Do Brazil still play the beautiful game?
While Brazil’s World Cup winning team in 1970 entranced the world it ensured that that golden generation became the benchmark by which every subsequent Brazilian coach and player would be measured.
No pressure then for the current wearers of the famed yellow shirt as they prepare to meet current World Cup champions Spain in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday in Rio de Janiero's Maracana Stadium.
Brazil's captain Carlos Alberto scored the final goal in the 4-1 destruction of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final - arguably the most perfect epitaph to a team that had captivated millions of people watching across the globe who were not lucky enough to be in the Azteca Stadium on that June 21 day.
Encompassing wonderful individual skill within the framework of a team that seemed to have an almost telepathic understanding, the move that led to the goal started with Tostao deep in his own half.
By the time Alberto had crashed the ball into the net the majority of the team's outfield players had been involved in the build up to its devastating denouement.
There was midfielder Clodoaldo bewitching a quartet of Italian players, with Rivelino and Jairzinho also linking up.
Jairzinho then passed to Pele, who was standing just outside the penalty box's "D". Time seemed to stop as Pele assessed his options - before sensing Alberto’s run to his right - he nonchalantly flicked the ball into the path of his captain. The rest is history. FULL POST
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Cycling faces watershed of credibility
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- CNN's Changing Gear series spoke to 2012 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins. Unfortunately the Briton was forced to withdraw from this year's race.
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- It has been a tough year for UCI president Pat McQuaid following Lance Armstrong's fall from grace.
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- British cyclist David Millar knows more than most about doping in cycling. The British Garmin Sharp rider was banned for two years in 2004 after taking performance-enhancing drugs.
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- Lance Armstrong's legacy still looms large over the Tour de France.
How much of an impact do you think the Lance Armstrong scandal over the last few years has had is the question I put to British cycling star Mark Cavendish.
Cavendish stares from behind his sunglasses. There is a stony silence before he smirks and, six seconds later, finally shrugs and replies, "I don’t know. I think it’s had more of an effect on you journalists trying to make a story out of it than on the actual riders.”
It doesn’t reflect that well on him –- or me for that matter. But my chat with Mark Cavendish at last month's Giro D’Italia summed up pretty early on in our filming for CNN's Changing Gear series the current view within cycling of the events of the last 12 months. FULL POST
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Can anyone stop Spain at 2014 World Cup?
The final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil’s Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro is just over a year away, but already it’s difficult to look any further than Spain as tournament winners.
That’s a statement likely to provoke guffaws from hosts Brazil, who hope home advantage will propel the South American side to a record-extending sixth title.
Argentina, who have the world’s best player Lionel Messi in their team, might also have something to say about that prediction. FULL POST
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Who are Europe's next young soccer stars?
Yalla! The football stars of the future are on display in Israel - and they’re lighting up the UEFA Under-21 Championship in style.
Having spent the past week in Tel Aviv covering the tournament for CNN, it’s given me a great opportunity to take a look at some of the top prospects coming through onto the international stage.
Some of the biggest names in the game have forged their reputations at this tournament and I’ve picked out a few “ones to watch” following the opening week’s action. FULL POST
Can Chelsea go 'Back to the Future?'
“Getting back was only the beginning.” Not only the strapline for Hollywood sequel Back to the Future II but also a fitting description of Chelsea’s decision to reappoint Jose Mourinho on a four-year contract.
The return of the self-dubbed “Special One” after a six-year absence has prompted a euphoric response from the Premier League club’s fans, who are delighted owner Roman Abramovich has decided to go “Back to the Future."
Between 2004 and 2007, Mourinho’s Chelsea, for a time, dominated English football. The Portuguese coach guided the west London team to a first league title in 50 years as well as four other major trophies.
But his return is being greeted with caution by some who warn it is never wise to return to the scene of former glories. FULL POST
Have FIFA's 'reforms' actually changed anything?
How much faith do you have in FIFA? Can we as fans really believe football's overlords are in it for the good of the game? Now the 63rd Annual FIFA Congress has been and gone - how much has really changed? It was a summit sold on its significance for world soccer's much trumpeted reform plan, but should we all have saved our air fares?
Given Sepp Blatter invited us to the wonder that is Mauritius for this year's annual meeting of football's parliament, I feel it's only right to contemplate this question from the comfort of a sun bed, with cocktail in hand. FULL POST
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