Youoversabi

Didier Drogba announced his retirement from football at the age of 40 on Wednesday.  The former Ivory Coast international spent nine seasons at Chelsea across two spells, picking up 12 major honours along the way, including four league titles and the 2012 Champions League.  He is the highest scoring African player in Premier League history, and the only man to reach three figures, finishing his career with 104 goals from 254 appearances in English football's top flight.  But who are the other men from his continent trailing in his wake? With the help of Opta, Omnisport provides a run-down...  Emmanuel Adebayor - 242 apps, 97 goals  The Togolese enjoyed spells at Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace and famously infuriated Gunners fans when running the full length of the Etihad Stadium pitch to celebrate a goal for City against his former employers.  Yakubu Ayegbeni - 252 apps, 95 goals  'The Yak' carved out a reputation as a deadly finisher and counts Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton among his numerous clubs. His penalty taking technique is perhaps best described as "relaxed".  Yaya Toure - 230 apps, 62 goals  Almost single-handedly inspired Man City to the title in 2013-14, scoring an astonishing 20 league goals from midfield. Famed for his bulldozing runs, Toure was given a hero's farewell at the Etihad at the end of last season.

New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has told his players to "forget the past" as they aim to overcome a dismal start to the Premier League season.  The Cottagers sit bottom of the table with just five points from their first 12 matches, a paltry return that led to Ranieri replacing Slavisa Jokanovic during the final international window of 2018.  Ahead of his first game in charge against fellow strugglers Southampton, the Italian made it clear he is confident of avoiding relegation.  Asked what a win over the Saints would do for Fulham, Ranieri told a news conference: "Clean everything and restart. Today, I said this - restart every time. Forget the past.  "My message is the team is a good one, but now we must show fighting spirit. It's not easy to change direction but it's important all together that we must do our best and be with good spirit and very attentive tactically.  "It's not possible to change everything in one night. It's important to get points but it's important to maintain our mentality, never, never give up - not in the match or the season.  "At the end, we will be safe, I am sure."  Ranieri became known as 'the Tinkerman' earlier in his career, but the 67-year-old insists he will "tinker clever" when it comes to picking a team at Fulham.  He also urged those who are left out of his first line-up not to lose heart, referring to his time at Leicester City when the team pulled off a scarcely believable Premier League triumph.  "It's important all my players are

Manuel Pellegrini has asked Samir Nasri to prove he is fit enough to play in the Premier League before West Ham think about offering him a contract.  Nasri, who is returning from a doping suspension after he received a drip treatment in a Los Angeles clinic in 2016, last played competitive football in November last year, for Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor.  The former France international has been training with the Hammers in order to build up fitness, with a view to hopefully earning a deal through to the end of the season, which would reportedly be worth £80,000 a week.  But Pellegrini, who worked with Nasri at Manchester City – West Ham's opponents at the London Stadium on Saturday – has called for patience as the 31-year-old sets his sights on a return to a division he won twice, including under the Chilean in 2014.  "We will see. Samir Nasri is working with us after a long ban. We are giving him a hand to return to football," said Pellegrini.  "I hope that from now until the end of the year he will be fit. If that is the case we will try to keep him here at West Ham."  Pellegrini was also asked on the future of Marko Arnautovic, who has scored five times in 10 Premier League outings in 2018-19 since arriving from Stoke City.  Arnautovic's brother and agent, Daniel, has suggested the forward is attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Everton, as well as clubs in Serie A, but Pellegrini insists the Austrian is going nowhere.  "He is a West Ham player. He has

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Tottenham are "working so hard" to extend Christian Eriksen's contract beyond 2020.  Eriksen has been a key player at Spurs ever since he joined from Ajax in 2013 and the club are eager to tie him down to a new long-term deal.  Media reports suggest the two parties have been in talks for several months, but rumours of tentative interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona have often lingered in the background.  Speculation in August claimed Spurs and Eriksen's representatives had come to a stalemate in negotiations, but Pochettino seems optimistic about the situation and is adamant the club is putting a lot of effort into discussions.  "He [Eriksen] knows, and we know what we are doing," Pochettino told reporters on Thursday.  "We are working so hard. The club is trying to take the best decision. Christian will take the best decision.  "I am not worried, but I prefer he is going to sign a new contract and stay a long time with Tottenham."  Eriksen's team-mate Dele Alli attracted headlines during the international break when he was purportedly filmed drunk in the lobby of a London hotel during the early hours of the morning.  In the video, Alli – who was accompanied by England team-mate Ross Barkley – appears to have an argument with hotel staff, but Pochettino is not concerned, convinced neither player has done anything untoward.  "I saw, I saw the video," Pochettino added. "[They did] nothing wrong, nothing wrong. 

Jan Vertonghen could make his return from a two-month injury lay-off in Saturday's clash with Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino has said.  The Belgium international last played on September 29 in Spurs' 2-0 win away to Huddersfield Town, but he had to be withdrawn at half-time due to a hamstring problem.  That injury has kept him out ever since, but he returned to training during the international break with Spurs readying themselves for a difficult few weeks.  Chelsea visit Wembley on Saturday, and that match is followed by a home game against Inter in the Champions League four days later before a derby clash with Arsenal on December 2.  Pochettino is wary of risking such an important player, but he refused to rule him out of the meeting with Maurizio Sarri's men.  "It is very good news, he has been training with the group," Pochettino told reporters at his pre-match news conference. "We have to wait until tomorrow [Friday] to see whether he can be involved.  "Jan is such an important player for us. We have a very busy period ahead so it's important to recover our players."  Spurs head into Saturday's game fourth in the Premier League, just one point behind Chelsea, who are one place above them.

