THE BEST SOCCER PLAYERS

Portugal winger Nani has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the England giant club. His impressive form this season has made MU a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2014. Nani had been the subject of plenty of criticism after failing to live up to his £17 million price tag since moving to United in 2007, but he has proved his worth over the past few months - producing a number of scintillating displays, including a man of the match performance in the 3-1 over Arsenal. Nani had been the person of plenty of criticism after deteriorating to live up to his £17 million rate since moving to MU in 2007, but he has proved his value over the past few months - producing a sort of brilliant displays, including a man of the match action in the 3-1 triumph over Arsenal. "Nani is an emerging talent in this team and has developed greatly since joining the club," United coach Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website. "We ar

Long considered to be the ‘next Zidane’ by fans in France, Algerian playmaker Mourad Meghni appears to finally coping with this weighty expectation and is currently pushing hard for a place in Algeria’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Barring another injury like the ones that have blighted his career so far – his delicate frame has done him no favours in that regard – it is more than likely that Meghni will be showing off his skills in South Africa this June. Nearly ten years ago it was in French colours that the promising attacking midfielder played first impressed on the world stage, helping the country of his birth to secure the FIFA U-17 World Championship in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001. The Caribbean adventure was one of many successes achieved by this golden generation of French footballers, who had already reached the final of the UEFA European U-17 Championship the year before, and were destined to go on to win the prestigious Toulon U-21 international tourn

Park Ji-sung headed Manchester United back to the Premier League as the champion from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday. Park’s 60th-minute goal restored United’s two-point lead over Arsenal. Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean professional footballer who moved to MU at 2005 from PSV Eindhoven (Netherland). Now he is the captain of the South Korean national team. Park Ji-sung is one of stars of the South Korean team that finished fourth at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. After the World Cup, Park joined the coach Guus Hiddink go to PSV Eindhoven. As a member of the South Korean national team, Park has won 84 caps and scored 11 goals. Adapting to the English Premiership is Park's biggest test, but he has impressed everybody at the club so far. His pedigree on the European stage, however, is already proven. Park Ji-Sung profile: • Born: 25 February 1981, Seoul, South Korea • Signed: 8 July 2005, from PSV Eindhoven • Other Previous Clubs: Kyoto Purple Sanga • Debut: 9 Augu

Liverpool’s striker Fernando Torres has admitted he will think about his future at Liverpool if the club do not buy the players needed to turn them into Premier League contenders. Liverpool are currently sixth place in table having played more games than all of their main rivals for the fourth Champions League berth. The Reds forward has been part of a side that has had a disappointing campaign so far – Monday’s defeat at Wigan dented their chances of a top-four Premier League finish and a 1-0 reverse to Lille in the Europa League on Thursday leaves them with a tough task of progressing into the next round. Many have speculated that Liverpool’s key players could leave Anfield if they do not qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, but Torres has played down such reports. However, the 25-year-old, who has scored 13 league goals in 18 appearances so far this term, says that Rafa Benitez needs to bring in more quality players to bolster the squad. When asked by Spanish n

Wayne Rooney returned to inspire Manchester United victory. Two goal through header in the second half drowned Italian giants AC Milan in their own cage, Giuseppe Meazza Stadion, San Siro Milan, on Tuesday (Feb. 16). The England superstar was originally seemed frustrated throughout the first half, especially on two colleagues, Nani and Darren Fletcher, who failed to give him good passes. But after Antonio Valencia replaced Nani in the second half, things changed 180 degrees. Valencia able to indulge Rooney with well passes, where Rooney scored a goal with one of them. “I was very frustrated in the first half,” Rooney said. “Some people were not doing their jobs right and I let my feelings be known. We learned from that and won the game, which I am pleased about.” Rooney lead the comeback of his team with two great headers that Ferguson compared him to Lionel Messi, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's elite footballers. “Wayne Rooney, in the­second half, continued his recent f

