Kicking & screening: Balo bares all after Confederations Cup winner

 

Despite scoring the winner against Mexico in Italy’s Confederations Cup opener, Mario Balotelli still managed to end up in coach Cesare Prandelli’s bad books.

The former Manchester City man sealed a 2-1 victory for the Azzurri at the Maracana and promptly took off his shirt to celebrate.

Balotelli was promptly booked for his actions leaving a frustrated Prandelli to warn the striker against picking up cheap yellow cards. 

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Neymar carries Brazil to Confederations Cup opening win

 

Not only is the pressure on Neymar and Brazil to deliver at next summer's World Cup, but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side are also expected to impress at the Confederations Cup this month.

Barcelona's latest recruit got Brazil off to a flying start on Saturday as his stunning strike in the third minute helped Brazil secure a 3-0 victory over Japan. 

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Football's biggest names land in Brazil ahead of Confederations Cup

 

With the World Cup under a year away, host nation Brazil stage the 2013 Confederations Cup with the rest of the world set to get a glimpse of what the country has to offer.

The hosts kick off proceedings on Saturday evening against Japan, with the likes of Oscar, David Luiz, Hulk and Neymar all expected to be in action.

And if that game alone does not boast enough big names, Spain have a star cast including Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, Italy have Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo, and Uruguay boast Edinson Cavani and, of course, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. 
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Paper talk: Ronaldo rubbishes contract renewal rumours

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has set tongues wagging all over the world by announcing via Twitter that "all the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false".

President Florentino Perez has previously insisted the forward wanted to stay with Los Blancos for many more years despite reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Reports in Spain also suggested Ronaldo was close to signing a new deal that would keep him at the club, until 2018, but in the wake of the forward’s comments that seems to be just paper talk. 

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Lewandowski trapped as Dortmund refuse to budge

 

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski’s future remains the topic of fierce speculation as BVB attempt to hold onto the Poland international.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar season last time out scoring 36 times in all competitions for Dortmund to become one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Dortmund have recently insisted they will not allow the striker to move to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich this summer, although they have stopped short of ruling out at summer exit entirely.

Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with Lewandowski but for the moment at least, the striker seems to be going nowhere.
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