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Cesc Fabregas has insisted that Spain are not "scared" of Brazil despite having been well-beaten in the Confederations Cup final last year.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's men go into the World Cup as favourites having defied the world and European champions with a 3-0 triumph last summer, despite la Roja having won the last three major international competitions.
Spain could face off against Brazil in the second round if one of them finishes top of the group and the other finishes second but Fabregas has no fear that a repeat occurrence of the Confederations Cup humiliation this year.
"I believe [championship wins] are vital," the Barcelona midfielder said in a new self-interview to mark the launch of PUMA Tricks.
"In 2008, nobody believed in us and since then we've made a name for ourselves and we've become a competitive team that has won everything.
"We're not scared of Brazil. I think Brazil are a very strong team ... and if we face them again it will be a completely new game."
StartBelieving | Fabregas has faith in his boots helping Spain succeed if they face the Selecao
Four years ago, a shock opening loss in South Africa threatened to derail Spain's World Cup bid and Fabregas hopes that the squad will learn from their struggles in the last tournament.
"We lost in the last World Cup in the first game against Switzerland so it does bother me, it worries us, because we want to win," he added. "That was a difficult time and I remember that we were all very nervous.
"Everyone thought it was the easiest game in the group. That was a lesson and we should remember it ahead of this World Cup too."
Fabregas is among a number of global superstars who will be sporting the new PUMA Tricks boots in Brazil this summer.
Swansea sign Fabianski from Arsenal
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has agreed to join Swansea City when his current deal with the Gunners expires next month.
As exclusively revealed by Goal, the Polish shot-stopper rejected a last-ditch attempt by the north Londoners to prevent him from leaving the club, and has now opted to move to the Liberty Stadium.
"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Lukasz for his contribution to the Club and to wish him well for his future career," read a statement on the Gunners' official website.
The 29-year-old joined Arsenal from Legia Warsaw in 2007 and made a total of 78 first team appearances for the club in all competitions.
Despite a series of impressive performances during Arsenal's successful FA Cup campaign this season, Fabianski, who saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout win over Wigan, never threatened to usurp his Polish compatriot Wojciech Szczesny as Arsene Wenger's first choice goalkeeper.
Having been forced to play second fiddle to the likes of Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia and Szczesny during his Arsenal career, Fabianski admitted after the Wembley win over Hull earlier this month that he would be leaving the club in search of regular first team football.
He said: "It was probably my last game for Arsenal. I don't know what I can say, but if I end my Arsenal career in that way then it is the best way to finish."
Fabianski, who has 21 caps for his country, will provide competition for Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel who are all vying to become Gary Monk’s first-choice keeper at the Liberty Stadium.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will need to seek experienced goalkeeping cover for Szczesny with Fabianski departed and Emiliano Viviano, who failed to make a single first team appearance last season and is unlikely to make his move permanent after he joined on loan from Parlermo.
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has agreed to join Swansea City when his current deal with the Gunners expires next month.
As exclusively revealed by Goal, the Polish shot-stopper rejected a last-ditch attempt by the north Londoners to prevent him from leaving the club, and has now opted to move to the Liberty Stadium.
"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Lukasz for his contribution to the Club and to wish him well for his future career," read a statement on the Gunners' official website.
The 29-year-old joined Arsenal from Legia Warsaw in 2007 and made a total of 78 first team appearances for the club in all competitions.
Despite a series of impressive performances during Arsenal's successful FA Cup campaign this season, Fabianski, who saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout win over Wigan, never threatened to usurp his Polish compatriot Wojciech Szczesny as Arsene Wenger's first choice goalkeeper.
Having been forced to play second fiddle to the likes of Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia and Szczesny during his Arsenal career, Fabianski admitted after the Wembley win over Hull earlier this month that he would be leaving the club in search of regular first team football.
He said: "It was probably my last game for Arsenal. I don't know what I can say, but if I end my Arsenal career in that way then it is the best way to finish."