Sergio Aguero feels knee surgery has given him a fitness boost that allows him to carry out Pep Guardiola's pressing instructions more thoroughly.  Aguero, Manchester City's record goalscorer, has not always seemed to have the best relationship with Guardiola, who has preferred Gabriel Jesus at times throughout his spell in charge.  But the striker has started all 12 Premier League games this term compared to Jesus' two, scoring eight goals - including his 150th in the competition - to lead the race for the Golden Boot.  And Aguero credits the operation he had prior to the World Cup as a factor in making him sharper and more able to follow Guardiola's tactical plan.  "It all comes from my discomfort in my knee. I had been suffering for a long time and had a lot of medical treatment with the physio here at the club," Aguero told Sky Sports.  "I had some discomfort, and then at the end of last season I decided to go for surgery before the World Cup. Since then, I feel great, I don't feel pain at all, and that's probably why I'm enjoying it more and feeling fitter.  "Luckily I am doing well and Pep is happy. I try to do the things he wants and help the team. I'm obviously the first guy who starts the pressing and [the knee surgery] is why I can do it more often."  City have made a brilliant start to their title defence, last term having finished 19 points clear of Manchester United, who were the last team to retain the Premier League in 2008-09.  Guardiola's side are two points

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is a "madman" in training, according to his former Roma team-mate Gervinho.  Last season Salah established himself as one of the world's best players, as he scored a phenomenal 32 goals in 36 Premier League matches having joined the Reds from Roma in a deal that could rise to £50million.  Salah became an integral part of Roma's squad after ending a disappointing spell at Chelsea via a loan stint at Fiorentina, and his signing effectively spelled the end for fellow winger Gervinho, who departed five months after the Egypt star arrived on an initial loan deal.  During that period, Gervinho could only watch on in awe at Salah's intensity, adding that he not only possessed the talent to be a star, but also the work ethic and sacrifice.  "Salah is a tough guy," Gervinho, now playing for Parma, told the Guardian. "Always calm and strong, with the mentality of a hard worker.  "I'll never forget his training sessions: very high rhythm, pushed like a madman, you watched him in amazement.  "He had a sort of positive effect – you saw Salah and wanted to work harder. Talent and sacrifice."

Emery says Arsenal were "falling" under Arsene Wenger but has denied making radical changes to turn the Premier League club around.  Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League in each of Wenger's last two seasons but have shown signs of improvement in 2018-19.  Although Emery's first two matches in charge ended in defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea, they subsequently won 11 games in a row in all competitions.  While the Gunners' form has since stuttered with one win in five, they still have not lost since August under the former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla coach.  Emery, though, says it is more a case of evolution than revolution in his Emirates Stadium reign.  "Before Wenger arrived, Arsenal celebrated the 1-0 wins and were based on defensive solidity," the Spaniard told Marca. "With Arsene, they became an attacking team, with players who were good on the ball.  "And the perfect combination came with the 'Invincibles' [Arsenal's unbeaten title-winning season in 2003-04]. But with time, you can only take care of technique and attacking freedom, losing your defensive structure.  "What I want to do is unite the two and become more competitive. Arsenal were falling. We had to stop that and start to lift them."  Wenger has declared himself ready to take another managerial job and Emery confirmed he is not in close contact with his Arsenal predecessor, while giving an insight into some of the different decisions he has made.  "Not about the team. I ran into him on

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi wants to fulfil his international dream with France despite overtures from Morocco.  The 19-year-old has caught the eye with some all-action displays for Unai Emery's side since joining from Lorient during the close season.  Guendouzi has represented France at every age-group level from Under-18 upwards and made his first appearances for the Under-21 side against Croatia and Spain over the past week.  His Moroccan heritage means Guendouzi's international options remain open until he plays a competitive game for Les Bleus.  Speaking after Monday's 1-1 draw against Spain, he told Canal+ that representing the country of his birth remains a huge motivation.  "Since I was young, I've always played with the French teams, it's a dream to play with France A," he said.  "And I'm hoping to get there, it's a dream for me. to make it happen."

The 38-year-old forward came on as a substitute for the final 10 minutes of the Socceroos' 3-0 friendly victory over Lebanon in Sydney.  He was unable to add a 51st international goal on his 108th appearance for his country after a Martin Boyle brace and Mathew Leckie's second-half strike put the game beyond the overmatched visitors.  Having been granted a hero's reception, Cahill addressed the crowd on the field at ANZ Stadium following the final whistle.  "I want to say thank you first to my family for being there from day one," he said. "The sacrifices my family made for me is why every time I step on the pitch I'm fearless and I'm free.  "Secondly, I want to thank my team-mates and all the staff I've worked with. Without you guys I'd be nothing. The coaches and players who are not here, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.  "Now, the most important people – the fans. It was tough for me to play for Australia at the start and every time I wore the green a gold I played with my heart.  "I don't want to keep you long, I just want to tell you all this is as much for you as it is for me. Thank you very much Australia."  Cahill then spoke to Fox Sports, flanked by his four children, and reflected on an unforgettable career that featured appearances at four World Cup finals, Asian Cup glory and numerous superb goals.  He conceded the reception he received on the touchline when preparing to replace Aaron Mooy brought a tear to his eye.  "I wanted to break down on the

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk displayed his compassionate side following his last-gasp equaliser against Germany on Monday.  Van Dijk's late volley salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw for the Dutch in Gelsenkirchen, propelling them into the Nations League Finals in Portugal next summer and completing a miserable campaign for Joachim Low's hosts, whose relegation to League B had already been confirmed.  The final whistle prompted enthusiastic celebrations for the Netherlands players but Van Dijk instead sought out referee Ovidiu Hategan - the Romanian official who was in tears following the recent passing of his mother.  Van Dijk told Voetbal International: "The man broke down with tears in his eyes because he had just lost his mother.  "I wished him strength and said he had refereed the game well. It's a small thing but maybe it will help him."  Netherlands' qualification for the final four of the Nations League continues their resurgence under Ronald Koeman, although they were second best for long periods against a Germany team struggling for form.  "We had a lot of the ball but were not able to put any pressure on them," the Liverpool centre-half added.  "Germany are, of course, a good team, they played well between the lines and with strikers that had a lot of movement.

