Ronaldo beats Ribery & Messi to Ballon d'Or

There were lots of tears as Cristiano Ronaldo scooped the Ballon d'Or for the second time in his career on Monday evening.

The Real Madrid forward batted away stiff competition from treble-winning Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery and Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, who has already won the prize four times.

"First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team," said an overjoyed Ronaldo.

"Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."

Tuesday, 14 January 2014 12:00

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Ronaldo the favourite to win Ballon d'Or

The winner of the 2013 Ballon d'or is announced on Monday, and Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to claim the award.

The Real Madrid star is facing competition from Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

But Messi, who won the award in 2010, 2011 and 2012, has struggled with injuries this season, leaving Ronaldo as the frontrunner despite Ribery's Champions League-winning campaign.

Monday, January 13, 2014 12:00

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Domenico Berardi and AC Milan

A star was born on Sunday as Sassuolo and an inspired Domenico Berardi effectively brought an end to Massimiliano Allegri's reign at AC Milan with a 4-3 win over the fallen giant of Serie A.

The 19-year-old now has more league goals, 11, than any other teenager in Europe's top five divisions and should his form continue, he may well sneak on to Cesare Prandelli's plane to Brazil with Italy this summer.

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Barca & Atletico all square in La Liga tug of war

Barcelona took on second-place Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday evening and drew plenty of admirers for a highly entertaining 0-0 draw.

Contested at a ferocious pace, Diego Simeone's side showed they have kept pace with Barcelona on merit and extended their lead over city rivals Real Madrid to six points.

Post-match comments also saw Atletico winger Arda Turan describe Lionel Messi as an 'alien' after a half-time cameo from the Argentina star.

Sunday, 12 January 2014 12:37

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Ancelotti wages war to keep Casillas

He may no longer be the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti is determined to keep Iker Casillas.

The Spain international lost his place in the starting XI under previous boss Jose Mourinho during the 2012-13 season to Diego Lopez.

Lopez continues to be a regular fixture in the starting XI under Ancelotti, but the Italian is adamant that he does not want Casillas to leave.

"It was not an easy decision, I have two goalkeepers of high quality, the best two in the world," the Italian trainer told RNE.

"I started with Diego as my No.1, but then did not consider that Casillas would not play. Rotating goalkeepers is not the most desirable thing, it is not easy, but they have understood.

"I'll fight the same way I did for Xabi. This team have key players representing the club and I will wage war for Casillas to finish his career here, in Madrid."

Ancelotti has also suggested Casillas could be in the starting lineup to face Espanyol on Sunday as Lopez is struggling with a stomach bug.

Saturday, 11 January 2014 12:45

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