Football news

Cristiano Ronaldo made a disappointingly low-key home debut for Real Madrid against Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad in their Peace Cup match at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Around 80,000 had packed the stadium for the Portuguese winger's glitzy presentation this month but the massive arena in the Spanish capital was only about a third full as Real were held to a 1-1 draw.

Ronaldo, who cost Real a world-record €93 million, was replaced by Arjen Robben with around 25 minutes left.

Raul opened the scoring early in the second half when he picked up a pass from Karim Benzema with his back to goal, turned his marker and fired a low shot into the net.

Hecham Aboucharoan equalised for Al Ittihad in the 64th minute.

Dossena wants to join Napoli

Andrea Dossena is keen to join Napoli and the two clubs are engaged in transfer talks, the agent of the Liverpool defender said.

"We want to close the deal, we will reach an agreement," Federico Pastorello told TuttoNapoli.net.

"Napoli's offer is five million euros (£4.3 million) plus bonuses.

"It's a deal the two clubs are sorting out, we're waiting for news.

"Napoli know how much Andrea earns, a significant sum, but less than two million.

"Although he loves being at a great club like Liverpool, he would welcome the opportunity to join Napoli with great enthusiasm."

Beckham confronts another fan

David Beckham has confronted another fan just a week after clashing with spectators during his first home match for the Los Angeles Galaxy after returning from Italy.

The latest incident saw the 34-year-old remonstrate with a man in the crowd, who was wearing an England shirt, during Galaxy's 1-1 draw with the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.

"He shouldn't actually be wearing that shirt because what he was saying about my wife was a disgrace," Beckham said.

The former England captain was on Friday fined £600 by Major League Soccer over his earlier confrontation with fans.

Pienaar rejects Everton deal

South African international Steven Pienaar has rejected Everton's initial offer of a new contract, according to skysports.com.

The midfielder has been a key player for David Moyes' side since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2007.

With two years left on his contract, Everton are keen to extend Pienaar's deal but their opening offer has been turned down by the player and his representatives.

News of Pienaar's decision to turn down a new deal has alerted a number of clubs, including Atletico Madrid, although talks are continuing between the player and Everton.

Totti inks five-year Roma contract

Roma captain Francesco Totti said yesterday that he has signed a new five-year contract with the Serie A club.

The 32-year-old had an injury-plagued campaign last season and is known to have chronic knee problems so the length of the contract extension, which will take him past his 37th birthday, will surprise many.

"I want to thank (president) Rosella (Sensi) for having believed in me once again and for extending my contract with Roma for five years," he said at a ceremony in Rome called to celebrate his 178 Serie A goals for the club.

"This will give me the chance to beat some more records," he added.

Rooney thirsty for goals

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney says he is thirsty for goals in the Premier League season starting on August 15, as the United squad prepare in Germany for the pre-season Audi Cup.

The Reds' striker is relishing being even more in the spotlight after Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid and aims to increase his goal scoring rate above the 20 he bagged last season.

"I have always said I would like to score more goals than the previous season so that is what I am aiming for again this time," he said.

"If I can do that I will be really happy," added the 23-year-old.

Liverpool owners refinance loan

Liverpool's American owners have finalised an agreement to refinance the bank loan they took out to buy the club in 2007.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not expected to release a statement, but the deal is believed to be for another year and will involve them paying back £60m of the original debt.

There have been fears that the banks would call in the loan, while both Hicks and Gillett's search for an investor to take a minority stake in the club for around £100m proved futile.

According to reports in England, a source close to the owners said that the deal has now been concluded, and before last weekend's deadline for refinancing the package expired.