Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo scored to spark Real Madrid's 3-1 comeback win over Barcelona in a thrilling "clasico" match Oct. 25 in the Spanish league that handed the visitors their first loss of the season.

Luis Suarez is free to make his long-awaited debut for Barcelona when the La Liga leaders travel to face Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season on Oct. 23.
      

Lionel Messi may lack a World Cup for Argentina but his 10 years with Barcelona have seen him rewrite the history books and become symbolic with the club's golden era.

Pope Francis has reportedly invited Fenerbahçe captain Emre Belözoğlu for a charity match in Rome on Sept. 1, Turkish media reported Aug. 15.

Pope Francis personally spoke with Belözoğlu over the phone and the 33-year-old midfielder immediately accepted the offer, according to daily Habertürk.

Spain may have been embarrassingly dethroned as World Cup holders, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are still champions at making money after they were named as the world's two richest sports franchises.
     

A world class Mario Goetze volley in extra time fired Germany to a fourth World Cup crown with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday, leaving the South Americans and their captain Lionel Messi heartbroken.

Crocked Brazilian star Neymar declared he wants Lionel Messi to lead fierce rivals Argentina to victory over Germany as the countdown to the World Cup final began.

Neymar, who missed Brazil's 7-1 humiliation against Germany through injury, told a press conference he wanted Messi and Argentina to win the title.

Argentina reached their first World Cup final in 24 years on July 9, beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after the first scoreless semi in the tournament's history, with old foes Germany awaiting them in Sunday's showpiece.

Argentina will once again turn to Lionel Messi for inspiration when the team tackles star-studded Belgium in Brasilia on July 5 in a World Cup quarterfinal haunted by ghosts of yesteryear.

Lionel Messi's goals have fired Argentina into the World Cup last 16 but they will look for a better all-round performance when they meet Switzerland Tuesday.
      
The diminutive four-time player of the year has finally sparked for his country, hitting four of their six goals as Argentina qualified top of Group F.