Sergio Aguero admits it is a relief to have Lionel Messi back as Argentina prepare for a crucial World Cup qualifier with Chile in Santiago.
The captain was forced to sit out the opening four rounds of South American qualifying as a result of the knee injury he sustained with Barcelona.
Manchester City star Aguero was himself sidelined for the previous two games a 1-1 draw with Brazil and 1-0 victory over Colombia which saw Argentina kick-start their campaign to reach the 2018 finals in Russia after earlier losing to Ecuador and drawing with Paraguay.
And Aguero has welcomed the return of the Ballon d Or holder to the ranks as Argentina look for a win which would see them climb above Chile in the standings.
It s a relief that Leo is with us, he tol…
Manchester United are ready to reignite their interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, .
The Germany international, who has been out injured since the opening day of last season, was a target for Premier League side eighteen months ago, and they are again monitoring his situation as he nears a first team comeback.
United have also been linked with moves for Roma’s Kevin Strootman and Arturo Vidal of Juventus, but see Gundogan as a more affordable alternative.
Prior to his injury, the 23 year old had racked up eighty-four appearances and scored ten goals in all completions since moving to Dortmund from Nurnberg in 2011.
He was part of the squad that won the double in 2012, and came runners-up in the Champions League final the followi…
Massimiliano Allegri thought about resigning as Juventus head coach after his side lost the Champions League final for the second time in three years.
Although a stunning Mario Mandzukic goal ensured Juve were level at the break in Cardiff, Zinedine Zidane s Real Madrid went on to score three times in the second half to defend their title.
Allegri s men were also beaten by Spanish opposition in the Champions League final in 2015, with Barcelona 3-1 winners in Berlin, and after tasting defeat for the second time the Italian considered walking away from Juve.
I left Cardiff with the team and returned to Italy, Allegri wrote in the Players Tribune. The next evening, when I got home, I had to ask myself a very hard question: Is this the end of the road? Is this as…
A fully-fit Mario Gotze would provide a huge boost for Borussia Dortmund, but Hans-Joachim Watzke has warned not to expect too much too soon.
The Germany international – who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final – returned to action in Saturday s 3-2 win over Urawa Reds, coming off the bench to mark his first appearance since January.
Gotze has been struggling with a metabolic disorder and new Dortmund coach Peter Bosz vowed to be careful in managing his recovery.
And chief executive officer Watzke underlined the midfielder s importance to the side.
Happy to play again
— Mario Götze (@MarioGoetze)
From his mentality and attitude to his great passion, Mario was always ready, he told Welt am Sonntag. That was never…
The Netherlands made a losing start to the Frank de Boer era as Mexico ran out 1-0 winners during the new Oranje coach s first game in charge.
There was little for De Boer to enjoy in a largely one-sided friendly at Johan Cruijff Arena, where Tata Martino s high-energy team made it 18 wins from their past 19 matches as Netherlands debuts for Owen Wijndal and Teun Koopmeiners fell flat.
De Boer indicated before the game that he would rather have had extra time to prepare for his side s forthcoming pair of Nations League matches than play a friendly, but he had to watch as the Netherlands were pulled apart at the back repeatedly as Raul Jimenez and Jesus Corona caused them problems.
There were chances at either end, with Memphis Depay lively in the Dutch attack, b…
Derby County and Swansea City are interested in signing Harry Wilson from Liverpool before the summer transfer window in England closes on Friday, according to . It has been reported that the Championship duo are leading the race for the 23-year-old, with the defending Premier League champions willing to send the Wales international out on loan for this season.
However, according to the report, Derby and Swansea are not the only clubs from the second tier of English football who want to sign Wilson. There are three other teams from the Championship who are looking into a possible deal for the winger, who is not in manager Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans this season.
Wilson is a very good winger who did well during his loan spell at Bournemouth last season. According t…
Two clubs yearning to rise above mid-table obscurity clash when Aston Villa visit Stoke City on Monday in the English Premier League.
The hosts know what a win could do to their ambitions of European qualification once more, with Tony Pulis men just three points from Newcastle United in seventh.
But if there was one protagonist within the Stoke ranks who would love to send Villa away with their tails between their legs, it is surely veteran goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
The Denmark international spent five seasons at Villa Park before slipping out of favour under then-manager Martin O Neill, joining Stoke in time for the 2008/09 season.
He was Pulis undisputed number one until losing his place to Asmir Begovic last campaign, but has re-claimed his starting…
Mauricio Pochettino has defended Conor Gallagher after the midfielder received abuse on social media for failing to high-five a mascot.
Chelsea said in a statement that the “defamatory comments” made towards Gallagher were “completely unacceptable” and that the video had been taken out of context.
The incident occurred in the tunnel immediately ahead of kick-off when the Blues played Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the 24-year-old seemingly not noticing that one of the mascots had held up his hand.
Club statement.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
Pochettino rejected any suggestion that the player acted intentionally, and condemned the online reaction to the incident.
“It has upset me so much,” he said. “No one wants …
Ghanaian international Andre Ayew has extended his contract at Marseille until 2015.
Ayew, who turned 22 on Saturday, has been rewarded for a series of impressive performances this season with a one-year extension to his current deal.
Ayew, who has scored six league goals this season, has helped Marseille recover from a disappointing start to their domestic campaign.
He scored a late equaliser against Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, as Didier Deschamps s charges came from behind to win their matchday six encounter against the German champions and qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Ayew, whose brother Jordan is also on Marseille s books, has strong ties to the club he joined as an academy graduate in 2007 as he is the son of form…
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno believes his club are on track for success as the 2011/12 campaign draws to a close.
Real sit 10 points clear of defending champions Barcelona in La Liga and are heavy favourites to win their first league title since 2008.
Jose Mourinho s team are also in contention for Champions League glory after drawing 1-1 away to CSKA Moscow in the round-of-16 first leg.
We expect a successful few months, Butragueno told AS.
We have a great team, a great squad with a great coach who knows how to get the best out of players.
We must be united because this is the most critical phase of the season.
…