Soccer

Eric Wynalda -- the former soccer star who was once the all-time leading scorer for the USMNT -- says his home just burned down in the California wildfires ... and he had to watch it on live TV.

Flames have ravaged Southern California since Thursday afternoon ... and Wynalda says his house was one of the casualties of the destruction.

In fact ... the former MLS star tells the San Diego Union-Tribune he had to watch it burn down on a local news station after he evacuated early Friday morning.

"We lost our home but we are safe," Wynalda confirmed on his Twitter page ... "You can rebuild homes, replace belongings, you can’t replace life. We cannot forget that now more than ever."

"Please support the ones who need it the most and continue to honor those who serve to keep us safe. Count your blessings folks- I am."

Wynalda retired from the USMNT as the all-time leading scorer (34 goals in 106 appearances) ... and held the record until Landon Donovan caught it back in 2007.

Paris Saint-Germain soccer star Marco Verratti -- one of the best midfielders in the world -- was arrested for drunk driving Tuesday night in France, the team has confirmed.

The 25-year-old's blood alcohol level was reportedly a .20 -- more than double the legal limit in France for people who recently obtained their driver's license.

The team says Veratti -- who also plays for the Italian national team -- was subjected to a "roadside check" while behind the wheel of his car and that's when cops noticed he was hammered.

PSG says the incident is a violation of the ethics clause in his contract -- and he'll be docked pay from his monthly "ethics bonus."

The team says the fine will remind players that "exemplary behavior that must be theirs in all circumstances with regard to their status as a player of the day."

Abby Wambach says FIFA's decision to double the prize money for the Women's World Cup is good -- but it's still FAR less from what the men are getting ... AND THAT'S NOT OKAY!!!

We spotted the Team USA soccer legend at LAX hours after the FIFA Council announced the move to increase the prize pool from $15 million to $30 million next year.

The women's champion will now get $4 million from that pool -- while the men's champs (France) just got $38 MILLION from a $400 million prize pool.

"We still got a lot of work to do," Wambach tells TMZ Sports ... "It's like a Band-Aid. They need to pay the women equally."

"The mission of FIFA isn't just to grow the men's game. It's to grow the game of football worldwide."

Zlatan can run ... Zlatan can score ... Zlatan CAN DANCE!!!

The soccer legend went on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" and proved there's a lot of walk behind all his talk -- nailing a perfect floss dance right on cue.

In fact ... Corden was so impressed -- he wanted some lessons!!!

So, what was the reason for the night-time dance party?? James needed to figure out if Zlatan really CAN do anything.

The first test? Name three Kardashians.

The second test? Open a jar of pickles.

The third test? Hit the floss.

Done, done and BIG-TIME done.

Then, for good measure, he pronounced his full name with a mouth full of marshmallows. Impressive.

Will Ferrell turned 22,000 soccer fans into RAGING LUNATICS on Sunday ... and the video is pretty great.

The comedy legend -- who's part owner of LAFC -- got hands-on with his futbol team's crowd in a game against Vancouver ... leading an epic chant that turned Banc of California Stadium into a zoo.

"Jump for LA Football Club, OLE! OLE!" Ferrell roared.

The stadium loved it ... and other angles of the chant revealed a DOPE scene.

Bad news for Will ... LAFC ended up tying the Whitecaps, 2-2, and is now in jeopardy of losing out on a top-two seed in the MLS' Western Conference.

Good news for Will ... L.A.'s still going to the playoffs, baby!!

No shirts ... no problems for the U.S. Women's National Team -- 'cause they got their turn up on without their jerseys after winning the CONCACAF Championship Wednesday night!!

It all went down in Frisco, Texas -- where the U.S. women's soccer squad beat Canada, 2-0 ... and then hit the locker room for some post-game booze and partying.

Alex Morgan led the fiesta with flutes of champagne while P!nk's "Raise Your Glass" fittingly played.

Emily Sonnett hit a little nae nae ... Kelley O'Hara got in some twerking ... and Mallory Pugh gave some fist pumps while chowing down on a sandwich. Good times were had by all.

As for Alex ... glad to see her Disney World drama ain't slowing down her party roll.

Congrats!

Chilean soccer superstar Arturo Vidal -- one of the best players in the world -- has been convicted in a 2017 nightclub attack in Germany where officials say he cracked a dude in the head with a vodka bottle.

Vidal -- who currently plays for Barcelona -- was ordered to appear in court on Wednesday to face an aggravated battery charge for the incident at Crown's Club, back when Vidal was playing for Bayern Munich.

