Xavi: I may not retire at Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez has hinted that he may transfer away from FC Barcelona before he retires, claiming it will be "difficult" to stay at Camp Nou.

The midfielder, who turns 34 later this month, has a contract with the Catalans until the summer of 2016 and has already made 22 appearances this season.

Though he insists he would like to stay at Barca until the end of his playing days, Xavi thinks that it will be tough to remain in the Liga champions' first team plans as his illustrious career draws to a close.

Honda dreaming of Champions League glory with Milan

Keisuke Honda says he is hopeful of leading AC Milan to Champions League glory again after being unveiled by the club on Wednesday.

The Rossoneri's new recruit immediately turned on the charm offensive in his first press conference since signing from CSKA Moscow by declaring he intends to win the Champions League with the San Siro giants.

And the 27-year-old endeared himself further to the Milan faithful by admitting it was a lifelong ambition to play for the club.

Guardiola's Barcelona the best ever, insists Koeman

Barcelona legend Ronald Koeman feels Pep Guardiola's Blaugrana  team that won 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012 was arguably the most complete side of all-time.
Koeman was an integral part of another legendary Barca team who won the first European Cup in the club's history in 1991-92, but he has stressed that Guardiola's side was even better than the so-called 'dream team'.

"Guardiola's Barca was an improvement on our dream team," the current Feyenoord boss was quoted as saying by Marca.

"Pep's Barca consistently maintained its level of excellence. It always played well. We had very good games as well, but had our highs and lows. But Pep's team always played well.

Hitzlsperger reveals homosexuality

Former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger has revealed that he is homosexual and urged athletes to be more transparent regarding their sexuality.

The 31-year-old, who recently ended his career after spells with Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lazio, West Ham United, Wolfsburg and Everton, feels homosexuality remains a taboo in the footballing world.

But following the revelation of former USA international Robbie Rogers, Hitzlesperger has opted to follow suit and says it has taken years to find the courage to come out.

"I am speaking up about my homosexuality because I want to get the discussion about homosexuality among athletes going," Hitzlsperger told Zeit.

Fifa in dispute over Qatar World Cup

Confusion continues to reign over the 2022 Qatar World Cup after Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce rubbished earlier claims from secretary general Jerome Valcke that the competition would be moved to winter.

Long-standing fears over soaring temperatures in the country have prompted debate over the ideal date for the tournament, with Valcke confirming on Wednesday that a summer competition was impractical.

"The dates for the World Cup in Qatar will not be June-July," he told Radio France.

"To be honest, I think it will be held between November 15 and January 15 at the latest.

Why Chelsea need a striker & midfielder in January

The Blues' misfiring frontline have notched just seven league goals this season, underlining the need for more firepower, while Xabi Alonso could be the perfect partner for Ramires
    This January, most of the sides fighting for the Premier League title will go into the winter transfer window looking to make only minor tweaks to already cohesive teams - but not Chelsea. 
   While other clubs have minor deficiencies, the Blues need major surgery on an imbalanced squad and no side possesses an Achilles heel quite so great as the west Londoners' absentee strikeforce.

Barcelona's future secure with Ter Stegen, but is the German ready for the present?

The Gladbach goalkeeper is set to move to Camp Nou in the summer to replace Victor Valdes but must step up to be good enough for the Blaugrana first team
   Ever since Victor Valdes' announcement that he would leave Barcelona at the end of his contract in June 2014, one man has been the overwhelming favourite to take the Spain international's No.1 jersey: Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 
  Sure, there was talk of Pepe Reina or Thibaut Courtois, but the young German's name has never been far away from the gossip pages in Catalan dailies. And now that it has been confirmed that he will not extend his contract and leave Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer, it seems that the Camp Nou outfit have landed their man, who is yet to turn 22.

Jese a new rival as Di Maria's Madrid future hangs in the balance

The youngster staked his claim for a permanent place ahead of the Argentine after changing the face of the Blancos attack in the second half of his side's 3-0 win over Celta Vigo
     Real Madrid fans were furious. Already annoyed by the sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal, Blancos followers were disgusted to read late last year that Angel Di Maria may be off in the January window to join Monaco.
    On Monday night, those same supporters were angry again, except this time, the Argentine winger was the butt of their ire.

