Berlin (AFP) – Germany's forgotten World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes believes his international career is over as he expects an emotional return to ex-club Schalke with current side Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday. "The subject of the national team is definitely over for me," he told German magazine Kicker ahead of what […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Thomas Vermaelen still has a Whatsapp group with his Belgium team-mates at Tottenham but when it comes to Barcelona's plans for their Champions League match at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, all concerned are keeping quiet. "We talk all the time but they know they can't do anything about who will play," […]

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku believes he has finally emerged from his post-World Cup slump, with the Manchester United striker revealing he had to shed muscle to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. After a promising first season at Old Trafford the 25-year-old has strugged to make an impact in front of goal […]

London (AFP) – Defender Joe Gomez has signed a new contract with Liverpool that will keep him at Anfield until 2024, the club announced on Monday. The England international, currently out for up to six weeks with a fractured leg, has been impressive this season both alongside Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he was not worried for "one second" about Mohamed Salah's form this season after his relatively sluggish start. The Egypt forward made it 10 Premier League goals for the campaign with his hat-trick in Saturday's 4-0 win at Bournemouth that sent Liverpool top of the league. The […]

Milan (AFP) – Argentina striker Mauro Icardi is the golden boy of Italian football as much for his goal-scoring prowess with Inter Milan as his colourful lifestyle off the pitch. The heavily tattooed 25-year-old from Rosario — also the hometown of Lionel Messi — followed the same route as his illustrious countryman to Barcelona in […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham are sitting pretty in the Premier League but face a potentially season-defining match against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday. Mauricio Pochettino's men have amassed 36 points from 16 Premier League matches, with 12 wins, leaving them in third place behind Liverpool and Manchester City. That they have managed that […]

Kiev (AFP) – It is a big week for Shakhtar Donetsk and their fans as they prepare to host Lyon in the final round of Champions League group games on Wednesday. But the spectre of war has cast a shadow over the match with the fans now expected to travel over 700 kilometres (435 miles) […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool must again rely on fortress Anfield to inflict Napoli's first Champions League defeat of the season if they are to avoid the disappointment of a group stage exit just over six months since appearing in last season's final. The five-time European champions will most likely even have to win by two […]

Milan (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be leaving LA Galaxy to return to AC Milan, the Italian club's sporting director Leonardo said on Sunday, although they are studying the possibility of signing Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. "Ibrahimovic will not return to Milan," Leonardo told Sky Sport Italia. "He gave his word to the LA […]

Madrid (AFP) – River Plate midfielder Juan Quintero said his side were worthy Copa Libertadores champions after his stunning extra-time goal in Sunday's 3-1 victory over fierce Argentine rivals Boca Juniors in Madrid. Colombia playmaker Quintero powered in an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area to hand River a 2-1 lead after 109 […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan missed a chance to pile pressure on local rivals and fellow Champions League chasers Inter Milan in Serie A after being held to a goalless draw by Torino at the San Siro on Sunday. Gennaro Gattuso's fourth-placed Milan are three points behind Inter, who lost to leaders Juventus on Friday, […]

Madrid (AFP) – River Plate won the Copa Libertadores by beating their fiercest rivals Boca Juniors 3-1 after extra time on Sunday, bringing an end to a final tainted by violence and moved more than six thousand miles away from Argentina. Boca took the lead through Dario Benedetto but Lucas Pratto equalised before Juan Quintero […]

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Rafael Benitez called on Sunday for the immediate introduction of video assistant referees after his 10-man Newcastle side slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Wolves following Matt Doherty's stoppage-time winner. Furious Benitez made the plea after DeAndre Yedlin was sent off for hauling back Diogo Jota after being caught […]

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Matt Doherty snatched victory deep into stoppage time as 10-man Newcastle succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Wolves at James' Park on Sunday. The Magpies looked to have claimed a hard-earned point despite having DeAndre Yedlin sent off in the 57th minute but wing-back Doherty headed the visitors to a […]