Latest La Liga News

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XEREZ STILL MIRED IN DROP ZONE

Xerez remain rooted in the Primera Division relegation zone following a 0-0 home draw against Sporting Gijon.

Both sides hit the woodwork twice, the hosts through a Sidi Keita shot and an Antonito header and the visitors through an early Jose Angel free-kick and a Miguel de las Cuevas blast.

But neither team could find the target and the sides left with a point each which means Xerez remain second from bottom while Sporting stay seventh.

Xerez, playing in the top flight for the first time in their history, have had a tough introduction to life in the Primera Division and after 11 rounds have accrued just one win, three goals and seven points.

Sporting headed into this match on 16 points, and full of confidence having picked up 11 of those in their last five games.

But it was Xerez who produced the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, Keita smashing a shot into the ground and looking on as it came back off the crossbar.

Manuel Preciado's visitors then came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock as Jose Angel's 30-yard free-kick hit the post.

De las Cuevas was next to be denied by the woodwork from a 17th-minute effort.

Sporting goalkeeper Juan Pablo was called upon in the 37th minute. He brilliantly parried a header from Keita

following an inswinging corner from the right by Emiliano Armenteros.

Back at the other end, Sporting midfielder De las Cuevas tried his luck three minutes before the break with a right-footed blast but only saw his effort fly inches wide of Renan's right-hand post.

The second half continued in a similar vein with the sides cancelling each other out for the most part.

This time it was the home team's turn to be denied by the woodwork as Armenteros' corner to the far post in the 54th minute was met by Antonito, whose header struck the upright.

Xerez continued to push for a breakthrough which could have secured only their second win in La Liga this season, Alex Bergantinos firing wide from 25 yards just after the hour mark.

Keita again went close five minutes later, latching onto substitute Momo's corner and lashing a shot towards the Sporting goal which Juan Pablo did superbly to keep out.

Jose Angel Ziganda's side did not give up their hunt for the opener but found Juan Pablo in their way whenever they managed to get through the Sporting defence.

Keita again struck a long-range effort wide midway through the second period and the Sporting stopper punched away a dangerous-looking centre from Momo moments later.

But the breakthrough would not arrive and, despite a flurry of late substitutions from both coaches, the sides had to settle for a point apiece.




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MORE HOME COMFORTS FOR MALLORCA

Real Mallorca struck twice in the last two minutes to preserve their 100% home record in the Primera Division with a 3-1 victory over plucky Almeria.

The islanders had won all of their previous five league matches at Son Moix but looked as though they would have to settle for a draw in this one after David Rodriguez cancelled out Gonzalo Castro's first-half strike.

The scores remained level with just two minutes left but Victor struck to put Mallorca back in front and Castro grabbed a third for Gregorio Manzano's side deep into injury time.

Mallorca's start to the season has been excellent, but results away from their island home have been far from impressive, with just two points from five games on the road.

But five wins from five at home before Sunday had propelled the islanders into the top six, and Mallorca also recently beat Valladolid at home in the Copa del Rey to preserve that proud record in all competitions.

However, they got off to a poor start today as Almeria threatened early on.

The Andalusians, who came into this match with five points less than Mallorca, could have taken the lead after four minutes but Fernando Soriano's drive was brilliantly saved by Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.

Miguel Angel Nieto then tried to take the ball around Aouate in the area but the Israel goalkeeper got down well to deny the Almeria midfielder.

At the other end, Ivan Ramis headed over the bar.

But Almeria continued to look the better side and Soriano dragged a shot wide with only Aouate to beat after 27 minutes.

Mallorca began to settle after that and Castro almost set up Aritz Aduriz on the half hour-mark.

The islanders then almost went ahead following a goalmouth scramble on the stroke of half-time, but Almeria cleared their lines.

Three minutes after the break, Mallorca did take the lead, when Castro smacked a powerful drive past Diego Alves and just inside the post to open the scoring.

Almeria still looked dangerous, though, and both Domingo Cisma and Kalu Uche missed good chances to equalise for the visitors.

