Barcelona forward Neymar was named La Liga’s ‘Player of the Month’ for November, marking the first time anyone from the club has won the award since its introduction in September 2013.
Remarkably, Lionel Messi has never won the award, while Cristiano Ronaldo, of Real Madrid, has scooped it twice.
The award often goes to players with a relatively low profile such as Nolito of Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano’s Alberto Bueno and Sevilla’s Vitolo.
Prominent players who have not been honoured include Real’s Gareth Bale and Barca pair Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.
Stoilov to stay
Stanimir Stoilov said he will continue as coach of Kazakh champions Astana for two more years following his team’s maiden appearance in the group stages of the Champions League.
“We shook hands with the president of Astana, which, for me, is more than signing a contract,” Bulgarian Stoilov, who led Astana to their second successive Kazakhstan’s league title last month, said.
Two weeks ago, Stoilov said he had received several offers from foreign clubs as well as Astana’s local rivals Kairat Almaty, who finished second in the league.
Debuchy seeks talks over Arsenal future
Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy wants to discuss his future with manager Arsene Wenger before the January transfer window as he looks to earn his place in the France squad for Euro 2016.
Debuchy has played just seven times for his club this season and was not included in the France squad which played Germany and England last month.
“I haven’t talked to Wenger recently, but we’ll talk before the transfer window,” Debuchy said.
“I really need to play. (France manager) Didier Deschamps didn’t call me for the last two games, so it’s obvious, I’ve got to play more than I do.”
Rojo surgery
Manchester United’s problems deepened yesterday when Marcos Rojo confirmed he has had to undergo surgery on his shoulder.
Last week, the Argentina defender dislocated his left shoulder after a bad fall in training. It was the same injury he suffered last season.
Van Gaal hoped Rojo would not require surgery, but the defender confirmed he had gone under the knife.
Alongside a picture of him in a hospital bed, he wrote on Instagram: “My operation was a success. Thank you to my beautiful wife, always with me. Thank you everyone for your messages of love and support.”
Van Gaal is likely to reveal for how long he will be without Rojo at his pre-match press conference tomorrow.
Pique ‘obsessed’ with Real – Arbeloa
The popularity of Gerard Pique with Real Madrid fans worsens by the week, with defender Alvaro Arbeloa saying he is “obsessed” with them.
The Barcelona defender was booed by Spanish fans in the recent friendly with England due to previous support of Catalan independence and his mocking of Rafael Benitez’s side.
Tensions went up a notch last week when Pique took to Twitter to post laughing emojis in res-ponse to the news that Real had fielded an ineligible player in their Copa del Rey tie with Cadiz.
Real’s Arbeloa said: “One day I will see my friend Gerard in the Comedy Club, he is obsessed with us,” he told reporters.
“But not even in the best decade in Barcelona’s history have they managed to match the glory of Real Madrid.”
FIFA medical chief backs Carneiro
The head of FIFA’s medical committee Michel D’Hooghe has stated his support for Chelsea’s former club doctor Eva Carneiro, who has brought a legal case against the club for constructive dismissal.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, named a respondent in the case, is also the subject of an individual legal action.
“Of course I support Eva Carneiro,” D’Hooghe said.
“She did her job, she did her duty – when somebody is medically in trouble she has to intervene. Of course she has my support and the whole medical committee’s.”
Sturridge sidelined
Injury-plagued Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has suffered another setback after being ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring problem.
The 26-year-old has only just returned from a knee injury which delayed his availability for manager Juergen Klopp, who took over at Anfield in October.
Sturridge has made just three appearances for the German and the last of those, as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday, caused another injury.
Reports said Sturridge had a scan on Tuesday after complaining of an issue with his hamstring at St James’ Park.
The result of that scan has revealed a strain and as a result the striker will be sidelined for weeks rather than months.