World Soccer

Pepe enhanced his reputation as one of soccer's biggest nutcases on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey clash against Barcelona. In the 69th minute of Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at the Bernabeu, the Portugal international deliberately  stamped on the foot of Lionel Messi while he was lying on the ground. He had already been yellow carded and had referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez  spotted it, a red would undoubtedly have followed.

Inter Milan must be considered genuine title contenders once again after their 1-0 victory over neighbors AC Milan in Sunday's derby. Diego Milito scored the only goal of the game with a clinical left-footed finish after a mis-kick from Ignazio Abate in the 54th minute at San Siro.

A number of players are leaving their Premier League clubs to play for their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations . This means that Fantasy Premier League managers will have to undertake a reshuffle. With the likes of Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa not having qualified for the finals, the Premier League has not been hit as badly as in previous years, but managers will still need to make changes.

A number of players are leaving their Premier League clubs to play for their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations . This means that Fantasy Premier League managers will have to undertake a reshuffle. With the likes of Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa not having qualified for the finals, the Premier League has not been hit as badly as in previous years, but managers will still need to make changes.

The most creative Hollywood writer would have struggled to produce a better script. With Arsenal drawing 0-0 against Leeds United in a lackluster third round FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger makes a double substitution, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Marouane Chamakh with Theo Walcott and a certain Thierry Henry, making his first appearance since joining from the New York Red Bulls on loan. The rapturous reception this Premier League legend received after entering the fray on 68 minutes was nothing compared to the one he got 10 minutes later as he latched onto an Alex Song through-ball, controlled, and dispatched a cool low finish beyond Andy Lonergan in the Leeds goal.

Lionel Messi collected the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for a third consecutive year on Monday. 2011 was another stellar year for the Argentinean, who helped Barcelona retain their Liga title, win the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. ... Hat-Trick For Messi originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Monday, January 9th, 2012 at 18:04:17.

The hectic schedule of festive Premier League matches came to a close on Wednesday night with two highly significant results. Everton's US goalkeeper Tim Howard scored from his own half, but could not prevent his side going down to a 2-1 home defeat to relegation threatened Bolton. Meanwhile his former club Manchester United were being terrorized by Demba Ba in a comprehensive 3-0 reverse at Newcastle. ... Howard Scores, Miserable Night For Former Club originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 04:52:21.

Arsenal have offered a two-month contract to their former striker Thierry Henry, according to The Daily Mail . The 34-year-old, who scored 15 goals for the New York Red Bulls last season, has been training with the Gunners in London. Arsenal will lose forwards Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh to the African Cup of Nations, which kicks off on January 21, with Arsene Wenger lacking alternatives to top scorer Robin van Persie. ... Arsenal Make Henry Offer originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Thursday, December 29th, 2011 at 08:04:45.

Season's Greetings. A number of new articles have been added to the World Soccer site over the last month. Earlier in December I looked at 10 of the greatest players ever to grace the sport and the best free kick takers currently playing. ... New Content This Month originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Monday, December 26th, 2011 at 06:23:20.

Barcelona used the Club World Cup in Yokohama as another platform to display their superiority over every other rival in the game as they defeated Brazilian side Santos 4-0 in the final on Sunday. Lionel Messi , who is expected to win FIFA's World Player of the Year award in January, scored twice, with Xavi Fernandez and Cesc Fabregas also on target.