Lionel Messi worshiped World Cup hero Diego Maradona, Roger Federer revered Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras while Sebastian Vettel idolized Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

The 222nd El Clasico ends in a 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice for the visitors who trail their Catalan rivals by eight points in the La Liga title race.

Dutchman Edgar Davids has lifted the European Champions League trophy, won league titles in Italy and the Netherlands and played in a World Cup semifinal against Brazil in 1998.

On a blazing summer’s day in 1961, a race horse called Puss n Boots decided enough was enough and took an impromptu dip in a nearby lake. The only problem? He was racing at the Fort Erie Race Track at the time.

On a day when a report showed English Premier League clubs attract nearly EUR 150m ($193m) through shirt sponsorship deals it was fitting Newcastle United announced one of the biggest — and most controversial — in their history.