..::Football III::..

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Julio Cesar set to quit Brazil: It would be selfish for me to continue

Julio Cesar is ready to call time on his Brazil career, explaining that he feels it would be "selfish" for him to play on given his age by the time the next World Cup is played.

The QPR-owned goalkeeper, who is currently on loan at Toronto FC, will turn 35 next year and does not believe that he should make himself available for the 2015 Copa America, believing the Selecao's focus should be on finding a new No.1 for Russia 2018.

"This is probably my last World Cup," he told reporters after Brazil's 3-0 loss to Netherlands in Brasilia on Saturday evening.

"To play at the Copa America in 2015, at the age of 35, would be quite complicated. To go there without having the 2018 World Cup in mind would be selfish on my part.

"The time has come for other goalkeepers and I think Brazil have seven or eight who are quite capable of pulling on the national jersey."

Julio Cesar also urged Brazil and the nation's fans to try to put the traumatic conclusion to their World Cup campaign behind them as quickly as possible.

"It [Brazil's failure] is a sad moment for Brazilian football," he conceded. "Now I think it is time to relax and try to forget about all of this."

Brazil suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat at the hands of Germany in the semi-finals before losing out on third place to Netherlands.

 

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Lovren joins Southampton for pre-season despite Liverpool manoeuvres

Dejan Lovren has travelled with Southampton to Belgium for their pre-season tour despite his assertion that he wants to join Liverpool.

The Croatia defender has declared that "my head is already at Liverpool", comments that did not please the Saints' new manager, Ronald Koeman, but the former Feyenoord boss noted on Friday that the 25-year-old is a key player and that he was expecting him to join the squad for the trip even if he could yet leave.

Goal understands that the Reds are close to agreeing a deal to sign the centre-back but Koeman asserted his authority to bring Lovren to Belgium all the same.

"That [public comment about Liverpool] was not a good thing on his side," the Saints manager told reporters on Friday.

"I spoke two times to Dejan. He was very clear about his situation. I said: 'Okay, I am the new manager, I want to keep all the players'.

"I would like to keep Dejan in the team because he is an important player in an important position in the team. He has to come back on Sunday."

And that he did, with Southampton posting a photo of him travelling to Belgium on the club's official Twitter account on Sunday.

Southampton have already sold England trio Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert since the season ended but Koeman has brought in winger Dusan Tadic and forward Graziano Pelle from Twente and Feyenoord, respectively.

 

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Zidane: I'd support a player guilty of a headbutt

Zinedine Zidane says that while he would be "disappointed" if a member of his Real Madrid Castilla squad headbutted an opponent, he would still stand by the player.

The former France international was responsible for arguably the most infamous incident of violent conduct in World Cup history, having been dismissed during the closing stages of the 2006 final for driving his forehead into the chest of Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

Zidane was widely castigated for his actions, which some argued ultimately cost his country the game, with Les Bleus losing out on penalties.

However, the 42-year-old, who had been verbally insulted by Materazzi before lashing out, feels that he should have been shown more sympathy for what he argued was a provoked assault.

"If I was the coach and one of my players did that? Honestly, I would be disappointed but I would not come down hard on him," Zidane told L'Equipe.

"I would try to understand what happened and I would support my player."

Zidane had put France ahead from the penalty spot after seven minutes in the final in Berlin, coolly chipping the ball over Gianluigi Buffon and the goal-line via the underside of the crossbar.

It seemed like an outrageously risky way in which to try to beat the Azzurri goalkeeper but Zidane felt it was the only way he could score.

"[Real Madrid] practiced penalties the whole week before the Champions League final against Atletico [in May] and players asked me about the 2006 World Cup final and about this penalty," he revealed.

"There are still people today that tell me that I was crazy. But Buffon knew me. I played with him for five seasons at Juventus and he knew the exact spot in which I like to put my penalties.

"What would have been crazy is to shoot like I used to. I told myself, 'That's the thing you need to do. There are still 83 minutes left if you miss."

While Zidane's memories of the 2006 World Cup are undeniably mixed, France's triumph on home soil in 1998 remains the most emotional moment in his long and illustrious career.

"I didn't really realise what we'd done," he confessed. "I knew I had done something great, winning a World Cup final and scoring twice. That doesn't happen every day.

"The strength that invades you at that very moment; the emotional intensity... I've never experienced anything like this since then.

"But I did not imagine everything what was going to happen after that. My life changed completely, in every aspect."

