Messi: I didn't appoint Martino

The Argentina star has denied influencing the appointment of the former Newell's Old Boys boss as Tito Vilanova's replacement

Lionel Messi has rubbished suggestions he was behind Barcelona's decision to hire Gerardo Martino as the club's new coach.

The 44-year-old was confirmed as Tito Vilanova's replacement - who stepped down to continue his recovery from a cancer relapse - on Tuesday, after a successful stint in charge of Messi's

Chepo refusing to get carried away over Panama semifinal

Mexico suffered a surprising 2-1 loss against Panama to begin the Gold Cup, but will have its chance at revenge in Dallas on Wednesday night.

Mexican coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre isn’t one for making wild statements and ahead of tonight’s Gold Cup semifinal against Panama, it was again a case of getting down to business rather than setting the world to rights.

The 45-year-old Guadalajara native said his squad has been working hard on finishing in preparation for Los Canaleros, aware that El Tri squandered a multitude of chances in its

De Laurentiis: Higuain and Reina will join soon

The Partenopei chief has revealed the club is set to complete deals for two big-name players by Monday

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that Gonzalo Higuain and Pepe Reina are both close to joining the club.

Higuain , 25, has long been linked with a move to Arsenal but the Serie A outfit has pipped the Gunners to his signature after the Argentina international successfully completed a medical prior to a reported

Mazinho: Thiago was very close to joining Man Utd

The midfielder's father and agent has confirmed that the Premier League champions held talks with the Spain Under-20 star but he ultimately opted to join Bayern Munich

Thiago's agent and father has revealed that the Bayern Munich midfielder was close to signing for Manchester United before opting to join Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena.

The Red Devils offered the Spain Under-20 international a 140,000 euro-a-week deal to move to Old Trafford, with the 22-year-old having agreed terms in

Rodgers: Liverpool has stood by Suarez

The Uruguayan was given a rapturous reception by the Reds supporters during Wednesday's win over Melbourne Victory, despite his recent angling for a transfer

Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez will not be able to forget the support he has received from Liverpool fans, even if he succeeds in forcing through a summer move away.

Arsenal lodged a 49 million euro bid for the Uruguay international, while Real Madrid is heavily linked with a move for the striker who has made no secret of his desire to

AC Milan criticizes Constant for anti-racism walk-off

Adriano Galliani is keen for his players to approach the referee when subjected to abuse by fans, while FIFA would not condone the full back's actions

AC Milan has criticized Kevin Constant for walking off the pitch over racial abuse during the the club's friendly with Sassuolo.

In a similar scenario to what happened to Kevin-Prince Boateng at the start of 2013 in the winter break, the Milan full back reacted to a torrent of abuse in a friendly match, however the whole team did

New York Red Bulls sign forward Bradley Wright-Phillips

The former England youth international will help bolster New York's depth at forward and attacking midfielder

The New York Red Bulls announced they have signed forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, who will be added to the team’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

Transfer Talk: Arsenal eyes Suarez and Bernard as Higuain heads to Napoli

We run through the latest talking points in world football and which stars could be on the move this summer, with Peter Staunton and former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour.

The will-he, won't-he sagas continue to rumble on but, with Arsenal set to miss out on Gonzalo Higuain, Arsene Wenger has set his sights firmly on other

Ramsey expects Fabregas to stay at Barcelona

The Arsenal man is not surprised to see his former teammate attracting Manchester United but believes he will fight for his place at Camp Nou

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey expects Cesc Fabregas to remain at Barcelona despite Manchester United's interest in the former Gunners playmaker.

The defending Premier League champions are set to make an improved 40.6 million euro offer for Fabregas having already had two bids - the latest worth 35 million plus

Villas-Boas hopeful injured Vertonghen to be back for start of season

The Portuguese boss has suggested that the defender may have suffered a ligament sprain in his ankle but believes he could play a part against Crystal Palace on Aug. 18

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is hopeful that Jan Vertonghen will recover for the start of the season after sustaining an ankle injury against Sunderland in the Asia Trophy.

The Belgium defender was substituted only minutes after coming on as a halftime replacement for Steven Caulker when he landed awkwardly.

Villas-Boas revealed that

Messi is holding back Alexis, suggests Valdano

The former Real Madrid director feels the Chile star has lost confidence in his own style of play while playing in the shadow of the Argentine at Camp Nou

Former Argentina international Jorge Valdano believes that the presence of Lionel Messi has prevented Alexis Sanchez from fulfilling his potential at Barcelona.

The Chilean joined Barca from Udinese in the summer of 2011, but has so far been unable to replicate his scintillating Serie A form for the Blaugrana, prompting rumors of

Soldado can leave for 30 million euros, says Valencia president

The Spanish side has admitted its striker could leave the club this summer but it will be on its terms, with Tottenham interested in signing the Spain international.

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has claimed that striker Roberto Soldado can leave the club if an interested buyer pays 30 million euros.

Andre Villas-Boas confirmed on Tuesday that

Agent: Honda awaiting green light for Milan move

The 27-year-old is on the brink of taking a "very big step" in his career by joining the Rossoneri this summer, according to his representative, but CSKA says differently.

CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda is on the verge of completing a move to AC Milan this summer, according to the player's agent.

The Japan international has been repeatedly linked with a switch to San Siro in recent months, but CEO Adriano Galliani recently threw a proposed deal into some doubt by stating he could wait until the attacker's contract expires in

Chelsea target Rooney expected to play in Stockholm, insists Moyes

The unsettled striker is being publicly courted by Jose Mourinho, but his manager expects him to be available for Manchester United's friendly clash with AIK in August.

David Moyes expects Wayne Rooney to feature for Manchester United in the club's preseason game against AIK in Stockholm next month.

Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been shrouded in doubt throughout the offseason, with Chelsea already having a bid for the England

Perez: Ronaldo will retire at Madrid

The club president has reiterated that the Portuguese star will end his career at the Bernabeu, despite reported interest from Manchester United and PSG.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists the club has received no offers for Cristiano Ronaldo and is adamant the 28-year-old forward will end his career with the Blancos.

Premier League champion Manchester United and Ligue 1 big-spender Paris Saint-Germain have both been reportedly