..::Football IV::..

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Messi 'doesn't look after himself' - Argentina official

Lionel Messi does not look after himself properly because he always wants to play, according to Jorge Miadosqui, the Argentina team secretary.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined since September 21 after sustaining a groin strain during Barcelona's 1-1 La Liga draw with Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou, meaning he will sit out the World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay this month.

The forward's latest muscle injury prompted Argentina head coach Edgardo Bauza to call for both club and country to work closer together to ensure that Messi can maintain full fitness.

But Miadosqui, who was appointed by the Argentine Football Assocation (AFA) in August, believes Messi does not help himself with his determination not to be rested for certain matches.

"The one who isn't being careful is the player, who always wants to play," he told ESPN Radio. "We all have to look after him together.

"I think that the national team looks after players in the best way. We sent the doctor for Augusto Fernandez's operation, and he went to look at Messi. We have to look after all the national team's players."

Miadosqui expects Messi to be available for the key qualifying matches against Brazil and Colombia next month, but he is confident that Bauza's side can cope without the captain against Peru and Paraguay.

"He'll be back in the next few weeks, we hope to have him for the matches in November," he said."We have to thank the players who come because they do it for the shirt, for the glory.

"You have to think that they can get good results without him. We have great players to do just that and you have to be relaxed about it."Argentina are third in the South American qualifying section after eight matches, a point behind leaders Uruguay.

 

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Rooney: I know why Mourinho dropped me from Man Utd XI

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has no complaints over losing his starting spot, and he is eager to take his chance when he gets it.Although he started in the EFL Cup, Rooney was dropped in the wake of United's 3-1 loss at Watford last month.

The England international understood manager Jose Mourinho's decision after his display at Vicarage Road."Listen, I had a bad game at Watford. I played bad, I know that and I understand that," Rooney said, via The Independent.

"I think if he was picking the next team on the back of that, I understand not playing. The team have done well, certainly in the Leicester game since that."I understand I have to work hard and try and get back and try and get my chance and take it."

Mourinho had suggested Rooney returned from the previous international break a different player, with United losing three straight matches.

With the 30-year-old benched, Mourinho's men have claimed wins over Leicester City and Zorya, while being held by Stoke City."The team came back different, but I'll take a lot of that," Rooney said.

"Of course, I've done that throughout my career, but we have to work as a team in terms of trying to win and, if I'm on the bench, so be it."I'll fight. I won't not fight for my place, I'll fight to try and get back in."

 

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Dybala dismisses Barcelona talk as he nears Juventus renewal

Juventus attacker Paulo Dybala has made it clear he is not interested in joining Barcelona, revealing he is on the verge of signing a contract renewal with his current club.

The Argentine hit 23 goals in all competitions last season to finish as Juve's top scorer and his good performances saw him linked with a move to Camp Nou.

However, while Dybala confesses it is a dream to play alongside compatriot Lionel Messi, he does not plan on joining the Barca star at Camp Nou any time soon."I am close to renewing with Juventus," the 22-year-old told reporters.

"What the press say about Barcelona does not make any sense, especially because the window is closed."To play with Messi is a dream, which I can achieve [with Argentina]."

Dybala, whose existing deal with Juventus runs until 2020, then went on to praise club and international team-mate Gonzalo Higuain."My role [for Argentina] and for Juve is pretty much the same," he added."With Higuain, everything is easier. He distracts so many opponents and creates room for me."

 

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Di Maria reveals retirement thoughts

Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria revealed he was close to announcing his international retirement after the Copa America Centenario final loss.

Lionel Messi quit internationals, a decision he has since reversed, in the wake of the penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in June.Reports suggested numerous players, including Di Maria, were considering doing likewise.

The Paris Saint-Germain star said he was close to international retirement after a third straight final defeat, following on from the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America."When Messi retired, I thought about doing the same," Di Maria told TyC Sports.

"You can lose a final, but three in a row, that's something different. I thought about leaving the national team, but my wife and my father stopped me."However, Di Maria, 28, warned he would call it quits if Argentina tasted defeat in another final.

"I almost started therapy, but in the end I decided it was something I had to figure out by myself," he said."If I lose another final, that's it."Argentina sit third in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying ahead of matches against Peru and Paraguay.

 

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'Unthinkable' - Morata breaks Juventus hearts by ruling out return

Alvaro Morata remains fond of Juventus but insists a return to the Serie A champions in January is "impossible".