 

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Barcelona could be among 'several' teams chasing Vertonghen - agent

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen's agent has confirmed that "several clubs have registered their interest" in his client but refused to specify whether Barcelona are among them.

The Blaugrana are understood to be in the market for a centre-back after Carles Puyol's retirement and with the threat of a suspended transfer ban hanging over them, and have already made several other signings this summer.

Vertonghen was disappointing in his second season at White Hart Lane but has nonetheless been linked with a move to Camp Nou and Mustapha Nakhli, his representative, says that plenty of heads have been turned.

He told Het Nieuwsblad: "Several teams are interested in Jan. I cannot confirm or deny whether Barcelona are one of them.

"Tottenham is not a small club. It’s too soon to give them an answer. Several clubs have registered their interest in Jan. We'll see."

Vertonghen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2012 and has since made over 80 appearances for the North London side.

Also capable of playing at left-back, he helped Belgium to the quarter-finals of this summer's World Cup before they were eliminated by Argentina.

 

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Barcelona president Bartomeu: Luis Enrique backed Suarez signing

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says coach Luis Enrique was delighted when he learned of the club's plan to sign Luis Suarez.

The Blaugrana confirmed on Friday that they have agreed a deal with Liverpool for the Uruguay international, who will sign a five-year contract with the Catalans despite currently being banned from all football-related activity until the end of October for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

However, the fallout from that controversy has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of Bartomeu, who explained that everyone at Camp Nou has had their hearts set on adding the 27-year-old forward to a front-line that already contains Lionel Messi and Neymar for some time now.

"Suarez is one of the best strikers in the world and, at the end of last season, Andoni Zubizarreta, our sporting director, started to think we had to bring a striker to our club," the Blaugrana supremo told Sky Sports.

"Luis Suarez was on the table and our new coach Luis Enrique, when he signed, we quickly explained everything and he said 'of course you can bring Luis Suarez to our club. Bring him - he's a fantastic player.'

"It is incredible to join those three players [Suarez, Messi and Neymar] at the same club. It's something fantastic and something unusual.

"It's rare in the world of football to have three top players plus [Andres] Iniesta, plus [Sergio] Busquets, plus [Gerard] Pique, plus [Javier] Mascherano and the young ones that are coming - it's incredible to have this team."

 

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Benitez: No favourites in World Cup final

Rafael Benitez believes there is nothing to choose between Germany and Argentina ahead of Sunday's World Cup final.

The Napoli boss has been impressed by the performances of Joachim Low's men, who kicked off their campaign with a 4-0 rout of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and reached the tournament decider courtesy of a stunning 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil.

Argentina have, by contrast, found goals difficult to come by but Benitez still believes that in Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero they possess the most lethal front-line in international football.

"I don't know about you, but I struggle to find a favourite in the World Cup final," the Spanish coach wrote in Corriere dello Sport.

"A game like this, which puts Germany and Argentina on the field, cannot persuade you to believe that one squad is, on paper, stronger than the other.

"You might think that there are certain details to favour one side over the other, but one cannot make a clear and absolute judgement.

"It's certainly true that Germany, from what we've seen since their first game a month ago, have made the greater impression ...

"However, at the same time, in the final they will face Messi, Higuain and Aguero and there is no harder test. There cannot be more formidable opponents; there cannot be a more explosive combination to contain.

"It's true that they're saying that because of certain tactical attitudes and the exceptional 7-1 win in the semi-final, that the European squad has the concrete possibility of being able to win the World Cup in South America for the first time.

"But Germany are aware of the need to control those three fantastic players up front for Argentina.

"Whatever happens, [on Sunday] evening, history will be made."

 

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Mourinho: Van Gaal has been the best coach at the World Cup

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Louis van Gaal has been the best coach at the World Cup.

The 62-year-old was able to guide Netherlands out of a tricky group containing Spain and Chile to third place in the tournament, following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brazil in Saturday’s play-off.

And Mourinho, who will come up against Van Gaal when Chelsea face Manchester United next season, believes the Dutchman has been able to get more out of his players than many had anticipated.

“Vahid [Halilhodzic], [Miguel] Herrera, [Jorge] Sampaoli, [Jorge Luis] Pinto, Jurgen [Klinsmann], [Jose] Pekerman - all of them [have been] fantastic,” Mourinho said in his role as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador.

“But if I had to choose one, because I think he did a fantastic job with a team that, in my opinion, was not strong enough to reach where they got to, I would choose Louis van Gaal.”

