The new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is not above the passion his countrymen share for football and is an avid fan of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina’s top clubs.
Bergoglio, who took the name Pope Francis when he was elected to the post on Wednesday, received his San Lorenzo membership card after saying mass at a sports complex near the team’s stadium.
“He says he lives in a permanent state of suffering for San Lorenzo,” said Oscar Lucchini, an architect and fellow fan who handed Bergoglio’s membership card to him four years ago.
No ‘Dream Football League’ – Qatar FA
Qatar’s football authorities have issued a denial that the country is to organise a new tournament for the world’s leading clubs.
A report said that a tournament for 24 clubs named the ‘Dream Football League’ and backed by the Qatari royal family would be established from 2015.
A statement from the Qatar FA said: “With regard to the story published in The Times news-paper concerning a ‘Dream Football League’, the Qatar FA and other Qatari football entities can categorically confirm that we have no involvement in any such initiative.”
Bale ‘passionate about Wales’
Wales manager Chris Coleman has dismissed Chris Waddle’s suggestion that Gareth Bale should focus his efforts on his club career as “nonsense”.
The Tottenham winger is in red-hot form, scoring 11 goals in his last 10 games for club and country.
Coleman said: “Gareth is passionate about playing for Wales. When he’s here he gives his best, he’s either scoring goals or making goals.
“You have people who will come out and say things, and it’s surprising someone who has played international football as Chris did for England has come out and said things like that.
“I am sure he was passionate about playing for England, so why is Wales any different?”
Gerrard eats up magic moments
January signing Philippe Cou-tinho’s “moments of magical brilliance” have given Liverpool just the lift they needed, according to captain Steven Gerrard.
The 20-year-old Brazil inter-national has played just 202 minutes since his £8.5 million arrival from Inter but his impact has already been significant.
“He’s got moments of bril-liance,” Gerrard said of Coutinho.
“I think you’ll see the best of him next season when he gets a full pre-season under his belt and gets used to the speed of the game.
“What he has shown for 55 or 60 minutes is that he’s a top player and he belongs in a Liverpool shirt.”
Fresh Nani targets new United deal
Nani is determined to prove his worth to Manchester United in the coming months as he seeks a new and improved contract – and insists his best is yet to come.
The Portugal winger’s current deal at United is due to run out at the end of next season and, with talks in stalemate, he has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Nani said: “I want to show the manager that he can trust me and he can believe in me in every match.
“I want to show him my contribution can help win games.
“So I’ll keep working hard to make sure I’m ready to respond every time I get a chance.”
Mihajlovic dreams of coaching Inter
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s dream is to become coach of Inter but he’s too much of a fan to hope that Andrea Stramaccioni fails.
There is uncertainty over Stramaccioni’s future after a series of poor results and Mihajlovic is one of numerous coaches who have been linked with the job.
“I have never betrayed a dream and I’m not a hypocrite,” the former Inter defender, who was assistant to Roberto Mancini at San Siro, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“So if you ask me if I hope to one day coach Inter then I’ll say yes. But I love Inter too much to hope that things go badly for me to become a candidate for the job.”
Vilanova to stay – Zubizarreta
Tito Vilanova will remain in charge of Barcelona next season, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has said.
Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola last summer, has missed the majority of Barca’s matches this year as he undergoes treatment to combat throat cancer after having surgery in December, with his assistant Jordi Roura taking charge of the team.
Asked if Vilanova will be Barca coach next season, Zubizarreta told Catalan radio station RAC1: “Yes, absolutely.”
Regarding Vilanova’s expected return to the club, Zubizarreta said: “Tito will arrive at the end of March, I don’t know if it will be March 25th, we have to be prudent with the date.”