Cristiano Ronaldo’s son Cris junior is a Lionel Messi fan the boy’s father said after they met up with the Argentina captain at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday.
After Ronaldo was named 2014 winner, the two players had a friendly exchange in the lobby of Zurich’s Kongresshaus when Cris pointed at Messi and then stood up to greet him.
Ronaldo told his rival Messi: “He watches a video of all of us and he talks about you,” prompting a coy reaction from his son.
Barca forward Messi chuckled and asked the young Cris how he was doing.
“You are embarrassed now!” Ronaldo then laughed to his son.
Striker mistreated in drug test – JFA
Striker Ahmad Hayel was mistreated during a doping test following the 1-0 loss to Iraq in the Asian Cup on Monday.
Hayel arrived back at the team hotel “suffering from semi-coma, general weakness, and hypothermia” the Jordanian FA said in a statement, adding they had filed a complaint to the Asian Football Confederation.
The 30-year-old “tired” player vomited in the doping room, which was too cold, and failed to complete the test, the JFA said.
Citing evidence from their medical officer who accompanied Hayel, the JFA added the player and was only given water to drink, “without salts or electrolytes” in the four hours he spent waiting to give a sample.
Solo case dismissed
A domestic violence case against Hope Solo, a goalkeeper for the US women’s team, was dismissed by a Seattle-area judge.
Solo, 33, who has played in two Olympic gold medal-winning teams, had pleaded not guilty to striking her sister and nephew during a dispute in June at her home. She had been slated to stand trial next week.
“Today’s decision brings closure to what has been one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times of my life,” Solo said in a statement on Facebook.
She thanked her fellow players, coaches and others, “all of whom, under great pressure to do otherwise, chose to stand by and believe in me.”
Sunderland hopeful over Defoe deal
Sunderland are hopeful of concluding a deal to bring striker Jermain Defoe back to the Premier League as they continue advanced talks with him.
Press Association Sport reported that the two parties are close to thrashing out a deal which would see the 32-year-old end an 11-month stay in the MLS with Toronto FC and return to English football.
However, the transfer could yet depend on US striker Jozy Altidore, whose future at Sunderland has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.
Falcao future up in the air – agent
Radamel Falcao’s agent Jorge Mendes admits the striker’s future with Manchester United beyond the end of his season-long loan deal is uncertain.
Falcao, 28, has only netted three times so far in an injury-affected campaign and was left out of the squad for last Sunday’s 1-0 home loss to Southampton.
Mendes told Sky Italia: “He is a fantastic player, and I think it’s very difficult for Manchester United fans.
“The truth is, right now we don’t know what will happen.
“What we do know is that he will play in one of the very best clubs in the world next season, whether that is United or not.”
Hands off Dybala, says Zamparini
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has warned any potential suitors chasing promising forward Paulo Dybala that the Argentinian will not leave Sicily for less than €40 million.
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have been linked with the 21-year-old in the winter transfer market.
Dybala is Palermo’s leading scorer this season with nine league goals.
“Dybala is a world-class player who is being compared to (Paris St Germain and former Palermo midfielder) Javier Pastore,” Zamparini told Sky Italia.
“Hence, his price tag matches the skill: we are talking €40 million and upwards.”
Strike duo to stay at Reds – agents
Liverpool forwards Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini will not be returning to their native Italy in the January transfer window, according to their agents.
With striker Daniel Sturridge to return from a long injury lay-off later this month, the pair are set to slip even further down the pecking order.
“(Balotelli) has a contract with Liverpool and can’t really be offered to other clubs,” agent Mino Raiola told Mediaset Premium.
“Juventus have denied their interest in him, and I have had absolutely no contact with Inter, so that’s the current situation now.”
Borini’s representative Marco de Marchi has also denied his player will be leaving Anfield.
“Borini will not return to Italy in January,” he told SportItalia.
“He is happy with Liverpool, the club he is playing for.”