Lionel Andrés Messi has been named the FIFA World Player of the Year. The Argentina and Barcelona striker won the award for the first time for helping his Spain club win an record six trophies, including the Champions League and the La Liga title. The 22-year-old beat last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil midfielder Kaka, and his two club mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. He was presented with the trophy at an awards ceremony in Zurich. Messi said, “I'm really 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.” Lionel Messi was born 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Messi. His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona where his ancestor, Angelo Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883. At the age of 8, Messi played to Newell's Old Boys who were based in Rosar

LIONEL MESSI reckons that Manchester United will risk humiliation if they opt to go toe to toe with Barcelona in the Champions League final. The Barca superstar admits he is after revenge for last year's semi-final defeat by the eventual champions. Back then, the Catalan giants had almost 70 per cent possession over the two legs. But they could not break down United's defensive wall and Paul Scholes' screamer put Alex Ferguson's men through. Messi told SunSport: "I don't think Manchester will play like that again. They have players to play football and will be a bit more open. "We're the best team in Europe in an open game and this will give us the advantage. If they come out to play it will be a beautiful game - and I hope it will benefit us. "I remember last year's semi-final. They were two evenly-matched games, very tight. The tie was decided by the great goal they scored." Back on May 2, Barcelona thumped Real Madrid 6-2 at the Bernab

Cristiano Ronaldo has provided Manchester United with a late injury scare ahead of the UEFA Champions League final after requiring treatment in training. The Portuguese winger needed strapping on his ankle during Tuesday evening's training session at the Stadio Olimpico. Ronaldo, who missed the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery, is expected to be fit for Wednesday's showpiece in Rome. The 24-year-old is likely to start up front against Barcelona, with Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-sung tipped to provide support from wide. Nemanja Vidic was also photographed during the session holding his hamstring, but United have confirmed the Serbian is fit. Vidic's central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand has also declared himself fit to start the final after a recent absence due to a calf injury. Source: SkySports.com

ZURICH (AFP) – Manchester United and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was on Monday named FIFA World Footballer of the Year for 2008. Ronaldo, who is also holder of the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the European Footballer of the Year, beat off competition from 2007 winner Kaka (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Fernando Torres (Spain) and Xavi (Spain). "It's an overwhelming moment in my career and I'd like to dedicate this award to my family, friends and colleagues," he said. "Winning the Champions League for me was the most memorable moment of 2008," added Ronaldo, who scored in the final but missed a penalty in the penalty shootout against Chelsea. Ronaldo went out of his way to heap praise on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom relations became strained during last summer over whether he was going to leave the club for Real Madrid. "It's also true that the manager always has an important role to play," said Ronaldo. "It was

Francesc Fàbregas Soler has decided not to require surgery on his injured knee. Sky Sports Arsenal captain has visited a specialist in Barcelona to determine the full extent of the setback he suffered against Liverpool . reported, the According to Arsenal official website, Cesc Fabregas will be out for "three to four months" after suffering a serious knee injury against Liverpool on Sunday. The Spanish midfielder suffered a partial rupture of his medial knee ligaments just before half-time in Sunday’s Premier League game with Liverpool . The 21-year-old will not require surgery but the injury is likely to keep him out for around four months." After consulting with the best doctor possible, we've decided not to operate," Fabregas was quoted as saying in Marca. He said, the doctor didn't recommended him to do it because he is still young and the meniscus is not damaged. The Arsenal captain was hurt in a challenge with his Spanish t

