Cristiano Ronaldo wins Fifa player of the year

Christians Ronaldo wins Fifa player of the year (Ballon d'Or) award, beating Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery. Ronaldo got all emotional while receiving the trophy. 

Ronaldo had finished runner-up three times in the past four years to Messi since winning both the Ballon D'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year in 2008, before the two trophies became one.

An emotional Ronaldo, who was fighting back the tears as he received the award on Monday night, said: "First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team.

"Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."

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Rumours: Xavi to join New York Red Bulls

According to Sky Italia, Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández is all set to follow his former teammate Thierry Henry and join  New York Red Bulls after the World Cup 2014. The reports also claim that the negotiations have already started to take place.

Xavi to join New York Red Bulls

Xavi renewed his contract last January which is set to expire only in 2016. The 33-year-old came through the youth ranks at the Catalan club and has made over 600 appearances.

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Khedira: Madrid will hunt Bayern

Sami Khedira says Bayern Munich will be "hunted" this season by Real Madrid and other top European teams following their Champions League success last season.

The Bavarians secured their European crown with a 2-1 win over Madrid's semi-final conquerors Borussia Dortmund.

And Khedira, who is chasing an historic 10th Champions League trophy with los Blancos, has fired a warning to die Roten, insisting Carlo Ancelotti's men will be targeting them this year.

"Bayern Munich have to know that their international rivals intend on bringing back the balance," he toldWelt am Sonntag. "They are the hunted now."

Germany international Khedira also believes the Liga outfit can look forward to progression under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Jose Mourinho as coach in June.

"It starts a new chapter for Madrid and at the same time in my career," he told AS. "A new coach is always associated with a new beginning. There are new ideas, a different playing philosophy. 

"I feel a great excitement, I am still very proud to play for Real Madrid.

"Whomever plays at this club, playing for titles, I'm sure that with the work of Carlo Ancelotti we will take another step forward."

Although Khedira has never played under Ancelotti, he said Madrid playmaker Kaka has given the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss a glowing reference.

"I have heard a lot about Ancelotti," the 26-year-old continued. "Moreover, my team-mate Kaka has worked many years with him in Milan, everything he said was positive.

"His teams have always played well. Such as with Paris [Saint-Germain] last year."

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Official: Bayern Munich sign Thiago Alcantara from FC Barcelona

Thiago Alcantara has left Barcelona to join Bayern Munich for €20 million, potentially rising to €25m. 

Bayern didn't activate the Thiago Alcantara clause. It was a different deal between the two parts: 20m € cash + 5m adds-on.

The deal includes a friendly to the played between the 2 sides.

The 22 year-old Spanish international leaves the Catalan club after two full seasons with the first team, and he will be reunited in Munich with his former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola.

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Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo may be nearing move after comments from Unai Emery

Spain striker Alvaro Negredo could be edging ever closer to a move away from Sevilla, after his coach Unai Emery admitted it would be "best for everyone" if he left.

The 27-year-old, who scored 25 Primera Division goals last season - a tally only bettered by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao - has indicated he would like to leave this summer, with Manchester City reportedly among the interested parties.

The Andalusian club rejected a bid for him from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, while president Jose Maria Del Nido has stressed he has not received any formal bids for Negredo from City, who signed winger Jesus Navas from Sevilla in June.

Negredo told the club's official website earlier this week that he would not force a move, but would also be open to leaving.

He said: "Right now, I'm at Seville and like it very much there. If I stay that'll be fine but if I leave then it will be because it benefits both the club and myself."

Sevilla signed Colombia forward Carlos Bacca from Club Brugge on Wednesday for 6million euros, while Raul Rusescu was acquired from Steaua Bucharest in June.

The signings appeared to indicate the club were preparing for Negredo's departure, and coach Emery does not expect his top scorer to be around for much longer.

"The most likely situation is that he will leave," he told a press conference.

"It's possible the club can't reach an agreement for him, but we are prepared, we have spent some time working on alternatives.

"Of course we're not going to find a player with the same characteristics as him or one who is going to have the same record, but we will find players who will be important to the future of this club, and I trust the work the club is doing in that area."

