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Sweden v Germany Preview Goalkeeper Rene Adler is relishing his return to the Germany side after injury for tomorrow's friendly against Sweden. Adler has not played for his country since missing the World Cup through injury but his form for Bayer Leverkusen this season has prompted his inclusion in Gothenburg. "It's nice for me to be able to play again and it was important that I could swiftly return to the national team," he said. "I don't want to talk too much about the World Cup as it is out of my head. It was a bitter disappointment but that is football...life goes on." Adler's absence in South Africa enabled Schalke's Manuel Neuer to establish himself himself as the number one but Adler is refusing to look long-term as he tries to win his place back on a regular basis. He added: "The European Championships in 2012 are a long way off. "I am looking firstly at the game on Wednesday and I am simply pleased to be able to play again. "I will concentrate on my performance, nothing else will enter my head." Germany boss Joachim Low has included four newcomers in his squad - Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Goetze as well as Mainz pair Lewis Holtby and Andre Schuerrle. And experienced midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is excited at the youthful look of the squad. "The first impression is good," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting to know them. The age difference is not that big. They should be integrated quickly. "We are young in terms of other nations and have a lot of work ahead." The visitors will face a weakened strike force tomorrow with AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bolton's Johan Elmander both absent. Ibrahimovic has been rested following his match-winning performance for Milan against Inter on Sunday night while Elmander, who scored a stunning goal in Wanderers' 3-2 win at Wolves at the weekend, has remained in England as his wife is due to give birth. On Ibrahimovic, Sweden coach Erik Hamren said: "On the whole, he'll be better off resting. "This is my decision. If it had been a competitive game on Wednesday he would have played."

Capello pleads for Wembley support England manager Fabio Capello has pleaded for the Wembley crowd to stop his young players getting "burnt" on Wednesday night. The Italian has confirmed that Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson will make their debuts against France, with Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs set for his second appearance after his international bow against Hungary in August. Micah Richards stands by to win his first cap under Capello if Phil Jagielka fails to recover from a virus, while Theo Walcott and James Milner are still relatively young even if age belies experience. Chris Smalling and Jay Bothroyd will both sit on the bench hoping for their first experience of international combat too. It is a delicate time for all these players, and victory against a French team that has started to improve under Laurent Blanc since their shambolic World Cup experience cannot be guaranteed. Which is why Capello is so keen to stress the need for patience and understanding from fans who were so badly let down at the World Cup in South Africa in the summer and whose last experience of the national side was that drab goalless draw with Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifier. "I hope the performance of these young players will be really good, but the fans have to understand that we could burn these players if it is not," said Capello. "We have to help them. When they play in front of 90,000 people at Wembley, it is not the same as playing with the under-21s. "The value of this game is different." It is Capello's aim to make the match a seminal one in England's history. He can hardly have forgotten how easily his team were dismantled by Germany in Bloemfontein in June, or the vitality of opponents who hit England hard at the start, rode their luck when Frank Lampard's 'equaliser' was disallowed and then struck with impressive power and speed to clinch a quarter-final berth that eventually turned into a third-place finish. "Germany built the team step by step. If we want to do the same, we have to put these players in the team two or three at a time, not five or six," said Capello. "They need time to improve, to play with confidence and without fear. "When I have done this with my club team some played very well immediately, others needed more time. But the value of these players is really big and we have to help them." Capello recalled his time at Roma to back up the point. "I picked Alberto Aquilani because he was better than Daniele De Rossi," he said. "But at half-time I asked him why he was playing so many short passes and without confidence? "I wanted him to play like he did in training but for the first 10 minutes of the second half he was exactly the same, so I made a change. "De Rossi came on, did exactly what he did in training and played in the first XI from then on. "Since I have been with England, some players have played with fear. I don't tell you the names but they have not played with the same confidence." Capello would have had an even greater contingent of young players had Jack Wilshere not pulled out with an injury he suffered in Sunday's win at Everton. The 18-year-old has been an impressive performer for the Gunners this term and is clearly a player Capello has identified for the future. The same is not true of Kevin Davies, who at 33 does not have time on his side. Still, his omission from this squad was a surprise after the two displays Capello has seen him produce since making him England's oldest debutant in half a century last month, and the fact Cardiff's Jay Bothroyd and Carlton Cole have received surprise call-ups. "The scouts monitored Bothroyd because we are looking at all the Championship teams and the under-21s," revealed Capello. "I wanted to see him in training and know him better. "I know the value of Davies. He played with me. "If we need him, I will select him another time, but I wanted to know someone new."

