There was more bad news for Bayern Munich yesterday as it emerged defender Daniel van Buyten is out for up to eight weeks after injuring his foot during the 3-1 upset defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The Belgium centre-back broke the metatarsal bone in his foot during a collision with ‘Gladbach goal-scorer Marco Reus and after an operation yesterday, he is expected to be out for between six to eight weeks.
Bayern’s stars were highly self-critical after the defeat, but they will finish the weekend top of the table regardless of other results as they have a superior goal difference.
Messi not greatest – Pele
Brazilian legend Pele insisted that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, a Champions League winner with Barcelona and three-time Ballon D’Or king, cannot yet be considered as one of the world’s greatest players.
Pele called on his own record of three World Cup triumphs as well as a career tally of 1,283 goals to reserve judgement on the little Argentine wizard.
“Some people will say that Beethoven didn’t know how to play the piano, that Michelangelo couldn’t paint and that Pele didn’t know how to play football,” Pele told Le Monde newspaper.
“When Messi scores 1,283 goals like me, when he wins three World Cups, then we can talk about it again.”
Dempsey, Wambach win US awards
Fulham striker Clint Dempsey and Abby Wambach, who helped the Americans reach last year’s Women’s World Cup final, were named by the US Soccer Federation on Friday as 2011 Athletes of the Year.
Voting was 50 per cent from on-line US supporters and 50 per cent from media and US Soccer representatives.
It was the second time that Dempsey has taken the award, also getting the nod in 2007. The 28-year-old US midfielder has netted six goals so far this season for Fulham in the English Premier League.
Ex-S. Africa defender stabbed to death
Former South Africa defender Jeffrey Ntuka, who joined Chelsea nine years ago, was stabbed to death at a nightclub in Free State town Kroonstad early yesterday, a police spokesman said.
Ntuka, 26, never played for the English Premier League club and after a loan spell with Belgian club Westerlo he returned home to play for leading local sides Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United.
The full-back, who made five senior appearances for his country, could not command a regular place with either team and later had unsuccessful trials in Belgium.
Blackburn Rovers turn to Black
Struggling English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers appointed former Scotland striker Eric Black as their new assistant manager.
The 48-year-old former Birmingham, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland number two – who has also had brief spells as manager of Motherwell and Coventry – succeeds Paul Clement, who recently joined the coaching staff at Paris St Germain.
Rovers manager Steve Kean said on www.rovers.co.uk: “I am delighted that Eric has agreed to come on board.
“He is someone with extensive coaching experience at the highest level and I feel sure he will play a key role over the coming months.”
Villas-Boas feeder plan ‘offensive’
Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas came under fire Friday for suggesting Premier League sides be allowed to field reserve teams in the second-tier Championship.
The Portuguese’s belief that English football would flourish under such a plan was even condemned as “offensive”.
“The suggestion that Football League clubs should become feeder clubs to a select handful of elite clubs is frankly offensive to the hundreds of thousands of people that watch competitive professional football in our competition every weekend,” said Football League chief Andy Williamson.
“These are senior professional football matches that matter – they are not just platforms for developing other clubs’ players.
“The Championship is the fourth most watched league in European football.”
Paris SG move unlikely for Tevez
The prospect of Carlos Tevez joining Paris St Germain appears to be receding after it was reported talks with the Manchester City striker’s representatives had failed.
Reports emerged from France yesterday claiming the ambitious capital club had been unable to reach an agreement with the Argentinian over a possible move.
Tevez’s advisor Kia Joorabchian had travelled to Paris to meet with senior club officials, including sporting director Leonardo and new coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Press Association understands the talks are unlikely to be resurrected, meaning Tevez’s future remains uncertain.