..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Colombia 2-2 Uruguay: Mina secures draw for hosts in World Cup qualifier

Yerry Mina's late equaliser earned hosts Colombia a 2-2 draw and a point against Uruguay in a gripping CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying contest on Tuesday.

In a thrilling finale in Barranquilla, Uruguay thought they had secured a smash-and-grab victory after Luis Suarez gave the visitors an unlikely lead with 17 minutes remaining with his 47th international goal.

But Colombia huffed and puffed and deservedly restored parity in the 84th minute at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez via Mina, who steered a looping header over Fernando Muslera to open his international account.

The second half had been evenly poised after Abel Aguilar's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Cristian Rodriguez 12 minutes later.With the draw, South American leaders Uruguay remain top - for now - three points clear of fourth-placed Colombia.

Colombia made one change for the visit of Uruguay, with Macnelly Torres getting the nod ahead of Wilmar Barrios in midfield following last week's 1-0 win over Paraguay, while David Ospina continued to wear the captain's armband in the absence of injured skipper James Rodriguez.

Uruguay were forced into a change of their own as Matias Vecino came in for the suspended Nicolas Lodeiro, who picked up a yellow card in the 3-0 victory at home to Venezuela last time out.

Colombia made a fine start to proceedings in front of a sea of yellow and they were soon rewarded for their efforts.

With a quarter of an hour played, Colombia hit the front after Aguilar's perfectly-placed header into the far corner left Uruguay goalkeeper Muslera helpless.

While Colombia enjoyed the better of the opportunities, torrential rain seemingly levelled the playing field, with Uruguay eventually benefiting from the heavy downpour in the 27th minute.Rodriguez restored parity with a powerful header from a set-piece, and the goalscorer copped a knock to his head for his efforts.

Uruguay finished the second half strongly and only Ospina stood between the visitors and a lead at the interval after the keeper somehow kept out Edinson Cavani's close-range effort in additional time.

Colombia emerged from the break reenergised and reinvigorated as they came within a whisker of reclaiming the lead just a minute after the restart but Diego Godin managed to block Santiago Arias' shot on the line.The Colombians continued to press Uruguay further and further back, with Suarez and Cavani non-existent and isolated in attack, until the former put Uruguay ahead against the run of play in the 73rd minute.

Cristhian Stuani flicked the ball into the path of Suarez and the Barcelona star manoeuvred himself into position, outmuscling his opponent and firing his shot low and hard past Ospina, but Colombia were not to be denied a point as Mina steered a header over Muslera.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina 0-1 Paraguay: Gonzalez grabs victory over sub-par Albiceleste

Sergio Aguero failed to convert a penalty as Argentina suffered their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, losing 1-0 in Cordoba.

Having declared himself fit despite sustaining a calf injury during training, Aguero failed to make his presence count when he had his spot-kick saved by Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar - who was making his first start since this year's Copa America.

It proved a pivotal moment, with Argentina already trailing to Derlis Gonzalez's counter-attacking opener in the first half, the winger exploiting a lack of pace in an opposition defence to which Edgardo Bauza had made three changes following the 2-2 draw against Peru last time out.

Paraguay sat on that goal, inviting pressure from the hosts, who struck the post through Angel Di Maria in the first half and had a Marcos Rojo goal controversially ruled out for offside due to Gabriel Mercado's positioning after Aguero spurned another second-period opportunity.

Argentina, without star and captain Lionel Messi due to a groin injury, were unable to break down Francisco Arce's side and subsequently drop out of the automatic qualification spots in the CONMEBOL section following a third match without a win.

Paraguay, meanwhile, move to within one point of Bauza's fifth-placed team, giving their hopes of securing a place in Russia a huge boost.The visitors came close to an opener in the seventh minute when Gustavo Gomez sent a diving header wide following Oscar Romero's free-kick from the left.

Paraguay only had to wait 11 more minutes to make the breakthrough, though, and it came following a rapid counter-attack.

Angel Romero released Gonzalez down the right who charged into the area with left-back Rojo nowhere to be seen, drilling beyond Sergio Romero at his near post.

