Messi: "Theres nothing unusual behind it"

Leo Messi has been having a torrid time of late due to a series of injuries and the Argentine said: "I'm sad because I didn't expect it. I'm also frustrated because I've got injured right after the previous one. But seriously, I'm not worried. This injury just happened. There's nothing unusual behind it and nothing to investigate". On the much-talked about subject of the causes of his injury, Messi brushed aside controversial stories in Argentine newspaper 'Olé' and said: "They are things people say without any knowledge. It's not true. My diet is the same as always. Loads of things were made up. I do what I always do. I started the season at my ideal weight to reach the last part in good shape". The Argentina forward played down the importance of Barcelona's pre-season – which included games in Malaysia, Europe and the U.S., with just a week in between to rest – as one of the possible factors in his breakdown. Talking about it, 'La Pulga' said: "They are things people say. The tour games are just distractions without any pressure. We get together, play and help social causes. I enjoy it". On the matter of the re-occurrence of his injuries, the Barça forward added: "This injury happened because it had to happen. I'm not the only player who plays a lot of games in a season. Everyone in La Liga does the same. I'll follow the same plan that was set at the start of the season. There's nothing unusual behind it and nothing to investigate".

Messi: 10 years of Barcelona's brighter star

Messi: 10 years of Barcelona's brighter star

Lionel Messi has, deservedly, become a household name all over the world thanks to his unbelievable skills on the football pitch and low-key, humble attitude off it. While it was clear that the 16-year-old who made his Barcelona first team debut at the Do Dragao stadium against Porto a decade ago had plenty of potential, the truth is that nobody could have predicted the legendary impact that the tiny Argentinean wizard has made in the club's history since.

Xavi would vote for Messi, Ribéry and Ronaldo for the Ballon dor

The Ballon d’Or has become a huge talking point and will continue to be one until the winner is announced early next year. The latest person to offer his opinion on the award was Xavi in sports daily 'Sport'. The Barça midfielder cannot vote because that job will fall to Casillas as the Spanish national team’s captain. However, Xavi revealed who he would vote for: 1st Messi, 2nd Ribéry and 3rd Cristiano Ronaldo. He went on to explain: "Leo has won the award for four straight years and that could harm his chances in the voting. If we look at the best player in the world, that is Messi, end of argument. However, if we’re talking about the best player of 2013, then I admit there is room for debate."

Cristiano Ronaldo 'ridiculiza' a los goleadores del viejo continente

Cristiano Ronaldo 'ridiculiza' a los goleadores... by realmadridplay

Kevin de Bruyne: Chelsea and Jose Mourinho will decide if I leave on loan in January transfer window

Chelsea will decide if I leave on loan in January, insists De Bruyne PUBLISHED: 16:45 GMT, 16 November 2013 | UPDATED: 16:49 GMT, 16 November 2013 Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is happy at Chelsea and will leave Jose Mourinho to decide whether he goes out on loan in January. The former Genk star has found first-team opportunities limited this season due to intense competition among the Blues' talented group of attacking midfielders. But speaking about a possible loan after playing for Belgium in their 2-0 friendly defeat to Colombia, De Bruyne said: 'Maybe. But Chelsea is my employer and they decide my future. No regrets: Kevin de Bruyne (right), in action for Belgium against Colombia, says Chelsea will decide if he's loaned out in January 'I don't have to talk about what could happen in January now, as it's only November. A lot can still happen. 'I feel quite good. The fact that I'm playing at Chelsea is proof I always performed well. The manager told me in July that I had to stay, so I'm not a difficult person. I've no regrets.' De Bruyne, who spent a successful loan spell at German side Werder Bremen last season, played for just under an hour against Colombia with club manager Jose Mourinho watching on from the stands. Rare appearance: De Bruyne started Chelsea's opening game against Hull but has struggled to earn a regular starting spot Discussing his recent form, De Bruyne said: 'I know Mourinho was there, but I didn't bother. Sometimes it may look as if I want to force things, but in my head I am doing the same things as last year. 'If you don't play a lot at your team, you can't expect to be on top in your first game. 'It's not easy for me. I don't miss confidence, I only lack match fitness.'