Sevilla's financial problems have been public knowledge for some time, and Emery explained that selling Negredo - for the right price - would go some way towards balancing the books.

He said: "The cards are on the table. Negredo is a very important player to Sevilla and he could continue to be one, either by staying here or by earning the club a big transfer fee.

"We know he could leave, but it would be the best for everyone. The club would be able to meet its financial obligations, and although we would lose a key player, we need to be reasonable, like we were in the case of Navas. Our aim is to produce new players that can reach the same heights (as Negredo and Navas)."

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Getafe complete signing of left-back Roberto Lago from Celta Vigo

Getafe have completed the signing of left-back Roberto Lago from Primera Division Celta Vigo on a four-year contract.

The 27-year-old, who made 34 appearances last term as Celta narrowly avoided relegation, becomes Getafe's first acquisition of the summer.

A short statement on getafecf.com confirmed: "Roberto Lago is a new player of Getafe. He will wear the dark blue for the next four seasons."

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Guardiola claims that Messi and Neymar can play together

Pep Guardiola is convinced Lionel Messi and Neymar will combine to devastating effect for Barcelona next season.

The former Santos starlet secured his move to Camp Nou earlier in the summer and, but sections of the media have questioned whether the pair will be a good fit together due to their similar styles of play.

However, the Bayern Munich boss took some time out from verbally jousting with his former club to assert that the pair will have no difficulties playing together next season.

He told Lance: "Barca have always had some of the best players in the world at their disposal, and Neymar and Messi are undoubtedly two of the best at the moment.

"I know Messi very well. He is a fantastic person as well as player. I have met Neymar too and he seems like a good lad and I'm sure they will have no problem playing together."

The 42-year-old then turned his attentions towards next summer's World Cup, and believes his native Spain will go into the competition as favourites to retain their title - despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final a fortnight ago. 

He added: "It seemed perfectly normal to me that Spain lost [to Brazil]. They were physically better than us.

"But I believe that Spain are still favourites going into the World Cup."

Neymar is set to make his competitive debut for the Blaugrana against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.

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Suso joins Almeria on loan from Liverpool

Liverpool have announced that midfielder Suso has joined Almeria on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old, who shone with Spain at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey this summer, has fallen down the Reds pecking order following the arrival of countrymen Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas.

He will now seek to gain regular first-team experience with the newly-promoted Liga side.

Suso moved to Anfield from Cadiz in the summer of 2010 and went on to make 20 appearances in all competitions under Brendan Rodgers last season.

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Real Madrid sign Illarra for €32.19 million

Real Madrid have announced they have secured the services of Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad for a fee believed to be in the region of €32.19 million.

Both clubs had been in talks over a transfer for a number of weeks, with la Real's insistence that Madrid met the 23-year-old's buy-out clause initially holding up the deal.

However, los Blancos have confirmed on their official website that  the deal has been brokered and Illarramendi will sign a six-year deal with the Santiago Bernabeu side upon completion of his medical on Saturday.

"Real Madrid C. F. has hired Asier Illarramendi, who will now be with the club for the next six seasons. The player will be presented tomorrow - Saturday, July 13, at 13:00pm in the Royal Box at Santiago Bernabeustadium, after undergoing the relevant medical examination.

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Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Rayo Vallecano's appeal over European ban

Rayo Vallecano have suffered a blow in their bid to gain a licence to play in Europe this season after seeing an interim appeal rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Rayo finished eighth in the Primera Division last season which would have earned them a place in the Europa League due to sixth-place Malaga's exclusion, but were refused a UEFA licence by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) because of outstanding debts.

The Madrid-based club appealed to CAS to get both the RFEF's ruling overturned and also for provisional measures that could have enabled them to be included in next week's draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

However, CAS on Thursday rejected the provisional application, while confirming a hearing to decide on the case's full merits is set to be held in the next few weeks.

A CAS statement read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the application for provisional measures filed by the Spanish club Rayo Vallecano in relation to a decision of the Spanish FA (RFEF) refusing to grant the UEFA licence to Rayo Vallecano for the 2013/2014 season for the reason that the club had overdue payables when the attribution of UEFA licences had to be determined by the first instance of the RFEF licensing committee.

