The worldwide soccer community -- like everyone else -- was riveted by the dramatic rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners last week. Soccer stars and managers watched on TV all over Europe and Latin America as the last of the miners was freed Wednesday after 69 days of being buried more than 2,000 feet underground.
Once they were safe, the miners began receiving calls, messages and invitations from some of the sport's biggest dignitaries.
Former Argentina coach Diego Maradona sent a message saying the miners' liberation "was proof that miracles exist, and you are one of them." Boca Juniors coach Claudio Borghi said he would love to share a cup of tea with the men.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez invited all 33 miners to watch a match at Bernabeu Stadium.
"Right now, the first thing to do is to allow a prudent amount of time to go by so that they can recuperate from what they have lived through, and later it will be a matter of fixing a date so that they can assist a match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium," he said.
Real Madrid sent 33 signed jerseys to the men, with the inscription, "Have strength, miners," and also sent a photo book of the team and a formal invitation to watch a match of their choosing.
"Real Madrid wants not only to invite them to whatever match they choose at the Santiago Bernabeu, but also to offer them a tribute, our affection and the recognition from our fans they deserve," Perez said. "For us, it will be an honor to be able to receive them to celebrate their triumph of life."
Manchester United also has reached out. Man U great Bobby Charlton, whose father was a miner, sent a recorded message inviting them to watch a match at Old Trafford.
Barcelona forward David Villa also comes from a mining family, and when the news broke that the men had been found, he sent a few signed shirts that read: "Miners, keep your spirits up."
On Thursday, Villa posted this message on the team's website: "I have followed the rescue like everyone else, but you have a different perspective when you have experienced this world. You have a greater appreciation of what is involved and it brings back many memories of previous eras. In this case we are all happy because all the miners are safe and healthy.
"All of us at Barcelona and in Spanish football are proud and pleased that you have survived and are back on the surface again."
The 27th miner rescued was Franklin Lobos, 53, a retired pro soccer player. Lobos made his Chilean league debut in 1980 and was a star for Cobresal, based in a mining region where miners often got free passes to matches. He was known for his powerful free kicks, and was nicknamed "Mortero Magico" (Magical Mortar).
He played for the Chilean national team in qualifying matches for the 1984 Olympics. He reportedly kept one of the signed Villa jerseys. When he was released from the mine, he celebrated by showing off his dribbling skills.
NEW OWNER
Former Florida Marlins owner John Henry, now the owner of the Boston Red Sox, on Friday sealed a $476 million deal to buy Liverpool of the English Premier League. He and his group, New England Sports Ventures, bought the club from Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., whose three-year ownership of the team has been tumultuous.
The team is off to its worst start since 1953, is mired in the relegation zone and faces huge debt.
"As every Liverpool fan knows, the most nerve-racking way to win a match is by a penalty shootout," club chairman Martin Broughton said of the battle over the club ownership. "But in the end, as long as you get the right result, it's worth the wait. We've got the right result."
Broughton said the deal "comprehensively resolves the pressing issue of the club's debt and should give staff, players and fans great confidence regarding the future of Liverpool FC."
Attorneys for Hicks and Gillett called the sale of the 18-time English champions an "extraordinary swindle."
"This outcome not only devalues the club but it also will result in long-term uncertainty for the fans, players and everyone who loves this sport because all legal recourses will be pursued," said Steve Stodghill, A Texas attorney representing Hicks and Gillett.
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