Tim Cahill made his farewell appearance for Australia in the 3-0 win over Lebanon as a number of the Socceroos' next generation staked their claim.  Most notable among them was Scottish-born winger Martin Boyle, who netted a first-half brace before setting up substitute Mathew Leckie to score after the interval.  It was the 25-year-old's second appearance for Australia and first from the start, while Graham Arnold also handed full debuts for Awer Mabil and Mustafa Amini and gave a maiden cap to defender Rhyan Grant.  "It was very enjoyable. I'm always busy, trying to get on the ball all the time," Boyle told Fox Sports.  "The team were perfect and luckily I was there to score the goals.  "The boys have been brilliant with me, they've all welcomed me and it's easy for me to fit in. If you put performances in like that, you're going to fit in easily!"  Amini, who plays his football for AGF in the Danish Superliga, revelled in a Sydney homecoming.  "It's probably the best feeling of my career. I'm in Sydney, where I'm from. To win 3-0 and finish off the career of a legend in Tim Cahill is brilliant," he said.  "The boss gives us the instructions, you can see what he's done in the A-League. I'm very delighted to have my first start with my family here."  The similarly Danish-based Mabil – a wide attacker for Midtjylland – had already enjoyed a pair of substitute cameos, scoring on his first appearance against Kuwait last month.  "It's been special for the team and for Timmy. To

Serbia international Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as one of the hottest properties in European football since his move from Genk in 2015.  Top clubs from the Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1 and LaLiga were heavily linked with the 23-year-old during the transfer window, but no offers materialised and he signed a new contract in October.  Reports in Italy have suggested the midfielder has a release clause in the region of €150million, and should a club meet that valuation Lotito knows it will be tough to say no.  "Nowadays it's very complicated for a player to tie himself to a club for his entire career," Lotito told Calciomercato.com.  "However, Lazio are doing well, our players show great affection for the club and perhaps they’re persuaded to stay for what we’re doing on an infrastructural level, with the recent renovation of our training ground.  "But unfortunately, Lazio don't have the economic power of Barcelona and Real Madrid, so if a once-in-a-lifetime offer comes in, it'd pose a problem or us."  Milinkovic-Savic has started 11 of Lazio's 12 matches in the league this season, scoring once as they battle for a top-four spot with Inter, AC Milan and city rivals Roma.

Mesut Ozil says former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was "very angry" with the Spanish club following his £42 million transfer to Arsenal.  Ozil, who joined the Gunners on deadline day in 2013, led La Liga in assists during the season before his departure to the Premier League, and the German international claims Ronaldo was incensed by the decision to allow him to leave.  “The sale of Özil is bad news for me,” Ozil recounted the Portugese saying in an interview with Spanish publication AS. “He was the player who best understood my movements in front of goal. I’m very angry that Özil is being sold.”  The 30-year-old attacking midfielder said at the time he no longer felt valued at Real Madrid following the arrivals of Gareth Bale and Isco, and that led to him accepting a call from Arsenal and then-manager Arsene Wenger.  “During the weekend I [believed I] would be staying at Real Madrid but later I realized that the manager [Carlo Ancelotti] and the board didn't have faith in me,” Ozil said.  “I’m a player who needs that trust in me and that’s what I felt from Arsenal, that’s the reason I decided to join the club.”  Ozil has gone on to play 149 times for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups. He signed a new contract with the club in February, believed to be the most lucrative in its history, and will remain in north London until at least 2021.

Video Assistant Referees (VAR) could be used during the knockout round of this season's Champions League, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and European Club Association chairman Andrea Agnelli have hinted.  European football's governing body has already announced plans to use VAR in the 2019-20 season and is in the closing stages of conducting tests with the technology.  VAR was rolled out in LaLiga this term, following its implementation at the 2018 World Cup.  Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the A-League and MLS also use video assistants and the Premier League will bring it in alongside its Goal Decision System next season.  Speaking at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday, Ceferin and Agnelli suggested UEFA could jump ahead of its initial proposal, stating that VAR would be in use "at the latest next season".  "We have started to do all the preparation. [UEFA referees chief] Roberto Rosetti and his team are very good. There are important points of view – the referees and all the technical aspects," Ceferin said.  "I expect the report in a week or so and then we will see when we can implement it. At the latest next season."  Agnelli, who is also the chairman of Serie A champions Juventus, added: "At the latest next season also means there is space for earlier implementation.  "We are delighted as clubs with that and we thank UEFA for the work they have been putting together."

Dani Alves and Layvin Kurzawa are still some way off making their first appearances of the Ligue 1 season for Paris Saint-Germain, says head coach Thomas Tuchel.  The defensive duo have yet to feature under the German coach in the league after being ruled out with knee and back injuries respectively.  PSG have not missed them, however, winning all 13 of their matches in 2018-19 prior to the international break to top the table by seven points.  Both men have returned to training in recent weeks but Tuchel is not expecting to have either available in the near future.  "Their return is very important," Tuchel told PSG's website. "You can see Dani is growing in confidence.  "He's a player who has never doubted, and who is important, notably thanks to his career.  "Layvin is a little more reserved, and his return is important because we're lacking players who can play on the left.  "But I feel they're still not 100 per cent ready, and that it'll take a little more time before they're completely ready."

Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi says rumours the club's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is being lined up by AC Milan are "unfounded".  Gennaro Gattuso remains under pressure at San Siro despite improved results pushing the Rossoneri into contention for Champions League qualification.  Former Juventus and Italy coach Antonio Conte is among the managers linked with Milan, while Arsene Wenger denied he was set to take over after reports emerged regarding the ex-Arsenal boss.  And after Italian media claimed Gasperini was sounded out about joining Milan for the 2019-20 season, Atalanta said their coach would be staying put.  "There's nothing and these rumours are unfounded," Percassi said in a statement released to ANSA.  "During the international break they need to write something, but at the moment the transfer market is the last thing on our minds."  Atalanta have won four Serie A games in a row and sit eighth in the table, three points behind fifth-placed Milan

Ronaldo was a transfer target for AC Milan in 2017, former managing director Marco Fassone has confirmed.  Ronaldo joined Juventus in July in a deal worth €100million and scored in the Bianconeri's win at San Siro before the international break.  But the Portugal captain could have switched from Real Madrid to Serie A a year earlier, according to Fassone.  Former owner Li Yonghong was keen to bring Ronaldo to Milan but Fassone found a deal for the forward was too expensive after talks with agent Jorge Mendes.  "Mister Li wanted Ronaldo because he believed he had great strength on the Chinese market," Fassone said to Il Sole 24 Ore.  "The player wanted to leave Madrid, and we met in July 2017 with his representative Mendes, to check the costs and the availability of the player.  "Then I persuaded Mr Li to let go of the dream, because Ronaldo was too expensive."  Instead, Ronaldo had another successful season with Madrid, helping the club win the Champions League for the third year in a row.  Ronaldo made a slow start at Juventus but has now scored eight Serie A goals, with only Genoa forward Krzysztof Piatek more prolific this term.

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar believes the groin injury he suffered in Brazil's friendly with Cameroon is "nothing serious".  Neymar, 26, went off just eight minutes into his nation's 1-0 victory on Tuesday, sparking fears he may be sidelined for PSG's upcoming Champions League visit of Liverpool.  But the superstar forward echoed the thoughts of Brazil's team doctor, insisting the injury was not significant.  "We finished the year happy for the work done so far. These last games were important to recover from the biggest thud that was the World Cup," Neymar wrote on social media.  "We remain strong, concentrated and aiming to be better and better. Congratulations boys, for everything.  "Thanks to everyone who sent me messages wishing a good recovery. I think it was nothing serious."  PSG could be without Neymar for the Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse on Saturday, but will be hoping their talisman is available to face second-placed Liverpool four days later

Antoine Griezmann insists he is not obsessed with winning the Ballon d'Or, even if he is eager to lay his hands on the coveted prize.  Griezmann is among the contenders for the award after helping France win the World Cup, as well as guiding Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory, in 2018.  Speaking after France's 1-0 friendly win over Uruguay on Tuesday, the 27-year-old was clear over his desire to claim the gong.  "I want to win it [Ballon d'Or] too," said Griezmann.  But asked if he felt obsessed, he responded: "No, that is a problem with France.  "People there do not like when you seek something for yourself individually, but I'm proud to be there and hopefully I will win it.  "Of course, there are other people who can win it and they deserve it too, so let's see what happens."  Griezmann scored four goals at the World Cup, while he struck 29 in all competitions for Atletico in 2017-18.  His competition for the Ballon d'Or includes compatriot Kylian Mbappe, while Croatia's Luka Modric is the favourite

Tite applauded his counterpart Clarence Seedorf for Cameroon's style of play in their 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Tuesday.  Richarlison scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, having replaced the injured Neymar in the eighth minute.  The Paris Saint-Germain star suffered a suspected groin injury, though both he and the team doctor have since suggested it was a minor strain.  Brazil were dominant for much of the match in Milton Keynes and created numerous opportunities, but Tite was still able to appreciate Cameroon, who were playing just their fifth match under Seedorf.  "I even congratulated Seedorf," said Tite. "The game was for those looking for well-played football.  "I'm not talking about what's worse or better [in terms of style of play], but it was a beautiful game of football.  "They came out playing with the goalkeeper, who has the technical capacity to get out of danger with both feet.  "We put pressure on, creating a great deal of opportunities, but we couldn't complete them or turn them into goals. He also brought a creative process. Anyway, it was a good game to watch."  The win brought to an end a mixed 2018 for Brazil, who were dumped out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.  One aspect of the season that has particularly pleased Tite is the arrival of new players into the fold, though he felt it necessary to apologise to Rafinha and Dede for not bringing them on against Cameroon.  "What I can say is that, first of all, it [2018] was s

Argentina interim coach Lionel Scaloni was delighted for Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi after the pair scored their first international goals.  Goals from Icardi and Dybala helped Argentina to a 2-0 friendly win over Mexico in Mendoza on Tuesday.  It was Icardi's first in eight games, while Dybala struck for his country for the first time in his 18th appearance.  "We have to be happy because two players as important as Icardi and Dybala were unlocked," Scaloni said.  "They will give the fans a lot of joy."  Icardi produced a fine finish in the second minute to open the scoring, while the win was sealed by Dybala on the counter-attack.  Scaloni, who could be given the permanent job, was satisfied with his team's performance.  "It was difficult. We played with a lot of changes. We are happy because they all played, that was the goal," he said.  "I believe that with the changes the team let go more."

Cavani has told the media to stop suggesting he and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar have an ongoing feud after the two appeared at odds in a recent international meeting.  The Uruguay striker was booked following a clumsy tackle on the Brazil captain in a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium on Friday, leading to an exchange between the two.  Cavani was incensed by the booking, with replays suggesting contact was minimal, and he subsequently threw the ball at Neymar's leg after helping him up.  The 31-year-old striker then appeared to say something to Neymar as he walked away, before insisting at full-time they are friends.  Cavani was asked again about the situation after Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to France on Tuesday, and he lost his patience.  "You need to stop this," he told L'Equipe. "It's you, the media, that are creating something from nothing.  "On the outside, everybody has his own life. On the inside, everyone works for the best interests of the club."  In Tuesday's outing, another of Cavani's PSG team-mates Kylian Mbappe was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half.  With PSG in Champions League action against Liverpool on November 28, a bad injury to Mbappe would be a major blow and Cavani has his fingers crossed.  "I don't know, I hope it's not serious," he said. "We will need everyone to carry on."

