Inter Milan's Maicon plays down "world best" tag

Inter Milan star Maicon has played down claims from coach Roberto Mancini that he is "the world's best fullback".

"It is wonderful for me to hear these words from someone who has done so well in Serie A and knows it inside out," said Maicon. "I still have a lot to learn. I have put it into my head that I am strong and will try to prove that on the field to help the team achieve the best possible results."

It was another Brazilian who convinced Maicon to come to Inter, although the one giving the advice may now have changed his mind.

"I thank Adriano, as he is a great friend. He explained to me what the club and the team were like. He also told me to do really well in training, as that is what makes you a first team player," Maicon told Sky Italia.

"I am not the only one who misses him, as all the squad, the club and fans miss Adri too. He is a great player."

Agent: AC Milan president Berlusconi can land Ronaldinho

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted he'd love to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho in January.

When asked about the rumours that a January swoop would be possible, club patron Berlusconi's response to journalists was clear: "If only!"

Earlier in the day, Italian super agent Enzo Bronzetti told Radio Centro Suono Sport: "Never has a President expressed more desire for a player than Berlusconi has for Ronaldinho.

"There are links with Chelsea and Manchester United, but at Milan there is a hardcore of Brazilians and the Diavolo are in pole position if he chooses to quit Barca.

"It's the fifth year of his contract at the Nou Camp and he wants between £5m and £7m annually, which would be a huge investment for the club."

Kaka Unfazed By Real Madrid Interest

Kaka has shrugged off transfer speculation as his AC Milan side look to clinch the Club World Cup in Japan.

Speculation has been rife that Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is to meet with AC Milan representative Adriano Galliani next Wednesday with a view towards making a move for the Brazilian.

The 25 year old told the Gazetta dello Sport his thoughts on the matter.

"Let it happen - it's not an issue that concerns me," he shrugged.

Of even less concern was a possible move for Ronaldinho, which he said the "club" would comment on, not him.

Indeed, Kaka, entering his fifth season with the rossoneri, was more apt to discuss his own team, not leat Ronaldo.

"He's gone through the toughest moments of this [injury crisis] already when he had knee problems two years ago," noted Ronaldo's countryman.

"I hope he'll come back soon and play a good series of matches.

"Not playing is not ideal for him as it makes him feel like he isn't a part of the team.

"That's why in this trip to Japan we talk a lot, because that way everyone is involved in the team.

"We don't know how long he'll be out for, but we've not given up hope of seeing him in this World competition, but when we do talk with him - which is often - it's not about injuries."

One topic of conversation is most likely the competition itself.

"For we South Americans, this is a very important trophy," Kaka noted earlier, "and my comrades and I will do everything we can to write our names on this trophy and in footballing history."

Milan will face either Iran's Sepahan or Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in the next round, and Kaka is eager not to enter that game while treating the opposition as an unknown quantity.

"We'll watch the quarter finals between [the two sides] on Monday very closely in order to get a better idea of our opponents," he said.

"A rematch with Boca Juniors in the final? We're thinking solely and exclusively of the semi final at the moment.

"But that said, I don't like revenge. In 2003, Boca won, but that ended there - it's history. Now, we look forward."

Romário Appointed Vasco Coach For 2008

Rádio Tupi broke the news that the 41 year-old - who aims to hang his boots up after playing the Carioca Cup in early 2008 - saw off the challenge of Caio Júnior and Antônio Lopes to step into the void left by the departing Valdir Espinosa at São Januário.

President Eurico Miranda confirmed the deal, giving the veteran number 11 a longer stint as Coach after Romário helmed Vasco to victory over Mexicans América, even though the Brazilian bowed out after a bad first leg loss away at the América redoubt.

“It's an old dream I've had, an idea that's been taking concrete shape since the América match, although it'll be very difficult to convince him to stay on longer than the Taça Guanabara (Guanabara Cup: the first half of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship”, explained Eurico.

The Rio de Janeiro club also plan to play a Dubai-based friendly tournament before the Taça Guanabara competition kicks off, O Baixinho being able to dribble the 30-day interim ban he's been handed down as the match is a friendly and takes place abroad.

Manchester City Plot Adriano Swap Deal

Manchester City moneyman Thaksin Shinawatra is mulling over the possibility of bringing Adriano to the City stadium.

According to the BBC, the ex-Thai prime minister told reporters in Hong Kong, "We're looking to see whether we'll do a swap deal or not.

