Ramos: Listening to critics a waste of time

The Real Madrid defender says he is focusing on his own game and has warned his team-mates that they have no margin for error after Christmas, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos says that listening to critics of his style of play would be a waste of time.

The 27-year-old's disciplinary record has been in the spotlight of late, having picked up the 18th red card of his career in the 2-2 draw with Osasuna. However, he insists that he never paid heed to those who criticise his style of play, insisting that he is focusing on giving his all for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Nigeria will do well at the World Cup, says Mikel

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel believes that his country will do well at the World Cup by riding on the confidence of being reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions. The Chelsea midfielder thinks that the Super Eagles can ride on the wave of being African champions to have a successful campaign at Brazil 2014

The Super Eagles won their third African title in February and will go to Brazil 2014 as the first reigning African champions since 2002 when Cameroon held the title and also played at the World Cup.

Nigeria are drawn in Group F alongside perennial foes Argentina, Asian high flyers Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“I think being African champions has given us a huge lift. I think the mentality of the team has changed in the past couple of years, we believe now that we can go into every game and win,” Mikel told www.goal.com while receiving the 2013 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award, beating compatriots Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and Godfrey Oboabona to it.

The Super Eagles already have a foretaste of what to expect next year after this summer’s campaign in the Confederations Cup saw them win against Tahiti and lose against Uruguay and Spain. “If you look at the games we played in the Confederations we put on a very good performance in all the games. We were unlucky in the game against Uruguay, I think we should have beaten them by four or five. If you look at the game against Spain, we played really well but they just had that little bit of quality to get the goals,” he said.

With Ghana’s quarter final finish at South Africa 2010, the Super Eagles are being touted by their fans to go a place better than their neighbours in Brazil. “I think the Africa Cup of Nations has given us a lot of belief to go into the World Cup - I know we can do well,” Mikel said.

“It’s going to take a bit of time but it’s something we’re working towards. Hopefully we will start to hit our heights soon and be playing consistently well but right now I think we’re in a very good position in the Premier League and the Champions League so if we can pick the standard up even higher I think it will be a very successful year,” he said.

Suarez all the way

The Uruguayan latched onto Henderson's backheel to curl a superb third past David Marshall just before half-time and, though Jordon Mutch pulled one back for the visitors after the break, the damage was done. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brendan Rodgers made no changes to the Liverpool side that beat Tottenham 5-0 on Sunday. Suarez retained the captaincy after scoring eight goals in his previous three games.

Gattuso: Insisted he can not gamble with his life

Former AC Milan star Gennaro Gattuso says he is determined to clear his name after being dragged into a match-fixing scandal. The former Italy star is being investigated for match-fixing but says he is determined to prove his innocence, insisting he has never gambled in his life

Iheanacho up for Man City contract talks

The Golden Eaglets star has been given leave of absence to undergo trial with the English Premier League giants. Iheanacho has been training with the Nigeria squad preparing for next month's African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. Coach Stephen Keshi released the lad after speaking to his father James Iheanacho on the telephone on Monday afternoon.

Drogba: I'm the luckiest man in the Champions League!

The Ivorian was thrilled to get the opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge once again when his Galatasaray side face Chelsea in the last 16 Didier Drogba has branded himself the "luckiest man" in the Champions League after Galatasaray were drawn against Chelsea in the last 16. The Cote d'Ivoire international - who played more than 340 games for Chelsea in a stellar career for the London club - admitted he was relishing the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge for Roberto Mancini's men when the sides lock horns in the new year.

Mikel expects tough Champions League test against Galatasaray

Chelsea’s holding midfielder, Mikel Obi has said he expects Didier Drogba and Galatasaray to prove a hard nut to crack in the Champions League round of 16 after the draw was made in Nyon on Monday.

“They are a great team,” Mikel told his club’s official site.

Emenike: Nigeria will be stronger in Brazil

Nigeria forward Emmanuel Emenike has stated his ambition of achieving success with the senior national team next year. The Fenerbahce striker is confident that the Super Eagles will put up a great showing at the Fifa 2014 Brazil World Cup. The bulky player who was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa stated that the 2014 World Cup will be a great platform to prove himself as one of the best strikers in Africa..

Thiago Silva: Neymar can be our saviour

  Thiago Silva has backed Neymar to lead Brazil to World Cup glory next summer. The 21-year-old forward has become an integral part of the national team since his debut in 2010, scoring 27 goals in just 46 games, while he was also the star of the tournament at last summer's Confederations Cup.

Vincent Enyeama extends contract with Lille till 2017

Super Eagles number one, Vincent Enyeama has extended his deal with Ligue 1 side, Lille until 2017. The goalkeeper has been in tremendous form – keeping an 11th consecutive clean sheet against Marseille last Tuesday. The Super Eagles goalkeeper has been given a contract extension on the back of very impressive displays in Ligue 1

Keshi calls up Iheanacho, Alampasu and Awoniyi for CHAN squad

Three Golden Eaglets players to the just concluded Fifa U-17 World Cup - Dele Alampasu, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi - are among a list of 30 players that have been called to camp to prepare for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that will take place in South Africa. Nigeria is going to the CHAN for the first time in three attempts and will be attempting to hold the Nations Cup and CHAN at the same time no country has achieved that feat yet.

Players, clubs and officials take to Twitter to express their sorrow at the death of the former South African president, who passed away on Thursday

Footballers from across the world have expressed their sorrow at Nelson Mandela's death at the age of 95 on Thursday. Players, clubs and officials take to Twitter to express their sorrow at the death of the former South African president, who passed away on Thursday

The former South African president witnessed his nation host the first-ever World Cup in Africa in 2010 and his passing will undoubtedly cast a shadow over Friday's group stage draw in Brazil. Below is a selection of messages from players, clubs, coaches and officials from across the globe for Mandela.

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Yaya, Mikel, Enyeama & Emenike in final shortlist for Caf player of the year award

The Confederation of African Football has released the shortlists for the 2013 African Player of the Year with four Nigerian player in the like of  Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa making the cut in the ten-man list that has reigning Africa’s best player Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire.

Neymar: I want to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho & Rivaldo

        Neymar is keen to emulate compatriots Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Romario at Barcelona and achieve greatness with the Catalans. The former Santos star hopes to reach the same heights as his illustrious compatriots during their time at Camp Nou.

Ronaldo: I think Messi will win Ballon d'Or

Brazil legend Ronaldo has backed Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for a fifth straight year. The Brazil legend has backed the Barcelona attacker, despite the fact he is currently the bookies' third-favourite to take home the trophy

Wenger hits out at Ballon d'Or obsession

Arsene Wenger has hit out at football's obsession with the Ballon d'Or and says he does not want anyone to win the game's most prestigious individual prize.The Arsenal boss believes the prize goes against the essence of the sport and tempts players into playing for themselves rather than the team

Ancelotti: I can not sign Messi when I've got Ronaldo?

  

     Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he would turn the down chance to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi because he already has Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid boss says that he would look to strengthening other positions in the squad rather than acquiring the Barcelona star

Conte: Juventus driven to make history

The 44-year-old watched his side produce another determined display and is certain that his players' drive can help lead to success this season Antonio Conte believes it is his team’s desire "to make its mark" that is behind Juventus’s surge to the top of Serie A.