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic Road to World Cup 2014

Juventus vs real madrid (2-2) but de Llorente

Juventus vs real madrid (2-2) but de Llorente by Djibsports

Football - Nasri happy with City progress

Questions were being asked of City's trophy-winning credentials after they slipped to a third Barclays Premier League defeat of the season at just over a week ago. Nasri feels they have now been answered after a 7-0 hammering of Norwich on Saturday and Tuesday's classy 5-2 demolition of CSKA Moscow. The defeat of the Russians at the Etihad Stadium means City now cannot be caught in second in Champions League Group D and will play in the knockout stages for the first time in February. After failing to get out of the group in the past two seasons, that marks the next significant step in the club's progression but nobody at Eastlands wants it to end there. Nasri said: "I am really happy. It was one of the targets for the club at the start of the season to go through in the Champions League, as for the last two seasons we didn't do it and were really disappointed. "But it's just a start because a club like should go really far in the Champions League, and we now have time to progress as a team and be even better, because the last 16 doesn't start until February. "We were really pleased with the performance. There was some stuff we could have done better as a team to avoid the two goals, but it was a good performance with a lot of chances. "In two games we have scored 12 goals, so now we focus on . "Since the start of the season we have struggled a little bit away but now we are starting to show the real face of Manchester City." Nasri was outstanding as City carried on where they left off against Norwich to demolish the Russian champions. But the main headlines were stolen by hat-trick star Alvaro Negredo and strike partner Sergio Aguero, who took his tally for the season to 13 with another two goals. City's flow was twice interrupted by goals from , both of which highlighted defensive concerns. Doumbia eased round Costel Pantilimon - again preferred to England's Joe Hart in goal - for the first after a defence-splitting pass from Pontus Wernbloom on the stroke of half-time. Again inspirational captain Vincent Kompany was sorely missed as the Russians found the gap. Doumbia's second came from a penalty on 71 minutes after the Ivory Coast international had beaten, but then been clumsily brought down by, Gael Clichy. But the result had not been in doubt since Aguero scored his first from the spot after three minutes and City raced into a 3-0 lead inside half an hour. Aguero's second came after he received a fine pass from Nasri and wrong-footed the defence with a deft touch and turn. He then teed up Negredo to put City in command. Reaching the last 16 was one of the minimum requirements for new manager this season and Nasri feels the squad have been reinvigorated by the Chilean. He said: "Everyone played with lots of confidence and we have a manager who tells us what is good and what is bad, so we've moved on as individuals and as a team. "Everyone in the dressing room is really happy because we did what we wanted at the start of the game, which was to go through, and to qualify with two games left in the group stage." Nasri certainly appears to be revelling in life under Pellegrini after struggling last term and having apparent difficulties with former boss Roberto Mancini. The 26-year-old said: "I have felt good since the start of the season. "On the first day I had a good talk with the manager and I said I wanted to have a great season because last year I struggled after the Euros, and that wasn't the real me. "I worked hard in pre-season to find my real form and I am happy that I am performing. "I feel loved and I'm trying my best each time I go out so it's all positive." The downside for City was that midfielders and Fernandinho both had to be withdrawn as precautionary measures. Spanish playmaker Silva was due to appear at a press event in London for a Gran Canaria holiday company on Wednesday but pulled out to undergo assessment in Manchester. Pellegrini said after the game: "David Silva and Fernandinho both had to be substituted because they had small problems. We will see tomorrow with the doctor."

We can beat anyone - Pellegrini

City secured a place in the last 16 for the first time as they crushed CSKA Moscow 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium. Alvaro Negredo claimed a hat-trick and Sergio Aguero also struck twice as City made sure of at least second spot in Group D. When asked if the performance provided evidence City could trouble any team, Pellegrini said: "I think so but, at this level, also every team can beat us. "There are some important teams in Europe but I think we have a strong squad and we'll see where we can go in this Champions League." The result was not in doubt after Aguero hit his first in the third minute from the penalty spot after David Silva was fouled. He added a second after 20 minutes and Negredo made it 3-0 after half an hour. Seydou Doumbia pulled one back and also scored a penalty after Negredo had tapped in his second early in the second half. But they were rare interruptions to City's flow and Negredo headed his third in the final minute. After failures in the group stages in each of the past two seasons, the result was highly significant for City as they look to make an impression on the European stage. Pellegrini said: "We're very happy because it is an achievement for the club. "We didn't do it in the last two years - it's not easy to do it. "Two games before the group is finished and we are in the round of 16. I think it is very important for the players, the fans, the whole club. "I don't know if it's a relief but it was our first target this year and also to be in that state is important for the club." Pellegrini hailed his strike force of Aguero and Negredo, who between them have now scored 22 goals this season. He said: "Both played very, very well - and not only today but all season. "Aguero is in a great moment, not only because he's scoring, but whole team is playing in an offensive team and that's important. "We scored five goals and had five or six chances more." City midfielder Yaya Toure, who was the victim of the racist chanting from CSKA fans that soured the first meeting between the clubs a fortnight ago, paid tribute to his side's supporters. Toure told Sky Sports: "It's amazing, I think it's deserved by the club. "We go through to the second round for the first time and it's unbelievable. "I thought we played amazingly well and we have to say thank you to the fans as well. They showed to the fans of CSKA how supportive our fans are. "It was very nice to win, it was very fantastic. "We are happy with the win and I think today is a special day for the fans and for the club as well." CSKA boss Leonid Slutsky blamed his side's own shortcomings for the defeat rather than City's attacking brilliance. The Russians were beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich in their first game of the campaign and Slutsky compared City unfavourably to the German giants. He said: "We made a lot of mistakes. Obviously we were playing against players of a high level, but those mistakes were our fault. "We lost because of ourselves, while in Bavaria it was mostly down to the level of the other side. "How can you be psychologically ready when after the first minute you concede a goal and then three goals during the first half? "There was a lot of freedom to attack but we were unbalanced in defence. "Obviously when we had chances we scored but we should be quite alert. "With such a tough team as Man City you have to be alert because they can be fatal in a split-second."