"Adriano was a top player, but he lost form when his father died, and he put on weight. Now he's returning to form."

The club financier added that coach Sven Goran Eriksson would do well to remove some of the deadwood from the squad in preparation for such moves.

"Dietmar Hamman is getting old," he began as he discussed midfield alterations.

"We're looking at a new midfielder who we think will play very well with Elano. We're going to play in a classic style.

"I never talk to Sven about amounts.

"We'll probably have to sell some of our players and loan some of our players, and we will buy some new players or even loan some new players in this window.

"We're looking for one striker, one midfielder, and maybe a winger."

Adriano has been linked with a move to England before, with West Ham United apparently showing an interest in the summer.

Brasileirão 2007 Stars Stoked To Face Brazil

Dunga has been preparing what is basically the Under 23 Seleção for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing (Peking) next year, although Dunga still has to chose from the Under-23s in Europe plus up to three players who are over 23 years of age.

The match is set to take place this Sunday the 9th of December at the João Havelange Stadium - better known as the Engenhão - and ticket sales have been slow due to the absence of big Brazil names and a lingering expectation that the players will be too tired or too green to put on a great show.

Nevertheless, although some have already bowed out alleging previous commitments, many are thrilled to be able to play against Brazil. “Even though it's going to be a bit of a party atmosphere I'm going onto the pitch with the same determination as if I was wearing a Flamengo shirt”, explained right-back Leonardo Moura.

Fluminense centre-back Thiago Silva was expected to be part of the Seleção Olímpica, but will have to content himself with a place in the Best of Brasileirão squad - albeit with an eye on showing Dunga that he's worthy of a ticket to China next year.

“I expect it to be a great game and will be preparing for the match as if it were the final of the Libertadores Cup and hope that I can demonstrate that I have what it takes not just to be part of the Best of Brasileirão 2007 but the Seleção Olímpica as well”, he explained.

Fiorentina, Palermo go for Internacional star Roger

Fiorentina and Palermo are chasing Internacional de Porto Alegre midfielder Roger.

The 21 year-old is rated "better than Lulinha" by Brazilian agent Sabatino Durante, who confirmed the interest of Fiorentina and Palermo yesterday.

Post-Party São Paulo After New Blood

All four titles up for grabs - the Paulistão 2008 (São Paulo State Championship), Brasileirão 2008 (Brazilian First Division), the Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana - will be demanded by the management next year.

The 2007 experience showed that there's a need to strengthen a squad that's a little threadbare in some areas - and can suffer from the accumulated problems posed by injuries, suspension and transfers - so the aim is to ensure that Muricy Ramalho has ample room to manouvre.

The first moves have been made as right-back Joílson has been brought in from Botafogo to cover the gap that was left after Ilsinho was snapped up by Shakhtar Donetsk in July, and another Botafogo man may arrive in the shape of centre-back Juninho.

The idea is to pre-empt any problems as current first choice Breno is being sounded out by both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, although neither European great has made a concrete proposal as of yet, especially as Alex returns from a loan but Muricy Ramalho doesn't appear to want the back back.

Brasileirão 2007: Know The Best Eleven

It was little surprise that Brasileirão 2007 winners São Paulo was the club that ruled the roost at the Prêmio Craque Brasileirão (Crack Brazilian First Division Player Prize) ceremony at Rio de Janeiro's Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theatre), although Flamengo did manage to field two players, the other clubs only managing to boast one representative.

The annual event is run by the CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol - Confederation of Brazilian Football) and this year has been designed to fit into an end-of-year bash where the theoretical best of the Brazilian League faces the Brazilian Olympic Squad that Dunga chose from young emerging Brazilian talenmts at Maracanã in what seems to be an intriguing - albeit unbalanced - clash.

Rogério Ceni (Goalkeeper), Breno, Miranda (Centre-Backs), Hernanes and Richarlyson (Holding Midfielders) were the five São Paulo players to make it into the first eleven, joined by Coach Muricy Ramalho. Ceni (pictured with the trophy) and Breno also won personal prizes as the keeper was named Rei da Bola (King Of The Ball) and the defender was voted best revelation.

The Tricolor Paulista keeper also received the fan fave title as the player who commands the most respect amongst the more fanatical followers. “This prize (craque da competição - crack player of the championship) is something that I feel honour-bound to share with my team-mates as they deserve it as much or more than I do”, explained a humble Ceni as he won for the second time running.