By: IAN McGARRY / The Sun CHELSEA have a lot to thank Gianfranco Zola for — and the emergence of John Terry is one of them. And when the new West Ham boss is applauded on his return to Stamford Bridge tomorrow, Terry is one who will join in. The Blues skipper spent hours doing extra training with Zola when he was a young defender and is grateful to the Italian for setting a sparkling example as a pro. But now Terry is writing his own chapter in Chelsea’s book of legends and coach Ray Wilkins has tipped him to eclipse Zola. Wilkins said, “If I was to pick one of the current players who might surpass Franco in the future I’d say John Terry. “John just epitomises what we’re about. He’s professional, he’s a one-club player and I’d imagine in 10 years’ time when they have their next poll of greatest ever players, John would be the one who sits at the top.” Wilkins, a Chelsea legend himself, reckons that the current skipper would not be the player he is without Zola’s influence. He said, “Wh

Klaas Jan Huntelaar cannot wait to link up with his new Real Madrid team-mates as he prepares to put the finishing touches on his big-money move from Ajax. Madrid had been chasing Huntelaar for the last two years but finally got their man when they agreed a deal with Ajax for the 25-year-old that could rise to 27million euros. Huntelaar, who will be available for Madrid in January providing he successfully overcomes his ankle injury and passes a medical, is set to become the eighth Dutchman to make the move to the Bernabeu, of which five will be his team-mates later this season. One of those, Wesley Sneijder, was quick to congratulate his former Ajax team-mate on the move, with Huntelaar revealing: "Sneijder was the first and then the others called me. It`s a dream come true and they`ve already told me to play at Madrid is the best for a footballer. "I'm very happy right now, I suppose I will be even happier when I arrive at Madrid and can be with my new team-mates. "

Manchester United star, Cristiano Ronaldo, may be miss Champions League game versus Spanish club Real Villarreal at Tuesday (Nov. 25). The Portugal's player had a leg injuury when United draw 0-0 with Aston Villa, Saturday night. "His leg is in a mess. He is doubtful for Tuesday," said Alex Ferguson, United's manager. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born at 5 February 1985 in Funchal, Madeira (Portugal), to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. He plays primarily as a right winger. But he has also been used both in a central attacking role and as a second striker. Ronaldo has undergo ankle surgery at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam on 7 July. He returned play for United on 17 September in Champions League with Villarreal as a substitute. He scored his 100th and 101st goals in all competitions for Manchester United in a 5–0 win over Stoke City on 15 November 2008, both from free kicks. Read Cristiano Ronaldo profile at: http://en.wikip

Real Madrid's striker Gonzalo Higuain will miss Champions League match against Belarussian, BATE Borisov at Tuesday, after suffering a sprained ankle. Higuain sprained his left ankle in Satuday's match against Recreativo Huelva, the club said in a statement Sunday. The Argentine forward will undergo physiotherapy aimed at achieving a rapid recovery. Higuain is top scorer in the Primera Liga this season with nine goals. Real is already miss several key players for the match, notably Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is out until the end of the season following a kneee operation. Real Madrid is second in its Champions League group H, four points behind Italian club Juventus, which has already qualified for the quarter-finals. Gonzalo Gerardo Higuaín was born at December 10, 1987 in Brest, Finistère, France. His father, professional Argentine footballer Jorge "El Pipa" Higuaín, was playing for Brest, at that time in the French Ligue 1. Higuain having left France at

WILLIAM GALLAS has 10 million reasons to say sorry to his Arsenal team-mates. The French ace is on a megabucks deal which will see him earn £10m between now and 2011. But that could go up in smoke unless he apologises for publicly criticising his Emirates team-mates. If he does, the door is open for the 31-year-old defender to make a sensational return in tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Ukraine side Dynamo Kiev. If he does not, he will probably have to ship out. Gallas was monstered by boss Arsene Wenger AND stripped of the captaincy for betraying dressing-room secrets, as SunSport reported on Friday. He was also left back home in London as Arsenal crashed 3-0 at Manchester City on Saturday. Wenger insists Gallas must grovel in the dressing room before he plays for the Gunners again. But that is not out of the question. Gallas knows his career in the Premier League will be over if he refuses to back down. He is earning £80,000 a week on a contract that runs until 2011. That

