Soccer

Soccer superstar Neymar wasn't too bothered after his Brazil squad lost a friendly to Peru at the Coliseum in L.A. on Tuesday ... taking time for a pic with NFL star Todd Gurley!

By the way, this was the first time Brazil had lost in 17 straight games -- the last L they took was during the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals when they were defeated by Belgium.

Neymar didn't start the game but came in off the bench. Brazil hung tough for the most of the match until Peru hit net in the final minutes of the 2nd half.

This is the 5th time Peru has EVER beaten Brazil in the 46 times they've played each other!!

So, why was Neymar in such a good mood? Might have to do with the fact that officials in Brazil announced this week that the woman who accused him of rape is being prosecuted for allegedly making the allegations in an effort to blackmail the soccer star.

As for Gurley, the L.A. Rams running back had GREAT seats for the game -- sitting right behind the Brazil goal when Peru hit the winning shot.

After the game, Gurley hopped into a pretty sick car -- a Vanderhall Carmel, a 3-wheeled vehicle with a $35k starting price tag!

Gurley will return to the Coliseum on Sunday when the Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship game!

The Brazilian model who accused Neymar of rape has been hit with multiple criminal charges -- after officials say she made the whole thing up to blackmail the soccer superstar.

26-year-old Najila Trindade -- who went public with her identity in several TV interviews -- had claimed the PSG striker invited her to his hotel in May and sexually assaulted her.

Neymar vehemently denied the allegations and claimed he had several text messages PROVING he was being set up.

Cops investigated the allegations against Neymar -- and ultimately decided NOT to bring charges against him, citing lack of evidence.

But now, a new twist ... officials believe Trindade concocted an illegal, diabolical plot to falsely accuse Neymar of rape in an effort to extort the soccer superstar.

Officials in Sao Paulo have officially indicted Trindade for procedural fraud (filing a false allegation), slanderous denunciation (which is essentially defamation) and extortion.

Jarzinho Pieter -- a goalkeeper for the Curacao national soccer team -- died Monday night after suffering an apparent heart attack 24 hours before playing Haiti, officials say.

He was only 31.

Pieter was in Port-au-Prince with his Curacao teammates -- prepping to take on Haiti in Tuesday's CONCACAF Nations League game -- when officials say he became ill at the Marriott Hotel where the team was staying.

FYI -- CONCACAF stands for Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

Haitian sports minister Edwin Charles issued a statement on social media -- saying Pieter was the "victim of a heart attack."

Pieter was 2nd string goalie for Curacao -- but the guy was a stud in the net and began his international career with Team Curacao back in 2013.

As for Curacao's scheduled match, the players had a meeting and decided to take the pitch to honor their teammate.

“The Confederation has been informed by the Curacao Football Federation that following consultation with the players, it has decided to play tomorrow’s match against Haiti in tribute to their team-mate," ... CONCACAF said.

Kurt Warner is issuing a message to all 32 NFL general managers ... call Carli Lloyd and let her kick for your team!!!!

"Give her shot!" Warner says ... "Why not?!?"

The U.S. Women's National Team star has set the football world on fire ever since she booted a 55-yard field goal at Eagles practice last week ... with a bunch of people wondering if she truly could suit up for a team this year.

37-year-old Lloyd certainly seems to think so ... she told Fox Sports this week she's "seriously considering" it, adding, "it’s a challenge (and) I would probably enjoy it."

Of course, some have shot down the idea ... Chargers star Keenan Allen wrote on Twitter on Tuesday she'd get stampeded if she ever had a kick blocked.

But, Warner doesn't seem to share those same concerns at all, 'cause he's saying sign her up ASAP!!!

"We need more kickers in the game," the Hall of Fame QB says ... "If you can kick the ball through the goalpost, let's do it!!!"

Teams appear to be open to the idea ... Lloyd's longtime trainer, James Galanis, says she actually had an offer to kick for a team in a preseason game this week.

Keenan Allen is throwing a giant wet blanket on Carli Lloyd's football goals ... saying if the USWNT star ever got on an NFL field, she'd get run over like Mufasa in "The Lion King."

"Sound sweet til somebody block the kick and all of a sudden she on defense," the L.A. Chargers superstar said ... "Would be like the stampede scene in the lion king movie."

Lloyd says she is "seriously considering" a kicking career in the NFL after she was caught on camera drilling a 55-yarder at Philadelphia Eagles practice last week.

