the sale of Mario Gotze and a Uruguayan writer with a Messi theory.

Wembley, venue of legends

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:30:00 GMT

As well as tonight’s UEFA Champions League final, Wembley Stadium is playing host to a number of high-profile matches and rock concerts over the next two months as FIFA.com discovers.

Zidane: Bale is good enough for Real

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:20:00 GMT

Real Madrid ambassador and former FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane has said he thinks Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale is outstanding and more than good enough to play for the Spanish giants.

Liverpool alumni preview Champions League final

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com were fortunate to welcome a trio of former Liverpool stars in the form of Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy and Howard Gayle, who sat down to chat about the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley.

Europa given Champions incentive

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:28:00 GMT

UEFA have announced that the winner of the UEFA Europa League will earn a place in the following year's UEFA Champions League, with the initiative to begin in the 2015/16 campaign.

Football's faded giants

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:30:00 GMT

From Wanderers FC through Pro Vercelli to Dynamo Dresden, FIFA.com looks at some of the once-dominant clubs that have slipped down the divisions since their halcyon days.

Blatter: Reforms can never stop

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:07:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter talks about his expectations for the 63rd FIFA Congress, as well as the UEFA Champions League Final and the forthcoming FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Dortmund or Bayern?

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:01:08 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know who you’re tipping to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley.

Ferdinand pens extension, expresses delight

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:54:00 GMT

Rio Ferdinand has signed a one-year contract extension that will take him into his 12th season as a Manchester United player and told of his satisfaction at the agreement.

Winterbottom, the father of modern English football

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:16:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has joined the tributes to Sir Walter Winterbottom, who was honoured by England's Football Association last month with a bronze bust at St George's Park.

Pellegrini: I'm leaving Malaga

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:50:00 GMT

Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he will leave Malaga at the end of the season, with the Chilean coach heavily tipped to fill the vacancy left by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City this summer.

Carroll out of England squad

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:10:00 GMT

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad for the friendly games against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of a foot injury, the Football Association have announced.

Top scorers and a title treble

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Edinson Cavani stars along with Rafael Benitez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

The boots that bent it for Beckham

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:41:00 GMT

Every Monday, FIFA.com delivers you a football-related photo you won’t be able to resist paying a second glance to. This week’s showcases the boots a legend wore for an unforgettable farewell.

Klopp reveals his Kagawa heartbreak

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:51:00 GMT

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he was in tears when Shinji Kagawa departed for Manchester United and says the Japanese midfielder deserves more game time at Old Trafford.

Van Persie follows in Shearer’s footsteps

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:12:00 GMT

Robin van Persie has become the first player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in successive seasons for different teams since Alan Shearer did so in 1997. FIFA.com reflects on their remarkable goalscoring exploits.

United look forward after Ferguson says goodbye

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:21:00 GMT

Manchester United stars Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick have paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson after the manager's long and highlight-laden career ended with a remarkable 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal clinch fourth, Spurs fifth

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:35:00 GMT

Arsenal held on to edge Newcastle United 1-0 in the final day of the Premier League season, meaning the Gunners secured the fourth and final UEFA Champions League position, while Tottenham Hotspur beat Sunderland 1-0 to finish fifth.

Ancelotti sees Beckham coaching future

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti believes David Beckham could move into management after announcing his retirement and playing his final game at the Parc de Princes last night.

Martinez: Wigan will bounce back

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:11:00 GMT

After dropping into the Championship, Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez looked back over the Latics' run in the Premier League and believes they'll be back in the top flight before long.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:08:00 GMT

Featuring Ludovic Giuly on making a fashion mistake at Barcelona, Marco Schallibaum on the amazing toughness of Jeb Brovsky and Gabriel Batistuta on what playing alongside Lionel Messi would have forced him to do.

Benitez: We deserve third place

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:22:00 GMT

Rafael Benitez has said that his Chelsea side deserve to finish in third place in the Premier League, and also said he hoped to avoid a play-off with Arsenal to decide automatic UEFA Champions League qualification.

How did you rate Beckham?

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know how good you thought David Beckham was and what are your best memories of his playing career.

Taylor names provisional England squad

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT

Peter Taylor has named a provisional 35-man squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, which includes several players with Premier League experience.

British press lauds 'incredible' Beckham

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:27:00 GMT

The British press have paid tribute to David Beckham after the former England captain announced his retirement on Thursday after two decades at the top.

Farewells take centre stage on final day

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:11:00 GMT

UEFA Champions League qualification is the main prize up for grabs on the final day of the English Premier League season, although Sunday will also witness a host of farewells led by Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen.

