Dani Alves acknowledged Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as the toughest opponent he has faced in his illustrious career, but says former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.

Brazil full-back Dani Alves was a team-mate of Barca legend Messi for eight years between 2008 and 2016, winning six LaLiga titles, four Copas del Rey and three Champions League medals.

During that time, Alves was in direct competition with Ronaldo and Barca s fierce rivals Real Madrid.

And when asked by FIFA to name his fiercest opponent, he replied: I think Cristiano Ronaldo.

But for the 34-year-old, now plying his trade at big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Messi is the man that sits alone as the best ever, with Neymar – who …

Erik ten Hag was not entirely satisfied with Manchester United s finishing despite comfortably seeing off Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

United returned to Premier League action following the World Cup and ultimately cruised to a straightforward victory that leaves them just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

First-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial sent United on their way before Fred rounded things off in the final minutes.

But United wasted several decent opportunities before Fred s Casemiro-inspired goal, with Antony and Rashford spurning particularly good chances.

And that proved to be a key area of focus for Ten Hag after the game.

It s what I said in the dressing room, we have to…

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson scored an injury time header to secure a 2-1 win over relegated West Brom and keep his side s Champions League hopes alive.

Alisson rose highest to nod home a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner at the death at the Hawthorns and put the pressure firmly back on Leicester City and Chelsea in the top-four race.

Earlier, Hal Robson-Kanu had put the Baggies in front before Mohamed Salah drew the visitors level with a fine finish from distance.

And, just when it looked like a place in Europe s top competition was slipping away from the Reds, the unlikeliest of goalscorers popped up at a set-piece.

West Brom capitalised on Liverpool s inexperience at the back after just 15 minutes – confusion between Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams allo…

A Cristiano Ronaldo goal was not enough for Al-Nassr as they were trounced 4-1 by rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup on Saturday.

Ronaldo struck first in the 2024-25 curtain-raiser, tapping Abdulrahman Ghareeb s cutback home shortly before the interval at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

However, the five-time Ballon d Or winner was seen angrily gesticulating at his team-mates as Al-Nassr collapsed in the second half, with Al-Hilal – unbeaten Pro League champions last season – running riot.

Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in six minutes to take the game away from Al-Nassr, after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic capped a driving run with a powerful finish into the roof of the net for 1-1.

Al-Hilal added fur…

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte believes it is a pity that Harry Kane is yet to win a trophy in his career.

The England skipper has seen many personal records achieved and could equal another on Saturday against Fulham, where a goal would see him match the 42-goal tally of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in London derbies.

Despite Kane s free-scoring form for club and country, the 29-year-old is yet to lift silverware.

For Spurs, Kane suffered defeat in the 2018-19 Champions League and lost two EFL Cup finals, while at international level he captained the England team that was beaten by Italy on penalties in the final of the European Championships at Wembley last year.

Conte expressed his disappointment for Kane in that regard, though added his side ar…

Pep Guardiola has denied Manchester City could offer Andres Iniesta the chance to stay in European football, describing said reports as fake news .

Iniesta, Barca s midfield metronome during Guardiola s trophy-laden reign at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012, announced on Friday this season will be his last for the club.

The Spain international is yet to confirm his next move, although it is widely expected he will be heading to the Chinese Super League.

And Guardiola, whose Premier League champions travel to West Ham on Sunday, gave short shrift to the idea Iniesta may be reunited with him at the Etihad Stadium.

There is a lot of fake news about the transfers, so I m not going to comment about the fake news, Guardiola told reporters.

Andres had t…

Arsenal are interested in signing Quinten Timber from Feyenoord, according to . The report has claimed that Arsenal have been scouting the 22-year-old Dutch midfielder and has been impressed by him.

Quinten Timber is the twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who moved to the Gunners in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old midfielder has been on the books of Feyenoord since 2022 and has established himself as one of the best young players in his position. Timber has scored one goal and given three assists in seven Eredivisie matches for Feyenoord so far this season. The youngster has also played twice in the UEFA Champions League this campaign.

Arsenal are third in the Premier League table at the moment with 17 points from seven matches, a point behind …

Harry Kane his World Cup disappointment behind him, England manager Gareth Southgate believes.

The Three Lions captain missed a decisive penalty in the quarter-final defeat to France in Qatar, continuing the nation s long wait for international glory.

Kane would have broken Wayne Rooney s international record had he scored the penalty, as well as potentially guiding England into the last four, but he fired his attempt over the bar and the Three Lions lost 2-1.

He is not alone in penalty heartache for England, however, with team-mates Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho all missing spot-kicks in the shoot-out defeat to Italy at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.

Going back further, Southgate himself missed from the spot in England s semi-final defea…

Former UEFA president Michel Platini was released by police after being questioned during investigations into the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Platini, who turns 64 on Friday, was released on Wednesday after being questioned by officers of the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police in Paris.

Accompanied by his lawyer William Bourdon, Platini looked drawn as he left the office.

It was long but considering the number of questions, it could only be long, Platini told reporters.

The custody is lifted, Bourdon said. A lot, a lot of noise for nothing.

Platini was serving on FIFA s executive committee in 2010 when Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.

He was later banned from football for a period of…

Lyon scored twice inside two second-half minutes to salvage a late 2-2 home draw with Shakhtar Donetsk and stay top of Group F in the Champions League.

Memphis Depay s second-half introduction sparked a remarkable fightback that saw Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois net 119 seconds apart at an empty Groupama Stadium on Tuesday.

Lyon, shock
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2-1 winners at Manchester City a fortnight ago, were forced to play this match beyond closed doors as punishment for crowd disturbances during last season s Europa League, and the eerie atmosphere initially played into Shakhtar s hands.

Junior Moraes struck a double either side of half-time to put the visitors within reach of a second Champions League away victory in 10 attempts but, despite their earlier dominance, Demb…