Soccer

Soccer legend Diego Maradona has been diagnosed with a blood clot on his brain and his doctors say they will perform emergency surgery ASAP.

The 60-year-old Argentinian star was hospitalized Monday in his home country because he wasn't feeling well -- complaining of dehydration and depression.

Doctors began running tests, including an MRI, which revealed a subdural hematoma -- also known as a brain bleeds -- usually caused by a traumatic head injury.

If not treated, the bleeding and added pressure on the brain from the hematoma can be fatal, according to WebMD.

Maradona's doctor, Leopoldo Luque, will perform the surgery and seemed to be optimistic about Maradona's chances, when he spoke with the media.

"This is a routine surgery that even [Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Vice President of Argentina] has undergone," Luque said.

As for how Maradona suffered the injury, Dr. Luque believes it likely happened over the past month.

"We did an MRI one month ago and everything was normal. We repeated the study and we saw the subdural hematoma. These types of injuries are tough to spot, I don't know if he suffered some kind of hit or fall."

Dr. Luque says Maradona is "alert" and "not upset" -- and has signed off on the surgery.

Back in the day, Maradona was considered one of the best soccer players in the world -- leading Argentina to a World Cup in 1986.

After his playing career, he struggled with drug addiction, alcohol abuse and health issues -- and has been hospitalized multiple times.

There was no Quarantine 15 for Cristiano Ronaldo ...

The Juventus striker returned to the pitch Sunday after spending nearly 4 weeks in isolation battling COVID-19 -- and proved he's STILL JACKED!

35-year-old CR7 initially tested positive around October 13 while training with the Portugal national team. He was sent to his palatial estate to ride out the virus.

He finally tested NEGATIVE on Friday, and was allowed to rejoin Juventus on Sunday as they took on Spezia at Dino Manuzzi Stadium in Italy.

First chance Ronaldo got to remove his shirt, he did -- showing his bout with the 'rona has ZERO impact on his insane bod.

Good god, man ... have a carb once in a while.

Of course, Ronaldo was rocking his signature undies during his little strip tease ... because he's ripped and business savvy!!!

As for the game, Ronaldo entered the match while it was a 1-1 tie ... then scored 2 goals in a 20-minute span. Yeah, dude's back.

Juventus went on to win, 4-1 ... and Ronaldo's abs are clearly the MVP.

Welcome back!!

Soccer fans, rejoice ... Cristiano Ronaldo is free of COVID-19!

The superstar's team, Juventus, made the announcement Friday ... saying the 35-year-old has finally tested negative after contracting the virus nearly three weeks ago.

"Cristiano Ronaldo carried out a check with a diagnostic test (swab) for Covid 19," the team said in a statement. "The exam provided a negative result."

"The player has, therefore, recovered after 19 days and is no longer subjected to home isolation."

It's great news for Juventus ... the squad won just 1 of its 4 games with Ronaldo out -- and lost its highly anticipated matchup with Lionel Messi's Barcelona team on Wednesday.

As we previously reported, it was announced on Oct. 13 that Ronaldo had COVID ... and he had quarantined himself every day since.

Though, based on his isolation pics, it didn't seem THAT difficult ...

"They could do so much if they decided to use their stupendous level of popularity to fight racism."

Soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe clearly ain't happy with the efforts Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have made to try to stamp out racism ... and now, she's urging them to do far more.

"I’m not talking about wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt," Rapinoe told L'Equipe Mag this month. "I’m talking about going deeper."

Racism is still a huge problem in international soccer -- particularly in 2019.

The two international footballers -- arguably the most popular athletes on the planet -- have in the past used their platforms to fight against racism and for equality.

Just two years ago, Ronaldo famously stood up for a Black player who fans had hurled racial insults at ... writing in an IG post, "In the world and in football there always needs to be education and respect. No to racism and to any sort of insult and discrimination!!!"

Messi, meanwhile, was part of a 2016 UEFA PSA with Ronaldo and other stars denouncing racism.

But, clearly, Rapinoe feels that ain't enough ... pushing for them to use their voices much more.

