France legend Zinedine Zidane on Friday tipped Belgium to impress at Euro 2016 but dismissed any suggestion that his countrymen were under added pressure as hosts.

Around 250 England supporters pelted police with drink cans outside a bar in the southern French city of Marseille late Thursday ahead of the country's opening Euro 2016 match, a police source said.

Didier Deschamps' France start the European Championship finals against Romania on Friday with the country plunged into strike chaos but among favorites to win the trophy.

France kicked off Euro 2016 festivities with a huge open-air concert at the Eiffel Tower Thursday, as President Francois Hollande vowed the event would run smoothly despite ongoing strikes and looming terror attack fears.

The three-day sale of memorabilia belonging to world football icon Pele ended in London on Thursday with the artifacts sold for the princely total of £3.4million ($5million, 4.4million euros).

Overflowing rubbish bins, transport strikes, violent political protests, and floods -- the image of France as Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday is worrying tourist chiefs.

Lionel Messi will return to Argentina's starting line-up for Friday's Copa America Centenario clash with Panama, coach Gerardo Martino confirmed Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at Soldier Field ahead of Friday's Group D game, Martino said Messi had been cleared to play after recovering from a back injury.

A traditional Muslim funeral service for Muhammad Ali began Thursday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky opening two days of farewell ceremonies for the late boxing legend and civil rights hero.

An estimated 16,000 people packed the Freedom Hall arena for a prayer service for Ali, who died last week at the age of 74.

Diego Maradona hailed his old rival Pele as an "icon" as the pair were reunited for a "match of friendship" on Thursday.

Roger Federer made a winning return to tennis on Thursday after a month away with back pain as he finished off a Stuttgart ATP grass-court match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 over teenager Taylor Fritz.