"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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Real Madrid agree Casilla deal with Espanyol

The Blancos have secured their replacement for Iker Casillas, potentially spelling the end of their interest in Manchester United's David de Gea

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla on a five-year contract, both clubs have confirmed.

The Spain international - a Blancos youth product - left the Santiago Bernabeu side in 2008, but the departure of Iker Casillas to Porto triggered a pursuit from his former club to bring him back this summer as a replacement.

Following Espanyol's announcement that a deal had been reached with Madrid, the Blancos revealed the length of Casilla's contract based on the assumption no fitness problems are found in his upcoming medical.

"Real Madrid and Espanyol have agreed to the transfer of Kiko Casilla, subject to a necessary medical examination," Madrid stated. "The player will be tied to the club for the next five seasons.

At a press conference on Friday, Casilla paid tribute to Casillas' 25 years on Madrid's books but believes he can now seize the opportunity to become Rafa Benitez's No.1.

"The opportunity to sign for Real Madrid comes only once and I was determined to take it," he told reporters. "Iker's time at Madrid is at an end and I wish him the best, but now it's my turn. I think he's the best Madrid goalkeeper ever, though.

"Espanyol gave me the opportunity to become a professional player and I am grateful to the club for letting me leave. They'll remain a close club to me and I hope to come back someday in the future."

The undisclosed offer from Madrid could spell the end of their efforts to sign Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea, with Costa Rica star Keylor Navas providing competition to Casilla in 2015-16.

Casilla's contract would have allowed him to join Rafa Benitez's squad for €10 million, but it is widely believed that the Barcelona-based club have parted ways with the 28-year-old for a fee nearer €6m after rejecting a €4m offer earlier in July.

Casilla had featured 126 times for Espanyol in his seven years at the Estadi Cornella El Prat.

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Atletico Madrid sign Jackson Martinez

The Spanish side have confirmed that the Colombia international will join on a four year deal from Porto after they paid his €35 million release clause

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Jackson Martinez from Porto.

The Portuguese side had already confirmed that the player would depart to join Diego Simeone's team, but it has now been confirmed that he will sign a four-year contract in the Spanish capital.

After selling Mario Mandzukic to Juventus, Atletico have paid the €35 million release clause to bring the 28-year-old to the Spanish capital.

The Colombia international enjoyed three bright seasons at the Portuguese side, scoring 32 goals in 42 games in all competitions last season.

"We are very pleased with the agreement, because Jackson Martinez is an extraordinary striker, able to rapidly solve any attacking play inside the box," sporting director Jose Luis Caminero said.

"Thanks to his size, he heads very well and interchangeably uses either foot to shoot. I am sure that he will greatly increase the potential of our team and will bring plenty to the group.

"We are delighted with his signing because he is a football player used to compete at a top level in Porto and has shone brightly in important competitions such as the Champions League."

Martinez is the latest addition to Simeone's team, following Luciano Vietto and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco in joining the Vicente Calderon outfit.

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Sevilla take Ciro Immobile on loan from Borussia Dortmund

The Europa League champions, Sevilla, have sealed a deal to take the Italy striker Ciro Immobile on loan from Borussia Dortmund for the 2015-16 season, pending a medical, the La Liga club said.

Immobile, 25, will take his medical on Monday before joining his new team-mates at their training camp in south-east Spain, Sevilla said on their website.

Sevilla were in the market for a goalscorer after they sold the Colombia forward Carlos Bacca to Milan and will be hoping Immobile can rediscover the form that made him the top scorer in Serie A when playing for Torino in 2013-14.

He had a disappointing campaign with Dortmund last season, managing only 10 goals in 32 appearances.

Immobile had loan spells at Siena, Grosseto, Pescara and Genoa before joining Torino and then moving to Dortmund for £13m a year ago.

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Casillas signs two-year deal with Porto

The goalkeeper's departure from Real Madrid was confirmed on Saturday and he has now completed his move to Portugal

Porto have confirmed the signing of Iker Casillas on a two-year deal, with the option of an additional season.

