Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi born on 24 June 1987 is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He serves as the captain of his country's national football team. By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year, in 2009, he won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He followed this up by winning the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010, and 2012. He also won the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. At the age of 24, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer in all official club competitions. At age 25, Messi became the youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals.

Commonly rated by commentators, coaches and colleagues as the best footballer in the world and as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Messi is the first football player in history to win four FIFA/Ballons d'Or – all of which he won consecutively – as well as the first to win three European Golden Shoe awards. Messi has won six La Ligas, two Copas del Rey, five Supercopas de España, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups. In March 2012, Messi made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match. He also matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single Champions League season. Messi became the first player to top-score in four successive Champions League campaigns. Messi set the European record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 seasons, with 73 goals. In the same season, he set the current goal scoring record in a single La Liga season, scoring 50 goals. On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal. On 30 March 2013, Messi scored in his 19th consecutive La Liga game, becoming the first footballer in history to net in consecutive matches against every team in the league.

Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa América tournament the following year, in which he was elected young player of the tournament. In 2008, he won his first international honor, an Olympic gold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team. Sportsperson has rated Lionel Messi as the second-most marketable athlete in the world. His playing style and stature have drawn comparisons to compatriot Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".

Often referred to as an Argentinian-Spanish player, this crossover was brought into sharp focus when in 2004; Lionel was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national U-20 team. He declined the offer given his Argentinian heritage, and was given the opportunity to play for Argentina's U-20 team in a friendly match against Paraguay in June 2004. Messi scored once against Paraguay and twice in friendly against Uruguay in July 2004. In 2005 he was part of a team that finished third in 2005 South American Youth Championship in Colombia. He won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands with the team and won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe, scoring in the last four of Argentina's matches and netting a total of six for the tournament.

He made his full international debut on 17 August 2005 against Hungary at the age of 18. He was substituted on during the 63rd minute, but was sent off on the 65th minute because the referee, Markus Merk, claimed that Messi had allegedly elbowed defender Vilmos Vanczák, who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Maradona even claimed the decision was pre-meditated. Messi was later reportedly found weeping in the changing rooms after the decision. Messi returned to the team on 3 September in Argentina's 1–0 World Cup qualifier away defeat to Paraguay. Ahead of the match he had said "This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short." He then started his first game for Argentina against Peru, in which he was able to win a crucial penalty for Argentina; after the match Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel". He scored his first goal for Argentina in a friendly match against Croatia on 1 March 2006.  

Source: Wikipedia

Ten greatest athletes in Cincinnati sports history

Cincinnati is unquestionably a baseball town to the core thanks to the Reds. The city had its split second with professional basketball thanks to the Royals. The 1980s were constant a stage of domination for football because of the Bengals.

Throughout Cincinnati history, there have been some inspirational names to bring the set on fire as the face of Cincinnati sports.

The following names are listed alphabetically and are some of the most significant figures to forever elegance the city of Cincinnati as professional sports players. Their statistics are frequently a debatable point. Rather, their collision on the city as a whole during their stay is more significant.

Ken Anderson (Bengals, 1971-86) 

Anderson is one of the most critical figures in Cincinnati sports history, not only because he holds a variety of Bengals records, such as career passing yards (32,838) and touchdowns (197), but also for the 16 years he was one of the leaders of the team. He took the Bengals to Super Bowl XVI. Despite coming up short, Anderson remains one of the most important players the franchise has ever seen.

Johnny Bench (Reds, 1967-83) 

Bench spent 17 years as a member of the Reds and is arguably the greatest catcher to ever grace a baseball field. He was a critical component of The Big Red Machine in the 1970s and brought home two MVP Awards to Cincinnati. His impact on the game and city is felt to this day.

Boomer Esiason (Bengals, 1984-92, 1997) 

Boomer led the Bengals through their most successful stretch as a franchise and took the team to Super Bowl XXIII. Like Anderson, Esiason failed in the big game, but, arguably, no one had a bigger presence for the team over the course of his 134 games.