Fabianski, who has 21 caps for his country, will provide competition for Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel who are all vying to become Gary Monk’s first-choice keeper at the Liberty Stadium.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will need to seek experienced goalkeeping cover for Szczesny with Fabianski departed and Emiliano Viviano, who failed to make a single first team appearance last season and is unlikely to make his move permanent after he joined on loan from Parlermo.
De Gea: I'm trying to get Fabregas to join Manchester United
David de Gea has revealed that he is attempting to convince Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas to join him at Manchester United.
Fabregas's future at Camp Nou is uncertain following a difficult 2013-14 campaign for the Catalan club, with new boss Luis Enrique refusing to confirm the Spain international will definitely stay put for next season.
United openly pursued the former Arsenal captain last summer only for the midfielder to reject a move to England, but with the 27-year-old a potential target for new United boss Louis van Gaal, De Gea insists he is trying to get his compatriot to return to the Premier League.
When asked about Fabregas, De Gea told La Sexta: "I've tried to convince Cesc to join United but it's difficult. He feels great at Barca, it's his home."
Former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper De Gea could win his first cap for Spain in their World Cup warm-up fixture against Bolivia on Friday and insists he cannot wait to be given the chance to make his first appearance for his country.
"We don't know who's going to play against Bolivia, but we have to be ready in case we get the nod," he said.
"I'm raring to make my debut. There's a lot of competition in goal, but I'm enjoying myself and pushing myself to the max in training.
"There's a lot of speculation about who will go to Brazil and who won't. A few players are carrying fitness issues and we just have to wait for the gaffer to make his decision: it's as simple as that."
Vicente del Bosque has delayed announcing his final 23-man squad for the tournament in Brazil partly due injury concerns around Chelsea-bound Diego Costa and De Gea agrees that the Atletico striker should be given us much time as possible to recover.
"Of course we should wait for Costa, he's a top player. I played alongside him for several years at Atleti and he's really blossomed this year.
"We have to wait and see how he progresses and hopefully he'll be 100 per cent."
Shaqiri hints at Bayern Munich exit
Xherdan Shaqiri has voiced his dismay with his lack of regular first-team action at Bayern Munich and has hinted at a summer switch to England.
The Switzerland international made just 10 Bundesliga starts in 2013-14 and he has made it clear that he might have to move on if his playing situation does not improve next term.
"It's clear that I cannot continue like this. If nothing changes, I will have to make some changes myself ..." Shaqiri told 20 Minuten.
"I want to play in the important games as well and not just in the Bundesliga. I don't want to go through another year like this.
"I only want to play for a major club. The Champions League is important to me. We will see what happens.
"England would be an option. If I were to leave Bayern, it will be for a foreign club. But it will have to be a club challenging for the title."
Shaqiri, 22, has a contract with Bayern until June 2016.
Xherdan Shaqiri has voiced his dismay with his lack of regular first-team action at Bayern Munich and has hinted at a summer switch to England.
The Switzerland international made just 10 Bundesliga starts in 2013-14 and he has made it clear that he might have to move on if his playing situation does not improve next term.
"It's clear that I cannot continue like this. If nothing changes, I will have to make some changes myself ..." Shaqiri told 20 Minuten.
"I want to play in the important games as well and not just in the Bundesliga. I don't want to go through another year like this.
"I only want to play for a major club. The Champions League is important to me. We will see what happens.
"England would be an option. If I were to leave Bayern, it will be for a foreign club. But it will have to be a club challenging for the title."
Shaqiri, 22, has a contract with Bayern until June 2016.
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'I will leave Arsenal for sure', confirms Sagna
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Low: Germany in good shape ahead of World Cup
Joachim Low is confident Germany are progressing well ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.Germany face two final friendlies at home against Cameroon and Armenia before they travel to their opening game against Portugal in Salvador.
Concerns over the fitness of Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer have been cast aside and Low has been delighted with the attitude shown throughout his squad.
"We have worked on a lot of things and I believe we have made a lot of progress, both tactically and physically," he said."Everyone has been very focussed during training and the players are all getting along very well - it is a good atmosphere.
"Philipp Lahm has been training intensively without any problems and will join team training soon."Lahm and Manuel Neuer won't play against Cameroon on Sunday, but there are still two weeks until the World Cup starts, by which time they will be in form."