In fact, her longtime trainer, James Galanis, told Fox Sports a team was willing to put her on a roster and let her kick in a preseason game THIS WEEK ... but she declined because of her soccer obligations.

But, Allen clearly thinks that would have been a mistake ... tweeting Tuesday, Carli would get seriously hurt if she ever had to try to make a tackle in the league.

"She do got a boot tho!" Allen added.

For her part, Lloyd has yet to comment on how she'd handle the physicality of the sport ... but her trainer seems to think she'd have zero issues if a team were to sign her.

Could Carli Lloyd become the NFL's first female player?!

The soccer star says she's been getting "inquiries" from NFL teams after hitting a 55 yard field goal last week ... and she definitely sounds interested.

The Team USA stud went on "Planet Futbol TV" with Grant Wahl where she was asked straight-up if her phone has been ringing ever since she hit the kick.

"I definitely got some inquiries," Lloyd said without specifying a particular team ... "I've definitely got some people talking."

So, would Lloyd consider making a serious run at an NFL career? She ain't ruling it out.

"I think anything is possible. It's been really interesting because for me I'm just an athlete, I'm a competitor. But, for so many other people they're starting to think, will there ever be a female in the NFL at some point? And, I think we're kind of at that crossroads as far as equality and women empowerment."

"But, right now I'm definitely a soccer player and we'll see what he future holds."

In other words ... maybe!?

As we previously reported, ex-NFL kicker Martin Grammatica says he sees real NFL potential in Lloyd and has offered to coach her up if she wants the help!!!

Be afraid, NFL kickers ... Martin Gramatica says after USWNT star Carli Lloyd hit a 55-yarder at Eagles' practice Tuesday -- she can legitimately take someone's job and make a team's roster!!!

Oh, and the legendary kicker says he's willing to help her do it!!!

After Lloyd showed off her insane leg at Philly's workout this week ... we had to give Gramatica a call to get his thoughts on her giant boot -- and, no surprise, the guy was impressed.

In fact, 43-year-old Martin tells us, "If she put her mind to it and started training, I could see her going all the way."

Gramatica says he's seen Lloyd kick footballs before and was impressed with her ability back then ... but he had no idea she had a 55-yard range.

"55, that's impressive," Martin says ... "I think a lot of the NFL guys better be ready. Better watch their jobs. I know there's some openings, so be careful out there!"

Gramatica says he does see some flaws in her form that he's willing to help fix ... and he knows she'll have to adjust to learning how to kick with pads on.

But, Martin tells us if she truly devotes herself to the craft ... he could see her on a real NFL field someday.

Cristiano Ronaldo says 2018 was "probably my worst year ever" after publicly being accused of raping a woman more than 10 years ago in Las Vegas.

The soccer superstar was accused of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga in June 2009 after meeting her at a nightclub. She claims he took her back to his hotel room and raped her.

Cops opened an investigation last year and eventually decided that CR7 will NOT be charged in the case ... but Ronaldo says it was hard to have people question his character.

"When people question your honor, it hurts, it hurts a lot," Ronaldo told Portuguese television TVI.

Ronaldo did not address the case specifically, but really didn't need to. It's obvious he's referring to the allegation.

"When people attack your honor, it is difficult."

Carli Lloyd stays winning on the soccer pitch AND the football field ... the USWNT star buried a 55-yard field goal at Eagles' practice -- and Philly's kicker himself was impressed!!!

Lloyd was at Eagles' practice Tuesday to cheer on her favorite football team (she's from New Jersey) and she decided to take a few kicks with Eagles stud kicker Jake Elliott after the workout.

Turns out, Carli's soccer skills translate to the gridiron ... 'cause she was nailing field goals all over the place -- including one from 55 yards out!!!

Oh, AND it was on a goalpost WAAAAYYYY smaller than regulation size!!!

"Unreal stuff!" Elliott said after the kicks ... "@CarliLloyd is very much #ForTheBrand."

Carli seemed to enjoy the day as well, writing of the practice, "Thank you to the @Eagles for having me out! Thanks to @JustinTuck @jake_elliott22 @MayorRandyBrown for the good time and tips!"

So ... Steve Nash plays park soccer with former World Cup stars now -- and TMZ Sports has the video!