The goalkeeper's departure from Real Madrid was announced on Saturday after weeks of rumours that he would leave the club.

Porto revealed in a statement on Sunday that the Spain international has put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to Julen Lopetegui's side until at least 2017.

"Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 34, signed for Porto for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, with an option of further season," the Portuguese club said in a statement.

"The Spain international and former Real Madrid man becomes the player of the club with the richest history in the Portuguese league and also becomes the first former world champion teams to represent the Dragoes."

Casillas then gave his reaction to the move on Twitter: "Happy to start this new stage of my career #SomosPorto."

Casillas gave an emotional press conference earlier on Sunday in which he said goodbye to the club with whom he has been playing for since 1990.

Fabiano was Porto's No.1 last season but was signed by Fenerbahce earlier this month, meaning Casillas will be first choice for last season's Champions League quarter-finalists.

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Marcelo extends Real Madrid contract

The Brazil international, who joined from Fluminense in 2007, has committed his future to los Blancos for the next five seasons

Real Madrid have announced that defender Marcelo has signed a new contract binding him to the Santiago Bernabeu until 2020.

The Brazil international still had three years to run on his previous deal with los Blancos but has now decided to extend his stay in the Spanish capital for an additional two seasons.

Marcelo joined Madrid from Fluminense in January 2007 and has long since established himself as the club's first-choice left-back.

The 27-year-old has won three Liga titles during his time at the Bernabeu, while he also played a key role in the 2014 Champions League triumph, scoring a goal in the final against Atletico Madrid.

Marcelo, who missed Brazil's Copa America campaign with a back injury, becomes the second Madrid defender to commit his future to the club this week, with fellow full-back Dani Carvajal also having signed on until 2020 on Wednesday.

Former Madrid defender David Mateos has told that Marcelo represents an ideal candidate to become a team captain should Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos depart this summer.

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Atletico sign Ferreira Carrasco from Monaco

The Belgian winger has been signed as a replacement for Arda Turan, who left the Vicente Calderon for Barcelona in a €41 million deal earlier this month

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the permanent transfer of Monaco winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco on a five-year deal.

The Belgium international, 21, is believed to have cost the 2013-14 Liga champions around €20 million, with coach Diego Simeone seeing him as a like-for-like replacement for Barcelona-bound Arda Turan.

Having beaten the likes of Tottenham to Carrasco's signature, the Vicente Calderon club's sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero lauded the talent of the former Genk youth player who spent five seasons at Stade Louis II.

"We are very satisfied with the agreement we reached with Monaco, because Yannick is a player with huge prospects and an incredible future," he told the club's website.

"He is a player with great speed, who's excellent at driving the ball and has a great shot. He will contribute perfectly to our aim of increasing the quality of our team and the competitiveness in the group. I am convinced that he will contribute a lot to the team."

Carrasco joins Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez as Atletico arrivals in the Spanish pre-season as the club look to try to reclaim the Liga title they spectacularly won a little over 12 months ago.

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N'Zonzi seals Sevilla move

The French midfielder joined Stoke in 2012 from Blackburn Rovers but has now left the club for the Spanish Europa League winners, for a confirmed fee of £7 million

Steven N'Zonzi has sealed a move from Stoke City to Europa League winners Sevilla. 

The La Liga club have parted with a fee of £7 million to secure the signing of the French midfielder, who made 42 appearances in all competitions last season. 

N'Zonzi joined Stoke in 2012 from Blackburn and has expressed a desire to leave the club in each of the past two summers, though he was repeatedly convinced to stay. 

Sevilla have now lured N'Zonzi away, however, and he has signed a four-year contract at the La Liga giants, which is believed to have a release clause of €30m (£21.5m). 

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Konoplyanka joins Sevilla from Dnipro

The winger has agreed a four-year deal with the Europa League holders after the Ukraine club authorised his move to Spain

Sevilla have confirmed they have completed the free transfer of Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro, whom they defeated in May's Europa League final.