Real Madrid exercised a buyback option on the Spain forward during the close-season, ending a successful two-year spell in Turin.Morata has scored twice in 10 appearances for Zinedine Zidane's side so far this season, but has started only half of those matches.

The 23-year-old will be back at Juventus Stadium on Thursday for a World Cup qualifier, with Spain seeking revenge for Italy's win over them at the last-16 stage of Euro 2016, although a more permanent relocation is not on the cards.

"Me going back to Juventus in January? It's the first time I've heard something like that," he told Gazetta dello Sport."It's unthinkable. I'm at Madrid. That said, it is clear that I hope Juve always wins and always will do. But I do not think I can return.

"It is a great feeling to be back – I really want to play in Turin and if I have a spare minute to spend it in the city."It is my second home, I found love there and Italy is always in my thoughts. At home with my girlfriend we speak Italian."

Morata was also linked with a move to Napoli, whose star striker Gonzalo Higuain completed a big money switch to Juventus before the start of the season, and he understands his representatives have been contacted by the club.

Nevertheless, his affection for Juventus meant he dismissed the notion out of hand."My father and agent Juanma Lopez told me that they had been contacted by Napoli," he added."'Forget it,' I replied immediately. I told them that for how I was treated at Juventus, as I had been happy there, I would never have gone to Napoli."

 

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Isco open to Real Madrid exit amid Man Utd rumours

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has acknowledged he might have to leave at the end of the season if he does not get more playing time, putting the likes of Manchester United on red alert.

The 24-year-old has made over 150 appearances in all competitions for Madrid since joining the club from Malaga in 2013, but has never been an undisputed starter in Spain's capital.

Isco has also been in and out of the team this season and although he has no intention of leaving halfway through the campaign, he could say farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu come June 2017."Leaving in January is not an option that I am contemplating. I am not going to give up so easily," the Spain international told Cope.

"But if at the end of the season I see that I have not played much, I will look at my options. I am 24 and if I do not find a place in the starting XI here, I would like to move on."I know that I can do well and if not here, then I would like to be able to do it elsewhere.

"I am happy in Madrid, but what footballers want is to progress and if I cannot do that here, I would not have a problem in looking for an exit."Isco has a contract with Madrid until June 2018 and has been linked to Old Trafford in recent weeks.

 

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Low rules out taking Bundesliga post

Germany's World Cup-winning coach Joachim Low has no desire to coach in the Bundesliga after he steps down from the national team.

Low is into his second decade at the helm having taken the reins from Jurgen Klinsmann following Germany's semi-final exit at their home World Cup in 2006.

The 56-year-old's contract runs until the 2018 World Cup and the German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel spoke favourably over a possible extension last month.Whenever he does move on, former Stuttgart boss Low does not think the cut-and-thrust uncertainty of domestic coaching is for him.

When asked by the Funke Mediengruppe if he would be unwilling to take on another Bundesliga club, he said: "That's right."I understand that a change of coach can sometimes be appropriate."But the decisive factor is that this is always passed off as fair and correct. Sadly, I do not always have this feeling."

Low is flattered by the DFB's openness to a contract renewal but he is keen to focus on qualification for Russia 2018, with Germany facing matches against Czech Republic and Northern Ireland over the coming week."The [DFB's] trust honours me, but currently there is no need for [a contract extension]," he added.

"Now I am looking first of all for the 2018 World Cup in Russia."I have a high basic motivation in me. For me, 2014 [acts] as an incentive. I want to defend this title."

 

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Brazil are on the up - Filipe Luis

Filipe Luis believes Brazil are rediscovering the confidence and swagger that can take them back to the top of the world game.

The five-time World Cup-winners have endured a fallow period at senior level since winning their last Copa America title in 2007 and parted company with head coach Dunga after a group-stage exit in the centenary edition of the latter tournament earlier this year.

But they claimed back-to-back wins over Ecuador and Colombia under new boss Tite last month to move up to second in the CONCACAF World Cup qualification standings for Russia 2018.

Brazil's Under-23 side – captained by Barcelona superstar Neymar – won a memorable Olympic gold at the Rio Games and, with qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela coming up over the next week, Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis reports a growing optimism around the Selecao."The Brazil national squad is conquering again this feeling of being used to winning," he told a news conference.

"This feeling that we are a great team, other squads respect us, and that's something we are achieving again through our victories and being humble. Knowing that everybody has to work, to defend and things will unfold.

"The work that's been done is really great, we could already see important tactical changes and I think we still have to improve a lot, we'll keep growing."The first aim has to be achieved, and it is to qualify to the World Cup."

