Messi: Barcelona are ideal for Neymar

The Argentina superstar says he has had the privilege of playing with many world-class players and believes the Brazilian will fit right in at the Blaugrana Lionel Messi says Barcelona are the "ideal club" for new striker Neymar. The €57million signing from Santos lit up June's Confederations Cup with an array of stunning performances, including a venomous left-footed drive for Brazil in a 3-0 final win against Spain. Many have questioned whether or not the 21-year-old will be able to play alongside Messi but the Argentine himself insists Barcelona can help nurture Neymar's development. "I have the good fortune to play with many world champions and Neymar is another great player who has joined the club. It's very nice to play with great players and I think this is the ideal club for him," he told El Mundo Deportivo. The Blaugrana romped to Liga success last season but suffered the ignominy of losing 7-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final and Messi says the target this year is to collect more silverware. "The goal is to get all the titles with Barca," he added. Every year we prepare for that and we also want to have a good pre-season." Zico revealed he believes Messi is the greatest player never to have lifted a World Cup and the four-time Ballon d'Or winner appreciated the Brazil legend's comments. "I appreciate those words of Zico," he continued. "I always try to perform to the highest level and get all the titles. Obviously the World Cup is a dream of mine, my team-mates and the entire country. "But it's not only the World Cup that I want to play in, it's all competitions. I always want to play every game with the same desire. "It's too far away to think about the World Cup just now with it being a year away."

Nigeria beat Ivorian Elephants 4-1

Wearing black armbands in honour the late Thompson Oliha, the home-based Super Eagles started the game with some neat exchanges of passes, with Gomo Onduku and Ezekiel Mba inspiring Nigeria's early incursions against a tough Ivorian team led by Roger Assale and Coulibaly. Mohammad Gambo redeemed his image with a well taken goal to give Nigeria a deserved lead in the 12th minute. The Kano Pillars striker received a pass from Sunday Mba before turning his marker to drive home a left footed shot. Both sides continued to create chances but it was Nigeria that would score again to double their advantage through Mba in the 28th minute after a long ball from Oboabona was met by Ezekiel Mba who whipped in a cross for Sunday Mba to blast home from outside the box. Gambo headed home a cross from Kwambe in the 36th minute but the goal was disallowed. But inspite of pressure from Nigeria, the Ivorian’s remained resilient and were duly rewarded when Assale and Coulibaly combined well for the latter to score and pull a goal back for the Elephants going into the break. Upon resumption of the second half, Enyimba's Ifeanyi Edeh came on for Gomo Onduku. The Ivorian’s suffered a depletion when the referee sent off Baresi for a hard tackle on Mba. Their plight was worsened when a penalty was awarded against them when an Ivorian player handled the ball off a corner kick taken by Kwambe in the 48th minute, leading to a protest from the Ivorian’s which culminated in Roger Assale being sent off for a verbal assault on the referee. Mba scored with the penalty kick and Nigeria continued to dominate with the likes of Oboabona, and substitute Emeka Eze missing near chances. Nigeria eventually sealed the win when Mba put Ifeanyi Edeh through to score the fourth goal in the 80th minute.

Tottenham confirm Paulinho signing

Tottenham have announced the signing of Corinthians and Brazil midfielder Paulinho. Topspotafrica revealed that the north London outfit agreed a €20 million deal with Corinthians for the versatile midfielder in June, but confirmation of the deal was put on hold until after the Selecao's involvement in the Confederations Cup. Paulinho shone in the tournament, scoring against Japan and Uruguay in the group stages before helping Luiz Felipe Scolari's men destroy Spain in the final to lift the trophy on home turf. The 24-year-old flew to England and underwent a medical on Friday before completing the deal, which amounts to €17 million with a further €2m in potential add-ons that would break the club's record transfer fee. "I am very happy and excited to have joined Spurs," he told the club's official website. "It's a huge pleasure for my career to be at a club as big as Tottenham." Andre Villas-Boas is now expected to turn his full attention to bolstering his strikeforce as the club look to mount a challenge for a top-four finish next season, with Barcelona forward David Villa nearing a move and Aston Villa star Christian Benteke the subject of an enquiry.

Paris Saint-Germain offer Cavani €8 million per year'

Palermo's president has revealed the terms offered by the Ligue 1 outfit to the Uruguay international and praised the player's current club for holding out for a big transfer fee Maurizio Zamparini has claimed Paris Saint-Germain have offered Napoli striker Edinson Cavani an €8 million per year deal. The Ligue 1 champions are reportedly willing to match the 26-year-old's €63 million minimum fee release clause and have already agreed personal terms with Cavani over a five-year deal. And the Palermo president praised the Partenopei for holding firm during negotiations and commanding a colossal fee for the Uruguay international. "I have texted De Laurentiis to congratulate him on doing even better than I did [while dealing with PSG]. He has outdone the €43 million that we got for Javier Pastore when we sold him to PSG," the Palermo president told Radio Radio. "De Laurentiis had to make this deal. He did well to say that he wanted a transfer fee like this. "Cavani is a unique player. He has since developed into one of the most sought-after players around in Europe, with clubs such as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea all rivalling PSG for the striker's signature. The French giants are leading the race for Cavani's signature, though, with reports from Italy claiming they could complete the deal in the upcoming days.

