Football news

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was poised to join Arsenal before Manchester United offered three times as much money, the Ballon d'Or winner said.

"I was within an inch of joining Arsenal," Ronaldo told France Football. "I have a lot of respect for Wenger, he is a very clever man."

Ronaldo, awarded the Ballon d'Or on Tuesday, joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

"I think I have gone down in history. And I am only 23," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo denied he was a diver.

"You know Hercules? He was hefty and muscular but sometimes he fell," Ronaldo said.

Obinna heading to Everton

Victor Obinna is set for a loan transfer to Everton next month from Inter. The Nigerian joined the Italy champions from Chievo last summer, but his first attempt to go to Everton failed to conclude.

Although Obinna has made a respectable contribution to the Inter cause this term, he is still low in the pecking order up front.

Reports claim that his move to Everton is back on as Jose Mourinho wants to trim his squad.

"I read talk about my future in the newspapers and especially that I was going to Everton," Obinna said.

"I'm happy at Inter and I am part of the squad, but I do need to play more if I am to keep my place in Nigeria's squad."

Bundesliga cuts winter break

German football's long winter break will be cut by more than two weeks next season, the DFB said.

Football traditionally grinds to a halt for a month-and-a half during the winter, among the longest breaks in the sport.

The DFB said the changes would benefit the national team as they attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup which kicks off on June 11, 2010.

The 2009-2010 Bundesliga season will start on Aug. 7 and end on May 8, with a break from Dec. 18 to Jan. 15. This season's break begins in mid-December and play resumes on Jan. 30.

Anderton to retire

Former England midfielder Darren Anderton will play the last game of his career today, for Bournemouth against Chester in League Two.

The 36-year-old, who won 30 caps, made his club debut for Portsmouth in 1990, spent 12 years at Tottenham Hotspur and also played for Birmingham City and Wolves. Today's game will be Anderton's 569th of his career.

Anderton has been with the Cherries for the past two years.

He said: "I've been lucky to come to Bournemouth and have really enjoyed it. It's been a great way to finish my career.

"I was finding training hard work and rather than just slogging on and not enjoying it, I have made this decision."

Casillas not leaving Real Madrid

Iker Casillas told reporters he will not leave Real Madrid despite reports linking him with a 150m euro move to Manchester City.

Reports in Spain this week suggested City have already taken steps to sign the 27-year-old Real goalkeeper and were willing to pay the massive buy-out clause in his contract.

Casillas, who has been at Real since he was eight, said: "I don't want to talk about it because I'm very happy in this team. I've been here for several years and this is bigger than anything else, this is where I'm happy."

Kaka OK at Milan

Milan playmaker Kaka has reiterated that he is happy at the Serie A club but said the English Premier League would be a good destination if he ever decided to leave.

"I am happy at Milan. If one day I have to leave because my objectives are not the same as Milan, then I could go to the Premier League," the Brazilian said, adding he had spoken to compatriot Robinho at Manchester City.

"He said Manchester City have a great project for the future."

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi does not expect Kaka to leave.

He said: "I can't see Kaka in any other jersey. He's loved by everyone and he adores the atmosphere he works in. I know what he thinks about Milan; for that reason I'm calm."

Ferguson - no talk on Keane future

Alex Ferguson, who should know the controversial Roy Keane better than most, would not venture an opinion about the ex-Sunderland manager's future.

Keane, who played at Manchester United under Ferguson for 12 years, resigned from the Sunderland job on Thursday, leaving the club he steered to promotion in 2006 languishing in the Premier league relegation zone.

"It's difficult to say whether he will be back or not. He was an incredibly controversial character," Ferguson said.

"He always had something to say about the game. He was very controversial, of course, and as a player he was like that. He was a fantastic player and an interesting character," he told reporters.