Officials say the 31-year-old grabbed a 3-LITER BOTTLE and smashed another clubgoer during the night in question -- reportedly opening up a gash in the victim's head and causing a traumatic brain injury.

The entire fight was reportedly captured on surveillance video.

Officials say Vidal's half-brother, Sandrino, was also involved in the attack.

Both men were ordered to appear in a Munich court on Wednesday -- but didn't show up.

Vidal was in Mexico playing for Chile in an international friendly match, so he and his bro were convicted in absentia, according to reports out of Germany.

Vidal was ordered to pay $923,000 in fines. Sandrino got a $20k fine and Vidal's father-in-law (who was also there) was fined $41,000.

Seems like a good deal for Vidal who was facing up to 10 years in prison.

Wanna know what Ellen DeGeneres did when she learned the rescued Thai soccer players were HUGE fans of Zlatan Ibrahimovic???

SHE BROUGHT HIM OUT ON STAGE TO MEET THEM!!!

The famous soccer team -- aka The Wild Boars -- has been in LA for the past week ... taking on all the sights and sounds of Hollywood ... and stopped by 'Ellen' for a sit-down interview (airs Monday).

That's when Ellen decided to give them a surprise ... their favorite soccer player in the flesh -- and dude couldn't have been nicer.

"I thought I was brave, but these kids, this team is more braver than me," Zlatan said.

The praise from the soccer legend didn't stop there ... "They show their collective teamwork and had patience, faith and believe in other hands also, so this is probably the best team in the world."

Zlatan also brought out gifts for the boys ... t-shirts, balls, jerseys AND L.A. Galaxy tickets ... and said, "We can make exchange, you get my shirt I get your shirt."

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend is sticking right by his side while the soccer star continues to fight a rape allegation out of Las Vegas ... as the couple hit up a dinner hot spot together in Paris.

CR7 and Georgina Rodriguez were spotted at Cesar restaurant on Sunday ... the same day his Portugal national team played a friendly match with Scotland.

Ronaldo had previously announced he would be taking time away from the team (he's missed the last 2 matches) -- and although he didn't specifically cite the rape case ... it's obvious why.

As we previously reported, Ronaldo is being sued by a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her in the soccer star's penthouse suite back in 2009. The accuser claims Ronaldo trapped her in a bathroom and sodomized her against her will despite telling him "stop" multiple times.

The woman claims Ronaldo later paid her more than $300,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement which would essentially guarantee her silence. The woman claims she's been inspired by the #MeToo movement and now wants the agreement nullified.

CR7 has vehemently denied any wrongdoing ... calling the allegations "fake news" and saying "rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

Usain Bolt was Usain GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLTT in his Australian pro soccer game on Friday ... hittin' the back of the net TWICE ... and celebrating with the "shoot" dance!!

The 8-time Olympic gold medalist suited up for the Central Coast Mariners -- wearing a #95 jersey -- and he BALLED OUT in his second appearance for the club ... scoring 2 goals.

Of course, Bolt christened the goals with his signature "lightning bolt" pose for the first goal he scored, an hour into the match ... then followed up with the BlocBoy JB dance for his 2nd goal in the 69th minute.

BTW -- even though he's on a trial with the Mariners, Bolt is serious about this whole soccer thing ... and he's even told TMZ Sports he'd be down to join the MLS -- if they pay up.

The challenge for Bolt, he's gotta convince the old school soccer dudes he's for real -- because when we spoke with Alexi Lalas about Usain joining the MLS, he basically told us there's no shot.

But, if Bolt continues to torch defenses ... ya gotta think it's a matter of time before he gets a contract offer.

The Thai boys soccer team rescued from flooded caves back in July were stoked when they landed in Los Angeles today ... and it's all because they're about to go Hollywood!!!

TMZ Sports cameras were rolling as the 12 boys -- along with their coaches and other chaperones -- walked through the airport to their waiting bus ... smiling and throwing up the peace sign.

The team -- aka the Wild Boars -- were decked out in their spiffy Adidas uniforms and carrying their equipment in cool new travel bags. They just played a friendly game in Argentina against another youth squad as part of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics opening ceremony.

But now, it's time for some R&R in L.A. -- the team is scheduled to hit up Universal Studios in the coming days where they'll get to experience everything from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to King Kong 360 3-D.

Of course, it's nothing like surviving over 2 weeks in a crazy network of caves -- but they'll probably dig it.

So, why the global trip?

The head of the Thai Olympic Delegation explained it this way -- "During the rescue operation so many people from around the world came to Thailand and collaborated to rescue them. They feel that they owe a debt to everyone."

