Argentina plays Nigeria in men's footlball final in Beijing
Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) is tackled by Nigeria's Chibuzor Okonkwo during the men's football final in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 23, 2008. Argentina won 1-0 for the gold, while Nigeria settled for the silver and Brazil the bronze. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver)
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Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Barcelona soccer team through 2018, the team said Thursday.
Doug Marrone is new Buffalo Bills coach ... Djokovic given No. 1 seed in Australia ... Azarenka is top women's seed ... Messi collects fourth FIFA Ballon d'Or ... Sports news from United Press International.
Lionel Messi was announced Monday as the winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or, symbolic of being the best soccer player in the world in 2012.
Swimmer Michael Phelps redefined Olympian heights in 2012 but cyclist Lance Armstrong underwent an even greater fall from the pantheon of his sport.
Lionel Messi, who has won the last three FIFA men's soccer Player of the Year awards, is among three finalists for the 2012 honor.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the people's choice for Time magazine's person of the year and also led Time's poll as the least popular figure.
A second-half goal by Angel Di Maria Saturday gave Argentina a 1-0 victory over Nigeria and the Olympic gold medal in men's soccer.
Brazil's Kaka and Marta were selected the FIFA World Player and FIFA Women's Worlds Player for 2007, the international soccer organization announced Monday.
Gabriel Heinze scored just before halftime Wednesday and Argentina went on to down Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals of Copa America.
Maxi Rodriquez scored a pair of goals and Esteban Cambiasso added another Friday, lifting Argentina to a 6-0 World Cup victory over Serbia and Montenegro.