Barry Larkin (Reds, 1986-2004)

Larkin was a local boy from Moeller High School who was easily one of the most loved members of the Reds for the duration of his career with the team. He played 19 years and was arguably the best shortstop in the game from 1990 through 2000. Larkin led the Reds to a World Series title in 1990 and brought an MVP trophy to Cincinnati in 1995.

Joe Morgan (Reds, 1972-79) 

Yes, Morgan spent just eight of his 22 years in MLB with the Reds. That doesn't mean much here. Morgan is one of the most recognizable faces in Cincinnati history, probably in part because he went to the All-Star game each year with the team, won back-to-back MVP Awards in 1975 and 1976, won a Gold Glove five out of eight times, and helped the Reds win two World Series championships.

Anthony Munoz (Bengals, 1980-92)

Munoz is the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history and the Bengals' only member of the Hall of Fame. He made 11 consecutive Pro Bowls back when the accomplishment meant something and played 183 games while leading the team through the wildly successful '80s.

Tony Perez (Reds, 1964-76, 84-86) 

Perez was the heart and soul of The Big Red Machine as the team went to four World Series in seven years (1970-76), winning two. After Perez was traded and replaced at first base in Cincinnati, The Big Red Machine was never the same.

Oscar Robertson (Royals, 1960-70) 

Big O had a highly successful college run with the Cincinnati Bearcats, averaging a ridiculous 33.8 points per game. He was then drafted by the Royals, and he continued his dominance for 10 years, earning rookie of the year, an MVP, and 10 All-Star game nods. He is the most important basketball figure in Cincinnati history.

Frank Robinson (Reds, 1956-65)

This one has to sting a bit. Robinson spent 10 years with the Reds before being shipped to Baltimore because general manager Bill DeWitt decided Robinson was too old at the age of 30 (he went on to win the AL Triple Crown and MVP the following year). Robinson's years with the Reds were outstanding, including an MVP Award and his only Gold Glove. He entered the Hall of Fame as an Oriole.

Pete Rose (Reds, 1963-78, 1984-86) 

Pete is the hometown hero for Cincinnati. He grew up in the city, played high-school ball in the city, and went on to become the hit king with 4,256 hits. He played 24 seasons and was named an All-Star 17 times. He won two Gold Gloves, an MVP Award and two World Series. He's one of the most iconic players in the history of any sport and easily the most important player in Cincinnati history.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

I will make history with Messi': Neymar sends out warning to defenders around the world

If defenders across the world didn’t fear the combination of Neymar and Lionel Messi already, they should be now after the Brazilian signaled his intent to form an historic affiliation with his new Barcelona team-mate.

The South Americans are two of the most brilliant players on earth and Neymar's £48million entrance at the Nou Camp add yet another jewel to Barcelona's already star-studded line-up. Fabio Capello believes the signing of the 21-year-old will make Barca relentless and those thoughts are echoed by the young striker.

Neymar said 'I hope it will] be a partnership to make history,’ 'we have everything for that to happen and it's an honour, a dream come true, to play alongside the best in the world and that is what persuaded me choose my European team.'

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon D'Or four times while Neymar's newest great compliment was the Golden ball at this summer's Confederations Cup. The talented striker was linked with a move away from Brazil for a number of seasons and he admits that, having lastly agreed a five-year contract, it was difficult to leave his homeland.

'I had a great story with Santos,' he said. 'But now I have a new club, a new life and everything is focused on Barcelona.'

Source: dailymail

BBC must take action over sexist sports coverage, says Maria Miller

Culture secretary Maria Miller has attacked the BBC in excess of its sexist Wimbledon exposure, and said that she is to refuse the Open golf championship since it is being held at the Muirfield club, which refuses to confess women members.

Maria Miller has written a scornful letter to Tony Hall, the director general of the BBC, demanding to know "any further action is likely to be taken" over Wimbledon commentator John Inver dale’s sexist comments.

Inver dale provoked outrage when he said that women's champion Marion Bartoli was "never going to be a looker, you'll never be a Sharapova so you have to be scrappy and fight?", prompting more than 700 complaints to the BBC.

