Lionel Messi

The finest players in Europe from Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City could face England in the group stages of EURO 2012; the IBTimes UK assesses Xavi, David Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Karim Benzema.

Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will adapt his style of play to include defensive qualities as well as the ability to attack, according to Arsene Wenger, as the former Southampton star shows his worth in the Premier League.

Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen admits he is revelling in the recent development and subsequent rise to prominence of Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley.

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United should build a statue of Ryan Giggs outside Old Trafford in honour of the Welshman's remarkable career.

Arsenal will have to contend with Barcelona in their pursuit of Mario Gotze, multiple reports are claiming, with the youngster set for a transfer battle when the window opens up in January.

Barcelona striker David Villa has once again been linked with a move to Liverpool after finding first-team opportunities limited at the Nou Camp.

Football pundit Andy Townsend believes Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie would improve any side in world football on current form.

The Argentine player’s new role as the face of the sports video games giant marks the biggest transfer deal of the season.

Mikel Arteta has hailed "on fire" Arsenal captain Robin van Persie as one of the world's best strikers after his brace fired the Gunners into the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

Arsenal centre back Johan Djourou believes that Robin van Persie is as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as the striker continues to star for the Gunners.

Wayne Rooney's spectacular overhead strike against Manchester City has been included on the shortlist for FIFA's Goal of the Year award.

Luis Suarez has insisted that he shouldn't be compared to Lionel Messi, as the striker continues a brilliant run of form that has seen him score seven goals this season.

Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas believes his footballing education at Arsenal has helped him settle in at the Nou Camp.

Fresh from securing qualification for the Champions League knock-out phase, Barcelona face a tough La Liga trip to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised Andres Iniesta as "unique" after the Spain midfielder's sensational opening goal helped the defending European champions ease past Viktoria Plzen Wednesday.

La Liga Round-Up: Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain Star as Real Madrid and Barcelona Run Riot, Match Highlights & Goals. Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona eased to a straightforward 3-0 win over Racing Santander at the Nou Camp Saturday. Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain netted his third hat-trick in four matches as Real hammered Betis 4-1 at the Bernabeu.

Venezuela recorded a shock 1-0 win over Argentina which left Uruguay top after the second round of South American qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

The pick of today's Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga football transfer rumours, news and gossip for 12 October, 2011. All the latest transfer rumours surrounding Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be covered here.

La Liga: Barcelona 5-0 Atletico Madrid [Match Highlights & Goals]. Barcelona moved up to second in La Liga after a Lionel Messi hat-trick helped the defending champions to a 5-0 win against Atletico Madrid Saturday.

Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Valencia Wednesday could signal a changing of the guard in Europe's upper echelons. Pundits had been queuing up to fawn over Barcelona's scintillating early season form, ever since they crushed Villarreal 5-0 in the season opener.

La Liga: Valencia 2-2 Barcelona [Match Highlights & Goals]. Cesc Fabregas rescued a point for Barcelona as they twice rallied from deficits to draw 2-2 with Valencia.

All the goals and extended highlights from Barcelona's 8-0 win over Osasuna at the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi scored a hattrick as Barcelona responded from two straight draws to demolish Osasuna 8-0 on Saturday.

UEFA Champions League: A stoppage time equaliser by Thiago Silva ensured Barcelona and AC Milan shared the spoils in adramatic encounter at the Nou Camp Tuesday. Barcelona's defence of their European crown got off to the worst possible start when the hosts conceded one of the quickest goals ever scored in the Champions League.

Argentina 3-1 Nigeria: Lionel Messi Inspires Friendly Victory [Match Highlights and Goals]. Barcelona's Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3-1 friendly win over Nigeria in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The pick of today's Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga football transfer rumours, news and gossip for 6 September, 2011. All the latest transfer rumours surrounding Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be covered here.

All the latest transfer rumours from Manchester united for the 18 August 2011. Manchester United are said to still be in the hunt for Wesley Sneijder after reports linking the player with the club resurfaced Thursday. Sir Alex Ferguson has been dealt a blow as Mario Goetze has been told he will not be joining Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson is planning the sale of Mame Biram Diouf.

Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to make his Barcelona debut, but it was the familiar face of Lionel Messi who inspired the European champions to a 3-2 (5-4 aggregate) win over Real Madrid in a bad-tempered Spanish Super Cup second leg on Wednesday night.

Barcelona hold the advantage ahead of Spanish Super Cup second leg after a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

2011/12 La Liga Season Preview: Can Anybody Topple Barcelona?

Real Madrid's search for an answer to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi appears to have come full circle, after the La Liga side finalised the signing of a seven-year old Argentine named Leo.