Coutinho's move from Liverpool to Barcelona a done deal?

Giant sportswear manufacturer Nike appeared to leak Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona before later deleting the page in question.

Barcelona are seemingly preparing for the arrival of Philippe Coutinho after Nike appeared to confirm the Liverpool star’s signing on its website.

Liverpool fans were left sweating when giant sportswear manufacturer and Barcelona apparel sponsor Nike appeared to leak the blockbuster transfer via its online store.

Advertising customisation of Barça’s 2017/18 kit, a caption read: “Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou. Get your 2017/18 FC Barcelona kit with the Magician’s name on it. Act fast – free personalisation only available until 6 January.”

Nike later deleted the page and it remains to be seen whether it was a PR blunder or online hacking.

Omnisport contacted Nike and Barcelona for comment.

Coutinho has been at the centre of a drawn-out transfer saga as Barça try to lure the Brazil international away from Anfield.

Barca reportedly had a £115million offer for Coutinho turned down by Liverpool in August but the LaLiga leaders are believed to be readying another bid in January.

Coutinho – who handed in a transfer request at the time – played 89 minutes in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has scored seven Premier League goals this season, while claiming six assists.

Reporting by Goal.com

Eden Hazard rejects Chelsea contract offer amid Real Madrid links

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has rejected a new contract from the club, his father has revealed.

Speaking to Le Soir, Thierry Hazard admitted that the 26-year-old is yet to commit to Chelsea despite an offer from the club.

Hazard’s current contract at Stamford Bridge runs to 2020 and Chelsea will be desperate not to let him reach the summer of 2019 without signing a new deal.

That deadline is fast approaching and, though Hazard Snr. says there’s nothing in the pipeline, it makes a move at the end of the season a real possibility.

Links with Real Madrid have persisted throughout Hazard’s career but nothing came of links in the summer after Chelsea’s title success.

This year, with the Blues so far behind Manchester City in the Premier League, that could change.

Chelsea are also having issues tying down Thibaut Courtois, who has also been linked with a move to the Spanish champions.

Totti: Messi is the best... just don't tell Ronaldo

Roma great Francesco Totti believes football has lost some of its romanticism but he is still smitten with Lionel Messi.

Francesco Totti believes Lionel Messi is the best player in the world despite Cristiano Ronaldo pulling level on five Ballons d'Or apiece earlier this month.

Real Madrid's dual LaLiga and Champions League triumphs last season set Ronaldo up to claim world football's premier individual prize but Messi has also blazed a familiarly impressive trail.

The mercurial Argentinian inspired a 3-0 win for Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu last Saturday, with Ronaldo a largely becalmed presence in the latest edition of El Clasico.

Totti was a similarly adored figure during a superb playing career at Roma that spanned three decades.

Although he now sees events such as Neymar's world-record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain as an example of football breaking distastefully with its past, the former Italy forward is happy to marvel at the two greats of this generation.

"I really preferred the football of a long time ago. Today it is just crazy," he said at the Dubai International Sports Conference.

"Football has deeply changed between my time and now. I prefer the romantic football of before, now it is all about business.

"There are players like Ronaldo and Neymar, but Neymar is an example of this big price, it is too much to pay €250m for a player. This goes beyond reality.

"But Messi is number one, just don't tell Cristiano!"

