Paul Pogba Reportedly Rejects Chance to Rejoin Manchester United

Paul Pogba has reportedly turned down the chance to rejoin Manchester United, according to the Mirror. Pogba reportedly has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, with French legend Zinedine Zidane playing a big part in tempting the youngster to join Los Blancos. It is reported that the Red Devils have offered Pogba to come back and join the club, but he is holding out for a move to the Spanish giants. Pogba has been linked with a return to Old Trafford now that Sir Alex Ferguson has left the club. It has been well documented that Pogba felt Ferguson did not have faith in him and the Frenchman reiterated last season he was not interested in a move back to the Theatre of Dreams. Pogba has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest young midfield generals in the last 18 months. He has excelled at Juventus and has helped them to several trophies in the two years he has been there. It is now thought that Real Madrid are keen on recruiting the young midfielder as Carlo Ancelotti looks to strengthen the middle of the park. Last week Ancelotti admitted his interest in Pogba. "He is a very good player," Ancelotti told RMC Sport. "He has a very good future. He is at a big club and is doing a very good job. "He is a complete midfielder. Get him? Why not. This is one of the best young midfielders alongside [Marco] Verratti and Isco." Juventus would require a sum of over £49m for Pogba's services, something Los Blancos are willing to offer for the France international.

Wayne Rooney Admits Liverpool Defeat Was His Worst Ever Day in Football

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has described yesterday's defeat at home to Liverpool as "one of the worst days ever" in football, after speaking to MUTV after the game. The Red Devils were hoping to turn their disastrous season around with a win at home to their bitter rivals, but it was Liverpool who came away with all three points, following a convincing 3-0 win at Old Trafford yesterday afternoon. To make matters worse, the team from Merseyside are now 14 points ahead of David Moyes's side and have become serious title contenders, which, if they triumph, will equal United's count of 20 league titles. David Moyes's first season at Manchester United has been a complete failure, but yesterday's humiliation will have to go down as the biggest disappointment to date. The Red Devils were completely outplayed by their Premier League rivals and were lucky it only finished 3-0, with Steven Gerrard missing the opportunity for a hat trick of penalties and David de Gea producing a world class save to deny Luis Suarez a brace. Rooney, who recently signed a new long-term contract with United, has not hidden from the embarrassment of yesterday's defeat and described the result as a "nightmare". The England international knows that overcoming Olympiakos in the Champions League this week will be his side's only salvation.

The champions league ticket

The Champions league tickets are very popular and in high demand therefore often times become sold-out or the prices might go up sharply. At EasySportsTickets.com we offer a wide selection of all Champions league matches tickets (including of course the Hot Champion League Final tickets) at great prices. The UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League is an annual continental club football competition for the top football clubs in Europe.It is one of the most known and prestigious tournaments in the world and the most notable Football club competition in Europe. Originally the Champions league was known as the purxta“European Champion Clubs' Cup” or “European Cup” but the UEFA Champions League should not be confused with the UEFA Europa League. The competition was initially a Tex Link Greek Languagestraight knockout competition open only to the champion club of each country. Nowadays the tournament was expanded, incorporating a round-robin group phase and more teams and now provide up to four teams each for the competition. The tournament consists of several stages. Currently it begins in mid-July with three knockout qualifying rounds and a play-off round. The 10 surviving teams join 22 seeded teams in the group stage, in which there are eight groups of four teams each. The eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout phase, which culminates with the final match in May. The winner of the UEFA Champions League qualifies for the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Spanish clubs have accumulated the highest number of victories, with 13 wins. The title has been won by 22 different clubs, 12 of which have won the title more than once. Don’t miss out, book your Champions league tickets now and enjoy the exciting football experience.

