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Robinho a Milan player now

Robinho has joined Milan to complete a potent strike force after their late transfer window activity.

 Milan have completed the signing of Robinho from Manchester City on a four-year deal, the Serie A club confirmed via their official website on Tuesday."AC Milan communicates it has acquired the player Robinho, outright from Manchester City.

The Brazilian has signed a contract with the Rossoneri club for four years," read the statement. The player has successfully undergone a medical and the Rossoneri will pay €18 million plus bonuses for his services, although the fee was officially undisclosed at the time of the announcement.

Robinho became a bit-part figure at Eastlands last season, eventually securing a move on loan back to his homeland with Santos.

Sky Sport quoted the player as saying: "I am a Milan player," confirming the move from the Citizens to the San Siro.

The Brazilian international will link up with Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato to form one of the most exciting attacks in Europe this season.

Milan's Ronaldinho Will Sign 2014 Extension

De Assis says 2014 extension is on the horizon, despite Palmeiras links...

'Dinho's future has been up in the air, but he has not been at odds with the club over a renewal. Milan have always made clear their intention to keep him, and the playmaker has accepted their proposals over staying.

"We are ready to respect the current contract and then we will speak about the renewal," De Assis told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"Milan for life? Of course, when we sit down at the table to talk we will seal an accord that expires on June 30, 2014.

"There will not be any problems. There is no rush to sign, it's just a formality."

The Brazilian earns around €8 million per annum under his current agreement, but his new deal will see that drop to around €6m.

Despite De Assis' confirmation, Globoesporte are reporting Palmeiras are tracking the ace. They claim a Brazilian company is ready to sponsor a move there.

But that seems unlikely given the reciprocal intent between the Rossoneri and their player to continue together.

There Is No Swap Deal Between Real Madrid & Barcelona For Kaka And Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The player's agent has definitively denied any contact with Real Madrid and declared that the striker will stay at the Camp Nou...

As reported by Sport, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will stay a Barcelona player next season, as the player's agent vehemently denies any contact with Real Madrid with respect to a possible swap deal involving Brazilian midfielder Kaka.

"I have never spoken with Madrid nor have I ever spoken of a possible trade for Kaka. I don't know anything about that," declared Ibra's agent, Mino Raiola.

Sport further claims that, pending any last minute developments, Ibrahimovic will remain at Barcelona, providing coach Pep Guardiola with another viable option up front.

While the Swedish striker has been the subject of a host of transfer rumours this summer, especially since Barca signed striker David Villa from Valencia, it seems the player's transfer fee and wage demands are undesirable burdens for other teams to take on in what has become a relatively tight transfer market in financial terms.

Spain Are World Champions!

Netherlands 0-1 Spain (AET): Andres Iniesta Goal Wins World Cup For La Furia Roja
The Barcelona midfielder's 116th-minute strike makes Spain the world champions for the first time.

Spain are champions of the world after Andres Iniesta's goal deep into extra-time gave them victory over Netherlands in the World Cup final at Soccer City after a goalless first 105 minutes.

Iniesta netted as Spain broke to punish 10-man Holland after John Heitinga's sending-off seven minutes earlier.

Both sides lined up as expected. Netherlands continued with the 1 to 11 which has been Bert van Marwijk’s first choice line -up since Arjen Robben’s return from injury, while Vicente Del Bosque favoured Barcelona’s Pedro to Liverpool’s Fernando Torres just as he had for the semi-final victory over Germany.

At the renditions of the national anthems there were signs of nerves across the faces of players on each side, everyone concerned knowing that they could make history for their country by claiming the moniker of world champions for the first time.

The opening few minutes were notable mainly for the inability of either side to really string a significant series of passes together as every player looked to get a calming first touch of the ball. But in the fifth minute Spain created a real opportunity for themselves as they started to impress their authority on proceedings.

Xavi sent a free-kick in from the right to find the Sergio Ramos, who had gained half a yard on the flinching Robin van Persie, but the right-back’s header came from an awkward height and allowed Maarten Stekelenburg to make a full-length parry to keep the scores level.

Holland’s first shot at goal came when Dirk Kuyt scuffed a 30-yard effort after Sergio Busquets had failed to control a simple square pass, but the Liverpool wide man’s effort was easily gathered by Iker Casillas.

