Mauricio Pochettino has described Arsene Wenger as one of the best managers in the history of football, ahead of his final home match in charge of Arsenal.

The 68-year-old, who will step down at the end of the season after nearly 22 years as Gunners boss, is expected to be given a guard of honour by the players when Burnley visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Wenger, whose side lost their Europa League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid 2-1 after a 1-0 second-leg defeat on Thursday, will then conclude his Arsenal career with trips to Leicester City and Huddersfield Town.

Tottenham counterpart Pochettino says it is hard to find enough words of gratitude for the impact the Frenchman has had on the game.

It will be difficult to say thank you enough, he told…

Xavi insists he does not feel “alone” despite the pressure building on the Barcelona coach.

The Blaugrana have suffered back-to-back defeats heading into Saturday evening’s encounter with Valencia.

Xavi’s men sit fourth in the table having been beaten 4-2 at home by La Liga leaders Girona last Sunday, leading to speculation around the former playmaker’s long-term future at Camp Nou.

Xavi: I never feel alone. I feel like I have support and strength and I feel that we can have a great season.

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)

However, Xavi is confident he has the backing of the club’s leadership and rated the fans’ support for his team as a “perfect 10”.

“I never feel alone. I feel like I have support and strength and I …

Gerard Pique hopes Barcelona can convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club for years to come.

Messi, 33, sensationally requested to leave the LaLiga giants during the close season, but ended up staying at the club.

However, the six-time Ballon d Or winner is linked with the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

But Pique hopes Messi will remain at Barca, where he has spent his entire professional career.

We will have to ask Leo. It is his personal decision … and we will see what happens, the defender told Radio Marca on Friday.

I believe that as long as he continues to wear the Barca shirt there is always hope.

We hope they can seduce him so that he stays more year…

Uruguay will be aiming to improve on their disappointing group-stage exit from three years ago when they kick off their 2019 Copa America campaign against Ecuador on Sunday.

Oscar Tabarez s side have won the competition a record 15 times, most recently in 2011, but they fell short at the first hurdle in 2016 and far more is expected this time around.

Boasting a squad including the likes of Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, Fernando Muslera and Luis Suarez on course to play a full part in this opener after recovering from knee surgery Uruguay are considered third favourites behind Brazil and Argentina.

They begin their latest bid for glory in Belo Horizonte against 2024 hosts Ecuador, who enter the tournament on the back of a poor run of form.

Hernan Dario Gome…

Sadio Mane struck a superb hat-trick as Liverpool put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Porto on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp s side are the top scorers in this season s competition and they showed all of their attacking prowess as Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino put the tie to bed before the second leg at Anfield.

Mane opened the scoring after 25 minutes with the help of some questionable goalkeeping from Jose Sa, the Porto number one diving over his low shot after a driving run from Georginio Wijnaldum.

The visitors were two ahead before the half-hour as Salah made it 30 for the season, becoming the first Liverpool player to reach that figure since Luis Suarez in 2013-14.

Liverpool s attacking tride…

Son Heung-min scored his 100th goal for Tottenham in all competitions as he netted against Leeds United, with Harry Kane the provider once again.

The South Korea forward, who moved to north London in 2015, has been in sensational form in 2020-21, and moved onto 99 Spurs goals with a cool finish on the break at Liverpool in December.

Son drew a blank in his next three outings, failing to find the target as Spurs went down 2-0 to Leicester City, before he had a goal disallowed in an EFL Cup win at Stoke City and then only managed one attempt at goal in a 1-1 draw with Wolves on December 27.

However, after Wednesday s scheduled game with Fulham was postponed, his landmark effort came against Leeds on Saturday.

Kane – who has now assisted nine of Son s 12…

According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, Bournemouth have made an enquiry regarding Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose. It was noted yesterday that six top flight clubs could be interested in making a move for Rose as he continues to edge closer and closer towards an exit from North London. 

Alongside Bournemouth it appears as if Newcastle United and Watford have entered themselves into the race in a big way, although right now, the Cherries have put the furthest foot forward. 

Rose hasn’t really been featured all too heavily in Tottenham’s starting XI this season, signalling the beginning of the end for a run that has been pretty memorable for the Englishman. 

From his goal against Arsenal all those years ago to the Champions League final la…

Former defender Andrea Barzagli has returned to Juventus in a role that will see him work closely with the first team.

Barzagli, 38, retired from playing at the end of last season after helping Juve claim an eighth successive Serie A title all of which he was involved in.

The 2006 World Cup winner, capped 73 times by Italy, is now making a return to the Bianconeri as part of Maurizio Sarri s backroom staff.

Juventus described him as a technical collaborator of the first team when announcing the appointment, and said Barzagli would be present at training on Thursday.

He is back! has returned home!

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)

Barzagli was signed from Wolfsburg in 2011 and went on to make over 250 appearances for the current…

France, Brazil and Portugal are the only sides to have already secured World Cup knockout football, with numerous teams facing a nervy final matchday as they bid to reach the round of 16 in Qatar.

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil breezed through Group G with wins over Serbia and Switzerland, while France became the first reigning world champions to escape the group stage since the Selecao in 2006.

Portugal made sure of their round-of-16 spot after Monday s Group H victory over Uruguay, yet the likes of England, Spain, Germany and Argentina all need results on matchday three to progress.

The Netherlands are another big name that have yet to confirm their place in the latter stages of FIFA s top tournament, while Belgium face a tense Group F clash with Croatia to a…

Jurgen Klopp insisted the distance is too far between Liverpool and Manchester City to talk about the Premier League title race after a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offered the Reds control with goals in the first half at Selhurst Park, but Odsonne Edouard s second-half strike teed up a nervy ending on Sunday.

Fabinho sealed all three points from the penalty spot after Vicente Guita was ruled to have fouled Diogo Jota, though Klopp s side owed much credit to goalkeeper Alisson for victory.

The Brazilian was required to make four saves, the joint-most of his 2021-22 campaign along with performances against Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United, as Liverpool managed a 10th straight victory over Palace in the league.