It's pretty amazing ... the 45-year-old ex-NBA superstar was playing some 5 on 5 (with a small goal) on Monday at an L.A. park with the likes of Team USA legend Cobi Jones!!!

Nash wasn't the most dominant guy on the field, but he certainly held his own ... which shouldn't be too big of a surprise considering he's a freak athlete who loves soccer.

In fact, Nash has a shrine in his L.A. home to some of his favorite soccer players ... so to get out there and ball out with Cobi Jones must've been awesome.

Of course, Jones is a Team USA soccer legend who played on the national team from 1992 to 2004 ... scoring 15 goals during his international career. He's the all-time leader in appearances for Team USA, with 164 caps.

Cristiano Ronaldo is publicly acknowledging he paid $375,000 in hush money to the woman who claims she was raped by the soccer star in 2009 -- but still adamantly denies wrongdoing ... and it's all spelled out in new legal docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Kathryn Mayorga had claimed she took the money from CR7 back in 2010 as part of a private settlement -- and has previously said she signed a confidentiality agreement vowing to keep her mouth shut about the alleged incident.

As we previously reported, Mayorga claims she met Ronaldo at Rain Nightclub in the Palms hotel in June 2009 and went to party with him in his penthouse suite ... where he raped her.

She went to police, but never identified Ronaldo by name -- only describing him as a huge soccer star.

Back in 2018, she publicly ID'd Ronaldo and cops launched an investigation -- but officials ultimately decided NOT to bring charges against CR7 due to lack of evidence.

Ronaldo has adamantly denied the allegations.

Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit against Ronaldo -- and now, Ronaldo has filed new court docs asking a judge to throw out the case because they have a binding settlement agreement PLUS he claims the statute of limitations has LONG expired.

But, what's interesting ... in the same docs, Ronaldo finally acknowledges the amount paid to settle with Mayorga in 2010.

"Mr. Ronaldo paid Plaintiff the sum of $375,000 and both parties agreed to be bound by explicit confidentiality and non-disparagement obligations," the new court docs filed by Ronaldo state.

Several lines of the new court docs explaining the details of the settlement have been redacted -- but Ronaldo's point is clear.

He also says in the court docs the settlement money is NOT an admission of guilt ... but rather just the cost of keeping a legal dispute out of the media.

Equal pay mediation between the U.S. Women's national team and the U.S. Soccer Federation has gotten UGLY ... and now the dispute is likely heading to court.

Remember, the USWNT sued the Federation back in March for gender discrimination -- claiming,  "The female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts."

The USWNT had agreed to meet with the USSF in New York City this week to discuss the heated issue ... but according to team spokesperson Molly Levinson, both sides remain far apart.

"We entered this week’s mediation with representatives of USSF full of hope," Levinson says. "Today we must conclude these meetings sorely disappointed in the Federation’s determination to perpetuate fundamentally discriminatory workplace conditions and behavior."

"It is clear that USSF, including its Board of Directors and President Carlos Cordeiro, fully intend to continue to compensate women players less than men. They will not succeed."

Of course ... Cordeiro made his stance very clear last month ... saying the women's team actually makes MORE than the men's team, despite bringing in a lot less.

He even provided a fact sheet to back up his claim.

Levinson continued ... "We want all of our fans, sponsors, peers around the world, and women everywhere to know we are undaunted and will eagerly look forward to a jury trial."

Cristiano Ronaldo wants his rape case to be taken out of the public eye ... the soccer superstar is asking a judge to force the civil case against him to go to a private forum.

It's all in new court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports ... which show Ronaldo wants his lawsuit with his rape accuser to move from federal court to a private, independent arbitrator.

Ronaldo says because Kathryn Mayorga agreed to a settlement and a non-disclosure agreement in 2010, after accusing him of rape in 2009 ... she should be compelled to at least try to litigate the dispute in arbitration -- not court.

Ronaldo is asking a judge to to put a hold on all proceedings in the case in the meantime.

As we previously reported, Mayorga says she met CR7 at Rain Nightclub in the Palms hotel in June 2009, and after he invited her up to his penthouse suite to party, she claims he raped her.

She reached a settlement with Ronaldo shortly after, accepting $375,000 in exchange for her silence -- but, last year, she announced she wanted that agreement voided, claiming she was in no mental state to make that deal.

Ronaldo is calling BS on that claim in his new court filings, saying she WAS in the proper state ... adding that her family accompanied her to mediation meetings, and saying she "undoubtedly understood she was free to leave at any time and settlement was optional."

