For those who don’t keep abreast of the Brazilian second division

Vasco de Gama dominated Brazilian football in the late 90s, when led by Romario, they laid claim to being the best side in the world. Hard times have befallen them since, but this overhead volley from young midifelder Nilton, put them up to second in Serie B, just two points off the top.

If you like your footballers young, tonight is your lucky night

The U20 World Cup may have come and almost gone without leaving any sizeable indent into the nation’s consciousness, but its semi-final time today dontcha know. Arsene Wenger will no doubt be tuning in to British Eurosport from 3:30, as Ghana battle Hungary, followed by Brazil taking on Costa Rica at 7pm.

And for those with relatives playing in the fixture, Ireland U21 vs Switzerland U21 is on Sky Sports 1 from 7:30

Troubled Corinthians striker has something in common with Sol Campbell besides excess weight

(Fat) Ronaldo’s return to Brazil has been blighted by injury, lipsocution surgery and his coronation as ‘King of the Transvestites‘, and the tubby striker’s fortunes appear to have taken yet another unfortunate turn.

Reports from Rio say that the Corinthians star has been ordered by a court to take a DNA paternity test, after a Brazilian living in Singapore claimed he is the father of her four-year-old child.

Michele Umrazu, 27, had been under the impression that her American ex-fiance was the daddy, but

Legendary striker announces political affiliation

Since his mid-nineties peak as one of the greatest footballers in the world, Romario has made more ’shocking’ returns from retirement than we care to remember. In August, the 43-year-old Brazilian revealed his intention to dust off his boots later this month for América Football Club, in order to fulfill his father’s wish to see him turn out in their red jersey.

Despite his imminent return to the game and his recent legal troubles with child support payments and illegal betting networks, the former PSV and Barcelona star yesterday announced his affiliation with the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). While the party refrained from formally announcing Romario’s candidacy for the 2010 national elections, the Spanish press seem to believe that they will attempt to capitalise on the striker’s popularity in Brazil.

Spoiler bonus: Romario’s capacity for making love on planes and romancing strippers will surely help bring some much-needed sexiness to Brazilian politics.

Samba star admits his dissatisfaction to friends and journalists

Barcelona-based newspaper Sport today reveal Robinho’s unhappiness at Manchester City.

During his recent trip to Brazil, it is claimed that the player admitted to friends and journalists in confidence that he is deeply dissatisfied with the time he is currently having with the Premier League and the Brazil squad. (Presumably, he now realises that football journalists aren’t the best people to privately confide in.)

Apparently, Robinho has not found a favourable environment in which his skills and dribbling talent can thrive. Aditionally, he is said to be concerned by the competition from Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor at City, and his fight to win a place in the national squad is being hampered by strong criticisms from certain sectors fo the Brazilian press.

Naturally, Sport bring up the possibility of a January transfer window departure: 

Albicelestes start to turn against their Messiah

A hacker operating under the name ‘KKR’ gave the Argentinean football authorities another headache last Friday, as he exposed security lapses in the official AFA website.

Visitors to the site who may have been seeking information information on the hapless South American side were instead treated to a picture of Diego Maradona in a Brazil shirt, with the caption “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

It’s not a Photoshopped image you see, but a still from an advert for a South American soft drink, in which the former recreational drug fan made the extremely regrettable decision to wear the colours of his fierce national rivals. Check out the advert at the bottom of this post.

Even though the security breach occurred last Friday (for the third time, incidentally), the AFA website is still down.

Highlights of the best international game this weekend

The Spoiler’s decision to stay up until 3.30am on Sunday morning to watch Argentina’s highly anticipated clash with Brazil was a good one. Thanks to some unrelenting attacking football and a blatant disregard for defending on the part of both teams, the crucial World Cup qualifier turned out to be one of the best games we’ve seen in ages. Our highlight was Jesus Datolo’s superb long range effort (above), which ultimately failed to get Argentina back into a match where they were always second best.

Even though the South American World Cup qualification system is designed to virtually ensure Brazil and Argentina cruise through, the Albicelestes could slip out of the automatic qualification spots if they stuff it up against Paraguay on Wednesday. The Argentinean press has yet to turn on Diego Maradona (they were rather more concerned with why Leo Messi doesn’t play for his country like he plays for his club) but the hallowed coach could be knocked from his pedestal very shortly.

Check out extended highlights from Rosario after the jump…

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