ARSENAL: a big failure in champions league and disgrace to england

Eight knockout wins in 16 years - Arsenal are serial Champions League failures Since the rebranding of the European Cup in 1992, just six clubs have participated in the Champions League group stages more times than Arsenal; Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, AC Milan, Porto and Tuesday's opponents Bayern Munich. Given that the Gunners didn’t enter Europe’s premier club competition until 1998, this represents a significant achievement. Furthermore, only Man Utd and Real Madrid have registered more successive Champions League appearances than Arsenal’s 16 consecutive campaigns from 1998-99 to 2013-14. And with United failing to make it out of their pools in both 2005-06 and 2011-12, only Madrid better Arsenal’s 14 years of uninterrupted progression from the opening group phase. "[Our record] provides a massive satisfaction,” Arsene Wenger beamed last year. “If you look at how many teams have done that in Europe, you will find very few and that shows it is not easy." Wenger is, of course, right in that respect but it requires merely the briefest look at the record books to expose the grim truth that his various Arsenal sides have been among Europe's biggest underachievers of recent times. This is a message the Frenchman is less keen to broadcast, one that lays bare his shortcomings as a coach in Europe and proves that Arsenal’s Champions League history is one of failure, missed opportunities and naivety rather than something worthy of celebrating. Incredibly, Arsenal have won just eight knockout ties under Wenger. Three of these arrived en route to the 2006 final and a further two during their run to the semi-finals three seasons later. That aside, over a 14-year period – during which Arsenal were often handed kind group draws against moderate opposition due to a favourable seedings process - they have successfully negotiated their way through just three knockout rounds. Crisis-hit Celta Vigo, a side who had just sacked their manager and were well on their way to being relegated from La Liga, were defeated by Wenger's Invincibles, while a horribly ageing AC Milan outfit, who were enduring their worst domestic season in years and whose best player was a 40-year-old Paolo Maldini, were no match for a Cesc Fabregas-inspired Arsenal in 2008. In addition to being eliminated at the group stage on four occasions (two of these a second group stage), Arsenal have exited the Champions League five times in the last 16 and on four occasions in the quarter finals. Worryingly, Wenger's record shows he is not learning from his mistakes - his record is actually getting worse. Unless they can somehow conjure up a miracle and overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit at a seemingly unbeatable Bayern side that have not lost a Bundesliga match in 17 months, Arsenal are set to bow out at the last 16 juncture for a fourth straight season. Admittedly, during this time Arsenal have faced Bayern twice, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led Milan – but you can’t explain 16 years of disappointment by blaming bad luck, nor through Wenger's reluctance to use the transfer market as a tool to tweak and enhance his squad. Wenger needs to look at himself. Much has been said about the Frenchman failing to win a trophy of any kind for nearly nine years, but since the day he was appointed at Arsenal in 1996 his preoccupation with playing football “the right way” has not been conducive to succeeding in Europe. In continental and international knockout football, naivety and predictability are punished ruthlessly. The most successful coaches of the Champions League era – the Jose Mourinhos, Carlo Ancelottis, Sir Alex Fergusons and Jupp Heynckes’ of this world – have understood that a team needs to be tactically flexible and contain technical, physical and mental elements. Arsenal have lacked the last two qualities ever since Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and the last remnants of George Graham’s back four departed or retired the best part of a decade ago. Wenger has been stubbornly one-dimensional and has steadfastly refused to tweak his system – both before and during games - to counter the style of an adversary. His teams almost always play open, attacking, expansive football, making it very easy for top European coaches to outmanoeuvre the Frenchman. Only one season, in 2005-06, did Wenger abandon his principles. It’s no coincidence that, fielding a conservative 4-5-1 with Thierry Henry as the lone frontman, Arsenal made it all the way to the final. They defeated the Madrid Galacticos and a Juventus team that contained seven of the 2006 World Cup finalists on the way to a heart-breaking late defeat to Barcelona in Paris. Even that season, Wenger’s utopian hand was forced by a glut of injuries ahead of the historic last 16 win over Madrid at the Bernabeu. He had little choice but to be less adventurous and when the ploy worked, he stuck with it for the rest of the campaign. The following season Wenger reverted to type and Arsenal were eliminated by PSV in the last 16. Wenger once confessed: “I can’t imagine my life without winning the European Cup”. Sadly, his Champions League career is almost certain to end without him lifting the trophy. For no matter how many more years Arsenal proudly qualify for and progress through the group stages, you can always bet on them losing once the knockouts come along.

