Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

Georginio Wijnaldum has backed his club and international teammate Virgil van Dik for this year's Ballon d'Or.  On Saturday, Wijnaldum said, "He already had a good season, he is trying to stop everyone, that's the way he's playing. "For us he's the best defender in the world. If you look at his season, he definitely deserves the Ballon d'Or but it's not up to us to decide." Having scooped individual prizes such as the PFA's Premier League Player of the Year award, Van Dijk could become the first defender in 13 years to win the world's best player award. He was also named Man of the Match for the Reds’ Champions League final victory over Tottenham, and is preparing to take on his ultimate challenge of the season in Portugal, in the final of the UEFA Nations League today. The Netherlands take on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who are in the finals thanks to Ronaldo's hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Switzerland on Wednesda

PSG ace/Brazil forward Neymar ruptured his ankle ligaments during a friendly between Brazil and Qatar on Wednesday, and has been ruled out of Copa America. A statement on the Brazilian football federation's website said:  “After suffering a sprain in his right ankle during last Wednesday’s game against Qatar, Neymar was evaluated and subjected to tests that confirmed ligament rupture in the ankle.  “Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will not have the physical conditions and sufficient recovery time to participate in the Copa América Brasil 2019.” The 27-year-old PSG star left the Estadio Nacional field upset and was later seen leaving the premises on crutches at half time.  After the game, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Brazil, Neymar reportedly said, "Today I played one of the most difficult games of my career, if not the most difficult."  Neymar  is currently under investigation by police for rape and for publishing intimate photos of the woma

Messi remains a danger to opponents as ever, especially to Nicaragua, ranked 129th in the world in footballing terms. He opened scoring in the 38th minute. In the construct to Messi's first goal - a solo goal, he brilliantly danced past three defenders before clinically finishing past goalkeeper Lorente. His second goal, came in less than a minute later from a Sergio Aguero rebound. Messi has now scored 67 goals for Argentina. Messi and Aguero were then replaced at half-time by Paulo Dybala and Martinez.   Inter’s Martinez added to Argentina's lead by curling a shot into the bottom corner of the net with 27 minutes remaining, then fired home a fourth from close range 10 minutes later. Argentina's third substitute, Roberto Pereyra tapped in the simplest of goals in the final nine minutes to make it 5-0. Nicaragua were able to score a consolation goal through penalty, in stoppage time after a Nicolas Otamendi handball. Messi has played and lost three Copa finals -

Manchester City star Sergio Aguero says he is desperate to help his countryman and friend, Barcelona ace Lionel Messi claim his first senior international honor with Argentina this summer. Argentina are preparing for the Copa America which will hold in Brazil from June 14 to July 17, 2019.  Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has won practically every trophy available with Barcelona,  including ten La Liga titles, six Copa del Reys, four Champions League trophies and three Club World Cup crowns, but has been unable to replicate that success on the international stage. Messi has won the U20 World Cup with Argentina in 2005, won the 2008 Olympics too, but is yet to lift a trophy with the first team. He has come close on several occasions though, such as during the 2014 World Cup final vs Germany. Messi has scored 65 goals for Argentina in 129 appearances. Sergio Aguero told Fox Sports Argentina: “I'm more anxious to be a champion for Messi than for me. “Hopeful

Fans have voted Barcelona's third goal against Liverpool, a wondrous free-kick scored by Lionel Messi, in Barcelona's semi-final first leg victory, Goal of the Tournament. Voting was done on UEFA's official website. Fans voted Ronaldo's half volley against Manchester United in the group stages second. Ivan Rakitic's volley against Tottenham Hotspur was voted third, ahead of Arjen Roben's strike against Benfica. Voting which took place today comes just a day after UEFA's technical observers voted Ronaldo's volley against Manchester United, goal of the tournament. These technical observers featured the likes of  former Manchester United manager David Moyes, current England boss  Gareth Southgate , Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and  Real Madrid  legend Raul Gonzalez. View this post on Instagram Bravo, Leo! 👏👏👏⁣ ⁣ ✨ You voted Lionel Messi's stunning free-kick against Liverpool the #UCL Goa

Egypt, a  beautiful Mediterranean country,  is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, known for its pyramids, pharaohs and ancient mathematics. The ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for more than 3000 years, but how much do you know about this ancient civilization?  Here are 10 fascinating facts that will boost your knowledge of Ancient Egypt. 1. Egypt is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - The Pyramid of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World, and is the only one still standing. The Great Pyramid of Giza was built over the course of 20 years, constructed out of stone blocks, each weighing at least 2 tons. 2. The oldest dress in the world, aged 5,100 to 5,500 years was discovered in Egypt. The dress was named the "Tarkhan Dress", named after the town in Egypt where it was found in 1913. 3.  The last active ruler of Ancient Egypt,  Cleopatra  VII Philopator, had Greek origins. Like most