Kane aiming to match Messi, Ronaldo dominance

Klopp admits eyebrows will be raised at Van Dijk fee

Netherlands international Virgil van Dijk will prove his worth to Liverpool over the long term, according to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.Jurgen Klopp concedes people may look at the £75 million fee Liverpool have paid for Virgil van Dijk and think "wow", but he remains confident the Netherlands centre-half will prove his worth to the Merseysiders over the next few years.Klopp persuaded the Liverpool board to pay a world record fee for a defender for Van Dijk - the move confirmed on Wednesday - with the 26-year-old's switch from Southampton to be made official when the transfer window opens on January 1.Eyebrows have been raised at the financial commitment made by Liverpool for a player who has struggled to find his best form following a long-term injury lay-off caused by a foot problem, but Klopp has no doubt the former Celtic defender will turn out to be a shrewd addition.He told Sky Sports News: "I can imagine that people will think 'wow, what a number', but for me it's not really interesting. We don't make the prices, the market makes the prices."The first thing that all Liverpool supporters should forget quite soon is the price. We only talk about the player and what he can bring in. The quality, the mentality, the character, all that stuff, and that's why we're really pleased with it."Klopp was unconcerned by Van Dijk's recent struggles at St Mary's and insisted he would not be rushed into a Liverpool defence that has failed to convince this season.The German added: "It's probably not been the best half season [for Van Dijk] at Southampton, he was a long time injured and we all know what happened last summer [Liverpool apologising after Southampton claimed they made an illegal approach for the player]."He's a tall player and they always need longer [to recover from injury] so he needs to get rhythm. But we have quality in that position so there's no need to rush him."He needs to adapt to our style of play, it's a different game but we are 100 per cent sure he will do it."With RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita also due to join Liverpool in July, it appears Klopp is assembling a squad to challenge for the Premier League title next season and he is confident the club is on an upward trajectory."We feel that for the last two years we have made steps in the right direction and that's what the owners and supporters are asking for," he said."Each new player we bring in is another step. We think we've done well in the transfer market but we also believe in improving the team on the training pitch."Van Dijk won't be registered for fourth-placed Liverpool's New Year's Day trip to Burnley so his debut may come when Everton visit Anfield for a Merseyside derby in the FA Cup on January 5.

Aubameyang was 'mentally beaten' by transfer rumours, says BVB president

Borussia Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball has sympathy with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having to deal with persistent transfer rumours.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled with the mental strain of being linked to blockbusting transfers, according to Borussia Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball.Gabon striker Aubameyang has previously been touted for a move from Signal Iduna Park to Real Madrid – speculation he has inflamed on more than one occasion – while the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2016-17 was a reported target for AC Milan and pondered a switch to the Chinese Super League during the last transfer window.Despite mixed form for Dortmund overall this season and the departure of head coach Peter Bosz, the 28-year-old has starred again with 21 goals across 23 games in all competitions."He has done well over the years and was even the Bundesliga top scorer," Rauball told Kicker."Auba is pleasant, funny, he laughs. That some days he was mentally beaten by the offers – you have to understand it if you know the numbers."Rauball was less sympathetic towards Ousmane Dembele's conduct before the France winger moved to Barcelona for an initial €105m in August."I liked Dembele and I really regret that he is not at our club anymore," he said of a player who went AWOL from Dortmund training in an attempt to force through his Barcelona transfer."Dembele has something sly. He has another mentality to which we are not used to."

Manchester United reportedly table big Paulo Dybala bid

Reports across the Italian media are linking Paulo Dybala with a big money move to Manchester United.

A bid of €68m – said to be encouraged by Paul Pogba – is reported to be on the table. However, Juventus are not entertaining the idea of selling the Argentine in January.

The reports have spread around Italy, suggesting there really may be something to them. A potential move is mentioned on the front pages of Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport.

Dybala has seemingly clashed with Juvenuts boss Massimiliano Allegri in recent months as his form has stumbled. After a blistering start to the season, the 24-year-old has scored just twice times in his last 11 Serie A appearances.

That form has seen him dropped completely. Dybala has not started each of Juve’s last three league games and didn’t play a single minute in a crucial clash against Roma before Christmas.

With a contract until 2022, Juventus are under no pressure to sell and will surely stand firm this winter.

Are you watching, Mourinho? Ajax's Kluivert scores stunning solo goal

Rumoured to be on Manchester United's radar, Justin Kluivert did his growing reputation no harm with a goal in Ajax's win over Willem II.

Reported Manchester United target Justin Kluivert scored a stunning goal as Ajax came from behind to beat Willem II on Sunday.

The 18-year-old cut inside from the left and curled a sublime finish past goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst in the 3-1 victory at the Amsterdam ArenA.

It was Kluivert's fifth goal of an impressive Eredivisie campaign, with his form prompting speculation over a possible move to United in January.

Manager Jose Mourinho is said to be an admirer of the left winger, who is the son of former Barcelona and Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, and is ready to sign him as early as next month due to concerns over his own side's lack of cutting edge in attack.