MOURINHO : arsenal and city can still progress in champions league

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists domestic rivals Manchester City and Arsenal are still very much in with a chance of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal lost 2-0 in their last 16 tie at home to Champions League holders Bayern Munich while Manchester City lost by the same scoreline at home to Barcelona. Mourinho says both sides still have the opportunity to progress but feels Arsenal face a tougher task than City. He said: "Can't City win in Barcelona? Barcelona lost against Valladolid. And lost at home against Valencia. So, why can't they win? "Arsenal, at Bayern, can they win 2-0 and go to extra-time? Difficult. Probably the most difficult, but they can." Mourinho's side are seven points clear in the Premier League following their 4-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday. Striker Fernando Torres was injured in the warm-up ahead of the game and the Portuguese insisted he is unsure how long Chelsea's record signing will be out for. "It's a muscular problem and muscular problems, even when they are small, are always a couple of weeks," he said. "I don't know if it's small or big. He has to go for scans, but for sure he's out. "It's one of the best decisions we made, to keep three strikers. When one is injured you need the other two." Torres' former club Liverpool were not in action this week after their game against Sunderland was postponed due to the Wearside club's FA Cup tie with Hull on Sunday. Mourinho believes Liverpool, who are seven points behind his side, are still very much in the race to win the Premier League. "When we speak about Champions League and the title race we have to speak about Liverpool," Mourinho said. "Since the beginning of the season they have one match every week. They rest, they prepare, they recover, they prepare, they play, they have day off. This is a big, big, big advantage."

Wigan beat manchester city again

Wigan Athletic have stunned Manchester City in the FA Cup for the second season running with a shock 2-1 quarter-final victory at a disbelieving Etihad Stadium on Sunday. City, newly crowned League Cup champions, were bidding to avenge their 1-0 defeat in last season's final, but instead it was the holders -- managed by former City striker Uwe Rosler -- who advanced to a last-four date with Arsenal. Jordi Gomez gave Wigan the lead with a 27th-minute penalty after Martin Demichelis fouled Marc Antoine-Fortune and James Perch made it 2-0 within seconds of kick-off in the second half. Samir Nasri pulled a goal back for City with 22 minutes remaining, but the Championship side -- relegated within days of last season's final -- withstood heavy pressure from the hosts to record another famous FA Cup win. The Etihad was buoyant after City's 3-1 win over Sunderland in last weekend's League Cup final, but the home fans were silenced in the 27th minute when Wigan took the lead. A neat turn took Fortune past Demichelis on the Wigan left and after the Argentine brought him down, Gomez sent goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon the wrong way from the penalty spot. City's frustration was evident, with Nasri booked for kicking the ball away, and Wigan extended their lead early in the second half when Perch stole in front of Gael Clichy to tuck in a low cross from James McArthur. City manager Manuel Pellegrini reacted by sending on James Milner, David Silva and Edin Dzeko, and the latter came within a whisker of equalising in the 64th minute with a header that hit the post. The hosts continued to push, though, and four minutes later Nasri dragged them back into the tie with a left-foot shot from outside the box that skidded into the bottom-right corner. City threw everything at Wigan in the closing stages, with Emmerson Boyce producing an extraordinary goal-line block to thwart Dzeko, but Wigan held on by the skin of their teeth. - Hull, Sheffield United advance Earlier, Hull City and giant-killers Sheffield United set up an unlikely semi-final showdown after coming through their respective quarter-final ties. Hull defeated Premier League rivals Sunderland 3-0 at the KC Stadium to reach the last four for the first time since 1930, while third-tier United overcame Charlton Athletic. Hull's Sone Aluko saw a first-half penalty saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, but three goals in nine minutes from Curtis Davies, David Meyler and Matty Fryatt in the second period gave the hosts victory. "I've just seen the draw and it's a great one," said Hull manager Steve Bruce, who twice won the trophy as a player with Manchester United. "Sheffield United have had a wonderful run and beaten every team put in front of them. "But you have got to be honest - you want to avoid the big boys and I'm sure Sheffield United will be thinking the same having drawn us." Sheffield United continued their remarkable journey in the FA Cup by upsetting second-tier Charlton 2-0 at Bramall Lane. Managed by Nigel Clough, son of legendary former Nottingham Forest manager Brian, the Blades became the first team from the third tier to reach the last four since Wycombe Wanderers in 2001. "I'm just delighted for everybody that we're going to Wembley, especially the players," Clough, whose late father never won the tournament, told BT Sport. "To win nine games on the spin, they deserve an immense amount of credit. We hope to play a lot more big games like this in the future." Having previously accounted for English Premiership sides Fulham and Aston Villa, as well as second-tier Forest, the Blades prevailed thanks to quick-fire goals from Ryan Flynn and John Brayford mid-way through the second half.

