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Marquez extends Barca contract until 2012

Mexican international defender Rafa Marquez on Monday extended his contract with Barcelona until 2012, becoming the eighth player to renew with the European champions so far this season.

“I?m very happy to renew with a club where I?ve felt very wanted, where I?ve enjoyed myself and where I?ve suffered. I have to enjoy these moments, they pass very quickly,” he said after signing his new contract.

“Now I need to recover full match fitness to try and win back a place in the starting eleven, though competition is tough. I think I still have a good chance of being in the starting line-up.”

Marquez, whose contract was due to expire in June 2010, joined Barcelona in 2003 from French side Monaco.

Various injuries have restricted his appearances this season and he faces stiff competition to regain his place from the likes of Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique who put in strong performances during the club’s 1-0 league win on Sunday over arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona gave no financial details except to say that Marquez’s buy-out clause remains unchanged at 100 million euros (149 million dollars).

He joins Eric Abidal, Yaya Toure, Victor Valdes, Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi, Puyol and Andres Iniesta in renewing their contracts with Barcelona.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Andres Iniesta, Barcelona, barcelona madrid, carles puyol, eighth player, eric abidal, european champions, financial details, french side, gerard pique, good chance, lionel messi, MADRID, Monaco, new contract, rafa marquez, real madrid barcelona, starting line, stiff competition, victor valdes

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Toni makes comeback for Bayern reserves

Italian international striker Luca Toni made his comeback in a match for Bayern Munich’s reserves on Friday, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with Achilles tendon problems.

The 2006 World Cup winner played the first 45 minutes in a 5-0 defeat for Bayern’s second-string against Regensburg in the German third division.

“It went really well from a personal perspective,” said Toni, whose last match with Bayern’s first team was on May 23.

“I would have liked to have played for longer to help the team more, but I’m now ready to play for the first team.”

Toni finished as Germany’s top scorer in the 2007-08 season but he faces stiff competition in Bayern’s striking department from Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, Ivica Olic and emerging star Thomas Mueller.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has also taken a firm stance with players who are recovering from injury.

Klose was kept out of the club’s last two matches due to a lack of fitness and French winger Franck Ribery is yet to start a league game.

MUNICH, Germany (AFP)

Tags: achilles tendon, Bayern, bayern munich, Germany, ivica olic, last match, league game, louis van gaal, luca toni, mario gomez, miroslav klose, Munich, munich germany, personal perspective, second string, sidelines, stiff competition, tendon problems, thomas mueller, Toni, top scorer, winger, world cup winner

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Bruno reveals Blues interest

Portuguese side FC Porto’s defender Bruno Alves has admitted that he is tempted by a move to the Premier League, claiming he is “aware” of interest from Chelsea.

The Portugal international, who was a late bloomer in football terms, is expected to leave the Estadio do Dragao this summer, after some sterling performances for Portuguese champions in the last three seasons.

The 27-year-old was tipped for Real Madrid switch at the end of the season, but as of now, it appears Chelsea could look to sign him as a replacement for Ricardo Carvalho.

But, Alves also revealed, the London club could face stiff competition from Catalunya through Barcelona.

“I’m open to a move to England. I’m aware of Chelsea’s interest and also Barcelona,” he told the Daily Mail.

“But I’m under contract to Porto and any decision comes down to the club.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, Barcelona, bruno, Bruno Alves, Catalunya, CHELSEA, England, English Premier League, football terms, LigaBwin, london, london club, MADRID, PORTO, portugal, portuguese, premier league, rajput, ricardo carvalho, sterling performances, stiff competition, three seasons

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Blatter boosts England´s World Cup bid

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes England will be a strong contender to host the 2018 World Cup.

England are bidding to stage the tournament for only the second time – and the first since their 1966 triumph – but they face stiff competition, with Australia, the United States, Russia and Japan among the countries who have also declared their interest in hosting the event.

Blatter, the head of football’s global governing body, gave a boost to the English campaign at a news conference here on Wednesday when he admitted he was impressed with their bid.

"I must be neutral. I can say England is a very good contender for the World Cup in 2018," Blatter said.

"I can not say more. We have eleven contenders for 2018 and 2022. I feel England has a very strong bid."

There are also two joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands and Portugal and Spain.

South Korea and Japan shared the tournament in 2002 and, although there has been speculation that FIFA may decide not to repeat that option, Blatter added: "When we had the 2002 World Cup, for political reasons, we had to share.

"It was not one World Cup in two countries, it was two World Cups. Twice the budget and the same income.

"But if one wants to be a single contender, he may be."

Blatter, who will hold a meeting with European Commission representatives in Brussels later this month, also insisted that the current global financial meltdown has had no major effect on football.

"Football is not too much touched by this economical tsunami," he said. "But you’ve got to guard against the second wave," the Swiss added.

Blatter also outlined his belief that young players should not be allowed to play for another country until they have been resident for five years.

He highlighted the case of several Brazilian players who were snapped up by European clubs when they were teenagers before going on to represent their adopted home.

Chelsea star Deco is the most high-profile case. The midfielder was born in Brazil but opted to play for Portugal after joing FC Porto.

"Six weeks ago, we were in Brasilia and we spoke about the 2014 World Cup. The president of the Brazilian (football) federation said ‘please do something to stop the exodus of Brazilian players to Europe’.

"In the year 2018, you could have half the players who would come from one country. And this would be Brazil.

"There should be no international transfers before the age of 18. And you should be five years in the country to become eligible to play for the country, even if you have received nationality in that time."

Meanwhile, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke admits he is surprised the English Premier League have stopped Manchester United wearing their ‘world champions’ badge.