Megan went on to praise athletes like Naomi Osaka, Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James for their efforts in the battle for social justice.

Cristiano Ronaldo ain't out of the woods yet ... he reportedly tested positive for COVID again, which means he won't be able to join his Juventus teammates to take on Barcelona next week.

Remember, the 35-year-old soccer superstar initially popped for COVID last week (it was announced Oct. 13) -- and was sent home from practicing with the Portugal national team.

CR7 has since been posting photos on social media showing him training and relaxing in his mansion -- with a big ol' smile on his face.

He even posted a pic of his freshly-shaved head on Thursday morning -- flaunting a ridiculously expensive watch.

But, behind the scenes, Ronaldo -- one of the top athletes on the planet -- is still battling coronavirus, according to Spanish outlet Marca.com.

The new positive test means he'll have to miss at least another week of action before he can join his Champions League club Juventus, which is scheduled to take on Lionel Messi's Barca squad on Wednesday.

It's heartbreaking news -- EVERYONE was looking forward to Ronaldo vs. Messi!

But, in order to be cleared to participate in a UEFA match, a player must test negative for an entire week before a game ... and now that's off the table.

Sucks, but if you're gonna have to self-isolate for another week -- at least Ronaldo has a gigantic mansion to enjoy ... with a private pool, gym, etc.

France's premiere soccer league -- Ligue 1 -- will pay tribute to the teacher who was killed last week in a terror attack in Paris, officials say.

47-year-old Samuel Paty -- a history teacher at Collège du Bois d'Aulne -- was attacked and beheaded on Friday while walking home from work.

Officials say the killer is 18-year-old Abdoullakh Abouyezidovitch -- who was upset Paty used caricatures of the prophet Muhammad during recent lessons.

Cops tracked down the suspect after the killing -- but when they approached, he allegedly opened fire with an airgun.

Officers fired back -- striking Abouyezidovitch 9 times, killing him. Cops say Abouyezidovitch confessed to the murder before his death.

The story has been headline news in France (and around the world) for the past few days.

Now, Ligue 1 -- home of legendary teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and more -- says the entire league will honor Paty's memory this upcoming weekend with moments of silence, armbands and more. Ligue 2 will also participate in the tributes.

"Before the matches kick off, a minute's silence will be observed in tribute to the history and geography professor beheaded on Friday in the Conflans-Sainte-Honorine attack and his portrait will be shown on giant screens in the stadiums," league officials said in a statement.

"During the match, all the players in the game (players, coaches, referees) will wear a black armband to pay tribute to him."

Nobody seems more content with COVID than Cristiano Ronaldo ...

The 35-year-old soccer superstar -- who was ordered to self-isolate earlier this week after testing positive -- is now chillaxing in his mansion in Turin, Italy like he doesn't have a care in the world.

As we previously reported, the Portuguese Football Association announced Ronaldo's positive test on Tuesday -- and said he had been sent home to prevent exposure to other Team Portugal players and staffers.

Well, home for CR7 is a massive estate with an indoor pool.

He's still smiling. He's still ripped to shreds. And, he's offering up encouraging words to his fans.

"Don't let what you can't do stand in the way of what you can do," Ronaldo said Friday on IG.

Ronaldo reportedly flew from Portugal to Italy on a private "air ambulance" which he paid for himself.

While Ronaldo has not personally commented about his health since the positive COVID test -- the Portuguese Football Federation said he was "well, without symptoms, and in isolation."

Cristiano Ronaldo -- arguably the most famous athlete in the world -- has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Portuguese Football Association.

He's already been sent away from the team so he can self-quarantine at his home.

The PFA issued a statement saying Ronaldo "is doing well, without symptoms." PFA did not say exactly WHEN Ronaldo tested positive.

Ronaldo's teammates were all retested after CR7's positive result -- with no new positives. The rest of the team will continue to train as usual to prep for Wednesday's game against Sweden in Portugal.

What's concerning is a photo Ronaldo posted on social media Monday, showing him crowded around a table with his Portugal teammates.

No one in the photo is wearing a mask or social distancing.

35-year-old Ronaldo played all 90 minutes when Portugal took on France on Sunday in France.