Orton to attend Wizard World Louisville Comic Con Sat., March 29

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton makes a triumphant return to Wizard World when he appears at the inaugural Louisville Comic Con on Saturday, March 29, at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The 12-time World Champion will meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photo-ops from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. “I greatly enjoyed my first Wizard World show last year, and I can’t wait to meet a whole new set of fans in Louisville, a real hotbed for WWE,” said Orton. Wizard World CEO John Macaluso added, “Randy has a great following, which fans experienced first-hand in St. Louis last year. He adds a great new dimension to our stellar guest list for our first event in Louisville.” Orton joins popular Wizard World celebrity guests Matt Smith, Michael Rooker, Summer Glau, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and many others, in addition to a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers, plusa variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the fourth event on Wizard World’s 16-show 2014 calendar.

Carles Puyol may end barcelona career this season

Carles Puyol i Saforcada is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona. Mainly there central defender he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back.He served as a longtime team captain for his only club FC Barcelona after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, going on to appear in almost 600 official games for the team and win 21 major titles, notably six La Liga and three UEFA Champions League championships. carles puyol has ever since the beginning of the season been showing some signs of leaving the club and has made it open his decision to end his final season in Barcelona with either the la liga trophy or the champions league. BRIEF ABOUT PUYOL CLUB CAREER HISTORY Born in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia, Puyol started playing football for his hometown club, as a goalkeeper. However, after injury problems with his shoulder, he switched to striker. He said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study."[3] In 1995, he joined FC Barcelona's youth system at La Masia, switching positions again, to play as a defensive midfielder; two years later, he started playing for the club's B-team, occupying the position of right back. In 1999 Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team, and he made his La Liga debut on 2 October in a 2–0 away win against Real Valladolid. After that, he successfully made another conversion, now to central defender. During the 2003 off-season, as Barcelona was immersed in a financial crisis, Manchester United showed interest in acquiring Puyol's services,[4] but no move ever materialized; two years later, the player extended his contract for a further five seasons.[5] Puyol was named club captain at the end of the 2003–04 season, after the retirement of Luis Enrique. He continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the "Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 (amongst other individual accolades), and helping the Catalans win two consecutive league titles. In 2005–06, he appeared in a total of 52 official games, including 12 in the season's UEFA Champions League, which ended in conquest against Arsenal, the club's second. Puyol in a 2007 La Liga match against Getafe On 16 September 2008, Puyol made his 400th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona's first team in a Champions League group stage match against Sporting Clube de Portugal.[6] In the league season, he dealt with injury problems, but still contributed to the team by appearing in 28 matches and helped to win another league title, his only goal coming in El Clásico at Real Madrid on 2 May 2009, which finished with a resounding 6–2 away win;[7] from 2008–10 combined, other than the two league titles, he was essential in conquering the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, the 2009 Champions League and the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, appearing in nearly 100 official matches, and describing the club as "the team who every Catalan child wants to play for... I am living the dream playing football for Barça and it is my dream to retire playing here."[3] On 13 November 2010, Puyol made his 500th appearance in all competitions for Barcelona's first team in a La Liga game against Villarreal CF.