Castro then almost scored a second for Mallorca but fired just wide from close range.

Two minutes later, Almeria equalised from an excellent counter-attack, which culminated in a simple finish from Rodriguez following a great run and cross from Pablo Piatti.

Hugo Sanchez's side were on top now and Rodriguez almost scored again after 79 minutes but was just off target with his fierce drive.

Time was running out for both sides, though, and a draw looked likely as the game drew to a close.

But with just two minutes left, Mallorca struck, when Victor latched on to Castro's cross and beat Diego Alves with a clinical left-footed strike.

Almeria threw men forward in search of a late leveller and Aouate made a fine save from Uche.

But the visitors paid the price as they left space at the back for Mallorca to snatch a third in added time, when Castro waltzed past several tired Almeria defenders and applied a fine finish to wrap up the points for the islanders.





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VILLARREAL ON THE MARCH

Villarreal's dismal start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory as Ernesto Valverde's side continued their revival with a convincing 3-1 home victory over Real Valladolid.

Record signing Nilmar netted twice and strike partner Giuseppe Rossi also got on the scoresheet to set Villarreal on their way to victory, with Valladolid only managing to net a consolation through Diego Costa.

The Yellow Submarine found themselves propping up the table after failing to win any of their opening seven league games, while two defeats in three Europa League outings saw them facing an early exit from continental competition as well.

However, in their previous six games, Villarreal picked up four victories to climb out of the relegation zone, revive their European hopes and progress to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

During that run they scored 15 goals, ending a barren spell which had seen them score just twice in their previous six matches.

Brazil striker Nilmar is one of the players who had found goals had to come by this season, having scored only twice since his record-breaking 11million euro move from Internacional this summer.

However, the 25-year-old, who struck the only goal of the game in Brazil's 1-0 friendly win over England last weekend, found his range.

He opened the scoring in just the seventh minute after heading home Damian Escudero's superb cross and was denied a second on the stroke of half-time when Valladolid goalkeeper Justo Villar saved with his feet from close range.

In between those incidents, Rossi had two seemingly reasonable appeals for penalties turned down, one of which saw him shown a yellow card for diving, much to the Italian international's astonishment.

Valladolid threatened little in the first half, with their best two efforts coming from long-range drives by Fabian Canobbio, one of which went just wide and the other was saved by Diego Lopez.

As in the first half, Villarreal were quick out of the blocks in the second period and they made it 2-0 in the 48th minute, with that man Nilmar again on the mark.

A hopeful high ball forward from Diego Godin caught Villar in two minds whether to venture outside his area to clear and as he dithered, Nilmar nipped in to head the ball over him and into an unguarded net.

Nine minutes after that the home side were celebrating a well-worked third goal.

Rossi passed the ball to Escudero before then racing onto his team-mate's flicked header on and slamming an unstoppable rising shot into the roof of the net.

That sealed the points for Villarreal, although Valladolid pulled a goal back three minutes later when Costa pounced on an underhit back-pass by Ivan Marcano, nipped the ball past Lopez and slotted home.




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VALENCIA CLOSE ON PACE-SETTERS

Valencia remain firmly on the coat-tails of the Primera Division pace-setters after easing to a comfortable victory over nine-man Osasuna at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra.

Goals from David Villa, David Albelda and Carlos Marchena ensured a routine victory for Unai Emery's men, who remain fourth, just four points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Osasuna offered little in the way of a fight and were already three goals down when striker Walter Pandiani saw red midway through the second half for a second bookable offence.

The hosts briefly rallied and pulled one back through substitute Shojaei Massoud but the night ended on a sour note as Osasuna were reduced to nine when Miguel Flano received a straight red for a professional foul.

Osasuna's fifth defeat of the season drops Jose Antonio Camacho's men to 12th place.

The writing was on the wall early when Spain international Villa fired in a sighter for the visitors after seven minutes, his effort from 20 yards sailing just wide.

The breakthrough came five minutes later after good work down the left by Marchena, who crossed for Villa to fire home right-footed from inside the area.

The hosts were struggling to make any inroads into the Valencia half and fell further behind after 20 minutes.

