Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi is set to equal Xavi Hernandez's record of 767 appearances for Barcelona after he was named in the team to play against Huesca on Monday. Messi was in the starting line-up for the match at Camp Nou where Barca will look to put further pressure on Atletico Madrid in La […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah committed his international future to the United States on Monday, rejecting interest from England, Ghana and Italy. The New York-born 18-year-old, who had represented England at various junior levels and was also eligible to play for Ghana and Italy, said in a statement he wanted to play […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane opened the door to Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Real Madrid on Monday, admitting a comeback is "possible" for the striker. Asked by Sky Italia if there is any truth to rumours that Ronaldo could rejoin Madrid, Zidane said: "It's possible, it's possible." "We know Cristiano," Zidane added. "We know the […]

Bern (Switzerland) (AFP) – Former UEFA president Michel Platini spent six hours in front of a Swiss prosecutor as a suspect in a corruption case on Monday, before he testifies as a witness on Wednesday in a separate case against FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The 65-year-old was questioned in Bern by prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand, who […]

London (AFP) – Caretaker boss Robert Page said Wales must focus on "the job in hand" despite the continuing absence of manager Ryan Giggs as he prepares his team for World Cup qualifiers. Giggs was arrested on suspicion of assaulting girlfriend Kate Greville in November and missed Wales's Nations League games later that month. The […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola moved quickly to quash talk of a historic quadruple on Monday — after one of his own players said they were capable of a clean sweep of trophies. City face Borussia Moenchengladbach in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Budapest on Tuesday, well […]

Madrid (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane admitted Real Madrid are struggling to explain Eden Hazard's fitness problems after the club confirmed the Belgian is injured again ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game against Atalanta. Hazard came off the bench against Elche in La Liga on Saturday to make his first appearance since January but Zidane said […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Marco Rose admitted Monday that it would be "more than extraordinary" if his side were to overhaul a 2-0 deficit and knock Manchester City out of the Champions League. Gladbach face City in Budapest on Tuesday for the away leg of their last-16 tie, and the crisis-hit Bundesliga club […]

Paris (AFP) – Atletico Madrid dropped more points in pursuit of La Liga glory, Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at detractors with a perfect hat-trick and Inter Milan refused to buckle in Serie A. Meanwhile PSG came unstuck after off-pitch worries. AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from the weekend's action across […]

Paris (AFP) – Nigeria's Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first Premier League hat-trick at the weekend as he took his Leicester City goal tally to five from three matches. "I'm delighted for Kelechi," said Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers. "I see improvement in him and, day by day, he trains so hard." It was also the first […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona midfielder Pedri was called up to the Spain squad for the first time on Monday ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo. The 18-year-old Pedri has been one of the stars of the season in La Liga after establishing himself as a key creator in Barca's midfield. Likened […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain forward Angel Di Maria was the victim of a burglary during Sunday's loss to Nantes, while robbers also targeted the family home of captain Marquinhos, the latest in a spate of thefts at the club. Thieves stole jewellery and watches from the house of Argentine international Di Maria in the […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Egyptian and African giants Al Ahly and Zamalek face tough CAF Champions League group matches Tuesday, knowing losses would severely diminish hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Ahly won the marquee African club competition a record ninth time last season by defeating five-time champions Zamalek in the first final featuring teams from the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos returned for Real Madrid on Saturday but the bigger question is whether he is back for good. After two months out with a knee injury, Ramos played an hour in Madrid's win over Elche, with the plan to blow away the cobwebs ready for a start against Atalanta in the […]

Paris (AFP) – Who said what in sport this weekend: "The management spoke to me about things." — India cricket captain Virat Kohli who hit an undefeated and match-winning 73 in the second T20 win over England. Kohli hit form after three ducks in his five previous international innings. "The way he's played, he's definitely […]