Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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The Goal 50 Superheroes

 

The winner of the Goal 50 has been announced, and our annual list's top 10 is, as ever, not short of football's biggest superheroes.

Superman Lionel Messi claimed the award for the third time, beating off competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie.

Thiago Silva and Arturo Vidal also invaded the top 10, along with four Bayern men in Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and runner-up Franck Ribery.

See the complete Goal 50 here

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Neymar the closest thing to metrosexual Beckham

 

He's a style icon as well as a football hero but Neymar insists that he is no "metrosexual".

"That was more something for David Beckham, who was more stylish," claims the Brazilian forward but doth the lady not protest too much? "Yes, it is true that I like to go out and buy new clothes, nice perfumes and hair products," he admits. "I also shave my legs, for example."

Neymar's new colleagues at Barcelona could be in for a surprise at just how much care their latest recruit takes over his appearance... 

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Life's a beach: Madrid cruise in Bournemouth sunshine

 

Real Madrid began their pre-season in convincing fashion on Sunday, roundly beating Championship side Bournemouth 6-0 down on the south coast in front of a packed Dean Court.

With it also marking the beginning of Carlo Ancelotti's reign as boss, the Liga side ensured their marquee names were on show and none other than Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a double in the romp.

Bournemouth erected a temporary stand just for the occasion, allowing as many as 12,000 people to lap up the atmosphere and bask in the aura of the galacticos.  

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Goal 50: Class of 2012-13

 

The countdown to the Goal 50 has begun and the debate is raging over which star performers from the season should be included in this year's list of football's most talented

School is out for much of the football world but the class of 2012-13 can still look forward to the annual prize-giving ceremony that is the Goal 50.

Our brilliant artist Omar Momani has drawn up his vision of the high achievers in contention for the list - which will be announced on July 29.

Bayern Munich trio Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller are sitting in the front row accompanied by Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Behind are La Liga legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo next to Robert Lewandowski, scorer of four goals for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in last season's Champions League semi-final.

The Premier League may be flagging behind Germany and Spain, but Gareth Bale has stood out. The Tottenham totem sits with enigmatic Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli, who has lit up Serie A since joining AC Milan in January.

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Isco in the doghouse over pet Messi

 

Real Madrid officially announced the arrival of Isco on Wednesday but the 21-year-old may get a few scornful glances from his new team-mates if he ever brings his dog to training.

It had been revealed that the midfielder's dog is named after Lionel Messi and the Spain Under-21 star insists it will remain that way - despite signing for Real Madrid.

"I also had another dog called Figo. It's just an anecdote," Isco said.

"I'm not going to change my dog's name from Messi now because if I did, he would ignore me." 

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Gotze considers Messi an idol

 

Amid reports suggesting Pep Guardiola will deploy Mario Gotze as a 'false No.9' at Bayern Munich, the Germany international says he keen to aspire towards the playing heights of Barcelona's maestro.

"Lionel Messi is a role model for everyone, including me," Gotze said.

"I don't see the transfer amount as extra pressure. It's something to be proud of having just turned 21.

"Looking back, it wasn't easy when the news broke that I was leaving Dortmund, but that's behind me now. The important thing is to develop myself and I wanted to do that at Bayern." 

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Neymar & Messi under the microscope at Barcelona

 

Neymar’s big-money move from Santos to Barcelona will place the Brazilian under huge scrutiny according to Michael Laudrup.

The Swansea boss has explained that while Neymar has been a "great player" back home in South America, he faces an entirely different challenge in La Liga

The Brazilian has been branded as too small and thin to succeed by many, and while Laudrup says he does not want to compare Neymar with Messi, the Argentine superstar has proved that size simply does not matter. 

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Ronaldo calls in Bale reinforcements as Neymar joins forces with Messi

 

Barcelona struck fear into the hearts of Real Madrid as they stole a march on their Liga rivals by beating them to the signature of Santos starlet Neymar.

The Brazil international had been a long-term target for both clubs, with two teams having had bids accepted by his native side, but Barca won the day and secured the much-vaunted forward.

With Neymar set to link up with Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, it may be time for Cristiano Ronaldo to call for backup as talk of a move by Los Blancos for Tottenham star Gareth Bale rumbles on... 

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Pep & Gotze prepare to tag in to Munich Mania as Barca are rumbled

 

Bayern Munich showed their muscle in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the 4-0 hammering of Barcelona putting them on the brink of reaching next month's Wembley final.