Flamengo provided Leonardo Moura (Right Wing-Back) and Ibson (Midfield), both players being - along with Seleção Olimpica man Toró and the coveted Renato Augusto - the motors behind taking Fla out of a nosedive towards the Segondona (second division - a.k.a Série B) and lifting the Urubu into a third placed finish and a place in next season's Libertadores Cup. They also won the symbolic "Torcida de Ouro" (Golden Fans) for the (largely) exemplary behaviour of the Fla faithful.

The Coach who saved Flamengo from the drop, Joel Santana, was pipped to the prize of best tactician by Muricy Ramalho, nudging Santana into second and Palmeiras Coach Caio Júnior into third. Other illustrious Coaches were present in the form of Dunga (plus assistant Jorginho) and retired 1970 World Cup winning tactician Zagallo - who won the Jules Rimet trophy twice as a player in 1958 and 1962 before scoring a hat-trick by training the Dream Team in 1970.

Parallel to this implicit World Cup link, the CBF made a point of highlighting the successful 2014 World Cup bid via hairy soap opera actors Tony Ramos and Marcos Palmeira who read out the list (composed by a total of 450 players, ex-players, Coaches, ex-Coaches as well as representatives of the sporting press) as follows:

Brasileirão Best Eleven 2007

Goalkeeper: Rogério Ceni (São Paulo)



Right-Back: Leonardo Moura (Flamengo)



Centre-Back (Right): Breno (São Paulo)


Centre-Back (Left): Miranda (São Paulo)



Left-Back: Kléber (Santos)


Defensive Midfielder (Right): Hernanes (São Paulo)


Defensive Midfielder (Left): Richarlyson (São Paulo)


Inside Right: Ibson (Flamengo)


Inside Left: Valdivia (Palmeiras)




Striker: Acosta (Náutico)


Striker: Josiel (Paraná Clube)



Coach: Muricy Ramalho (São Paulo)

That leaves the teams that will be fielded at the spanking new Engenhão stadium, barring any last-gasp changes as follows: nine Brazilians and two foreigners as Valdívia (Palmeiras) and Acosta (Uruguay; the vice-top-scorer being a late bloomer who's not been seen much in the Celeste shirt) made it into the top eleven.

Possible Line-Ups

BRASILEIRÃO STARS (4-4-2): Rogério Ceni, Leonardo Moura, Breno, Miranda and Kléber; Hernanes, Richarlyson, Ibson and Valdívia; Acosta and Josiel.
Coach: Muricy Ramalho.

BRAZIL - 2008 OLYMPIC SQUAD (4-2-3-1): Renan (Felipe); Apodi (Nei), Breno, Luiz Rhodolfo (Leonardo) and Leonardo (Valmir); Leandro Almeida and Maycon; Toró (Charles), Thiago Neves (Diogo) and Diego Souza (Grêmio); Alexandre Pato (Ramires, Pedro Oldoni, Keirrison)
Coach: Dunga

The São Paulo Contingent

Players such as Rogério Ceni and Breno should already ring bells even for those unaccustomed to keeping tabs with the goings-on in Brazil, while those who've kept up with coverage throughout the year have seen that the other São Paulo players to make it into the list figured prominently in most matches and gained shining reviews and applause from pundits.

João Miranda de Souza Filho, more commonly known as Miranda, earned a foreign move for his sterling showings in the Campeonato Paranaense (Paraná State Championship) playing for Coritiba in 2004. In 2005 Ligue 1 outfit Sochaux snapped him up but the Brazilian had a hard time adjusting to his first foreign affair and was loaned out in 2006, São Paulo FC seeing him as the perfect cost-effective substitute for Diego Lugano (Fenerbahçe).

Weighing in at 77kg and 1.85m the player is nimble enough for aerial play and has shown himself to be good enough to earn a call-up to national level after convincing Dunga that the 23 year-old centre-back just may be a future Brazil player. With the alarming amount of injuries that have hit Brazil recently, Miranda may well be a name to bear in mind.

The last two Tricolor Paulista (Three Colours from São Paulo City) players are both defensive midfielders. Hernanes and Richarlyson supplanted the old São Paulo holding midfield composed of two players who ended up in the Bundesliga and the Seleção: Mineiro (Hertha Berlin) and Josué (Wolfsburg). Many Brazilian experts are tipping both to jump the pond soon.