Germany were held to a goalless draw by Poland earlier this month but have not lost a game since the 4-3 reverse against the United States in June last year.
Joachim Low is confident Germany are progressing well ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.Germany face two final friendlies at home against Cameroon and Armenia before they travel to their opening game against Portugal in Salvador.
Concerns over the fitness of Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer have been cast aside and Low has been delighted with the attitude shown throughout his squad.
"We have worked on a lot of things and I believe we have made a lot of progress, both tactically and physically," he said."Everyone has been very focussed during training and the players are all getting along very well - it is a good atmosphere.
"Philipp Lahm has been training intensively without any problems and will join team training soon."Lahm and Manuel Neuer won't play against Cameroon on Sunday, but there are still two weeks until the World Cup starts, by which time they will be in form."
Germany were held to a goalless draw by Poland earlier this month but have not lost a game since the 4-3 reverse against the United States in June last year.
Ronaldo and Pepe ruled out of Greece friendly
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe have been ruled out of Portugal's friendly clash with Greece on Saturday.
The Seleccao captain has been struggling with a thigh problem this week and was expected to be rested for the World Cup warm-up clash, while his Real Madrid team-mate is yet to recover fully from the calf injury which saw him miss the latter part of the club season, including the Champions League final.
"Ronaldo will be with us but he will not compete," head coach Paulo Bento told reporters on Friday. "Neither will Pepe.
Bento added that the Portugal camp "have no deadlines" on Ronaldo's possible return but stressed the well-being of the player himself was paramount.
"The main thing is the physical health and well-being of the player," he added. "A player is first and foremost a human being.
"That is our main concern and we won't set a time-limit on his return to action."
Portugal face Mexico and Republic of Ireland on June 7 and 10 respectively prior to their World Cup curtain-raiser against Germany.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe have been ruled out of Portugal's friendly clash with Greece on Saturday.
The Seleccao captain has been struggling with a thigh problem this week and was expected to be rested for the World Cup warm-up clash, while his Real Madrid team-mate is yet to recover fully from the calf injury which saw him miss the latter part of the club season, including the Champions League final.
"Ronaldo will be with us but he will not compete," head coach Paulo Bento told reporters on Friday. "Neither will Pepe.
Bento added that the Portugal camp "have no deadlines" on Ronaldo's possible return but stressed the well-being of the player himself was paramount.
"The main thing is the physical health and well-being of the player," he added. "A player is first and foremost a human being.
"That is our main concern and we won't set a time-limit on his return to action."
Portugal face Mexico and Republic of Ireland on June 7 and 10 respectively prior to their World Cup curtain-raiser against Germany.
Atletico fans launch viral campaign to stop Soldado signing
Atletico Madrid supporters have launched a viral campaign to oppose the possible summer signing of Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado.
The 29-year-old scored just six times in 28 Premier League appearances in a deeply frustrating first season in England following his €30 million move from Valencia last summer.
Tottenham are believed to be willing to cut their losses on the Spain international and allow him to depart this summer, and reports have emerged in Spain and England suggesting that Atletico could consider a move should Diego Costa leave Vicente Calderon before next season, with Chelsea widely expected to complete a deal.
However, disgruntled fans of the newly-crowned Liga champions have made their feelings on the rumoured transfer perfectly clear, with '#UnAtletiSinSoldado' ('An Atleti without Soldado') trending on Twitter throughout Friday.
Many supporters point to Soldado's early career with bitter rivals Real Madrid - where he came through the youth ranks - as a reason for their frustrations over the rumours, rather than the striker's poor club form in the past year, especially given he scored an impressive 81 goals in 141 appearances for Valencia in his last spell in Spain.
Other Atleti fans have not forgiven Soldado for accidentally inflicting a head injury on striker Radamel Falcao when Valencia beat Diego Simeone's side 2-0 in November 2012.
A similar viral campaign among Celta Vigo supporters ultimately ended successfully two seasons ago, when fans protested against the arrival of notoriously-outspoken former striker Salva Ballesta, who was set to be named coach Abel Resino's assistant before the club decided against the move.
