Real Madrid new player Brazilian midfielder Kaka (L) signs a football ball next to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez during his official presentation on June 30, 2009 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Real Madrid presented to thousands of supporters its new star, 27 years-old Brazilian Kaka, whose full name is Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, signed for 65 million euros from AC Milan. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO

Soccer Superpowers

Deep pockets and bold vision reshape Real Madrid

Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has spent more than $220 million in the midst of a global recession to entice two of the game's grandest stars to wear his team's fabled white jersey

Video Picks

Zidane visits Montreal

The International soccer legend swung into Montreal's North borough for a visit. The area was the scene of a police shooting that sparked a night of violence and riots, one year ago.

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona gestures during a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer game against Colombia in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

John Doyle

Maradona's act wearing thin

Argentine great struggles to adjust to new role

Real Madrid's new player Cristiano Ronaldo greets fans at his presentation at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Monday.

80,000 fans welcome Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Portuguese star gets a big reception at Santiago Bernabeu

Canada hopes to carry momentum into game against El Salvador

National men's team hopes to build on Gold Cup-opening win

Totti ponders international return

AS Roma captain open to playing for Italy once again after admitting he will sign new five-year contract with Giallorossi

Impact fall to Battery

Charleston veteran Daniel Antoniuk scores only goal of the match in the 68th minute after converting a cross from midfielder Scott Buete and beating Matt Jordan

Mexico opens Gold Cup with win

Luis Miguel Noriega scored his first international goal from the penalty spot on Sunday at the tri-colours upend Nicaragua 2-0 while Guadaloupe beats Panama 2-1

Egypt wins in World Cup qualifying

Mohammed Abu Treka scored twice and Hosni Abed Rabbu once to give Egypt a 3-0 win Sunday, sending Rwanda to the bottom of Group C in a World Cup qualifying match.

Nash rekindles his soccer jones

Two-time NBA MVP is serious about pursuing a professional soccer career when basketball days are over

Steve Nash playing soccer with members of the media during the MLS All Star Media Game at BMO Field on July 24, 2008 in Toronto, Canada.
In Pictures
UEFA Cup final

Images from the championship match in Istanbul

Shakhtar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano reacts after scoring during the UEFA Cup final soccer match between Werder Bremen and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul.
Stephen Brunt
Canada crushed

With a new coach and a new style of play, there will be some bumps along the way

Team Canada goalkeeper Karina Le Blanc is unable to save a shot from Team USA's Megan Rapinoe during the first half of their women's international friendly soccer game in Toronto.
Earlier discussion
Champions League final discussion

The Globe's soccer followers invited you to join them as they discussed Wednesday afternoon's five-star Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United

Spectators wearing jerseys of Manchester United's Ronaldo and FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi wait for the start of the Champions League final Wednesday in Rome.