 Valverde's use of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has been "crazy" and that could lead to a transfer away from the club in January, according to the player's father Mazinho.  Rafinha spent the second half of last season on loan at Inter after recovering from a serious knee injury and, although he played regularly, the club decided against making the move permanent.  Having returned to Barca in pre-season, the 25-year-old looked set for significant first-team opportunities, particularly given his versatility in midfield and attack.  However, he has featured just four times from a possible 12 LaLiga matches to leave Rafinha's father puzzled and frustrated.  "It's a crazy thing," former Brazil international Mazinho told Sport. "He [Rafinha] doesn't understand anything [about why he is not playing].  "Only the coach knows why he hasn't played, and the truth is that we have to try to get Rafa back to a regular playing situation.  "At Barcelona, he's getting three games in a row then being dropped. The coach has his way of working in his head, but for Rafa, he had a very good pre-season and some spectacular games, so this situation isn't understood.  "We have to look for an exit because it is very complicated here. It's been practically two years, he plays very little and needs a club that will give him 30 or 40 games per season.  "He hasn't had continuity in the game for a long time. We won't rule out a January transfer, and there are interested clubs.  "Barcelona are willi Valverde's use of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has been "crazy" and that could lead to a transfer away from the club in January, according to the player's father Mazinho.  Rafinha spent the second half of last season on loan at Inter after recovering from a serious knee injury and, although he played regularly, the club decided against making the move permanent.  Having returned to Barca in pre-season, the 25-year-old looked set for significant first-team opportunities, particularly given his versatility in midfield and attack.  However, he has featured just four times from a possible 12 LaLiga matches to leave Rafinha's father puzzled and frustrated.  "It's a crazy thing," former Brazil international Mazinho told Sport. "He [Rafinha] doesn't understand anything [about why he is not playing].  "Only the coach knows why he hasn't played, and the truth is that we have to try to get Rafa back to a regular playing situation.  "At Barcelona, he's getting three games in a row then being dropped. The coach has his way of working in his head, but for Rafa, he had a very good pre-season and some spectacular games, so this situation isn't understood.  "We have to look for an exit because it is very complicated here. It's been practically two years, he plays very little and needs a club that will give him 30 or 40 games per season.  "He hasn't had continuity in the game for a long time. We won't rule out a January transfer, and there are interested clubs.  "Barcelona are willin

The Ballon d'Or award should go to a France player and not favourite Luka Modric, according to Edinson Cavani.  Modric is seen as the frontrunner for the award in what is expected to be the first year since 2007 that either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo will not claim the prize.  The Real Madrid midfielder played a key role in their third successive Champions League triumph and starred as Croatia reached the final of the World Cup, where they were beaten 4-2 by France.  His exploits saw Modric win the FIFA Best Men's Player award, but Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay striker Cavani believes Madrid defender Raphael Varane, Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann and his PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe are all more deserving of the Ballon d'Or after inspiring Les Bleus to glory in Russia.  "Varane may well be there, Griezmann, Mbappe... I think a Frenchman should win, there are other players who could, but it should be a Frenchman, they have won the World Cup," Cavani told RMC.  "Modric has had a great season, but his team-mate Varane won the Champions League and the World Cup, Modric was a finalist and had a great campaign, but Varane deserves it more."

Martin O'Neill has stepped down in his role as manager of the Republic of Ireland following Nations League relegation.  Ireland appointed O'Neill in November 2013 and he was joined by Roy Keane as assistant, with the former Manchester United captain also losing his job on Wednesday.  Initially the pair made a strong impact and guided Ireland to Euro 2016, where they managed to get through as one of the best third-place finishers in a group containing Sweden, Belgium and Italy, eventually losing out in the last 16 to hosts and eventual finalists France.  But they failed to qualify for the World Cup and then endured a miserable start to life in the Nations League, ultimately getting relegated from Group B4 with just two points from four matches against Wales and Denmark.  The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) president Donal Conway applauded O'Neill and Keane for their contribution.  "On behalf of the FAI Board, I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for their work with the Republic of Ireland team over the last five years," he said in a statement on the FAI website.  "Martin ensured that we enjoyed some great nights in the Aviva Stadium and on the road in Lille, Vienna, and Cardiff, which were fantastic high points for Irish football."  It was against the Danes that Ireland's World Cup qualification campaign ended embarrassingly in November last year, as they were trounced 5-1 at home in the second leg of the play-offs having previously secured a 0-0

Neymar made a mistake when he agreed to his world-record €222million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, according to former Blaugrana and Brazil defender Edmilson.  PSG stunned world football when they made Neymar the most expensive signing of all time in August last year, with Barca left helpless as one of their prized possessions walked away.  Since then, Neymar has consistently sparkled in France, scoring 29 goals and setting up another 18 in just 31 Ligue 1 appearances.  However, the Brazil captain has often been surrounded by transfer speculation and reports of discontent, with the latest rumours suggesting he wants a return to Barca.  Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Edmilson – who spent four years at Camp Nou until 2008 – thinks he made a poor choice in leaving in the first place.  Speaking to Omnisport, Edmilson said: "Neymar's career is a very personal theme. He's decided to go to PSG and leave Barcelona  "In my opinion, that was a mistake, because a World Cup was coming up and, if he wanted to be number one [the best player in the world], being at Barca he could achieve it faster than being at PSG, with all due respect to them.  "And he's having a hard time because, perhaps in Ligue 1, PSG are two or three steps ahead of the other teams.  "It's not that their opponents are bad, the thing is that PSG have an international squad, and for an international squad to compete with clubs, that's a complicated matter.  "I hope he can keep

Manchester United and Leeds United will renew their rivalry in Australia next year, their first meeting in nearly eight years.  The fixture was confirmed on Tuesday – hours after both clubs removed their initial announcements – with Perth's Optus Stadium hosting the clash on July 17.  It will be the first time they have gone head-to-head since September 2011, when Manchester United won 3-0 at Elland Road in the EFL Cup.  The bitter rivals enjoyed regular clashes around the turn of the century but have only met twice since 2004 after Leeds tumbled down the divisions.  In Leeds' statement, managing director Angus Kinnear said: "A lot of hard work behind the scenes has gone into making this possible and I'm sure it will be a great success.  "The game against long-standing rivals Manchester United…will be a fantastic part of our centenary season and is expected to attract thousands of visitors."