Only 1,000 fans were allowed inside the Stade de France to watch the game. The stadium typically holds around 80,000 people.

Ronaldo also played against Spain last week.

One of the big issues ... medical experts say it can take between 2 and 14 days for someone infected with COVID to show symptoms.

In other words, it's probably not safe to assume his teammates are all out of the woods yet. And, the decision to push forward and practice and play could lead to disaster.

Diego Maradona says the "Toy Story" jokes stemming from his COVID mask are NOT funny ... and now, the soccer legend is firing back at his critics in a scathing social media post.

Maradona stepped out to coach his Argentinian soccer club this week in a huge face shield that covered the top of his head to below his chin ... and he quickly became the subject of Internet memes.

People poked fun at the face covering ... calling the 59-year-old everything from an astronaut to Buzz Lightyear.

But, Maradona says the mask is NOT a laughing matter ... adding he's using it to make sure he stays safe and coronavirus-free.

"It is the same that some doctors use," Maradona said Wednesday. "I did it out of obligation, and out of respect for all those who died from COVID."

Of course, Maradona's health problems have been well-documented ... he's battled breathing and heart issues throughout his life, as well as a much-publicized addiction to cocaine.

Maradona also famously needed medical treatment at the World Cup in 2018 ... after his body apparently couldn't handle the rush of all his animated celebrations.

Maradona is healthy now ... and taking all the proper steps to keep it that way -- including sanitizing his hands repeatedly during games.

Landon Donovan's pro soccer team straight-up walked off the field in protest Wednesday ... after a member of his squad claimed an opponent used a homophobic slur on the pitch.

Donovan's San Diego Loyal team was playing against Phoenix Rising FC in a USL game in San Diego ... when one of Landon's players said a verbal insult was hurled his way just before halftime.

The player, Collin Martin -- an openly gay man -- reportedly claimed Junior Flemmings called him a "batty boy" ... which is known in Jamaican dialect as an anti-gay slur.

Donovan, Martin and the whole Loyal team were livid over the alleged comment ... and demanded referees or Phoneix Rising FC's coach remove Flemmings from the game.

In video of the argument between Donovan, the refs, and the Phoenix coach ... the U.S. Men's National Team legend can be seen and heard animatedly explaining his team's outrage.

"We need to get this out of our game!" Donovan said. "We need to get this out of our game!"

Donovan continued, "It's homophobia!"

When Flemmings was not removed at the start of the 2nd half ... Donovan's Loyal team took a knee and then left the field -- forfeiting a game it was leading 3-1.

Afterward, Donovan explained that since one of his players had been racially abused in a game just a week ago ... they weren't going to stand for any kind of insensitive comments or actions on the field going forward.

"We went through a really hard incident last week in the L.A. match and we made a vow to ourselves, to our community, to our players, to the club, to USL, that we would not stand for bigotry, homophobic slurs -- things that don’t belong in our game."

The USL says it's investigating the incident, adding in a statement, "Foul and abusive language of any type has absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated in USL matches."

For Flemmings' part, he denies ever saying the comment ... writing in a post on social media, "At no point did I say a homophobic slur towards Collin Martin."

"I do not know Collin personally, but I respect all of my opponents equally, Collin included."

It's always sunny in ... Wales?!

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in talks to invest in Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC ... after a vote by the club's owners was approved Wednesday.

The team -- which is currently owned by its fans -- had previously announced "two extremely well-known individuals of high net worth, advised by credible and professional advisers" were interested in investing in the club.

As it turns out ... those "individuals" were Deadpool and the "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" creator!!!

The club held its first round of votes to kickstart the process this week ... and the results were overwhelmingly in favor of the move, with 97.5% of voters (1,223 members) giving their stamp of approval.

So ... what next??

The club released a statement, saying, "In due course, Mr. McElhenney and Mr. Reynolds will put forward their vision for Wrexham AFC and proposal for members to vote on at a second Special General Meeting."

The team previously reported the actors wanted to purchase the club for a "nominal sum" ... featuring an immediate $2.5 million investment.