In the 11th minute Spain created a second decent opportunity, and again it was full-back Ramos who was the Johnny on the spot. Having run at Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he took a step to the right and saw a gap open up, but his right-footed effort was well blocked by Joris Mathijsen.

From the resulting corner Xavi Hernandez swung in a delicious far post ball for David Villa, but the striker’s volleyed effort hit the side-netting when he’d have hoped to do better.

Moments later the 10 men were hit with another yellow when Van der Wiel took down the self same Iniesta.

Many Spain players asked for Holland to be reduced to nine when Robben turned in a left foot effort long after the whistle had gone for offside, but Webb, not for the first time tonight, showed leniency towards a man walking the tightrope.

With five minutes left a Wesley Sneijder free-kick was clearly met with a heavy deflection off Fabregas in the wall, but the referee’s rough night continued when he failed to spot the touch and gave a goal kick. There was then an apparent foul on Elia on the edge of the area overlooked as Holland looked for a winner.

And the decision was to be vital as Spain broke to the other end of the pitch and scored a 116th minute winner.

With the 10-man Dutch stretched, the Furia Roja used the extra man as Andres Iniesta got on the end of a crossfield ball at the far post to drill across Stekelenburg into the back of the net.

Spain's only bad news of the night came when Torres pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury in the second minute of injury time, but he'll be taking a World Cup winner's medal to the treatment table with him.

Two of Europe’s great foot balling nations are preparing to contest the World Cup

Two of Europe’s great flamboyant foot balling nations are preparing to contest the World Cup, yet the Netherlands have suddenly become a pragmatic force who are difficult to defeat while Spain have at times been over elaborate in attack and have been sneaking through games by the tightest of margins for the duration of the competition.

Of the two nations, the Oranje have the greater World Cup pedigree. During the 1970s, ‘Total Football’ caught the world’s imagination, yet twice the Netherlands came up short when placed in the final.

 It is coach Bert van Marwijk’s job to ensure that it’s third time lucky for the Dutch. “We have come here for the ultimate prize, that is our goal and we will only enjoy this tournament if we win it," a determined Van Marwijk told the press prior to the semi-final. Favouring the Netherlands is the fact that they’ve had a full 24 hours more than Spain to rest up prior to this monumental occasion.

The Oranje met Uruguay in the first semi-final, which was predicted to be a closely-fought match but ultimately ended in a five-goal thriller, with the Europeans edging through 3-2 despite failing to hit their best level.
 

Spain Sail Into Final!

Spain have made history by going into the World Cup final with a goal from a rare source in veteran Carles Puyol. The Barcelona man towered above the German defence to power home a header and give La Furia Roja a 1-0 victory and move onto the final to face the Netherlands.

Germany 0-1 Spain: Carles Puyol Heads La Furia Roja Into Historic World Cup Final
La Furia Roja are through to their first ever World Cup final with another slender but pivotal win...

Spain will set up a mouth-watering showdown with the Netherlands in the final of the 2010 World Cup after a solitary Carles Puyol goal was enough to squeeze out a 1-0 win over Germany.

Both teams made one change from their regular line-up as Piotr Trochowski replaced the suspended Thomas Mueller for the Germans while out-of-form Fernando Torres was dropped in favour of Pedro Rodriguez in the Spanish side.

Germany kicked off but immediately and happily surrendered possession as they invited Spain to attack. The cagey opening was halted by an intruder streaking onto the pitch but it was the European champions who carved out the first real chance of the game on six minutes.

Pedro slipped in a sublime through ball to David Villa, who just managed to get a touch to it but it wasn’t enough to trouble an alert Manuel Neuer.

La Furia Roja were entrenched inside the German half as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Oezil provided glimpses of threat on the counter-attack for Die Mannschaft. But it was the Spaniards again who had the next chance after 13 minutes. From a short corner, Andres Iniesta drilled in a cross from the right flank and Carles Puyol stooped low to send a bullet header just over the bar.

Straight to the other end, an Oezil corner forced Iker Casillas to flap the ball nervously away as Joachim Loew’s side started to enjoy a bit more of composure and possession on the ball. Spain regained control as quickly as they gave it away, although they failed to create any meaningful goalscoring chances.