Rooney is staying at Manchester United, says Moyes

The new boss at Old Trafford has been speaking at a press conference and claims the wantaway England international will be staying at the club David Moyes has insisted striker Wayne Rooney is not for sale and will remain a Manchester United player. "I’m sure it’s a question on your lips and you couldn’t wait to get it out, but the fact of the matter is Wayne’s not for sale," Moyes told reporters. "He's a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player. Wayne won't be sold by Manchester United. "There was a private meeting between two people [Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson]. I was not privy to it. I don't know what those two gentlemen said. I’ve had several meetings with Wayne. He’s training brilliantly well, he’s come back in good shape and I’m really looking forward to working with him. "I see a glint in his eye. He looks happy, he looks like he will knuckle down and get himself right. "He's training brilliantly well and is in good shape. The way he’s working, I’m more than happy to work with him and get success.

Real Madrid & Paris Saint-Germain rival Chelsea in race for De Rossi

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are ready to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Daniele De Rossi. The Roma midfielder met with the club’s sporting director Walter Sabatini earlier this week to discuss his future after returning from international duty at the Confederations Cup with Italy. TRANSFER TALK 9/4 Chelsea are 9/4 with bet365 to win the Premier League next season New coach Rudi Garcia wants to keep De Rossi, but he turns 30 later in July and will be allowed to leave the Giallorossi for around €17.5 million after a troubled 2012-13 season in which he lost his regular starting place in the heart of the midfield.

Obafemi Martins scores brace against D.C. United

Obafemi Martins scored a double as the Seattle Sounders downed D.C. United 2-0 at CenturyLink Field. Martins grabbed a goal in the 19th minute, running onto Brad Evans' through ball down the middle and finishing low into the corner. He capped the game with a second goal in the 91st, muscling his way through the United defense and finishing emphatically. The result puts Seattle in sixth in the West, even on points with Los Angeles. D.C. remains in the unenviable last place in MLS.

Santos accept Napoli bid for Rafael

Napoli are on the verge of signing Brazil international Rafael from Santos as the Brazilian side have accepted an offer in the region of €5,5 million for the goalkeeper. Rafael's agent had already revealed they were close to agreeing personal terms with the Partenopei and it now appears to be a matter of time before the transfer is completed following the latest developments. "We received a draft contract from Napoli the other day and their offer matches all of Santos' demands.  Napoli are keen to add a new goalkeeper to their squad to fight it out with Morgan De Sanctis for the No.1 position and they see the 23-year-old Rafael as the ideal signing. Rafael had previously attracted the interest of Roma, but he now seems destined to continue his career at Rafa Benitez's new side.We should be able to wrap things up shortly," Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues told Fox Sports. Santos own 70 per cent of the shot stopper's registration, with Teisa own 15% and the player himself owning the remaining 15%.

Balotelli: I told Tevez to join Milan

The striker has revealed the Argentine ignored him to swap Manchester City for Juventus and said he would love the Rossoneri to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli says he tried unsuccessfully to convince Carlos Tevez to join the club instead of Juventus this summer. The Argentine, 29, followed in the footsteps of Robinho, Nigel de Jong and Balotelli in swapping Manchester City for Serie A football but, instead of joining the Rossoneri like the aforementioned trio, the forward signed for the Bianconeri in late June. Balotelli says his former Blues team-mate would not listen to his pleas to join Massimiliano Allegri's squad and admitted he would love to see Milan bolster their attacking ranks with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain. "We are strong, but to compete at a European level we need reinforcements," he told Sportmediaset. "I would like us to sign Ibrahimovic. "I'm not afraid of Juve: I respect all clubs but fear none.  "I sent a message to Stephan to ask him how he had gone the meeting with Adriano Galliani," Balotelli added. "He told me that he would stay and I told him that he did well. "I'm happy. As I'm concerned, it's nice to [see him] be declared non-transferable, but in football you never know. "Milan are the team that I have in my heart, it is a good club with many fans. I'm fine here and I'll be staying here, then one day we'll see."
Tevez is a friend - I told him to come to Milan, however, he did not listen and went to Juve. If I happen [to come against him], on the pitch, I'll take the ball around him!" Balotelli also revealed his delight that Stephan El Shaarawy is set to stay at San Siro this summer and says he has no plans to leave the club he joined in January from the Etihad Stadium.