Viktoria Plzen 0-1 Bayern Munich (Goal Mario Mandzukic)

Viktoria Plzen 0-1 Bayern Munich (Goal Mario... by all-goals

Juventus - Real Madrid 27' Paradon de Casillas

Juventus - Real Madrid 27' Paradon de Casillas by realmadridplay

real fan. real energy. real madrid

Beim heutigen Abschlusstraining in Brackel

Soccer-Manchester City v CSKA Moscow

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Teams for Tuesday's Champions League Group D game between and CSKA Moscow at Etihad Stadium. : 30-Costel Pantilimon; 5-Pablo Zabaleta, 33-Matija Nastasic, 26-Martin Demichelis, 22-Gael Clichy; 25-Fernandinho, 42-Yaya Toure; 8-Samir Nasri, 16-Sergio Aguero, 21-David Silva; 9-Alvaro Negredo Substitutes: 1-Joe Hart, 2-Micah Richards, 6-Joleon Lescott, 7-James Milner, 10-Edin Dzeko, 13-Aleksandar Kolarov, 15-Jesus Navas CSKA Moscow: 35-Igor Akinfeev; 14-Kirill Nababkin, 6-Aleksei Berezutski, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 42-Georgi Schennikov; 23-Georgi Milanov, 3-Pontus Wernbloom; 18-Ahmed Musa,7-Keisuke Honda, 21-Zoran Tosic; 88-Seydou Doumbia Substitutes: 1-Sergei Chepchugov, 5-Viktor Vasin, 8-Steven Zuber, 20-Rasmus Elm, 25-Elvir Rahimic, 31-Vitinho, 71-Konstantin Bazelyuk Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain) (Reporting by Clare Lovell; editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer-FC Copenhagen v Galatasaray - teams

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Teams for Tuesday's Champions League Group B match between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen. FC Copenhagen: 21-Johan Wiland; 2-Lars Jacobsen, 5-Olof Mellberg, 17-Ragnar Sigurdsson, 3-Pierre Bengtsson; 19-Rurik Gislason, 6-Claudemir, 8-Thomas Delaney, 22-Daniel Braaten; 18-Nicolai Jorgensen, 24-Youssef Toutou Substitutes: 31-Jakob Jensen, 15-Georg Margreitter, 25-Christoffer Remmer, 16-Thomas Kristensen, 30-Christian Bolanos, 9-Igor Vetokele, 11-Cesar Santin Galatasaray: 67-Eray Iscan; 27-Emmanuel Eboue, 26-Semih Kaya, 21-Aurelien Chedjou, 77-Albert Riera; 20-Bruma, 8-Selcuk Inan, 3-Felipe Melo, 7-Aydin Yilmaz; 17-Burak Yilmaz, 11-Didier Drogba Substitutes: 86-Ufuk Ceylan, 13-Dany Nounkeu, 55-Sabri Sarioglu, 6-Ceyhun Gulselam, 35-Yekta Kurtulus, 19-Umut Bulut, 53-Nordin Amrabat Referee: Martin Atkinson (England) (Compiled by Philip O'Connor; editing by Josh Reich)

Reina: Loan move a success

Pepe Reina has told Cadena Cope that his loan move to Napoli has been an 'absolute success' and he reiterated that he expects to leave Liverpool on a permanent basis next summer. The Spain international goalkeeper secured a reunion with former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez in the summer after Liverpool signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland. Reina is still under contract at Liverpool until 2016, but reports have claimed that he will replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona at the end of the season in a cut-price deal. The 31-year-old is enjoying his time in Italy and acknowledged that his wife played a role in his decision to join Napoli. "I did not expect to change and to come to Napoli," Reina told Cadena Cope. "It was a surprise for me when Liverpool signed a new goalkeeper in the summer. "My wife was the first to encourage me to move and now I'm very proud and grateful for that decision. I think it has been an absolute success and that I'm a stronger goalkeeper than last year. "My wife was the first to encourage me to move and now I'm very proud and grateful for that decision. I think it has been an absolute success and that I'm a stronger goalkeeper than last year." Pepe Reina "I have been at Liverpool for a long time. But now I am happy here in Naples. I have a fresh outlook on the game and have been playing some of my best stuff. We are having a great championship. "Am I surprised? Yes. The city is different from Liverpool, people do not respect your privacy, but they show their affection. "We have a new coach, a new style and new players. I am happy at the moment, but I would be even happier if we won the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League. "It's very difficult that I'll return to Liverpool. In the summer I will have to finish my contract with them."