Di Maria came close to restoring parity midway through the half when his left-footed drive from the edge of the box clipped the base of the post and went behind, while Rojo sliced a glorious opportunity over in the 26th minute.

Paraguay sat back and allowed Argentina to control possession, but further breaks saw Sergio Romero tested by long-range efforts from Oscar Romero and Angel Romero.

The hosts were gifted a chance to equalise at the start of the second half when a header from Gonzalo Higuain struck Paulo da Silva's arms inside the box, but Villar dived low to his left to deny Aguero from the subsequent penalty.

Aguero attempted to rectify his error two minutes later but after surging through the heart of the defence his poorly placed shot was blocked by Villar.

Rojo thought he had restored parity after Villar failed to claim a left-wing free-kick from Ever Banega, only to turn and see the assistant referee with his flag raised for a controversial offside.

Argentina continued to dominate but Higuain was unable to poke home Di Maria's low cross in the 64th minute, while substitute Paulo Dybala had a 20-yard drive batted away by Villar as Paraguay clung on to an important three points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chile 2-1 Peru: Vidal the hero for hosts

An Arturo Vidal brace gave Chile a much-needed 2-1 win over Peru in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's men looked set to see their poor qualifying campaign continue when Edison Flores cancelled out Vidal's opener in Santiago.But Vidal proved to be the hero with an excellent finish in the 85th minute as he eased the pressure on Pizzi.

The Bayern Munich midfielder had headed his side into an early lead and squandered other chances before Flores' fine equaliser.He would net a dramatic winner, however, to see Chile to just their fourth win in 10 qualifiers, while Peru's struggles continued.

The under-fire Pizzi made two changes to the XI beaten in Ecuador, Jean Beausejour replacing Eugenio Mena and Nicolas Castillo taking the place of Pablo Hernandez.Peru also made two changes, Yoshimar Yotun replaced by Carlos Lobaton in midfield and Irven Avila coming in for Cristian Benavente.

The hosts made a strong start and Eduardo Vargas went close with a seventh-minute header, and his side would lead moments later.Mauricio Isla did brilliantly down the right after receiving a pass from Vargas, before picking out Vidal to head in unmarked and put Chile 1-0 up.

Vargas fired well wide from an angle after an Alexis Sanchez cross, and Vidal should have doubled his – and his team's – tally on the half-hour mark.

Sanchez's delightful pass released Beausejour down the left and his cross found Vidal, who with an entire goal to aim at directed his shot straight at scrambling goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Peru barely threatened – Renato Tapia headed a corner wide in the 36th minute – and they were lucky to only be a goal down at the break.

Chile continued to push for a second after the break, but the visitors almost levelled just after the hour-mark.An excellent set-piece from the right was met by Aldo Corzo, who saw his header go just wide.

Peru had another glorious chance soon after, but Christian Cueva fired wide in a one-on-one with Claudio Bravo following a pass from Paolo Guerrero.Vidal almost sealed the result from close range and his team would be punished for their profligacy.

Flores created some room for himself on the edge of the area and fired past Bravo with the outside of his left foot, although the goalkeeper arguably should have done better.

Vidal, however, ensured Chile would collect a vital three points, firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards after taking a pass from Isla.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Venezuela 0-2 Brazil: Gabriel Jesus & Willian send Selecao to victory

Brazil jumped to the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings after seeing off Venezuela 2-0 in Merida.

Top spot was up for grabs in South America following Uruguay's draw in Colombia earlier on Tuesday and Brazil took full advantage thanks to the in-form Gabriel Jesus and Willian, despite a blackout halting proceedings late in sodden conditions.

While the floodlights went out in the 74th minute with Brazil leading 2-0, the advertising boards, scoreboard and media areas remained illuminated around Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano de Merida before technicians rectified the situation.

The wet weather impacted both teams, while the absence of suspended captain Neymar did not make things any easier for Brazil but Manchester City-bound star Jesus' sublime first-half chip set the visitors on their way.

A goalkeeping error from Dani Hernandez in the eighth minute gifted Jesus his fourth goal in just his fourth international appearance before Willian – back in the starting XI – secured the points eight minutes after the interval as Brazil jumped a point clear of Uruguay.

