..::Football III::..

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'Messi now happier playing for Argentina than Barcelona'

Argentina icon Ossie Ardiles believes that Lionel Messi is now "happier" playing for his country than he is with Barcelona.

Messi's form and demeanour were the subject of much debate during the 2013-14 season, with former Blaugrana assistant coach Angel Cappa going as far as to suggest that the No.10 had lost his passion for football.

Ardiles does not agree - but he does believe that Messi feels more comfortable with Argentina, something he attributes to national team boss Alejandro Sabella building his attack around the 26-year-old.

Consequently, the 61-year-old believes the Albiceleste can head into this summer's World Cup with real confidence.

"We have a very good team and we have the best player in the world in Lionel Messi on our side, so there is every reason to be optimistic," Ardiles wrote in the Times of India.

"All eyes, of course, will be on captain Messi. Before the last World Cup in 2010 he was incredible for Barcelona but not so good for Argentina.

"This time, it's the other way around: he hasn't had the best season with Barcelona, but for Argentina he has done extremely well in the qualifiers, where he scored more goals than anyone else. Now he looks much happier playing for Argentina.

"For us to win the World Cup, he has to be at his very best and I think he could be.

"This is because Alejandro Sabella has played a big part in giving him confidence and letting him play in the position he wants to play."

 

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Prandelli: Pogba the best midfielder in the world

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has described Paul Pogba as the best midfielder in the world.

The Juventus ace is just 21 years of age but has already established himself as one of the top players in Serie A, playing a key role in the Bianconeri's last two title triumphs.

In his role as Azzurri coach, Prandelli has had the fortune to watch Pogba in action on a regular basis and he says the France international is currently peerless.

"Pogba is the best midfielder in the world," the 56-year-old told L'Equipe. "He can play in several roles. He has exceptional physical and technical capabilities.

"He knows when to arrive in the area and how to cause the opposition trouble. Moreover, he has a very strong character."

Prandelli is currently preparing Italy for this summer's World Cup, at which Pogba is expected to star with Les Bleus.

 

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Italy must stop Sturridge and Rooney, says Zola

Gianfranco Zola has warned Italy against underestimating Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge.

The pair are likely to start for England against the Azzurri in the Group D opener, with the Manchester United forward bagging a goal in the 2-2 draw with Ecuador.

Sturridge started but failed to score in both of the Three Lions' warm-up matches, but the former Chelsea talisman believes that both players can be key to success against his native side in Brazil.

"Italy has to be able to stop two stronger players like Sturridge and Rooney", he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Zola also believes that Cesare Prandelli's strikers must up their game against Roy Hodgson's side, and believes that the England defence can stand up to the rigours of fast-paced tournament football better than in previous years.

"Italy has more expert players, England has younger player and two magnetic players like Gerrard and Lampard.

"In my opinion [Mario] Balotelli and [Antonio] Cassano could create some problems for England defenders, but unlike the past England defenders are less slow. Italy and England in general are similar squad with some certainty and more variables."

 

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Spain and Brazil are favourites - Torres

Fernando Torres says Spain and host nation Brazil are the outstanding favourites to win the World Cup.

Vicente Del Bosque's side are bidding to become the first side to retain the trophy following their success in South Africa in 2010.

However, on the back of their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup last year, many are tipping the host nation to repeat that feat this summer.

But Torres believes Spain's experience marks them out as the side to beat, while acknowledging the added incentive for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side to win the trophy in front of their own fans.

He said: "For me, we are still the favourites to win the World Cup, but in a big tournament the hosts are normally favourites as well.

"The fact they will be playing at home and have a great squad means they will be just as strong. If we win the World Cup we will definitely have earned it."

The 30-year-old was something of a surprise selection in the Spain squad on the back of a disappointing campaign for Chelsea.

The likes of Manchester City star Alvaro Negredo and Juventus' Fernando Llorente were overlooked in favour of Torres, and the striker is hopeful of playing a starring role.

