In Brazil he is Felipão; the world knows him as Big Phil.

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

The editorial in ‘Lance’, Brazil’s most important daily sports newspaper, was crystal clear.

The stories about Louis van Gaal are many, and some of them are even true.

It takes some cheek to gain an advantage by diving or feigning injury but a whole lot more to keep a straight face while solemnly deflecting responsibility for same.

It was a mixed week for the personal grooming industry.

The dark hair, the chiselled cheekbones, the lean build — Keith Gillespie could still pass for the kid who wowed ’em on the wing at Old Trafford and St James’ Park back in the day.

Favourite line on Ballboygate?

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.

Alex Ferguson does not believe FIFA will ever launch a crackdown to rid football of the scourge of diving.

IT may have been seniors week inthe Premier League, but you canforget about Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes for the veteran of the year award.

OF all the countless tributes paid in recent years to the star player on a star-filled Barcelona team, we particularly liked the one The Guardian penned after he’d ripped the champions of England apart, so much so we’ll recite it here.

IF Pep Guardiola is a student of Johann Cruyff, then Sergio Busquets is a student of Guardiola. The defensive midfielder, who divides opinion outside Spain, played under Guardiola in his one season as Barça’s B team boss in 2007-08.

Lionel Messi tonight became the inaugural winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or at a glittering award ceremony in Zurich.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI claims a number of Chelsea players did not respect him and his training methods during his ill-fated eight-month stint at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz Felipe Scolari claims a number of Chelsea players did not respect him and his training methods during his ill-fated eight-month stint at Stamford Bridge.

HOWEVER daunting Chelsea’s plunge into the Nou Camp cauldron tomorrow night, Guus Hiddink can take consolation in reflecting that it is hardly a leap into the unknown.

THERE IS no doubt about it. David Beckham is the best-paid shirt salesman on the planet.

ABERDEEN boss Jimmy Calderwood paid tribute to his side after a Jamie Smith double fired the Dons into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with a stunning 4-0 victory over Copenhagen last night.

AEK Athens 1 Sevilla 4 (Sevilla win 6-1 on agg)

Sevilla made sure of their place in the Champions League group stage on Monday night with an emphatic 4-1 win at AEK Athens.

BRAZILIAN veteran Rivaldo is optimistic Olympiacos can prolong their European season by beating Shakhtar Donetsk – but knows the first goal will be vital.

THERE is a certain symmetry that the player who got Italy’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start is the same one whose intervention earned them a place in tomorrow’s final against France.

Ronaldinho insists Brazil are no one-man team.

BRAZILIAN Kaka scored twice as AC Milan beat Schalke 3-2 last night to take their place in the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of the German team.

Last season’s semi-finalists AC Milan and PSV Eindhoven moved into the last 16 of this year’s Champions League after victories in their final group games.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has denied he is a “diver” after being accused of feigning a foul during the 2-0 victory over Portsmouth on Saturday.

Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho has been named the 2005 European Footballer of the Year.

The two Milan clubs had their star strikers to thank for resounding victories in the Champions League tonight.

Liverpool start Peter Crouch tonight, as Damien Duff returns from injury to start on the bench for Chelsea. Here are tonight's Champions League teams.

A GALVANISED AC Milan travel to Eindhoven determined to defend top spot in Group E when they take on PSV tonight.

Olympiacos must do without Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo for their crucial UEFA Cup clash with Newcastle on Wednesday.

Newcastle 3 Olympiakos 1

Rafael Benitez won a prized reputation in Spain as a lucky manager...and he’s certainly brought all that good fortune with him to Liverpool.

Liverpool 3 Olympiacos 1

Champions League

Champions League

Champions League

Olympiacos coach Dusan Bajevic has urged his team to snuff out the threat of Steven Gerrard when they face Liverpool in the Champions League tomorrow.

Champions League results:

Champions League latest:

Champions League latest: