Barcelona’s Argentine striker Lionel Messi said Thursday he hopes Ronaldinho, who is being courted by AC Milan, will remain at the club next year.
“At Barca, we want everyone to remain at the club. If he goes, I will be sad,” he said.
Former Portuguese international striker Pedro Pauleta saved ailing French football giants once again on Wednesday as he came off the bench to score the only goal in a 1-0 win and end lower league side Carquefou’s dreams of French Cup glory.
A controversial goal by France international David Trezeguet inspired Juventus to a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Parma on Wednesday and gave the winners an almost certain place in next season’s Champions League.
Former German international Ulrich Stielike will not have his contract renewed as Ivory Coast coach the national federation announced on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old – who missed out on this year’s African Nations Cup because he returned to Germany to be with his desperately ill son who subsequently died – had had his contract extended at the end of February to April 15, but it has been decided not to renew it.
England coach Fabio Capello gave Michael Owen a vote of confidence on Tuesday, singling out the in-form Newcastle United marksman as a key player in his qualification plans for the 2010 World Cup.
Ailing French football giants Paris Saint Germain have experienced more lows than highs this season save winning the League Cup but on Wednesday it could reach its nadir when they play fifth division side Carquefou in the French Cup quarter-finals.
Czech captain Tomas Rosicky will recover from a recurring knee tendonitis which has made him doubtful for Euro 2008 in his homeland, the player announced on his website on Monday.
“Tomas Rosicky’s rehabiliation, following agreement with Arsenal management, will continue in Prague,” the site said of the Gunners’ midfield star.
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed on Sunday that the reigning European champions have come to an agreement with Brazil forward Ronaldinho over a possible summer transfer.
The Barcelona player’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis had said on Saturday that there was a deal in place between player and club and that the only stumbling block was a transfer fee between the Spaniards and the Italians.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has demanded showdown talks with the club’s warring American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett following weekend revelations.
It has been claimed by Hicks that Anfield chief executive Rick Parry played a part in attempts to offer the Spaniard’s job to Jurgen Klinsmann.
English midfielder Rohan Ricketts, whose English Premiership stops include Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, signed Friday with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.
The 25-year-old made the move after being freed of contract obligations with Barnsley of the English Championship, where he signed after stops in England that also included Wolverhampton.