"Rayo Vallecano had filed both an appeal and an application for provisional measures requesting CAS to order RFEF to grant the UEFA license to Rayo Vallecano so that the club could participate in the 2013-2014 UEFA Europa League competition.

"The arbitration in this matter is ongoing and an award on the merits will be issued at the end of the CAS appeals procedure. A hearing is likely to be held within the next few weeks."

Malaga last month saw their appeal against a ban preventing them from playing in European competition this coming season dismissed by CAS.

In December, UEFA ruled Malaga would be ineligible to play in Europe for two years, later reduced to one, for violations of financial fair play rules.

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Osasuna midfielder Raoul Loe wanted by several English clubs

A number of English clubs are weighing up moves for Osasuna midfielder Raoul Loe.

The powerful midfielder enjoyed a fine season with Osasuna, helping them secure Primera Liga survival, and his performances have not gone unnoticed.

The 24-year-old was rewarded for his fine form by making his Cameroon debut last week against Ukraine and Osasuna could face a fight to keep hold of him this summer.

The 6ft 4in defensive midfielder, who has been likened to Patrick Vieira, has all the attributes to make him ideally suited for the physical nature of playing in England.

Several Premier League and Championship sides are keeping tabs on Loe with Osasuna unlikely to be able to resist any big offers due to their financial problems.

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Santa Cruz signs for Malaga

Malaga have announced on their official website that they have secured the services of Roque Santa Cruzon a free transfer.

The Paraguay international, 31, spent the 2012-13 campaign on loan at the Liga side and has now signed a three-year deal with his new club after he was released by Manchester City this summer.

"I am very grateful to the club for the effort made for my continuation at the club," Santa Cruz commented on his move.

"The effort of the club, the support of the fans and stability for my family are the reasons for my choice."

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Atletico Madrid sign Demichelis

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Martin Demichelis on a free transfer, with the defender penning a one-year deal.

The centre-back has spent the last two seasons with Malaga and made 40 appearances last term as the club reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

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Silvio joins Benfica on loan from Atletico Madrid

Benfica have completed the signing of Atletico Madrid left-back Silvio on a season-long loan deal.

The 25-year-old joined the Rojiblancos from Braga in 2011, but spent the second half of season with fellow Liga outfit Deportivo la Coruna, who suffered relegation at the end of the campaign.

The Portugal international has now opted to move back to his homeland for the duration of the 2013-14 season, as he attempts to secure regular first-team football.

"Atletico Madrid and Benfica have reached an agreement for the loan of Silvio to the Lisbon team for the upcoming season," a statement read on Atletico's official website.

Silvio becomes the eight signing for Benfica this summer, following the likes of Lisandro Lopez and Miralem Sujlemani to the Estadio da Luz.

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Sevilla complete Bacca deal

Sevilla have secured the services of Colombia international Carlos Bacca from Club Brugge for an undisclosed fee.


The prolific attacker completed a medical on Tuesday and has signed a five-year deal with the Primera Division outfit.

The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan side were keen to add some more firepower to their squad and they saw the 26-year-old Bacca as the ideal signing.

"This is a dream come true. I dreamed of making it to La Liga one day when I came to Europe. It would have been a huge disappointment had this transfer fallen through," Bacca told the official club's website.

"I had a fantastic time at Brugge and their fans will forever have a place in my heart. It makes me proud that I am the club's most expensive outgoing transfer ever."

Bacca, who scored 22 goals in 25 games in Belgium's top flight last season, becomes Sevilla's sixth signing of the summer after the previous capture of Raul Rusescu, Jairo, Víctor Machin, Marko Marin and Nico Pareja.

The arrival of the Colombian forward could open the door to a summer exit for Alvaro Negredo.

The 27-year-old is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and the Premier League giants could step up their interest in the Spain international in the upcoming days now Sevilla have signed a replacement.

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Villarreal complete Dos Santos signing

Villarreal president Fernando Roig has announced the club are set to complete a deal for Mallorca forward Giovani dos Santos.

The 24-year-old, who was relegated with los Bermellones last season, was reportedly keen on remaining in the Spanish top-flight in an attempt to strengthen his bid of being named in Mexico's World Cup squad next summer.