McQuoid buzzing after international call Bournemouth striker Josh McQuoid is "buzzing" with excitement after receiving an international call by Northern Ireland. The 20-year-old has scored hat-tricks in his last two games for the npower League One club and received a surprise call-up by his country for Wednesday's friendly with Morocco in Belfast. McQuoid is one of a number of players manager Nigel Worthington has turned to for the Windsor Park clash after being hit by a raft of withdrawals. Worthington has lost 11 players from his original squad but in McQuoid looks to have found a promising youngster in a rich vein of form. The Southampton-born under-21 international told BBC Radio Solent: "It's been a whirlwind week for me, also getting called up for Northern Ireland. "It's a great honour and I didn't expect it. "There were a couple of injuries and Nigel Worthington rang me. "It was a bit of a shock but it is a great honour and I am buzzing to go away with them." McQuoid started the season in blistering fashion with five goals in as many games but then went nine matches without scoring. He ended his drought in spectacular fashion with trebles in an FA Cup first-round win over Tranmere and Saturday's league success against Walsall. With Northern Ireland's all-time leading scorer David Healy surprisingly omitted from the squad - and not even summoned after all the withdrawals - McQuoid is poised to get a chance. Worthington's revised squad have just two international goals between them and only four players - Aaron Hughes, Jonny Evans, Chris Brunt and Ryan McGivern - have a double-figure number of caps. McQuoid at least is not lacking confidence and added: "It's great to be scoring again. "I've been working hard in training, being more instinctive, following things up, getting in the right positions. It's paying off." Warren Feeney, Gareth McAuley, Maik Taylor, Chris Baird, Corry Evans, Sammy Clingan, Grant McCann, Stephen Craigan, Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty and George McCartney are the players who have forced Worthington to change his plans by pulling out. Hughes, Jonny Evans and Niall McGinn are the only players remaining from the side that laboured to a Euro 2012 qualifying draw in the Faroe Islands last month. Inverness keeper Jonny Tuffey is likely to play in the absence of veteran Taylor while Preston midfielder Adam Barton will probably start. Barton, linked with Liverpool last week, recently turned down a competitive call-up in order to keep open the option of playing for England. However, as playing in a friendly will not preclude Barton changing his allegiance to England at a later date, the 19-year-old has answered Worthington's call. The latest addition to the squad is Crusaders defender Colin Coates, who was summoned by Worthington yesterday.

Scotland duo set for debuts Danny Wilson and Barry Bannan will make their Scotland debuts against the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie. The pair have been named in Craig Levein's makeshift starting line-up for the friendly. Blackpool left-back Stephen Crainey has also been selected for his first international appearance for more than six years. Wilson lines up in central defence alongside Steven Caldwell, who was called into the squad after brother and Wigan team-mate Gary pulled out with a thigh problem. Sunderland's Phil Bardsley keeps his place at right-back after winning his first cap in the 3-2 Euro 2012 qualifying defeat by Spain, while Crainey wins his seventh cap. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, with more than twice as many caps as the back four put together, returns after missing the first four European qualifiers with a broken arm. Darren Fletcher skippers the side in a relatively experienced central midfield. Shaun Maloney, who was called up after playing 90 minutes for Celtic in their 1-0 win over St Mirren on Sunday, is included alongside Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam. Aston Villa's Bannan and Derby winger Kris Commons are likely to play out wide to support QPR striker Jamie Mackie, who gets his first shift in his preferred centre-forward position on his third appearance. Wilson and Bannan were among three players in the original squad who had been called up for the first time, alongside Dundee United forward David Goodwillie. Wilson, 18, has played just one first-team game for Liverpool since his multi-million pound summer move from Rangers and is not included in Roy Hodgson's 25-man Barclays Premier League squad. But he has Champions League experience with Rangers and Levein was keen to see him in action as he looks for a successor to David Weir, who will be 41 when Scotland play their next Euro 2012 qualifier. Bannan was a Scotland Under-21 team-mate of Wilson's until last month and has earned promotion to the full squad after forcing his way into the Villa first team this season. There could be many more debuts on Tuesday night with a total of nine uncapped players in the squad following as many withdrawals. Only Levein's starting line-up was listed by the Scottish Football Association tonight so Kilmarnock pair Cammy Bell and Craig Bryson, Motherwell defender Steven Saunders, Wigan midfielder James McArthur, St Johnstone's Murray Davidson, Swindon full-back Paul Caddis and Goodwillie could all win first caps at some stage. Scotland team to face the Faroe Islands in a friendly at Pittodrie on Tuesday night: Gordon, Bardsley, Caldwell, Wilson, Crainey, Commons, Maloney, Fletcher, Adam, Bannan, Mackie.