Maria Miller, who is also minister for women and equalities, said that she is particularly concerned about the BBC incident as she has identified increased coverage of women's sport as a top priority.

"It is therefore a matter of some concern to me that any comment on the looks and stature of a female athlete could be made in the context of one of the UK's, and indeed the world's, sporting calendar," she said in a letter sent to the corporation last week.

She said that the BBC had not gone far enough with Inverdale's apologies, both on-air and in a letter to Bartoli, and that she wanted to see more action.

"I would be grateful for an update on any further action that is likely to be taken following these complaints, and whether there may be positive steps that the BBC could take in the future to ensure that the perception of and commentary on female athletes, and women's sport generally, are as positive and inclusive as possible."

Miller and Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, intend to boycott the Open golf championship because of the Edinburgh club's refusal to admit women members.

Inverdale is to anchor the BBC's coverage of the event.

A government aide said that the good work of the London Olympics, which has seen an estimated 1 million more women playing sport as a result, is threatened by the BBC's attitude and actions such as the continued support of sexism in golf.

"There are still national sporting events being held at clubs that refuse to allow women members and BBC journalists referring to women in a sexist and derogatory fashion at a highlight of the British sporting calendar," said a source close to Miller. "The culture secretary is clear that this is a problem which can't be ignored."

Miller's letter was copied into Lord Patten, the chairman of the BBC Trust.

In the last year Miller has hosted several round tables with broadcasters about how to improve the coverage of women's sport.

The BBC has increased its output in this area, most recently broadcasting the women's Euro 2013 football tournament.

To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

Source: Guardian

Real Madrid Tops The World's Most Valuable Sports Teams

Real Madrid has been a giant of European soccer for the past century, racking up a record 32 La Liga titles and nine UEFA Champions League trophies. The club’s success has fueled a global following and attracted superstar players over the last 20 years like Raul, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid can add one more trophy to its case: It is now the world’s most valuable sports franchise, worth $3.3 billion, surpassing former No. 1 Manchester United. Los Blancos have the highest revenues of any team in sports ($650 million during the 2011-12 season), and revenues are up 62% over the last three years. Madrid’s operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and player trading) of $134 million is second only to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys among sports teams.

The revenue spigot isn’t shutting off anytime soon. The club extended its kit supply deal with Adidas last year in a pact worth $42 million a year. Madrid inked its largest sponsorship deal ever this spring with Emirates. The deal to put the Dubai-based airline’s name on the team’s shirts is worth $39 million annually for five years starting next season. Madrid is planning a $320 million renovation to its stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, which could add $60 million a year to revenues by 2018.

While Real Madrid is the most valuable team in sports, don’t expect its owner to cash in. The team is run by billionaire Spanish construction mogul Florentino Perez, who serves as president. But the club is owned by its 93,000 members, who pay $195 annually. Members get discounts on tickets and merchandise. The only thing comparable in the U.S. among major sports teams is the Green Bay Packers, which is owned by its 364,000 shareholders.

United ranks second with a value of $3.17 billion. The club launched an initial offering to the public in August and the stock is up 23% since then. Fans cheered United’s record 20th English Premier League title this year, while investors are excited about soaring sponsorship revenues. The Red Devils signed a seven-year, $559 million shirt sponsorship deal last year with Chevrolet. The team inked a naming rights pact for its training facility with insurer Aon in April. The deal is expected to net United more than $200 million over eight years. The club has 32 official sponsors in total. The Glazer family, who control United, also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which ranks No. 28 with a worth of $1.03 billion. The Glazers are the only family to own two of the top 50 franchises.

Source: Forbes

Lionel Messi and Neymar can play together, claims Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is persuaded Lionel Messi and Neymar will come together to overwhelming effect for Barcelona next season. The former Santos starlet protected his budge to Camp Nou prior in the summer and, but sections of the media have questioned whether the pair will be a good fit jointly due to their parallel styles of play.

However, the Bayern Munich boss took some time out from orally repartee with his previous club to declare that the pair will have no difficulties playing collectively next season.

