'Not for sale' - why there is little chance Cesc Fabregas will leave Barcelona this summer

   

New coach Gerardo Martino and vice-president Josep Bartomeu insisted on Friday the midfielder is wanted at Camp Nou, and a move to Manchester United seems highly unlikely. Actions, it is often said, speak louder than words. Barcelona, however, spoke strongly and succinctly on Friday on the subject of Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas. The message from the Catalan club may not have been loud, but is was certainly clear: Cesc is not for sale at any price.

United have already made two bids for the former Arsenal captain and manager David Moyes claimed earlier this week that negotiations were "ongoing", perhaps hoping that new Barca boss Gerardo Martino would want to dispense with the 26-year-old midfielder for a big fat fee. But that was never going to be likely.

Asked about the possibility of selling Cesc at his unveiling on Friday, Martino replied: "I am not going to get involved in the club's finances, but the club have already rejected two bids and I'll reject a third."

If that was not clear enough, vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu spelt it out in even more forceful fashion to United and any other club who may have been hoping to join the race for Cesc's signature. "We are not thinking of selling Cesc," he revealed. "We are not annoyed [by United's persistence]; we are proud that there is interest in one of our players, but we are very happy with him. Whatever offer we receive for him, he is not for sale."

So while it is true that the player himself has grown frustrated at being left on the bench at times and also at having to play in a number of different positions for the side he grew up supporting, he does not want to leave Barcelona. "I want to stay at Barca forever," the midfielder said in February and, although he was later booed by a section of his own fans during the semi-final rout against Bayern Munich, his desire is to stay and triumph at the Catalan club. "Cesc is happy and he wants to stay here," team-mate and friend Gerard Pique revealed recently, while former Barca boss Tito Vilanova added earlier this month: "I am aware he has received offers, but he wants to stay."

And Barca also want to keep him. With Xavi showing signs of slowing down and unable to complete two games a week without feeling the effects and Thiago Alcantara sold to Bayern Munich recently, Fabregas will likely receive much more playing time in midfield during the coming campaign.

Further forward, the incorporation of Neymar means Cesc will probably play fewer games in that sector from now on, but with Thiago having left, he acts as cover for both Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield - and is set to start many games next term. Let him leave and Barca would need to go out and replace him, then find a player of similar quality able to slot in to their system. And there are few such players available.

Had Thiago stayed, Barca could conceivably have decided to place their faith in the younger man (although they would have wanted to keep Cesc anyway) but in his absence, Fabregas is now even more important to the club's plans for 2013-14 and beyond. The Catalans have been gradually reducing their debts, do not need the money and would weaken their team by dispensing with the 26-year-old. So expect Barca's actions to reflect their words when they say he is not for sale this summer.

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Super Eagles are psychologically superior to Elephants, says Mamadou Gaye

The Ivorian football pundit says that the Nigerian team has an edge over his national team due to the strength of the bench of the visitors. Ivorian football pundit Mamadou Gaye has said that Nigeria are psychologically stronger than Cote D’Ivoire going into Saturday’s final African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles have a 4-1 advantage going into the game that could see them qualify to play in South Africa next year. Gaye, a former analyst on SuperSport, said that the fact that the Super Eagles are being trained by coach Stephen Keshi was responsible for the psychological defeat of the Ivorians when they came to Kaduna two weeks ago.

He blamed the Ivorian FA for not placing first team coach Sabri Lamouchi in charge of the squad instead asking Saraka Norbert to train the home-based team. “They have already killed the psychology of the players by failing to draft Sabri Lamouchi who is the team A coach to handle the home boys and psychologically when the players saw your Big Boss on the bench against them [in Kaduna], a Nations Cup winner, they froze out and that will repeat itself here in Abidjan,” Gaye declared.

The Elephants have played in both previous editions of the CHAN tournament, a competition only open to footballers based in local leagues in their countries. Nigeria are seeking their maiden participation and need to avoid defeat by three goals on Saturday.
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'Ronaldo is one of the best - not the best' - Ibrahimovic

   

The Swede wanted to refrain from saying the Real Madrid attacker is the greatest in the game and believes it is normal for PSG to be linked to him. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has branded Cristiano Ronaldo one of the best players in the world, but stopped short of suggesting he is the game's finest footballer.

