World Cup

Is Tekashi69 the best soccer goalie to ever live??

Well, Tekashi69 sure as hell thinks he is ... telling TMZ Sports NOBODY -- including Cristiano Ronaldo -- can score a goal on him.

And, he's being 100% serious.

We spoke with the "Gotti" rapper about his goalkeeping skills after he put on a display in a workout video earlier this week ... and Tekashi says Brazil's lucky he won't be between the posts in their World Cup match with Mexico on Monday.

In case you need a refresher, Tekashi showed he's actually a pretty solid keeper, given the fact it's a small goal and he's going up against a bunch of kids (but the footwork probably needs some help). He did, however, do decently against Italian soccer star Mario Balotelli.

Tekashi69 just upped the ante in his would-be bid to play goalie for Mexico ... 'cause the dude's proving his skills against none other than Italian soccer stud Mario Balotelli.

Tekashi posted a video Sunday showing him playing keeper against the Italian super star striker on a practice field in what we imagine is somewhere in Europe. The rapper's on tour over there right now.

As for his actual goalie skills -- which were somewhat questionable last week -- Tekashi actually gets some blocks off ... against MARIO FRIGGIN' BALOTELLI!!

Then again ... the guy's not in cleats or athletic gear, and doesn't seem to be going too hard either. We're also not sure how or why he's hanging with Tekashi.

Tekashi69 claims to be "so deadass" good at soccer -- he thinks Mexico should put him on the roster to face Brazil in the World Cup.

And, yes ... it's all on video!

The rapper put his rainbow hair in a bun and hit the pitch to show off his skills -- from a terrible penalty shot to flopping ... to that prayer thing players do when they take the field.

It's mostly bad ... until he plays goalie.

6ix9ine says he was dope as a kid -- and doesn't look completely unathletic when he's blocking shots in this workout.

Argentina's do-or-die game against Nigeria was almost do-or-die for Diego Maradona -- the dude suffered a medical scare at the end of the World Cup game and was reportedly hospitalized in Russia.

Throughout the game, the 57-year-old legend was wildin' out in his seats at St. Petersburg Stadium -- shouting, praying and flipping people off.

But, when Argentina's Marcos Rojo scored the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute, Maradona's body couldn't handle the excitement ... and paramedics raced to treat him.

Don't worry, he's alive ... but according to ESPN's Diego Cora, he was eventually taken to a nearby hospital to be checked out.

Maradona has a history of health problems, including breathing and heart issues ... as well as a much-publicized cocaine addiction.

Argentina's next game is against France on Saturday ... hopefully, he'll be rested up and ready to go by then.

He's a living legend in Africa -- he was born there, he does a ton of charity work there ... but when it comes to the World Cup, Dikembe Mutombo says his #1 team is from ANOTHER continent.

"My #1 team is still Brazil," Mutombo told TMZ Sports on his way out of Catch in West Hollywood.

"If I have to pick a #2, I think I would go with Senegal & Nigeria. I got to cheer for my homeboys."

Mutombo was born in the Congo -- and has been a huge force in bringing his sport to Africa with "Basketball without Borders" and even built a hospital in Kinshasa through his foundation.

But, despite all that, he likes Brazil -- and says he's rooting for the boys in green and yellow to take home the trophy.

Wanna see Rod Stewart mock Argentina for sucking in the World Cup and then defend Sweden?

Great, you're gonna love this clip!

The singer -- who's a MASSIVE soccer fan -- hit up Delilah for dinner over the weekend, when he stopped to talk World Cup.

His big beef ... he thinks Sweden got screwed out of a penalty kick during the match with Germany on Saturday when Marcus Berg had a breakaway shot.

Germany's Jerome Boateng raced in and manhandled Berg -- right in the penalty box -- but somehow, no penalty was called, which really pissed off Fox Sports analyst Stuart Holden.

Clearly, Rod Stewart agrees -- saying, "I think Sweden were robbed of a penalty."

Germany ultimately got the victory -- and now Stewart thinks they've got a real shot.

Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar got so pissed off the pitch Friday, he cussed out some of his opponents -- insulting their mothers -- and it was broadcast for the world to see.

Neymar and Brazil were taking on Costa Rica in a World Cup Group E game in Russia -- it was very chippy and Neymar was getting VERY frustrated.

