Eto´o on award shortlist

Besiktas have terminated the contract of Ricardo Quaresma after a meeting with the player on Wednesday.

The termination was reportedly amicable, making the 29-year-old available for a free transfer.

It is understood the Turkish club have paid the winger for the remaining four months of his deal, which was due to expire early next year.

Quaresma had struggled to adjust to life at Besiktas and was reportedly willing to sue the club in October, telling the media he felt the club did not want him.

He was brought to the side by former coach Bernd Schuster from Inter Milan in 2010.

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Massimiliano Allegri was angry with the way Juventus squandered a lead and defended his decision to keep Dusan Vlahovic on the bench in a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.

Arkadiusz Milik marked his first Juve start by scoring his second goal in as many games at Stadio Artemio Franchi, but that proved to be a false dawn.

Christian Kouame equalised with a goal on the break after Weston McKennie passed when he should have tried his luck at the other end.

Mattia Perin saved Luka Jovic s penalty late in the first half after Leandro Paredes was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area on his Bianconeri debut.

Allegri withdrew Angel Di Maria at half-time as a precaution and opted to send on Moise Kean rather than in-form ex-Fiorentina striker Vlahovic as Juve m…

A Fabricio Coloccini header gained Newcastle United a 1-1 draw in their final pre-season friendly versus Braga at St James Park on Saturday.

An Alan penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the Portuguese side the lead at the break but the Newcastle captain headed home from a corner on the hour mark for Alan Pardew s men.

Prior to the game, captains of both teams paid their respect to former Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, in honour of National Sir Bobby Robson Day, while latest signing Loic Remy was unveiled to fans.

The first chance of the game arrived after 19 minutes when Papiss Cisse attempted to curl an effort past Eduardo, but the goalkeeper was equal to it.

Shola Ameobi and Jonas Gutierrez threatened for the hosts with good link-up play that ultimately c…

Bastian Schweinsteiger insists he has no personal problems with Jose Mourinho and reiterated his desire to force his way into Manchester United s first-team plans.

The German midfielder joined from Bayern Munich in July 2015, but has fallen out of favour under new manager Mourinho and has been training with the reserves.

Mourinho s treatment of Schweinsteiger has drawn criticism in some quarters, particularly Bayern s executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

However, the 32-year-old is adamant that there is no rift with the Portuguese and he remains determined to play a part at Old Trafford this season.

Speaking ahead of Germany s friendly with Finland, which marks Schweinsteiger s international farewell, he said: My absolute dream would be to play for M…

France star Antoine Griezmann has shown he is the boss since Euro 2016, according to team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

Didier Deschamps men, runners-up at their home European Championship two years ago, enter the World Cup in Russia as one of the favourites.

That is in part thanks to Griezmann, the Atletico Madrid forward having top-scored at Euro 2016 with six goals.

Mbappe, another one of France s attacking talents, said Griezmann had already shown he could lead his nation at a major tournament.

I think that he is the boss since the Euro already, he said Wednesday.

When you end the European Championship the best goal-scorer in your own country, you show the world that you have the shoulders to handle the pressure.

On the agenda in training tod…

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde hinted the LaLiga champions could make some sales before the transfer window closes.

It has been a busy off-season for Barca, who have signed Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann, Junior Firpo, Neto and Emerson.

De Jong s arrival from Ajax has increased Barca s midfield numbers, leading to speculation over the futures of Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho.

Speaking after Barca s 2-1 win over Arsenal in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Sunday, Valverde – whose team have also been linked to former star Neymar – said: There are quite a few players in midfield.

 GOOOOOAAALLL!
 And it s a cracking finish from in the final minute! FCB 2-1 ARS 

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)

We ll see if some…

AS Roma are interested in signing Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to . The Italian club are on the hunt for a centre-forward at the end of the season as a potential replacement for Tammy Abraham, and former Juventus, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Morata is on their radar.

Morata has made 18 starts and 11 substitute appearances in La Liga for Atletico so far this season, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists in the process. The 30-year-old Spaniard has made four starts and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League for Atleti so far this campaign.

AS Roma are third in the Serie A table at the moment with 56 points from 30 matches, five points above fifth-placed and former Italian champions Inter Milan. Meanwh…

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted the club will not sell former Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic during the January transfer window.

Bojan, 24, joined the Potters on a four-year deal last summer, but has recently been linked with a move to Liverpool.

However, according to Hughes, the former Spain Under-21 international is not for sale this month.

He s done exceptionally well. We knew it would take a little bit of time for him to get to grips with the Premier League and he s done that, said Hughes.

He s playing well. He s a talented football player and I think he s proving that in the Premier League.

At this stage of his career that he s had disappointments such as being sent out on loan by Barcelona, the disappointments he ha…

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke believes his side can overcome an in-form Arsenal in Round 3 of the Capital One Cup at the Hawthorns on Wednesday night.

Albion, fresh off a convincing 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, have opened their 2013/14 account with two wins, two draws and two losses. Deuces are wild.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been absolutely brilliant since their opening day defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger, who signed Germany international ace Mesut Özil for a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £42.5 million on transfer deadline day, has led the Gunners to seven consecutive wins in all competitions, including notable away wins in the UEFA Champions League against Fenerbahçe and Olympique de Mar…

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes hailed his side after their 3-0 win over Barcelona but acknowledged injuries hampered the La Liga giants.

Bayern, who have already won this season s Bundesliga, moved into the Champions League final after completing a 7-0 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

Their meeting with Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley on May 25 will mark a third appearance in the decider from the last four campaigns, after they lost to Inter Milan in 2010 and Chelsea last year.

While Heynckes was surprised by the ease of his side s win, he praised his players for their performance at Camp Nou and throughout the campaign.

I was impressed with the high intensity we showed on the pitch for the whole 90 minutes, he said.

I have to give m…