Kluivert's goal came less than 24 hours after United conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with 10-man Leicester City, having fought back from a goal down to go 2-1 up in the second half.

After the match, Mourinho blasted his players for a "childish" performance, during which Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford – who have battled for a starting spot on the left of the attack this term – both missed one-on-one chances, while Jesse Lingard hit the post with the goal gaping.

Kasper Dolberg and David Neres were also on target for Ajax, whose win saw them close back to within five points of league leaders PSV.

Mourinho claims United don't spend enough while City 'buy full-backs for price of strikers'

Manchester United's draw with Burnley prompted Jose Mourinho to decry an unfair transfer market and more poor goals conceded.

Jose Mourinho has claimed Manchester United have not spent enough in the transfer market to match Manchester City, who "buy full-backs for the price of strikers".

United made it three games without a win in all competitions as they drew 2-2 with Burnley on Tuesday, with Jesse Lingard scoring twice in the second half to salvage a point after strikes from Ashley Barnes and Steven Defour before the break.

The result means City can move 15 points clear at the top of the table if they beat Newcastle United on Wednesday and leaves Mourinho's side facing what looks to be an impossible task in the Premier League title race.

Pep Guardiola's side have been in irresistible form this term following an investment of close to £225million in the last transfer window, which included the arrival of full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy in big-money deals. England international Walker left Tottenham in a deal worth in the region of £45m, while Mendy, who joined from Monaco, cost close to £52m, making him the club's third most expensive transfer in history behind Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.

City forked out roughly £191m in Guardiola's first year in charge, but United's spending under Mourinho has not been much below that of their neighbours, with close to £300m spent since he took over in May last year.

However, Mourinho feels United must still spend more to match City and are being "punished" in the market because of their illustrious history.

"When you say a club like Manchester United, do you think [AC] Milan is not as big as us?" he told a news conference. "You think they are not as big as we are?

"Do you think Real Madrid are not as big as we are? You think Inter is not as big as we are? There are many big clubs and you say big clubs, I know what is a big club.

"One thing is a big club and another thing is a big football team that you know is not one of the best teams in the world, so when you speak about responsibilities to win the Premier League, Tottenham does not have that responsibility. Tottenham is not a club with the same history as us. Arsenal doesn't have the responsibility to win it, Chelsea doesn't have the responsibility to win it.

"Manchester City buy full-backs for the price of the strikers, so when you speak about big football clubs, you are speaking about the history of the club."

When reminded about his spending at United, he replied: "It's not enough, it's not enough. And the price for the big clubs is different from the other clubs, so the big, historical clubs are normally punished in the market for that history."

Mourinho's comments came after a draw that means his side have taken only eight points from a possible 15 in their most recent Premier League fixtures.

But the former Chelsea boss insists he has been happy with the performance of his players on the whole in the stalemates with Leicester City and Burnley in recent days.

"The boys are doing what they can and they are doing fine," he said. "I say, last two matches, we had 15 chances to score and we concede three 'S' goals and an amazing free-kick.

"So the boys do what they can, they are trying hard with the problems and injuries we have. I am not happy with the result, and against Leicester, but I am happy with my players."

Ibrahimovic couldn't shoot when he joined Juventus – Capello

Fabio Capello has revealed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's early problem at Juventus and which former Real Madrid star is the best he ever coached

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had to spend hours honing his shooting skills after he first signed for Juventus, according to Fabio Capello.

The former Sweden captain joined Juve from Ajax in 2004 and spent two seasons in Turin before moving to Inter following the Calciopoli scandal.

Capello, who was head coach of the Bianconeri during Ibrahimovic's two-year spell, says he wanted to bring him to former club Roma and was delighted when Juve signed him for a relatively modest fee of €16million.

However, it appears the Manchester United striker was far from the finished article when he first went to Serie A.

"When Ibrahimovic arrived at Juventus, he was not good at shooting," Capello told Sky.

"[Agent] Mino Raiola said to me: 'Zlatan is really strong; he breaks goalkeepers' hands'. I said to him: 'Listen to me: so far, he's only broken the windows of the gym!' 

"Then Ibrahimovic began to train every day to kick and, obviously, as everyone knows, he improved a lot.