The 25-year-old passed a medical with the European victors last week but was forced to wait for the Ukraine club to ratify his transfer before sealing his move to Spain as his contract did not run out until the end of July.

Dnipro have now authorised Konplyanka's departure, allowing the winger to secure a four-year contract in Andalusia on Thursday which contains a buyout clause of €40 million.

Konoplyanka, who starred in Dnirpo's surprise Europa League run, was formely a target of Premier League giants Liverpool, but a move failed to materialise in January of last year.

The Ukraine international is due to join his new team-mates for the beginning of their pre-season preparations in the coming days.

Konoplyanka joins Steven N'Zonzi in signing for Sevilla, with Unai Emery's side confirming the midfielder's arrival from Stoke City earlier on Thursday.

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Barcelona a huge step in my career

The midfielder has arrived in Catalunya ahead of his official contract signing on Friday and says he is raring to get started

Arda Turan says signing for Barcelona is a huge step forward in his career as he prepares for his official unveiling on Friday.

The Catalans have agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid to take the attacking midfielder to Camp Nou for a fee which could rise to €41 million, although the next club president could potentially opt to veto the deal.

The 28-year-old has now arrived in Barcelona ahead of his contract signing at the club offices on Friday and he claims to be raring to go.

"It's very important for my career and for my country to sign for Barcelona," the Turkey international told the club's official TV channel.

"It's a great day. I'm very excited and I'm ready to get going."

Under terms of Barca's transfer ban, Arda cannot make his official debut for the club until January 2016 at the earliest.

Fenerbahce have already confirmed they have made an offer to the Turkey international to play for the Super Lig giants on a loan deal until Barca's ban on fielding new players is lifted.

Arda is due to sign his contract with the European champions at 09:30CET before a press conference 30 minutes later.

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Danilo completes 'dream' move to Madrid

The Brazilian thanked everyone who made his switch to the Santiago Bernabeu possible at his official unveiling, which didn't go quite according to plan

New Real Madrid signing Danilo was unveiled to the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday, but remarkably failed to complete a basic kick-up on the pitch.

The Brazil international's move to the club was revealed halfway through last season, after three impressive years at Porto, and was paraded in front of his new supporters following confirmation of his transfer.

The full-back was subsequently given a ball and told to show off his skills, only to roundly fail to prove why Real identified him as a key acquisition.
After his embarrassing moment, Danilo then gave a press conference, completely without irony.

"I would like to thank God for making me good at football," Danilo said.

On a more serious note, the 23-year-old expressed his pride at moving to the club.

"Thanks to everyone who did everything to make this day happen," he added. "Thanks to the fans for their messages and their love.

"This is a childhood dream. It's certainly one of the best days of my life.

"I'm going to leave everything on the pitch because I only play to win. Thank you, everyone!"

Madrid paid €31.5 million for Danilo, who has penned a six-year contract with the Liga side.

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Rami leaves Milan for Sevilla

The France international has said farewell to San Siro after spending just 18 months in Italy

Sevilla have completed the signing of Adil Rami from AC Milan for an undisclosed fee after the defender passed his medical on Tuesday morning.

The 29-year-old had long been linked with a return to La Liga and has now sealed his transfer to the Europa League holders.

Rami joined Milan from Valencia in January 2014 and still had two years remaining on his contract, but was deemed surplus to requirements by new head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The centre-back started his professional career with Frejus and also wore the jersey of Lille before joining Valencia in January 2011.

It's the second time this transfer window Milan and Sevilla have done business following the Rossoneri's signing of Carlos Bacca.

Rami will be presented to the press at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday 13:30CET.

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Arda Turan completes £24m move to Barcelona but cannot play until January

Barcelona have signed the Turkey captain, Arda Turan, on a five-year contract from Atlético Madrid for an initial fee of £24.1m (€34m).

The 28-year-old midfielder was reportedly the target of the Premier League champions, Chelsea, but instead swaps Atletico for the treble-winners Barça.