With rumors swirling that AC Milan has interest in bringing 37-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to Italy ... we had to ask the L.A. Galaxy star straight-up -- true or false?

Good news -- we got an answer!

Bad news -- well, here's what he said ...

"There is always rumors. The whole world wants me. It's okay."

Keep in mind, reports suggest Zlatan has serious interest in going back to Milan -- where he scored 56 goals between 2010 and 2012. But, he didn't seem like he was bursting with excitement when we asked him about it.

The issue ... most people thought Zlatan came to L.A. to wind down his career with the Galaxy, where he's got a pretty good thing going -- 20 goals in 24 games.

So, think he's ready to give it up for one last ride in Serie A?

There's more ...

Remember that 7-year-old singer Malea Emma who impressed Zlatan with her national anthem performance before a Galaxy game last month?

We asked Ibra if he considered her a "lucky charm" and wants to bring her back.

David Beckham and his famous family are saying goodbye to their legendary Bev Hills compound -- selling the place for $33 MILLION!!!!

David and Victoria bought the 13,000 square foot estate back in 2007 -- right around the time David signed a $250 MILLION contract with the L.A. Galaxy soccer team.

At the time they bought the home, the asking price was $22 million.

Now, with David bringing an MLS team to Florida -- Inter Miami Football Club -- it appears the family just ain't using the West Coast palace like they used to.

David and Victoria's kids went to school in Los Angeles during their time on the West Coast -- but now they spend their time mostly in London.

The Bev Hills mansion is insane -- 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a library, pool and has iron gates in the front of the property to keep out the riff raff, according to the L.A. Times.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for his Portugal national team in at least 2 upcoming games while he battles rape allegations in the United States.

Ronaldo -- arguably the best player in the world -- was left off the roster for an Oct. 11 match against Poland and an Oct. 14 game against Scotland.

The 33-year-old superstar reportedly met with Portugal coach Fernando Santos and Portuguese federation president Fernando Gomes and collectively agreed it was best for Ronaldo to step away for a few games.

While they have not released a statement specifically connecting the absence to the rape case -- it's pretty obvious.

As we previously reported, Ronaldo is being sued by Kathryn Mayorga -- who claims Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room back in 2009.

She had initially filed a police report describing the alleged crime -- but didn't identify Ronaldo by name.

In her lawsuit, Mayorga says she later accepted a $375,000 payment in exchange for her silence -- but now, she wants that agreement voided.

Cristiano Ronaldo is firing back against allegations he raped a woman at a Vegas hotel back in 2009 -- saying, "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

The soccer superstar is being sued by Kathryn Mayorga -- who claims she met CR7 at Rain Nightclub in the Palms hotel in June 2009 and he invited her up to his penthouse suite to party and hot tub.

There are photos of Mayorga and Ronaldo hanging out at the nightclub together that evening.

While changing her clothing, Mayorga claims, "Ronaldo entered the bathroom, exposed his erect penis and asked [her] to perform fellatio."

Mayorga says she refused and wanted to leave -- but Ronaldo "pulled [her] into a bedroom and onto a bed and attempted to engage in sexual intercourse."

Mayorga claims she tried to fight Ronaldo off -- but he turned her onto her side and sodomized her while she screamed "no, no, no."

In her suit, Mayorga claims she reported the incident to the Las Vegas Metro Police Dept. -- but didn't identify Ronaldo by name out of fear of retaliation.

Mayorga claims immediately following the 2009 incident, Ronaldo and his team of "fixers" coerced her into signing a settlement and nondisclosure agreement -- in which she got $375k in exchange for her silence. She's seeking in her lawsuit to void the deal.

Now, Ronaldo is speaking out ... adamantly denying the allegations.

"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," Ronaldo said.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense."

"My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations."

Bad news, San Diego ... the Chargers ain't coming back.

Good news, San Diego ... Landon Donovan's working on your replacement -- YOUR VERY OWN MLS SOCCER TEAM!!!

Philip Rivers and the rest of the Bolts packed their bags for L.A. last year ... and in their wake -- they left a giant plot of land for the city to use.

That's when Donovan stepped in and helped spearhead an effort to fill that space with a new stadium, restaurants, housing, shopping -- and a new MLS futbol team.

So, what'll it take for Landon to get all this done??

"If people in San Diego want this to happen and want this to be a part of the future of this city and impact people for decades to come," Donovan tells us, "then they can vote 'yes.' Our measure is Measure E."

The vote's Nov. 6 ... and Donovan's promising a space of land that will rival what L.A.'s got downtown by the Staples Center if it goes down.