"I targeted Ibrahimovic when I was Roma coach. Juventus made an incredible purchase: they bought him for €16million, payable in four payments.

"At Ajax, they decided he would not be a great player. They preferred to keep Mido, who was easier to manage."

Capello left Juve in 2006 for a second spell in charge of Real Madrid and won the LaLiga title in 2006-07.

The 71-year-old, now at Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Super League, says former Brazil star Ronaldo is the best player he has ever coached in his storied career, but regrets having only worked with him towards the end of his playing days.

"The best player I coached was Ronaldo," he said. "Unfortunately, I found him at the end of his career, when he weighed 96 kilograms.

"I asked him 'What was your weight at the 2002 World Cup?'. He told me it was 84 kilos. I replied: 'Try at least to go back to 88'. Anyway, he was a great player."

The history of El Clasico

El Clásico. No two words can grasp the sports world’s attention like a matchup between the two of the biggest superpowers in global football.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona creates divides among social classes and political stances amidst a background of a Civil War-torn past. The two largest cities in Spain, the national capital Madrid, and Barcelona, the capital of the Catalan region seeking independence are the principal cities of  a derby that’s seen by nearly 400 million people around the world.

New history is made each time these rivals step on the field with some of the best players in the world playing to prove their skills and lead their team to victory.

AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF EL CLÁSICO

The rivalry between the the two most successful clubs in football started with an oft-ignored political backstory and contrasts in how both clubs were made. FC Barcelona was founded by Joan Gamper along with several foreign-born players in 1899,  as Madrid had its club founded with Spaniards at the helm in 1902. Madrid had been long considered as the political and social center of Spain. Regional rivalries would be generated due to the nation’s focus on Madrid, which geographically was also in the center of Spain.

When the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, came of age in 1902, Madrid hosted a tournament and invited FC Barcelona and Basque club Vizcaya. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid, then known as Madrid FC 3-1, but fell to the Basques in the final 2-1. However, all the attention came from the tournament organizers when they noticed the tournament to celebrate a Castilian monarch came down to a Catalan club and a Basque club in the final. So they quickly arranged a “third-place match.” The series between the clubs would continue for a decade, with the Catalans victorious in most of the contests. The rivalry would begin to pick up its’ competitive embers in 1905.

The Spanish Primera Division was founded in 1929, with ten teams. Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in the second round of the new league, with the visitors prevailing 2-1. The Catalan club would repay the favor with a 1-0 win in Madrid, and would win the league. Despite Real Madrid’s two titles in the early days of the league, it was Athletic Bilbao that was the strongest team in Spain in the years leading into the Spanish Civil War.

FC Barcelona was considered to be the symbol of the Catalan people by the centralist government in the 1930s. Military general Francisco Franco, disenchanted with the changing political climate in Spain with the fall of the monarchy, staged a Coup d’état in 1936, leading to a bloody Civil War victory for his Nationalist side in 1939. One of the earliest casualties was of then-FC Barcelona president Josep Sunyol, who was executed without trial by Francoist forces.

The most one-sided result came in 1943, during World War II. In the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, renamed as the Copa del Generalisimo in honor of Franco’s regime, Real humiliated Barcelona in the second leg 11-1 after Barcelona won the first leg 3-0. The director of Franco’s state security payed the club a visited them prior to the match in Madrid, and reminded the club they were playing for “the generosity of the regime.” The result came as a show of the extent of strength Franco had over Spain. Barcelona FC was forced to change their name to CF Barcelona, and got rid of the Catalan flag on their badge.

Despite these tough times for Barcelona, the club’s motto “Més que un club” (More than a club) was developed around this time, and the club would win titles in the 1940s. In 1953, the two rivals were in the race to acquire superstar striker Alfredo di Stéfano. Di Stéfano, the “Blond Arrow” from Argentina, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time today. After years of success with national power River Plate, di Stéfano took his talents to Colombia with Los Millionarios.