Official: Wenger signs new Arsenal contract
Arsene Wenger has penned a three-year contract extension at Arsenal, the club have confirmed.
The Frenchman agreed an extension in principle in October but, since that time, a two-year deal has become three after the Gunners returned to winning ways with triumph in the FA Cup final.
Wenger turned down a £1 million-per-year pay rise in March but began discussions over the summer plans for the club as he set his sights on securing a top-four finish and FA Cup glory.
Arsenal have long been confident of their legendary boss, who passed 1000 games in charge of the team this season, prolonging his spell at the Emirates Stadium, with director Lord Harris claiming in May that Wenger was "always staying".
And with Champions League football secured and an end to their nine-year wait for a trophy brought about, Wenger has at last put pen to paper on a three-year extension to his terms.
"I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this club," Wenger told the club's official website.
"The club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can."
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: "We are delighted that Arsene has renewed his contract for a further three years. He is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal.
"He has established Arsenal for its exciting playing style around the world, continues his commitment to young players and has the ability to bring top-class players to the club. I have no doubt we have an exciting future ahead of us with him leading the team."
Arsenal's majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, added: "Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and the fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsene has been manager, is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition.
"We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance we look forward to adding more trophies in future seasons."
Arsene Wenger has penned a three-year contract extension at Arsenal, the club have confirmed.
The Frenchman agreed an extension in principle in October but, since that time, a two-year deal has become three after the Gunners returned to winning ways with triumph in the FA Cup final.
Wenger turned down a £1 million-per-year pay rise in March but began discussions over the summer plans for the club as he set his sights on securing a top-four finish and FA Cup glory.
Arsenal have long been confident of their legendary boss, who passed 1000 games in charge of the team this season, prolonging his spell at the Emirates Stadium, with director Lord Harris claiming in May that Wenger was "always staying".
And with Champions League football secured and an end to their nine-year wait for a trophy brought about, Wenger has at last put pen to paper on a three-year extension to his terms.
"I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this club," Wenger told the club's official website.
"The club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can."
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick said: "We are delighted that Arsene has renewed his contract for a further three years. He is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal.
"He has established Arsenal for its exciting playing style around the world, continues his commitment to young players and has the ability to bring top-class players to the club. I have no doubt we have an exciting future ahead of us with him leading the team."
Arsenal's majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, added: "Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and the fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsene has been manager, is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition.
"We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance we look forward to adding more trophies in future seasons."
De Gea wants Iniesta at Manchester United
David de Gea has revealed he would love to play with Barcelona star Andres Iniesta at Manchester United, hailing him as "one of the best" in the world
With Louis van Gaal set to take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup, the 62-year-old has already outlined his transfer targets for the summer window.
And De Gea has admitted that if the club were able to sign any player, it would be the six-time La Liga winner.
"If I had a millions and millions I would buy Iniesta," he told Movistar.
"He is one of the best players in the world. He has character, quality and goal. He has everything".
United have long been linked with a move for an attacking midfielder - with Toni Kroos and Kevin Strootman high on Van Gaal's list of desirables - and broke their transfer record for Juan Mata in January.
De Gea's praise for Iniesta comes a day after the keeper admitted he was trying to lure Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta's team-mate at Barcelona, to Old Trafford.
David de Gea has revealed he would love to play with Barcelona star Andres Iniesta at Manchester United, hailing him as "one of the best" in the world
With Louis van Gaal set to take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup, the 62-year-old has already outlined his transfer targets for the summer window.
And De Gea has admitted that if the club were able to sign any player, it would be the six-time La Liga winner.
"If I had a millions and millions I would buy Iniesta," he told Movistar.
"He is one of the best players in the world. He has character, quality and goal. He has everything".
United have long been linked with a move for an attacking midfielder - with Toni Kroos and Kevin Strootman high on Van Gaal's list of desirables - and broke their transfer record for Juan Mata in January.
De Gea's praise for Iniesta comes a day after the keeper admitted he was trying to lure Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta's team-mate at Barcelona, to Old Trafford.
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