Chris Gunter became Wales' most-capped player in Elbasan on Tuesday but Ryan Giggs' side could not mark the occasion with victory as they were beaten 1-0 by Albania.  Gunter made his international bow in 2007 and the goalless friendly saw him go past Neville Southall with 93 caps, a tally the 29-year-old could significantly add to before the end of his career.  A celebratory night in Cardiff might have a better way for the full-back to separate given there was very little to cheer for those fans who had made the journey.  Sam Vokes missed two glorious chances for Wales either side of the break and they proved costly as Bekim Balaj secured victory for Albania with a 58th-minute penalty.  Gunter's landmark night saw Wales make a positive start but finding a way through the Albanian defence proved harder than Scotland had found three days earlier.  Lively attacking duo David Brooks and Harry Wilson looked the most likely to threaten Etrit Berisha's goal, with the latter wasting Wales' best opportunity with a long-range free kick that drifted wide.  Taulant Xhaka was lucky to stay on the pitch just before the break as he appeared to move his head towards Brooks', but the officials only showed him a yellow card.  A flowing move – started by Wilson – eventually saw Joe Allen play in Vokes, but his low shot was easily saved by the alert ​Berisha.  Vokes failed again just after the restart as he proved unable to turn in Tom Lockyer's header from a yard out, the Burnley striker someh

Richarlison continued an impressive start to his Brazil career with the only goal after replacing the injured Neymar in a 1-0 win over Cameroon in Milton Keynes.  The Everton man arrived from the bench just eight minutes into Tuesday's friendly as Neymar went down with an apparent groin problem, but the captain's absence was only briefly felt.  Andre Onana's best efforts to keep Brazil off the scoresheet were thwarted on the stroke of half-time as Richarlison thundered in a fine header, his third goal for the senior side.  Further chances came and went, but the travelling samba stars secured another functional victory to close out 2018.  Paris Saint-Germain will hope the Neymar news is not serious on a night when strike partner Kylian Mbappe also suffered an injury while playing for France.  Allan worked Onana early on after a smart turn in the area, yet Brazil were soon distracted by Neymar's ailment and consequent withdrawal.  Minds were perhaps still elsewhere when Arthur's dallying presented Pierre Kunde with a clear opening that he dragged well wide, but Tite's men were soon back on the attack and Onana brilliantly denied Roberto Firmino from close range.  Although Onana was at his best again before the break to turn away a Firmino header, the goalkeeper was soon beaten as Richarlison crashed home Willian's corner.  A bright start to the second half saw Stephane Bahoken poke agonisingly wide at one end, before substitute keeper Fabrice Ondoa incredibly presented Gabriel

Alexis Sanchez netted his 41st international goal as Chile thrashed Honduras 4-1 in a friendly on Tuesday.  The nation's all-time leading goalscorer struck in the second half in Temuco, where Chile were awarded three penalties.  Arturo Vidal scored a brace before Alex Lopez pulled a goal back for Honduras, only for Sanchez to convert after having a penalty saved and Nicolas Castillo to net from the spot late on.  The win was a much-needed boost for Chile, who suffered a surprise loss to Costa Rica last week.  Chile only needed eight minutes to take the lead, Vidal on hand to tap in after Sanchez's header from a Jean Beausejour cross was saved by Luis Lopez.  Vidal blasted in a penalty with 10 minutes remaining in the half, only for Alex Lopez to respond for Honduras, tucking away an Alberth Elis cutback.  A handball decision led to Chile's second penalty on the hour-mark and Sanchez was denied by Luis Lopez, only to pounce on the rebound.  A third penalty – again for handball – saw Castillo seal Chile's comprehensive win in the 84th minute.

France coach Didier Deschamps praised Antoine Griezmann after the forward let Olivier Giroud take his team's penalty against Uruguay on Tuesday.  Giroud converted a 52nd-minute penalty to give the World Cup champions a 1-0 friendly win at the Stade de France.  That the Chelsea striker took the spot-kick was a surprise and Deschamps lauded Griezmann for the gesture.  "Antoine is, I was about to say too kind, but not here. He has such amazing team spirit, it's exceptional," Deschamps told a news conference.  "He is always working for the team, and even in a difficult game like on Friday against Netherlands, he tried so hard, he gave all he could.  "We had a situation where he wanted to help Olivier. This gesture shows the wonderful spirit and the sense of teamwork we have at the moment within the group."  While it was Giroud's fourth international goal of the year, he has struggled for Chelsea this season.  The 32-year-old has scored just once in 12 games, including not yet netting in nine Premier League matches.

 Forrest inspired Scotland to Nations League promotion as his hat-trick headlined a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Israel in Glasgow on Tuesday.  Twice on target in the 4-0 trouncing of Albania on Saturday, Forrest maintained his rich form by overturning former Celtic team-mate Beram Kayal's opener in the space of nine first-half minutes and completing a decisive treble just after the hour.  Alex McLeish's men - beaten 2-1 in the reverse fixture - needed three points to leapfrog Israel into top spot in Group 1 of League C and were made to negotiate an anxious last 15 minutes when Eran Zahavi reduced the deficit.  Scotland demonstrated maturity to steady and saw off one final scare with help from Allan McGregor to confirm their ascension to the Nations League's second tier.  Early tension at Hampden Park ratcheted up when midfielder Kayal, afforded time to pick his spot from 25 yards, curled a brilliant effort beyond Allan McGregor in the ninth minute.  Scotland responded confidently and, after Ariel Harush acrobatically denied Callum McGregor, Forrest took charge.  The winger pounced on a kind deflection from Stuart Armstrong's initial shot to restore parity and guided his side ahead in a one-on-one in the 43rd minute, Ryan Christie having skilfully squared following Steven Fletcher's headed flick-on.  And it was Scotland's star man who all but made the points safe in the 64th minute as he expertly cushioned Ryan Fraser's lay-off and clinically picked out the bottom-righ

