Zidane says Messi rivalry spurs on Ronaldo

Zinedine Zidane has voiced his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and believes the rivalry with Barcelona ace Lionel Messi only spurs on the Real Madrid attacker to get the best out of himself.

Ronaldo and Messi are widely regarded as the best players in the world and have won seven Ballons d’Or between them, with the Argentine winning the prestigious individual trophy on four occasions and the Real forward taking the award home three times.

Zidane has hailed Ronaldo’s attitude on the training pitch and feels he has developed into a true Madrid legend over the years.

“You have to see Ronaldo on the training pitch. It is simply amazing to see him in action,” Zidane told Canal+.

“The rivalry with Messi is only pushing him to get the best out of himself.

“Ever since Raul has left Madrid, Ronaldo has gone on to develop into another club legend.

“He is feeling very well at Real Madrid.”

The 30-year-old recently netted a double for Real in their 2-0 win over Malmo to equal Raul as the Santiago Bernabeu side’s all-time top goalscorer on 323 strikes.

He has scored 10 goals in nine appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid this campaign.

Euro 2016 Qualifying Review

Albania will compete in their first major tournament at Euro 2016 after beating Armenia 3-0 on Sunday and they will be joined by world champions Germany, despite struggling against Georgia.

A Kamo Hovhannisyan own-goal in the ninth minute was the perfect tonic to any early Albanian nerves in Armenia and Ledian Memushaj doubled their lead 14 minutes later.

Armando Sadiku put the result beyond doubt with 14 minutes remaining to spark scenes of elation, as Albania moved ahead of Denmark in Group I to secure the second automation qualification spot behind Portugal.

Portugal closed out their campaign with a 2-1 win in Serbia.

Serbia had both Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic sent off towards the end.

Germany’s task proved somewhat trickier, as the 2014 World Cup winners struggled to overcome a dogged Georgia side 2-1 in Leipzig, needing Max Kruse’s late goal to secure top spot in Group D.

It took the hosts 50 minutes to break the deadlock, as Thomas Muller slotted in from the penalty spot, but Jaba Kankava, who fouled Mesut Ozil for the spot-kick, equalised just three minutes later, firing home a stunning volley.

Second-half substitute Kruse spared Germany’s blushes, though, producing a tidy first-time finish 11 minutes from the end to wrap up all three points and the team’s passage to France.

Poland endured a similarly tough contest in Group D’s other crucial fixture, as the Republic of Ireland proved a stern test after Grzegorz Krychowiak’s stunning 13th-minute long-range opener – Jonathan Walters hitting back from the penalty spot a few moments later.

A thumping Robert Lewandowski header just before the break ultimately proved decisive, though, and a second yellow for John O’Shea in second-half stoppage time seemingly ended the visitors’ already dwindling hopes, as Poland held on in Warsaw to secure qualification.

A Steven Fletcher hat-trick helped Scotland to a 6-0 thrashing of Gibraltar in Faro.

Romania also made sure of their place in France thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts Faroe Islands, Constantin Budescu netting a double and Alexandru Maxim adding a late third to finish second in Group F behind Northern Ireland, who drew 1-1 in Finland.

Greece claimed their first win of the qualifying phase in the shape of a thrilling 4-3 victory over Hungary, who finished third in the group despite the result.

Barcelona Star Messi And His Father May Be Sentenced To Prison Over £3m Tax Fraud

A Spanish court has confirmed Lionel Messi and his father will stand trial for tax evasion, with the legendary Barcelona player facing a jail term if found guilty.

Lionel Messi is facing up to 22 months in jail if he is found guilty of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities.

Prosecutors had argued that the Argentina superstar had no case to answer after he and his father were accused of defrauding the Spanish authorities of nearly £3.5m between 2007 and 2009.

The prosecutors said they believed the Barca forward had no knowledge of the fraud which they alleged was carried out by his father Jorge.

But the judge has now accepted the advice of the state attorney, who states that Messi should also stand trial on three counts of tax evasion.

The maximum sentence for the offences is 22.5 months.

Messi and his father paid the Spanish authorities a ‘corrective payment’ of £3.7m after they were formally charged in June 2013.

No date has been set yet for the case to be heard.

Muller says Premier League wages are tempting

German star Thomas Muller has suggested he could leave Bayern Munich in favour of a move to the Premier League if a big-money offer comes in.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently revealed that Manchester United attempted to sign the Germany international during the most recent transfer window, before stressing that the Bundesliga champions have no intention of selling the 26-year-old.

However, Muller has refused to rule out a move to England in the future.

“In the end, we should not forget that playing football is our job,” Muller told Welt am Sonntag.

“So people should accept that wages will always play a role in a player’s decision-making. Of course, the wages that are being paid in the Premier League are very tempting. It would be hypocrisy to deny that.

“You have to look at the complete package to determine whether something is right for you. What’s good for you one day will not necessarily still be good for you the day after.

“I know that a lot of German clubs are unhappy with the Premier League clubs’ spending, but I think it is something good for all clubs in the end. It can only be a good thing for football when clubs invest so much money.”

Muller has a contract with Bayern until June 2019.

Messi has revealed that Mascherano goes crazy sometimes

Lionel Messi has revealed that it is best to avoid conversing with Barcelona and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano on certain days.

Mascherano has published a book, co-authored with Nicolas Miguelez, entitled ‘The 15 Steps of Leadership’, in which he talks about his career and motivations.

The book’s preface was penned by the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, who opened up about the intensity of his club colleague and compatriot.

“He has his days. Sometimes he comes in wanting to talk and make jokes, but he also has crazy days,” Messi wrote.

“When that’s the case it’s better not to talk to him. We see him there and no one dares to say anything.”

The 28-year-old was absent for Argentina’s 2-0 defeat at home to Ecuador in their first qualification fixture for World Cup 2018 due to injury.

In his stead, Mascherano took the captain’s armband, and Messi admitted that he often relies on the help of his team-mate to orchestrate the side.

“Masche knows how to handle each situation. He is a very positive leader,” he added.

“At the World Cup in Brazil I had the armband, but he was by my side the whole time, fixing each error.”

Argentina will look to bounce back from their opening loss when they travel to face Paraguay on Tuesday.

Eden Hazrad: I am no longer untouchable at Chelsea

Eden Hazard admits he is no longer untouchable at Chelsea after a string of underwhelming performances this campaign.

The Belgium international was one of the best performers in the Premier League last term and won a host of individual trophies as he helped Chelsea to the league title.

However, he has been unable to replicate that form in 2015-16 so far and has received his fair share of criticism in recent weeks.

Hazard recently acknowledged that he has been struggling this season and he now believes he is no longer an undisputed starter.

“It is true that I am no longer untouchable. You can be untouchable when you are playing well, but that has not been the case this season,” the 24-year-old was quoted as saying by La Derniere Heure.

“I was even benched against Porto. I think the coach wanted to send out a message by dropping me.

“But we have a large squad at Chelsea and we will need everyone.”

Chelsea’s poor run of form has seen manager Jose Mourinho’s position come under threat, but Hazard remains confident the Portuguese can turn things around.

“I do not read everything that he says and everything that is being written about him, but I am not worried too much for him,” he added.

“Mourinho is the best coach in the world to deal with this kind of pressure.”

Euro 2016 qualifers: Fixtures for today 11/10/2015

Various matches where played on friday and yesterday in Europe and teams that have qualified for Euro 2016 are; France (as hosts), Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Iceland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, wales.

Results of the matches to be played today will be given immediately after the end of all matches.