madristar

Sneijder close to new Inter deal Wesley Sneijder expects to sign a new contract with Inter Milan this month. The Netherlands international has been in talks with the Serie A outfit since June with regards to an extension. The 26-year-old winger is set to prolong his stay by two years, until June 2015. "This is my club," Sneijder told Corriere dello Sport. "I am very happy here and in 15 days' time I will complete the deal for my renewal." According to local media reports, under the new deal, Sneijder will earn six million euros per annum. Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.

Messi: I'm back and running! Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has confirmed he has all but recovered from the ankle injury which ruled him out for ten days. The Argentinean made a comeback after coming on as a second-half substitute in his side's 1-1 draw against Rubin Kazan on Wednesday and emerged unscathed - much to the relief of coach Pep Guardiola and the fans. Messi revealed to journalists after the match, saying: "I'm extremely content with my ankle. I am happy with it. It has not bothered me and I have not noticed any pain. "We knew that Rubin would make things very difficult for us. They play well together at the back and they have also scored a penalty against us. "Perhaps we lacked some fluency in our attack in order to find holes in a defence as tight as theirs." Meanwhile, fellow striker David Villa, who scored Barcelona's equalizer from the spot, will be out of this weekend's La Liga encounter with Mallorca - paving way for Messi to return to the starting line-u

Lionel Messi: Barcelona is my home! Lionel Messi has again pledged his loyalty to Barcelona after winning the European Golden Boot award on Thursday evening. The Argentinean ace, who was bestowed with the honour after scoring 34 league goals in the 2009/10 campaign for his club, spoke of his intention to see off his career at the Nou Camp. He was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca: "This is what I always say: Barcelona is my home and I hope that I stay here for many years." The 23-year-old joined the Catalan club a decade ago and has since progressed into one of the most gifted players in his generation. His latest award adds on to the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year he collected in 2009.

"Messi good but not the greatest" AC Milan veteran Clarence Seedorf said Lionel Messi is the best player today, but not of all time. That honour should go to Pele and Maradona, according to Seedorf. The debate over who is the greatest player of all time has become a favourite topic of conversation for the football fans ever since Messi strode on to the world stage. Giving his own two cents' worth, the Dutchman told www.goldenfoot.com: "The strongest player today? Messi. Of all time? I have two names, and I think everyone agrees: Maradona and Pele." Speaking on AC Milan's Serie A title chances this season, Seedorf pointed out new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho as key players. "They are both champions and very important for us. But to reach the maximum we need time and hard work," he said. Milan are currently in fourth position - level on points Inter Milan and Napoli, and two points behind leaders Lazio.

No one can be compared to Messi" Barcelona winger Pedro Leon has joined the list of admirers who just cannot stop gushing about Lionel Messi. Messi is widely considered to the best player in the world and has enjoyed the adulation of fans, pundits and fellow players for the past two years. Now, teammate Leon has added his voice to the chorus by telling the press:"He is the best player in the world, and he has no comparison with any other player. "Lionel Messi is irreplaceable, but we have won games when he hasn't been playing. "He works hard every day and it shows on the field. He always wants to further himself and play here for a long time." Messi won the European Golden Boot on Thursday and then declared that he wanted to continue playing for Barcelona for many more years. The mercurial Argentinean started from the bench against Rubin Kazan in the midweek Champions League encounter, but couldn't help his side win the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Leon feels the result was down to the defensive tactics applied by the Russians - a ploy he feels more and more teams are adopting as they seek to disrupt Barca's slick passing and movement. "Opposing teams defend against us a lot, but we are creating chances. We had many in Kazan, and we have to improve our aim for the games to come, but we are working well. "We can improve our performance in front of goal, but we are calm about the situation," he said. Barca play Real Mallorca at home on Sunday. A win for the Catalans would see them reduce the gap between themselves and leaders Valencia to one point. Loading comments... Problems loading Disqus?