Despite the ignominy of his eventual departure, triumphant 1994 World Cup captain Dunga is still held in high regard by Filipe Luis after he brought him back into the international fold following the 2014 World Cup. "Dunga was a great manager, he gave me opportunities, I'm thankful for everything he has done," the 31-year-old added.

"Things weren't going the way we wanted and I'm sure Dunga is not to blame.During the past Copa America we had lots of players injured, but sometimes --not only in the national squad but also within the clubs-- changing is positive. "We're talking about two managers [Dunga and Tite] with completely different ways of working, with the same ambition of winning."

 

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Origi vows to fight for Liverpool place

Liverpool attacker Divock Origi has made it clear he is not contemplating leaving Anfield in the January transfer window, but wants to fight for his place instead.

The Belgium international, 21, has been struggling to secure regular first-team action this campaign and has yet to start in the Premier League in 2016-17.Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about his chances of winning over Jurgen Klopp.

"I want to play more, but the team is winning and you don't change a winning team," Origi told La Derniere Heure."And we only play one game per week because we are not in Europe. But I remain confident.

"A transfer is not an option for me. I have told myself that I want to fight for my place in the team. I know that it will not be easy, but I will do everything within my powers.

"I am not asking myself too many questions, but I am just focusing on playing football. I work hard and I am convinced that will pay off. I am the type of person who gets stronger in difficult moments. I have to remain patient."

 

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Cazorla keen to sign new Arsenal contract

Santi Cazorla is keen to sign a new contract at Arsenal.

The 31-year-old is in the last season of his current deal at the Emirates Stadium and has started all but one of Arsenal's seven Premier League games so far this season, notching two goals and two assists.

The former Malaga man has been linked with a return to Spain with Atletico Madrid but Cazorla insists he is only interesting in extending his stay in north London.

"Atletico Madrid are an amazing club," Cazorla told Cadena SER. "Just have a look at their results, El Cholo [Diego Simeone] is doing great things. It is not easy to reach two Champions League finals and win the league."I am happy here. I am trusted by the manager and my team-mates."I am feeling important here, and if they'll offer me a new contract, I'll sign it because I am very happy with this great club."

 

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Gundogan unimpressed by Man Utd's 'disrespectful' treatment of Schweinsteiger

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan is unimpressed by Manchester United's "disrespectful" treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The German arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich last summer during Louis van Gaal's reign but has since been frozen out by new manager Jose Mourinho and written off as an assest in the club's accounts.

Schweinsteiger last featured for United in March but Gundogan, who joined rivals City during the summer, feels the 32-year-old still has a lot to give amid a stuttering start for Mourinho.

"I believe that Manchester United could 100 percent benefit from a fit Bastian Schweinsteiger," he told Sport Bild."If everything you hear and read is true, you can consider it disrespectful. He's not just some player, and also not only 18 or 19."United are next in action against Liverpool following the international break on October 17.

 

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No problems between Toure and Guardiola, insists agent

There are no lingering problems between Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Yaya Toure, according to the midfielder's agent, Dimitri Seluk.

Toure has started just one competitive match under the former Bayern Munich head coach, and was left out of City's squad for the Champions League group stage.

Seluk triggered something of a war of words with Guardiola when he accused the 45-year-old of "humiliating" his client, prompting the City manager to demand an apology from Toure.

But Seluk has now stressed that there is no animosity between Guardiola and the Ivorian and says he is likely to stay at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the season.

"Problems between Yaya and Pep? No, absolutely not. I can deny those claims," he told Tuttomercatoweb."Yaya will stay at Manchester City. He has a valid contract until the end of the season. After that, we'll see what the best solution is for his future."

Inter were heavily linked with a move for Toure in the previous transfer window, though a concrete proposal from Serie A failed to materialise.Seluk claims that Toure still has plenty of admirers, but says that City's asking price is the reason that a switch to San Siro fell through.

"There are many teams who would like Yaya, not only in Italy," he said.When asked why a deal with Inter could not be reached, he added: "The problem was with Manchester City, who asked for a lot of money to let him go."

 

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Vardy reveals Suarez request during pre-season

Jamie Vardy has revealed how Luis Suarez requested his shirt during a recent pre-season friendly against Barcelona.The Leicester City striker's autobiography, 'From Nowhere', is set to be released and details Vardy's rise from non-league to Premier League champion, and now he can add another honour to his growing list.

With the newly crowned champions playing Barcelona in August, Vardy expected his team-mates to clamour for momentos from the Spanish giants while he preferred to avoid the hussle of a shirt swap.