Venezuela were not without their chances on home soil but they were unable to make them count, remaining rooted to the bottom of the table with two points following an eighth defeat in 10 matches.

Brushed aside by Uruguay 3-0 last week, head coach Rafael Dudamel made five changes to the starting line-up with the suspended Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Mikel Villanueva, Alejandro Guerra, Alexander Gonzalez and Arquimedes Figuera dropping out for Roberto Rosales, Rolf Feltscher, Jose Manuel Velasquez, Arles Flores and Josef Martinez.

There were two changes for Brazil, one enforced due to Neymar's suspension, with Paulinho and Willian coming in and Giuliano dropping out following the 5-0 win at home to Bolivia.

Venezuela had no-one but themselves to blame for falling behind early, Hernandez at fault on the back of a horrendous error. The keeper had time to clear the ball but his pass went straight to Jesus, who produced an exquisite lob as Hernandez was left red-faced.

As the half wore on, Venezuela found their feet and managed to get in behind Brazil on more than one occasion but the hosts were fortunate not to fall further behind in the 33rd minute, Paulinho breaking free but his low shot flashing just wide of the post.

Salomon Rondon, Martinez and Co. continued to be a handful for Brazil's defence without making it pay on the scoreboard as Willian gave Tite's men a two-goal cushion eight minutes into the second half, latching onto Renato Augusto's cross at the back post.

Brazil found the back of the net again five minutes later but Jesus was adjudged to be offside, while Rondon's goal-bound volley was blocked for a corner as Venezuela attempted to get back into the contest.

After the blackout, Rondon again came close to reducing the deficit but Alisson was up to the task to preserve Tite's perfect start with four wins from as many qualifiers.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez equals World Cup qualifying record

Luis Suarez may have spent some time in the international wilderness in recent years, but it's fair to say the Barcelona man is back in the groove for Uruguay.

The former Liverpool striker netted his side's second goal in their 2-2 draw with Colombia on Tuesday and in turn equalled a South American goalscoring record.
Suarez's strike was his 19th in World Cup qualifiers, which moves him level with the continent's record holder Hernan Crespo.

And though the forward's goal was not enough to secure victory, Uruguay remain top of the CONMEBOL standings on the road to Russia 2018.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero on Guardiola's internet ban: 'I thought they were joking'

Sergio Aguero struggled to get to grips with Pep Guardiola's decision to turn the internet off in the Manchester City dressing room.

Aguero's Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta revealed last week that Guardiola has disabled the wifi connection at City's training ground.

It is one of several changes Guardiola has made during his short time at the club so far, having also banned a number of food stuffs and instructed the club's young players to train separately from the first team, which had not been the case at City in recent years.

Aguero, however, seemed put out when he realised there was no internet access in the players' various underground training facilities, where there is a weak mobile data signal.“Yes, it’s true. He cut the internet," the striker told ESPN. "I didn’t know anything about it. ‘What happened? We don’t have the internet here,’ I said. In the dressing room, where everything is all closed off, there is no signal. Therefore you can only use the wifi. ‘Is the wifi broken? What happened?’.

"In this place [below ground], I was preparing the orange juice, and they were asking if the internet was working. ‘I think it’s broken,’ I said. I thought they were messing with me, but it was right. He had cut the internet.

"In the changing room, massage room and pool we don’t have the internet. Upstairs there is a little bit of 3G."

Aguero believes Guardiola banned the internet after an unnamed City player was caught using his phone when he shouldn't have been. "It seems that one time, he entered the massage rooms and saw one of my team-mates, I don’t know who it was, relaxing with his phone and, I don’t know, maybe he did not like it. From then, he cut the internet."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba wants more attacking role at Manchester United

Paul Pogba has admitted he wants to play further forward for Manchester United, as a deeper role is "costing" him.

The Frenchman returned to Old Trafford for a world-record fee in August, but has so far shown only glimpses of his undoubted talent.

While United boss Jose Mourinho has had Pogba playing in a number of different positions, the 23-year-old is hoping to get a chance in an attacking midfield role having impressed on international duty with France."I try to adapt," he was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "I am a player who would rather go forward.

