Football Pundits Forum

Before there was Messi, Ronaldo, Beckham, there was Pelé. In 1958, he won his first World Cup for Brazil at seventeen – the youngest winner ever. He went on to win another two World Cups in 1962 and 1970, making him the only player in the world today with three World Cup trophies.

For a sport that brings the world together like no other, Pelé’s rise from humble beginnings to soccer legend is a story of what is possible.

Today, Jill’s and my thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.

English Premier League 2021/22 season begins today with a London derby as newly-promoted Brentford FC host Arsenal FC. Kick off: 7 pm GMT

Messi joins PSG; to earn £650k weekly in a two-year deal with an option of a third year. The 34-year-old Argentine who has won the balloon d'Or (best player of the year award) on six occasions will don the number 30 shirt for the Paris-based French club. The shirt reportedly sold-out online after just 30 minutes of official unveiling. He will earn £160k more than Neymar, the most expensive player in the world. While at former club FC Barcelona for 17 active years, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 games thereby helping the team acquire 34 trophies.

F.A Community shield 2021: Substitute Iheanacho converts dying minutes penalty as Leicester city lifts trophy (first time in 50 years) at Manchester city's expense in Wembley today.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Men) Football : Brazil defeat Spain 2-1 in extra-time to claim gold medal back-to-back!

Euro 2020: Italy lift the Euros trophy for the second time after beating debutant Finalists England 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate at the end of extra-time in Wembley stadium,London. Luke Shaw had given England the lead in a record- fastest goal in the history of the final in the second minute before it was neutralized by Bonucci in the 67th minute. Belotti and Jorginho had their penalties saved by Pickford while Rashford, Sancho and Saka missed their kicks as Donnarumma saved the last two.

Copa America 2021: Argentina defeat hosts Brazil 1-0 in final --- thanks to a 22nd minute goal by Angel di Maria -- to lift the trophy again after 28 years! Messi, Neymar selected MVP of tournament.

Euros all-time top scorer : Besides leading the ongoing Euro 2020 championship goal chart alongside Patrick Schick of Czech Republic with 5 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo sets a new all-time record having scored 14 goals in 25 matches spread across 5 editions. The record was previously held by France's Michel Platini with 9 goals in 5 matches. Ronaldo also holds the record for most appearances.

Euro 2020 : Following a dramatic turn of events that saw Croatia draw level on 90 minutes from 1-3 down, Spain grabbed 2 extra-time goals to secure a quarter-final berth against Switzerland. Spain 5 Croatia 3.

Euro 2020 (2021): Mbappe's penalty shoot-out miss costs France a quarter-final ticket as Switzerland forced a 3-3 draw on 90 minutes -- from 1-3 down although 1-0 up at half-time -- to win 4-3 via penalties. Switzerland to face Spain in the last 8.

Euro 2020 (2021) : As Spain and Croatia square up for the fifth round-of-16 tie this evening in Copenhagen, Denmark, which side will proceed to the quarter final to face either France or Switzerland? The two nations have had 8 encounters with Spain winning 4 and Croatia 3. They last met in 2018 with Spain winning 3-2. Kick off 4pm GMT

Euro 2020 (2021) update : Defending champions Portugal have been ousted from the Euros following a 0-1 defeat to Belgium in a round-of-16 game, thanks to a 43rd minute goal by T. Hazard in Seville, Spain. Belgium shall face Italy in the quarter-final on Friday 2 July. Pic cred : The Telegraph, UK.