Matteo Politano came off the bench to snatch a late winner for Italy, breaking the deadlock in the 94th minute against United States.  Roberto Mancini's side toiled for much of Tuesday's international friendly in Genk but finally found a way to beat impressive goalkeeper Ethan Horvath with mere seconds remaining in added time.  Politano only came on as a substitute with three minutes to play but he dashed into the box to finish sweetly at the end of a rare incisive attack from the Azzurri.  Italy have now kept three clean sheets in a row but Mancini will be concerned about how long it took his team to break down an inexperienced United States side.  Horvath denied Federico Chiesa in the third minute, the Fiorentina forward then rifling wide of the far post.  In a lively start for the Azzurri, the busy Horvath blocked a Leonardo Bonucci effort after the centre-back was picked out by a clever free-kick from debutant Stefano Sensi.  Horvath tipped over a dipping 20-yard curler from Domenico Berardi in the 39th minute and had to be alert to push away Marco Verratti's inswinging free-kick as Italy kept pushing for the opener.  Half-time substitute Vincenzo Grifo delivered a chipped cross that Verratti could not quite jump high enough to convert as the onslaught continued after the interval.  United States, for whom Christian Pulisic became their youngest captain of the modern era, finally recorded a shot in the 63rd minute when Kellyn Acosta's free-kick found Walker Zimmerman at

Arkadiusz Milik converted a twice-taken penalty as Poland came from behind to draw 1-1 with 10-man Portugal in the Nations League.  Poland were already relegated from Group 3 but, after Andre Silva scored his second goal in four games to give Portugal a first-half lead, Milik's equaliser ensured Jerzy Brzeczek's side a share of the points and a place in Euro 2020 qualifying draw pot 1 at the expense of Germany.  Portugal, who clinched a place in the Nations League finals with a goalless draw against Italy on Saturday, put in an improved display but Poland's physical approach to the game helped them muscle their way back into the contest after the break.  Danilo Pereira felled Milik in the box in the 62nd minute and was shown a red card, with the striker scoring from the spot on two occasions, his initial attempt having been ruled out due to encroachment.  Renato Sanches was Portugal's most dangerous attacking outlet and it was his corner that was converted by Silva, whose flicked effort caught Wojciech Szczesny out to reach the net.  Poland almost hit back within minutes when Tomasz Kedziora crashed a looping header onto the crossbar, but Portugal led at the break.  The second half was played at a faster pace and swung from end to end before Poland found a response just after the hour mark.  Danilo reached his arm across Milik's back as the Napoli forward bore down on goal and referee Sergey Karasev had no hesitation in sending off the Porto player, though the hosts held out

Roberto Mancini feels Italy are ahead of schedule despite needing a 94th-minute winner from Matteo Politano to edge past the United States.  Italy struggled in Tuesday's international friendly in Genk until late substitute Politano collected a pass from Inter team-mate Roberto Gagliardini to score deep into added time.  The Azzurri have kept three clean sheets in a row under Mancini but only scored twice in that run, although they have handed opportunities to a batch of young players.  Stefano Sensi started in midfield and impressed Mancini on his international bow, while there were further debuts from the bench for Vincenzo Grifo and Juventus teenager Moise Kean.  And although Italy finished second behind Portugal in their Nations League group, Mancini believes his team are on the right track.  "Sensi did really well, so did Kean and Grifo," Mancini told Rai Sport. "[Francesco] Acerbi and [Mattia] De Sciglio impressed me, too.  "We are in line with where we expected to be at this stage, perhaps doing even better, as the team is playing very well.  "The Euro 2020 qualifiers are coming up next year, so we have had a few too many draws and defeats lately, here's hoping we get all wins."  Italy could not find a way to beat Ethan Horvath until late on, with Domenico Berardi and Federico Chiesa failing to make the most of their chances.  "It was heading to 0-0 again but that’s football, there’s nothing you can do about it," Mancini added.  "We had so many chances, the important t

France overcame an injury to Kylian Mbappe as Olivier Giroud scored from the spot to earn a 1-0 friendly win over Uruguay.  Aiming to return to winning ways following their UEFA Nations League exit, France's task was made harder when Mbappe – who had squandered a great early chance – went off with a shoulder injury following an awkward collision with visiting goalkeeper Martin Campana.  But, having failed to score in the first half for a fourth successive game, France's luck changed when Martin Caceres was harshly adjudged to have handled Antoine Griezmann's effort.  Giroud made no mistake from the resulting penalty, ensuring that Mbappe's absence was not felt too much by Didier Deschamp's side.  Giroud's shot into the side netting set the tone for a strong France start, and the hosts would have been ahead in the 16th minute had Mbappe kept his chip on target.  The Paris Saint-Germain striker looked set to atone for that miss on the half-hour, but instead France were dealt a huge injury blow.  Having latched onto Tanguy Ndombele's defence-splitting pass, Mbappe was unable to avoid the onrushing Campana, landing heavily on his right shoulder and, despite attempting to carry on after receiving treatment, the youngster was replaced by Florian Thauvin.  France's pressure finally told early in the second half, though, with Giroud slotting home from 12 yards after Caceres was deemed to have intentionally used his arm to deny Griezmann's on-target effort.  They failed to build on t