Paris Saint-Germain have repeatedly been linked with a move for the Real Madrid forward, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu runs out in just under two years' time.

And ahead of a friendly between the European giants on Saturday, the 31-year-old claimed it makes sense for a top club like les Parisiens to be associated with the former Manchester United man, who he categorises as among the greatest in the game.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world," he told reporters on Friday at a PSG press conference.

"The fact that he is often linked to PSG, this is normal, because the project of the club is to become the best in Europe and therefore attract the best players."

When the translator for the press mistakenly said Ibrahimovic had called Ronaldo "the best in the world", the former AC Milan and Barcelona forward added in English: "No, he's one of the best - not the best."

The clash between the Blancos and PSG kicks off at 20:00CET on Saturday.           

   
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Nnamdi Oduamadi moves on loan to Brescia

The Confederations Cup revelation has had to move from Milan to guarantee first team action. Nnamdi Oduamadi has moved on loan to Serie B side, Brescia as he seeks to cement a place in the Super Eagles for the coming World Cup.

He exclusively told Goal that: "Milan and I have come to an agreement based on the opportunities that will be afforded me in the first team. "And Brescia have been after me for the past two months so I am glad to be joining them. "I know that I have to play regularly to secure a place in the Super Eagles which has informed this decision."

The Super Eagles winger scored a hat-trick at the Confederations Cup against Tahiti and that feat compelled Milan to give him the No.90 jersey.

But the 23-year-old would have been fourth choice behind Stephan El Shaarawy, M'baye Niang and Mario Balotelli. Oduamadi spent last season on loan at Serie B side, Varese, for whom he scored two goals.

           
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Keshi lauds Austin Ejide’s professionalism

The national team coach says that the Hapoel Be'er Sheva goalkeeper will have an opportunity to stake a claim to the number spot against South Africa next month Hapoel Be’er Sheva goalkeeper Austin Ejide has been praised Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi for his professional attitude on and off the field of play. The coach who has been with the national team for almost two years hailed the professional conduct of the Israel-based goalkeeper and has tipped him to man the post in the Nelson Mandela Challenge against South Africa on August 14. Ejide has been deputy to number one Vincent Enyeama in the national team for more than a decade. He has made 25 appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in 2001. The 29-year-old enjoyed his most extensive run in the side during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations where he was in goal in all four matches that the team played. “One good thing about Ejide is that he is just a professional person. I remember his wedding was initially fixed for June this year but he moved the wedding to July because of the Fifa Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifiers. So how patriotic can a player be again,” Keshi said. He also explained the reason for excluding stand in captain Enyeama from the squad that will play against Bafana Bafana next month. “I wanted to have Ejide fill the goal post. He has been working very hard but Vincent Enyeama is my number one choice goalkeeper. But I need Enyeama more in the match against Malawi on the 5th of September. So I told Ejide to go out there and prove yourself and also get ready should anything happen. “That is the reason and there is no other reason why Enyeama was not included,” said Keshi.

Cote d'Ivoire - Nigeria Match Preview: Keshi hopes to lead Eagles over Elephants

                                      

With a 4-1 lead going into the second leg, coach Stephen Keshi and his boys will be doubly confident that they will get the job done in Abidjan on Saturday. Though Keshi has continuously stated that he is preparing the team to withstand whatever kind of barrage will be thrown at them. It is expected that the Eagles will name the same team that won in Kaduna three weeks’ ago excluding injured striker Gambo Mohammed who should be replaced by Etebo Oghene in the starting XI. The Elephants on the other hand are hurting from the perceived ‘injustice’ at the hands of the referee in the first leg as they had a penalty given against them and then had two players sent off. And their coach, Saraka Norbert believes the Nigerian team will play defensively which will afford the home team the opportunity to attack for all of 90 minutes. The trick for the Elephants will be to score in the first ten minutes of the encounter to make the crowd more vociferous though on the evidence of the first leg, they will be open to counter attacks from the Eagles as they go all out to cancel the three goals deficit. The two teams have met 18 times with six victories for Nigeria and seven draws and it is almost a safe bet that Sunday Mba will get on the score sheet for the Eagles.

