Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal was “taught” how to play football by Andrea Pirlo at Juventus, says former Chile boss Claudio Borghi. Vidal spent four years playing alongside the Italian maestro in Turin, winning Serie A in every campaign and finishing as a runner-up in the 2014-15 Champions League. The 30-year-old moved to Bayern for…
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he would go to “the end of the world” with his players as he underlined his confidence ahead of their Confederations Cup semi-final. The European champions face Chile in Kazan on Wednesday looking to continue their unbeaten campaign in Russia and reach a second major final in the last 12…
Allegations of corruption have dogged Qatar’s successful bid to win the right to host the 2022 World Cup since the stunning announcement was made in Zurich in December 2010. After previously making only an edited and summarised version of former New York attorney Michael Garcia’s report available, the news that the extensive document had been…
Lucas Lima is weighing up a contract extension at Santos and denied receiving an offer from Barcelona. The Brazil international midfielder’s existing deal at the Vila Belmiro will expire at the end of December and reports last week claimed he was set to sign a pre-contract agreement with Barca. However, Lucas Lima will make a…
Dani Alves said he does not “play for money” when confirming his exit from Juventus ahead of a prospective move to Manchester City. Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta last week announced Alves’ contract in Turin would be terminated, despite his deal having another season to run, with the right-back set on departing. The 34-year-old is…
David Ginola feels Kylian Mbappe may benefit from remaining at Monaco for another season, but the former France star knows his young countryman will face considerable pressure to leave Ligue 1. Mbappe announced himself as Europe’s hottest young attacking talent by helping Leonardo Jardim’s side to dethrone Paris Saint-Germain as domestic title-holders in 2016-17, while…
Facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the final of the Confederations Cup would hold no fear for Germany midfielder Emre Can. Joachim Low’s world champions meet Mexico in Thursday’s semi-final in Sochi, with Ronaldo and Euro 2016 winners Portugal taking on Chile a day earlier in Kazan. The Real Madrid superstar has scored twice in three games…
AC Milan are attempting to conclude a deal to sign Premier League target Lucas Biglia from Lazio, according to the player’s representative. Biglia, 31, is under contract until June 2018, but is expected to leave Stadio Olimpico in the off-season. The Argentina midfielder’s agent has claimed Milan are close to securing the services of the former…
Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi urged Germany not to become fixated on the threat of Javier Hernandez in their Confederations Cup semi-final against Mexico. Former Manchester United striker Hernandez has 39 goals to his name for Bayer Leverkusen since joining the Bundesliga side two seasons ago and was on target for his country in their opening…
Sevilla are “very close” to completing the signing of Ever Banega from Inter, according to the midfielder’s agent. Marcelo Simian confirmed a deal for Banega to return to the LaLiga club after a single year in Serie A is expected to be completed soon. Argentina international Banega started 20 Serie A games and scored six…