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Sweden v Germany Preview Goalkeeper Rene Adler is relishing his return to the Germany side after injury for tomorrow's friendly against Sweden. Adler has not played for his country since missing the World Cup through injury but his form for Bayer Leverkusen this season has prompted his inclusion in Gothenburg. "It's nice for me to be able to play again and it was important that I could swiftly return to the national team," he said. "I don't want to talk too much about the World Cup as it is out of my head. It was a bitter disappointment but that is football...life goes on." Adler's absence in South Africa enabled Schalke's Manuel Neuer to establish himself himself as the number one but Adler is refusing to look long-term as he tries to win his place back on a regular basis. He added: "The European Championships in 2012 are a long way off. "I am looking firstly at the game on Wednesday and I am simply pleased to be able to play again. "I will concentrate on my performance, nothing else will enter my head." Germany boss Joachim Low has included four newcomers in his squad - Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Goetze as well as Mainz pair Lewis Holtby and Andre Schuerrle. And experienced midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is excited at the youthful look of the squad. "The first impression is good," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting to know them. The age difference is not that big. They should be integrated quickly. "We are young in terms of other nations and have a lot of work ahead." The visitors will face a weakened strike force tomorrow with AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bolton's Johan Elmander both absent. Ibrahimovic has been rested following his match-winning performance for Milan against Inter on Sunday night while Elmander, who scored a stunning goal in Wanderers' 3-2 win at Wolves at the weekend, has remained in England as his wife is due to give birth. On Ibrahimovic, Sweden coach Erik Hamren said: "On the whole, he'll be better off resting. "This is my decision. If it had been a competitive game on Wednesday he would have played."

Argentina vs Brazil Preview Ronaldinho is relishing his return to the Brazil team for Wednesday's friendly against Argentina in Doha after his international recall. The AC Milan forward has been absent from the national team for 19 months, falling out of favour and missing the World Cup. He hopes to have done enough this week to win a place in coach Mano Menezes' starting line-up, having not appeared for his country since April 1, 2009, when Brazil claimed a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru. The former Barcelona player said: "This is a very different moment for all that has happened, for not having played the World Cup. "When I was taken out, it was a sad moment. Now, happiness has been doubled if I compare it with the first time." He returns for the clash at the Khalifa International Stadium as one of the most experienced men in the squad. Gremio's Douglas has been called up for the first time at the age of 28, and Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho is only 18 years old. Although a friendly, Brazil defender Thiago Silva believes the match is the most important test since Menezes was appointed as coach in the summer. Brazil have beaten the United States, Iran and Ukraine without conceding a goal under Menezes, but Silva said: "Playing Argentina is special, not only because of the talent both teams have but also because of rivalry. "We played the United States as visitors and it was a good test for us. We also played Ukraine in Europe, but this is a big challenge. Anxiety is bigger and I'm sure they are feeling the same." Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore scored a hat-trick for Palermo in their 3-0 Serie A win over Catania on Sunday. He told the Clarin newspaper: "We should take this match as a derby, but it is no more than a friendly match. We have to use it to come to conclusions and learn things ahead of the Copa America." Argentina star man Lionel Messi is still waiting to finish on the winning side against Brazil in a full international, but helped the under-23 team beat their great rivals 3-0 at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Messi told FIFA.com: "I've never beaten Brazil with Argentina's senior side, including that defeat in the Copa America final in Venezuela (three years ago). I think it's about time I broke my duck!" Due to injuries, a number of players will miss the friendly: Argentina's Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Milito, and Brazil's Alexandre Pato and Rafael.