Richarlyson Barbosa Felisbino, known just by his made-up mangled English name (a common practice in a land where Liverpool club Everton is a common first name and Michael is spelled Maicon or Maycon) actually hails from a footballing family as the 24 year-old player from the northern city of Natal is son of Reinaldo 'Lela' Felisbino, Coritiba's star 1980s left winger.

Not only his father, but brother Alecsandro plays for Cruzeiro and was seen briefly in Europe as a striker for Sporting Clube de Portugal, coming back from the Leões in July but still being able to figure at the top end of the top scorer table topped by Josiel. Richarlyson himself also had a brief stint in Europe, but failed to catch fire at Austrian outfit SV Salzburg on a short loan deal.

A shorter player, similar to a Mineiro whose departure allowed Richarlyson a shot at the big time that he didn't let slide, making up for a three-month forced stoppage in dry dock as the player recovered from a car accident during the Paulistão 2007 (São Paulo State Championship), becoming a key part of the SPFC side that struggled in the first part of the Brasileirão 2007 but went on to stitch together an (almost) record-breaking winning streak.

Richarlyson's year seemed set for a different outcome as at the end of June 2007, the player was 'outed' on the Milton Neves show Debate Bola (Ball Talk) by acidic Palmeiras exec José Cyrillo Júnior to spite the player for not signing for Palmeiras. The plot thickened - and sickened - as original magistrate Manoel Maximiano Junqueira Filho dismissed the ensuing lawsuit, arguing that football is a "virile, masculine sport and not a homosexual one".

The case continues to boil away in the background and Richarlyson has kept submarine silence about his sexual preferences, refusing to add gasoline to the fire with a denial. Fortunately the kerfuffle didn't throw the midfielder off and he's reported to be in talks for a move to AS Roma, possibly as early as January 2008.

His partner - in the footballing sense - at the Tricolor Paulista is Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Andrade Lima, another lengthy name that can be reduced to one keyword: Hernanes. Born on the 29th of May 1985, Hernanes also hails from the northern coast, although instead of Natal the state in question is Recife. Standing slightly taller than Richarlyson, Hernanes has kicked up a small storm since making a first team place his own at the age of 22.

The number 26 started off at minnows Unibol Pernambuco before the almighty São Paulo came knocking to take him to the big city and hone his talent in the junior divisions, although he had to endure a loan deal that sent him down into the second division and industrial suburban São Paulo team Santo André. The time spent at the working class club paid off and Hernanes came back after being one of the highlights of the 'Segundona'.

The Flamengo duo of Leonardo 'Léo' Moura and Ibson also have had a dabble in European football, the former - from the Rio de Janeiro region of Niterói - having played at Dutch club Den Haag in 2000-1 and at Portuguese Arsenalistas Sporting Braga...as well as São Paulo, the latter at FC Porto from 2005-2007 and a man who returned to his beloved Mengão (Big Flamengo) to take the team from the depths of the relegation zone to a stunning third place finish.

Léo is hardly a spring chicken at 29 years of age, but he's far from washed up and may well be a tempting prospect for many clubs who need a solid yet light (66kg) right-back with an attacking bent who can also be improvised in midfield. He's experienced adversity as he was relegated with Palmeiras in 2002 and played alongside Romário at both Fluminense and Vasco.

Ibson is five years younger and has managed to confirm early suspicions that he's capable of organising a defensive midfield with efficiency and aplomb - as well as an intelligent view of how the game is going. At FC Porto he started brightly but fell out of favour under Co Adriaanse and was relegated to a semi-permanent place on the bench due to the arrival of (now Captain) Lucho González and a nagging injury that blighted his 2006.

The others include a familiar face from Dunga's recent Brazil call-ups: Kléber. The left-back came to prominence under Luxemburgo at Corinthians and played for Swiss club Grasshoppers but hopped back to Brazil and Luxemburgo once more - this time at Santos - where he's rapidly filled the void left by Bayern Munich man Zé Roberto. At national level he's yet to recreate the attacking flair that marked his 2007 at club level.

The two foreigners in the list are Chilean number 10 Valdívia and Uruguayan Acosta: both with offers to move to Europe in the New Year - according to the grapevine. The Chilean is a typical classy playmaker with a penchant for acting and exuberant complaints, but excellent passing and finishing skills, whereas the Uruguayan has risen from obscurity to finish second on the top scorer table - just below the final member of the crack squad: Josiel.

Legend Romário Suspended For Doping

The source of the controversy appears to be centred around the use of a substance known as Propecia; a concoction designed to slow down the effects of MPB (Male Pattern Baldness, not Música Popular Brasileira - Brazilian pop music) and which had also been detected in a routine test on Marcão (Internacional) during the Brasileirão (Brazilian First Division) 2007.

