Messi: Ronaldinho told me to take his No.10

Lionel Messi has revealed Ronaldinho told him to take his No.10 shirt months before the Brazilian left Barcelona in 2008. 

Ronaldinho joined Barcelona in 2003 and inherited the iconic number from Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme - who was sent on loan to Villareal for

Neymar will become the best in the world - Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o is in no doubt that Neymar will be the best player in the world once Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo are past their peak.

The trio make up the shortlist for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, an accolade which the Argentine and the Portuguese have dominated for the past seven years.

Liverpool's Klopp surprised by reaction to Kop salute

London (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Thursday expressed surprise over the mirth provoked by his decision to salute the club's fans following the recent 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Chelsea hold talks with MLS side Montreal over Drogba

(Reuters) - Struggling Premier League champions Chelsea have held talks with Montreal Impact over former Blues striker Didier Drogba, the Major League Soccer team has said.

British media reported earlier this month that Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich was keen to offer Drogba a position on the team's coaching staff.

Shakhtar routs Malmo 4-0 in Champions League

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Shakhtar Donetsk ended its European goal drought to beat Malmo 4-0 and sustain its slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.

Shakhtar went into the game without having scored a goal in its three defeats so far in the group stage, but dominated from the start against the defensively-minded Swedish team.

4TH LEAD Feyenoord fans clash with police, damage monument in Rome By Alberto Cagliano, dpa

Rome (dpa) - Fans of Dutch side Feyenoord hurled smoke bombs at police in Rome's central Piazza di Spagna and damaged a baroque fountain ahead of Thursday's Europa League game against Roma.

Police reported that clashes with drunken Dutchmen had already taken place late Wednesday near the Campo de' Fiori square, with 23 arrests.

Italian teams held to draws in Europa League

Madrid (dpa) - Italian teams Torino and Roma were held to disappointing home draws in the Europa League round of 32 first legs Thursday, by Athletic Bilbao and Feyenoord respectively.

Holders Japan crash out to UAE, Iraq upset Iran

Sydney (dpa) - Holders Japan crashed out of the Asian Cup 5-4 on penalties against the United Arab Emirates after a 1-1 draw Friday while Iraq produced a thrilling performance to upset 10-man Iran 7-6 from the spot after a 3-3 deadlock.

Munich get the longest holiday and like all others then train abroad

Berlin (dpa) - Runaway leaders Bayern Munich have the longest holiday while ailing VfB Stuttgart will be the first Bundesliga team to resume training for the second half of the season.

Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens will gather his players on January 3 while Pep Guardiola's Munich don't start until four days later with their preparation for the January 30 restart.

Olympics and World Cup get all the 2014 attention - on and off pitch

Berlin (dpa) - The Olympics and football World Cup dominated the sporting year 2014 as expected, but also made big waves outside the arenas.

Hosts Russia topped the final medal table at the most expensive Winter Games ever in Sochi while Brazil ended their home World Cup battered and bruised in fourth place after a historic 7-1 thrashing by later champions Germany in the semi-finals.

Reports: Torres to return to Atletico Madrid

Madrid (dpa) - Striker Fernando Torres is poised to return to Atletico Madrid, according to Spanish sports dailies AS and Marca on Thursday.

Torres, 30, played for Atletico as a young

Zola takes coaching job at former club Cagliari

Rome (dpa) - Gianfranco Zola has been appointed new coach at his former club Cagliari after the dismissal of Zdenek Zeman, the Serie A club said.

A statement late Wednesday said that Zola, 48, was to

No trouble for Premier League's top three in Boxing Day fixtures

London (dpa) - There was no holiday hangover for the Premier League's top three teams on Friday as each won comfortably.

Queens Park Rangers-Arsenal Preview

Arsenal start their crowded festive schedule against Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day, with manager Arsene Wenger having voiced concern that players may suffer due to the lack of a mid-winter break in the Premier League season.

Aston Villa-Swansea City Preview

Both Swansea City and Aston Villa go into their Boxing Day clash at the Liberty Stadium on the back of strong results.

Garry Monk's Swansea (7-4-6) went into Saturday's meeting with Hull City with just one win in five, but a Ki Sung-Yeung strike in the first half was enough to earn the Swans a victory that kept them firmly in the top half of the table.

Liverpool-Burnley Preview

Burnley kick off a challenging three-match festive season schedule with a home match against Liverpool on Boxing Day and follow that with away matches at Manchester City on Dec. 28 and Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

Tottenham Hotspur-Leicester City Preview

Bottom of the table at Christmas, Leicester City are in danger of losing touch with the pack at the foot of the Premier League.

Nigel Pearson's Leicester (2-4-11) have just 10 points from their 17 matches and have lost nine of their last 10, leaving them five points from safety.

West Ham United-Chelsea Preview

Chelsea welcome in-form West Ham to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day at the start of a busy three-match schedule over the festive season for Premier League clubs.

The Blues (13-3-1) restored their three-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Stoke on Monday evening.

Manchester City-West Brom Preview

West Bromwich Albion are in need of some Christmas cheer as they open their three-match festive schedule against title-chasing Manchester City at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day.

The Baggies (4-5-8) are in 15th place and just two points above the relegation zone after losing five of their last seven matches in the Premier League. They slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday after throwing away a two-goal lead.

Hull City-Sunderland Preview

Three points would be the perfect festive pick-me-up for Steve Bruce's Hull City.

Hull (2-7-8) travel up the east coast to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day in search of their first win in 11 Premier League games. Only Leicester City are keeping the Tigers off the foot of the table, while Bruce's side haven't scored since