In the race to obtain di Stéfano’s signature, it would be Barcelona who struck first. But, Barcelona reached a deal with River Plate, whom FIFA recognized as di Stéfano’s employer. After a long bout of negotiations with controversial circumstances, Real Madrid wound up buying di Stéfano away from Millionarios, but paying River Plate the sum of what was paid to them. As a result, the move would result in a period of dominance for Los Merengues, as Real Madrid would win eight La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, the first five consecutive European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup from 1953 through 1964. In his first match against Barcelona, di Stéfano would score a brace, the first two of his eighteen goals against the Catalan club in all matches.

Over the years, the contrasts on how the two teams operated became apparent, yet very effective. As Real Madrid had a very business-based approach, affording to lure and buy players to play for them, FC Barcelona nurtured and developed their players through their system. When Dutch superstar Johan Cruyff joined Barcelona from Ajax for a then-world record $2 million, he would help win Barcelona’s first La Liga title since 1960, including an emphatic 5-0 road victory at Madrid. A product of the “total football” style of play in his native Netherlands, Cruyff help meld a playing style that Barcelona would be known for even today.

After Franco’s death in 1975, the political state of Spain would be restored, but the fiery passion shared by both clubs continued. The stakes would grow even bigger over the years with more matches, as their rivalry slowly began to eclipse that of the other teams in the nation, often playing for silverware. Even more legends and idols would take their place in the lore of the rivalry. Luis Figo, Portuguese footballing icon, once played for Barcelona and garnered cult status, but when Figo joined Real Madrid in 2000, he was treated by the blaugrana faithful as though he committed high treason. Ronaldo, the phenomenal Brazilian striker, also jumped ship from Barca to Real, though it took a couple seasons.

Real Madrid formed a strong unit at the turn of the 21st Century. “Los Galácticos” was the nickname for a star-studded Real Madrid side that dominated La Liga from 2000 through 2006. Players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Raul, and Fabio Cannavaro suited up alongside Figo and Ronaldo. Despite the talent, they failed to win a major title from 2003 to 2006.

Barcelona combated with stars of their own. Deco, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Rafa Marquez would work in tandem with homegrown players Victor Valdez, Carlos Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Most recently, the Pep Guardiola era at Barcelona gave witness to one of the best Barca sides in modern football, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta operating the tiki-taka style of play.

Real Madrid has gone back to their Galacticos method of buying superstars, with the past couple of years obtaining players such as Welsh winger Gareth Bale, and most recently, James Rodriguez to boost a side led by Cristiano Ronaldo.The strategy has paid off with Real Madrid winning the UEFA Champions League in 2015/15 and 2016/17, their record 11th and 12th European titles, along with the 2016/17 La Liga title.

Barcelona won't give Real Madrid a guard of honour – Amor

Real Madrid may have won the Club World Cup, but they will not receive a guard of honour from Barcelona.

Barcelona ruled out performing a guard of honour for Real Madrid ahead of the El Clasico after their rivals' Club World Cup success.

Madrid host a crucial Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, needing a win to close an 11-point gap to Barca.

After leading Zinedine Zidane's men to their Club World Cup win, Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo said Barcelona should give his team a guard of honour.

However, Guillermo Amor – a director at Barca – ruled that idea out.

"We make it clear that we only do this when we participate in the competition," he said after Barca's 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

"When we compete in the competition, we will do it but that is not the case. That's the way it is."

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said he was yet to even consider the possibility of a guard of honour.

"We've only just finished this game," he said. "I haven't even paid it a thought."

Unbeaten in 16 league games this season, Barca hold a six-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid, Juventus, Man Utd and Bayern release new kits that they'll never wear

Four clubs from Europe’s elite have launched brand new kits that will never be worn by any of the players.

Why, you ask?

EA Sports, who are in partnership with Adidas (the clubs’ official sponsor), have released the new kits that will only be attainable as part of the in-game features of Fifa 18 Ultimate Team.

Eerm, so are these kits physical objects or not?

Players who have selected one of the four teams as their favourite on their gamer profile before 15 December will be automatically awarded with the new kits. They will also become available for unlocking, or for purchase from other players on the transfer market, as well as in Fifa 18 Ultimate Team packs.

Digital kits. Definitely digital.

Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus or Bayern Munich (and Adidas) are not planning to replicate them for wider sales.

Such a shame because we loooooove Juve’s kit.

Mbappe credits Neymar for PSG integration

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe says team-mate Neymar played a key role in his integration at the club.