[8] Puyol struggled again with injury in the 2010–11 season,[9][10][11] but still appeared in 28 official games for Barcelona, which again won the league and the Champions League. He played six minutes in the final of the latter competition, a 3–1 win against Manchester United. Since the defeat to Inter Milan in the 2009–10 Champions League semi-final, Puyol went on to play 56 official games for Barcelona without losing, a run that only ended on 11 January 2012 at CA Osasuna (2–3 loss).[12] Additionally, he scored two goals in the season's Copa del Rey, against Real Madrid (2–1 away win, 4–3 on aggregate) and Valencia CF (1–1 away, 3–1 aggregate).[13][14] On 2 October 2012, in the late stages of a Champions League group stage encounter at S.L. Benfica, his first game upon recovering from a knee ligament ailment contracted against Getafe CF, Puyol dislocated his elbow after landing awkwardly in a corner kick challenge, initially being sidelined for a further two months[15] but fully recovering in one. On 18 December Barcelona renewed his contract, extending it until 30 June 2016;[16] in June of the following year he again underwent surgery to his right knee, in what was his sixth operation as a professional,[17] which led to thoughts of early retirement.[18] On 2 March 2014, Puyol surpassed Migueli to go second in Barça's all-time league appearances table, behind only Xavi, and scored the third goal in a 4–1 home win against UD Almería.[19] Two days after, even though he still had two more years in his contract, he announced that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season and declare the remainder of his link void.[20][21] He said, "After my last two major operations, I find it is taking me a lot of effort to reach the level required here, even more than myself and the surgeons thought necessary. That's the reason I have reached this decision"

HOT GAME 2014

TrueBall Tech: PES 2014 centers everything thing on the ball: how it moves and how players use it. First touch and sublime control is what set certain players apart from others. Motion Animation Stability System (M.A.S.S.): The new M.A.S.S. component simulate the bodily contact between multiple players within tailored animations that segue seamlessly into each other. Heart: Pro Evolution Soccer 2014's 'Heart' aims to recreate the effects of team support, both on an individual player basis and across the entire team. PES ID: Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 set a new bar for realism, with its inclusion of the Player ID system. For the first time, players could instantly recognize a player by their faithfully recreated running and play styles. Team Play: Via the new game's innovative Combination Play users can set up a variety of different tactics in key areas of the pitch using three or more players. Get on the pitch with new enhancements, like: - Improvements to Touch Controls - Simpler, friendlier way of choosing between Classic and Touch controls - Ergonomic and visual improvements, behind-the-scenes adjustments, and more! Thanks for playing FIFA 14. Get in there!

TOTTENHAM FC

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club /ˈtɒt(ə)nəm/,[2][3] commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English football club located in Tottenham, London, that plays in the Premier League. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane. Its newly developed training ground is in Bulls Cross on the northern borders of the London Borough of Enfield. Founded in 1882, Tottenham won the FA Cup for the first time in 1901, making it the only non-League club to do so since the formation of the Football League. Tottenham was the first club in the 20th century to achieve the League and FA Cup Double, winning both competitions in the 1960–61 season. After successfully defending the FA Cup in 1962, in 1963 it became the first British club to win a UEFA club competition – the European Cup Winners' Cup.[4] In 1967 it won the FA Cup for a third time in the 1960s. In the 1970s Tottenham won the League Cup on two occasions and was the inaugural winner of the UEFA Cup in 1972, becoming the first British club to win two different major European trophies. In the 1980s Spurs won several trophies: the FA Cup twice, FA Community Shield and the UEFA Cup in 1984. In the 1990s the club won the FA Cup and the League Cup. When it won the League Cup once more in 2008, it meant that it had won a major trophy in each of the last six decades – an achievement only matched by Manchester United. The club's Latin motto is Audere est Facere (lit: "To Dare Is to Do"), and its emblem is a cockerel standing upon a football. The club has a long-standing rivalry with near neighbours Arsenal, which is known as the North London derby.

