"Stay strong" Messi send message to Neymar for the support

Lionel Messi has sent a message of support to Neymar, and vowed that Barcelona would complete their Champions League group campaign with a win over Bayer Leverkusen. 

The Brazilian came down with a groin injury during Tuesday's training session which, while not believed to be serious, will keep him out of contention as the Blaugrana look to end on a high note ahead of the last-16. 

Luis Enrique is expected to use a highly-rotated first XI as Barcelona have already clinched top spot in Group E - but Messi promised his team-mate they would give their all to take another three points. 
dropped just two points so far in their Champions League group, having recorded four wins and a draw in their five matches to date.

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Ronaldo for PSG : I'm so happy in Madrid

Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo has repeated that he is happy at Real Madrid, while insisting he is not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or.

The striker rediscovered his best form in front of goal with four strikes in an 8-0 demolition of Malmo on Tuesday, with Karim Benzema also grabbing a hat-trick. 

Ronaldo also broke the record for the most goals in a Champions League group stage, reaching 11 this year. 

"It is just speculation, it happens every year," he told Atresmedia after Tuesday's game, referring to rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. 

"In a way people are used to this always happening around Cristiano. I am good, I feel good in a club that has helped me a lot since I arrived and I am very happy here." 

While Ronaldo was included alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in the Ballon d'Or top three, his chances of winning are slim due to the treble won by his rivals at Barcelona. 

But when asked about the prize, the three-time winner affirmed that losing the title would not keep him awake at night. 

"I am not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or. These things happen naturally, and I am happy with my season," he said. 

"People might be used to better performances but I am happy considering what happened at the start of the season when there were certain problems but they are private. 
"I am getting better, I am feeling better, the team are helping me a lot and I am happy."

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Neymar suffers groin injury

Barcelona have suffered an injury set-back after Brazilian forward Neymar picked up a groin problem in training on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old is now seemingly ruled out of Barca's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, with the former Santos star having been taking part in his side's pre-match training session.

The Liga club released a statement on Tuesday confirming the 23-year-old has a "slight groin strain", although they haven't revealed how long he will be sidelined for. 

The Catalans, who face German side Leverkusen at the BayArena, have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
goals already this season, one more than team-mate Luis Suarez, while he also has two goals and three assists in the Champions League.

The Brazilian's fine form both this season and in the second half of the 2014-15 campaign - a season that saw Barca win the treble - earned him a place on the Ballon d'Or three-man shortlist.
Only Sergio Busquets (14) has started more Liga games than Neymar this season (13), while he is one of only three outfield players to have played every minute of the Champions League campaign.

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Latest Lewandowski rumours for his move to Real Madrid by coach Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez has refused to comment on speculation linking Real Madrid with a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Poland international has been in sensational form for Bayern this season and plundered 14 Bundesliga goals in as many games for the champions.

But, rumours have gathered pace that Madrid are planning to launch a bid for Lewandowski after the player's agent reportedly watched the La Liga club's win over Getafe.

However, Benitez kept his cards close to his chest when questioned on the subject ahead of his side's final Champions League group stage fixture against Malmo.

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Stewart Downing expects more signings to join him at Middlesbrough

Stewart Downing expects more eye-catching signings to follow him to Middlesbrough and help his hometown club push for promotion.

The 31-year-old has returned to the Riverside after stints at Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United and is hoping to be back in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

Downing will be expected to spearhead that challenge of going one better than last season’s play-off final defeat by Norwich City but the £5m capture has been assured other proven players will be coming on board.

“For me it was a good time to come back,” he said. “I had a good offer from Middlesbrough, so the security of the contract was good, but the pull was my hometown club. It was also the plans the chairman has and players he was bringing in. I can’t tell you who they are but they are good players.

“I think there’s a really good chance of promotion and I’d like to be part of it. The facilities are first-class, which should be a pull for any player.”

The Scotland international Jordan Rhodes has been heavily linked with a switch to Teesside, but Blackburn’s valuation of the player – believed to be around £12m – has proved problematic to previous suitors.

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Crystal Palace sign Alex McCarthy from Queens Park Rangers on four-year deal

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of the goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from Queens Park Rangers on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old, who moved to QPR from Reading in August last year and made three appearances in the top flight, joins for an undisclosed fee.

“When I first heard about Palace’s interest I was excited because I really wanted to be back in the Premier League,” the former England Under-21 international told his new club’s website: “Towards the end of last season I started hearing little inklings about a move and then gradually over the summer things progressed.”

McCarthy joined Reading as a 16-year-old and made 70 league appearances – as well as going out on loan several times. He was called up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad in May 2013 for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

McCarthy becomes Alan Pardew’s third summer signing following the arrivals at Selhurst Park of the France midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain for £12.5m and the striker Patrick Bamford on a season’s loan from Chelsea.

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Liverpool complete £32.5m signing of Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke

Brendan Rodgers has finally captured his No1 summer transfer target afterChristian Benteke completed his £32.5m transfer to Liverpool from Aston Villa.

The Belgium international becomes the seventh new arrival at Anfield since the end of last season. Benteke is understood to have signed a five-year contract, with Liverpool paying £16m up front and the remainder of the fee payable over the course of his contract.

Rodgers’ pursuit of the 24-year-old has been a lengthy one as the club were initially not prepared to meet the striker’s buy-out clause but after the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in a £49m deal last week there was a change of heart.

“I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian [Ayre, chief executive] and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here,” the striker told Liverpool’s website. “I think it was the right club for me because I had a good chat with the manager and I wanted to be part of his project.

“I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the Uefa Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it’s a big club.

“I’m very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates.”

Benteke will not meet most of his new team-mates until they return after Friday’s match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.

He already knows a couple of them – goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi - from the national team and believes the summer recruitment has given the Reds a chance of winning silverware.

“I think there are quality players, a lot of good players with big names of course,” he added. “I’m happy to be part of this team and will [try] to help this team reach its goals.

“I want to be the best and I want to reach the best of myself.

“I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team.”

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