Dave Sarachan believes he moved the United States forward during his extended period as the team's interim coach.  Sarachan stepped into the role when Bruce Arena left following his side's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and fielded 23 debutants during his year in charge.  The search for a permanent successor to Arena has been ongoing, with Sarachan overseeing a 1-0 loss to Italy in Genk on Tuesday in what he confirmed to be his last match in the temporary role.  An appointment is expected to be made soon and Sarachan feels the new boss will inherit a squad with a positive future.  "It was my last game," Sarachan told a news conference. "I feel as though this has been a very good year. I feel as though we moved it forward.  "To look back at the players we have found and exposed at this level, I feel as though when the next person comes in, they are going to have a great starting point."  USA goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was outstanding against the Azzurri but was unable to prevent late substitute Matteo Politano grabbing a dramatic winner in the 94th minute.  Sarachan's last two games ended in defeats without scoring as the result followed on from a 3-0 Wembley loss to England, though he praised his defenders for putting in a "great shift".  "I thought the guys competed great tonight," he added. "It's an important element for the progress of this team going forward, when you step on the field, you have to win your duels and battles.  "It might not be fun defending a lo

Ryan Giggs said his Wales side let themselves down during the 1-0 defeat to Albania in Chris Gunter's landmark game.  Gunter made his 93rd international appearance in Tuesday's friendly, surpassing Neville Southall as Wales' most-capped player.  But Bekim Balaj's 58th-minute penalty spoilt Gunter's party, and Giggs rued a lack of focus as the reason for Wales' fourth defeat in five games.  "We controlled the first half and thought it was going to be easy. We should have won that game, we were in total control," he said.  "But they let themselves down.  "I have been in football long enough to smell when something is going to happen and I said that at half-time because players didn't have that concentration.  "We go a goal down, we don't play our own game, we are pumping the ball in their box.  "Quite simply we turned up thinking we would win and thinking someone would get us out of trouble."

Poland's fightback to draw 1-1 against the 10 men of Portugal proved they can play well without talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, according to head coach Jerzy Brzeczek.  Arkadiusz Milik's second-half penalty earned relegated Poland a Nations League point that ensured them a place in pot one of the Euro 2020 qualifying draw at the expense of Germany.  Andre Silva's header had given Portugal the lead in the first half but Danilo Pereira's foul on Milik saw the hosts concede a penalty and the midfielder sent off before the encounter in Guimaraes ended all square.  Lewandowski played in Poland's previous game, which ended in a 1-0 friendly defeat to the Czech Republic, before withdrawing from the squad and returning to Bayern Munich with a knee injury.  Brzeczek told TVP Sport: "We played a good game. We lost a goal quite quickly but we did not lose self-confidence. This is the most important thing, that we did not give up.  "Something important happened: we proved we can play well even without Robert Lewandowski. I am sure it will help us in the future.  "I am also glad of the level of our defence. Again, we proved that without Kamil Glik, another key player, we can do well.  "I am not glad that I have not won any of my six games as Poland coach, but I am sure that this difficult path we are going through will make us stronger."  Portugal coach Fernando Santos was critical of his side's performance for the second consecutive match, despite seeing them safely qualify for t

Alex McLeish hailed the "amazing" football Scotland played in beating Israel 3-2 to secure Nations League promotion on Tuesday.  James Forrest's sparkling hat-trick erased Beram Kayal's early opener and set the hosts on their way to top spot in Group 1 of League C.  They were made to survive an anxious final 15 minutes following Eran Zahavi's goal against the run of play but held on to book a place in the competition's second tier, as well as the safety net of a play-off spot in Euro 2020 qualifying.  With his side having eased to a 4-0 defeat of Albania on Saturday, McLeish was able to celebrate consecutive victories as Scotland manager for the first time since October 2007, albeit not without enduring a few late nerves.  "I tried not to look at the clock in the last 10 minutes or so when [Israel] got their second goal," the former Rangers boss admitted to Sky Sports.  "But we played some great football for an hour. I've got to be absolutely proud of the guys for the way they played tonight [and] the way they played against Albania.  "They set this game up because of that performance. It gave them an injection of confidence.  "It was amazing football and there was a lot of good build-up play in the game as well."  Celtic winger Forrest carried on the scoring form that resulted in a brace against Albania last time out.  The 27-year-old had failed to register a goal in his previous 24 Scotland appearances but was delighted to make crucial contributions in two key fixtures.  "

Paris Saint-Germain will be worried about Neymar's injury, says club colleague Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.  Neymar appeared to hurt his groin early in Tuesday's international friendly win over Choupo-Moting's Cameroon on Tuesday.  The Brazil captain was withdrawn after only eight minutes of action, though replacement Richarlison went on to score the only goal of the game.  Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar eased fears over Neymar's fitness, telling SporTV: "It does not appear to be a serious injury". However, he said a scan will be needed on the injury.  PSG face Liverpool in a crunch Champions League clash on November 28, with Neymar's fellow forward Kylian Mbappe also injured on international duty.  Mbappe appeared to hurt his shoulder in France's 1-0 triumph against Uruguay and he was also substituted in the first half of the game.  Choupo-Moting would stand to benefit if either attacker were injured for any length of time, but he has his fingers crossed for Neymar.  "It would be worrying because he is a very important player, as all the players are," he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.  "No player is more important than the team. He's a great player though and I hope he is not injured for a long time.  "I talked quickly to him but it was just after the injury. I think it's not too too serious. I hope he will be ready next week for us.  "He wanted to play. He really had an injury and felt something."

Didier Deschamps claimed there is no major concern over a shoulder injury sustained by Kylian Mbappe in France's friendly win over Uruguay.  Mbappe went off 36 minutes into Tuesday's encounter at Stade de France, having landed awkwardly on his right side following a collision with Martin Campana.  The teenager walked down the tunnel in discomfort clutching his shoulder, but appeared on the bench in the second half as Olivier Giroud's penalty secured a 1-0 win.  And Deschamps has revealed that, although Mbappe will have to be examined on Wednesday, there does not appear to be any substantial damage.  "He had a shoulder pain after his fall and he has to take exams on Wednesday morning," Deschamps told a news conference.  "But there is no particular concern.  "There was a shock, a pain, but I do not think there was any twisting or tear."  Should Mbappe be given the all clear, it will present a boost to Paris Saint-Germain, who will also be sweating on the fitness of Neymar after he went off injured early in Brazil's win over Cameroon.