Mourinho calm over Rooney coup

Despite Manchester United rejecting Chelsea's offer, the Blues boss insists he is in no panic to secure the England international's signature Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted he is calm regarding the club's attempt to lure Wayne Rooney to the club, despite a lack of progress with the proposed transfer. The Blues had an opening offer for the wantaway striker immediately rejected last Tuesday and are expected to return with an improved bid. Mourinho recently suggested an over-long transfer saga could affect the "balance" of a team very close to the start of the season, but hinted the club are in no hurry to force a move. "At this moment we have made what you know; that bid which was public and official and after that nothing else," he told reporters. "But we are calm as we told you that we are calm because we are happy with what we have." Mourinho was speaking after Chelsea's emphatic 8-1 victory over Indonesia All Stars, with Ramires and Romelu Lukaku both grabbing doubles. Fernando Torres failed to register on the scoresheet, but Mourinho believes the Spaniard will improve the added competition for places after Lukaku's return from a loan spell with West Brom. "I think Fernando should be happy because we have competition in the team and I think that is good for everybody in every position," he told reporters. "Fernando I think will be pleased because during his time at Chelsea he was basically the only striker and then after that there was the arrival of Ba in January. Now the team has three strikers and I think that is good." Mourinho also confirmed the injured trio of Frank Lampard, Andre Schurrle and Kevin De Bruyne are all expected to train with the squad next week.

This I Did For You...?

This I did for you to tell to carry your own daily crosses. Without cross NO Heaven. If I should leave Heaven to do this on Earth, that is to tell you how good it is. Speak the truth everywhere & every condition you find yourself with Love. Forgive one another with Love. Humble youself before Me. I am the Teacher of Teachers. I am t he way, the truth, the Life. I am, all & all. This information is for everybody born of a woman, nor exception. Don't be deceived. Anybody who preaches against the Cross is against Me. He or She is Anti me, Anti Christ. I followed this way to save you, we must follow same route back Home. Teachings on Prosperity Without labour is not from Me. I Love you My dear Children. Do my will in all things My Children, if you do you will be Truly happy. The happiness that the world cannot give. This is a sign of Blessing & deliverance to you.

REMEMBER GETHSEMANE HOUR TONIGHT ..........................

New Video: Toni Tones - I know What You Like

The much anticipated video of the hit single 'I know what you like' by celebrity photographer, turned artist, Toni Tones is finally here. Enjoy...

Konga.com is Africa's 1st eCommerce company to be verified by FB

Facebook recently introduced page verification to prove brand authenticity on its platform, and prior to this particular verification, only President Jonathan has been verified in Nigeria.

konga.com, Nigeria’s Largest Online Mall has just become the first African e-commerce and first Nigerian company to get verified by Facebook after they were verified by Twitter 2 months ago. facebook.com/ShopKonga the official Facebook page of konga.com currently has over 400,000 likes and has the highest number of Nigerian fans in e-commerce across Africa.

Ecommerce is all about convenience, choice and security and Konga definitely knows how to guarantee this.

Ashley Cole: I owe Mourinho a good season

Ashley Cole has insisted that he "owes" Jose Mourinho his best form this season at Chelsea as he bids to prolong his career at Stamford Bridge.The Portuguese manager controversially signed Cole in 2006 in exchange for William Gallas and the left-back won a domestic cup double in his only full season under Mourinho.

Cole was injured for long spells during that campaign and has revealed he is determined to show his manager what he is capable of in the upcoming campaign.

"Having the manager back now from 2006, the manager who bought me, is important because I still feel I owe him something," Cole told the Guardian.

"I didn't play as well as I could back then, and as well as I have for Chelsea since, when he bought me.

"I owe him a lot, personally. I wouldn't say he's different now. He's always had one aim, one objective, and that's to win. I think it doesn't matter what you've achieved in the game, or what you've done in football. You've got to train well and give him 100%."