Blatter presented United with the badge on Wednesday in honour of their triumph at the Club World Cup in December, but the Premier League have rejected their request to wear it in league matches.

They argue that as United qualified for the Club World Cup through the Champions League, that is the tournament in which the badge should be worn.

Yet last year, AC Milan were allowed to wear the badge both in European competition and Serie A.

"We are happy for Manchester United to wear the badge in every game until the next Club World Cup but the Premier League says no," Valcke said. "AC Milan wore it all the time last year.

"It would seem to make sense for that situation to apply again but unfortunately it will just be in Champions League games."

Written by: AFP

Tags: 2018 world cup, Australia, Belgium, brasilia, brazil, brazilian players, brussels, CHELSEA, commission representatives, contender, contenders, deco, England, english campaign, English Premier League, Europe, european commission, FIFA, fifa president sepp blatter, financial meltdown, governing body, high profile, Japan, jerome valcke, Manchester, manchester england, Milan, news conference, PORTO, portugal, profile case, russia, second wave, Sepp Blatter, south korea, Spain, stiff competition, the Netherlands, United States, world cup england, world cups

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Beckham set for Milan debut in friendly – Ancelotti

ROME (AFP) – English football icon David Beckham is set to make his much anticipated debut for AC Milan in a friendly against German side Hamburg on Tuesday, club coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday.Speaking on Monday from Dubai, where the squad is at a training camp, Ancelotti said: "there has been a lot of curiosity surrounding David Beckham."And I can calmly say that he is available and that he can therefore play."Ancelotti added: "The past few days he (Beckham) has been working hard and I’ve noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team."Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States but has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan as he bids to extend his England career.LA Galaxy resume competition in March.AC Milan’s first official match of 2009 is Sunday’s Serie A league encounter against AS Roma.However Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham, who plays as a creative midfielder, faces stiff competition from the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Kaka.Beckham admitted he is thrilled to be playing with Milan and added, in an interview with Sky Sports, he is waiting patiently for the nod from Ancelotti."When I will play? I am always ready but it’s up to the coach to decide. Physically I know I have to work hard to reach 100 percent, I want to play well instead of just play," he said.He added: "I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world."I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. I don’t like to think about the past, I have made all my choices with care, including the one to go to America."I lived a great period there but now I am here, it’s extraordinary and now I just want to concentrate on this."The training (sessions) these days have been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team mates are exceptional."

Written by: AFP

Tags: ac milan, America, andrea pirlo, Bundesliga, carlo ancelotti, clarence seedorf, club coach, Club Friendlies, David Beckham, debut, Dubai, England, english football, football icon, german side, Hamburg, italian football, la galaxy, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, Milan, real madrid, Roma, ROME, ronaldinho, Serie A, short term loan, side hamburg, Sky Sports, stiff competition, tuesday club, United States, World

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Beckham set for Milan debut in friendly – Ancelotti

ROME (AFP) – English football icon David Beckham is set to make his much anticipated debut for AC Milan in a friendly against German side Hamburg on Tuesday, club coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday.

Speaking on Monday from Dubai, where the squad is at a training camp, Ancelotti said: "there has been a lot of curiosity surrounding David Beckham.

"And I can calmly say that he is available and that he can therefore play."

Ancelotti added: "The past few days he (Beckham) has been working hard and Ive noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team."

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States but has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan as he bids to extend his England career.

LA Galaxy resume competition in March.

AC Milans first official match of 2009 is Sundays Serie A league encounter against AS Roma.

However Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham, who plays as a creative midfielder, faces stiff competition from the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Beckham admitted he is thrilled to be playing with Milan and added, in an interview with Sky Sports, he is waiting patiently for the nod from Ancelotti.

"When I will play? I am always ready but its up to the coach to decide. Physically I know I have to work hard to reach 100 percent, I want to play well instead of just play," he said.

He added: "I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world.

"I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. I dont like to think about the past, I have made all my choices with care, including the one to go to America.

"I lived a great period there but now I am here, its extraordinary and now I just want to concentrate on this.

"The training (sessions) these days have been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team mates are exceptional."

Written by: AFP

Tags: ac milan, America, andrea pirlo, carlo ancelotti, clarence seedorf, club coach, David Beckham, Dubai, England, english football, football icon, german side, Hamburg, interview, italian football, la galaxy, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, Milan, percent, real madrid, Roma, ROME, Serie A, short term loan, side hamburg, Sky Sports, stiff competition, team mates, tuesday club, United States

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Real Madrid keen on Valencia

MADRID (AFP) – Spanish giants Real Madrid are keen to sign Ecuadorean international wing Luis Antonio Valencia, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Wigan Athletic star has become Real’s preferred target after they dropped their interest in Aston Villa’s Ashley Young and having pulled out of a deal for Liverpool’s Jermaine Pennant because of his wage demands.

Valencia – scorer of three goals in 20 matches this term – would cost Real 17.5million euros and they could face stiff competition for the former Villarreal player from several of Wigan’s Premier League rivals.

Real – who are fifth in the title race some 12 points adrift of Barcelona – are in desperate need of reinforcements to their squad after several key players such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra suffered season ending injuries.

They have already signed French international midfielder Lassana Diarra from FA Cup holders Portsmouth for 20million euros.

Written by: AFP

Tags: AFP, ashley, aston villa, athletic star, Barcelona, Cup, deal, desperate need, Ecuadorean, English Premier League, french international, giants, LA Liga, league rivals, Liverpool, luis antonio, Luis Antonio Valencia, MADRID, malian, midfielder mahamadou diarra, newspaper, player, Portsmouth, premier league, real madrid, Ruud, ruud van nistelrooy, scorer, stiff competition, term, Valencia, van, Villa, Villarreal

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