Vietto a bright star for struggling Argentina

Brazil forward Lucas Lima is ready to fight for his first-team spot as the South American nation step up preparations for the Copa America Centenario with a warm-up friendly against Panama on Sunday.

With Neymar set to miss the special Centenario edition of the tournament held in the United States, Lima has been given the famous number 10 kit in his absence.

The Santos attacker, who made his Brazil debut in September 2015, scored his maiden international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Argentina two months later.

And with the Copa America just one week away, Lima is aiming to use the friendly against Panama in Denver as a platform to show what he is capable of.

I am very happy. It is a great honour for me, the 25-year-old said of being given the n…

According to a recent report from Kicker, Borussia Dortmund will have to pay more than they initially thought in order to secure the signing of Jerome Roussillon. The 26 year old, who currently plays for Wolfsburg having joined the German side back in 2018, is considered to be one of the most exciting defensive prospects in European football today. It’s well known that Dortmund are in the market for a left back, and whilst it may seem like an unconventional choice, it’s certainly one that has potential for the German giants.

Roussillon’s three years with Montpellier certainly put him on the map when it comes to demonstrating what he’s capable of, but it seems as if he’s still waiting for that one big move to really put himself into that next stratosphere.

Eith…

Eden Hazard has scotched rumours that he has agreed to join Real Madrid.

Reports in Spain this week claimed that Chelsea star Hazard will swap Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.

However, the Belgium forward, who is currently sidelined with a hip injury, insists this is not the case although he stopped short of completely ruling out a move away from west London.

In an interview with ACTV in his homeland, Hazard said: I don t know who is saying that, but it s not true. At the moment, I m at Chelsea.

First I have to finish the season and I still have a contract for four years. I m there and I m currently feeling good over there.

I want to be on the pitch as soon as possible with Chelsea.

In line with Chelse…

Raheem Sterling scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season to help Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

The England international netted after only 39 seconds, before a Christian Kabasele own goal and a second-half finish from Sergio Aguero saw Pep Guardiola s side move 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Andre Gray s late effort counting for little.

City s record 18-game winning run came to an end in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on New Year s Eve and Guardiola took no chances with his line-up, with Kevin De Bruyne – passed fit after being hurt at Selhurst Park – joined by the returning David Silva in midfield, while John Stones made his first appearance since November at the heart of the def…

Twente players Emir Bajrami and Roberto Rosales are nearing the exit door, .

The two players have shown a great deal of potential over the last couple of seasons and they are now followed by top European clubs.

Emir Bajrami joined Twente in a €3.5 million deal from Elfsborg in July 2010, and managed to score 5 league goals for the Tukkers despite starting just 24 Eredivisie games across two seasons.

The midfielder is now tracked by clubs from Spain, Russia and Turkey, with the Euro 2012 an excellent opportunity for him to impress the suitors.

On the other hand, full-back Roberto Rosales has developed into a key player at De Grolsch Veste and he looks set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The player’s agent recently revealed Porto, N…

Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggested the club s spending may not be overnand hinted at a move for reported target Bernardo Silva should head coach Xavi request it.

The Manchester City midfielder has been linked with a move to Camp Nou as a potential replacement for Frenkie de Jong, who is rumoured to be of interest to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Barca have already signed Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde during the transfer window, though questions had been raised whether the club would be able to register them.

Speaking at a media conference to present Kounde after his move from Sevilla, Laporta explained the current situation around player registration, stating: We are optimistic. We are doing everything …

It s never been his style, but perhaps Lionel Messi should have come up with a signature celebration.

What could prove to be the final encounter between the two greatest footballers of the 21st century was shot through with familiar images.

There was Cristiano Ronaldo, coolly dispatching a pair of penalties in a deserved 3-0 win for Juventus at Camp Nou.

When the ball rippled Marc-Andre ter Stegen s net, we knew what was coming. Off he tore in celebration a jump, a twist, arms thrust out by his side. SIIIUUUUUU!!! .

There was also Barcelona again flailing hopelessly out of their depth against elite European opposition a repeated picture with another recognisable frame.

As Ronald Koeman s men tamely relinquished top spot in Group G, Messi s sad and…

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale has no plans to move to Manchester United and denied he is a ball-hog .

Real Madrid s Gareth Bale denied allegations on Tuesday that he is considering a return to the Premier League with Manchester United.

Bale only moved to Real from Tottenham in September 2013 but, midway through his second La Liga campaign, the British media is widely convinced the Welsh winger is a major target of United manager Louis van Gaal.

But speaking on Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Bale refuted those rumours, indicating the opportunity to regularly win silverware makes him keen to see out his contract that runs until June 2019.

For me, no, Bale said.

I did an interview recently and I said I m happy here, I ve got several years left …

Huracan were big winners of Tuesday s Copa Libertadores action as they took control against Alianza Lima.

Patricio Toranzo scored twice to help Huracan to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Alianza Lima in the opening leg of their Copa Libertadores first-round tie on Tuesday.

Toranzo bagged his brace in the second half as the Argentinian visitors edged closer to qualifying for the group stages at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in Lima, Peru.

Huracan participants in the Copa Libertadores as winners of the 2013-14 Copa Argentina made a dream start to proceedings against Alianza, when Ramon Abila broke the deadlock in the fifth minute after being played through with a no-look pass from Toranzo.

It got better for Huracan seven minutes before half-time, Alejandro …

Goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has revealed his view on French national team boss Raymond Domenech in an interview with France Football, to be published on Tuesday.

In parts of the interview that were already released, Coupet showed to have a very negative opinion: There s a dictatorship at Les Bleus . Nobody can talk freely. I can now, because I m out, said the keeper who hasn t been selected since Euro 2008.

It s a dirty game. Domenech hasn t been properly informed.

And referring to the fact that Domenech continues to be manager of the national team: It s a shame. This group of players has so many qualities, but they are being wasted. It s shocking that boys with so much talent feel so uncomfortable with Les Bleus.

Earlier, players like David Trezeguet a…