Football news

Chelsea's Frank Lampard will risk more abuse from West Ham fans after agreeing to play for his former club in a testimonial match for the club's academy director Tony Carr.

He has agreed in principle to play along with Chelsea skipper John Terry despite both players being abused by Hammers fans when Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 at Upton Park on Saturday.

Carr nurtured them both as teenagers. Lampard left West Ham in 2001 while Terry trained at Upton Park as a teenager but never signed for the club.

Terry accused West Ham fans of going too far with their abuse after Hammers fans taunted Terry with chants about his family, while Lampard was abused for having left eight years ago.

Agent hints at Juve Alonso bid

Football agent Ernesto Bronzetti said Juventus are likely to rekindle interest in Xabi Alonso, the Spain international who was strongly linked with a move away from Anfield last summer.

Juve were mentioned as favourites to land Alonso last year but there was no agreement on the fee.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez recently said he plans to keep Alonso but news that the club will need to sell players to help fund targets has seen speculation resurface.

Bronzetti said: "I would try to bring in Alonso. There was a long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it is a road we know.

"Pairing him with Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield at Juve."

Nani going nowhere - Ferguson

Alex Ferguson has insisted Nani has a future at Manchester United and attributed the Portuguese winger's lack of first-team opportunities this season to the form of Park Ji-Sung.

Nani has started only six Premier League games this season and not finished any of them. That has fuelled reports the 22-year-old will be offloaded.

Ferguson said: "He has been unlucky this season. The form of Park Ji-Sung has been absolutely outstanding and most of the time has kept Nani out of the team.

"Getting a consistent run has really been the problem for him but he will be here next season."

Elano ready to stay at Man. City

Brazilian midfielder Elano wants to prolong his contract at Manchester City.

Elano, 28, is back to his true form and despite rumours that he does not see eye-to-eye with manager Mark Hughes, he is still ready to extend his stay in the Premiership.

"This is the end of my second season with City and if it were up to me I would sit around a table discussing a contract extension right now," Elano said.

"I would love to renew my contract at City and remain here for a long time.

"I love England and I enjoy living in Manchester. I am very happy here."

Messi will bounce back - Hiddink

Lionel Messi will bounce back from his subdued performance in Barcelona's Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday to be a threat in the return next week, Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink said.

Messi is the top scorer in the competition with eight goals, but Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa, in for the suspended Ashley Cole at left-back, managed to thwart the Argentina international in the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp.

"Messi was rather well neutralised tactically," Hiddink said.

"Bosingwa did a good job... it can happen one night that you stop Messi, but I don't think it will happen twice."

Palermo interest in Ronaldo

Serie A club Palermo have expressed interest in signing Brazilian striker Ronaldo, the former World Player of the Year currently on the books of Corinthians.

Ronaldo, 32, appears to have rediscovered his best form after a long-term injury. He was released by Milan after straining knee ligaments in a league match against Livorno last year.

When asked if he would consider taking up Palermo's offer and return to Italy, Ronaldo replied: "It would be wonderful, wouldn't it?"

Ronaldo has scored eight goals in nine appearances for Corinthians since his comeback.

"I am happy at Corinthians," Ronaldo said.

"With every goal I lose a kilo... I want to score 30 goals. At that rate I will end up wasting away!"

Adriano has Flamengo in mind

Former Inter striker Adriano, in Brazil after deciding to take a break from football, said he would play for Flamengo if he were to return to the game in future.

"If I have to play football again it will be at Flamengo. I really feel a strong motivation for playing there," Adriano told Globesporte.

His comments have caused the cash-strapped club to act quickly and club officials are believed to have already got together to organise a meeting with the 27-year-old.

But a future deal may be a long way off with Flamengo, where Adriano began his career, needing to find a sponsor to pay the player's hefty wages.