Football news

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has been sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a freak knee injury in the opening minutes of Sunday's 5-1 Serie A rout of Siena.

In a statement Milan confirmed Abbiati would undergo an operation on his right knee in the coming weeks, thus ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Milan, who are third in Serie A but 12 points behind leaders Inter and five behind Juventus, said the "complexity" of Abbiati's injury meant he would need three weeks of rehab before going under the knife.

Brazilian keeper Dida, who has been Milan's number two since the start of the season, will step up in place of Abbiati, who injured his knee in a clash with team-mate Giuseppe Favalli.

Roberto Carlos mulling Real return

Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos says he is ready to move back to Real Madrid from Fenerbahce if the Spanish club's former president Florentino Perez returns.

"If Florentino comes and says 'Roberto, come back', I will have to think about it. I have never said I won't come back," he said.

The 35-year-old played for Real from 1996 until 2007, when he joined Turkish giants Fenerbahce on a two-year deal.

Real "is the team of my life and I would be lying if I said that I don't want to go back, but we must wait and see the people who come back with Florentino and what their plans are," he said.

Real is to elect a new president this summer.

Lucas targets Brazil recall

Lucas Leiva has hinted that he could be forced to leave Liverpool if he is to regain his place in the Brazil national squad.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who has three full caps to his name, has featured regularly in the Liverpool first squad and admits that he needs to play more if he wants to cement his place in Carlos Dunga's Brazil.

"I think I have played a lot, but the competition for places here is very high," he said.

"It is the World Cup next year and I will have to push to get this chance and you have to be playing to get called up.

"Once the season is over, I will have to consider my options."

Inter's Maxwell could join Milan

Brazilian wing-back Maxwell could be on his way to Inter's city rivals Milan according to his agent.

The Inter left-back, who has only one year left on his contract, is not a regular player in Jose Mourinho's team after losing his place to emerging talent Davide Santon.

"I think that Maxwell's adventure at Inter is over," agent Mino Raiola told Sky Sport Italia.

"He is the best left-back in Europe and there are always offers. I wouldn't discount Milan as a possible destination. He still has another year on his contract, but if both clubs agreed then why not?"

Pizarro dismisses two-year ban talk

Claudio Pizarro insists he has done nothing wrong after it was reported that he could face a two-year ban for acting as an agent.

Reports in Peru said that Pizarro, currently on a season-long loan at Werder Bremen, is being investigated for his involvement in the deal which saw Bremen sign his compatriot Roberto Silva in 2001.

It is against FIFA rules for an active player to act as an agent, and Pizarro could be banned for 24 months.

"It is a load of rubbish," said the 30-year-old. "The whole thing does not bother me.

"Peru is a great, beautiful country, but unfortunately there are people there who don't like it when somebody is successful so they get jealous."

Birthday wishes for Trapattoni

Jose Mourinho has sent his best wishes to former Inter coach Giovanni Trapattoni who turned 70 yesterday.

Trapattoni, who also had coaching stints at Milan, Juventus, Inter, Fiorentina and Bayern Munich, enjoys great respect in the football community and Mourinho is one of his admirers.

"I want to offer sincere best wishes to one of the greats in our sport," Mourinho said on Inter's website.

"Trapattoni should be acknowledged for the contribution he has made to the role of coach and for the extraordinary victories in his career, especially at Inter.

"He also has an evergreen hunger to win and to work on the pitch that has been an example to us all."

Quagliarella to stay at Udinese

Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella has pledged his future to Udinese.

The 25-year-old has been attracting interest from a host of Serie A clubs, including Juventus and Napoli. However, he has no plans to move.

"I have always said that I feel really well in Udine. I am proud to wear the Udinese colours and I hope I can score many more goals with this team.

"Nevertheless, it makes me happy to know that big clubs are following my career because that means that I am doing a good job and that gives me further confidence."

Quagliarella, who joined Udinese in 2005, is under contract until June 2012.