Portugal vs Spain Preview World champions Spain will take on Portugal in their glamorous friendly encounter in Lisbon on Wednesday evening. Portugal, meanwhile, will be keen to build on their good start under new coach Paulo Bento in an encounter that is also being used to promote the two Iberian countries' joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Having already ended a 44-year wait to win a major trophy by clinching the Euro 2008 title, the Spanish this summer added their first World Cup crown after an extra-time victory over Holland in July's final in Johannesburg. That triumph over the Dutch was one of 13 victories in 16 matches so far in 2010 for Vicente Del Bosque's side, and they will be looking to finish the year with a good showing against Portugal - who were one of their victims en route to winning the World Cup when a solitary David Villa goal decided the last-16 encounter between the two. Del Bosque said: "We aren't playing for any points but we are playing for prestige. These are two countries with a big footballing tradition and we want to put on a great show to give a good image in our support of the Candidatura Iberica (World Cup bid). "Both countries can field many of the best players in the world." However, while the two nations may be fighting together to host the 2018 World Cup - a decision that FIFA are due to make on December 2 - Del Bosque insists that does not mean there will be any quarter given in tomorrow's match. "When the first ball is kicked then we start talking about football. The two teams will go out to win, to play as well as they can. Both countries want to give the best image possible of themselves and for the fans to enjoy the football," he said. Should Villa repeat his feat from the World Cup and score against the Portuguese tomorrow when he will become Spain's record goalscorer. The Barcelona striker is level on 44 strikes with former Real Madrid forward Raul. Another player who is fast approaching a landmark for his country is Villa's club-mate Xavi, who will win his 99th cap if he features at the Estadio da Luz . Xavi has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem this season and missed last month's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland, but Del Bosque has said the 30-year-old could play the whole match tomorrow if he is able to. Portugal go into the match having had a mixed time since their World Cup exit at the hands of the Spanish but now looking a side on the up under new coach Bento. They picked up just one point from their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Cyprus (4-4) and Norway (1-0 defeat) but bounced back with 3-1 victories over Denmark and Iceland. Those two wins were under the guidance of former national team midfielder Bento, who replaced Carlos Queiroz in September. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently leads Spain's Primera Division scoring charts after netting 11 times in Real Madrid's opening 11 games, said of the encounter: "They are the world champions and we`re really looking forward to the game. "We`re playing at home and I`m sure the stadium is going to be full, with a very nice atmosphere. "I don't think our defeat against Spain in the World Cup will be a thorn on our side. In football, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. "It will just be another game we will all enjoy because we are facing Spain, who are currently the best team in the world," the £80million man told Spanish television channel TVE.

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Capello wants to emulate Germany Fabio Capello calls for patience as he emulates Germany in preparing a team of youngsters for the next European Championship. Although Joachim Low's men only finished third in South Africa, they captured the imagination with a succession of devastating performances, one of which ended England's hopes of lifting the World Cup. That they did so largely with a group of unknown youngsters made their feat even more remarkable. Yet tonight against France at Wembley, Capello hopes to extend his own revolution by handing debuts to Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson. But the Italian is warning the transition might not always be smooth. "Germany built their team step by step. If we want to do the same, we have to put these players in the team two or three at a time, not five or six," said Capello. "They need time to improve, to play with confidence and without fear. "When I have done this with my club team some played very well immediately, others needed more time. But the value of these players is really big and we have to help them." Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs will also start, as will Micah Richards if Phil Jagielka does not recover from the virus that prevented him from training on Tuesday. Jack Wilshere would have been involved too had the 18-year-old not been forced to head back to Arsenal for treatment on an injury he picked up in Sunday's win at Everton. "I hope the performance of these young players will be really good, but the fans have to understand that we could burn these players if it is not," said Capello. "We have to help them. When they play in front of 90,000 people at Wembley, it is not the same as playing with the under-21s. "The value of this game is different." Capello has already finalised his line-up, save for the Jagielka situation and that of Joe Hart, who does not appear likely to play after injuring his back in training. Ben Foster stands by to start his first international for 12 months, although it is not the Birmingham goalkeeper who will be under closest scrutiny. It will be Carroll and Henderson, whose own monk-like approach to life contrasts sharply with that of his fellow debutant. "He brings something new," said Capello. "He runs a lot. He is fast. When he receives the ball he plays one-touch, two touches maximum. "His vision is really good all the time."

Ibra: AC Milan will be my last club Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made the ultimate pledge of loyalty to AC Milan, claiming he will end his career at the club. The Swedish international joined the Italian club from Barcelona on a year-long deal during the summer and has since regained his best form at the San Siro. Ibrahimovic has scored nine goals in 11 games for the Rosseneri this season, including the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the derby match last weekend. And the 29-year-old believes he has found his footballing home and is determined to stay for good. "This will be my last club, and then I will quit playing football," he declared to Aftonbladet. However, his wish is purely down to Milan's decision whether to purchase him outright from Barcelona for €24 million at the end of the season. But if he continues finding the net like he is doing now, his wish would surely come true.