O Baixinho (Shorty) has been using the product to avoid his bald spot from spreading into a more Monk-like clearance but the product is also used to mask the use of other prohibited substances such as the steroids used to overcome injuries and regain muscle mass wasted while players are in dry dock - although Romário has denied using anything illicit.

Speaking on TV Globo the player was calm but resigned to the fact that the ban could spell an earlier end to his playing career. "I'm 41 and at my age you can't go without playing for three or four months, so, the way it is right now, I may have played my last game, but I hope that things will be cleared up and people should know there's nothing nasty behind it", he explained.

Just in case he's called for further reference urine and blood tests, Romário has admitted that he's stopped using Propecia - and showed that his sense of humour is still intact. "I've stopped using the product, even if it means that my hair starts falling out again", he ended with a resigned smile - and hope for a speedy and positive resolution to the confusion.

Dunga Leaves Door Open For Roberto Carlos

Currently back in Rio de Janeiro for an official CBF visit to the Instituto Bola para Frente (Advance The Ball Institute) along with fellow 1994 World Cup winners Bebeto and Jorginho, his assistant in the Seleçao, Dunga made it clear that there's no obstacles to stop Roberto Carlos from returning to the national squad.

“It's great that he's shown that he'd like to return to the seleção. Now everybody wants to play for Brazil because we're going in the right direction. The thing now is that a call-up depends very much on how any player is doing at club level”, explained the man who took the discredited seleção over from an eroded Parreira in 2006.

He did emphasise that the competition would be stiff for a place in the sun - even for a man with such a distinguished service record as Roberto Carlos. “Brazil is very well-served for wing-backs [Dunga habitually fields Gilberto and Kléber as left-back and Real; Madrid man Marcelo is also seen as deserving a place in the near future] but a lot depends on how the players perform in the World Cup qualifiers”, underlined the tactician.

Maradona - Kaka Doesn't Deserve The Ballon d'or

As soon as Kaka received the prestigious trophy on Sunday in Paris, a furious debate ensued questioning the merits of the Brazilian superstar receiving the award.

Though his Champions League form was great, the play-maker was practically non-existent through the Serie A season, and there have been calls from various quarters that consistency should be rewarded as opposed to a few glittering performances.

Former Argentinean superstar Diego Maradona - who had made his position clear by backing Lionel Messi - chose to stick to his guns.

“Rooney, Ronaldinho and Messi would have been the worthy winners,” he said.

“It was a tough decision but there is not much separating Kaka from those players. Some are even better.”

"I don't know too well how the election is done but I think that Rooney is better than Kaka.

"Milan is a team that depends all the time on Kaka but that doesn't make him the best player in the world."

'El Diego' also had an opinion on the upcoming World Club Cup that pits his beloved Boca Juniors against AC Milan.

“It’s going to be a difficult match and everyone is predicting Milan to be victorious but Milan are Kaka-dependent,” he stated.

Ballon d'Or winner Kaka: My future is AC Milan

Kaka has pledged his future to AC Milan after winning the Ballon d'Or yesterday.
He leaned over the balcony in Piazza Duomo and showed the Golden Ball to over 2,000 fans who waited for him in the square.


"I want to win a lot more with this club and double all the trophies I have so far, from the Champions League to the Ballon d'Or," he told Italia 1.

"This is my fifth season here. I have had many opportunities to walk away, but it is only normal that a Milan player is highly sought after.

"I want to become the captain of this side and a symbol. My future will be here and I am happy at Milan."

Ricky has been the subject of a series of bids from Real Madrid, going up to a reported £80m, but insists he has no intention of walking away.

"I have a great rapport with my teammates and the club. Why would I want to change?"

AC Milan order Ancelotti: Now turn Pato into Ballon d'Or winner

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani believes they have another future Ballon d'Or winner on their books.
After celebrating Kaka's triumph yesterday in Paris, Galliani immediately put coach Carlo Ancelotti on notice.

"Ancelotti's next challenge is to turn Alexandre Pato into a Ballon d'Or winner," said Galliani.

Barcelona ace Ronaldinho hits back at critics

Barcelona star Ronaldinho has hit out at his critics.
The Brazil international, who has started the last two games for Barca on the bench, said: "Many of these people have never played football, they don't know how it works, yet they have an opinion about me. People listen to them and then suddenly it gets out of control.