Mourinho also believes that Paul Pogba’s displays for France make him the best young player at the World Cup.

"I would say Pogba, because he also had a good World Cup, in spite of the fact his team didn't reach the last four,” he added.

“I think he showed that he will be a big player for the next World Cup, for sure."

 

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Argentina need a big performance from 'in prime' Messi - Ardiles

Former Argentina star Ossie Ardiles believes Lionel Messi is in his prime, and says the 27-year-old may have his last opportunity to inspire the South Americans to a World Cup title when they face Germany.

La Albiceleste are looking to win their third World Cup at the Maracana on Sunday, having reached the final after a 4-2 win on penalties against Netherlands last Wednesday.

Ardiles, who was a World Cup winner in 1978, feels Messi will need to be at his best to overcome Die Mannschaft and, has argued that although this will not be the Barcelona star's last chance to play in the competition, his powers may have dulled by the 2018 World Cup in Russia."As far as Argentina are concerned, once again all eyes will be on Messi," the 61-year-old wrote in his column for the Times of India.

"This is his first World Cup final, he's 27 now and in four years he will be 31. I won't say it is 'now or never' for him because he could always play in Russia. But he is in his prime right now, and will be charged up."Messi needs to have a really good day at the office, and for this the others in the team have to play the supporting role to perfection.

"The midfield has shown that they are pretty accomplished and I hope that they are able to do that on Sunday. Javier Mascherano has been solid and needs to be yet again."The former Huracan and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder also stressed that Germany's impressive 7-1 win over Brazil could give them a mental edge over his compatriots.

"The last two times they met, Germany had the better of Argentina," he continued.
"We lost a penalty shootout in 2006 in Germany and then in South Africa we lost 4-0. Many would say this would give Germany the psychological edge, but I don't think so.

"The edge will come from the fact that Germany overwhelmed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final; while Argentina just about managed to beat Netherlands on penalties. So, you can imagine the kind of confidence the German players have right now.
"Some might say they may be overconfident but I don't think so. I have said this before, and it is worth repeating that this team is formidable because it's not just about their physicality.

"They are clearly a powerful team but it's not about individuals for them either. It is the unity they display that makes them so difficult to play."

 

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Germany are clear favourites for World Cup glory - Raul

Spain legend Raul has backed Germany to overcome Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, adding that the Europeans have "broken tradition" by becoming overwhelming favourites.

Die Mannschaft have looked in formidable form throughout the competition, culminating in their emphatic 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semi-finals last Tuesday.
And Raul says the overall quality of the Germans means they will likely win out over la Albiceleste, especially since they are not reliant on any one man.Argentina, meanwhile, have been criticised for an overdependence on Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

"Normally, World Cup finals do not have clear favourites," the 37-year-old wrote in his column for the Times of India."This tradition has been broken in Brazil. Germany are the team to watch after their demolition of the hosts in the semi-final. They have waited for a long time for this and appear to be the best-prepared lot.

"The three-time champions are not dependent on individuals. Everybody in their midfield is capable of scoring. The defence is not impregnable but tight, and has conceded only four goals in six matches. [Manuel] Neuer has been an inspiration under the bar.

"For such an all-round team, it's difficult to lose momentum after a landmark win. Joachim Low's side knows when and how to peak. They started with a bang, went back to their normal style of winning industriously, and when they faced better teams, came at them hard."Raul, who played in three World Cups for Spain between 1998 and 2006, also criticised Argentina for being dependent on Messi, stressing that other players will need to step up if they are to lift the trophy.

"Argentina are clearly dependent on Messi," the Real Madrid great added.
"After four straight Man-of-the-Match performances, he has been subdued in the last two outings. Knockout games are expected to be tougher and he has not enjoyed the freedom he got in the group stage."There is no doubt that Argentina need Messi at his best. They have worries up front with [Sergio] Aguero not fully fit and [Gonzalo] Higuain out of touch.

"The performance of [Javier] Mascherano will be as crucial. He was undoubtedly the best player in the semi-final and it was because of him that Argentina managed to keep a strong Dutch attack quiet."

 

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Ozil criticism over the top - Arteta


Mikel Arteta believes Mesut Ozil has been unfairly singled out for criticism since arriving at Arsenal and is backing him to silence his doubters this season.