In fact, the next opportunity didn’t arrive until the half-hour mark and even then, Xabi Alonso’s 25-yard screamer flew wide of Neuer’s left post. Trochowski then showed how it was done when his left-footed piledriver from a similar distance forced Casillas to make a brilliant sprawling save.

Oezil managed to create more panic in the Spain box when he shimmed past two defenders but hesitated when he prepared to pull the trigger as Puyol pinched the ball off him. Vicente del Bosque’s troops finished the half the stronger side with Sergio Ramos, Iniesta and Pedro creating openings, but it was Oezil who had a penalty shout turned down right before the whistle after a challenge from Ramos.
 

Argentina Coach Diego Maradona Tells Reporters: My Time Is Up!

The outspoken coach tells Argentine television that he has no more to give the national team, while stopping short of an official resignation.

Dejected Argentina coach Diego Maradona seemed to admit that his spell directing the national team had come to an end in an interview with national TV station Cronica.

"That is it, my time has finished," 'El Pelusa' told reporters from the channel who had come to his house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

"I have given all that I have."

After harsh criticism during qualifying, the controversial trainer won international plaudits for both his attacking style of play on the field and often unorthodox behaviour off it. His inexperience as a coach was eventually found out in the World Cup quarter-finals however, as the Albiceleste were taken apart by a superior and better-organised German side.

Despite many senior players and officials calling for Dieguito to stay at the helm, from today's words it seems that Maradona has made his decision to step down, although there is yet to be an official statement from either him or the AFA.

As happened so often in South Africa however, it was the legendary number 10 who had the final word this morning in Buenos Aires, telling Cronica and fans who had gathered to beg for his continuity: "I just want to enjoy the afternoon with my family."

Germany sent Argentina packing with a stunning quarter-final performance

Argentina 0-4 Germany: Die Mannschaft Comprehensively Outclass Maradona's Men. Germany sent Argentina packing with a stunning quarter-final performance. Germany hammered Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup on a gorgeous afternoon in Cape Town. Thomas Mueller opened the scoring for die Mannschaft after just three minutes, and Germany took second half goals from Miroslav Klose (68, 89), and Arne Friedrich (74) to round off their comprehensive victory.

Following emphatic wins in the Round of 16, coaches Diego Maradona and Joachim Loew named unchanged lineups. There had been fitness concerns for Argentine forward Lionel Messi and German winger Lukas Podolski, but the pair were declared ready to play from the start.

For Argentina, Gabriel Heinze and Javier Mascherano entered the game just a yellow card away from missing out on a possible semifinal berth. The Germans had to be more careful, with Arne Friedrich, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Oezil, Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm, and substitute Cacau all set to earn suspensions in the event of a booking.

Argentina kicked off the match and were faced by a high-intesity, pressing German machine that could not have started the match better. After just three minutes, Lukas Podolski won a free kick from Nicolas Otamendi. Schweinsteiger delivered a gorgeous cross to Mueller, who beat Otamendi to the ball and nodded home the opening goal, his fourth of the tournament.

After the opener, Argentina found it difficult to move fluently forward. The entire German team dropped back to deny their opponents space to pass, and were quick to exploit a rather exposed Argentine defence. With Mascherano the only buffer for his team's centre halves, the Germans created and used space in the centre of the park.
 

Now where it gets serious

World Cup 2010: Right everyone, this is where it gets serious - it's quarter-finals time. And what a way for them to start with Netherlands and Brazil meeting in a heavyweight encounter.

These two sides have produced three memorable meetings in past World Cups, and once again boast impressive sides packed with talent. The day's second game is most certainly the battle to be the tournament's dark horse.

With Uruguay winning Group A and USA winning Group C, that half of the draw had a slightly unusual look. What you cannot deny, however, is how impressive Uruguay and Ghana have been so far.

Both sides are based on a sound defensive game, but have also been proven to be dangerous in the attacking third. A place in the last four awaits.

World Cup 2010: Chelsea Star John Terry Apologises To England Boss Fabio Capello For Public Outburst

John Terry has issued an apology to England manager Fabio Capello, following the Chelsea defender's call for a frank exchange of views following the Three Lions' draw with Algeria last week.

Terry had implied to reporters that some unpleasant things were likley to be said by players to the manager at a team meeting on Sunday evening.