Juventus and Italian national team's keeper Gianluigi Buffon will not join England's club Manchester City. “We know nothing about this news," said Silvano Martina, the agent of Buffon. Reports in Italian and England paper said, Manchester City are preparing to make a world record 50 million pound (59m euros) bid to sign for the 30-year-old. “I haven’t heard anything and, to be honest, the clubs haven’t come forward," Martina said. “Usually the interested clubs will contact either Juventus or the agents but I have not heard from anyone." The wealthy new Arab owners have targeted the Italian World Cup winner as their next major capture. If they pull it off the deal would surpass the world record 48m pounds Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001. According to The Times, a delegation from Man City travelled to Turin this month to discuss a possible transfer although it is not thought thy spoke to the player or club directly. Gianluigi "Gigi"

England's club Arsenal, are favourites to buy Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The club will compete with the biggest clubs in Europe, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, but MU would appear to be the biggest rivals to Arsenal in the chase to sign the striker. Report says Arsenal has ready to agree terms worth around £20 million with Ajax in the coming months. Huntelaar has struck personal terms with the Gunners with the view to a move to London at the end of this season. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was born at August 12, 1983 in Voor-Drempt. Before play for Ajax, he played for PSV Eindhoven dan SC Heerenveen. He joined Ajax after a £6.5million move from SC Heerenveen, but his form has been so good this year the Amsterdam giants are now struggling to hold onto him. He topped the Eredivisie scoring charts last season after bagging 33 goals. The Ajax striker has recognized he want to play at Premier League. "I must recognize, I am very interested to play at Premier League," he said

Barça forward Samuel Eto'o is setting new personal and European standards for goal scoring. His four strikes against Valladolid have extended the Cameroon player’s fantastic start to the season. Eto’o has scored 13 times in 10 League fixtures, giving him an average of 1.3 goals per game at a strike rate of one every 58.5 minutes. These are his best figures ever for this stage of the season. In 2005/06, for instance, Eto'o was top scorer in Spain with 26 strikes in 34 matches to average 0.76 per game. However, he ‘only’ found the net 9 times in Barça’s first 10 fixtures. No other striker has scored as many goals as Eto'o in Europe’s top leagues, and only two even come close. AZ Alkmaar’s Mounir El Hamdaoui has notched 13 in 10 like Eto'o, but unlike the Cameroonian has no European goals as Alkmaar haven’t qualified for any of the competitions. The other player close behind Eto'o is Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic with 13 goals in the Bundesliga. However, his side h

The Football Association are to study Didier Drogba's comments in his autobiography saying he wished he had punched Nemanja Vidic in the Champions League final. The Chelsea striker was sent off in the final in May for slapping the Manchester United defender - and in his book said he now wishes he had punched Vidic. The FA take a dim view of current players making such comments in books, and will study the remark and the whole book to see whether Drogba may have brought the game into disrepute. An FA spokesman said: "We are aware of the comments and will be examining them in their proper context." The FA are not viewing it in the same light as Roy Keane's book, in which the former United skipper said he had deliberately injured Alf-Inge Haaland. Back in 2002, Keane was banned for five games and fined £150,000 by the FA but similar disciplinary action is unlikely to be taken against Drogba, who may simply be warned. Drogba wrote: "I have seen the match on

The north London club were due to begin negotiating a new deal with Walcott at the start of this month after talks were pushed back during the summer but they have still yet to materialise. Walcott has just 20 months to run on his current contract, which ends in June 2010, and Arsenal have taken a risk by allowing him to run down more time after his excellent start to the new campaign. Walcott has established himself as a regular for club and country this season, starring in all four of England's World Cup qualifiers and scoring a stunning hat-trick in England's 4-1 victory over Croatia last month. The player has not been pressing for a new contract and, privately, is adamant that his development would be best served by continuing to work under Arsene Wenger but he is growing increasingly concerned that he has heard nothing from the club and there will be alarm in some quarters if the situation is still the same by the new year. Arsenal re