South America

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina began a long-awaited trial on Tuesday of the medical team for soccer star Diego Maradona, over four years after his death in 2020, in a case that has riled emotions in the South American country where the World Cup winner is still revered.

Maradona's family, lawyers and his former nurses, brain surgeon and psychiatrist accused of homicide by negligence, arrived at the court on the outskirts of capital city Buenos Aires in what promises to be a drama-filled and lengthy saga.

Brazil have recalled Santos forward Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after more than a year, the soccer federation announced on Thursday.

The 33-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best and secure a spot in the squad.

Neymar Brazil roster inclusion

Let’s not forget Neymar was close to joining MLS this year…

Neymar Jr.’s highly-anticipated return to Brazil has already wrapped the 32-year-old into controversy, with the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker leading the charge among Brazilian Série A players opposing the use of artificial turf for league matches, demanding natural grass instead.

Neymar turf protest: demands natural grass stadiums in Brazil

In a surprising move, FIFA has significantly slashed ticket prices for this summer’s inaugural 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

2025 Club World Cup ticket price drop: FIFA 'panicking' amid low fan interest

Reports from Mail Sport indicate that the cost of the cheapest seats for matches at the last-16 stage and beyond has been reduced by as much as $385, with some tickets for the semi-finals plummeting from an eye-watering $526 to just $140.

Brazil forward Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, he posted on social media on Thursday.

Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal from Paris St Germain for a reported $93.8 million in 2023 but he managed only seven appearances for them after suffering a serious knee injury.

Neymar Santos transfer

This might be a real Puskás contender.

In a match in Brazil’s Carioca League, Volta Redonda secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over giants Fluminense, thanks to an outrageous goal that has already caught the attention of fans around the world. Volta Redonda’s Bruno Santos and Mirandinha combined for a double bicycle kick that is now being hailed as a strong contender for the 2025 FIFA Puskás Award.

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Argentine midfielder Rodrigo Garro was charged on Sunday with involuntary manslaughter following a crash that killed a motorcyclist in his hometown of General Pico in Argentina's La Pampa province.

The 30-year-old victim, Nicolas Chiaraviglio, died at the scene after his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck early on Saturday morning.

The Copa Libertadores could see the return of Liga MX and Major League Soccer clubs. Emphasis on could.

Recent days on social media have seen the uproar of the rumor that clubs from MLS and Liga MX could be invited back to participate in South America’s most-prestigious club tournament, Copa Libertadores.

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Reigning world champions Argentina have kept top spot in the final FIFA men's world ranking of 2024 for a second consecutive year, with no changes in the top 10 of the latest list published on Thursday.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina, who were crowned Copa America champions for a record 16th time after they beat Colombia in July, continue to lead the way ahead of second-placed France and Euro 2024 winners Spain in third.

December FIFA rankings