Juventus top Bayern for Champions League earnings

Juventushttp://www.topspotafrica.com/juventus earned more from the Champions League than any other club last season. The Serie A club were beaten by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, but still made €65.3 million from the competition - compared to €55m collected by the German champions.

This was mostly due to the Italian side gaining much of the TV money in their own country, with Uefa explaining that "monies from the market pool were divided according to the proportional value of the national TV market each individual club represented".

Under the European governing body's system for distributing Champions League cash, the amounts given to clubs varies by country and is related to the performance of all teams representing a particular nation.

Bayern - who also won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in 2012-13 - earned less because fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund also made the final at Wembley.

Jurgen Klopp's side took home €54.16m, thanks partly to the reward for winning four of their six group stage games, which brought in €1m per match. Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona were the next biggest earners, gaining €51.3m, €48.4m and €45.5m respectively, even though the latter beat the Serie A side in the last-16 stage.

Manchester United, who lost to Madrid in the last 16, were the best rewarded Premier League side with €35.5m. By comparison, Chelsea made €60m from winning the competition in 2012. In total, €904.6m was handed out to 32 clubs, while in the Europa League the overall fund was €209m. Semi-finalists Fenerbahce were the biggest earners from the competition with €11.18m, while winners Chelsea made €10.7m to add to the €30.5m they made from the Champions League

Napoli agree €37m fee with Real Madrid for Higuain

Napoli have agreed a €37 million fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain. The Serie A club have had a fresh bid for the Argentine accepted by the Spanish club and Napoli are now trying to convince the player to move to the San Paolo. Personal terms are yet to be agreed, with Higuain's insistence on retaining his image rights providing a something of a stumbling block.

Higuain has two years remaining on a Nike deal worth around €1.8m per year but Napoli would prefer to take control of his image rights and pay him a more lucrative salary. The forward earns a relatively modest €75,000-a-week at Madrid and Napoli are believed to have offered him a deal in line with the €116,000-a-week starting salary he had agreed with Arsenal.

The Gunners had agreed personal terms with Higuain but a transfer to the Emirates Stadium stalled because Madrid were holding out for a bigger offer than the €27m submitted by the Londoners. Arsene Wenger subsequently switched his attention to capturing Luis Suarez from Liverpool after learning theUruguayan was interested in a move to the Emirates.

Wenger is still believed to be monitoring Higuain’s situation but plans to bring him to Arsenal are on the backburner as the Frenchman attempts to land Suarez for £40m-plus in a deal that would smash the club transfer record.

Arsenal will not attempt to match Napoli's bid but could come back into the running for Higuain's signature if he rejects a move to the Serie A club. New manager Rafael Benitez targeted Higuain for the vacant senior centre-forward role in the team after selling Edinson Cavani for €63m to Paris Saint-Germain last week. Although Madrid have claimed Higuain is not for sale, it is understood the Spanish club are now ready to offload the forward, who has spent six years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

New video: Wray - If You Wanna

K RnB artiste, Wray returns with a brand new single and video just in time for the summer of 2013, titled “If You Wanna" (produced by TeeBeeO). Shot across various locations in London, the video was directed by the vastly creative Chass Apeti. Enjoy.

Sunday Mba says he is ready for the big move

Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Mba has disclosed that he is ready for the big move to Europe.

Mba who scored the winning goal for the Super Eagles in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations told Goal that he is back to his best after the battle from two Nigeria Premier League clubs almost derailed his plans to join the foreign League.

But with the declaration of Warri Wolves that he can play for Rangers on loan for free, Mba is confident that he will soon realise his ambition of playing abroad.

"I am a happy man now because all the problems associated with my career at home are now over. Now I can say that I am ready to finally make the big move to Europe since there is no contention about my status," Mba told said. "I want to say that Warri Wolves did a good thing by allowing me to play for Rangers on loan for free and I intend to make good use of that opportunity."

Despite not playing at club level, the 25-year-old scored twice in a 4-1 demolition of neighbours Cote D'Ivoire in Kaduna as the national team hopes to secure its first qualification for the African Nations Championship next year. "I have watched the game against Cote D'Ivoire and I am satisfied with my performance. I want to continue to improve my game. "Now I have settled down to concentrate after my agent and Warri Wolves settled everything last week. But be rest assured that I will soon join a big club in Europe.