Guardiola: Xavi desperate for rest Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says midfielder Xavi needs a break from playing to be able to recapture his best form. Xavi has been withdrawn from the Spanish squad that will play two European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland over the next week or so. Guardiola revealed the 30-year-old has some injury niggles that will be cured with rest. In comments quoted by Marca, the Barca coach said:"Since the game against México, Xavi had problems and has been postponing this break for a while now. He made an effort to help us really. "But when a player like him, who never gets injured, who is always stable and can handle pain, asks you to be replaced after only 20 minutes then you realize something is wrong." "He needs time off and he needs to rest. I hope that in these ten days his pain will go away and that he will be able to regain his best shape." According to Guardiola, Spain's national team coach Vicente del Bosque spoke to the player and determined he was in no condition to turn out for club or country right now. "Del Bosque had a word with him and there is no doubt about it: Xavi could not play for Spain and neither for Barcelona," said Guardiola. Xavi will not be in the Barca team that will play Real Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday.

Xavi is Barca's most crucial player" Barcelona defender Eric Abidal says Xavi is integral to the club's fortunes and must be looked after properly. Xavi did not play in Barca's 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca and is not in the squad for Spain's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland. Club coach Pep Guardiola had revealed on Monday that the midfielder was struggling with some minor injury issues and desperately needed some time off to recapture his best form. Abidal backed his manager's words at a press conference on Monday, saying: "Xavi is our most important player. We hope that he can come back soon to help us win games. We must look after him." The Frenchman expressed concerns about Barca's defending in recent games, saying some of the goals they have been conceded should not have gone in. "The goals that we are conceding can be prevented. These must be avoided if we are to win games. Sometimes the ball does not go in despite the amount of chances you have. "We need to work and continue to win games. We are angry, but we have to keep working." Finally, Abidal played down his absence from the French squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Romania and Luxembourg. "I am not hurt to be missing, because the most important thing is the team's victory," he said. The French team is looking to rebuild under new coach Laurent Blanc after a catastrophic World Cup in South Africa.

Valdes: Guardiola is our secret weapon Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has revealed the secret to the club's success. And it is not Lionel Messi. The 28-year-old custodian was speaking in an interview with publication Sport where he discussed the current progress of his side and also the level of regard in which he holds his manager Pep Guardiola. Valdes has nothing but praise for him. He said: "Pep is the secret weapon of this group. Leaving aside the sheer quality of players, he is a very special talent, along with the rest of his coaching staff. Pep Guardiola is one of the best secrets and the most important member of the team. "The group also makes him a great coach. His philosophy and his constant attempts to put it into practice every day with great gusto and desire leads us to want to win every game and every title. His insistence allows us to always follow his virtues." Also among the discussion was recent blip in form, particularly at the Nou Camp. And the stopper gave a philosophical view of it but remain confident his team will get into full steam soon. "In football, you never know what can happen. I hope we return on all of the results of recent seasons. We have a good line of performance, and I know that the results will come. "We must be more focused in this direction, and I am convinced that we will improve. It is disappointing not to get the wins that we want, but the fans appreciate how hard we try as long as we continue with the same philosophy." Barcelona will have the opportunity to close the gap between them and leaders Valencia when they welcome them to the Nou Camp on 16 October.

Villa won't celebrate against Valencia David Villa insists he will not celebrate if he scores against Valencia later this month as a mark of respect his former club. Barca host Valencia in the first game back when La Liga resumes after the international break and it promises to be an enthralling encounter at the Nou Camp. Two-time reigning Spanish champions Barca are currently fourth in the standings while Valencia, despite seeing World Cup winners Villa, David Silva and Carlos Marchena leave this summer, are top of the pile with 16 points from a possible 18. For Spain ace Villa the match will be an emotional one as it pits him against the club where he spent the past five years before his big-money move to Barca this summer. "It's very special for me because that's the team where I've been very happy for the last five years," he said. "It brings back very good memories. I`m happy to be facing them, especially being able to see all the friends I have there and to be able to enjoy their company even if it`s just one day," said Villa, who admits Los Che have played a crucial part in his career. "My first steps were at Sporting (Gijon), then I played at Zaragoza but the club that have given me everything football-wise has been Valencia. "In those five years I`ve been able to play for the national team, play in the Champions League, I`ve been able to fight for many titles, I`ve one won and there`s no doubt that those five years have been the most important of my life. Thanks to them I`m at Barca." That does not mean Villa will not try and find the back of the net against Unai Emery`s table-toppers though, but the 28-year-old says he will keep his celebrations under wraps. "I will try to score. I`m a professional and I`m defending Barca`s colours but it`s the same as against Sporting," he added on his club`s website, www.fcbarcelona.cat. "I have a great deal of affection for Valencia and in respect to all the people there and for all those who have made me better, I will not celebrate."