"The coach gave me instructions, I try to follow them. I have to retrieve balls and make defensive efforts.

"It cost me a bit to play differently, much like [Andrea] Pirlo. I have to play, be there to recover and play more for the team."Pogba has scored one goal in six Premier League appearances so far this season as United sit sixth in the table.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan move for Fabregas ruled out by Montella

AC Milan manager Vincenzo Montella has ruled out a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas after the 29-year-old was linked with a move to San Siro.

Fabregas has struggled for game time under Antonio Conte and has made just four Premier League appearances so far this season.

Milan, meanwhile, are in the hunt for midfield reinforcements after Riccardo Montolivo suffered a knee ligament injury during Italy’s draw with Spain, sidelining him for six months.But Montella says he will not be making a move for Fabregas as he is not the type of player the club needs.

"We're looking for a player who has the characteristics that Montolivo has, who can also operate in a defensive-midfield two," Montella told Il Corriere della Sera."Fabregas? He doesn't have those characteristics.”Montella also admits that replacing his captain will be tough due to the influence he has both on and off the pitch.

“I think he is almost irreplaceable, he guarantees two things. He carries weight in the team and also in the dressing room,” he said.“It will be an even greater loss than you might think. Being the captain, he is one of the players who represents the team the most.

“He has been present in the last few years when results were below expectations and he has been the most targeted in terms of criticism."Playing for Milan also involves standing up when everything else is slipping around you."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery: I sometimes lose my calm but I'm not a dirty player

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has defended himself against accusations that he is a dirty player and is adamant he only reacts on the pitch when he believes an opponent is trying to injure him.

The Frenchman has made the headlines for the wrong reasons on more than one occasion this term, getting involved in incidents with Felipe Melo, Felix Passlack and Nicolai Muller.

But Ribery has stressed he never has bad intentions on the pitch."I am well aware of it myself that I have to be careful. But I want to make it clear that I am not a dirty player," the 33-year-old told Sport Bild.

"I sometimes lose my calm for a moment, but only when I notice that an opponent is deliberately trying to injure me. I don't have any problem with tackles or duels, but I react when I notice that someone is only trying to kick me out of the game."But I never have the intention to hurt anyone. Everything is forgotten again a minute later."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid: Catalans beat Blancos in economic Clasico

Barcelona have landed the first blow in the build-up to the Clasico. The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Catalan club declared revenues of of €679 million for the 2015-16 season, an increase of 7.2 per cent on the €633m estimate from the previous year, as they completed a Liga and Copa del Rey double last term.

Madrid's estimated income was €581m, but Los Blancos ultimately took home €620m - an increase of 6.7% - after winning the Champions League.The projected income for both teams in 2016-17 is along the same lines, with Barca expected to amass a total of €695m and Madrid around €620m.

If the figures are confirmed by Deloitte, it will be the first time the Catalan club have beaten their rivals in terms of income over a full season, with Los Blancos topping the multinational firm's famous rich list for the past 11 years.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd can still win the Premier League this season - Cantona

Manchester United can still win the Premier League title this season, according to club legend Eric Cantona.

New manager Jose Mourinho has had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, losing two of his opening seven league games in charge with United currently five points behind leaders Manchester City.

However Cantona, who won four titles with United prior to retiring in 1997, has faith in his old club going all the way and landing their 21st league crown under Mourinho this term.

“It’s just the beginning. Manchester can still be champions. Jose Mourinho is a successful manager at a successful club which this year has successful players,” he told Portuguese newspaper Publico .

“But this is an extremely difficult championship, full of great teams and great managers like Pep Guardiola (Manchester City boss),” he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Xhaka: Premier League harder than Bundesliga

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka feels the Premier League is much more physical than the Bundesliga, though he thinks the two leagues are on par technically and tactically.

The Switzerland international left Borussia Monchengladbach for Arsenal ahead of the 2016-17 campaign and he has no regrets over his decision to leave the German top flight."Physically the English league is much harder than the Bundesliga," Xhaka told Arsenal Player.

