Football news

Pele has been attacked and robbed at gunpoint, the O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper has reported.

The three-time World Cup winner, acclaimed by many as the world's best ever player, had gold jewellery, a mobile phone and an expensive wrist watch stolen by the 10-strong gang when his chauffeur-driven car was stopped in a traffic jam in Guaruja.

The incident, which also saw other drivers and passengers robbed, happened near a tunnel which connects the Conego Domenico Rangoni road with A Ensenada Beach, close to Pernambuco Beach where Pele has a holiday house. The 67-year-old was unhurt.

Ronaldinho eyes English switch

Barcelona forward Ronaldinho is keen to play in the Premier League but refused to comment on the prospect of a move to Chelsea.

The Brazil playmaker has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge - while Manchester City have also expressed an interest - and speculation has intensified with the Blues' recent appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as coach.

"Every player would love to play in such a competitive championship like the English league," Ronaldinho said.

"I'm happy because almost all the teams want me to play for them."

Donadoni defends penalty takers

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said he had little choice but to let Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale take and miss penalties in the Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat by Spain on Sunday.

Midfielder De Rossi had a slight niggle while Di Natale was booed by the Spanish fans as he took the kick after infuriating them during the match with some gamesmanship.

Donadoni, who missed a penalty in Italy's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina in 1990, said the duo put their hands up and others did not.

"We made the decision simply because you have to feel you are ready to take a penalty," Donadoni told a news conference.

"I don't decide the penalty takers, I don't oblige them to take them. We decide together when we know how they are feeling."

Chelsea could be Ballack's last club

Chelsea could be Michael Ballack's last club as a professional footballer, the Germany captain has said.

The 31-year-old has one year left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge and he revealed he would be happy to negotiate an extension to take him into the twilight of his career.

"I can imagine it (ending career with Chelsea). I will be 32 in September and still want to play two or three more years at this level," he told Germany's Welt newspaper.

"What comes next remains to be seen."

Spanish move appeals to Arshavin

Russia midfielder Andrei Arshavin has received offers from clubs in England and Germany but his preference is to play in Spain.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City and Newcastle have all been touted as admirers of Arshavin, who plays for UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg, while Barcelona are rumoured to see him as an ideal replacement for Deco.

Arshavin admits it may be time to leave Russian football. "Perhaps the time has come, yes," Arshavin told AS when asked whether he would move to another European league.

"I know that I have offers from England and Germany, but what I really want is to play in the Primera Liga. It's the championship that I have always followed, I like how football is played there. But for now, I have no offers from Spain."

Del Piero mulls Azzurri future

Alessandro Del Piero never got to take his penalty and concedes he may not make it to the 2010 World Cup.

"It is the same disappointment and pain, no matter how many tournaments you go through," said the veteran after Italy's shoot-out quarter-final exit to Spain.

"It is a lottery on shoot-outs and unfortunately that is the problem with them. We won two years ago on penalties and this time we went out."

Italy now shift their attention to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, but Del Piero is not sure if he will be a part of the side.

"There is a long road before the World Cup. I have the same desire to play for the national team, but we'll have to see what happens over the next two seasons," he said.

Nasri joins Arsenal on four-year deal

Samir Nasri has signed a four-year contract with Premier League Arsenal for a fee of €16.8 million, the France midfielder's website said yesterday.

"We inform you that Samir will no longer be an Olympique Marseille player next season and that he has signed a four-year contract with London club Arsenal," said a statement published on www.samirnasri.fr.

Nasri, 20, has won 12 international caps and made two appearances for the French team at Euro 2008.