Ozil became the Gunners’ record signing when he arrived from Real Madrid in a £40 million (€50m) deal last summer, but drew criticism from sections of the media and supporters for a perceived lack of effort and inconsistent performances.

But Arteta believes his team-mate is being judged by unfair standards because of his hefty price tag, and is adamant the German will be better in his second season in England.

“When you pay £40 million for someone there are always going to be critics,” the Spaniard told Goal at the launch of Arsenal's new PUMA kits.

“It’s been over the top because Arsenal don’t usually spend that kind of money, so expectations are really high.

“He’s never been in that situation before but he coped with it really well, he took it on the chin, he tried really hard and he was always in a position to help the team.

“People forget how well he started and how many good moments he gave us during the season.

“People want to pick out the bad ones, but everyone has bad ones. When you cost £40m, people look at you with different eyes.

“Mesut is really relaxed. He’s been under big pressure, but hopefully next season he can be even better for us.”

 

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Kingsley Coman: I snubbed Arsenal, Bayern & Liverpool for Juventus

Kingsley Coman claims he rejected offers from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool before joining Juventus.

Coman completed his move to Italy from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, signing a five-year deal with the Serie A champions.

And the 18-year-old claims he had a number of offers from England – as well as Germany and France – before he eventually opted to move to Antonio Conte's side.

“Juventus has a history with French players,” he told L'Equipe.

“Some of them did very good. So I told myself, why not me? I thought about it a lot. I had to take a decision regarding PSG.

“Then there was Arsenal, Liverpool, Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Bordeaux. I've hesitated a lot about Bordeaux and I talked with Willy Sagnol, I knew him from the France Under-21 team and he promised me playing time.

“But this process came a little too late and I was already thinking about Juve.”

Coman made his PSG debut aged 16 – which saw him become the club's youngest ever player – and went on to make four appearances in all for the French giants.

 

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Klose: This is Germany's time to win

Miroslav Klose believes that Germany's time has come to seal a fourth World Cup crown when they meet Argentina in the final in Rio.The Nationalelf progressed to the showpiece in Brazil with a stunning 7-1 victory over the tournament hosts and are set to meet the Albiceleste in a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals.

The Germans last made the World Cup final in 2002, where they lost 2-0 to Brazil in Yokohama, and Klose feels his united team are ready to make up for that disappointment with victory over Alejandro Sabella's men.

"2002 was different," the 36-year-old said in an interview with the Times of India.
"We were a young team, no one expected us to reach the final. But in the end we did. Still it feels really awful to lose a final, so it's our time to win this one now.

"For us, team spirit is not an empty expression. No one bears any animosity. They are all very professional and mature, even if some of them are only 25 or 26, some even younger. We are a team, a close-knit unit. We win and lose together.

"We enjoyed the game against Brazil but we ticked it off after 24 hours. Sadly, it was only a semi-final, as in the next game against Argentina, we have to again play to the best of our abilities."I am just looking forward to an exciting game, which will be marked by tactics and a bit of trickery. A repeat of the Brazil game is not on the cards."

Klose became the World Cup's all-time top scorer after his goal against the Selecao, having now scored 16 times over the course of four tournaments, but he confessed that achievement would mean little if he finished as a runner-up once more in the tournament."It's a hugely emotional thing for me personally," the Lazio forward said of the record.

"But people who know me, know that my focus is already on Argentina -100 per cent!"Yes, I have overtaken Ronaldo as the highest scorer in the World Cup but that is something to take on board another day. If we lose the final, my joy will be significantly dampened.

'If we do win the trophy, I can imagine that I will relax. There is a party beast somewhere even in me!"

 

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Messi: World Cup final is the game of our lives

Lionel Messi has called on his Argentina team-mates to do all they can to overcome Germany, describing the World Cup final as "the most important match of our lives."The Albiceleste go into Sunday's showpiece having progressed after beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals and are looking to win their third World Cup and their first since 1986.

Germany are highly fancied following their 7-1 demolition of tournament hosts Brazil in the previous round, but Messi has looked to inspire his compatriots ahead of the rematch of the 1990 final."Tomorrow, we will play the most important match of our lives for our country," the 27-year-old wrote on his official Facebook page on Saturday.

"My dreams and my hopes are being fulfilled due to the hard work and sacrifice of a team that has given everything from match one."Many thousands of Argentina supporters have flocked to Rio in expectation of victory and Messi, who has scored four times in the competition so far, is desperate to make sure they do not leave disappointed.