Ibra agent: Cruyff can go to hell Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has launched a stunning attack on Barcelona figure Johan Cruyff. Raiola was quoted as saying in Swedish newspaper Expressen that "Cruyff can go to hell" and that the Dutch legend was in fact a "nobody" who did not know how to manage a modern day football club. The astonishing outburst was in response to Cruyff's recent praise of Ibrahimovic's performance in the Milan derby, where he said the Swedish striker was "better suited to Italian football." The comment was clearly viewed by Raiola as an indirect attack on his client's less than impressive spell at Barcelona. "He [Cruyff] is becoming old and didn't have the courage to continue his management career, as he doesn't know how to train a modern club," Raiola was quoted as saying. "Why didn't Cruyff tell Zlatan that he wasn't suited to Spanish football before Barcelona signed him? "I think Cruyff should be in a mental asylum with [Pep] Guardiola, so they can sit there quietly and play cards together. They would be doing Barcelona a great favour." Ibrahimovic scored in Sunday's Milan derby which ended 1-0 in favour of AC Milan. The striker has netted six times in the Serie A so far.

Mourinho and Co. have earned points on every visit and are still unbeaten Realmadrid.com With their 0-1 win against Sporting Gijon at El Molinon and a total away record of four victories and two draws, Real Madrid are off to the best road start in the last 13 years. Not since Jupp Heynckes and company earned five wins and one draw on the road over the first eleven weeks of the 1997/98 season have Real Madrid gotten off to such a good start. That record was only good enough for a second place standing in the table, while this year’s team sits top with 29 points, the most ever earned since a three-point system was implemented. Jose Mourinho’s men have earned points in each of their six visits this season. They did not concede a goal in either of their two draws (Mallorca and Levante) and since their visit to Ciutat de Valencia Stadium, they have done nothing but win (at Malaga, Hercules and Sporting). The most lopsided victory was that against Malaga, in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain each scored a brace. The two have combined for 70% of Real Madrid’s goals on the road. Di Maria has two to his name and Pepe has the other. Of their four road wins, the Madridistas have taken the lead and never looked back in three (Real Sociedad, Malaga and Sporting). Only once have they had to turn the score around; against Hercules in Week 9. AWAY MATCHES Date Week Match Goals 29/08/2010 1 Mallorca 0-0 R. Madrid 18/09/2010 3 R. Sociedad 1-2 R. Madrid Di Maria, Pepe 25/09/2010 5 Levante 0-0 R. Madrid 16/10/2010 7 Malaga 1-4 R. Madrid C. Ronaldo (2), Higuain (2) 30/10/2010 9 Hercules 1-3 R. Madrid Di Maria, C. Ronaldo (2) 14/11/2010 11 Sporting 0-1 R. Madrid Higuain Real Madrid are off to the best league start ever and Jose Mourinho has now bested Pep Guardiola to become the best first-year coach in the league with nine wins and two draws in eleven matches. The Whites are even stronger at home, where they have earned five wins in five matches (Osasuna, Espanyol, Deportivo, Racing and Atletico), scored 18 goals and notched the two biggest drubbings of the season, 6-1 victories against Deportivo and Racing. BEST ROAD STARTS BY REAL MADRID Season Matches W/D/L GF/GA 1961/62 6 5-0-1 11-2 1987/88 6 5-1-0 17-1 1988/89 6 5-1-0 12-3 1991/92 5 5-0-0 14-2 1997/98 6 5-1-0 11-3 2010/11 6 4-2-0 10-3

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Messi heaps praise on Pastore Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has heaped praise on Palermo striker Javier Pastore after his hat-trick against Catania on Saturday. The 21-year-old has scored in almost every other game for the Italian club this season including his treble on Saturday. And Messi, who is Pastore's Argentina national team-mate, was quick to praise his compatriot's qualities. "You can see he is tough, he's physically fit and he's going to go far, I am convinced of it," Messi told FIFA.com. "He has come on leaps and bounds at Palermo, I didn't know much about him when he played for Huracan but I got to see his quality at the World Cup. "We played alongside each other against Japan and we struck up a good understanding." Pastore has been recently linked with a move to join Messi at Barcelona but has decided to pledge his future to the club. However, he did urged Messi to join him at Palermo, though it is believed to be a joke.

