Van Persie prepares for Van Gaal's walk of fire

Much has been made of Robin van Persie's strong relationship with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, and he recently admitted he would walk on fire for the incoming Manchester United boss.

He probably wouldn't considering his injury record, but it's nice to know.

Sunday, 1 June 2014 12:00

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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 He lasted just 16 minutes in the Liga title-decider against Barcelona and was withdrawn after only nine minutes in the Champions League final.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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Real Madrid claim La Decima

Real Madrid finally claimed La Decima with a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.

Diego Simeone’s men came within a whisker of denying their city rivals Champions League glory with Real needing a 93rd minute header from Sergio Ramos to take the game into extra-time.

Los Blancos then ran away with the game in the second period with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a 4-1 victory and a 10th European Cup.

Sunday, 25 May 2014 10:34

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Youthful Pochettino emerges as Spurs' No.1 target

With Tim Sherwood has been a dead man walking practically since he took over at Tottenham, the north London club have been actively seeking a new manager throughout much of 2014 and may finally have found their man.

After talks with the legendary Louis van Gaal, who moved to Manchester United, and rumored interest in Napoli boss Rafa Benitez, it is perhaps a surprising candidate who has become the frontrunner for the White Hart Lane hot-seat: Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs are set to officially announce the Argentine's appointment this week after he beat off all other, more experienced competition. The north Londoners had sounded out Benitez, as well as Ajax's Frank de Boer, but were most impressed by Pochettino, who will be handed a £3million-a-year deal.

Tuesday, 27 May 2014 11:00

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Ronaldo back in Lisbon for Decima dream

Saturday night marks Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Lisbon for Real Madrid's Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar's career trajectory has seemingly been waiting for this moment as Madrid home in on their 10th European Cup triumph and the Estadio da Luz can expect to see the 28-year-old at the peak of his powers.

He is considered 100 per cent fit for the final meaning it is just a matter of whether one of football's ultimate big-game players turns up on the night.

Saturday, 24 May 2014 12:10

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Injured Suarez in race to be fit for World Cup

Uruguay face an anxious wait after Luis Suarez underwent surgery on his knee on Thursday. The Liverpool forward now faces a race against time to return to full fitness before La Celeste kick off their campaign in Brazil.

Placed in England's group, there will be plenty of Three Lions fans hoping the 27-year-old returns at slightly below par. Nobody wants to see one of the world's best players miss a World Cup but...you know.

Still, Suarez has until June 14 to prove his fitness to Oscar Tabarez and join the likes of Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan at the head of Uruguay's attack.

Friday, 23 May 2014 12:46

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