So, when a Costa Rica guy appeared to flop -- again -- Neymar let him have it ... calling the dude a "puta" and muttering something about the guy's "madre."

Translation -- the insult is akin to someone calling your mother a whore or a bitch ... you get it.

Soccer players talking trash is nothing new -- but Neymar is one of the biggest, most famous players on the planet ... it would be like watching LeBron cuss out an opponent during the NBA Finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't officially said he's engaged to baby mama Georgina Rodriguez ... but her diamond ring was doing A LOT of talking at the Portugal game Wednesday in Russia!

There's been a lot of talk CR7 proposed to her back in April -- just months after she gave birth to their daughter, Alana Martina, back in November.

Well, Wednesday at the World Cup ... Georgina flaunted the ring for everyone to see.

Wasn't hard to spot ... the diamond is the size of her knuckle.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo killed it on the pitch ... scoring the only goal to help Portugal defeat Morocco, 1-0.

They may have lost on the field, but Team Poland won in the stands!!

Check out this smokin' hot Poland fan who cheered her heart out for her squad as they took on Senegal at Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday morning.

No word on who she is ... but, for some reason, she certainly got a lot of attention from the cameras.

Senegal emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Poland.

Donald Trump is patting himself on the back this morning -- giving himself much of the credit for landing the 2026 World Cup in North America ... and admitting he got advice from the man who owns the Patriots.

It was announced this week that the United States, along with Mexico and Canada would be the joint host countries for the 2026 games.

Friday morning, Trump applauded ... himself.

"Thank you for all of the compliments on getting the World Cup to come to the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada. I worked hard on this, along with a Great Team of talented people."

He added, "We never fail, and it will be a great World Cup! A special thanks to Bob Kraft for excellent advice."

Interesting, considering Trump and Kraft -- longtime friends -- had disagreed about the way POTUS handled the NFL kneeling issue.

Tim Howard's a goalie ... so, unlike everyone else, he's allowed to use his hands -- even at the strip club!

The Team USA soccer legend was living it up at the legendary V Live over the weekend -- where we're told the dancers and the staff FREAKED OUT (in a good way) when they saw him walk in!

Side note -- apparently, soccer is huge in the Texas stripper community.

He bumped, he grinded ... he threw out thousands of dollars in cash -- everyone had a great time!

Howard and the Colorado Rapids were in Texas to face FC Dallas on Saturday ... and even though the game ended in a draw, Howard was clearly in the mood to celebrate.

U.K. prime minister Theresa May just laid down the gauntlet to Russia -- saying NO members of the British government OR the royal family will attend the World Cup over a chemical attack on a double agent living in England.

May is FURIOUS over the attack on Sergei Skripal -- a former Russian spy who was jailed in Russia in 2006 for selling state secrets to British intelligence officers.

He was released in 2010 as part of a spy swap -- and was living in England. He was being visited by his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, when they were both poisoned in an attack British officials are blaming on Russia.

May has already expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the country -- and has blocked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov from his upcoming planned visit to Britain.

But, May REALLY let the Russians know she's pissed when she called off plans for high-ranking British officials and Royals to attend the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"There will be no attendance by ministers or indeed members of the royal family at this summer's World Cup in Russia," May proclaimed in a speech to Parliament.

Young American soccer players should STEER CLEAR of MLS -- and take their talents to Europe to get World Cup ready ... so says former Team USA star Jermaine Jones.

With Team USA soccer in shambles -- not even qualifying for the World Cup -- we asked Jermaine for answers ... and dude kept it real.

"I think that you have to battle with the best and the best play in Europe."

FYI, Jones currently plays in MLS (LA Galaxy) -- but started his career in Europe, where he grew up. Clearly, he thinks the European leagues are better suited to grow talent because they're more competitive.

Team USA soccer coach Bruce Arena has a message for people calling for him to be fired -- Thanks for the support!!!

Arena landed at LAX Wednesday -- less than 24 hours after USMNT's loss to Trinidad and Tobago which eliminated them from the 2018 World Cup -- and TMZ Sports asked him straight-up what went wrong. His answer was directly to the point.

Honestly ... Bruce doesn't seem too rattled by the crushing defeat or concerned about his job, and even dishes out some advice on how American soccer can get back on track.