"We knew it was possible [to reach the final]," the Barcelona forward continued.
"Our people, the Argentines, they have carried us here. But the dream is not over yet. We want to win, and we are ready!"

 

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Gerrard should remain England captain, says Beckham

Former England captain David Beckham has urged Steven Gerrard to stay on as Three Lions skipper, despite the disappointment of the World Cup.

Gerrard donned the captain's armband as England failed to progress from Group D in Brazil - claiming a solitary point to finish bottom behind Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy.

The 34-year-old Liverpool midfielder is in the twilight of his career and manager Roy Hodgson could opt for a younger captain as he revamps his squad ahead of England's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

But Beckham, who skippered England at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, has thrown his support behind the Liverpool man.

"I think it would be great if Steven continues because it was a disappointing tournament for the whole team and the captain kind of takes the real kind of brunt of things," Beckham told Sky Sports News.

"But as a captain you feel a certain responsibility to lift the team. Stevie has done that for many years for Liverpool and for England. He has always been a real motivator, the way he plays and his passion that he shows on the pitch.

"I would love to see Stevie continue because I think these young players need someone to look up to and a mentor - someone that has been there and done it - and I think that Steve is a great captain. He has been for Liverpool and England.

"He doesn't need my advice but one thing that I would say: if you can play for England as long as you can, then do it."

 

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Hamann: I don’t think Messi is 100% fit for Final


Except for one or two halves Germany has played a superb tournament. Those last two matches were very impressive. They have to try to do everything like they did ahead of these matches. But these players are experienced. Most of them played finals and semi-finals in the Champions League, too. They should not change too much and forget about how important this game is.
But to win this now at Maracana, against Argentina, after eliminating Brazil would be the biggest triumph. What this team achieved despite all these setbacks is impressive. If this team wins the title on Sunday, it has very good arguments for being called the best German team ever.

I think Khedira, Kroos and Schweinsteiger is at the moment the strongest midfield combination in world football. You have to wait and see how Argentina lines up against it. Probably with Mascherano and Gago. Argentina has to keep them under control, otherwise this will be the key.

What Miroslav Klose has done is unbelievable. Of course I would have wished it for him in 2002. Four times at a World Cup, that’s incredible. And he managed to score at every one of them and now has 16 goals. He had some injuries at Lazio this season. But Jogi Löw stuck with him and it paid off. Now he has the record. But he said himself he does not really care about it without the title. I hope he can take the title on Sunday with all of my heart. Miro is such a nice, down-on-earth and humble guy.

As for Argentina, I don’t think Messi is 100%: In the first two or three matches he was good. But during the last two matches I got the feeling he is not at 100 percent. There was a telling situation in the last match against Holland. He had the ball at his foot and ran towards Vlaar into a one-on-one.

I have seen it rarely in situations like these that he loses the ball without a foul. Ron Vlaar had a great match but he is not the quickest and most mobile defender. Yet he stopped Messi. A Messi in his best shape would have pulled through there or would have been fouled. To me he does not have the same influence on the game he had one or two years ago.

Another Germany – Argentina Final, but you have to be careful trying to compare the difference between the current side and the team that beat Argentina in 1990.
Not everything that was in the past is automatically better. People were angry with the team at times in 1990 as well. Now we are 24 years later and that makes it difficult to compare the teams.

Football is more about strength and speed today. But you have to acknowledge that we have an amount of creative players now which we did not have back then. In 1990 there were Hässler, Möller and Thon, three very good players. But now we have Özil, Reus, who is unfortunately injured, Schürrle, Götze and Müller.
That is the biggest difference between those teams.

 

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Milito: Argentina, our wait is over, our time is now

I wasn’t surprised at all that the final will be Germany vs Argentina. They were the two best teams in the World Cup. Colombia, Chile and Holland all played very well but the two finalists are the right ones.

They were the best. Argentina is a very clever national team, with a tremendously united group. They have order and are patient in attack and that’s how they played every match. Argentina thought out every single game. Because the team was able to understand that every game was a whole different story.

We saw Germany against Brazil. That’s a great team that really knows how to treat the ball. I’m expecting a very tactical match, very close, similar to Holland’s semi-final with Argentina.

It will be a special match for special players such as Messi and Higuaín. I think that this is the chance for them to appear with all they have. I saw Leo being very important in the first round and against Switzerland, because he showed up when he had to. I see him well prepared for the big strike: he needs the World Cup, the only thing he’s still to win.

