Argentina Tops FIFA Men's Soccer Rankings for 2nd Straight Year

FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Argentina Tops FIFA Men's Soccer Rankings for 2nd Straight Year

FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Soccer world champion Argentina finished 2024 as the top-placed men's team in the FIFA rankings for a second straight year.
There were only limited changes in the rankings published Thursday with just 21 international matches taking place since the previous standings were released in November.
Argentina signed off the year in top spot ahead of France, with Spain, the European champion, completing the podium.
The rest of the top 10 was unchanged: In order, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Germany.
FIFA said that Angola, which played the most matches in 2024, registered the biggest progression over the last 12 months, going up 32 spots to reach 85th.
The next rankings will be published in April.



Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Monaco has condemned the racist insults at its defender Wilfried Singo, who gave Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a bloodied face in their Ligue 1 game.
Donnarumma’s face was cut up by Singo's studs during PSG's 4-2 win at Monaco on Wednesday.
Singo's shot was blocked so he tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but struck his face. Photos showed a cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card.
PSG said Donnarumma suffered “a facial trauma with multiple wounds.” He was scheduled for exams on Thursday and will likely be rested for several days.
Singo apologized to Donnarumma, The Associated Press reported.
“My gesture was obviously not intentional, but I was able to see afterwards that he had a significant injury to his face," Singo wrote on social media in French and Italian. “I wish you a good recovery.”
PSG posted a video showing Singo in its dressing room and speaking with a smiling Donnarumma after the match. In the footage, the goalkeeper can be heard saying in Italian “Tranquillo," which in that context translates as “Don't worry.”
Social media was not so understanding.
Monaco said in a statement on Thursday it “firmly condemns the unacceptable racist comments made about Wilfried Singo on social networks after last night’s match against Paris Saint-Germain. Such behavior has no place in sport, either on or off the pitch, and is totally at odds with the values upheld by the club. The club offers its full support to Wilfried.”
Donnarumma walked off the field and was replaced by Matvey Safonov.
PSG has opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league. Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-placed Marseille, which has one match in hand.