EVERTON FC

Everton Football Club /ˈɛvərtən/ is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool. The club have competed in the top division for a record 110 seasons (missing only four seasons, all at level 2) and have won the League Championship nine times.[3] Formed in 1878, Everton were founding members of The Football League in 1888 and won their first league championship two seasons later. Following four league titles and two FA Cup wins, Everton experienced a lull in the immediate post World War Two period until a revival in the 1960s which saw the club win two league championships and an FA Cup. The mid-1980s represented their most recent period of success, with two League Championship successes, an FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup. The club's most recent major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup. The club's supporters are known as Evertonians. Everton have a rivalry with neighbours Liverpool and the two sides contest the Merseyside derby. The club have been based at Goodison Park since 1892. The club's home colours are royal blue shirts and white shorts. Everton player Dixie Dean scored a record 60 league goals in the 1927–28 season.

LIVERPOOL FC

Liverpool Football Club /ˈlɪvərpuːl/ is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool. Liverpool F.C. is one of the most successful clubs in England and has won more European trophies than any other English team with five European Cups, three UEFA Cups and three UEFA Super Cups. The club has also won eighteen League titles, seven FA Cups and a record eight League Cups. Liverpool was founded in 1892 and joined the Football League the following year. The club has played at Anfield since its formation. The most successful period in Liverpool's history was the 1970s and '80s when Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley led the club to eleven league titles and seven European trophies. The club's supporters have been involved in two major tragedies. The first was the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985 in which charging Liverpool fans caused a wall to collapse, killing 39 Juventus supporters and resulting in English clubs being banned from European competitions for five years. In the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives in a crush against perimeter fencing. Liverpool has long-standing rivalries with neighbours Everton and with Manchester United. The team changed from red shirts and white shorts to an all-red home strip in 1964. The club's anthem is "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Manu Tuilagi and Marland Yarde recalled by England

Manu Tuilagi and Marland Yarde have been recalled to the England squad for this Sunday's Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham. The centre made his comeback from a five-month lay-off with an chest muscle injury in Leicester's Aviva Premiership victory over Newcastle on Sunday. "They'd have to go some in the next couple of days, it's fair to say." Stuart Lancaster He proved his fitness with a typically powerful display and England coach Stuart Lancaster saw enough to decide to recall him for the crunch crash with Wales. London Irish winger Yarde has been out of action since late November with a hip injury and he adds to Lancaster's back-three options. Lancaster admits both players will have to produce something spectacular in training before the team is announced on Friday to play in the penultimate match of this year's campaign. "They'd have to go some in the next couple of days, it's fair to say," he said. "It's a big ask for Manu to come back having had such a long period out. "He hasn't had any time with us in camp whatsoever, so Tuesday will be the first training session he's done since the Wales game last year." England's 34-man squad will assemble at Pennyhill Park on Monday. Forwards: David Attwood (Bath), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Tom Johnson (Exeter), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Ed Slater (Leicester), Henry Thomas (Sale), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton), Tom Youngs (Leicester) Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Anthony Watson (Bath), Marland Yarde (London), Ben Youngs (Leicester)

Pique: Don't believe the hype, Ronaldo is a good guy

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo's public image does not correspond with how the Real Madrid attacker is in real life. The Portugal international is often criticised for his perceived arrogance, yet Pique is adamant that the prolific forward is a friendly guy off the pitch. The pair were team-mates at Manchester United between 2004 and 2008 and the Spain international centre-back has nothing but good words for the Madrid star. "He may have been a bit too sincere when he said that people are jealous of him because he's handsome, rich and a great player," Pique was quoted as saying by Marca. "I know him very well and he is a friendly guy. His public image does not correspond with how he is in real life." Pique left United for Barcelona in the summer of 2008, with Ronaldo saying farewell to Old Trafford for Madrid one year later, yet the duo have maintained a good relationship ever since their time together at the Premier League champions - despite the rivalry between their current clubs.