"The tempo is higher and there's lots of pressure, especially here at Arsenal, where there's a lot more expectation than at Monchengladbach."But technically and tactically, I think the Bundesliga is on the same level as the Premier League.

"I've watched a lot of Premier League in years gone by and you can see here that the people live for football. The atmosphere in the stadiums is unbelievable and it's really fun to play here."The pitches are cut really well and I'm pleased that I've taken this step."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: You can't win anything with kids!

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has highlighted the importance of experience and feels the core of a successful team has to be between the age of 23 and 30.

Wenger has regularly been criticised for his tendency to rely on promising youngsters rather than seasoned stars, but he has now acknowledged a young team is unlikely to win any major trophies.

"To be a real football player, you need to be 23 years old because before you have learned your job, you can have a great game and after, sometimes an average game," Wenger told the club's official website.

"You can have one or two exceptional talents, like at the moment we have Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi, but the core of the team has to be from 23 to 30.

"If you look at the national teams, you never win a tournament with a young team, because it's more mental at some stage to win something big."You need to have a certain level of experience."Arsenal face Swansea in the Premier League at the Emirates on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Henderson hails 'brilliant' Southgate

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has praised the "brilliant" Gareth Southgate after the interim manager's first two games in charge.

Henderson captained England as Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench for the 0-0 draw against Slovenia in World Cup qualifying, days after a win over Malta.

And the Liverpool skipper has now lauded Southgate, who took over from the disgraced Sam Allardyce late last month, for his early impact at the helm."The manager has been brilliant. The players have got on really well with him this week," Henderson said.

"We need to put in the performances, not just for ourselves, but the fans and him and the coaching staff as well to make sure we keep working together for a long time."

England are top of Group F in qualifying after taking seven points from their opening three games, and Henderson believes Southgate has managed the squad well in his short period in charge.

"He's spoken to the players as a group and individually as well and I think that has helped," he added.Pogba tells Mourinho: Let me attack"We've worked well together as a group.

"He gives responsibility to players and he listens. It's been a good week. It would have been better with two wins, but we've got to take the positives: beating Malta and getting a good point from this game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool win could spark United title charge - Nani

Former Manchester United winger Nani says a clash with fierce rivals Liverpool can propel Jose Mourinho's side into the Premier League title race.

Jurgen Klopp's high-octane side are one of the league's form teams on the back of four consecutive top-flight wins and will welcome United to Anfield on Monday looking to open up a six-point advantage over their rivals.

Nani - now at Valencia - enjoyed six wins over Liverpool in 11 contests as a United player, scoring once, spectacularly, in a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in March 2008.

And the Euro 2016 winner has now revealed the famous fixture's heightened sense of importance often gave Sir Alex Ferguson's United an extra boost in their title charges.

"When you play that kind of game it gives you great motivation," the Portugal winger told Omnisport. "It pushes you in the league, it makes you stronger.

"Ferguson used to say that this is not just a game, it's a challenge. "Everyone must win their battle against their opponent. We're not just playing, we're going out there to win. "Win every ball, tackle, race, everything. Football comes last. We didn't always play beautiful but plays hard."

United boss Mourinho has overseen just one win in four Premier League games as what looked like an early title tilt has faded. The Portuguese has three Premier League titles to his name, a tally bettered only by United legend Ferguson, who Nani ranks as the English game's most fearsome tactician.

He added: "100 per cent [Ferguson] is the greatest manager in Premier League.
"The way he works, the way he was with us. Not just because he wins all the trophies, the way he prepares, approaches each day and each game. "He had the motivation and was strong when he needed to be. He could do the human side.

"I'm very happy to be part of his story, and happy he's part of mine. I will remember him always."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Ramsey & Giroud out for several more weeks

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey will be out for several more weeks as Arsenal will give them time to build up fitness.Giroud has been struggling with a toe injury in recent weeks, while Ramsey has been out of action since picking up an injury in the Gunners' opening game of the season.

And Wenger has confirmed the pair will not be back in contention for some time."Giroud will not be available. Ramsey will not be available," the manager said ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Swansea.

