Keita: Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita was named Mali’s top sportsman for 2011. Keita, who will be part of Mali’s squad for next month’s African Cup of Nations, helped Barcelona to the Champions League title, La Liga crown and the Club World Cup this year.

Villa: Barcelona striker David Villa, who underwent surgery on a fractured left tibia yesterday week, was released from hospital on Saturday. Villa is expected to be out for four to five months, leaving his chances of playing for Barcelona again this season, or of featuring for Spain at Euro 2012, in serious doubt.

Severino: Daniel Severino’s penalty two minutes from time saw Gold Coast United move off the bottom of the A-League with a 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar. Severino, who had a short spell with Sliema Wanderers a few seasons ago, only came on with eight minutes to go but his successful spot-kick guided the hosts to their third win of the season as they leapfrogged Adelaide United who now prop up the table.

Prieto: Long-serving captain Xabi Prieto has agreed a four-year contract extension with Real Sociedad. The 28-year-old, who came up through the youth ranks at Sociedad and has made over 250 first-team appearances for his home-town club, is now committed to the Basque outfit until 2017.

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