He told Lance: "Barca have always had some of the best players in the world at their disposal, and Neymar and Messi are undoubtedly two of the best at the moment. "I know Messi very well. He is a fantastic person as well as player. I have met Neymar too and he seems like a good lad and I`m sure they will have no problem playing together."

The 42-year-old then turned his politeness towards next summer`s World Cup, and believes his inhabitant Spain will go into the contest as favorites to keep their title - despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final a fortnight ago.

He added: "It seemed perfectly normal to me that Spain lost [to Brazil]. They were physically better than us. "But I believe that Spain is still favorites going into the World Cup."

Neymar is set to create his bloodthirsty debut for the Blaugrana when they open their Liga season against Levante on August 18.

Indians Preview of Detroit Tigers

By the instance he obtains to Citi Field for the All-Star game next Tuesday, Max Scherzer could own a split of the AL record for successive winning decisions to release a season.

The Detroit Tigers' right-hander, though, has a pair of starts previous to then. Scherzer will attempt to develop into the second decanter to open 14-0 in the last 27 years Monday night when the AL Central-leading Tigers bring to a close their four-game series visiting the second-place Cleveland Indians.

There was no revelation Scherzer (13-0, 3.09 ERA) was one of six Tigers named to the All-Star team Saturday, as he's off to a begin manager Jim Leyland told the team's official website is "hard to believe." With a career-best sixth repeated winning start on Wednesday - he permitted two runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 6-2 triumph at Toronto - Scherzer became the first pitcher to start 13-0 since Boston's Roger Clemens opened 14-0 in 1986.

The AL record is 15-0, set by Cleveland's Johnny Allen in 1937 and equaled by Baltimore's Dave McNally in 1969. "(My) record's kind of overblown," Scherzer told the Tigers' official website. "I'm playing a part on a great team here. Every time I start, they're always picking me up, they're always making plays. That's the reason why I'm 13-0."

A most important league-best 7.87 run-support standard has certainly helped Scherzer, whose 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA in eight road starts. He enhanced to 2-0 against the Indians (46-42) this season by giving up one run in eight innings of a 5-1 triumph at Cleveland on May 21.

Scherzer has won his last two starts at Cleveland after going 0-3 with a 7.48 ERA in his first four. He'll look an Indians team that snapped a four-game trailing line - and a seven-game slip in this series - with Sunday's 9-6 victory. Michael Brantley went 3 for 4 with two homers, a twice and a career-best five RBIs to assist Cleveland climb within 2 1/2 games of the division lead.

"Michael Brantley looked like Barry Bonds,'' Tigers All-Star right fielder Torii Hunter said later than his team's five-game win line was snapped.

The Indians will go for the series split with Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.86) getting his initial look at the Tigers since 2010 while with the Los Angeles Angels. The expert left-hander was 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in his earlier two starts previous to not earning a conclusion in a 6-5 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday when he surrendered three runs in five innings.

Kazmir has an 8.53 run-support standard while going 4-0 with a 4.26 ERA in six outings at Progressive Field. He could make use of all the sustain he can obtain the way All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Hunter have been drumming. Cabrera, the most important league leader with a .368 batting average and 90 RBIs, belted his 28th homer Sunday in the middle of his four hits. That tied the reigning AL MVP and Triple Crown champion with Cecil Fielder for the most home runs by a Tiger before the All-Star break.

Hunter is 12 for 23 with two homers and 11 RBIs in the last five contests after striking a game-tying three-run shot and concluding with a season-best four RBIs on Sunday. Indians All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis, 2 for 11 with five strikeouts this series, is 1 for 7 with a twice off Scherzer this season, but Nick Swisher is 3 for 3 with a triple and a double. Only one other player - Houston's Carlos Corporan (two homers) - has more than one extra-base hit against Scherzer in 2013.

LA spotlight too bright for Dwight Howard

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal says the Los Angeles limelight was too dazzling for Dwight Howard. Speaking at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Shaq hammered his previous colleague as if they were battling in the post.

O'Neal opened his mouth astonished when asked about Howard, who chose to go away the Lakers for the Houston Rockets behind Friday, and joked about reassuring on Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick in Saturday's race. A few seconds afterward, he threw an elbow Howard's way.