He also named Joe Cole as a player who should come into the team to improve the attacking options.

As it turned out, the team meeting is believed to have run along conventional lines, with Capello speaking and the players listening.

Capello also branded Terry's outburst "a big mistake" in a television interview on Monday, and now Terry has apologised and given his manager his full backing.

It also appears that the backing Terry expected from certain of his team-mates did not materialise.

"I went into yesterday's press conference with the intention of being honest," Terry said, according to The Daily Mail.

"I was asked a question about Joe Cole and maybe I went too far. But it was never my intention to upset the manager or the players and if I did upset anyone, I apologise.

"I have told the manager he has my total support and I would like to stress that I don't believe I have been a disruptive influence in the camp.

"I would now like to put this episode behind me and concentrate on trying to win what is a massive game for England. All I was trying to do was to say how important it is to me to try to win the World Cup.

"I just hope people at least appreciate that I have taken the time to call you and have asked you to report what I have to say in response."

England have played to a second consecutive draw at the 2010 World Cup

England have played to a second consecutive draw at the 2010 World Cup, leaving their chances of qualifying for the next round in major doubt. The Three Lions failed to muster any real offence as Algeria held them to a 0-0 draw at Green Point Stadium.

England 0-0 Algeria: Nervous Three Lions Freeze In Tournament Headlights
Anxiety and pressure stifle matters in Cape Town...

Princes William and Harry could provide little inspiration for England, as Fabio Capello's men slumped to a goalless draw with Algeria that has thrown their World Cup ambitions in a stark light.

The opening exchanges looked a little rushed and revealed little apart from that once again the Jabulani ball might cause problems, with Algerian keeper Rais M'Bholi reaching behind his head to collect a towering, if aimless, cross which seemed to balloon over him unexpectedly.

Ryad Boudebouz led a raid down the right for the Algerians, but the match was a cagey affair by and large, with good, if at times a little fraught, defending frustrating the early thrusts from both sides.

Final ball delivery from both open play and set-piece was terrible, continuing the theme of much of the tournament so far.

Jamie Carragher looked lively and just about quick enough at the heart of the defence though, whilst Gareth Barry's ability to calm things down in midfield was already apparent in the otherwise fragmented early minutes.

New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup finals

New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup finals point with a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time from defender Winston Reid with just seconds remaining on the clock.

Slovakia had thought they had done just enough to win after Robert Vittek had given them the lead with an excellent back post header from a superb Vladimir Weiss cross from the right.

In a match in which the Kiwis had more than held their own, they will feel they richly deserved their point as every member of the side played above themselves. As with most games in this tournament, it was a pedestrian start on a bright but chilly day in Rustenburg in the far north of South Africa.

The Kiwis refused to buckle under the intensity of the occasion and more than held their own in the first half.

Indeed, the All Whites had the best of the first half, threatening the Slovakian goal early on when Chris Killen got on the end of a Simon Elliott free-kick.

Unfortunately for the underdogs, his tame header was straight at Jan Mucha though to his credit, Martin Skrtel did just enough to impede the tall Middlesbrough striker.

South Africa were denied a famous opening day

South Africa were denied a famous opening day win in World Cup Group A, Mexico's Rafael Marquez securing a 1-1 draw after Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning 53rd minute opener.

After a spectacular opening ceremony and welcoming messages from FIFA president Sepp Blatter and South African president Jacob Zuma, the 2010 World Cup kicked off to the excitable sound of the vuvuzelas brought to the game by a colourful capacity crowd at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

 In the opening minutes the hosts were carved open as the adventurous Mexicans forced their way into the South Africa box and when keeper Itumeleng Khune spilt a cross, Giovani dos Santos was superbly blocked by Aaron Mokoena as he looked set to tap into the empty net. It was a real let off for the home side, but the Mexicans continued to knock the ball about with freedom.

Barcelona are reportedly are weighing up the merits of a move for Fernando Torres

Barcelona are reportedly are weighing up the merits of a move for Liverpool hot-shot Fernando Torres.

The Spain international's future at Anfield looks to be the subject of much speculation after seeing compatriot Rafael Benitez depart the club yesterday following a disappointing season at the helm of the Reds.

