Xavi calls time on Spain career

Xavi has retired from international football after winning the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

The 34-year-old was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, while Vicente del Bosque admits the national side will struggle to find a replacement for the Barcelona midfielder.

"We have lost a unique player in the national team and it will be difficult to find another one like him,” said the 63-year-old.

"Xavi has been key in Spain's style and in all the success achieved. We'll miss him so much on and off the pitch."

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:00

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Van Gaal sets sights on Premier League title

Louis van Gaal has secured his first trophy (of sorts) at Manchester United after he guided his side past Liverpool in the International Champions Cup final.

Waye Rooney found the net for the fifth time in pre-season as United ran out 3-1 winners at the Sun Life Stadium, with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard also getting on the scoresheet.

Van Gaal will now be hoping United’s encouraging pre-season displays can transfer to their Premier League campaign as they look to beat the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to the title.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014 12:00

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Scolari makes swift return to management

Barely a month after Brazil's World Cup ended in humiliation, disappointment and a P45 for Luiz Felipe Scolari, the much-maligned coach has already returned to management.

Felipao was appointed the new head coach of Gremio - a club he left 18 years ago - on Tuesday, having only resigned from his post in charge of Brazil on July 14.

Scolari will be officially unveiled to the press on Wednesday evening - but will he receive a warm welcome after his struggles with the national team?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 14:00

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Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees

You can read about it via this link by Chris Myson: 

Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees
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Mourinho: Chelsea won't miss you David Luiz

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at David Luiz, who he sold to Paris Saint-Germain this summer for £40 million.

The Blues boss felt the need to remind the Brazilian that Gary Cahill and John Terry were his first-choice centre-backs and that the 27-year-old only played in midfield because Nemanja Matic was cup-tied for the Champions League.

So with Luiz cast off to France, here's Mourinho having a celebratory drink with his team.

Monday, August 4, 2014 10:31

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Ronaldo named Goal 50 winner

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Goal 50 award for the world’s best footballer after a magnificent 2013-14 campaign, reclaiming the title from Lionel Messi.

It is the third time the Real Madrid ace has won the award, which he adds to a season’s haul that includes the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Ballon d’Or – another trophy he wrestled off Messi.

The Argentine only managed to finish third this time, his campaign having been disrupted by injury, while Bayern Munich and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben finished in second place.

Ronaldo revealed his delight to Goal: “It’s a very big honour for me to have been chosen as the best player. I’m sincerely grateful.

“I’m convinced that I wouldn’t have been able to win this award without the constant support from all the people at Real Madrid.”

Monday, July 28, 2014 13:51

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Van Gaal confronts Mourinho

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal indicated that he would have a word with Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho on Saturday after the Blues boss spoke out about the transfer of Luke Shaw.

The 19-year-old was a target for the Blues before leaving Southampton for Old Trafford and the Portuguese said that his huge wages would have "killed" Chelsea.

It prompted the Dutchman to talk to Mourinho in private as the first mind-games of the Premier League title race began.

Sunday, July 27, 2014 09:31

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Drogba returns 'home' to Chelsea

Veteran Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba completed a shock return to Chelsea on Friday, re-joining the club he left on a free transfer two years ago.

The 36-year-old, whose last kick for the Blues was the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, said upon his return that the west Londoners "have always felt like home".

Drogba also revealed that he was keen to reignite his "special relationship" with manager Jose Mourinho, who originally signed the forward back in 2004.

The Portuguese coach was keen to add the former Galatasaray attacker's experience and winning mentality to a young Blues squad, and he becomes Chelsea's fourth signing of a busy summer.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:00

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Vidal snubs Manchester United

It appears Louis van Gaal will have to look elsewhere in order to bolster his midfield after Arturo Vidal ruled out a switch to Manchester United this summer.

"I don't know if I will stay at Juventus, I'm happy here in Turin," the Chile international told Sky Italy.

"I will talk with Allegri on Monday. I'm not going to Manchester."

Friday, July 25, 2014 12:00

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James becomes latest Madrid Galactico

Barely two weeks ago James Rodriguez left the pitch in Fortaleza in tears after Colombia were knocked out of the World Cup by hosts Brazil, but he was in rather better spirits on Tuesday as he was unveiled as Real Madrid's latest Galactico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 23-year-old was the top scorer at this summer's tournament, striking his sixth and final goal from the penalty spot against the Selecao - and, in the process, famously picked up a new friend in the shape of an enormous grasshopper.

And now James, sans giant insect, has become the fourth most expensive player in history after sealing a £63 million move to the Spanish capital, where he can look forward to playing alongside two of the three players who have cost more than him, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, as well as fellow summer recruit Toni Kroos.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 10:00

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