Kylian Mbappe has thanked Neymar for helping him to adapt to life at Paris Saint-Germain after his whirlwind transfer.

Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco in August on an initial loan deal that precedes a €180million switch at the end of this season, with Neymar having swapped Barcelona for the Ligue 1 giants earlier in the month to become the world's most expensive player.

The duo have been in sparkling form as PSG romped through their Champions Legaue group, while Mbappe has scored seven league goals and Neymar a further 11 to help Unai Emery's men establish a nine-point lead atop the Ligue 1 table.

Mbappe, who celebrates his 19th birthday on Wednesday, credited Neymar with helping him to settle in at PSG, although he regrets being unable to live like a typical teenager.

"Neymar immediately took me under his wing and integrated me," Neymar told France Football.

"Since I cannot go out too much, I bring a lot of friends home, we play, we laugh, we think about something other than football, these are the only moments where I can behave like a boy of my age.

"Becoming a good player so quickly made me miss a lot of the normal life of a normal teenager."

But Mbappe, who has hit four goals in his last five PSG appearances, believes playing football cannot be compared to other jobs.

"Those who talk about the sacrifices that they make throughout a career, I do not understand too much," Mbappe added.

"For me, the real sacrifice would be getting up early in the morning to work."

Neymar treated everybody like his brother – Jesus hails Brazil star

Neymar "treated everybody like his brother" to help Brazil win men's Olympic football gold, Gabriel Jesus said.

Brazil and Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus lauded Neymar as he revealed how the superstar helped his nation win gold at the Rio Olympics.

A win over Germany on penalties in the decider at the Maracana saw Brazil take out the men's Olympic football for the first time in their history.

Brazil were led by Neymar and Jesus described the role the Paris Saint-Germain star played, hailing the 25-year-old for his humility.

"You know, before that tournament, I was just a fan of Neymar, like everybody else. He's an incredible footballer, which everyone knows," Jesus wrote for The Players' Tribune.

"But getting to really know him during that time … it was so special, because of the kind of person he is.

"The way that he treats everybody surprised me a lot – because even in the short amount of time that I've lived in football, I've seen so many guys who are not even amazing players, who haven't won anything, being mascarado. This means a person who wears a mask. They're one way to the public, and another in the dressing room.

"But with Neymar, he treated everybody like his brother. He was a huge reason that we were able to come together and ignore the pressure and play for one another."

Neymar scored four goals throughout the Olympic tournament, including the opener in the final.

Jesus described just how much the success meant to Brazil, writing: "When we won the gold medal, it was an incredible moment for us, and for the country.

"Before the tournament, Neymar got a tattoo, and I was inspired to get a similar one, because it really says everything in one picture.

"It's a little kid, and he's standing at the bottom of a hill, looking up at the favelas. He's just holding a football under his arm and dreaming.

"That's not just me, and it's not just Neymar. It's so many Brazilians. And that's what winning gold meant to us."

Thierry Henry has been crowned a king in Nigeria

The football icon has been honoured for his exploits in the game of footballing following a visit to Nigeria.

Having missed the Fifa World Player of the Year twice – narrowly, Thierry Henry can now have something to cheer about as he was on Sunday crowned King in Nigeria.

The 40-year-old who is Arsenal’s top goalscorer of all time and currently second assistant manager of the Belgium national team was enthroned as ‘Igwe’ (King) of football  after he was dressed in an Igbo royalty garb during an event organised by Guinness Nigeria.

During his active football days, Nigerians would scream ‘Igwe’ whenever he scores a goal or show his dribbling skills.

Making him a king in Africa’s biggest nation is not a bad one for the Frenchman who ranks amongst the greatest strikers football has ever produced. And next time you see him, take off your hat, take a bow and call him IGWE!!!.

I'd leave the pitch in a coffin for Mourinho - Terry

Ex-Chelsea skipper John Terry says Jose Mourinho was the best manager he worked under, saying: "I would give everything for him."

Jose Mourinho was held in such high esteem by John Terry that the former Chelsea captain says would have left the pitch "in a coffin for him".