''It was expected,'' Shaq said. ''We've all been in LA, and not a whole lot of people can handle being under the bright lights. Everybody wants to do it, but when you get there, there are certain pressures. I think it was a safe move for him to go to a little town like Houston. That's right, little town. I said it.''

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Tyreke Evans headed to Pelicans in three-team deal

The New Orleans Pelicans have reached conformity on a three-way deal with Sacramento and Portland to obtain guard Tyreke Evans, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. As part of a sign-and-trade agreement, Evans will arrive to the Pelicans on a four-year, $44 million agreement. New Orleans will send guard Greivis Vasquez to the Kings and center Robin Lopez to the Trail Blazers, sources said.

Portland will send the draft rights to center Jeff Withey to the Pelicans and a prospect second-round pick to Sacramento. The trade came after free-agent point guard Jose Calderon discarded a agreement offer from the Kings, league sources said. The Kings had hoped to sign Calderon and trade Vasquez to another team.

 The threat of a four-year, $44 million offer sheet to Evans, a controlled free agent, encouraged New Orleans and Sacramento to work out conformity. Calderon will carry on talking about for a return Detroit, sources said, as well as negotiating elsewhere in the NBA.

The deal can't be made official until July 10. Evans, 23, averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Kings last season. Vasquez was one of the NBA's most improved players last season, a fast-rising playmaker that averaged 13.9 points and nine assists for the Pelicans. He has a chance to become the Kings' starting point guard.

The Blazers needed a veteran center to plug into the lineup, and Lopez gives them a solid defender and rim protector. He has two years and $11 million left on an affordable contract.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Gambhir likely to be recalled for Zimbabwe tour

MS Dhoni, who offended his right hamstring during India's tri-series opener in the West Indies, is likely to be feint out for India's short tour to Zimbabwe that begins July 24. If Dhoni is certainly out of stock, Gautam Gambhir is likely to get a call to mind into the team.

While announcing India's team for the Champions Trophy on May 4, the national selectors had also named 21 probables for the continuing tri-series in the West Indies. Besides the 15 who featured in India's triumphant Champions Trophy campaign, the probable’s included Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar, Shami Ahmed, Rahul Sharma and Gambhir.

Shami replaced Irfan Pathan later than the latter injured him at the same time as training for the West Indies tri-series. Rayudu came in for Dhoni after Dhoni was feint out of the tri-series on July 1.

With Tiwary, the solitary other consultant batsman in the list, having warped his left knee, Gambhir leftovers the only feasible candidate to lend hardness to what has become an inexperienced India batting line-up. With his skill, Gambhir could also come in handy as a member of the direction group, thus serving Virat Kohli, who is place to be retained as captain in the occasion of Dhoni's unavailability.

It will be motivating to see if the selectors go for to rest a few hackneyed players. Discussions approximately require for rest could center on R Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav. If Ashwin is certainly rested, Jammu & Kashmir offspinner Parvez Rasool could come in argument along with Rahul Sharma, who is named in the probable.

With the selectors' eyes put on the travel around to South Africa afterward this year, it is probable that Praveen Kumar, who was in the probable, may be specified another possibility. If the selectors think the requirement to bring in either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane for the Zimbabwe ODIs ahead of the India's A tour to South Africa, Murali Vijay could be a sufferer.

However, with the India A tour to South Africa put to begin instantaneously later than the Zimbabwe series' conclusion, it is improbable that the selectors will attempt out too numerous youngsters. With the present group having fared well throughout the Champions Trophy, it is probable that some of the batsmen, who haven't got sufficient opportunities, may be asked to join the A team in South Africa.

Amol Karhadkar is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo

National Preview of Brewers

In spite of being without their top hitters and trailing their starting decanter to grievance, the Milwaukee Brewers ended their slither.

With Kyle Lohse getting the nod following a brawny June, they'll attempt to string jointly back-to-back victories Wednesday night against the host Washington Nationals.