"However, those that have played the game, know truly what is happening and so can explain it to the fans."

He added: "I know people ask a lot of me. But I use this as a motivation tool."

Kaka Officially Wins Ballon d’Or

Kaka of AC Milan has won the 2007 Ballon d'Or after picking up 444 points in the final stage of voting.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder has been rumoured for weeks to be a shoe-in for the prestigious World Player of the Year award, but only now is it official that he has done so.

The 25 year old racked up over 150 voting points more than his closest competitor, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, while Lionel Messi finished not too far behind in third place.

For this edition of the award, 96 journalists voted for their five top players in order of decreasing preference, with five points for their first pick, four for their second choice, and so on to one point.

Only 53 of the journalists were European, giving the France Football award a distinctly international flavour.

European clubs dominated the voting, but Kaka himself is the third Brazilian to win in the past six years, and AC Milan's first winner since Andriy Shevchenko won the award in 2004.

Last year's winner Fabio Cannavaro finished joint 20th with 5 points.

The results in full:

KAKA (AC Milan, Brazil) - 444 points
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, England) - 277 points
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina) - 255 points
Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Côte d'Ivoire) - 108 points
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan, Italy) - 41 points
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid, Netherlands) - 39 points
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Internazionale, Sweden) - 31 points
Francesc 'Cesc' Fabregas (Arsenal, Spain) - 27 points
Robinho (Real Madrid, Brazil) - 24 points
Francesco Totti (AS Roma, Italy) - 21 points
Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla, Mali) - 19 points
Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil) - 18 points
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England) - 17 points
Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal/Boca Juniors, Argentina) - 15 points
Daniel Alves (Sevilla, Brazil) - 14 points
Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan, Italy) - 12 points
Franck Ribery (Marseille/Bayern Munich, France) - 10 points
Paolo Maldini (AC Milan, Italy) - 8 points
Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy) Petr Cech (Chelsea, Czech Republic), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan, Italy), Thierry Henry (Arsenal/Barcelona, France) and Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan, Netherlands) - 7 points

Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Italy) and Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana) - 5 points

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England) - 4 points

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain) and Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo, Brazil) - 3 points

Younis Mahmoud (Al-Gharafa, Iraq) - 2 points

Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur, Bulgaria), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Cameroon), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United, Wales), Guillermo Ochoa (Club America, Mexico), Carlos Tevez (West Ham United/Manchester United, Argentina) and Robin van Persie (Arsenal, Netherlands) - 1 point

Eric Abidal (Lyon/Barcelona, France), David Beckham (Real Madrid/Los Angeles Galaxy, England), Deco (Barcelona, Portugal), Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid, Mali), Diego (Werder Bremen, Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen/Bayern Munich, Germany), Florent Malouda (Lyon/Chelsea, France), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic, Japan), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto, Portugal), Raul (Real Madrid, Spain), Paul Scholes (Manchester United, England), Luca Toni (Fiorentina/Bayern Munich, Italy), Kolo Toure (Arsenal, Côte d'Ivoire), José Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid/Liverpool, Spain) David Villa (Valencia, Spain) - 0 points.

Agent keeps Sao Paulo option for Inter Milan's Adriano

The agent of Adriano won't rule out a deal with Sao Paulo for the Inter Milan striker.
Gilmar Rinaldi said: "Yes, if it pleases everyone, there is a possibility if it is useful for his health. I must add that at the moment the chances are zero, but one thing is clear: If this option appeals to the player and is a good solution for his health, we may seek a solution with the Italian club."

Robinho: I want to be world's best at Real Madrid

Robinho has pledged his future to Real Madrid and declared he wants to be "the best player in the world".

The Brazil international winger said: "I want to play for Real Madrid until the end of my contract. I am happy and I only want to become as important for Real as I am with the Brazilian national team.

"When I was small, I dreamed of being the best in the world. Now it depends on me and counting on a winning team to achieve this goal."

On his life off the pitch, Robinho insisted: "As I spent a lot f time with Ronaldo, people thought that I was doing the same things. But that's not true."

Middlesbrough table bid for Barcelona star Ronaldinho

Middlesbrough have made a concrete bid for Barcelona star Ronaldinho.
DiarioSport says Boro's offer - which is £10 million - is the only formal bid Barcelona have so far received for Ronaldinho.

The Boro bid is said to be so low as their budget to land the Brazil international is dominated by their contract offer to the attacking midfield star.