Former Brazil and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho, twice the World Player of the Year, has signed a two-year deal with Queretaro, the Mexican first division club said.

The 34-year-old, who has also played for Paris St Germain and Milan, became a free agent in July after cancelling his contract with Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro.

“We are very pleased to add to our ranks as of today, a player who has excelled in international football. A world champion in 2002, World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005,” the club said.

De Jong out for a ‘number of months’

Newcastle United’s Dutch international forward Siem de Jong has suffered a thigh injury and is likely to be out for a “number of months”, leaving the Premier League club short of attacking options.

Newcastle said yesterday that De Jong had suffered the injury in training and will be assessed further this week.

It is a blow for manager Alan Pardew, whose squad was already short of attacking options.

Loic Remy, the club’s top scorer last season, rejoined parent club Queens Park Rangers before signing for Chelsea and they loaned out Hatem Ben Arfa on deadline day to Hull City.

Sturridge gutted after thigh injury

Daniel Sturridge was left “heartbroken” after suffering a thigh injury that ruled him out of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.

Sturridge pulled up during England’s training session at St George’s Park and scans later revealed the striker would be unable to travel to Basle for the game tomorrow.

The striker was clearly devastated by the news, tweeting: “Heartbroken soul right now believe me. Hopefully be back soon fighting fit for LFC. Nothing worse than being injured. My heads gone...”

Rossi undergoes knee surgery

Injury-ravaged Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi on Friday underwent knee surgery for a third time.

The 27-year-old has had two reconstructions in as many years and his club have said he will miss up to five months after having more surgery.

Rossi suffered the injury in training last week.

“Fiorentina announces that Giuseppe Rossi was today submitted for surgery on his right knee in Colorado,” the Serie A club said in a statement.

“Examinations showed a good stability to the cruciate ligament previously operated on.

“Resumption of activity will be dictated by the specialist, which is estimated at around four to five months.”

Liverpool’s Balotelli bust-up mystery

Mario Balotelli again stole the headlines yesterday following allegations he attacked a Wolves player during a Liverpool friendly last week.

Some Twitter users claimed Balotelli either stamped on or headbutted Wolves midfielder George Saville during a friendly at the Melwood training ground.

Others reported Balo was held back by team-mate Kolo Toure and substituted after a strong talking to from referee Chris Foy.

However, Wolves sources insis-ted it was a 50-50 challenge and nothing to be concerned about.

The story hit the Italian papers yesterday and is being treated as the latest in a long line of Balotelli controversies, albeit his first in a Liverpool jersey.

Di Biagio relieved after Italy fightback

Italy U-21 coach Gigi Di Biagio admitted that his team were lucky to come from behind and beat Serbia in a five-goal thriller in Pescara on Friday.

Qualification for the European Championship play-offs is within the Azzurrini’s reach who are top of the group and need to beat Cyprus on Tuesday to progress.

“It was a game of suffering and after a bad start we were in total chaos,” Di Biagio told Rai Sport.

“We managed to get it back on track and created many scoring opportunities. We need to play better.

“The lads gave their all and I had no doubts on that. Even if the result had not gone our way, I would’ve said the same on their efforts.”

Grigg targets international success

MK Dons striker Will Grigg believes he can be Northern Ireland’s big game player after spearheading the giant killing of Manchester United last month.

Grigg, 23, is not one of the better known names in Michael O’Neill’s squad but enjoyed a day in the sun when he bagged a brace as MK Dons beat Man. United 4-0 in the second round of the League Cup.

That helped Grigg win a Northern Ireland recall and if the chance does come in the Euro 2016 opener in Hungary today, his confidence is sky high.

“The United game was probably the highlight of my career. I’m one of those players who doesn’t really get affected by pressure, it seems to be the bigger the game the better,” he said.

“If you get your chance it’s your job to take it and hopefully I can do that again.”