I know him and I can say that he will do everything to get it. And so will Pipita, who has been improving in every match. He was coming from an injury and it’s difficult to get into a World Cup rhythm. His best game was against Belgium and not only because he scored. He did everything well. I hope he plays again like that on Sunday.

The best things of this team: apart from the offensive strength, I would say I’m amazed on the defensive stability they found. With Agüero and Di María injured, Sabella had to rebuild the 4-3-3 and found an amazing work thanks to Mascherano’s incredible performances.

What he’s doing is not normal. I’m so happy for him because I know how much he suffered in these years with the National Team, as much as Maxi Rodríguez, Demichelis and Messi. Masche’s heart is huge. It’s so important to have someone like him on the team.For the Final, I will sit down with my family and watch these 90 minutes – the same way I lived 1986 and 1990 Finals.

I’m a little bit sad because Sunday’s match will be the last for Sabella with the national team. I think he did an amazing Qualifiers and World Cup, he has done an extraordinary job and so I’m sorry that he’s leaving now.I hope he does it by winning the World Cup – something we’ve been waiting so long for.

 

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PSG set to rival Manchester United in Di Maria race

Manchester United could miss out on the signing of Angel Di Maria after Paris Saint-Germain emerged as frontrunners for the Argentina international's signature, Goal understands.

The Old Trafford side had been confident of reaching an agreement with Real Madrid to sign the winger this summer as Louis van Gaal continues with a squad overhaul.

But the Premier League club are now aware they could be outmuscled in negotiations by PSG, despite the Financial Fair Play sanctions placed on the Ligue 1 champions.

And PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reportedly held talks in Madrid with the Spanish giants.

The offer of Champions League football from the French capital club is also understood to appeal to Di Maria, despite the presence of Van Gaal at Old Trafford.

United have pressed ahead with their summer transfer plans during the World Cup despite the Dutchman's continued involvement with the Netherlands in Brazil.

Ander Herrera was signed from Athletic Bilbao, while Southampton teenager Luke Shaw made a big-money move from Southampton.

But Van Gaal could miss out on another primary transfer target after Toni Kroos previously turned down the chance to leave Bayern Munich for the Premier League.

Di Maria, meanwhile, is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup final clash with Germany after picking up a thigh injury in training.

 

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Apo meh PSG lath 1kka puduma wadayak neh thiyenneHama 1katama paninawa​

 

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Klinsmann: Germany are favourites

Jurgen Klinsmann has backed Germany to defeat Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, believing that they are the team to beat.The three-time World Cup champions go into the game having eliminated the South Americans in the quarter-finals of the past two World Cups in 2006 and 2010.

United States coach Klinsmann, who was part of the West Germany team that beat Argentina 1-0 in the 1990 final, believes his former side are ready to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

"I want them to finally bring the World Cup back after 24 years of waiting," the 49-year-old told reporters."I think they're ready for it. I think they have the quality to win it.

"But, still, you've got to find ways and you can't concede a goal against a very dangerous Argentina side so you have to respect them."Looking from the outside, Germany are favourites."

Germany and Argentina have met in two previous finals, with a Diego Maradona-inspired Albiceleste winning 3-2 in 1986 before losing 1-0 in the 1990 final in Italy.
"Germany-Argentina is a very special final because of the history," said Klinsmann, who came up against Germany in Group G at Brazil 2014 as USA head coach.
"I think, in both finals, the better team won. In 1986, Argentina with Maradona, had the better side, and in 1990, when I had the pleasure to be part of that team, we were clearly the better team.

"Even if it wasn't such a nice final, ending with a penalty-kick and it was only 1-0. But we were clearly the dominating team in that game."I think, now, the favourite is Germany. I think Germany has all the tools in the world to finish things off."

 

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Vidal on Manchester United interest: Anyone would love to play for them

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal will not rush into making a decision on his future but admits that "anyone" would relish the chance to play for Manchester United.

Vidal has been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford this close-season, with new United boss Louis van Gaal keen to take the Chile international to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old is an integral part of the Juve team who have won three successive Serie A titles since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2011.

Juve are keen to keep Vidal in Turin, but the player himself - who helped his country reach the last 16 of the World Cup - appears to be keeping his options open.

"I've heard about the rumours, but I haven't spoken more about this subject," Vidal told La Tercera in his homeland.

"I'm enjoying my holidays, and when I return to Italy I'll see what happens.

"I'm very calm, but anyone would love to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world."