Mourinho first joined Chelsea in 2004 and led the club to their first top-flight title in 50 years, successfully defending the Premier League in 2006 before adding a domestic cup double the following season.

Key to their triumphs was a solid spine including Petr Cech, Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Mourinho returned after stints with Inter and Real Madrid and led Chelsea to a Premier League and EFL Cup double in 2014-15, with centre-back Terry still a key member of the squad.

The 37-year-old, now plying his trade with Aston Villa, has expressed how strong his dedication to the Portuguese was during his two spells at Stamford Bridge.  

"He was the best manager, and the best coach as well. He did everything," Terry said on Sky Sports.

"He was the first one to come and revolutionise it at Chelsea. He would be the first in, 8am, he'd be the one setting the cones out, and you'd come in as players and he'd be out there, if it was pouring with rain, getting his session organised.

"Mentally and psychologically, he had us from day one. We bought in to whatever he was going to deliver that day and he was the same when he came back. Having his presence there was enough.

"He had his eyes on everyone and when he speaks no one messes about or plays with a ball. You listen to him, he was the boss.

"I would give everything for him. I would leave that pitch in a coffin for him and every player felt the same."

Real Madrid 1 Gremio 0: Ronaldo free-kick secures Club World Cup glory

Real Madrid won a fifth trophy of the year as Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 1-0 defeat of Gremio in the Club World Cup final.

Cristiano Ronaldo led the way as Real Madrid beat Gremio 1-0 to successfully retain the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, securing them a fifth trophy of 2017.

Gremio coach Renato Gaucho claimed in the build-up that he was a better player than Ronaldo, and the Portugal star provided the perfect response on the pitch, frequently troubling the Brazilian side and scoring the all-important goal.

Madrid often looked susceptible on the counter-attack in their 2-1 semi-final win over Al Jazira, though the same could not be said against Gremio as the European champions exerted complete control in the first half.

Plenty of chances fell Madrid's way, though it took them until the second half to break the deadlock and there was more than a hint of fortune about it, with Ronaldo's free-kick somehow finding its way past Marcelo Grohe and making him the first player to score in successive Club World Cup finals.

Luka Modric saw a 25-yard effort of his own tipped on to the post soon after, as Madrid's search for a second left them frustrated.

Ultimately it did not matter, as Gremio failed to cause the LaLiga team any problems in spite of their own desperation and Zinedine Zidane's men had little difficulty holding on to claim the Club World Cup title for a third time in four years.

It did not take Madrid long to establish dominance and they kept the South American champions penned in their defensive third for extended periods during the early exchanges.

The Spanish side were not shy in getting shots away, though most of them were from distance and caused Gremio goalkeeper Grohe few problems.

Grohe had to be quick off his line in the 21st minute, however, as he rushed out to smother Raphael Varane's effort after Sergio Ramos flicked on a corner, with Modric shooting wide from 20 yards a few moments later.

Gremio eventually had a chance of their own and they went close, Edilson's 40-yard free-kick flying agonisingly over.

And Ronaldo threatened in similar fashion just before the break when his long-range shot from a set-piece grazed the roof of the goal.

Madrid's dominance showed no sign of letting up after the interval and few could claim they were not deserving of the lead when they finally ended Gremio's resistance.

Ronaldo dazzled Jailson with some quick stepovers and lured him into a foul, before shooting through the wall from the resultant 25-yard free-kick and finding the bottom-left corner.

The Portugal star then had another ruled out a few minutes later due to Karim Bernzema straying offside.

Modric nearly added a legitimate second just after the hour mark, but Grohe managed to tip his effort on to the post.

Gremio's need to throw men forward provided Madrid with several opportunities to counter during the final stages and, although they failed to add to the score, Zidane's men comfortably held on to lift the Club World Cup, giving them the perfect boost ahead of El Clasico next Saturday.

Key Opta facts:

- Real Madrid have won five titles in the same calendar year for the first time ever (La Liga, Champions League, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup).

- Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time highest-scoring player in the Club World Cup (seven goals).

- Madrid have become the first club to be world champions in consecutive years since Sao Paulo under Tele Santana in 1992 and 1993 (Intercontinental Cup).

- Madrid have matched Barcelona (three) as the side with the most Club World Cup wins.