Ribery stacks up the silverware in bid for Ballon d'Or

 

Can anyone stop Lionel Messi from steamrolling his way to a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or title? Well a certain French winger thinks he can...

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery made his announcement in no uncertain terms on Saturday, insisting that it is he who should be crowned the best player in the world.

"I think I've done everything to be the world's best player," he told the Bundesliga's official website.

"I've played a very, very good season. It's either now or never for winning this prize. I can't play any better than this."

So with the titles stacked up, including a Champions League and Bundesliga title, as well as a DFB-Pokal triumph, is the Ballon d'Or within Ribery's grasp?

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Mourinho rides in to rescue Rooney

 

Despite David Moyes' best efforts to end all Wayne Rooney transfer speculation, talk of the Manchester United striker's potential summer exit continues.

Moyes insists Rooney is not for sale, but that has not stopped Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho declaring his admiration for the former Everton forward.

"Rooney is a player I like very much but I can say no more than that," he said. "Being fast and direct, I like that, but he's a Manchester United player."

Mourinho's comments prompted a response from Old Trafford boss Moyes, who is adamant the Premier League champions will reject advances from potential suitors.

"Unless I was speaking double Dutch, I said Wayne Rooney is not for sale," Moyes said.

"People are entitled to talk about players. I think I have really covered all the things on Wayne. Manchester United is about a team, not one individual." 
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Pep picks United's pocket to steal a march on Thiago

 

Barcelona youngster Thiago is currently one of Europe’s hottest properties with a number of top clubs seemingly intent on snapping up the Spaniard.

While Manchester United had looked favourites to capture his signature, the 22-year-old now looks destined for European champions Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola, who worked with the youngster at Camp Nou, seems determined to land his man telling a press conference: "Thiago is the only player I want, that's what I told them. It'll be him or no one". 
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No regrets for Falcao after moving to Monaco

 

Radamel Falcao has insisted he is making the right move by joining Monaco, despite criticism from some quarters.

The prolific striker scored 52 league goals in his last two seasons with Atletico Madrid, leading to interest from a number of top clubs.

Chelsea were hoping to lure the Colombian to the Premier League after meeting his €60 million buy-out clause but instead Falcao decided that a move to Monaco was a far more attractive prospect.

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Mourinho parks his Chelsea bus on the scrapheap

 

Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea and vowed to bring sexy football back to Stamford Bridge.

The former Inter and Real Madrid coach has often been criticised throughout his career for perceived negative tactics and 'parking the bus’.

However, Mourinho has told Blues fans that he wants to make them happy and that his team will "play with style". 

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Ramadan Kareem

 

Ramadan Kareeem to everyone everywhere from the tasmeemME.com team in collaboration with Omar Momani 

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Mkhitaryan and Villa snub Premier League

 

Activity in the summer transfer window is starting to hot up with two of Europe’s most wanted men announcing they are on the move.

Barcelona striker David Villa is heading for Atletico Madrid after the two clubs agreed a deal for the Spain international.

The transfer is likely to disappoint many, but particularly Tottenham fans who were hoping to see the striker in Premier League action at White Hart Lane.

Over at Liverpool there is also bad news after Borussia Dortmund confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan has completed a move from Shakhtar Donetsk, preferring the Champions League runners-up to Brendan Rodgers' side. 
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Goal 50: Class of 2012-13

 

The countdown to the Goal 50 has begun and the debate is raging over which star performers from the season should be included in this year's list of football's most talented

School is out for much of the football world but the class of 2012-13 can still look forward to the annual prize-giving ceremony that is the Goal 50.

Our brilliant artist Omar Momani has drawn up his vision of the high achievers in contention for the list - which will be announced on July 29.

Bayern Munich trio Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller are sitting in the front row accompanied by Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Behind are La Liga legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo next to Robert Lewandowski, scorer of four goals for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in last season's Champions League semi-final.

The Premier League may be flagging behind Germany and Spain, but Gareth Bale has stood out. The Tottenham totem sits with enigmatic Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli, who has lit up Serie A since joining AC Milan in January.

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Assou-Ekotto reads up on latest Tottenham arrival

 

Known for having absolutely no interest in football, Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto may get into a spot of bother when he arrives at pre-season training.

The 29-year-old has admitted he does not know the first thing about Tottenham's latest signing Paulinho, who has arrived at White Hart Lane from Corinthians.

“I don’t know what he looks like,” Assou-Ekotto told Goal. “I don’t know him, I don’t follow this kind of news.

“It’s like two or three years ago, Rafael van der Vaart was there in training one day. I said hello to him but I didn’t know he was Rafael van der Vaart." 

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Moyes tight-lipped on Rooney future

 

David Moyes hosted his first press conference as Manchester United manager on Friday and spent the most part batting away questions on Wayne Rooney's future.

And while he was at pains to point out that the England striker is not for sale, he refused to be drawn on whether he has categorically stated his desire to stay at Old Trafford.