 Barcelona's interest in Torres is not exactly new as El Nino was already on the Catalan club's agenda last summer, but a transfer never materialised.

Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old striker, who cost Liverpool a fee in the region of €30 million, but it is believed the Blues' preference lies in the shoulders of Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Agent Prepares Contract With Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho Draws Up Inter Rescission

The countdown to Mourinho joining Real Madrid has started and an official deal could arrive within the next 48 hours...

Jose Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes is speaking to Real Madrid chiefs at the Bernabeu as he tries to iron out the finer details that will secure the coach's move to the club from Inter.

Marca, AS and Sky Sport 24 all report Mendes as being present in a high-powered meeting at the Bernabeu offices in which he is trying to prepare a three-year deal worth €10 million per annum for his client.

And, as Mendes brings out his convincers and a contract in Madrid, Mourinho is in Milan where he is expected to meet Nerazzurri chief Massimo Moratti today so they can work on his contract rescission.

That is worth a reported €7m, but it is unknown as to whether it will be Real Madrid or Mourinho himself who pays for it. There have also been reports that the rescission could be waved by Inter due to Saturday's Champions League success.

The feeling from both Madrid and Milan is that an official announcement could come as early as Wednesday. Tuesday will be a day reserved for further negotiations if both clubs and coach need extra room to manoeuvre.

Earlier, Mourinho told Marca he is "capable of winning the Champions League with Real".

Leonardo Confirms He Will Leave Milan

The coach has revealed he will leave at the end of the season..

Milan coach Leonardo has confirmed he will leave the club after Saturday night's match against Juventus.

The Brazilian has been tipped to leave the club for sometime, and now it's official.

He and CEO Adriano Galliani both announced the move during Friday afternoon's press conference.

Leonardo told the club's official website:

"We are here to communicate that we have decided to separate by mutual consent in a tranquil and serene manner just like our relationship has been over the years.

"There are no surprises. Everything has been clear today like always. We have reached the end.

"We have qualified for the Champions League which is what we wanted, and we decided this morning to make official the choice we made in Via Turati.

"The time has come to close, but we have done it with tranquility."

Galliani added: "I am sorry that we have decided to separate. But, we did it amicably and by mutual consent."

The club have not announced who will replace Leonardo yet, but Galliani said: "We have not made contact with other coaches. There is no rush."

Marco van Basten has killed off all possibilities of him becoming the new Milan coach

Marco van Basten has killed off all possibilities of him becoming the new Milan coach, claiming he is "not ready" for the role.

Current boss Leonardo has been tipped to leave the club when the Serie A season comes to a close next week. Van Basten has been linked with the role and on Saturday he said: "Now is not the time to talk about Milan.

" Well, he has found the time to talk, and he has pulled out of the running.

"I am not ready as I still have a problem with my ankle and I have to resolve it," he told Sky Sport 24.

"I cannot undertake a heavy job like a coaching role." Meanwhile, the morning edition of Il Corriere dello Sport claims club CEO Adriano Galliani prefers the Mauro Tassotti/Filippo Galli partnership that has been widely rumoured to succeed Leonardo.

The Liga dream remains alive...

Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao: Blancos Leave It Late To Batter 10-Man Basques

Four late goals gave Real Madrid a deserved win over ten-man Athletic Bilbao to keep the La Liga race with Barcelona alive until the final matchday.

The scoreboard may have read 5-1 at full time, but despite this eventual mauling, the hosts endured a nervy evening in which at more than one point their title hopes seemed to be on the verge of expiration.

Fernando Amorebieta's early red card and the ensuing Cristiano Ronaldo penalty seemed set to pave an easy road for the Blancos, but Fran Yeste's equaliser just before the break made for a nervy second half.

However strikes from Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema gave Manuel Pellegrini's side a fighting chance at the championship, with the Merengues needing Barcelona to lose next weekend following the Catalans' 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Athletic had the first chance as Toquero tested Casillas with a header after Yeste's cross, but as news filtered through the ground that Barcelona had taken an early lead, Madrid came forward with purpose.

Cristiano Ronaldo was looking particularly dangerous in the early stages, but Madrid's ambition - they desperately needed to settle their nerves and keep pace with Barca - allowed Toquero a near-one-on-one that only the impressive Sergio Ramos could prevent.