'Rossi out for two-to-three months'

Giuseppe Rossi is unlikely to be ready to return to action for "two-to-three months" after sustaining a new knee injury, according to Inter's former club doctor,
Rossi was withdrawn after a challenge from Leandro Rinaudo in Fiorentina's 1-0 win over Livorno on a cruciate knee sprain that will keep him away from the fields for about two-to-three months

"It's correct to assume two to three months out for this kind of injury," Volpi, former chief doctor at Inter and a distinguished sports physician in Italy.

Ronaldo dedicates the win to Eusebio"

The Portuguese was not at his best as the "Blancos" struggled to break down the visitors but latched on to dangerous balls from Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale to net a double late in the game and also saw an effort ruled out for offside in the closing stages.

The 28-year-old, who is favourite to win the Ballon d'Or next week, struck 69 goals in 59 games for club and country in 2013 and his first two this year mean he now has 400 senior strikes in his career.

BREAKING: Walcott ruled out for six months with knee injury

Arsenal midfielder,Theo Walcott,has been ruled out for at least six months with a knee injury, the club have confirmed

Walcott was stretchered off during the club's 2-0 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and scans have revealed he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 24-year-old will undergo surgery to rectify the problem, which will sideline him for the remainder of the Premier League season and the World Cup in Brazil this summer.Walcott courted controversy during Saturday's match as he gestured the scoreline to the Tottenham fans while being stretchered off.

Udinese's Di Natale to retire at the end of the season.

Speaking in the aftermath of his side's 3-1 Serie A defeat to Verona on Monday, the 36-year-old announced that he will call time on his illustrious career, which has seen him become one of the most revered strikers in the Italian game.

Di Natale reported: "I've already decided what to do in June. I spoke with my family and my agent and for me it ends here. I will retire.Di Natale is also known as the "Italian Bomber"

Walcott cleared by FA over Spurs gesture.

                                                             

In a statement on Monday, the FA confirmed Walcott would not be punished, but reminded the player of his responsibilities.

Arsenal and Tottenham have been asked for their observations by the FA after objects were thrown from home and away sections of the crowd during the match.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, revealed Walcott had been pelted with coins prior to his gesture, yet the actions of both sets of supporters are being scrutinised.

Bale back to the bench

Gareth Bale's name has returned to Real Madrid's team sheet after a 23-day absence. The Welshman was ruled out of the Olimpic de Xàtiva, Valencia and PSG matches due to a calf injury, a problem that has lingered on for longer than Real Madrid's medical team and coach had previously expected.

Carlo Ancelotti's plan following the winter break was to be able to field the Welsh player in the first league game of the year against Celta - a half-fulfilled objective. Bale has made the squad but is not yet ready to be a starter. Medical staff have advised Ancelotti to ease him back into the team gradually which is why he will start from the bench. He is still not ready to play a full game.

Ronaldo out to do it for Eusébio

Cristiano is primed to set foot on the Bernabéu pitch for the first time in almost two months. However, following Eusébio's death, the meeting with Celta has taken on special significance for the Real Madrid star, who is gunning to pay tribute to his late, great countryman by doing what he does best: scoring goals.

All of Portugal is mourning the loss of its greatest ever player and CR7 is no exception. Having picked up Eusébio's mantle as his country's talisman, Ronaldo is desperate not to let the legend down on such a special day.

Why Arsenal need a striker in January

Despite leading the line with distinction this season, the burden on Olivier Giroud must be lifted and the likes of Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski are not up to the job
Even before the demise of tragi-comic, anti-hero Nicklas Bendtner and the untimely injury suffered by Theo Walcott, Arsene Wenger may have conceded that a new striker in January was a priority.

Wenger's side side go in to 2014 just a single point ahead of Manchester City, while Chelsea lurk just behind them. If the Gunners are to end their nine-year wait for a trophy by winning the Premier League at the expense of their big-spending adversaries, they simply must sign a world-class striker.