The Irish Times

All in the Game: When a want-away striker gets shirty

Signing Diego Maradona in January? And tell us what you really think Antonio Cassano

Mon Jan 11 2021 - 09:00

Ideal opportunity for the Women’s Super League to prosper

Recent influx of world-class talent shows women’s football in England is thriving

Mon Sept 14 2020 - 06:00

‘Goldilocks’ footballer? Ciro Immobile now eyes Serie A goals record

Italian has bounced back from unhappy spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla

Thu Jul 30 2020 - 10:54

In turmoil on and off the pitch: Where did it all go wrong for Barcelona?

Third draw in four for Catalan club has made defending their La Liga title very difficult

Thu Jul 02 2020 - 11:47

Messi and Guardiola each donate €1million to coronavirus battle

Barcelona player and Manchester City manager donate money to Catalan hospital

Wed Mar 25 2020 - 08:13

All in the Game: Van Basten settles Messi v Ronaldo debate

Lionel Messi and his PlayStation similarities, Kevin De Bruyne showing up the pundits

Mon Mar 02 2020 - 14:00

Barcelona burn at Anfield - the Catalan press reaction

Ernesto Valverde bears the brunt of criticism after “greatest humiliation in history”

Wed May 08 2019 - 15:31

Sergio Busquets: Beating heart of Barcelona recalls ‘highest point’ against United in 2011

‘That was the best performance of Pep’s era, where our success, our superiority, was most overwhelming’

Mon Apr 08 2019 - 09:20

Barcelona invests in preparing for the players of the future

Innovation hub works on nutrition, training regimens, injury management and even sleep patterns in search of an edge on the pitch

Fri Mar 01 2019 - 16:37

Gareth Bale cuts an increasingly detached figure at Real Madrid

Bale doesn’t look happy, doesn’t speak Spanish and his teammates call him ‘the golfer’

Tue Feb 26 2019 - 07:00

Sports Review 2018: Messi business and Argentina’s national humiliation

The shock of a 3-0 defeat to Croatia in Nizhny led to World Cup misery

Wed Dec 26 2018 - 15:01

Catalan clash going international as Spanish football feels the heat

The debate rages on over Miami fixture, four-day weekends, and new kick off times

Mon Sept 24 2018 - 17:01

Sergio Ramos bites back at Maradona and Carlos Queiroz

‘Argentinian football knows Maradona is light years behind best Argentinian player’

Thu Jun 21 2018 - 12:24

The Stars Align for Leo – An Irishman’s Diary about the world’s greatest footballer and the French revolutionary month of Messidor

Fri Jun 15 2018 - 00:01

Why has Barcelona’s unbeaten double been so low-key?

Ernesto Valverde’s side failed in Europe but domestically have been very impressive

Mon Apr 30 2018 - 15:12

Piqué in the thick of Catalan rivalry again after celebration

He could face sanction for shushing celebration despite fan abuse aimed at his family

Wed Feb 07 2018 - 12:05

Mr Money makes Coutinho’s Camp Nou dream come true

Brazilian unveiled in Catalonia but injury will delay his Barcelona debut for three weeks

Mon Jan 08 2018 - 23:00

How Messi’s shadow and PSG’s ambition led to Neymar’s move

By moving to PSG Neymar is ready to be the star of the show and not the overshadowed

Wed Aug 02 2017 - 16:03

I ‘never tried to avoid taxes’ – Cristiano Ronaldo appears in court

Real Madrid star disappoints waiting media and fans by arriving in court via back door

Mon Jul 31 2017 - 15:59

Who is Pepe? Assassin who became leader, what’s next . . .

With time, his game did change, as did perceptions – especially after Mourinho’s exit

Wed Jun 07 2017 - 15:39

Cristiano Ronaldo starts the party as Real Madrid secure title

In his first season in charge Zinedine Zidane has led his team to a first title in five years

Sun May 21 2017 - 21:37

Neymar stands up to help Barca achieve the improbable

Calmness and confidence sets brilliant Brazilian apart

Thu Mar 09 2017 - 15:59

Barcelona’s humiliation exposes deep fault-lines right through club

Side labelled tactical, physical and emotional mess, with no leaders or youthful promise

Wed Feb 15 2017 - 22:44

After 40 matches, Real Madrid’s unbeaten run ended in five minutes of drama

A late own goal from Sergio Ramos against his old club sparked a Sevilla comeback

Mon Jan 16 2017 - 14:28

Cristiano Ronaldo’s derby hat-trick puts Real Madrid four points clear

Barcelona held by Malaga at Camp Nou as Lionel Messi misses out through illness

Sat Nov 19 2016 - 22:36

Lionel Messi scores hat-trick as Barcelona rout Celtic

Rodgers’s side outclassed as they suffer worst European defeat

Wed Sept 14 2016 - 08:55

Salty sea captain who is steering Barça towards historic waters

Having quelled Messi-led mutiny last season, Luis Enrique now aiming for double treble

Fri Apr 01 2016 - 21:30

Neymar, Suarez and Messi on target as Arsenal crash out

Wenger’s team have unlikely resistance ended by second goal

Wed Mar 16 2016 - 22:08

Dani Alves: ‘Has no one stopped to think that fame is shit?’

Barcelona and Brazil player talks money, social media, defending, his love for singing

Mon Mar 14 2016 - 14:05

Real Madrid brought to their knees by Barcelona

“This tastes like heavenly glory: it will go down in history,” says Luis Enrique

Mon Nov 23 2015 - 16:51

Lionel Messi out for up to eight weeks with knee injury

Luis Enrique tells players they need to step up after talisman ruled out

Sat Sept 26 2015 - 18:22

Costa heads for the tunnel as Chelsea beat Barca on penalties

Eden Hazard scores stunner as Jose Mourinho’s side’s pre-season comes to an end

Wed Jul 29 2015 - 08:41

Andy McGeady: Warning - contains data, use carefully

Statistics provide great insight but can be dangerous in the wrong hands

Tue May 19 2015 - 22:30

Malaga defeat should be no more than a hiccup for Barcelona

Luis Enrique’s side face Manchester City in Champions League on Tuesday night

Mon Feb 23 2015 - 15:45