Sports

Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi insists he will bounce back “even stronger” from a groin injury that is set to keep him sidelined for three weeks. Messi limped off after an hour of Barca’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and is expected to miss Barca’s …

Arsene Wenger said Friday that he preferred to avoid a “destructive mode” as he played down claims that adversary Jose Mourinho had once wanted to “break his face”. The Arsenal manager said he was concentrating solely on the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday and did not want …

Manchester City launch their League Cup defence at Swansea City this week with manager Pep Guardiola desperate to keep a lid on expectations after their supreme start to the season. City have won their eight games in all competitions — a club record — and preserved their two-point advantage at …

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at Xavi over his claims that Lionel Messi was a better player by pointing out that the former Barcelona midfielder had never won a Ballon d’Or himself. Ronaldo, 31, netted in the 5-2 win over Osasuna on Saturday and was asked about Xavi’s …

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and his Manchester City adversary Pep Guardiola rekindle a rivalry 20 years in the making in this weekend’s hotly anticipated Manchester derby. Friends who became foes, Mourinho and Guardiola represent opposite ends of football’s ideological spectrum and their ongoing grudge match has shaped the game’s …

Spanish international striker Paco Alcacer recognised he will have to make the most of relatively few opportunities to make his mark at Barcelona as back-up to a fearsome front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Alcacer was presented at the Camp Nou on Thursday after completing a 30 …

Pep Guardiola extended his 100 per cent start as Manchester City manager as Sergio Aguero’s brace and a late double from Nolito secured an impressive 4-1 win at Stoke on Saturday. City’s away form last season undermined their efforts to regain the Premier League title with just four wins from …

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho confirmed on Thursday that record signing Paul Pogba will make his second debut for the club in Friday’s Premier League home game with Southampton. Pogba, 23, returned to United from Juventus in a world-record 89 million pounds (105 million euros, $116 million) transfer last week, …

Nigeria’s sprinter and five-time African Junior Champion, Ejowvokoghene Oduduru, on Tuesday kept the country’s hopes of a medal in athletics alive after qualifying for the semifinals in 200 metres Olympics track event. The 19-year-old clocked 20.34 secs to come 2nd behind Usain Bolt in Heat 9.

Serie A new boys Cagliari are hoping to lure out-of-contract veteran striker Emmanuel Adebayor to the club, reports said Monday. Adebayor is without a club after scoring just one goal for Crystal Palace in a six-month spell in the Premier League last season. Cagliari have been targeting Atalanta striker Marco …