A Barcelona statement confirmed the agreement between the clubs, although the former Galatasaray player will not be able to play an official game for Barcelona until January 2016 due to a transfer ban imposed by Fifa for breaching rules over the signings of underage players.

The deal to sign Turan was also complicated by the fact that the club are in the midst of a presidential election campaign and are being administered by a special commission, which had to approve the transfer.

The commission included an unusual clause which means whoever wins the 18 July election has the option within two days of selling Turan back to Atlético less 10% of the fixed fee.

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Real Madrid sign Lucas Vazquez

The 24-year-old winger returns to the Santiago Bernabeu side, having signed a five-year deal after impressing at Espanyol last season

Real Madrid have announced on their official website that they have completed the re-signing of Lucas Vazquez from Espanyol.

The winger came through the Madrid youth system, but failed to break into the first team under Carlo Ancelotti, before moving on to Espanyol last season.

Espanyol were hoping to activate their option to purchase the 24-year-old's contract outright from Madrid, although Madrid held an option to buy him back either this summer or next year.

Espanyol president Joan Collet stated earlier this week that the two sides had agreed a fee, believed to be around €1 million, that would see the Spaniard return to the capital, but the Catalan side are reportedly holding on to 25 per cent of his rights.

Madrid have now confirmed that the player has returned to the club and signed a five-year deal, becoming new head coach Rafael Benitez's first piece of business.

"Real Madrid have recovered the rights of Lucas Vazquez within the existing agreement with Espanyol," a statement reads.

"The player is tied to the club for the next five seasons."

During his solitary season at Espanyol, Vazquez scored three and set up a further six goals in 33 La Liga appearances.

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Ruiz seals permanent Villarreal move

The 26-year-old has completed a transfer from Valencia after a successful loan spell at El Madrigal last term

Villarreal have completed the signing of  Victor Ruiz from Valencia on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season.

The 26-year-old former Spain Under-21 centre-back has signed a four-year contract to link up with Marcelino's side once again.

Ruiz made 25 appearances for Villarreal last season and did enough to earn a long contract with Valencia's La Liga rivals.

The defender joined Valencia from Napoli in August 2011 after a frustrating spell in Italy, in which he made only six Serie A appearances.

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Sevilla complete Rami capture

The French centre-back has agreed a four-year contract with the Europa League holders and will join from AC Milan next week

Sevilla have announced they have reached an agreement with AC Milan to sign defender Adil Rami.

The France international centre-back joined the Rossoneri from Valencia last year but struggled to nail down a starting spot at San Siro, making a total of 22 appearances last season.

Europa League holders Sevilla have now confirmed that the 29-year-old will join on a four-year contract, with formalities set to be completed when he returns from holiday next week.

"Rami will be reunited with one of the coaches who knows how to squeeze out his best performances," Sevilla said on their official website, as Rami prepares to link up with head coach Unai Emery, his former boss at Valencia.

Rami, who began his career with Lille, made 44 appearances for Milan in all competitions, scoring four goals.

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Atletico & Porto have agreed Jackson Martinez deal

The player's representative says the striker will sign a four-year contract after the Liga club met his €35 million release clause

Jackson Martinez will sign a four-year deal at Atletico Madrid after the club agreed a €35 million deal with Porto on Tuesday, according to the player's agent.

The striker, who is currently on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America, had appeared set to join AC Milan before Atletico registered their interest.

"It was finalised today," Luiz Henrique Pompeo told AS. "We want to thank Milan for their interest right up the end, we feel very honoured by it, but you can't be in two places at once.

"Atleti are a very big club that has done important things in the league and in Europe. Jackson is going there to also achieve great things and to bring the best out of himself.

"That's his dream and he's very excited. He's really happy."

Martinez will become the second striker Atletico have signed this summer, following the arrival of Luciano Vietto from Villarreal.

The 28-year-old joined Porto from Chiapas in 2012 and scored 21 league goals last season.

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