Sturaro signs new five-year Juve deal

Lionel Messi is the leader and protector of Argentina, according to international team-mate Nicolas Tagliafico.

Messi, 32, has faced criticism for his performances for the national team as his wait for a first senior trophy at international level goes on.

But Ajax defender Tagliafico, a 25-time Argentina international, said the Barcelona star was key for his nation.

Messi was released from the pressure to get results [at the 2019 Copa America, where Argentina finished third], he told Ole.

He more than anyone gets angry when he loses, but Messi became more aware that he has to enjoy the national team.

I don t know until when he will play, but it is not that he will have too many cups with the national team. He is at a stage where he wants to enj…

United and Valencia vying for Garay

Portuguese newspaper that Manchester United and Valencia lead the chase for Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay.

The Eagles seem to have decided to cash in on the Argentine stopper, and they are obviously looking to sell him to the highest bidder, especially since Real Madrid are entitled to 50% of the transfer fee.

O Jogo has learned that Manchester United and Valencia are locked in the battle for the 27-year-old footballer, whilst Zenit are also keen.

And while the Red Devils see Garay as a perfect long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand, los Che are looking for defensive reinforcements following the departure of Adil Rami.

Ezequiel Garay has developed into one of world s top centre-backs during his time at Esta…

(GSM) Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta has talked up the importance of the Club World Cup as the European champions aim to complete the year 2009, after landing a quintet of titles to Catalona, by winning in Dubai.

Barca, who added the Primera Division and Copa del Rey titles to their continental success earlier this year, have never won the Club World Cup and Spain international Iniesta is hoping to help the club complete the set.

He told Barca TV: This is the most important title for all of us as we ve never won it. We re excited about taking part. We played in it three years ago, and it left us with a taste for more. We really want to win it as we d be making history.

It s not of lesser importance. It s always great to win a trophy. This year we have won e…

(GSM) Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed Manchester City have rejected the Spanish club s initial offer for Robinho.

And Laporta has also made it clear that the Catalonia giants will not bid again for the former Real Madrid player.

The Brazil playmaker has previously indicated he would welcome a move to the Nou Camp, prompting Barca to open negotiations with City.

But the Eastlands club, now under new coach Roberto Mancini, turned down Barca s opening bid.

Laporta, speaking in an interview with Catalan radio station Rac1, said: We are very happy with the squad but if we have to make any improvements we will do.

The conditions we set out for Robinho were not acceptable to City and since the squad are developing so well, unless there are…

Antonio Conte has pointed to Arsenal s improvement under Mikel Arteta as proof that time and patience is needed to succeed in the Premier League.

Arsenal sit top of the table after winning six of their first seven games this season.

Tottenham boss Conte takes his team to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday for the north London derby, sitting just two places and one point behind the Gunners after their own impressive start to the campaign.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Conte – who has previously spoken about needing time to get Spurs up to the level of other top clubs in England – was keen to shine a light on the patience shown by their rivals.

I think the club backed Arteta in these years, and you are seeing that when you trust in a person…

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With all eyes falling on north London this weekend, Arsenal will welcome bitter rivals Tottenham to the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have seen their 100% start to the 2022/23 campaign come to an abrupt end away at Manchester United on September 4th, Mikel Arteta s men have managed to prove that was just a minor blip. Last seen heading into the international break with another stellar display as they picked up a 3-0 romp against Brentford, the Gunners should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Marking their return to action on Saturday lunchtime holding a one-point buffer at the top of the table, some have even tipped Arsenal to finally clinch a Champions League return…

Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal to benefit from Gabriel Jesus absence from the Brazil squad as he hopes to show Tite what he is missing before the World Cup.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on Saturday, but none of their three senior Brazilian stars were called up by the Selecao last month.

Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus had all been part of Tite s squad during the previous international window in June.

Yet they now face a race against time to prove themselves before Qatar 2022, which kicks off next month.

Jesus was a particularly surprising omission, having scored four goals and assisted another three in seven league appearances since joining Arsenal in July.

But Arteta revealed a determ…

Managerless AZ will begin life without Gertjan Verbeek against Groningen on Sunday after the coach was surprisingly fired last weekend.

The club cited a lack of confidence in the manager who had been in charge since 2010, with his dismissal coming just one day after AZ defeated PSV, who had been league leaders.

AZ have not yet appointed a full-time replacement but will be looking to build on that victory when they travel to Groningen on Sunday, with their hosts sitting in ninth, one place below them in the table.

Twente took advantage of PSV s slip-up go into the weekend top on 15 points after eight games, but only their plus-16 goal difference keeps them ahead of Phillip Cocu s young side and Heerenveen.

A run of one defeat and two home draws saw Twente…

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has not ruled out a return to former-club Atletico Madrid

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has revealed that he is not ruling out a switch back to his first club Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish international left Atleti to join Liverpool in 2007, but it now seems he would receptive to a return to the Vicente Calderon in the near future.

Disappointing

In truth Fernando Torres has been disappointing for Chelsea since his British record £50million move from Liverpool in January 2011.

The Spaniard has scored just 43 times in 161 appearances for the Blues in that time, despite arriving at Stamford Bridge as one of the most highly-rated forwards in European football.

Torres had displayed a slight decline prior to hi…

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann believes he would not be considered among the best in the game without the guiding hand of head coach Diego Simeone.

Griezmann joined Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014 and has since become a far more prolific operator.

The 25-year-old France international has 73 goals in 139 appearances for Atleti, set against 52 in 202 for Real.

He s changed me. He s brought so many things to my game that it s hard to even begin to say what they are, he told FIFA.com.

Let s just say that I wouldn t have been regarded as one of the best players in the world if it weren t for him.

More than anything he s helped me to be more effective in front of goal, to take every chance that comes my way, and, of course, to run and…