Brazil - The home of countless footballing superstars, from Pele to Ronaldo, Ronaldinho to Neymar.

For fans over a certain age following a World Cup, you’re never really watching just that World Cup.

Shortly after Brazil’s dour scoreless draw with Mexico last week, a gang of kids lit a firework on a wide stretch of the pavement on Rua Das Laranjeiras in Rio.

Having rocked them in the Dáil, as the Sawdoctors had it, Michael D certainly rocked them in the Guildhall, and beyond, when he announced during his visit to London that he would be supporting England at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Des MacHale is right (Letters, Nov 18). A single team could represent Ireland North and South in soccer.

It is usual in football for a crushing defeat to be followed by recrimination and the search for scapegoats.

Gullit and Van Basten, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, Salas and Zamorano, Bebeto and Romario, Pele and Jairzinho, Torres and Villa, Klinsmann and Voller; some of the greatest strike partnerships of all time have been forged at international level and provided the World Cup and European Championship with so many memorable moments.

SO WAS it the greatest goal ever scored? No. Next question, please.

They may have a bit more grey hair than when they took to the field against arguably one of the world's greatest footballing sides, but some familiar and legendary faces gathered in Dublin this afternoon to commemorate an All Ireland sporting achievement 35 years ago.

Football legend George Best today delivered an embarrassing snub to the game’s governing body when he failed to turn up to open a centenary exhibition.

PELE may be the world’s favourite footballer but he walked into a storm of controversy yesterday over his choice of the greatest living players.

Laois 1-12, Offaly 1-12

By Steve Black, Saitama

"It’s not a marvellous side but it’s competitive." It is extremely doubtful whether coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would have still been in a job if he had made this admission about his Brazilian team a year ago.

"It’s not a marvellous side but it’s competitive." It is extremely doubtful whether coach Luiz Felipe Scolari would have still been in a job if he had made this admission about his Brazilian team a year ago.

THIS 2002 World Cup has given us much to be thankful for, wonderful moments, brilliant performances, numerous memories to savour … and that’s just the TV coverage.

Brazil superstar Ronaldo wants to play in England.

England’s stunning victory over Denmark today booked a potential quarter-final clash against four-time champions Brazil in Shizuoka next Friday.

With totally blinkered vision, England need to hope for a Belgium win in Kobe on Monday.

England 3 Denmark 0

England 3 Denmark 0

A couple of years out of the limelight, indulging perhaps in a desire to work on credible art-house movies, can cast a Hollywood star down the billing of their next blockbuster.