It is with a raincloud hovering above the head of their talisman Neymar that Brazil are gearing up for their final assignment of 2017.
The approaching Premier League season will be defined to a large extent by the ability of the new managers at England’s three leading clubs.
England’s manager will hope his side can banish the Wayne Rooney transfer sideshow from sports pages by beating Scotland in this week’s friendly.
Freshly appointed as Chelsea’s latest interim coach, Rafael Benitez could be forgiven for wondering whether he has accepted a poisoned chalice.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has drawn praise after scoring four goals – including a jaw-dropping long-range bicycle kick – in Sweden’s 4-2 win over England.
John Terry scored a goal on his comeback but went off injured as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Liverpool, allowing Man City to go second by beating Tottenham.
Manchester City and Arsenal bounced back from damaging Champions League defeats to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday.
Juan Mata scored twice as Chelsea belied an off-key performance to win 4-0 at competition debutants FC Nordsjaelland and record the first victory.
Chelsea’s defence has begun with a 2-2 draw to Juventus while Lionel Messi rescued Barcelona from Spartak Moscow and Man U edged Galatasaray 1-0.
Spain have confirmed their status as one of the greatest teams in soccer history by overwhelming Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final.
A fan of the Spanish team, it was ironic that Laurent Blanc saw his France side fall in the quarterfinals to the players they aspire to emulate.
Cristiano Ronaldo dedicated his goals to his baby son after claiming a brace in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Kharkiv at Euro 2012.
AC Milan and defending champions Barcelona both seem well placed to progress to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
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/ 28 February 2012
With 100 days to go until Euro 2012, the leading candidates for the title have only their friendlies to experiment with until the end of the season.
Ninth seed Angelique Kerber stunned top seed Maria Sharapova, beating her to cruise into the Paris Open semifinal.
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/ 20 December 2011
The year 2011 witnessed the birth of a new global superstar, as Neymar inspired Santos to a first Copa Libertadores title since 1963.
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/ 3 November 2011
Manchester United and Manchester City both closed on the Champions League knockout phase as Real Madrid reserved their spot int he last 16.
AC Milan and Barcelona have managed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but Arsenal and Chelsea have to wait to secure their qualification.
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/ 31 October 2011
Arsenal and Chelsea have to prove themselves this week in the Champions League as they attempt to make it into the last 16 of the tournament.
Disgraced Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam declared "war" on his former ally Sepp Blatter and vowed to clear his name.
One of the biggest scandals in soccer history will conclude on Saturday when Mohamed bin Hammam learns his fate following a two-day Fifa hearing.
Mohamed bin Hammam decided not to attend a two-day Fifa ethics committee hearing that could see him banned from the sport for life.
Mohamed bin Hammam will face Fifa on Friday to answer to charges that he attempted to buy the Fifa presidency by offering officials cash.
Roger Federer believes the pressure will all be on Novak Djokovic when the pair meet in the French Open semifinals on Friday.
A round up of the greatest teams in European club side history and where Barcelona fits in.
Manchester United produced a devastating attacking performance to record a 2-0 win over Schalke 04.
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/ 17 February 2011
Arsenal came from behind to edge Barcelona 2-1 in a thrilling Champions League last-16 first-leg match on Wednesday.
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/ 15 September 2010
Holders Inter Milan drew 2-2 at competition debutants FC Twente as the Champions League group phase began on Tuesday.
Despite France being plagued by scandal and an unpopular coach, Patrice Evra is going to the Soccer World Cup at the top of his game.
Ivica Olic netted a hat-trick as Bayern Munich defeated Lyon 3-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the Champions League final for the first time since 2001.
Trailing 1-0 ahead of the conclusion of their Champions League semifinal with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Lyon are keen to prove their worth.
Arsene Wenger accused referee Martin Hansson of gifting Porto the winning goal in the Portuguese side’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Arsenal.