Kaka: I belong to Brazil

 

After spending two years wandering in the international wilderness, Kaka has been welcomed back to the Brazil national fold - and he could not be happier about it.

Though he has not played a minute of competitive football for Los Blancos this season, the playmaker has been identified as the man to safeguard Mano Menezes's job in charge of the Selecao as he was handed a recall to the squad for their
The former AC Milan icon himself admitted that he was surprised to have been included in the squad given his lack of playing time this season with the Liga champions, but revealed that the news was like receiving his first call-up all over again as he looks to reignite his seemingly-dwindling career.

A deeply religious man, Kaka has become renowned for displaying a t-shirt bearing the phrase 'I Belong To Jesus' in the Champions League final win against Liverpool. Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani imagines how the 30-year-old might demonstrate his loyalty to the national side following what could prove to be a hugely significant moment for player and country alike...

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Pardew takes Newcastle back to the future

 

With Alan Pardew signing a new eight-year contract with Newcastle United on Thursday, the 51-year old is set to stay at the Sports Direct Arena until 2020.

Pardew guided Newcastle to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, while the club's managing director Derek Llambias wants the Magpies to replicate the managerial longevity of Arsenal and Manchester United.

"If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success, and that is the model we wish to emulate here," said Llambias.

"Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is. I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him which I think benefits the club enormously."

Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us an idea of the problems Pardew could be facing if he sees out his new deal...
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Lifesaver El Shaarawy at the double to keep Allegri afloat

 

With just one win from four Serie A games, Massimiliano Allegri's position as AC Milan boss looked under severe threat ahead of his side's clash with Cagliari on Wednesday evening.

Fortunately for Allegri, who guided AC Milan to the Serie A title in 2011, a goal in each half from Stephan El Shaarawy secured his side a valuable three points at San Siro to ensure last season's runners-up are in with a chance of making up for their poor start to the campaign.

"The victory is for Allegri and the fans," El Shaarawy said. "We are with him, he has our trust.

"I'm happy because of today's victory. It will give us a lot of morale for the next games."

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Copy-cat Mourinho looks to emulate Sir Alex

 

At 49, Jose Mourinho is already part of the managerial furniture in world football but the Real Madrid boss insists he wants to emulate the coaching lifespan of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 70-year-old is just over a month shy of his 26th year in charge at Old Trafford but Mourinho admits he is likely to continue his own career along the same path as the Scot.

"I understand perfectly why Alex is still in the job [at the age of 70] and I think I will be the same," Mourinho said.

"I love football so much, I love coaching so much. I will still be very young when I become 50 and I believe I have a lot in front of me.

"Fifty is a number with a certain impact - it's a number I believe sometimes has a psychologically negative impact on many people because they realise the world spins very, very fast and our lives are very, very short.

"It's a number that makes me think and look back but also look forward too. I'm such a happy person because what I have done so far I think is amazing."

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Walcott looks to carve out reputation as the new Henry

 

It may be a bold ambition but Theo Walcott has revealed his aspiration to replicate the success Thierry Henry brought to Arsenal.

The England international maintains that his time as a winger is now up and that Arsene Wenger should try him in the advanced position which enabled Henry to go down in history as one of the Premier League's greatest players.

“I love Arsenal and I love playing with my teammates and hopefully something can be sorted and I can get back in that team and get a chance to play up front," said Walcott.

"I definitely want to play up front. I think I've learned my trade as a winger now.

"I remember when Thierry Henry joined at 22 and the legend he was. Hopefully I can be the legend he was as well in that up front position."

Henry netted 228 goals in 377 appearances for Arsenal. No pressure, Theo.
 

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Shelvey red with rage at 'grass' Sir Alex

 

Clashes between Liverpool and Manchester United are always memorable games, but for Jonjo Shelvey, Sunday's meeting at Anfield was one to forget.

The 20-year-old was sent off for a challenge on centre-back Jonny Evans in the first half, and was furious with the role he believes Sir Alex Ferguson played in the dismissal.

"I apologise to the fans for getting sent off but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. Im sorry," Shelvey posted on Twitter.

"I have also apologised to sir Alex, just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off."
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2001 Canvas Odyssey

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Liverpool and Manchester united over Hillsborough

 

When Liverpool and Manchester United go head-to-head at Anfield on Sunday, an epic sporting rivalry between English football's two most successful clubs will be renewed.

But ahead of the clash - the Reds' first home match since the shocking and damning findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel were published - both clubs have pleaded with their fans to respect the occasion and each other by commemorating the 96 victims of the 1989 disaster together.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has written an open letter to the club's fans urging them not to let themselves down on the day, and the general mood appears to be one of rare unity between two very different clubs whose illustrious histories are similarly scarred by the memory of terrible tragedies.
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No glove lost between Friedel and Barthez

 

Brad Friedel took to Twitter on Friday to defend himself against comments made by Fabien Barthez regarding new Tottenham signing Hugo Lloris.

"He [Lloris] is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher, and he is very strong mentally," the former Manchester United man said. "What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I am not concerned. He will become the centre-piece for the club."

Exasperated by the former France shot-stopper, the American launched a counterattack on the social networking site.

"Just saw Barthez comments," Friedel wrote. "I normally don't comment on such crap, but when disrespected by someone I don't respect I must.

"Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name."
 

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Trent Reznor Cartoon of Nine Inch Nails

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