Messi Caught Spitting At Rival

Lionel Messi could be in danger of losing his innocent, squeaky clean image after he was caught spitting at Málaga’s Duda during Barcelona’s stunning 4-1 win on Saturday...

Nicknamed ‘The Messiah’, Lionel Messi has won endless praise ever since he burst into the scenes four years ago. The gawky-looking, media-shy 21 year old has always shown exemplary behaviour on the pitch to complement his breathtaking skills with a football.

However, during Saturday’s rain-soaked game against Málaga, Messi’s true colours may have finally been exposed after television cameras caught him spitting at his opponent, Duda.

The pair had been going at each other all evening long and, when they collided and stumbled to the ground at one point, Messi got up and spat towards the Portuguese, who had his back to the Argentine ace.

It is unclear whether the Barça forward was provoked in any way prior to the incident, but the Spanish sports journals, namely Madrid-based Marca, are already having a field day with this episode.

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Ronaldo Set For Mega United Deal

Newspaper reports indicate that Manchester United will offer Cristiano Ronaldo a sizeable pay-rise during the summer in an attempt to keep him at the club...

According to the News of the World, United will tear up Ronaldo's current £120,000-per-week contract - which has more than three years remaining - in favour of a new £150,000-per-week deal.

That would make the Portuguese superstar the best-paid player in the history of the Premier League. It would also severely dent Real Madrid's hopes of landing their top target.

"Next summer will be a key element of his contract situation — he will have three years left then," said Sir Alex Ferguson.

The prospect of stopping Madrid president Ramon Calderon from delivering on his promise of bringing Ronaldo to the Bernabeu would doubly delight Sir Alex Ferguson, as the pair have been involved in a word-war through the press over the last week or so.

"There is no question of Ronaldo leaving," the United manager continued.

"Calderon promised everyone they would get the lad in the summer. There was a complete arrogance about it. So I was delighted Ronaldo stayed."

However, there remains a remote possibility that Ronaldo could turn down the new deal and exploit FIFA Article 17, which allows him to buy out his current contract at the end of next season.

But Ferguson added: "Nobody (at Manchester United) has ever bought himself out of his contract. I don’t think it will be an issue."

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Africans In Europe

SPAIN

Mohammed Tchite from Burundi continued his fine form in front of goal for the second week running. He turned on the style when netting a hat-trick for Racing Santander in a 4-2 victory at Valencia. He was on target in the 23rd, 49th and 80th minutes.

ENGLAND

Nigeria international midfielder Seyi Olofinjana scored his second goal in the Premier League as his club Stoke City created a huge upset by beating Arsenal 2-1.

A week after South Africa striker Benni McCarthy emerged as the hero for Blackburn Rovers with a late equaliser against Middlesbrough, he was back in the news for the wrong reasons after he was red carded for a second booking against West Bromwich Albion - though he had put Rovers in front from the penalty spot before collecting his second yellow in the 36th minute of the 2-2 draw.

Egypt striker Ahmed Hossam ‘Mido’ recovered from a muscle injury from the previous weekend to score for Middlesbrough in a 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Compatriot Amr Zaki was again on target for Wigan as they clinched full points at Portsmouth. It was his eighth goal of the season.

Gabon international Daniel Cousin was on target in Hull City’s 4-3 loss at champions Manchester United.

GERMANY

Chinedu Ogbuke-Obasi from Nigeria grabbed his second brace of the season to take his club Hoffenheim to the top of the Bundesliga. He followed up on the double he scored against Hamburg last week. He has thus far scored five goals and made two assists in his debut season in the German top flight.

FRANCE

Gabonese striker Eric Moloungui underlined his consistency with the match winner for Nice against Paris Saint-Germaine. His goal last week ensured Nice shared the points with Bordeaux.

Moroccan star Youssouf Hadji scored the match-winning goal in the 69th minute for Nancy versus Bordeaux.

Nigeria international defender Taye Taiwo powered home a header as Olympique Marseille romped to a 3-1 win at home.

Adil Rami of Moroccan descent opened the scoring as Lille beat Nantes 2-0 while Mauritanian Amoudou Alassane was also on target for Le Havre, although his team lost at home 3-2 to Monaco.

NETHERLANDS

Morocco’s Mounir El-Hamdaoui cracked his 12th goal of the season in a 3-3 draw at SC Heerenveen.

Fellow countryman Youssef El Akchaoui scored from the penalty spot and Burundi star Saidi Ntibazonkiza also scored as NEC Nijimegen beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-0.

Dutch-Moroccan Ali Boussaboun netted for FC Utrecht in a 2-0 home win over Heracles Almelo.

BELGIUM

Recently capped Nigeria international Joseph Akpala struck twice against visiting Kortrijk to bring to six the total number of his goals thus far for Club Brugge.

African goals all the way in the clash between champions Standard Liege and Charleroi. Benjamin Nicaise scored for Standard only for Charleroi to record an upset with goals from the Moroccan Mouchine Iajour and Mahamadou Habibou, who is from Central Africa.

Bertin Tomou of Cameroon found the back of the net twice as his club Westerlo held home team FCV Dender to a 2-2 draw.

Little known Nigerian Marvin Ogunjimi hit a brace as KRC Genk won 3-1 at Tubize while Togo’s Adekammi Olufade scored for KAA Gent in their 2-0 victory over Zulte-Waregem.

TURKEY

Guinea’s Ibrahim Yattara scored one of the four goals Trabzonspor recorded away at Istanbul

PORTUGAL

Cameroon’s Albert Meyong Ze drew his team Sporting Braga level in the 62nd minute away at Academica de Coimbra. The match finished 1-1.

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