'Husband and wife' Mancini & Balotelli still happily married at Manchester City

 

Dropped from the Manchester City squad after reportedly partying into the early hours on the morning of a crucial clash with Tottenham, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Mario Balotelli with regards to his future at the club.

Roberto Mancini is understood to be ready to finally wash his hands of the enigmatic Italy international for good.

But Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, insists that is not the case, and gave a rather surprising indication as to why the 22-year-old will remain at the Etihad Stadium for at least a little while longer.

"His [Balotelli's] relationship with Mancini is like that between a husband and his wife," Raiola told Radio CRC. "They argue but they love and respect each other so much.

"Everyone has their own ideas, but Mario will remain at Manchester City. He won't go to AC Milan."
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A convenient truth? Ronaldo, Rooney & RVP out of friendlies

 

Another raft of international friendlies are upon us and, with them, a whole host of convenient injuries to some of Europe's biggest stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo has pulled out of Portugal's clash with Gabon on Wednesday due to a badly gashed eye sustained against Levante this weekend.

Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, meanwhile, have also withdrawn from duty with England and the Netherlands, despite both featuring heavily in the Red Devils' comeback victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Of course, no one would be cynical enough to suggest that 'knocks' like these were crudely manufactured by club managers to buy their key men some crucial rest time, but no one can deny that the absence of their best players is a constant source of frustration to national team bosses.

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You're next! Messi targets Muller goal record after leaving Pele in his wake

 

Barcelona star Lionel Messi never seems to tire of breaking records.

The Argentine re-wrote footballing history again on Sunday when his double against Mallorca took his tally for the calendar year to 76 goals in just 59 appearances, beating Pele’s record of 75.

However, Messi is still behind Gerd Muller - who netted 85 times for Bayern Munich and West Germany in just 60 games in 1972 - although having left Pele behind, the Barcelona man now has his next target clearly in sight.
 

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Luckless Wenger rues Arteta penalty miss

 

They so nearly got out of jail but Mikel Arteta's saved penalty compounded Arsenal's problems and left the home fans exiting Emirates Stadium more than a tad disgruntled.

What of Arsene Wenger though? The once-great, untouchable boss has been through troubles in the past but surely they don't come close to the current predicament.

The Gunners have 16 points from their first 11 games - the worst league start since 1982-83 and just when you thought their luck had turned as Phil Dowd pointed to the spot for a dubious handball, Arteta stuffed up the chance.

Wenger's face was a picture of disbelief, shock and strife. Just when will his luck turn?
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S Africa issues new Mandela bank notes

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Leave Twit out: Inter ban Sneijder from social media

 

Footballers today live a life constantly in the public eye and social media plays a part in that, with many players building up internet profiles of themselves, but Inter man Wesley Sneijder has had that privilege taken away.

The Netherlands star's wife Yolanthe Cabau announced the news on her own account that Inter had banned Sneijder from using Twitter, despite the midfielder seemingly never saying anything particularly naughty.

Do you think it is fair for a 'sensible-Simon' such as Sneijder to have his social media fun taken from him? Well, Massimo Moratti has had his say.

There will be no more hashtags, '@ mentions' or direct messages coming from the Dutchman so he'll have to find something else to keep him busy while he recovers from injury.
 

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Hameed the Palestinian Hero

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Fabregas models himself on Zidane

 

Cesc Fabregas has never hidden his love for Barcelona but he has now revealed that his hero as a child was none other than Zinedine Zidane, particularly when he was in his pomp at Barca's fierce rivals Real Madrid.

The former Arsenal captain has told how his bedroom wall was covered in posters of the French ace and has enjoyed reminiscing about the 1998 Ballon d'Or winner.

While the Barcelona man has some way to go to match Zidane's achievements in the game, the big question is: just how far will Fabregas go to emulate his hero?

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Barcelona & Messi fail to tame Celtic Lions

 

Celtic may have come unstuck against Barcelona two weeks ago at Camp Nou, but Neil Lennon's men got the better of the Catalan giants on Wednesday evening with an emphatic 2-1 win.

Lionel Messi grabbed a late goal for Spaniards, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation, with efforts from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt ensuring Celtic's Lions roared to victory at Parkhead...
 

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Mancini & Balotelli get shirty as Manchester City head for Euro exit

 

Despite having led Manchester City to success domestically during his three years at the club, Roberto Mancini is yet to find the winning formula on the European stage.

And, after crashing out of last year's Champions League at the group stages, the Premier League champions already look resigned to the same fate following Tuesday's 2-2 home draw with Ajax.

But, after a Sergio Aguero strike was disallowed and a late penalty call denied by the officials, Mancini was more aggrieved by poor refereeing decision than his side's lacklustre display..
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