“I’m disappointed because Ramsey has worked very hard and he had a few little setbacks that forced us to be cautious with him.“He’s on the last stage, he’s building up his fitness. Next week will come too early for him.

“We have decided that we will give him a complete pre-season now, even if he misses more games. Giroud will be the same. We have to build his fitness up again.”Arsenal lost at home to Swansea last season as they stumbled in their fight for the Premier League title and Wenger hopes to avoid the same mistakes.

“Last year we had a very negative experience with Swansea that killed our chance to win the championship.“We have to re-focus because all the players have been away. We have to show we can deal with being favourites, we didn’t always do it last season.”

Former USA coach Bob Bradley has been appointed Swansea manager and Wenger believes he will be fine in his first voyage in the Premier League.“Bradley has a big experience, he is not a beginner. He has travelled a lot," he added.

“This is certainly for him a fantastic opportunity for him and the Premier League.
“He is equipped to deal with what is requested of him.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: I could manage somewhere else

Arsene Wenger says a self-analysis of his time at Arsenal could be decisive in whether he extends his contract and he has refused to rule out taking up another managing role if he leaves the Emirates.

Wenger recently celebrated 20 years at Arsenal but uncertainty still surrounds his future plans with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

The Frenchman has won three Premier League titles and six FA Cups during his time in London but has come under fire from supporters over a perceived lack of ambition in recent seasons.

The question of whether he stays or goes will likely dominate the agenda over the next few months but Wenger himself has hinted it could be him who has the final say.He told BeIN Sports: "I am moving the club forward and the way it is managed forward, I am quite confident on that.

"What will decide for me whether I want to continue or not is whether I feel people still want me to be there, my club still wants me to be there and my conscience that I've done well, or not well.

"That will be a decisive factor - have I done well? Have we achieved what I want to achieve with the team?"About me purely as a manger... I like to do what I do. Will I do something else one day? I don't know. "I am not at the end of my knowledge or my desire to do more and become better.

The only thing that drives me is I want tomorrow to be a better manager than today. As long as I have that, I don't want to stop my career."Even if I feel I don't do well I will manage somewhere else maybe. "The disadvantage of when you get old is people always ask you, 'When do you stop?' I don't know, I just try to do well and enjoy what I do."

Should he leave, Wenger would offer an opinion on his successor, but only if asked to do so.He added: "I think it's very important at a club that everyone does what they are paid for.

"My job is to be the manager of the club and to produce and be responsible for the style of play and the technical policy of the club.

"The board's responsibility is to choose the next manager so that's not my job. "If they ask my opinion, I will give it in an honest way but it won't be on me to choose the next manager."Asked if he would seek his opinion if he were on the Arsenal board, he said: "I am not in their position, I am in my position.

"I think the love story with the club is linked to the fact the board has always shown faith in me and I am very grateful for that."No matter what happens I will have to make my decision, the board will make theirs and I will respect that.

"Even if I wish to stay on, I respect always the decision of the board."Wenger refused to divulge if there was a new contract waiting for him to sign, stating: "I do not want to talk about that and we have not spoken about that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi NOT better than Ronaldo, says Maradona

Football icon Diego Maradona says there is nothing to choose from between Real Madrid and Barcelona rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The stellar pair's ongoing rivalry has dominated the footballing landscape this decade, perhaps taking the baton from Maradona's own dispute with Brazilian great Pele over which of them is the sport's greatest player.

Having emerged from the cursed shadow of a 'next Maradona' to establish his own legend, Messi has won eight Liga titles and four Champions Leagues in a glittering 12 years as a senior Barcelona player.

Ronaldo, a four-time league champion in England and Spain as well as three-time Champions League winner, seized a crucial advantage over Messi in the race to be this era's greatest this year as he captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.

Messi has lost all four of his major finals with Argentina and reversed a retirement after going down to Chile in this year's Copa America finale, but Maradona maintains the Barca star remains at Ronaldo's side.

"These two are superior to the rest. Messi isn't better than Cristiano Ronaldo and vice versa," Maradona told Marca. "Ronaldo always shows great passion and, honestly, it bores me to repeat that Messi doesn't have to win a World Cup to be a phenomenon. Enough of that!

