Key-Player World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - ARGENTINA - KEY PLAYER - ‪LIONEL MESSI - PROFILE

Lionel Andrés Messi; born 24 June 1987, is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish 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. 

More
1 Jul 2014
Key-Player World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - USA - KEY PLAYER - ‪JERMAINE JONES - PROFILE

Jermaine Junior Jones, born 3 November 1981, is a German-American footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Turkish club Beşiktaş. He has previously played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, Blackburn Rovers and Schalke 04. He was born in Germany and represented them at U21 and senior level.

More
1 Jul 2014
Coaches National teams World Cup 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH - STEPHEN KESHI RESIGNS AFTER EXIT

He becomes the sixth manager to leave his job during the World Cup, following the departures of Honduras's Luis Suarez, Iran's Carlos Queiroz, Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi.

Keshi, who captained Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup finals, was previously in charge of Mali and Togo.

More
1 Jul 2014
Fixtures+Results National teams Squad World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 18 - LAST SIXTEEN - FRANCE vs NIGERIA 2:0

LAST SIXTEEN
30th June 2014

France vs Nigeria 2:0

More
30 Jun 2014
Fixtures+Results National teams Squad World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 18 - LAST SIXTEEN - GERMANY vs ALGERIA 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
30th June 2014

Germany vs Algeria 2:1

More
30 Jun 2014
Key-Player World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - GERMANY - KEY PLAYER - THOMAS MUELLER‬ - PROFILE

Müller's role can be described as an attacking all-rounder, a player able to play in a variety of forward positions. He can play in any of the attacking midfield roles but usually plays in the center for Bayern Munich, and on the right for Germany.

He has been used as an out-and-out striker on occasion. Müller has been praised for his maturity, pace, technique, awareness and positioning.

More
30 Jun 2014
Key-Player World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - FRANCE - KEY PLAYER - ‪KARIM BENZEMA - PROFILE

He has been named French Player of the Year twice for his performances in 2011 and 2012. Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards. 

Benzema has earned over 65 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments; the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

More
30 Jun 2014
Fixtures+Results National teams Squad World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - NETHERLANDS VS MEXICO 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Netherlands vs Mexico 2:1

Lucky dutchmen!

More
29 Jun 2014
Fixtures+Results National teams Squad World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - COSTA RICA VS GREECE 5:4 - win on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Costa Rica vs Greece 5:4

Costa Rica through on penalties.

More
29 Jun 2014
Key-Player World Cup 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - MEXICO - KEY PLAYER - ‪Giovani dos Santos‬ - PROFILE

Giovani dos Santos‬ was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Giovani joined FC Barcelona's academy of La Masia at the age of eleven and played for Barcelona's Juvenil A category where he helped his team to make a comeback in the league and win the regional title. 

This title allowed them to participate in the Youth Copa del Rey, where they faced other regional champions, among them their historic arch-rivals, Real Madrid. 

More
29 Jun 2014
Club Stars in Asia Transfers

STARS IN ASIA - NIGERIA - CLUB - Peter Odemwingie signs for Indonesian test

Madura United Peter Odemwingie

 

Former Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie would love to roll back the years in Indonesia by scoring important goals after his move to Madura United.

The 35-year-old, who represented the Super Eagles at the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, has signed a one-year deal with the option of an extension.

The ex-WBA and Stoke man last played for Rotherham but left in January.

"These are exciting times for Indonesian football and I'm happy to be a part of it," he told BBC Sport.

"Hopefully I can roll back the years by scoring important goals for Madura."

He becomes the third former English Premier League star to move to Indonesia after Michael Essien and Carlton Cole.

"I had no idea what it's like here but I had a brief chat with Michael Essien and he gave me positive feedback," Odemwingie explained.

"To be regarded as a marquee signing is huge - I've played in different European countries but this place is really beautiful - and the people are very friendly.

"I've scored goals at all the top clubs I played and I believe with the help of my teammates I can still do the same here."

Based in in Pamekasan, Madura, East Java, Madura United finished third in the league last season.

Capped 67 times by Nigeria, Odemwingie's final chapters in English football were at Championship clubs Bristol City and Rotherham - having been a free agent since leaving the latter following a seven-game stint.

Born in Uzbekistan, he also played in Belgium, France and Russia before spending the last seven years in English football including stints with Premier League sides West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City.

He marked his Nigeria debut with a goal against Kenya in Lagos in 2002, and was widely regarded as one of the most committed and dedicated players to have represented his country.

As well as winning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, he was part of the squad that finished in third place at the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

10 Apr 2017
(BBC Sport, Lagos by Oluwashina Okeleji)

Related countries
Indonisia Nigeria

Related articles