Sturridge, not Rooney, to lead England to glory?

England strikers Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge had wildly contrasting evenings as the Three Lions laboured to a 3-0 victory over minnows Peru at Wembley on Friday night.

In a match of few chances for the hosts, Sturridge scored a stunning individual effort, curling a rasping effort beyond the reach of Raul Fernandez, which set up an ultimately routine win.

But Rooney had an match to forget which threw into doubt his reputation as the side's talisman andled to calls for Sturridge, fresh from netting 21 Premier League goals last term, to lead the England attack at the World Cup, not Rooney.

Saturday, May 31, 2014 11:45

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Del Bosque praying for Diego Costa recovery

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is praying striker Diego Costa can overcome injury in time to take part in the World Cup, and has even delayed the announcement of his 23-man squad as he sweats on the Atletico Madrid forward's fitness.

The Brazilian-born attacker had a disrupted end to the season with Atleti, with a string of injury problems hampering his involvement in the run-in. He lasted just 16 minutes in the Liga title-decider against Barcelona and was withdrawn after only nine minutes in the Champions League final.

"I'm not sure Costa will make it," Del Bosque told reporters on Thursday. "We've still got time but now it's in the hands of the doctors and the medical team. We have to be cautious."

Costa was the subject of great controversy when he swapped Brazil, the country of his birth, for Spain back in March, despite having already appeared in two friendlies for the Selecao. His continued injury problems mean he could miss out on the chance to ruin the hosts' World Cup party.

Friday, May 30, 2014 12:30

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The Real deal: Messi left in Ronaldo shadow

Having already watched Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Ballon d'Or this year, as well as Copa del Rey and Champions League winners' medals, now Lionel Messi has yet another reason to envy the Real Madrid attacker.

According to global sports marketing research group Repucom, it is the Portugal star, not the Barcelona man, who is the most marketable footballer in the world.

The former Manchester United winger has over 82 million Facebook likes, 26m Twitter followers and is "an endorser's dream", all of which means Messi must settle for second place behind Ronaldo - and not for the first time this season!

Thursday, May 29, 2014 11:30

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Yaya flirts with spurned PSG boss Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain had a curious Monday, with target Eden Hazard playing down a return to France while, simultaneously, another Premier League superstar opened the door to a move.

Chelsea attacker Hazard, singled out as a player of interest to PSG by manager Laurent Blanc, all but dismissed speculation that he could move to Paris, saying he takes no notice of transfer gossip.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, though, was less dismissive and openly welcome a move to the Ligue 1 champions.

"How can you not be interested in a club like that?" the Ivorian mused to France Football. "It'd be an honour to be part of such a club one day... if I can be of use."

So while PSG may have been spurned by Hazard, they can at least take solace from Toure's revelation that he would love to move to the Parc des Princes.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:00

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De Rossi not afraid of 'monsters' Messi & Ronaldo

Daniele De Rossi is well known for his fearless leadership in the Roma and Italy midfields and insists not even the prospect of facing two "monsters" at the World Cup will keep him up at night.

The 30-year-old has never faced Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the tournament finals, but that could change this summer in Brazil. "Maybe I will have the chance to take on these monsters this year!" he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Monday, 26 May 2014 12:00

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