credit: Getty Images Lionel's Messi teammate Ivan Rakitic has said that Messi is "part of Barcelona's badge" but he is not so sure if the Argentine legend will stay after next summer when his contract expires.
Following field invasions by Olympiakos fans on October 31 in their match against Barcelona, UEFA has fined the Greek giants to the tune of €60,000. A male fan ran up to Messi to hug and kiss him near the corner flag and another fan approached him for a selfie. The fine also includes charges for "illicit chants" by the Olympiakos fans who used laser pointers at Barcelona players.
Nigerian International Yakubu Aiyegbeni has officially announced his retirement from football. The 35-year old has not been active since he left Coventry City after just three games in April. He has played in England for about a decade. He has played Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Reading, Leicester City, and Everton. He said in a statement:
While Lukaku was preparing for his massive move from Everton to Manchester United, he was also turning up the music while he was at it and he will be fined for not keeping the music down.
Chelsea first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has decided not to renew his deal with Chelsea until the end of the season. At the end of the season, Courtois will have only one year left at Chelsea and if he doesn't renew his contract, it will be an opening for other clubs to come for the highly rated Belgian goalkeeper especially Real Madrid.
According to Marca, Inter forward Mauro Icardi has emerged on Real Madrid's radar for a likely move next summer. Marca reports that according to ex-Italian player and pundit Daniele Massaro said: "I can tell you today that Mauro Icardi will be a Real Madrid striker next year. His arrival will be at the expense of (Karim) Benzema."
FIFA has decided to crackdown on corruption issues within the body as they place a life ban of three ex-presidents. One of the officials is Julio Rocha, the former Nicaraguan Football Association president and a former FIFA development officer. Another official is Rafael Esquivel, former Venezualan Footbal Association president. The last official is Richard Lai, the former Guam Football Association president and a former member of the FIFA audit and compliance committee. All three men pleaded guilty to separate fraud and money laundering charges.
Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has played down talks about Bayern's interest in Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann. Salihamidzic commented: "We haven't even talked about Griezmann." When asked if Bayern are willing to pay the €100m price placed on the Frenchman, he said: "We won't be joining in the craziness -- the sums involved are not worth discussing. If something is sensible and suits Bayern, we will do it."
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane who has won made history for winning the UEFA Champions League back to back has also made a negative mark on history with the current leader leading Real Madrid with 10 points which has never happened before in Spanish football history. When Zidane was asked, he said...
Reports claim that rising youngster Marco Asensio wants to leave if he is not giving more time to play. Barcelona newbie Ousmane Dembele is set to return to play for the El-Clasico coming up next month.
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has revealed that he believes that Guardiola will reproduce the same success he achieved at Barcelona in Manchester City. Pep won 14 trophies at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 including two UEFA Champions League and three La Liga titles in a row. When the legend was asked if Pep could reproduce his Barcelona-type success, he said...
Amanda Staveley wants a relegation compensation clause included in her deal to buy Newcastle United, Sky Sports News understands. The present offer from Staveley's PCP Partners has payment schedules linked to Newcastle's performances on the pitch, according to Sky sources, with Rafa Benitez's squad needing to achieve a series of tough targets for the deal to be worth close to £300m. And the prospect of refunding the buyers a substantial sum if Newcastle were to be relegated at the end of the campaign, is unlikely to be acceptable to current Magpies owner Mike Ashley. Sky Sports News understands both sides remain convinced a deal can be agreed in the coming weeks, with a new bid from PCP Capital possible before the end of the week. Culled from Sky Sports
Manchester United organize their training at their usual Carrington training ground. But Mourinho has announced that the December 25 training would be holding at Old Trafford which would cause some stir among the staff. A training session at Carrington training ground requires 20 staff members while a training session at Old Trafford requires about 70 staff members which implies that an extra 50 staff members have to be on duty by 5pm.
Despite hints dropped by former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri about taking the place of newly resigned Italian head coach, Ventura, reports claim that Antonio Conte is the first choice by the Italian Football Federation for replacing Ventura as the new Italian head coach.
Reports claim that Barcelona are in strong talks with Arsenal for Mesut Ozil as the La Liga giants, who have not lost in this current campaign, want the German International.
According to the Daily Express, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo discussed his own transfer plans with Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann. It is quite unclear what he said about his transfer. More details later...
According to the Daily Mirror, Arsene Wenger has come out to praise Manchester City for their outstanding performance this season and he called them "unstoppable"!