Messi: We will beat Real in El-Clasico Lionel Messi believes that Barcelona are favourites ahead of their El-Clasico clash with Real Madrid in two weeks. In his second part interview with fifa.com, Messi hinted that their fiercest rivals have progressed from last season but hinted that Barca's superior playing style and rhythm will stand them in good stead ahead of their eagerly anticipated encounter. He elaborated: "I think that Real Madrid are stronger than last season, but the same thing happens every year - they are our main rivals. "Last year they pushed us up until the final matchday. They've kept nearly all of their important players, but I think the key is the mental change since Jose Mourinho arrived. "They are still a really great team, but you can see that they've got a greater winning mentality right from the off. "El Clasico will be a huge game, it always is. I tend to do well in these games. I suppose that they will be really fired up, but I think if we play the way that we are capable of, we will definitely beat them this time too. "They might have strengthened, but in my opinion Barcelona are still the better side. I have no doubt it will be a game to savour both for the players on the pitch and the fans off it." The World Player of the Year also likened new strike partner David Villa to that of former sharpshooter Samuel Eto'o, adding: : "Villa reminds me of Samuel in terms of his movement, the way he looks for space and always knows where the goal is. He's a really hard worker. "Both of them put their bodies on the line to snap up every opportunity that comes their way. With every passing game our mutual understanding grows and the way we play means that we have gelled very well." The maiden El-Clasico encounter this season takes place at the Camp Nou on November 29.

Casillas: "It will be a vibrant match with great players" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas, respective captains of Portugal and Spain, gave a joint interview to TVE. The players discussed the coming Portugal-Spain clash, both countries' joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup and the Clasico against Barcelona. Ronaldo “Spain are the current world champions and we are very excited about the match. We will face them at our home and I’m sure the stadium will be packed and the atmosphere will be beautiful. I don’t think our defeat against Spain in the World Cup is a thorn on our side. In football you win and lose. It will just be another game we will all enjoy because we will face Spain, who are currently the best team in the world.” “A match against Barcelona is always different. Six points may be at stake for us, as happens in every difficult game.” Casillas “A Portugal-Spain clash is a worthy and vibrant match starring great players and two very strong teams. Portugal will want to do their best before their home crowd in order to defeat the world champions. We will have the same respect for them as we wish all other teams to have for the world champion team.” “I wish Portugal and Spain get to host the 2018 World Cup. They are leading countries in the sport because they produce great players. Portugal has always been a strong side and so has Spain. We hope to see our dream of hosting the 2018 Wold Cup come true.” “The Clasico comes at a good time. The new players on the team have managed to adapt in the last few months and we’ve become a more experienced and mature side.”

Messi nominated for Puskas Award Lionel Messi headlines a cast of players nominated by FIFA for the prestigious Puskas Award - or goal of the year. The award goes to the scorer of the goal of the year and this year there are ten nominations which include Hamit Altintop, Arjen Robben, Giovani van Bronckhorst, Kumi Yokohama, Linus Hallenius, Samir Nasri, Neymar, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Matthew Burrows. Messi's goal nomination came from his effort against Valencia during the 2009/10 season. It was one of three goals he scored in the match, and was memorable for the way he beat three players before slotting the ball past Cesar in the Valencia goal. Cristiano Ronaldo was the inaugural winner of the last award which was created in honour of Ferenc Puskas, who was captain and star of the Hungarian national team during the 1950s. The next recipient of the Puskas Award will be announced during the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala on January 10 next year.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "It is very special to play against Spain" Casillas: "It will be a vibrant match with great players" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas, respective captains of Portugal and Spain, gave a joint interview to TVE. The players discussed the coming Portugal-Spain clash, both countries' joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup and the Clasico against Barcelona. Ronaldo “Spain are the current world champions and we are very excited about the match. We will face them at our home and I’m sure the stadium will be packed and the atmosphere will be beautiful. I don’t think our defeat against Spain in the World Cup is a thorn on our side. In football you win and lose. It will just be another game we will all enjoy because we will face Spain, who are currently the best team in the world.” “A match against Barcelona is always different. Six points may be at stake for us, as happens in every difficult game.” Casillas “A Portugal-Spain clash is a worthy and vibrant match starring great players and two very strong teams. Portugal will want to do their best before their home crowd in order to defeat the world champions. We will have the same respect for them as we wish all other teams to have for the world champion team.” “I wish Portugal and Spain get to host the 2018 World Cup. They are leading countries in the sport because they produce great players. Portugal has always been a strong side and so has Spain. We hope to see our dream of hosting the 2018 Wold Cup come true.” “The Clasico comes at a good time. The new players on the team have managed to adapt in the last few months and we’ve become a more experienced and mature side.”

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