Unclear when a judge will rule on Ronaldo's motion to move the case ... but it shouldn't be long.

For his part, Ronaldo has denied ever raping Mayorga, saying in a statement last year, "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

Novak Djokovic doesn't need a racket to whoop you on the court .... he doesn't even need hands, 'cause the 32-year-old tennis superstar will beat you with his noggin and his feet!!!

The Joker showed off his insane coordination with an intense game of soccer tennis on Friday ... and the 45-second rally is really impressive.

In case you couldn't figure it out, "Soccer Tennis" is tennis where you can't use your hands. It's super hard and VERY impressive to watch.

The #1 ranked player in the world kills it with his skills ... trappin' and juggling the ball like he's Lionel Messi.

Huge development in the Neymar rape investigation in Brazil ... where cops have ended their probe into the soccer superstar due to "lack of evidence."

But, the 27-year-old isn't out of the woods yet ... cops are sending their findings over to the Sao Paulo Attorney General's Office which will have 15 days to decide if Neymar should be charged with a crime.

But, the fact cops haven't found overwhelming evidence against Neymar is a good indication that prosecutors will likely NOT move forward with the case.

As we previously reported, Brazilian model Najila Trindade had claimed Neymar sexually assaulted her back in May at a hotel in Paris.

In early June, Neymar published a 7-minute video professing his innocence -- and showing WhatsApp messages between the two in an effort to prove that "nothing really happened."

Neymar also claimed he was being extorted by the woman.

For her part, she has accused the Brazilian police of being corrupt and helping to cover up evidence ... saying, "The police are bought, aren't they? Or am I crazy?"

The President of the U.S. Soccer Federation is responding to the pay gap lawsuit filed by the U.S. Women's National Team ... saying he has proof the women actually make MORE than the men despite bringing in WAYYY less money.

Remember, the USWNT sued the Federation back in March for gender discrimination -- claiming,  "The female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts."

Now, U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro is responding in an open letter ... essentially saying he hears what the women are saying -- but the numbers don't back up their claim.

"U.S. Soccer has, over the past decade, paid our Women’s National Team more than our Men’s National Team in salaries and game bonuses, and we continue to make unprecedented investments in our women’s program," Cordeiro wrote.

Cordeiro included a "fact sheet" that spells out his case and explains ...

"From 2010 through 2018, U.S. Soccer paid our women $34.1 million in salaries and game bonuses and we paid our men $26.4 million -- not counting the significant additional value of various benefits that our women’s players receive but which our men do not."

Cordeiro says the Men and Women have different pay structures based on how they negotiated their Collective Bargaining Agreements ... including more guaranteed pay salary for the women and different ("more robust") benefits packages.

The men CAN earn larger bonuses ... but they're guaranteed nothing, according to Cordeiro.

Corderio also says when you break down the revenue generated by each team, the men come out on top ... by far.

"From 2009 through 2019 -- a timeframe that includes two Women’s World Cup championships -- the Women’s National Team has earned gross revenue of $101.3 million over 238 games, for an average of $425,446 per game, and the Men’s National Team has earned gross revenue of $185.7 million over 191 games, for an average of $972,147 per game."

"More specifically, WNT games have generated a net profit (ticket revenues minus event expenses) in only two years (2016 and 2017). Across the entire 11-year period, WNT games generated a net loss of $27.5 million."

Still, Cordeiro says, "U.S. Soccer does not view these as losses, but rather as an important investment in our Women’s National Team and in the long-term growth of women’s soccer."

Molly Levinson -- a spokesperson for the U.S. Women's National Team -- is responding to the letter ... essentially saying it's a crock of BS.

"The numbers USSF uses are utterly false which, among other things, inappropriately include the NWSL salaries of the players to inflate the women’s players compensation."

She adds, "Any apples to apples comparison shows that the men earn far more than the women. The fact is the women’s team requested the same compensation structure as the men have, so they would be paid equally for equal performance."

"The USSF fact sheet is not a 'clarification.' It is a ruse."

"Here is what they cannot deny. For every game a man plays on the MNT he makes a higher base salary payment than a woman on the WNT. For every comparable win or tie, his bonus is higher. That is the very definition of gender discrimination. For the USSF to believe otherwise, is disheartening but it only increases our determination to obtain true equal pay."