Ronaldo: Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Ronaldo has said he cannot win in the continuing debate about whether he is overweight or not. Having come back from a knee ligament injury just over a week ago and scored three goals in two games, Spanish media have hailed his return saying 'the king is back' and that he is thinner. "I think it is absurd we spend so much time talking about my weight. All the tests and controls are open for everyone to see," Ronaldo said. "What most annoys me is the way things come out in the press. When you score goals you are great, when you don't you are fat."
Germany: The German Football Association (DFB) has received an offer worth 56 million euros ($75 million) a year from Nike to switch allegiance from long-time equipment supplier Adidas. Kicker newspaper said Nike had offered the DFB 400 million euros for an eight-year deal from 2011 plus a 50 million euro signing bonus on top. The German FA's contract with Adidas expires at the end of 2010.
US Coach: Bob Bradley was named interim coach of the US national soccer team yesterday after negotiations to hire Juergen Klinsmann collapsed. Bradley is the head coach of Chivas USA, a Major League Soccer club based in Southern California. He has more wins than any coach in MLS history and is a two-times Coach of the Year. The national team has been without a head coach since July when the US Soccer Federation did not renew the contract of long-time coach Bruce Arena.
Blind: Former Ajax Amsterdam coach Danny Blind, who was sacked by the club in May, apologised yesterday for causing a road accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. Blind said in a statement he had driven into a stationary car on Wednesday night injuring a woman occupant who was now recovering in hospital. Police arrested Blind after the accident and have charged him for drunk driving.
Podolski: Germany striker Lukas Podolski should be fit for Bayern Munich's Bundesliga match against Energie Cottbus today after six weeks off with an ankle injury. Podolski, who was originally expected to return in mid-November, would be part of the team, Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath said.
Chinaglia: Italian police have applied to extradite former Italy and Lazio striker Giorgio Chinaglia from the United States. Chinaglia is wanted for questioning over allegations of market rigging of shares in a failed bid to take over Lazio last year.
Barcelona: Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has recovered from an ankle injury picked up in the 2-0 Champions League win over Werder Bremen and is available for the visit of Real Sociedad today. Meanwhile Barca's Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has been left out of the squad. Although he played against Werder Bremen on Tuesday he has missed the last two league games with an ankle problem.
Cannavaro: Real Madrid's Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro is a doubt for Saturday's game at Sevilla after twisting his right ankle in training on Thursday. Fellow centre back Ivan Helguera is also struggling to recover from a minor injury.
Manchester City: Manchester City have confirmed that they are in the early stages of discussions with a possible investor in the Premier League club. Chairman John Wardle told the club's AGM on Thursday that he was hoping to secure significant new funds for the club which has long lived in the shadow of illustrious neighbours Manchester United.