Ballon d´Or: Barcelona´s Pedri wins Kopa Trophy

Alexandre Lacazette will consider his future following pre-season interest from Arsenal, but insists his immediate focus is on the current campaign with Lyon.

The French striker was the subject of a bid – claimed by the Ligue 1 club to be worth €35 million – from the Gunners in July, but Lyon had no interest in letting their star player leave.

Lacazette still has two and a half years to run on his deal and the Lyon youth product, who has netted more than 100 times for the club, wants to cement his legendary status at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Right now, honestly, I m thinking of this season, the 25-year-old told Le Progres. I prefer to concentrate on the team, play, score and try to beat the record of the club s legends. I know I m behind Serge Chiesa [1…

Carlo Ancelotti believes Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has a better understanding of football than Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez due to the fact he played the game.

Ancelotti replaced Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena in the close-season having been out of work since his Real Madrid exit at the end of the 2014-15 season.

The Italian was a popular figure at Santiago Bernabeu and Madrid president Perez faced criticism for sacking him after two seasons at the helm.

Ancelotti was asked about the differences between Madrid and Bayern, and stated that Beckenbauer perhaps has a better understanding of his role as a head coach.

What s the difference between Bayern and Real Madrid? They re quite similar as clubs, maybe the diffe…

As for the visitors, after being hit with what was a shock 2-1 loss at home against Southampton last weekend and watching Manchester City leapfrog them to second spot, many around the King Power are starting to fear that their side could be showing some signs of fatigue. Also having to come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw off of relegation scrappers Aston Villa in their EFL Cup semi-final first-leg last week, Brendan Rodgers men have won just three of their last nine matchups across all competitions within 90 minutes. However, still firmly on course to secure a Champions League return this season, the former Celtic boss has seen his side continue to save their best performances for away from the King Power. Including picking up a thumping 3-0 win away at St. James Park on New Year s Da…

Andres Guardado cannot think of a better way for Mexico to end their last-16 hoodoo than against five-time World Cup winners Brazil.

The two nations meet in Samara on Monday as Mexico aim to finally rid themselves of the  curse of the fifth game an unwanted run that stretches back 24 years.

In each of the past six finals, El Tri have been dumped out in the second round, most painfully against Netherlands four years ago when they led with two minutes remaining only to lose 2-1 in stoppage time.

Brazil, by contrast, have reached at least the last eight in those six editions, advancing to three finals during that period and winning two of them.

Tite s side are being touted as favourites for a sixth world crown in Russia, but Guardado says the lofty expec…

African superstar Samuel Eto o is banking on fighting spirit driving Cameroon into the Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Thursday.

The Indomitable Lions tackle fellow former champions Tunisia at the new 20,000-seat Tundavala Stadium in this southern Angola town and the stakes are sky high.

Victory for four-time title holders Cameroon over the Carthage Eagles and they are definitely through to the last-eight phase of the biennial African football showcase.

A draw might suffice, depending on what happens between leaders Gabon and lowly Zambia at Ombaka Stadium in Benguela; a loss will condemn one of the pre-tournament title favourites to a humiliating early exit.

But three-time African Footballer of the Year and Inter Milan striker Eto o says the thrilling …

Celtic defender Thomas Rogne believes it is likely he will leave the Scottish Premier League champions in the off-season.

The Norwegian, who is able to exit Celtic Park for nothing when his contract expires in three weeks time, was offered a new deal by the club in February, but he turned it down.

And after suffering with several injuries during his time in Scotland, he admits that it is probable he will depart the club following his participation at the European Under-21 Championship.
Having joined Neil Lennon s side in January 2010, Rogne also did not rule out a venture to a new country, after three-and-a-half years on British soil.
I still have a month left on my contract so I haven t left yet but it seems that way, he said.
I am just here (in Israel) to enjoy these…

French international winger Dimitri Payet has informed West Ham he no longer wants to play for the Hammers, Slaven Bilic has confirmed.

The 29-year-old is said to be frustrated with West Ham’s failure to build on last term successes and is eyeing a move out of East London.

Arguably the best West Ham player from last season, Dimitri Payet struggled with the burden of high expectations throughout the current season himself. The French forward moved to West Ham in 2015 and his time with the Hammers appears to be coming to an end.

“We have said we don’t want to sell our best players, but Payet does not want to play for us. We are not going to sell him”, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic explained.

Payet has been the subject of intensified transfer talk o…

Swansea City have announced the signing of Bersant Celina from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the Championship club and will complete his move upon receiving international clearance.

When I heard that Swansea wanted me, I knew straight away it would be the best move for me because I know the manager wants to play good football, he told the club s website.

I ve been at Manchester City a long time, but it was the right time and decision.

I have come to Swansea because I want to play regular football. I don t think there s any better place for me.

Celina joined City from Stromsgodset but only made one appearance in the Premier League, coming on as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Lei…

Emma Hayes feels her Chelsea side must be perfect in the title run-in to be crowned Women’s Super League champions again.

Chelsea trail leaders Manchester United by four points but have two games in hand, the first of which is at home to lowly Leicester on Wednesday.

The Blues – who play United in the FA Cup final on Sunday – complete their league programme with trips to West Ham and Reading and a visit from Arsenal in between.

Another quick turnaround!

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW)

“We have to win all four games,” Chelsea boss Hayes said unequivocally at her pre-match press conference. “We’re in a good rhythm, we like the games.

“It’s tiring in one element because it’s a quick turnaround, but the dressing room w…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes Daizen Maeda has come back from the Asian Cup in better shape than he left.

The forward has declared himself ready to start in Wednesday’s cinch Premiership contest against Hibernian at Easter Road.

Maeda made two substitute appearances for Japan before starting in Saturday’s quarter-final defeat by Iran, playing the first 67 minutes.

The 26-year-old had played the last five games before the Premiership winter break after recovering from a knee injury, and Rodgers feels the attacker is up to speed after his international duties.

Welcome back, Daizen! | |

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC)

“Daizen Maeda is back, which is great news, and fit and healthy,” Rodgers said.

“He is …