Former Leicester City boss has given a hint at his delight to coach his nation Italy after he said it would be "special and beautiful". He put it this way:
PSG midfielder Javier Pastore's agent has revealed that Pastore is interested in a move to Italian giant Inter Milan since he dropped in the pecking order on the arrival of Neymar Jr. Pastore has lost his first team place in Emery's squad even to youngsters like Draxler. It is based on this that he wishes to exit the Paris giants.
credit: tribuna.com According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have begun discussions with Borussia Dortmund highly reputable scout chief, Sven Mislintat about a switch to come over to the Reds. Arsenal intend to appoint him as de facto head of recruitment where he would oversee recruitment alongside current chief scout Steve Rowley.
Following Benitez's unfortunate defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, when asked about Pogba's level, he made it clear that Pogba cannot be compared to Steven Gerrard. He said: "No, they're different. Stevie was a top-class player for so many years." He added...
West Bromich Albion have sacked their head coach Tony Pulis. Pulis has been in charge of West Brom for three years. West Brom has not won a game since August 19 and are currently just one point above the relegation zone. Gary Megson will be taking over till further notice.
Guardiola is winning the Manager of the Month for the second time in succession and striker Leroy Sane has been awarded the Player of the Month. Manchester City remain the only top flight club that has maintained a 100% record of wins. They have scored 13 goals in three wins. Congrats to them! But can we conclude that they are the sure title winners?
Manchester United on Thursday announced a record first-quarter revenue of £141m. But they may not be able to celebrate this in the next quarter because they are back in the UEFA Champions League and players' wages have increased.
Borussia Dortmund have dropped ace striker Aubameyang from the squad that will be travelling to Stuttgard this weekend for "disciplinary reasons." The official Twitter account of Borussia Dortmund read: "Aubameyang has been removed from the squad for tomorrow's match for disciplinary reasons."
FIFA has declared that Lukaku will not be the highest goal scorer in Belgium as a match played in 2014 where Lukaku scored an Hatrick was annulled. Bernard Voorhoof holds the record for the highest goal scorer with 30 goals. Lukaku is back on 28 goals. But obviously, he will break the record...again as he is just 24 years old.
Popular Premier League coach Sam Allardyce who has coached Bolton, Newscastle, Blackburn Rovers, and Crystal Palace to name a few has said that he would not be accepting a managerial job to coach Everton. He had this to say...
Chelsea and Cote D'Ivoire legend Didier Drogba has declared that this season will be his last season. The 39-year old who currently plays in America for the Phoenix Rising has announced he would be retiring from football. Speaking to RMC Sport, Drogba said:
Following failure for Real Madrid to get Cristiano Ronaldo to sign a new contract at Madrid, Ronaldo reportedly asked that he wants to leave Santiago Bernabeu. Spanish TV station El Chiringuito report that Ronaldo has rejected the terms of his new deal and has made it clear to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that he would like to leave. He is said to be displeased by the new deal he is being offered and believes he should be permitted to leave for a reasonable price.
Daily Mail reports that Arsenal are planning a £60 million move for Lyon attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir. Barcelona reportedly want to move for the 24-year old French International. Daily Mail reports that Arsenal "are deep in discussions about a move for the France international,". It could be that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning to unite Fekir and Lacazette so they reclaim Lyon's power strikeforce and also in case Ozil and Sanchez eventually leaves.
The Daily Mirror have claimed that Liverpool who are trying to get their defensive midfield together intend on bringing in Javier Mascherano in January whom they once had to let go to La Liga giants Barcelona.
In the wake of Italy's failure to make it to the World Cup, Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero has made it clear that former Italy boss/Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would be welcomed with open arms if he chooses to return as Italy head coach.
According to the Daily Star, Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann snubs Manchester United again as he proclaims that it would be a dream for him to play for PSG.
With Ozil's deal with Arsenal expiring next summer, Atletico Madrid has contacted the German forward on a possible move back to Spain next summer on a free transfer.
Barcelona have been on the case of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho since last summer but they were unable to bring in the 25-year old. Barcelona reportedly intend to rebid £106m as opposed to £113m they bidded last summer. But Coutinho may be ready to make the move since Brazilian and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has said he is a perfect fit for Barcelona. Ronaldinho said:
Such a sad news has hit Italy as a country and as a football nation. Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer. The last time Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup was in 1958. Captain Gianluigi Buffon was emotional and apologetic to all Italian fans about the national disaster after they lost to Sweden on Monday 0-1. The 39-year old said: "I'm not sorry for myself but all of Italian football. We failed at something which also means something on a social level. There's regret at finishing like that, not because time passes.
The Sun UK have reported that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger have placed his eagle eyes on Crystal Palace hot forward Wilfried Zaha and they also claim that they are ready to make a bid of £35m.
Reports and rumors are claiming that Real Madrid are preparing to sell on-and-off winger Gareth Bale next summer. But it has not been officially declared by the Real Madrid.
Reports say that two La Liga giants, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, are interested in Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera. But the reports claim that Herrera is happy at Old Trafford despite not having a long-term deal with United.