"I hope we win the tournament and I hope I play every minute, as I'm sure all of my team-mates do. We all dream of winning the World Cup and playing an important part."

 

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Lukaku injury not too bad - Wilmots

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots played down concerns over Romelu Lukaku's ankle after limped off of their match against Tunisia on Saturday.

Wilmots' side won their friendly before the World Cup 1-0, with Dries Mertens struck the winner in the 89th minute.The coach labelled the game 'weird', after it was suspended midway through the first half due to a severe hailstorm and did not restart for 45 minutes.

But the focus after the match was on Lukaku's right ankle, which appeared to be injured in a tackle from Tunisia's Bilel Mohsni.

Lukaku was brought off in second-half stoppage time but Wilmots claimed the Chelsea forward had suffered, at worst, a 'severe sprain' and should only miss three or four days of training."Romelu has problems walking," he said after the game. "His injury seems at first sight not too bad, the doctors told me."This is preliminary to a severe sprain but we will obviously do additional tests on Sunday.

"For the time being, Romelu will miss three to four days, hopefully it stops there."
Lukaku is expected to be his country's main striker in Brazil with the 21-year-old centre forward having scored four goals in his country's three lead-up games, on the back of 16 in all competitions on loan at Everton last season.With Tunisia playing five men in defence, Belgium struggled to break through the visitors, although Wilmots was pleased with his team's patience.

The 45-year-old coach had set up the friendly against Tunisia to prepare for Belgium's World Cup opener against Algeria but he claimed the Algerians would
attack more in Belo Horizonte on June 17.

"It was hard to play [against a team] that remained with nine men behind the ball," Wilmots said."This was a very good test with an eye on the World Cup and Algeria, although that team has even more talent offensively."

Mertens was less positive about Belgium's performance, although he paid tribute to Nacer Chadli and Vincent Kompany for their passes, which created his goal.
"It was not a good match," Mertens said.

"We won 1-0 and that is ultimately what it's all about but we had to play faster.
"Scoring is always good. The pass from Chadli was tailor-made, like the first pass from Kompany."

 

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Lambert: Pochettino taught me how to play

Rickie Lambert has hailed the impact Mauricio Pochettino has had on his career after leaving Southampton for boyhood club Liverpool.

The striker's €5 million move to Anfield has seen him return to the club he left as a youth player 17 years earlier, and can now look to impress for his country at his first ever World Cup.

And Lambert insists the Argentine - who also recently left Southampton to manage Tottenham - taught him not only how to play as a striker but also how to improve his game when up front on his own.

"It is quite the journey. The way it has gathered momentum, it’s frightening," Lambert told The Telegraph.

"Everything went my way at Southampton and each manager that came in improved me massively and especially Mauricio. He taught me how to be a different kind of player and I think that’s helping now.

"I never really got taught to be a striker in the first place and then I never got taught how to be a lone striker. He taught me how to be the lone striker and the thing that I was doing wrong most was the fact I thought I had to show for everyone on the pitch.

"Whoever had the ball, I felt I had to run over and show for the ball, get on the ball. He was saying 'take your time' and 'wait until the right people have got on to the ball' like Adam Lallana and others further up the pitch. After that, I had an understanding of how to play that position a lot better."

Lambert is a boyhood supporter of Liverpool and spent five years at the club's academy, leaving when he was 15, and is now excited at being able to finally prove himself at Anfield.

He continued: "I wasn’t expecting a chance at Liverpool... now that I’ve got it I will do everything to not let it go and I am more than confident that I will take the chance and I will be able to improve my game again.

"I’ve done that every season. I’m going to do everything I can to get onto the next level now. Even though I’m 32 I feel like a kid again. The fact that I’m playing under Brendan Rodgers and for Liverpool, I just can’t wait."

 

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Del Bosque: Spain are ready

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said Saturday's 2-0 win over El Salvador should be cause for optimism leading into the World Cup.

The World Cup holders needed a second-half brace from all-time leading scorer David Villa to seal the win in their final warm-up game in Washington.