Reports emanating from Spain had suggested Valencia were the leading candidates to sign the former Tottenham man, while Atletico Madrid were also linked with a move, but the Yellow Submarine official was delighted to confirm his side had won the race for his signature.

He told reporters: "To make sure [new signing Tomas] Pino isn't on his own, one of his team-mates from Mallorca will be coming with him - Dos Santos."

The Mexico international will complete his switch to El Madrigal on July 18, with the player understood to have signed a four-year deal with the newly-promoted outfit.

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Callejon set to join Napoli

The 26-year-old is on the verge of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu for the Partenopei, the Italian club have confirmed on Tuesday.

Napoli have revealed they are set to sign Real Madrid striker Jose Callejon.

The 26-year-old came through the youth ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu but left the club for Espanyol in 2008 before rejoining los Blancos three years later.

But he is now edging towards departing the club for a second time after failing to secure regular first team football at the club, as Rafa Benitez's Naples revolution continues.

"In the early afternoon, Jose Callejon landed in Napoli and will carry out medical examinations tomorrow morning," Napoli confirmed on their official Twitter page.

The former Spain Under-21 international's impending arrival could pave the way for the Partenopei to finally sanction the sale of striker Edinson Cavani.

Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked with the Uruguay international following coach Laurent Blanc's revelation that the Ligue 1 champions are interested in his services.

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Perez insists that Real Madrid want Higuain to stay

The Blancos president says the club still hope to keep the Argentina international at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and insists Arsenal have made no approach

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has insisted that the Liga giants want Gonzalo Higuain to stay with the club. 

The Argentina international has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his forward line ahead of the new season.

However, speaking to Univision, Perez was adamant the Liga runners-up still hoped to retain Higuain, and indicated the club are yet to receive an official bid from the Gunners. 

"We don't want Higuain to leave," he said. "What's more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him.

"There are no offers on the table."

Higuain was Madrid's second highest goalscorer in La Liga last season, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 16 goals in 28 appearances for the club.

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Perez: Ronaldo wants to retire at Madrid

The Portugal international has been repeatedly linked with a move away but the Blancos president insists the 28-year-old wants to see out his career at the club

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to retire at Real Madrid just as previous greats of the game have, says club president Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo, 28, has two years to run on his contract at los Blancos but continual rumours have linked him with a move away to either Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain.

And although no negotiations have taken place to extend Ronaldo's stay at the club, Perez remains convinced that the Portuguese star wants to retire at Madrid.

"The person who wants to retire at Real Madrid is Ronaldo, and Real want him to retire here too," Perez told broadcaster Univision.

"There haven't been any negotiations [on a new deal] because he is on holiday. Be in no doubt, Cristiano will retire here because he wants to. Just as [Zinedine] Zidane and other great players have done."

Ronaldo has scored 201 goals in 199 appearances for the Liga giants.

Source : Goal

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Santos left with €9m from Neymar fee

Leaked minutes show commission and third-party ownership dramatically reduced amount the Brazilian club profited from the sale of their superstar to Barcelona

Santos were paid just over €9 million by Barcelona for the purchase of Neymar earlier this summer, according to documents which emerged on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who starred in Brazil's successful Confederations Cup campaign in June, joined the Catalans for €57m in one of the most high-profile transfers of 2013. The total outlay has been confirmed by Barcelona.

However, Radio Globo reporters were leaked minutes from a Santos board meeting which shed new light on the detail of the agreement.

According to the documents, Barca paid €17.1m for the full ownership of Neymar, though just €9.35m went to the Brasileirao club with two companies that owned part of his registration - Teisa Group and DIS - splitting the other 45 per cent.

The report also claims the remaining €40m was paid in commission to other parties, including Neymar's father, as the Camp Nou club fought off competition from rivals such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Santos may receive more financial profit from the move eventually through arranged friendlies that the two sides agreed to, with the first on August 2 in Spain, and potential objectives for the forward to achieve which were included in the contract.

The documents also show that Neymar’s father wanted his son to depart Brazil ahead of the World Cup because he did not want him to become a "hero or villain" at next summer's tournament in the South American country.

The attacker, who has scored an impressive 24 goals in 39 Selecao appearances, will meet up with his new Barca team mates next week.

Source : Goal

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