Messi continues to carry Barcelona

As Esteban picked himself up off the Camp Nou turf after a brave but futile attempt to keep out a Lionel Messi free kick, the Almeria goalkeeper wearily puffed out his cheeks, as if to say, 'How on earth was I supposed to stop that?' The truth was that there was no stopping a set piece so sublime that it appeared to defy logic in the way in which it went from seemingly going at least three yards wide before curling dramatically and rapidly into the top left corner of Esteban's goal. It was another moment of genius from Barca's talisman. It was Messi at his inspirational best. The worrying thing from Barcelona's perspective, though, is that even against lowly Almeria, Tata Martino's men once again had to rely on their No.10 to lead them to victory. The Blaugrana never looked like losing to Francisco Rodriguez's eager but limited side - they enjoyed 75 per cent possession - yet they could easily have dropped two precious points. Indeed, after Messi had added to Alexis Sanchez's opener to put the home side two goals to the good, Almeria got themselves back into the game when an unmarked Angel Trujillo headed home a corner in the 27th minute and then nearly equalised through Aleix Vidal just after the hour. Barca, of course, ultimately ran out 4-1 winners but only thanks to late goals from veteran duo Carles Puyol and Xavi. And even then, Messi had been key in securing the three points, as it was the Argentine's header that led to his captain belatedly killing the game as contest. Of course, the bottom line from Barcelona's perspective is that they took advantage of Real Madrid's 2-2 derby draw with city rivals Atletico earlier in the day to close to within a point of La Liga-leading Blancos. However, the degree to which they relied on Messi to get them over the line against relegation-threatened opponents was concerning. Indeed, it merely served to underline Cesc Fabregas' claim in midweek that the Argentine is currently carrying Barcelona. The good news, obviously, is that Messi now appears to be approaching his very best form at the most important stage of the season. Sunday's goal means he has now scored in each of his last six games, bagging eight in total in that time, banishing all doubts over his fitness - or indeed his love of the game. The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has repeatedly stated that his goal is to peak at precisely the right time for both Barcelona and Argentina this year and he appears well on course to do just that. However, as Blaugrana team-mate Fabregas conceded: "If more is required of Messi, then three times more is required of the rest of us." And that was painfully obvious for long periods against Almeria, as Barca struggled badly to break down a side currently sitting 17th in the standings. Fabregas himself was strangely subdued, Alexis Sanchez and Neymar sparkled only sporadically, while Dani Alves had a desperately tough time whenever faced with Jonathan Zongo. Having been stung by the inevitable wave of criticism which followed last weekend's tame submission against Real Sociedad, Martino had promised a Blaugrana backlash against the Andalusians. "I know that their reaction will be faultless," the Argentine coach stated. However, what unfolded at Camp Nou on Sunday night was anything but perfect ... Messi's free kick aside, of course.