Milwaukee (33-49) was without Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez on Tuesday. Gomez, who leads the group in homers (12) and OPS (.906), sustained to create well a left shoulder injury that saw him miss time last month. Segura's .325 batting average is one of the best in baseball but he has been nursing a sore right thumb, manager Ron Roenicke told the team's official website.

Segura and Gomez's combined 92 runs ask for 28.2 percent of the Brewers' team total of 326.

"To take two guys out of the Nos. 2 and 3 holes, that's not something I wanted to do," he said. "We're trying to get them back vigorous. They're both such an significant part of our lineup this year."

Roenicke also said that Ryan Braun - still sidelined with a bruised right thumb - will likely not go back until following the All-Star break. Braun's primary substitute, Logan Schafer, is hitting .187 since Braun's last game on June 9.

But Schafer was 1 for 4 with a run in Milwaukee's 4-0 triumph over Washington on Tuesday, ending the team's second six-game losing smudge of the season. Starter Wily Peralta left in the sixth inning due to a constrain injury and Stephen Strasburg stifled the Brewers with seven shutout innings, but that was previous to they tagged reliever Drew Storen for four runs in the eighth.

The bullpen for Washington (42-41) ranks 15th in the majors in ERA at 3.62, but has posted a 6.14 mark over the last five games.

Five players pooled for the Nationals' eight hits Tuesday, and Bryce Harper was 0 for 4 in his second game back after missing more than a month with knee bursitis. Harper also dropped a fly ball off the bat of Martin Maldonado, most important to the third of Milwaukee's four runs in the eighth.

Looking to lead the Brewers to a second repeated road win for the first time since June 1 will be Lohse (3-6, 3.63 ERA). He exited his last start Sunday at Pittsburgh after 1 2-3 innings after a 2-hour, 20-minute rain delay. He didn't allow a hit though, putting a cap on an impressive June that saw him go 2-0 with a 2.34 ERA over 34 2-3 innings.

Harper is 3 for 6 against Lohse while Jayson Werth is 8 for 21 with three homers and three doubles. Werth was 0 for 3 Tuesday after going 11 for 29 (.379) over his previous eight games, including a five-RBI performance in Monday's 10-5 series-opening win.

Washington starter Ross Detwiler (2-6, 4.13) will hope to receive some better fortune than Strasburg. The left-hander is winless through his last five starts while posting a 7.15 ERA, but he also received a total of five runs of support in those games.

Rickie Weeks - who is hitting .229 on the season but owns a 1.050 OPS over his last 11 games - is 3 for 5 off Detwiler with a homer.


Source: Yahoo News

South African teams declare plans for Nelson Mandela Sports Day

South Africa's national football and rugby teams will play on the similar day at the former World Cup showpiece stadium in Soweto to honor Nelson Mandela, bringing together in a infrequent move the country's two most popular sports that once portrayed its deep cultural divisions.

The South African sports ministry said on Tuesday that the Nelson Mandela Sports Day on Aug. 17 at FNB Stadium — formerly Soccer City — was aimed at uniting the country and the world "in celebration and promotion" of the anti-apartheid leader's legacy, as South Africans continued to long for the critically ill former president to recover.

While calling the sports day a celebration of Mandela, the ministry referred to the sombre current mood in South Africa, with its inspiring and beloved national hero, now 94, still in a critical but stable condition after 25 days in the hospital.

"The launch happens at a time when South Africa is a nation in distress following the hospitalization of our father and icon Nelson Mandela, who also happens to be the primary inspiration behind this initiative," the ministry said.

On the day, South Africa's football team will face Burkina Faso in a friendly and the Springboks will start their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina, both at the 94,000-seat FNB Stadium on the outskirts of Soweto, a site which holds significance for sport and for Mandela himself.

The old FNB was where Mandela made his first speech in Johannesburg and held his first major rally after his release from prison in 1990, having been jailed by the apartheid regime for 27 years. Renamed Soccer City and rebuilt for the 2010 World Cup — the first in Africa — it also was where Mandela made his last public appearance, smiling and waving to nearly 100,000 football supporters as he circled the pitch before the World Cup final, three years ago next week.