Reynolds joked about the big news on Twitter ... by responding to an 8-year-old tweet that referenced Wrexham.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- one of the best soccer players on the planet -- has tested positive for coronavirus ... AC Milan announced Thursday.

The soccer club added Zlatan has now been placed in quarantine.

According to the team, swab tests conducted Thursday showed 38-year-old Ibrahimovic was COVID-19 positive.

"The Club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home," AC Milan said. "All other team members and staff have tested negative."

Zlatan -- who returned to Milan back in December after tearing up the MLS with the L.A. Galaxy -- had been outstanding prior to his COVID test.

Ibrahimovic scored 2 goals in the team's Serie A season opener earlier this week ... and joked afterward he's feeling like Benjamin Button -- AKA aging backward.

Unclear if Zlatan is experiencing symptoms amid his coronavirus diagnosis ... but it seems likely he'll be out of Milan's games for the foreseeable future.

DO NOT INSULT THIS MAN'S FAMILY!!!

German soccer player Toni Leistner was so furious with a trash-taking fan after a loss Monday, he climbed into the stands and manhandled the dude ... and it's all on video.

Leistner and his Hamburg squad had just lost to Dynamo Dresden in a 4-1 shellacking in the German Cup when he heard someone spewing insults from the crowd.

The 30-year-old stopped a live TV interview and jumped into the stands, walked right up to the man he believed to be the trash-talker ... grabbed the dude by the shirt with both hands and shoved him to the ground.

Fans and security broke up the altercation -- and Leistner went right back to his interview and picked up like nothing happened.

The soccer star later went to social media and explained why he blew up ...

"After the match in my hometown, I was verbally abused from the stands," Leistner said.

"I can usually cope with it. But this was extremely and massively below the belt, against my family, my wife and my daughter."

"That's when I lost it, even more so because it was already an extremely emotional match for me."

He continued, "Regardless, this should have never happened to me. I am a father who wants to serve as a role-model. I apologize in all forms and can only promise that -- no matter what insults are thrown my way -- this will never happen again."

As for the COVID component -- roughly 10,000 fans were allowed inside the stadium to watch the game ... but were all required too wear masks and engage in social distancing.

The platers were tested before being cleared to play -- but the fans were not tested.

Soccer star Mason Greenwood has issued an apology for the "embarrassment" he caused after getting busted sneaking women into England's team hotel in Iceland.

18-year-old Greenwood -- along with England teammate Phil Foden -- were cut from the England national team Monday after officials say they broke COVID-19 quarantine protocol to meet up with the women at the team hotel.

At least one of the women is an Icelandic model and beauty queen, according to the Daily Mail.

The players were specifically told not to leave a certain part of the hotel that was sectioned off for the team -- but they decided to venture outside of that zone to meet up with the ladies.

Bad news for the players ... they got caught -- and were immediately dropped by the team.

Greenwood -- a striker for Manchester United -- issued an apology Tuesday morning.

"Having now had the chance to reflect on what’s happened, I can only apologise to everyone for the embarrassment I have caused," Greenwood said.

"It was irresponsible of me to break the COVID-19 protocols which are in place to protect players, staff and the public."

"Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake."

"I promise my family, the fans, Manchester United and England that this is a lesson I will learn from."

Foden has also apologized -- saying, "I breached COVID-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts."

Soccer superstar Jerome Boateng has a LOT to celebrate -- he just won the Champions League AND turned 32 ... so naturally, some diamonds are in order!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Bayern Munich defender wanted to commemorate his recent accomplishments with some one-of-a-kind ice, so he hit up his go-to-guy, Gabriel The Jeweler to make him a personal gift.

The finished product is incredible -- a massive link chain made of 110-carat VVS diamonds and white gold ... and we're told it's valued at a solid $200k (though unclear exactly how much Boateng paid for it).

The chain has smaller diamonds on the outside and larger stones in the middle to really make the thing pop.

Boateng celebrated his special day on Thursday ... just a little over a week after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Of course, Boateng came to Gabriel for a $350k jewelry spree of watches and chains last year ... and we're sure this won't be the last, either.