However, with just 45 minutes played, it was Luis Suarez who approached him for his own piece of memorabilia, much to the surprise of the former Fleetwood Town man."When we played Barcelona pre-season, I knew the lads would all be trying to get a shirt, so I weren’t gonna ask anyone," he told the Times magazine."Then, coming in at half-time, Luis Suarez asked if he could have mine."

 

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De Laurentiis claims Chelsea offered €58m for Koulibaly

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed Chelsea tabled an €58 million offer for Kalidou Koulibaly in the closing stages of the transfer window.

The Senegal international was heavily linked with a move away from Napoli ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, with Antonio Conte reportedly keen to lure him Stamford Bridge.Nevertheless, Napoli refused to sell Koulibaly, who eventually signed a new and improved deal - that runs until 2021 - with the Serie A side instead.

"In the last few days of the transfer market, I refused an offer worth €58million for Koulibaly," De Laurentiis told reporters."Conte will say that it is not true, but he offered 30, then 40 and then €50million.

"But I had already made the decision for myself that he would stay put for another year."We can talk again next year..."

 

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Pique: I get more praise when I don't talk so much

Gerard Pique believes he gets more praise for his form with Spain when he is less outspoken off the field.The centre-back has won the World Cup and European Championship during a seven-year career with his country, for whom he has played in 83 matches.

He has been booed by Spain fans, however, due to his public support for Catalan independence campaigners and willingness to criticise Barcelona's rivals Real Madrid.

But Pique believes his form with La Roja has been consistently good and that his performances are usually questioned when he has made a controversial statement.
"It seems like when I don't talk so much people praise my performances more," he told reporters."I've been playing very well for a number of years. I'm happy about that."

Spain face Italy in World Cup qualifying on Thursday just a little over three months on from their encounter in the second round of Euro 2016, which Italy won 2-0.
Pique is prepared for a difficult test in Turin but is taking confidence from 2-0 and 8-0 wins over Belgium and Liechtenstein respectively in Julen Lopetegui's first two matches in charge.

"We try to study our rivals so we know where to improve," he said. "It's not just tactics that have an influence; the set-up isn't so important in this type of game."I don't compare Julen to Vicente [del Bosque]. Vicente's time in charge can't ever be repeated, and now we're starting a new spell with a lot of hope and excitement.And we've started well, we beat Belgium away and got a good result against Liechtenstein."The history of Italy is incredible and it carries great weight. They get called defensive, but they're playing better football all the time. They're scoring freely right now."

 

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I hope Mourinho's United win the title, says former Chelsea star Deco

Former Chelsea star Deco says he wants to see Manchester United win the Premier League under Jose Mourinho this season.The 39-year-old spent two years at Stamford Bridge, winning the league title and two FA Cups under managers Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti.

But the former Portugal international has given his backing to Mourinho, under whom he won the Champions League with Porto in 2004, to guide United to the title this term and restore some "pride" at Old Trafford."When Jose is at a club, everyone is looking at him," he said on Wednesday. "I think he is the right man for the job.

"United need to bring back the pride of the club and bring back the victories and titles. Jose Mourinho is the man to do that."The Premier League is tough. A lot of new players need to know each other, it's complicated. They will improve and fight for the Premier League for sure.

"The expectations are so high and they invested a lot. Everyone is waiting for something good from United. From my perspective I hope Jose can win the Premier League with United like he did with Chelsea."Different players and a different club. You don't change everything, you need to adapt in a new club. This is normal."

Deco is confident that Antonio Conte, who took charge at Stamford Bridge after guiding Italy to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, can bring success back to Chelsea despite the increased competition in England's top flight.

"It's normally difficult for all the clubs when you change managers," said the former Barcelona man. "He is a very good coach, he won everything at Juventus."He will bring new ideas but I think the Premier League is more difficult than before. The level has improved a lot. It is very hard to win games. I think it is normal.

"They have got Conte to bring the club to a high level again. They will try to win the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League but of course Chelsea need to fight for the title every year."

 

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'Leave Pogba alone!' - Koscielny defends France team-mate

Laurent Koscielny believes that Paul Pogba needs time to adjust after his £89 million move to Manchester United. The France midfielder sealed his world record move from Juventus in the summer but has failed to produce the level of performances he showcased in Turin.

However, Koscielny insists it's only a matter of time before Pogba finds his feet at Old Trafford and has demanded supporters to be patient.