"If you don't have personality, and don't sing the national anthem, then you should be left alone. "The kid had every right to retire from the national side in the summer, and then he returns and still gets criticised!"

International success makes Ronaldo favourite for this year's Ballon d'Or, a fourth win would take him one behind Messi's record tally of five.However, Maradona said of the award: "For me, the Ballon d'Or is not accurate."For example in 2014 Manuel Neuer was a finalist with Messi and Ronaldo. The German should have won, he'd just lifted the World Cup!"

Messi's club-mate Neymar has emerged as a potential pretender to the Argentine and Ronaldo's throne and Maradona admitted he revels in watching the Brazilian play.

"Ronaldo and Messi are no longer in a two-horse race, there are three running to win," he said. "I knew that Brazil wasn't going to stand by after Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaka, then Neymar emerged and entertains everyone."I love watching him play, you can kick him 200 times and he'll still run at the defence again and again."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea agree £60m-a-year Nike deal

Chelsea have announced a new £60 million-a-year sponsorship deal with Nike, the "largest commercial deal in the club’s history", after severing ties with Adidas six years early.

The new deal is worth double the current agreement with Adidas, after confirmation of the early termination came last week, and will cover kits for the first team, ladies team and youth outfits.

Roman Abramovich's close confidant and Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia was involved in setting up the new arrangement and gave a rare statement upon announcing the agreement.

"This is an incredibly exciting and important deal for the club," Granovskaia said. "Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what is sure to be a successful partnership.""We believe Nike will be able to support our growth into new markets as well as helping us maintain our place among the world’s elite football clubs."

Nike will join Yokohama and Carabao as brands on the Blues' famous shirt and the club could stand to make a combined £110m per year from their shirt deals alone, with only Manchester United boasting a more lucrative shirt sponsor.

Manchester City are the only Premier League club currently associated with the sportswear giant as they aim to claw back some of the market share from their rivals Adidas, and Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike Brand, welcomed the latest announcement.

"Chelsea is a world-class club with a rich tradition and passionate fans across the globe" added Edwards. "The partnership with Chelsea reinforces our leadership position in football. We are excited to help grow the club’s global reach, serving players and supporters with Nike innovation and design."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kroos never considered Real Madrid exit

Toni Kroos is adamant he "never looked at alternatives" after signing a new six-year deal at Real Madrid.The Germany international penned the long-term contract on Wednesday, committing to the European champions until June 2022.

Kroos was linked with a move to Manchester City and Manchester United in the most recent transfer window but the former Bayern Munich midfielder insists his intention was always to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He told a news conference: "At times, things are published and we can't say what the truth is. There were rumours but I always knew I was very happy here."I've had two marvellous years here and it never crossed my mind to leave. I am pleased they wanted me to stay, I never looked at alternatives. Real Madrid was always my first choice.

"It's a long contract with a view to the future - medium and long-term. We were both looking at the possibility of staying here for longer so we sat down and reached this agreement."

The new deal, which extends his previous contract by two years, is reported in Spain to be worth €20million per season before tax, making him the highest-paid German footballer in history.Kroos has made 108 appearances since moving to the club from Bayern in 2014 for a reported fee of close to €30m.

The 26-year-old has won the Champions League, the Club World Cup and two UEFA Super Cups in his time in the Spanish capital but LaLiga has eluded him.
Kroos says domestic dominance is now his primary objective.

"I am still missing the league title," he added. "Hopefully it's something I can win.
"We are expected to win every single competition but we have enough talent to win the league title."It's demanding, you have to be consistent, [which is] perhaps something we've missed. But this year I am sure we can put in a good challenge."

Kroos even suggested he could retire at Madrid after admitting he had no desire in matching Cristiano Ronaldo's stated ambition to keep playing until he is 40 years of age."Those who know me know that I put a lot of thinking behind things and it wasn't on the spur of the moment," he said.

"It was something I was sure about, we didn't just choose six years, it's six years because I wanted it and the club wanted it."I don't see myself playing at 36. This contract ends when I am 32 and, who knows, I might even end up retiring here."