"I want to use this opportunity to say that only Barrister Chike Onyeacho is my lawyer and agent that is permitted to negoatiate any deal on my behalf. "I need to make this clarification to douse every tension that has arisen from recent comments that another person will represent me if anything comes up.

"I am happy with the way I am now and all I want to do is to continually improve my game," said Mba. clubs from Europe have made enquiries about the player and are set to lay down the cards to sign him before the end of the European transfer window.

Pick your Team of the Season: Moses, Varane and Robben make our Africa editor's XI

The young Raphael Varane and experienced Thiago Silva are partnered in central defence to give the side solidity and finesse at the back, while 20-year-old Mattia De Sciglio earns a spot in the left-back position based on his supreme composure at the highest level for AC Milan and Italy, despite his inexperience at just 20 years old.

The midfield is comprised of two visionary playmakers in the form of Arjen Robben and Andres Iniesta, playing on opposing wings to give the side width and plenty of creativity. In the centre, a versatile Victor Moses is tasked with stabilising the midfield, which he did so well for Nigeria during their victorious Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The prolific Robin van Persie is stationed up front, slightly ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who complete a ferociously attack-minded 4-3-2-1 formation.

Ameobi will be available for Mandela Challenge, says Keshi

The Newcastle forward will make the friendly against South Africa according to the Super Eagles coach Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has quashed insinuations that Shola Ameobi might miss the Nelson Mandela Challenge against South Africa next month due to an arm injury.

Keshi said the Newcastle forward is healthy and will not miss the game that will ensure his return to the side after dropping out before the final announcement of the squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.Ameobi picked up a late injury in a pre-season friendly between the Magpies and Portuguese club Rio Ave on Sunday.

He had come on as a second half substitute to score his side’s lone goal in the 3-1 loss, but then fell on his arm. His exact state of health had been unknown with the club yet to release the results of a planned x-ray.

However, Keshi has given assurance that the player is in good shape.

“I have spoken to Shola and the guy is fit and healthy and will be available for the Mandela Challenge. He told me so himself, so any other news to the contrary I don’t believe.” Keshi said.

Manchester United prepare final €41m bid for Fabregas

Manchester United will make an improved third bid worth €41 million for Cesc Fabregas after Barcelona rejected their latest offer for the midfielder, Goal understands.

The Blaugrana have turned down United’s second bid for Fabregas - worth €35m plus add-ons - and have told the Premier League champions the former Arsenal captain is not for sale. United, however, are preparing a third and final bid to test Barcelona’s reserve as the club’s vice-president, Ed Woodward, looks to provide new manager David Moyes with a stellar midfield signing this summer.

The Premier League champions would offer Fabregas a wage package worth around €233,000-a-week but fear they will be unable to agree a fee with Barcelona to take the player to Old Trafford. Moyes confirmed on Monday that United had lodged an improved bid for Fabregas, as the 26-year-old is ready to consider his future at the Camp Nou, with former club Arsenal holding a €29m buy-back clause and also monitoring the situation.

Barca expect to keep Fabregas, particularly in light of Thiago Alcantara’s departure to Bayern Munich, and United sources are increasingly pessimistic about the club’s chances of landing the Spain international. "This is the final push," a source close to the deal told Goal. "They are only willing to give it one more go, and know that if this fails they have other options."

Moyes publicly admitted United may be forced to accept defeat in their pursuit of Fabregas, while Barcelona are believed to have given the English club short shrift, not least because their second offer was made on the same day that coach Tito Vilanova announced his resignation for health reasons.

United are considering alternatives should they miss out on Fabregas, with Luka Modric, Yohan Cabaye and and Marouane Fellaini all on Moyes’ shortlist to add creativity and attacking threat to his midfield. United made their first bid of €29m for Fabregas last week, which the Catalans immediately rejected, prompting Woodward to leave the pre-season trip to Australia ahead of schedule on Wednesday.