David Silva saw his shot charged down by the Osasuna defence but the ball fell at the feet of Albelda and the veteran midfielder made no mistake with his finish as he lobbed home from 20 yards into the top-right corner.

Silva enjoyed the only other chance of the opening period after 34 minutes but saw his long-range effort blocked by Josetxo.

The busy Silva continued to be a thorn in the side of the Osasuna defence after the restart, firing in a long-range effort after 55 minutes that just missed the target.

But the travelling fans did not have long to wait for a third goal as Marchena volleyed home a spectacular effort from the edge of the area a minute later, after the home defence only half cleared Bruno's testing cross.

Marchena almost made it four on 61 minutes when he fired wide from inside the area, but having survived that let-off, the hosts' night lurched from bad to worse four minutes later when Pandiani pushed Marchena and received his second yellow card.

Rather than retreat into their shells, the hosts came out fighting after the red card and pulled a goal back after 68 minutes.

Francisco Punal created the chance with a good delivery from the left wing that was met with a firm header by Massoud from close range.

Osasuna managed to carve out another chance before the whistle which might have teed up a grandstand finish had it gone in, but Dady saw his header from Juanfran's cross flash wide of Cesar Sanchez's right-hand post.

The hosts' miserable night was capped in stoppage time when Flano hauled down Ever Banega to receive his marching orders.



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INJURY RELIEF FOR BARCELONA

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is not suffering from swine flu and could yet make Tuesday's crucial Champions League clash with Inter Milan, the Primera Division champions have announced.

It was feared Marquez had become the third Barca player to contract swine flu after showing similar symptoms to team-mates Eric Abidal and Yaya Toure, who were both confirmed to be suffering from the virus on Friday.

However, after the Mexico international underwent tests on Sunday, Barca have said Marquez does not have swine flu and his health will be monitored over the next few days to see if he can face Inter.

That is the same scenario facing injured duo Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who might both also make the European match after receiving promising news from their medical tests.

Ibrahimovic missed Saturday night's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao with a hamstring injury and Messi limped off midway through the second half at San Mames with a thigh problem.

However, Ibrahimovic's injury is said to be improving and Messi's problem is not as bad as first thought, and, like Marquez, if they can prove their fitness in the next 48 hours then they could be in contention for both of Barca's huge matches against Inter and Real Madrid this week.

In the Champions League Barca are third in Group F and if they lose to Inter and Rubin Kazan beat Dynamo Kiev, the defence of their European title will be over.

And next weekend Pep Guardiola's treble winners host bitter rivals Madrid in a top-of-the-table clash at the Nou Camp.

Barca midfielder Sergi Busquets said of the Inter match: "We have a 'final' on Tuesday. A duel against one of the best teams in Europe. We have no other option than winning. And we hope the fans respond."




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GAY STAYS UNTIL END OF SEASON


Real Zaragoza have confirmed Jose Aurelio Gay will remain at the helm until the end of the season.

Gay, the reserve-team coach who was appointed temporary boss of the first team following the sacking of Marcelino earlier this month, has convinced the board he is the right man despite a 6-0 loss at Real Madrid in his first game in charge.

"Jose Aurelio Gay is going to remain the coach of Real Zaragoza's first team for the rest of the season," read a statement on club website www.realzaragoza.com.

"The coach has told the club's board he feels able to overcome the team's current position.

"Real Zaragoza have held discussions and interviews with several coaches and the arguments of Jose Aurelio Gay, an in-house coach, were the ones that have convinced the club."

Gay will hold a press conference on Boxing Day at 1630 local time.

The promoted team lie second-bottom of the Primera Division standings, having collected just 12 points from 15 games.


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IBRA UP FOR SECOND SWEEP

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the Catalan giants can once again win everything next year.

Pep Guardiola's men completed a clean sweep of all six trophies they could have lifted this year after winning the FIFA Club World Cup last week to add to their previous successes in the Primera Division, Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup.

It has been a record-breaking year for Barca and one that has established them as arguably the greatest team ever.