Spain dictated play throughout the contest but were far from their free-flowing best against El Salvador, having been held until half-time, while they squandered a number of opportunities, including a Cesc Fabregas penalty at FedEx Field.

But Del Bosque said his team is on the right track ahead of their Group B opener against the Netherlands on June 13, especially after Atletico Madrid pair Diego Costa and Juanfran came through the match unscathed.

"Juanfran played the entire 90 minutes and held up, Diego Costa played for 70 and he could've gone more but we decided to take him out," he told reporters post-game."With these 23 players, we're going to Brazil.

"We lacked continuity and accuracy in the final third, but we dictated the match.
"We feel good and we're optimistic about the start of the competition. We didn't have many chances on goal but they were good and defended very well."But I'm not bothered by the way they played because if we take the initiative, I'm sure that in the majority of the games we'll have room to pass."

Del Bosque also reserved praise for goal-scoring hero Villa, who has now scored 58 times in 95 appearances since making his international debut against San Marino in World Cup qualifier in 2005.

"We know what David Villa can do, in confined spaces he's one of the best strikers in the world," Del Bosque said.

 

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Costa: It looks like I'm joining Chelsea

Diego Costa has admitted that it is likely he will join Chelsea this summer.

It was revealed recently that he has already passed a medical with the Stamford Bridge club after a deal worth €43 million was finalised at a meeting in London.

The 25-year-old made his return to the pitch against El Salvador on Saturday, playing his first game since the Champions League final, when he limped off with a hamstring injury and all but confirmed the move.

"Am I going to Chelsea? It looks like it," he told reporters.

The move is expected to more than triple the wages of Costa, who is believed to earn around €61,000 a week at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Chelsea will hand the 25-year-old a five-year contract worth €185,000 a week.

Mourinho has made no attempt to hide his desire to recruit a blue chip centre-forward amid doubts over the futures of Torres, Eto'o and Ba.

At least two of the trio are expected to leave in the summer, while Romelu Lukaku has now asked to leave the club in light of Costa's impending arrival as he searches for regular first-team football.

 

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Diego Costa ge Chelsea move 1ka godak durata heta wei​

 

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Soccer Aid 2014 - Jose Mourinho Runs On Pitch & Takes Out Olly Murs!

This is why I'm like Jose MourinhoMourinho nam patta!
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Soccer Aid 2014 - Jose Mourinho Runs On Pitch & Takes Out Olly Murs!

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Barcelona will never find another Messi - Iniesta

 

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Zidane: I'm staying at Real Madrid

Real Madrid assistant coach Zinedine Zidane says he will stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

Zidane was linked with a return to his native France throughout the final stages of the 2013-14 season, with Ligue 1 teams Monaco and Bordeaux reportedly interested in offering the 41-year-old their hotseats.

Former team Bordeaux, where Zidane spent four years before joining Juventus, were close to prising the Frenchman away from Madrid after the French side's president Jean-Louis Triaud admitted negotiations had taken place.

But speaking to La Sexta after a 'legends' match between the Blancos and Inter, Zidane outlined his intention to continue working in Spain, having just completed his first season as Carlo Ancelotti's right-hand man.

"Right now I'm here and I am going to continue at Real Madrid. We'll see what happens", the 1998 World Cup-winner told reporters."I'm enjoying my first experiences of coaching - it's not quite the same as playing, but I'm enjoying it."

Zidane and Real Madrid ended 2013-14 on a high with the Champions League win giving them their much-discussed Decima, which added to their earlier Copa del Rey victory.

Ancelotti and Co. will be hoping they can better their third place finish in La Liga in 2014-15, however, after their title charge wilted in the final few weeks.

 

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Wilshere certain Oxlade-Chamberlain has role to play at World Cup

England midfielder Jack Wilshere is confident that injured team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can play a key role at the World Cup.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's participation in Brazil was put into serious doubt when he picked up a knee problem during England's 2-2 friendly draw against Ecuador in Miami on Wednesday.