Fabregas returned to his hometown club in 2011 after eight years at Arsenal, but has struggled for a regular starting spot at the Camp Nou. He still made 32 appearances for Barca last season, scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists.

Barcelona set to appoint Martino

Gerardo Martino has agreed a three-year deal to replace Tito Vilanova as Barcelona coach and is set to be announced by the Catalan club on Tuesday.

Martino, nicknamed 'Tata', impressed Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta when the two spoke via video conference on Monday and the Argentine will travel to the Catalan capital in the coming hours to put pen to paper after Vilanova stepped down on Friday to continue his treatment for cancer.

Barca sources claimed late on Monday the deal was still to be ratified by the board, but an agreement has already been reached for Martino to join the Spanish side. The 50-year-old, who will be accompanied at Camp Nou by fitness coach Elvio Paolorroso and assistant Jorge Pautasso, has beaten former Barcelona midfielder Luis Enrique to the post.

Luis Enrique joined fellow Liga side Celta Vigo only last month and his signing proved complicated so late into the summer, with the Galician outfit already well into their preparations for the new season.

Martino will be the fourth Argentine to coach Barcelona (after Helenio Herrera, Roque Olsen and Cesar Luis Menotti) and links up with fellow Rosario native Lionel Messi. Messi has spoken highly of the former Newell's and Paraguay coach and the attacker's brother Matias congratulated Martino on Monday evening. "Welcome Tata!!" he wrote on Twitter. "Let's hope we can continue on the right path!! Thanks Tito!! God bless you!!"

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel 'Pocho' Lavezzi also showed support for his compatriot on the social network site. "How cool that Barcelona have chosen an Argentine to be their coach," he wrote. "Total success, Tata!"

Martino is set to be announced by Barca on Tuesday and is likely to be unveiled by the Catalan club later this week. In the meantime, Jordi Roura will take charge of Wednesday's friendly against Bayern Munich.

Anwarasis trans: 11yr old girl flees family over arranged marriage, speaks out online

Anwarasis trans: 11yr old girl flees family over arranged marriage, speaks out online

Video: Stella Damasus spits fire, condemns underaged marriage

Nigerian movie star and singer Stella Damasus expresses her anger over the issue of underaged marriage being discussed in the Nigerian senate. Stella deserves a standing ovation for this! Watch..

11yr old girl flees family over arranged marriage, speaks out online

The 11 year old Yemen girl, Nada Al-Ahdal (pictured above) who ran away from home after her parents promised her hand in marriage, has spoken out online saying 'she's not an item for sale.'

Nada said she was forced to run away and live with her uncle after she was promised to another man.

"They told me that I am engaged, and that my fiancé had already paid them money and brought the engagement ring. They said that I couldn't leave and even threatened to kill me if I went back to my uncle. I'm not an item for sale, I'm a human being and I would rather die than get married at this age. I've decided that I have two choices: to leave or to die. So I chose the first" Nada said in a video that was released online July 8th

Nada's saving grace is her uncle who has refused to let her family marry her off. Continue...

Hull City to beat Celtic to £1.6m striker Sagbo

Hull City are in pole position to sign Ivory Coast international striker Yannick Sagbo from Evian within the next 48 hours, beating Celtic, who want him as a replacement for Gary Hooper.

New MBGN Queen appointed special assistant on Tourism & Culture

18 year old Anna Ebiere Banner has been appointed Special Assistant on Tourism & Culture to Bayelsa Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. The governor himself got on stage after she won the crown last night and made her his new special adviser.

You know how some queens come from one state but represent other states at the pageant? Well, that didn't happen with Anna. She's originally from Bayelsa state and I hear she's really 18 years old. She was born  February 18, 1995. 18 year old special assistant to Govuno? OK! Congrats to her!

Bournemouth 0-6 Real Madrid: Ronaldo at the double as Ancelotti era starts in style

Real Madrid started their pre-season campaign efficiently with a comfortable 6-0 win over Bournemouth in evening sun on Sunday, in front of a sell-out crowd. Despite facing an outfit who have only recently climbed into the second tier of English football, Carlo Ancelotti was to take no prisoners with his starting line-up, deploying his star players to devastating first-half effect.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Casemiro gave los Blancos a high-scoring win, with Bournemouth doing little to threaten their clean sheet. Fielding an almost entirely different outfit in either half, Madrid were to utilise all of their options to victorious, free-flowing effect.