"Because of his transfer and his status, we demand a lot from Paul Pogba," the Arsenal defender said. "We’ve got to leave him in peace so he can progress."

 

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Rooney still has huge role to play for Man Utd and England - Shearer


Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer believes Wayne Rooney still has a huge role to play for club and country.Rooney, 30, has faced plenty of criticism following a difficult start to the season, with many unsure on where his best position is in either side.

The forward has been dropped from Manchester United's starting line-up but Shearer, who made 63 appearances for his country, has tipped Rooney to bounce back and prove his critics wrong.

"Jose [Mourinho, United manager] hasn't played him centre forward as of yet, he has played Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic], with him perhaps just in behind or on the right side of midfield," he said."He still has a massive part to play, there is no doubt about it.

"I think, by his own admission, he certainly isn't as quick as he once was but that happens to everyone, you don't need anyone to tell you that is the case."He will know that and probably gets fed up of people reminding him of that, but he still has a hell of a lot to offer."As for Rooney's England place, Shearer said: "Someone has to come and take his spot, grab his spot.

"First and foremost, he has to start and play for Manchester United or otherwise he might not get in that England team."England are preparing for interim manager Gareth Southgate's first games in charge – World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo is the problem for Real Madrid - Capello

Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello believes the club's biggest problem is Cristiano Ronaldo and a perceived lack of fitness.Zinedine Zidane's men have stuttered in LaLiga, with three consecutive draws seeing them slip to second behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo has only played four of seven league games after a delayed start to his season due to a knee injury, with just a goal and an assist to his name thus far.
And Capello feels that the Portugal captain's lack of fitness is what is costing Madrid, insisting that he is "not well physically".

"The problem for Real Madrid now is Cristiano Ronaldo," he told Onda Cero.
"Because he is not well physically and is their best player."

 

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Herrera: I thought Spain call-up was De Gea hoax!


Ander Herrera has told Goal that he originally believed his first-ever Spain call-up was an elaborate hoax by team-mate David de Gea.

The Manchester United midfielder has joined up with Julen Lopetegui’s side for the first time at senior level ahead of this week’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Albania, but he admits that he wasn’t convinced by Old Trafford colleague De Gea’s initial phone call to inform him he had been selected.

“I was in Madrid, staying at a hotel in Paseo del Prado for a couple of days with my daughter and my girlfriend to enjoy the city and climate, which we missed a little bit [in England]! David de Gea called me unexpectedly and I thought he was calling me for something else,” Herrera explains.

“He said, ‘Come over here.’ ‘Here? But where’s here?’ I replied. I didn’t realise at that moment. ‘Lopetegui told me that you will come with us,’ he said. I thought it was a joke, and even asked him if it was.

“I packed my suitcase really quickly, and then Lopetegui called me. I took a taxi to come to the Spain training centre as soon as possible as I didn’t want him to turn to another player who could come sooner than me!”

Despite Herrera never having previously received a Spain call-up, he insists he will feel at home in the squad thanks to his previous experiences with his national team-mates, including De Gea.

He continued: “Aside from meeting him at Manchester United, I was with him (De Gea) also for a long time in the Spain under-21 team and the Olympic team… we are close friends!

“He has been a bit of a guide here, but the group is very normal anyway as I know lots of players from the youth teams and the reception has been very natural. They make you feel part of the group very quickly and I am happy to be here with them.”

The 27-year-old also added that he had never given up hope that a Spain call would eventually arrive one day.

“The hope of representing your country and your national team is never lost! It is true there were moment of disappointment because I’ve been playing for a long time and I think I’ve been at a good enough level,” he said. “I know that Vicente del Bosque had me in his plans, but I never got to be on the list.

“Now I have the opportunity and I am the one who must prove I want this and I have to continue. I am very grateful to Julen Lopetegui. I know him well from the under-21, Olympic and under-20 teams, and it is a pleasure to be here to prove I can make it with Spain.”

Herrera has seen increased his playing time at club level recently following Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Old Trafford. And the former Athletic Bilbao man believes it is in the pivot role in which the Portuguese has used him that he can thrive most at national level too.“I think I have come to the national team to play in the position where I am now playing, as a central midfielder right ahead of the defensive line,” said Herrera.

“Perhaps it is a more defensive role than I have played until now, but I feel very good in that role. I think I can find some consistency there and Mourinho likes me playing there, as do I, and I think I can contribute a lot also with the national team.
“While it is true that here I will be competing with the best in the world in that position, Sergio Busquets, I have come to contribute and to help the team.”