The attacking midfielder strained ligaments in his knee and initial scans revealed that the 20-year-old would be likely to miss between 10 and 20 days of action.

With the team arriving in Brazil on Sunday, England's first full training session took place on Monday and Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved, doing numerous running exercises in a bid to be fit for the group stage.

England are in Group D alongside Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy, and although an appearance against Cesare Prandelli's men on Saturday looks unlikely, Wilshere is hopeful that Oxlade-Chamberlain can feature later on.

"Alex looks well," said the 22-year-old. "[On Monday] he was straight-line running five days after getting a meniscus strain.

"It helps [that] he's young because the body heals [quicker] when you're younger and what also helps is that he's got 24-hour treatment.

"Sometimes when you're back at a club, injuries can take a bit longer to heal because you're not getting treatment all the time, but here he's got treatment when he wants it – that was a big part of him staying here.

FEELING THE HEAT | Oxlade-Chamberlain is put through his paces on Monday

"Hopefully we can get him training over the next few days and get him ready for the tournament. He's got a great attitude and loves football.

"He had a knee injury at the beginning of the season which was worse than this one and he came back from that well and looked good and I think that was another factor in him staying here.

"We've seen him come back before and he's fresh as well – he's only played six months so hopefully we can get him back in the next couple of weeks."

In the build-up to England's World Cup campaign, there has been much discussion regarding the presence of a significant number of younger players, but Wilshere is adamant that there is a healthy blend of experience and youth.

"We've got a great squad – young players, experienced players and a few that are in the middle," he added.

 

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Van Persie and Janmaat hit by kitesurfer

Netherlands stars Robin van Persie and Daryl Janmaat have been left with "light scratches and headaches" after being hit by a kitesurfer in Brazil during their preparations for the World Cup.

The pair were on a visit to Ipanema Beach when the accident happened, the Dutch Football Association [KNVB] told VI Orange. "But beyond that, there is nothing to worry about", the statement added.

Netherlands fans will be relieved to hear nothing serious befell Manchester United striker Van Persie, who has a reputation for picking up injuries and mentioned before his incident with a kitesurfer that he has been in regular pain while playing for over half a decade.

Van Persie became the top Dutch goalscorer of all-time during qualification for the tournament in Brazil and boasts 43 goals from his 84 caps. Feyenoord defender Janmaat is less experienced having bagged 16 caps to date.

Louis van Gaal's men's first match of the World Cup is against Spain - who they played in the final of the 2010 iteration - on June 13 in Salvador. Their other Group B opponents are Chile and Austalia.

The team trained behind closed doors with coach Van Gaal on Monday, using Brazilian club side Flamengo's facilities.

 

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Bento: Portugal pleased with Ronaldo's progress

Portugal trainer Paulo Bento says his medical staff are happy with Cristiano Ronaldo's progress in recovering from injury, prior to the World Cup.

Bento stopped short, however, of confirming whether Ronaldo, or fellow injury-hit stars Raul Meireles and Pepe, would have a part to play in their country's final warm-up game, against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

"My confidence in the medical department of the national team is 100 per cent," the 44-year-old told reporters. "We are pleased with the progress of Ronaldo.

"With the exception of Beto, all of the players are training without limitations. Pepe and Raul Meireles also trained today.

"To me there is nothing more important than the players' health. This is something that we always consider and we take our decisions bearing this in mind.

"All three [Ronaldo, Meireles and Pepe] are different injury situations. In the case of Raul, he played until the end of the league season.

"Ronaldo's case is somewhat different. It had to do with what happened in the Champions League final.

"Pepe's case happened before the Champions League final. They are different situations and we are trying to address all of them."

Portugal open their World Cup campaign to Germany on June 16, before facing USA and Ghana in a bid to reach the last 16 in Brazil.

They were eliminated by Spain in the second round four years ago, but will be hoping Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo can help to propel them to their 2006 heights of a semi-final finish at least.

 

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Prandelli: Italy must cut out errors

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says his team must cut the errors out of their game if they are to succeed at this summer's World Cup.