Beckham: I always wanted to go out on top

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:29:00 GMT

David Beckham has explained his decision to retire, admitted criticism over his lifestyle upset him and expressed his pride at what he achieved in his career.

Falcao denies rumours, Simeone hails Beckham

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:43:00 GMT

Falcao has rubbished reports he has signed for Monaco, while Diego Simeone has discussed Atletico Madrid's Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and praised David Beckham.

Beckham, the magnificent seven

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:36:00 GMT

Wonder goals, a wonderful gesture and admirable achievements feature as FIFA.com picks out seven memorable moments from David Beckham’s career.

Five-match ban for racism in England

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:01:00 GMT

Racist or discriminatory abuse by players will carry a minimum five-match ban from next season, the Football Association has announced.

Beckham bows out

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:35:00 GMT

David Beckham has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38, having added the Ligue 1 title to his collection of honours.

Reading keeper gets England call

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:10:00 GMT

England boss Roy Hodgson has included reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in his squad for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Lampard signs contract extension

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:19:00 GMT

After a season of uncertainty, Chelsea have confirmed that England midfielder Frank Lampard will remain at Stamford Bridge next season

Resilient Blues rejoice in historic Europa win

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:39:00 GMT

Chelsea’s dramatic UEFA Europa League win is a testament to the team’s character at the end of a tumultuous and elongated season, according to midfielder Frank Lampard and interim manager Rafael Benitez.

Guttmann’s curse strikes Benfica again

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:10:00 GMT

A stoppage-time goal condemned Benfica to a UEFA Europa League final defeat, extending the alleged curse put on them by their former coach Bela Guttmann in 1962.

Last-gasp Ivanovic heads Chelsea into ecstasy

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:12:00 GMT

An 11th-hour header from Branislav Ivanovic snatched Chelsea a 2-1 win over Benfica in a pulsating UEFA Europa League final.

Bayern dismiss Rooney reports

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:59:00 GMT

Matthias Sammer has said "absolutely not" to claims Bayern Munich want to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United.

Runs, records and retirement

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:39:00 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson stars in FIFA.com's latest stats review, which also reflects on a week of contrasting emotions for Greuther Furth, Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain and Porto.

Benfica set sights on long-term success

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:48:00 GMT

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus hopes that victory in the UEFA Europa League against Chelsea will set the club on a journey towards next year's UEFA Champions League final to be played in Lisbon.

Martinez coy over future as Wigan go down

Wed, 15 May 2013 03:41:00 GMT

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez remains non-committal about his future after a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal confirmed the club's relegation just three days after winning the FA Cup for the first time.

Arsenal send Wigan down as City win

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:36:00 GMT

Arsenal scored three goals in eight minutes to earn a comfortable 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic, relegating the FA Cup winners and pushing the gunners back into the top four, while Manchester City beat Reading 2-0.

Benitez defends Chelsea record, Lampard eyes glory

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:55:00 GMT

Rafa Benitez has outlined the difficulties he’s faced as Chelsea manager and insisted they’ve had a good season, while Frank Lampard has discussed how much the UEFA Europa League means to the Blues.

The Crazy Gang conquer Wembley

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:47:00 GMT

On its 25th anniversary, FIFA.com recalls how Wimbledon edged Liverpool in arguably the biggest upset in FA Cup final history.

Who's your U-21 player of the season?

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:24:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know who you think has been the most impressive U-21 player this season in your domestic league.

Rodgers looking to break top four

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:39:00 GMT

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes he and the club are in a better place to mount a top-four challenge next season, despite their inability to qualify for European competition during the current campaign.

Ramires: I have great affection for Benfica

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:04:00 GMT

Ramires speaks to FIFA.com about his time at Benfica, his varying role in the Chelsea team, the UEFA Europa League final between his former and current club, the form of David Luiz and his targets with Brazil.

Luiz: I'm living the dream

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:28:00 GMT

David Luiz has said that he is fulfilling his dreams of playing for a big club in big matches at Chelsea, and wants to add the UEFA Europa League to his trophy collection.

Chelsea, Benfica chase continental history

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:44:00 GMT

Chelsea are seeking to win the UEFA Europa League a year after becoming European champions, while Benfica will aim to end a 51-year continental drought in Wednesday's decider.

Wilshere ruled out of England action

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:15:00 GMT

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has been ruled out of England's forthcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Palace and Watford face date with EPL destiny

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:10:00 GMT

Crystal Palace will meet Watford for a place in the Premier League after a Wilfried Zaha brace lifted the south Londoners past Brighton and into the Championship play-off final.