Ibrahimovic has only been on hand for the last three trophies, after a summer move from Inter Milan, but the Sweden striker believes he can fire Barca to even more success.

"Before this season nobody would have said that a team could be capable of winning it all," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

"It's something incredible and it would have been hard to think about it before it happened, but I think we can repeat it.

"I have had the luck to be here only half a year and in that time, achieved three trophies. In so few months I think it's impossible to do better."



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VILLA REVEALS ENGLISH INTEREST Barclays Premier League


David Villa has put his Premier League suitors on alert by revealing that he will consider his Valencia future at the end of the season.

The Spain international has established himself as one of the finest strikers in world football during his four-year stay with Valencia.

He remains happy with his current club but has hinted it may soon be time to explore other options after being linked with a big-money move to England.

"Quite simply, I rejected the possibility of moving abroad at that moment because there were issues that would not allow me to leave my country," Villa told The Times.

"My wife was pregnant and it didn't seem right to leave.

"I like the Premier League a lot. It's the league I follow the most along with La Liga and I've got a lot of friends playing there.

"There are a lot of globally important teams there that play very good football."

Villa has enjoyed another splendid campaign with Valencia and is staying focused on playing as well as he can over the next few months leading up to the World Cup.

"I have a duty to Valencia, it's my club: the one that pays my wages and with whom I have a contract," he said.

"This summer they'll have a look at things, analyse them and in time we'll see what happens.

"All I can do now is stay relaxed, try and score as many goals as possible and have a good a season as possible, as much as with my club as with the national team."

Villa is fully aware that many of his countrymen have taken the plunge in recent years and started to ply their trade overseas, notably in England.

"Maybe quite a few years ago, Spanish players were reluctant to leave La Liga for another league," he said.

"But that's all changed now. There are very important players, a showcase of Spanish footballers playing for Premier League clubs; and there are players in other leagues, lesser leagues, as well.

"I think that the Spanish footballer has changed in this aspect in the last few years."



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NEW DEAL FOR SPAIN BOSS

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has been handed a two-year contract extension as reward for guiding the European champions to a place in next year's World Cup.

The former Real Madrid boss succeeded Luis Aragones following Spain's Euro 2008 triumph and his deal now runs to 2012.

His team won all 10 of their World Cup qualifying matches to underline their status among the tournament favourites.

Del Bosque, who celebrates his 59th birthday today, was described as "a great coach" by Spanish Football Federation president Angel Villar at a dinner with Spanish sports media last night.

"What is normal in this instance is that you always renew your coach's contract when you qualify for the World Cup," said Angel Villar.

"But the board have decided that we have to continue with him for two more years whatever happens.

"Del Bosque knew how to take our national team to the highest level. He inherited a brilliant side and he knew how to keep them there.

"We have qualified brilliantly for the World Cup in South Africa, we are leaders of the world rankings and we have won all the matches apart from that against the United States in the Confederations Cup in a match we didn't give value to and in which we finished third."

Angel Villar also revealed that the decision to keep their coach until the European Championship in Ukraine and Poland was unanimous.

Del Bosque's new deal comes as little surprise after Spain's stunning World Cup qualifying campaign.

La Roja topped their group with a 100% record .

Moreover, in a 6-0 friendly victory against Azerbaijan back in June, the former Real Madrid boss became the first national coach in history to win his first 10 matches.

Spain are one of the favourites for next summer's World Cup but Angel Villar has urged against over confidence.

He added: "There is a lot of excitement, we have a great national team and we are all hopeful that it can be a great World Cup.

"But words are one thing, facts are another.

"We're going there with hope."




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CATALANS TOO GOOD FOR ARGENTINA


Catalonia thrashed an experimental Argentina side 4-2 in an entertaining friendly match at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

Betis striker Sergio Garcia scored twice for the Catalans, with Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic and Espanyol midfielder Moises Hurtado also on target for Johan Cruyff's side.

Palermo forward Javier Pastore - on his Argentina debut - and Benfica midfielder Angel Di Maria scored for the visitors, who always looked second best.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is still serving his two-month ban from FIFA for his expletive-laden rant in the aftermath of his side's qualification for the World Cup following their hard-fought 1-0 win in Uruguay in October.