Cardiff fc

ABOUT CADIFF CITY Cardiff City Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Pêl-droed Dinas Caerdydd) is a professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales that competes in the English football league system. The club is competing in the Premier League for the first time in the 2013–14 season. They play their home games at the Cardiff City Stadium, after moving from Ninian Park in 2009. The club was founded as Riverside A.F.C. in 1899 and is the only club from outside England to have won the FA Cup, which they won in 1927. The club won the Football League Championship title in the 2012–13 season and were promoted to the top flight for the first time in 51 years. This followed two lost national cup finals, the 2008 FA Cup Final against Portsmouth and the 2012 Football League Cup Final against Liverpool, the latter being settled by a penalty shootout. In 2012, Cardiff City was rebranded by the club's Malaysian owner, Vincent Tan. This included the change of the club's home colours and crest.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910. Manchester United have won more trophies than any other team in English football, including a record 20 League titles, a record 11 FA Cups,[3] four League Cups and a record 20 FA Community Shields. The club has also won three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. In 1998–99, the club won a continental treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, an unprecedented feat for an English club. The 1958 Munich air disaster claimed the lives of eight players. In 1968, under the management of Matt Busby, Manchester United was the first English football club to win the European Cup. Alex Ferguson won 28 major honours, and 38 in total, from November 1986 to May 2013,[4][5] when he announced his retirement after 26 years at the club.[6] Fellow Scot David Moyes was appointed as his replacement on 9 May 2013.[7] Manchester United is the third-richest football club in the world for 2011–12 in terms of revenue, with an annual revenue of €395.9 million, and the second most valuable sports team in 2013, valued at $3.165 billion.[8] It is one of the most widely supported football teams in the world.[9][10][11][12] After being floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club was purchased by Malcolm Glazer in May 2005 in a deal valuing the club at almost £800 million.[13] In August 2012, Manchester United made an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.

CHELSEA FC

Chelsea Football Club /ˈtʃɛlsiː/ is an English football club based in Fulham, London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Their home ground is the 41,837-seat[2] Stamford Bridge stadium, where they have played since their establishment. Chelsea had their first major success in 1955, when they won the league championship, and won various cup competitions during the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. The club has enjoyed its greatest period of success in the past two decades, winning 15 major trophies since 1997.[3] Domestically, Chelsea have won four league titles, seven FA Cups, four League Cups and four FA Community Shields, while in continental competitions they have won two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, one UEFA Europa League and one UEFA Champions League. Chelsea are the only London club to win the UEFA Champions League,[4] one of four clubs, and the only British club, to have won all three main UEFA club competitions, and also the first club to hold two major European titles simultaneously.[5][6] Chelsea's regular kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. The club's crest has been changed several times in attempts to re-brand the club and modernise its image. The current crest, featuring a ceremonial lion rampant regardant holding a staff, is a modification of the one introduced in the early 1950s.[7] The club has sustained the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football.[8] Their average home gate for the 2012–13 season was 41,462, the sixth highest in the Premier League.[9] Since July 2003, Chelsea have been owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.[10] In April 2013 it was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the seventh most valuable football club in the world, at £588 million ($901 million), an increase of 18% from the previous year

ARSENAL

Arsenal Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Holloway, London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups. Arsenal holds the record for the longest uninterrupted period in the English top flight and would be placed first in an aggregated league of the entire 20th century. It is the second side to complete an English top flight season unbeaten (in the 2003–04 season) and the only one to do so across 38 matches. Arsenal was founded in 1886 in Woolwich and in 1893 became the first club from the south of England to join the Football League. In 1913, it moved north across the city to Arsenal Stadium in Highbury. In the 1930s the club won five League Championship titles and two FA Cups. After a lean period in the post-war years it won the League and FA Cup Double, in the 1970–71 season, and in the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century won two more Doubles and reached the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Arsenal has a long-standing rivalry with North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, with whom it contests the North London derby. Arsenal is the fourth most valuable association football club in the world as of 2013, valued at more than $1.3 billion.

MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. The club has played at the City of Manchester Stadium since 2003, having played at Maine Road from 1923. The club's most successful period was in the late 1960s and early 1970s when they won the League Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup under the management team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. After losing the 1981 FA Cup Final, the club went through a period of decline, culminating in relegation to the third tier of English football for the only time in their history in 1998. Having regained Premier League status, the club was purchased in 2008 by Abu Dhabi United Group and became one of the wealthiest in the world. In 2011, Manchester City qualified for the UEFA Champions League and won the FA Cup. In 2012, the club won the Premier League, their first league title for 44 years.