Bournemouth went close to having a fairytale start, as a tantalising cross from Brett Pitman was permitted to flash across the face of goal by Pepe, with striker Lewis Grabban inches away from poking the unclaimed delivery beyond Diego Lopez. The script was to revert to normality soon after, however, as Ronaldo converted a trademark long-range free-kick on 22 minutes. The Portuguese rattled a dipping effort into the bottom right corner, leaving Cherries keeper Darryl Flahavan helplessly sprawled in his goalmouth.

Karim Benzema was then given two chances in quick succession, but the Frenchman was denied well by Bournemouth Player of the Year Tommy Elphick. Courtesy of a miscue from the impressive Elphick, his missed clearance allowed for Ronaldo to ruthlessly capitalise on the Englishman's error, skipping past Flahavan in the Bournemouth penalty area before sliding the ball home.

It was 3-0, as Sami Khedira was allowed time and space to connect with an Isco corner, despite Cherries' midfielder Shaun MacDonald failing to clear the Germany international's effort off the goal-line, giving Real Madrid a deserved half-time lead.

After 15 minutes of respite for the English club, Higuain smashed home Madrid's fourth a minute after the restart. New signing Asier Illarramendi threaded the Argentine through on goal, and Higuain wasn't to make any mistake from eight yards.

Ancelotti will be encouraged by tidy performances from the younger contingent of his newly-inherited squad, none more-so than Casemiro. The Brazilian youngster strode powerfully into the box on 83 minutes, thrashing the ball home at the near post after wrong-footing Flahavan, to complete the friendly rout.

Real Madrid next face Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday in good spirits, as Madrid look to gather some momentum in their pre-season campaign, following an efficient display at Seward Stadium.

Koeman rules out Barcelona job

Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman has ruled himself out of the running for the Barcelona job as the search for Tito Vilanova's replacement continues. The Blaugrana's announcement the Spaniard would step down on Friday resulted in Koeman's name being mentioned, but the 50-year-old has denied he has thought about a return to his former club.

"No, I don't think about that at all. I care more about the disease Vilanova has," he told reporters after Feyenoord's friendly draw against Dordrecht. "Who is to become the coach? I don't know, as I do not interfere with that."

Another candidate appears in the form of ex-Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique, who has not been registered with the Spanish football federation by present side Celta ahead of the coming season. That circumstance would allow the Camp Nou outfit to negotiate their playing alumnus' return through his €10 million clause with the Celestes, who Enrique only took charge of in June.

The other option for the dugout is Newell's Old Boys trainer Gerardo Martino, who hails from Lionel Messi's native Rosario and possesses a growing reputation in South America, having coached Paraguay for four years.

The Argentine was already close to a switch to Spain after being considered for the Real Sociedad and Malaga roles earlier this summer.

Sign the petition!

I just signed the petition "United Nations: Stop The Nigerian Senate From Making Under-Age Marriage The Law!" on www.change.org.
It's important. Will you sign it too? Sign www.change.org

Forbes' List Of Hollywood's Highest Paid Actors of 2013

Forbes, a few days ago, released their annual 'Highest Paid Hollywood Actors' list and Iron Man actor Robert Downey topped the list. See what the top 10 actors earned between June 2012 & June 2013..

1. Robert Downey Jr - $75million (Iron Man)
2. Channing Tatun - $60million (Magic Mike, White House Down)
3. Hugh Jackman - $55million (Les Miserables, X-Men)
4. Mark Wahlberg - $52 million (Ted)
5.  Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - $42million (Fast & Furious)
6. Leonardo DiCaprio - $39million (Great Gatsby)
7. Adam Sandler - $37million (Hotel Transylvania)
8. Tom Cruise - $35million (Jack Reacher)
9. Denzel Washington - $33 (Flight)
10. Liam Neeson - $32million (Taken 2, The Grey)