But Maradona was watching on from the stands and probably had a hand in team selection.

It was an experimental Argentinian line-up, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano all excluded.

There were several stars on show, though, including Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Di Maria.

Meanwhile, Catalonia coach Cruyff opted for a strong side in his first match in charge.

Cruyff was returning to management after a 10-year absence at the stadium he graced as both a player and a coach.

The Dutch legend including six Barcelona players, with Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic and Gerard Pique all starting.

The latter was included in a defensive midfield role, while there was also a place in the side for former Barca defender Oleguer, now with Ajax.

Catalonia started brightly and had the first chance of the match, when Sergio Garcia set up Bojan and the young Barca striker saw his effort parried by Diego Pozo.

Argentina threatened through Pastore, making his debut in blue and white, after that.

But Catalonia, playing Cruyff's hybrid Ajax-school 4-3-3, were still dominating.

Cruyff applied that formation to his Barcelona side in the 90s and it has led the club to so much success in recent years.

Xavi, a youth team player back then, was pulling the strings in midfield, and the Barca midfielder almost opened the scoring after 32 minutes, when he crashed a thunderous drive just over the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards, Argentina appealed for a penalty when Di Maria went down under a challenge from Valdes, but the referee waved play on.

And just as it looked as if the first half would finish goalless, Catalonia took the lead, when Espanyol midfielder Joan Verdu crossed for Garcia to crash an unstoppable header past Pozo.

Argentina had not looked particularly interested up until now, and the South Americans went two down after 55 minutes, when Bojan got behind the visitors' static defence and slotted clinically past Pozo.

Pastore got Argentina back in it when he rifled a glorious shot past Valdes 10 minutes later.

But Espanyol defender Nico Pareja then brought down club team-mate Ferran Corominas and Garcia stepped up to slot home his second of the night from the penalty spot with 20 minutes left.

Di Maria responded for Argentina with a precise angled drive five minutes later, but Catalonia duly went 4-2 up through Moises Hurtado a minute later, the Espanyol midfielder crashing a header past Pozo following a cross from club team-mate Verdu.

And that is how it finished at the Nou Camp, following a hugely entertaining 90 minutes which will satisfy Cruyff on his first match in charge of Catalonia.

Maradona, meanwhile, will have been content to see some of his fringe players enjoy a rare run-out against quality opposition.




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RAUL GIVEN WORLD CUP HOPE Spain v Brazil Progress Furthest


Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque insists the door is open for Raul to force his way into their World Cup squad.

The Real Madrid forward has struggled for first-team football since coach Manuel Pellegrini's arrival in the summer and his chances of making Del Bosque's squad appeared to be all-but over.

However, the coach told Marca: "I have a personal appreciation for Raul and I'm not talking about tributes because for me, he is a player that I could select."

One possible rival for Raul's place in the squad may be in-form Barcelona attacker Pedro.

"Pedro is a possible World Cup player with or without the goal he scored against Estudiantes (in the Club World Cup final)," said Del Bosque.

"In his position we have a number of talented players, but we have six months to make the best decision."



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SLOW PROGRESS FOR FABIANO

Sevilla have confirmed striker Luis Fabiano is making "slow" progress in his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Brazilian star had been ruled out until after Christmas with the problem he suffered a fortnight ago but after returning to Sao Paulo for treatment, the club's head of medical services Juan Ribas admits he is likely to miss most of January.

"If everything goes right, he will return in middle or late January," Ribas is quoted by Marca.

"He is working very well in Sao Paulo but his recovery is slow because it is a sensitive area.

"Now we must eradicate the inflammation and strengthen the entire muscle. The return date is not yet certain."




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JEFFREN OUT FOR FIVE WEEKS

Barcelona forward Jeffren has been ruled out for up to five weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in Monday's 1-1 friendly draw against Kuwaiti side Kazma.