Two goals from Thomas Muller and one each for Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben secured a resounding first-leg triumph at the Allianz Arena to send the Munich crowd into absolute rapture.

On course for the treble this season and with Pep Guardiola and Mario Gotze set to jet in to join the Bavarians in 2013-14 - it's a pretty darn good time to be a Bayern fan, that's for sure. 

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Neymar Barca link has La Liga quaking in their boots

 

Despite having Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa on their books, Barcelona are still keen to bring in Neymar with the Brazilian due to arrive in Spain in July for transfer talks.

Both Dani Alves and Adriano have urged their compatriot to join them at Camp Nou although Manchester City also remain hopeful of capturing the Brazilan's signature.

Indeed should he opt to join Barca his arrival is sure to make waves in La Liga as he goes head to head with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao. 

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German giants ready to trip up Clasico duo

 

Both the Spanish and the German sides have been kept apart in the Champions League semi-final as Bayern Munich have been paired with Barcelona, while Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund.

Many have predicted a Clasico final, although the form of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Europe this season could result in a upset for those hoping for an all-Spanish affair at Wembley in May.

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Messi comes to Barcelona’s emergency service

 

Things were not looking good for Barcelona at one stage on Wednesday evening. Paris Saint-Germain were holding their own after going a goal ahead through Javier Pastore and Tito Vilanova's side were struggling to trouble their opponents in attack.

But that all changed from the 62nd minute as Cesc Fabregas made way for Lionel Messi, who was named as a substitute after failing to fully recover from a hamstring injury.

Despite the setback, the Argentine mustered enough of his brilliance to inspire Barcelona towards the Champions League semi-finals. 

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Barcelona stars return to scene of Spain triumph

 

The Champions League is back on Tuesday as Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain with a number of the Catalan giants' making a swift return to France.

No fewer than eight Barcelona stars were involved as Spain defeated France 1-0 in World Cup qualifying just seven days ago, with Pedro scoring the crucial winning goal.

Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Co. firmly planted their flag at the Stade de France a week ago, but can they do the same again in Paris against a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led PSG side? 

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Football is back!

 

The international break. It was good while it lasted, but we're all jumping for joy its over. Why? Because it means the real action is back and we're now at the business end of the season.

In the Premier Leaugue, Manchester United look to continue their march to the Premier League title against Sunderland, while Chelsea take on Southampton in the first of four games in a week for Rafa Benitez's men.

Across the continent, Bayern Munich can wrap up the Bundesliga title with seven games to go should results go their way, while Tito Vilanova returns to Barcelona, Real Madrid face Zaragoza and Inter take on Juventus in stellar clash in Serie A.

Football is back alright, and with a BANG! 

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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 

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Champions League elite prepare for quarter-final battle

 

Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw served up four intriguing clashes as Europe's elite continue their hunt for a place at Wembley in May.

Barcelona have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain, which will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic face his former club, although the Swede is suspended for the first leg.

Last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich face a tricky tie against Serie A champions and current leaders Juventus.

Jose Mourinho will be reunited with two of his former players in Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder as Real Madrid take on Galatasaray.

While in the final tie of the round, Malaga will be in action against German champions Borussia Dortmund. 

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Messi leads Barca's Great Escape against Milan

 

There was only ever likely to be one man who would inspire Barcelona's revival against AC Milan on Tuesday evening and Lionel Messi didn't disappoint.

The Argentine ace's superb double ensured Tito Vilanova's side went into the break with a clean slate following the Spanish side's first-leg defeat in Italy, while second-half goals from David Villa and Jordi Alba ensured Barcelona were in draw for the Champions League quarter-finals. 

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Barcelona turn to Messi to drag them out of a Champions League hole

 

Barcelona will require a stellar performance on Tuesday evening as they head into their Champions League clash with AC Milan on the back foot after a humbling at San Siro.

Lionel Messi endured a frustrating evening in the first leg against Massimiliano Allegri's side as Barcelona slipped to a 2-0 defeat following goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari.

Will the Argentine maestro be able to shine at Camp Nou and inspire his side to the Champions League quarter-finals? 

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Beckham top of the pile in Goal Rich List

 

The Goal Rich List for 2013 has been published, with few surprises regarding who sits at the top of the pile.

David Beckham tops the list with a staggering net worth of £175 million, beating off competition from Lionel Messi [£115.5m] and Cristiano Ronaldo [£112m].

No wonder the midfielder can afford to give up his Paris Saint-Germain salary to charity, and waive image rights and all other club income for the entirety of his five-month stay with the club. 

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