The Azzurri conceded three times in their final warm-up game before the tournament - Sunday’s 5-3 friendly victory against Brazilian club side Fluminense - and also succumbed to a late equaliser at home to Luxembourg last week.

"To correct certain faults, certain limits and certain mistakes, we need time," Prandelli told reporters. "The little time we have had we have used well.

"For 40 minutes yesterday we didn’t succumb to a single counter-attack. Of course, when you concede three goals you need to try to understand it, but if you make individual mistakes it is accepted and corrected.

"For the first goal, for example, we made an error in terms of continuing to play the ball even when things were tight. From now on, we mustn’t make any more errors of judgement."

The 56-year-old also took comfort from his side's strong attacking performance ahead of their first game of the World Cup, against England in Manaus, on June 14.

"We thought we would have an advantage by drawing their defence forward," said the coach. "After two minutes, they gave two poor offsides against us.

"Then in the second half, we brought the midfield line 20-30 metres further forward and we pressed them high up. As a coach I am very satisfied."

 

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Ancelotti: Suarez is a fantastic player

Carlo Ancelotti claims Luis Suarez is a “fantastic player” and has refused to rule out a move for the Liverpool forward.

Suarez scored 31 Premier League goals in a stunning 2013-14 season - despite agitating for a transfer in the summer - and has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid, with the Champions League winners reportedly earmarking the star to be their next 'Galactico' signing.

Having spent €106 million [£86m] on Gareth Bale last summer, Real are believed to be keen to land another marquee signing and, while Ancelotti says it would be “disrespectful” to talk up a move, he has hinted that Real will be active in the summer transfer window.

“It is difficult to improve what we have,” he told reporters. “Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, but it is disrespectful to talk about a transfer now.

“We're in no rush and we don't need to bring in a lot of players. We have until August 31.”

Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata is set to leave Real on loan, thus opening up a berth in Real's squad for the 2014-15 season, though Iker Casillas is set to stay put, with Ancelotti claiming "Casillas is very happy" to stay in the Spanish capital.

 

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Friedel signs one-year extension at Tottenham

Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a new one-year deal with the Premier League club.

The American veteran - who turned 43 last month - joined Tottenham in 2011, but has been replaced in the starting XI over the last two years by France international Hugo Lloris.

Friedel made just nine appearances in all competitions last season, with his only Premier League outing coming in a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United in November after Lloris suffered a head injury against Everton in the previous game.

The former United States international's contract was due to expire at the end of June, but he is now set to remain at White Hart Lane for one more season under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Alongside his playing role, Friedel has also been made a club ambassador, with much of his responsibilities centred on promoting Spurs in his homeland.

A club statement read: "Brad Friedel has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract with the club, which will also see him become a club ambassador with a particular focus on our work in his native United States.

"Our goalkeeper's ambassadorial role will have a wide-ranging remit that will include greater involvement in our global coaching programme and engaging with our 30 supporters clubs from across North America as we continue to increase our global presence and bring our international fanbase closer to the club."

 

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Barcelona delegates in Seville to clinch Rakitic signing

Barcelona delegates are in Seville with the aim of clinching the signing of midfielder Ivan Rakitic as a €20 million move edges closer to fruition.

Insiders at the Catalan club now believe a deal for the Sevilla star is imminent after a meeting about the transfer took place in Seville on Monday - which included the Catalan club's financial vice-president Xavier Faus.

Dejan Rakitic, brother and agent of Ivan, has been a major force behind the move, pushing for it despite Sevilla president Pepe Castro's reluctance to sell the Croatia international.

Ivan Rakitic appeared to say goodbye to the Sevilla fans after their victory in the final of last season's Europa League, despite having verbally agreed to extend his contract with the club - a deal which will no longer happen.

The Andalusian side have not yet given up on getting more than €20m for the 26-year-old in the move, which could see Barcelona B midfielder Denis Suarez moving in the other direction on loan with an option to buy.