Jeffren picked up the knock at the start of the second half and was replaced by Yaya Toure. It is a blow for the 21-year-old who was expected to feature more for the first team when other squad members were away at the African Nations Cup.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola said: "I feel bad for him and for us as we would have needed him during the month of January."

In better news for Guardiola, central defender Gabriel Milito came through 62 minutes as he continues his recovery from knee ligament damage suffered in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United in April 2008.

"It is nice to play again," said the Argentina international.

"It is the first game in front of a crowd and edges me closer to regaining the rhythm and fitness levels of my team-mates."



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RONALDO ADMITS TO MISSING MANCHESTER

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is missing life at Manchester United but insists he made the right choice to move to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese winger, who left United for a record £80million fee in the summer, said his challenge now is to help Real challenge the dominance of Barcelona as the best club in the world.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have hit a poor patch of form but Ronaldo dismisses the pundits who believe they are struggling without him.

Ronaldo, speaking in Zurich ahead of the FIFA world player award, said: "I think Manchester United are doing very well this season - they have lost the last two games but they are still second in the league.

"What people think about me is their opinion but I really miss Manchester a little bit as I played there for six years and I left a few friends there.

"So I miss the club a little bit but I'm focused now at Real Madrid and I'm really, really happy there."

Ronaldo concedes that Barcelona, whose victory in the Club World Cup at the weekend made it a staggering six trophies in the last year, have to be regarded as the best club on the planet - but he is determined to challenge their supremacy.

"Barcelona has won everything this year so have to be the best club at the moment," he added. "Barcelona have a style of play and players who have been playing together for many years so they are an outstanding team.

"But we will do at our best at Real Madrid to win the league and Champions League.

"It's going to be difficult but in football everything is possible if you work hard and dedicate yourself to that endeavour."

Ronaldo, whose Portugal side knocked out England in their last two major tournament finals in 2004 and 2006, also tipped Fabio Capello's side as one to watch in next summer's World Cup.

"My opinion is England have a fantastic team and had a great qualification [campaign] and a good coach," he said.

"They have an opportunity next year to do a great job in South Africa - but not just England, Spain are strong and Brazil as always.

"Portugal also has a chance - look at Euro 2004 when no one spoke about Greece beforehand and they won the tournament.

"I'm looking forward to a great World Cup and I'm really focused."




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MESSI NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lionel Messi was on Monday night rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to an unprecedented six trophies by being named FIFA's world player of the year.

The Argentina forward, who headed the clinching goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final, also scored on Saturday to secure the Club World Cup for Barcelona against Estudiantes on Saturday.

The 22-year-old won the award for the first time, beating last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, his two clubmates Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Brazil midfielder Kaka. He was presented with the trophy at a glittering awards gala in Zurich.

Messi said: "I'm extremely happy. We've just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which we've won every competition we've played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. It's amazing."

The award is voted for by the coaches and captains of each national side.

Meanwhile, England's John Terry and Steven Gerrard were among the players named tonight in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.

Other Premier League players in the XI were Manchester United defenders Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

The XI, voted for by members of the international professional footballers' union FIFPro, were: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Terry said: "There is no higher accolade than to be voted for by your fellow professionals so we are all very proud."

Ronaldo won the FIFA Puskas award for the best goal of the 2008/09 season - his long-range thunderbolt for Manchester United against Porto in the Champions League in April.

Brazilian player Marta won the FIFA women's player of the year award for the fourth year in a row.

England's Kelly Smith, who left Arsenal to play in the new USA's new Women's Professional Soccer league for Boston Breakers earlier this year, was named amongst the top five.

Smith said: "This is a real honour for me.

"It was tough for me to leave my home country because I'm very proud and passionate to be English.

"I just wanted to be amongst the best players in the world and that's certainly the case and I'm now pursuing my dream."




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MALLORCA DISPLAY BEST YET - MANZANO

Real Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano felt his side's 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna was their best performance of the season to date.

Mallorca replaced Depor in fourth spot in the standings with the victory, which was secured thanks to two goals in the opening eight minutes of the second half by Mario Suarez and Gonzalo Castro.