South Africa's first democratically elected president has strong and emotional ties to sport in his nation, having famously supported the Springboks rugby team when it won the World Cup in 1995, and then the football team — known as Bafana Bafana — a year later when it lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy at the FNB.

Rugby and football were previously examples of South Africa's racial segregation, with rugby mainly followed by whites and football by blacks until Mandela's act of reconciliation and unity at the '95 Rugby World Cup, when he embraced the Springboks, a team associated just a few years earlier with apartheid and white racist rule.

Wearing team shirts on both occasions, Mandela endeared himself to sports-mad South Africans with his appearances at those rugby and football games, and he is still often referred to as a motivation for current South African sportsmen and women.

As well as the Springboks and Bafana Bafana sharing the same field, the Aug. 17 sports day also will have a music concert and another football game between former South African and Italian internationals. And South Africa's continental champion netball team and leading Springboks try-scorer Bryan Habana will be recognized, the sports ministry said.

South Africa's minister of sport and minister of arts and culture will visit Mandela's foundation offices in Johannesburg on Wednesday to deliver messages of support for the ailing former president, they said.

Source: cbc

Brazil Won the Confederations Cup 2013

Score: BRAZIL 3 - SPAIN 0, FRED 2, 47, NEYMAR 44

Brazil humbled the world and European champions Spain with a crushing 3-0 win in the Confederations Cup final, ending their opponents' three-year record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches

Two goals from Fred, one either side of a stunning left-footed shot from Neymar, gave next year's World Cup hosts their fifth straight win in the competition as they clinched the trophy for the third time in a row.

Spain endured a miserable night with Sergio Ramos missing a penalty early in the second half and Gerard Pique sent-off after 68 minutes for a lunge on his new Barcelona team mate Neymar.

Fred put Brazil ahead after two minutes, Neymar added a majestic second just before half-time and the crowd erupted again when Fred made it 3-0 two minutes after the restart with his fifth goal of the competition.

The Maracana crowd taunted Spain and chanted "the giant is back" as Brazil overpowered Vicente del Bosque's team, whose last competitive defeat was against Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup.

Brazil started this competition just over two weeks ago with a third minute goal against Japan and began this final in similar fashion with an even faster opener. Fred's second minute hook-in while he was on the ground lacked the powerful beauty of Neymar's strike against Japan, but its impact was even more emphatic.

The crowd, who just minutes earlier had given a rousing rendition of the Brazil national anthem, raised the decibel levels even higher in celebration to settle Brazil's nerves, unsettle Spain's, and put the hosts firmly in control.

Oscar should have quickly doubled the lead but fired wide after eight minutes when Fred set him up with a clever backheel, while Paulinho went close in the 14th minute when he had Spain keeper Iker Casillas back-pedalling to keep his lobbed shot out.

Spain were clearly rattled by Brazil's rampaging start and they survived another early scare when defender Alvaro Arbeloa escaped with a yellow card when he was the last defender and sent Neymar tumbling. Spain, who usually dominate matches with their intricate midfield passing moves, showed patches of their usual self-assured control, but they also looked tired and leggy following Thursday's exhausting semi-final penalty shoot-out victory over Italy.

In contrast, Brazil, with Fred, Neymar and Paulinho looking fresh and powerful, continually had Spain on the backfoot with a series of swift breaks, often initiated by David Luiz after some Spanish-style passing of their own.

David Luiz's name boomed through the cavernous ground four minutes before half-time when he raced back to clear a goalbound shot from Pedro just in front of the line, with Julio Cesar beaten.

Instead of finding themselves pegged back to 1-1, Brazil were 2-0 ahead within three minutes. Oscar provided the final pass to Neymar who smashed an unstoppable angled left-foot shot, past Casillas at his near-post and into the roof of the net.

Spain were bidding to become the first team since Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup's decisive match to beat Brazil in a competitive international at the Maracana, but after falling behind so early, that never looked likely. Instead, Brazil fans left believing that coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil on 30 June 2002, could deliver a sixth world title to the Maracana in a year's time.

Source: guardian