Ronaldo: It's not just Real & Barca Cristiano Ronaldo believes this season`s title fight may not be limited to Real Madrid and Barcelona. This has been the case several times in recent campaigns. Last season was a prime example, with Barca and Madrid occupying the top two spots for all but the opening weekend, with Pep Guardiola`s side eventually retaining their title with 99 points - three more than Madrid and a massive 28 more than third-placed Valencia. However, Ronaldo believes it could be a different story this time around. Currently, Valencia lead the way with 16 points from six games, one more than second-placed Villarreal. Madrid are third with 14 points and Barca are fourth on 13. He was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca: "We shouldn`t worry only about Barca, because other teams are doing very well also. For example Valencia are first in the table. We need to continue working hard to continue fighting for the league. "The team (Madrid) have shown that we are getting better, we are growing and improving in many aspects. We're having a great start to the league." The world's most expensive player had got on the scoresheet just once in Madrid`s opening seven league and Champions League matches, and that goal came from the penalty spot against Espanyol. However, the £80million signing from Manchester United was twice on target against Deportivo La Coruna, netting first and last in a 6-1 win which saw Madrid finally rediscover their shooting boots after scoring only nine times in their first seven fixtures under new coach Jose Mourinho. Ronaldo said: "The goals have given me confidence, when you score and you play well the confidence grows. I`m feeling better all the time and ready to help the national side." That can only be good news for Portugal, who host Denmark in their third Euro 2012 qualifying game in Porto on Friday, having drawn 4-4 with Cyprus and lost 1-0 to Norway in their opening two matches in Group H. Ronaldo, who missed both those games due to an ankle injury, said of his country's woes: "The past is the past, now we have to think about the present. If we win the next two games we will breath a little easier. "We are in a difficult situation, but the team is very well. We`re anxious for Friday`s game to come, and to win." After facing Denmark, Portugal, under the guidance of new coach Paulo Bento, travel to Iceland next week for their fourth qualifier.

KAKA FOR GILLETTE 2009

Casillas: Real Madrid are on the up! Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes his side's 6-1 drubbing of Deportivo is a clear sign of things to come. The Los Blancos have come under criticism for their indifferent start to the season following uncharacteristic draws against Mallorca and Levante in the La Liga. But speaking to the club's official website, the Spanish custodian is adamant the critics are running scared after witnessing his side's latest goal glut. "We played very well against Deportivo, we won and our style was convincing. The fans are also happy, and that is the most important thing for us. "We have always had faith in our style. People dubbed us ineffective despite the many chances we created against Mallorca, Ajax and Osasuna. But against Deportivo people could see that we scored three goals from our first four chances. Casillas also spoke about the squad rotation implemented by coach Jose Mourinho which he believes helps more players to contribute to the team's success. "There have been many changes to our line-up, but we have all contributed to the team's success. "Our average age is very young and that is something that is very noticeable at Real Madrid. Demands are very high here and they help you to fight right until the end of the season." Madrid will have the chance to put pressure on the league leaders when they take on Malaga next weekend.

Milan to oust Ronaldinho for Kaka Ronaldinho's failed contract extension at Milan could pave way for a return of Kaka to the San Siro, according to Italian reports. The 30-year-old has been awaiting the Italian club to place on the table a new contract but the constant reluctance to stick to his €8 million per annum salary package means an exit from the San Siro is edging nearing. According to Tuttosport, Milan are prepared to oust the Brazilian star to make way for Real Madrid midfielder Kaka. The 28-year-old is falling down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, who sees him as a peripheral to his plans and has given the green light for him to leave. It is believed that Milan are plotting the same tactic that helped land Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona - a loan deal for Kaka with an option to buy. Meanwhile, Studio Sport claims that Los Angeles Galaxy and Flamengo are preparing to pounce on Ronaldinho should his future with Milan comes to no conclusion. The Americans are reportedly prepared to offer the former Barcelona player a salary scheme worth €60m over four years to join up with David Beckham, who was his team-mate during his loan spell at Milan.

He needs a hot Brazilian (or Portuguese or Spanish) chick or something he likes east europeans too,remember that !!

Cris and Kaka were separated on purpose we all know this.

Funny

looks like Ramos all the time....