The triumph was Mallorca's ninth at home this season, keeping intact their 100% record at the Ono Estadi, and for Manzano it was also the best they have played this campaign.

"It was one of those games that coaches want and for various reasons don't happen," Manzano said.

"The truth is that in the two basic concepts of football, when a team has the ball and when it doesn't, the players were simply wonderful.

"It's our best game of the first half of the season. The result is fair, deserved, and as well as that we've completed the first half of the season at home in impressive fashion."

Manzano also admitted they were "very close" to achieving their main aim this season, which is to stay up, but preferred not to speculate too much on what position they might end up in.

"Nobody is going to take away what we have, but we still haven't done anything. The table is looking nice, but it's not over," he said.

"At least we are on the right path to, hopefully, fight for a European place at the end of the season."

 

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EMERY HAPPY BUT STILL WANTS MORE

Valencia coach Unai Emery was delighted to see his side improve their uninspiring home record with a 4-1 mauling of local rivals Villarreal, but admits he is still looking for more.

Valencia were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Deportivo La Coruna in midweek but bounced back in style against Villarreal, with David Villa netting twice to take his tally to 14 for the season. David Silva and Ever Banega were also on target.

Villarreal, who lost Kiko to a 27th-minute red card in an incident that led to Villa scoring his side's second from the penalty spot, pulled a goal back through Nilmar on the hour-mark but they were already 3-0 down.

The victory meant Los Che not only moved to within three points of second-placed Real Madrid, who lost against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, but also made their home record read a little better.

Prior to Sunday night's game, Valencia had won only three of their eight league matches at the Mestalla, while in their previous outing in front of their own fans they lost 2-1 to Depor in the cup.

"I think that against an opponent who had been having good games until now, we were very focused and very compact in defence and attack," said Emery.

"As well as that, the sending-off and subsequent 2-0 scoreline in our favour allowed us to be even more superior.

"(But) there are also things to improve. At home we've dropped a lot of points.

"We've eased a little bit of the pressure that was on us at home.

"The key to what we do in the league this season depends on the points we pick up at home. After the cup elimination it was an important time to win at home."

 

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BAYERN EYE SPRING RIBERY TALKS

Bayern Munich will sit down with Franck Ribery to discuss his future in early March, according to the club's director of sport Christian Nerlinger.

The Frenchman revealed earlier this month he wants his future to be sorted out before the start of the World Cup in June.

The France international has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid and, although he is currently tied to the Bundesliga club until 2011, Bayern president Uli Hoeness has already admitted he may have to be sold next summer if he does not sign a new contract, as he would be available for free 12 months later.

Nerlinger said on Bayern's official website: "Franck came to us once in the summer.

"He said he felt very much at home in Munich and was grateful to the club, but there was one alternative which he could imagine himself taking. We declined, and the matter was closed internally.

"Franck has always behaved correctly, and I won't hear a word said against him in this respect.

"We won't put him under pressure. We'll sit down with him and talk in early March. We'll set out our position, and he'll explain his, and we'll see if we can agree. It matters a lot to me that the process is fair and respectful."

Ribery has missed much of the season with a serious knee injury, while swollen toes kept him out of Friday's win over Hoffenheim.

But Nerlinger is confident the playmaker will be fit to face Werder Bremen on Saturday.

"Franck had a genuinely serious knee injury," he added.

"He's over it now, which is the vital thing. I'm really relaxed about another couple of days lost to a swollen toe.

"Franck's the one who's suffered most from his injury woe. A French doctor wanted him to have surgery, but it's well known that an operation on a patellar tendon is extremely risky.

"We persuaded him not to follow that course of action, and (Bayern doctor) Dr Muller-Wohlfahrt and his team have put things right.

"Our coaching staff are bringing him on very cautiously. Once he's back, it'll be a very interesting second half of the season with Rib and Rob (Arjen Robben).

"I'm 100% convinced we'll see Franck back on the pitch next Saturday."

 

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BARCA 'CONVINCED' GUARDIOLA WILL STAY

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has shrugged off speculation linking coach Pep Guardiola with a move to Manchester United and insisted he is "convinced" the Spaniard will sign a new deal to stay at the Nou Camp.

Guardiola, who turned 39 on Monday, has been linked in reports with a move to Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson's eventual replacement after making a phenomenally successful start to his coaching career with the Catalan giants.

Barcelona won six trophies under Guardiola last season, including a Champions League victory over United in Rome, and stretched their advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Division to five points with a 4-0 weekend win over Sevilla.

Guardiola's contract expires at the end of the current season which has led to growing concern that he may leave.

But Laporta is convinced the coach will turn his back on a possible future in the Premier League and continue to guide Barcelona to success.

Laporta said: "We cannot avoid the speculation as he is the best coach in the world and many clubs will be interested.

"We know that and Manchester United are just one club who I am sure are watching his future. But he has a long way to go with Barcelona.

"Because of his characteristics we expect him to continue to write the pages of history of this football club.

"We would like to solve this question mark over his future as soon as possible and we are convinced that he will sign but we must respect his decision to wait.

"We are convinced that he will sign a new contract and that he will sign soon but we cannot force him into a decision.

"We must be patient and wait.

"On Sunday we talked about his birthday. I sent him a card with my congratulations but we will see what happens."

Laporta also heaped more praise on Argentina striker Lionel Messi after the 22-year-old became the youngest player to score 100 goals for the club on Saturday night.

Messi scored twice inside the last five minutes of the 4-0 win over Sevilla to achieve the milestone in just his 188th appearance.

Laporta said: "Being Messi, I'm not surprised. It's incredible but he is a genius.

"With his winning sprit we expect it. He is the leading figure of FC Barcelona and the FIFA player of the year but he is a modest figure and he has not changed at all."

Barca moved five points clear after Real's unexpected defeat and they remain favourites to retain the La Liga trophy.

With a midfield comprising the talents of Spanish duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and a forward line of Messi, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barca look in a formidable position but Laporta insists that nothing is settled yet.

He said: "It's not a big enough advantage for us to get excited.

"With five points you cannot think you have already won as it is less than two games advantage and it is possible for Real to overtake us.

"Of course we were delighted to be winter champions but we must continue to be alert, sharp and keep a winning mentality as Real will keep fighting until the very end."

 

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CRUYFF: CANALES SHOULD STAY FOR NOW

Former Barcelona and Holland legend Johan Cruyff has warned rising Racing Santander star Sergio Canales of the risks of swapping the Cantabrian club for one of Europe's big boys at such a young age.

The 18-year-old Canales has attracted plenty of attention in recent weeks after netting five goals in his last four Primera Division games, with his latest effort being a cool lobbed finish in Sunday night's 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid.

A host of big-name clubs have already been linked with the teenage playmaker, with Real Madrid believed to be the very front of the queue.

However, Cruyff feels Canales is probably better off staying where he is for the next few years.

"I don't know if he will end up signing for Madrid or not, or for any other big club. The only thing that I hope is that, being so young, he isn't ruined," said the recently-installed Catalonia coach in his column in El Periodico.

"With the youngsters at Ajax who excelled in the first team and who were the targets of big clubs outside of Holland, my advice was always the same: stay at least until you are 21, and if you stay until 23, then even better.

"First get used to the pressure of winning in your own country, and that will then stand you in good stead for playing abroad.

"At 18 years old and with only a few games in the Primera Division, joining a big club is attractive, but it carries a risk because the destination is not the youth team.

"At 18 you have so much to learn, as a person and as a footballer, so if you leave for a big club too soon your development isn't complete and you could end up going backwards. So much so that you could end up being ruined. There are exceptions, yes, but that's what they are, exceptions.

"I already know that he (Canales) could sign (for a big club) and then go out on loan. That's a less aggressive option, but it also has its risks.

"Football is a short career, but not so short. If you have quality at 18 and you do things well, you have a mountain of years ahead of you.

"At 18 you don't need many zeros in your bank account. What you need is to play and develop. And if it is in the Primera Division, then better, and that is where he already is. There is time to earn money with a big team, especially if you are 18."