Cristiano Ronaldo may have added newborn twins to his family, if rumblings in his homeland are to be believed, though the Real Madrid star himself has yet to make any announcements.                                                                      The reports, which at the moment have not been confirmed, claim Ronaldo's new little boy and little girl, named Mateo and Eva, respectively, came into the world on Thursday.

There had been speculation over whether the 32-year-old's current girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez had fallen pregnant after Ronaldo shared a curious Instagram post, but she showed little signs of a baby bump – never mind two – as she joined in the celebrations for Madrid's recent Champions League victory.                                                                                                                                                                        

Portugal kept pace with World Cup Qualifying Group B leaders Switzerland as Cristiano Ronaldo inspired them to a 3-0 win over Latvia.                                                                                                     Cristiano Ronaldo continued his incredible run of form as he scored twice and created another to ensure Portugal consolidated second place in World Cup Qualifying Group B with a convincing 3-0 win over Latvia.

Fresh from leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory with a brace against Juventus in Cardiff last weekend, Ronaldo was in inspired form once again as his predatory instincts came to the fore in an entertaining encounter in Riga.

Having twice been denied by the superb Andris Vanins, the 32-year-old was in the right place at the right time to tuck in Portugal's opener on the stroke of half-time.

Another point-blank header saw Ronaldo double his tally 63 minutes in, before he teed up strike-partner Andre Silva for Portugal's third soon after.Ronaldo's inspired display was not enough to lift Portugal up to top spot in Group B, however, with Switzerland staying three points ahead courtesy of their win over the Faroe Islands.

Latvia started brightly, though it was Portugal who should have opened the scoring inside 12 minutes - veteran defender Bruno Alves unable to beat Vanins from close range.

Ronaldo, on the fringe of proceedings in the opening stages, was the next to test Vanins, who did brilliantly to tip the Madrid star's venomous strike over the bar.

Vanins' contest with Ronaldo continued after the half-hour mark, Latvia's goalkeeper stooping low to his right to keep out another wicked effort from the Portugal captain.

Ronaldo was not to be denied a third time, however.

Having stayed forward following a free-kick, Jose Fonte rose highest to head Raphael Guerreiro's cross goalwards and, though the post came to Latvia's rescue, Ronaldo was on hand to nod home from inside the six-yard box.

While Ronaldo continued to pepper Vanins' goal at the other end, Rui Patricio finally had a save to make shortly before the hour-mark, reacting well to parry away Olegs Laizans' free-kick.

William Carvalho squandered a fine opportunity to double Portugal's lead soon after, but Ronaldo made no such mistake moments later.Ricardo Quaresma's deflected cross left Vanins flat-footed, with Ronaldo again perfectly positioned to take full advantage with a cushioned header from under the crossbar.

And the result was put beyond all doubt four minutes later - Ronaldo turning provider with a superbly-weighted pass into Silva, whose first-time finish found the bottom-left corner.

Ronaldo was denied a penalty and then found the side-netting as he searched for a hat-trick, but it mattered little as Portugal cruised to a simple victory.                                                                                                                      

Tottenham and England midfielder Dele Alli: 'You don't want players to walk all over you... I have had to look after myself                                                           A rare interview with Dele Alli plays out like a microcosm    of his career thus far, not least because he leaves you wondering why it has taken him this long to appear at an England media day.

Initially he does try to give the impression that he's a little nervous, expressing surprise at the number of journalists squeezed on to a horseshoe-shaped sofa in the sports hall at St George's Park. It's about a dozen.

But he quickly reveals himself to be as comfortable in this environment as he was when he first appeared in the Premier League and then, in no time at all, on the international stage.                                                                                                                                               Alli certainly comes across as an engaging, articulate young man. And if there is a rather volatile streak that reveals itself occasionally in the heat of battle, this precociously gifted 21-year-old footballer also seems to have his head screwed on.

His relatively late arrival at a top club — he was 18 when he signed for Tottenham from MK Dons — is one he reflects on with great maturity and intelligence. Alli explains that he resisted earlier advances because he thought it more prudent to continue his apprenticeship in the rough and tumble of League One.

'I didn't want to rush into anything,' he said. 'I was still really young so I knew I had time to develop and I just felt, for my personal development, that I had a great opportunity there to try to break into the first team.                           

Maria Sharapova injury a blow to Aegon Classic's hopes of bumper TV figures as tournament remains on course for record ticket sale                                           Maria Sharapova is said to be struggling to be fit to play in the Aegon Classic a week on Monday.

She has been given a wildcard entry by the LTA but two well-placed sources say the leg injury that forced her to retire during the Italian Open last month is putting her participation in doubt.

Sharapova's absence would come as a huge blow to the Birmingham tournament's organisers and broadcasters, with plans in place to show the Wimbledon warm-up on TV.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Eurosport own the exclusive rights to the event and the Russian would attract a large audience. The Aegon Classic is also on course for record ticket sales.

Sharapova, who won the title in Birmingham in 2004 and 2005, has served a 15-month suspension for taking the banned drug meldonium. She is now ranked 178 in the world.

Wimbledon are believed to be monitoring the situation as she is due to play at their qualifying event at Roehampton the week after.

The Blues have been working on signing a replacement for Diego Costa for months but will have to spend a fortune if they want the Everton star

Chelsea have made Romelu Lukaku their top target to succeed Diego Costa, but are far from reaching an aggrement as Everton stand firm on their £100 million valuation, Goal understands.

The Premier League champions refuse to pay the full fee Everton are demanding, but it is thought Lukaku has agreed with his agent to prioritise a return to Stamford Bridge over a move to Manchester United.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

They are keeping the lines of enquiry open with Alvaro Morata, who Antonio Conte rates very highly. The Real Madrid striker has drawn serious interest from United and AC Milan and could leave the Champions League winners in search of more first team opportunities.They are keeping the lines of enquiry open with Alvaro Morata, who Antonio Conte rates very highly. The Real Madrid striker has drawn serious interest from United and AC Milan and could leave the Champions League winners in search of more first team opportunities.

The three-time African kings face Bafana Bafana in Saturday’s Afcon qualifier showdown.                                                                   Nigeria stars are clearly prepared to face South Africa in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations encounter billed for the Godswill Akpabio Stadum, Uyo.

Bafana Bafana denied the Super Eagles a place at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after holding them to a 2-2 draw at the same venue in 2014.

And against Stuart Baxter’s side, Gernot Rohr’s men will not only be seeking for a revenge, but they would be hoping to begin their campaign for Cameroon 2019 on a flying note.

Everyone is sweating hard and fighting to make our country proud come Saturday.           

            

Diego Costa reveals Chelsea boss Antonio Conte sent message to let him know he is not in his Stamford Bridge plans for next season                                     Diego Costa has announced he is set to leave Chelsea this summer after Antonio Conte told him he no longer wants him at the club, by leaving him a message.

Costa, 28, wants to quit Stamford Bridge to move back to Atletico Madrid, but that avenue has been blocked by the La Liga club's transfer ban.

Chelsea want Everton's Romelu Lukaku, who is keen on a return to his former club, and are willing to sell Costa to fund a potential £100million deal. Premier League champions' top scorer is convinced he will depart this summer after being told by Conte that he will not be his main man next season.

'Conte has sent me a message telling me I'm not in his plans,' Costa said after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday night.

Apparently upset at the way he was told Costa added: ‘It seems I didn’t have a good season. It was just a simple message after all I’ve done for the club but if he doesn’t want me there then I will have to look for a [new] team.’

Asked if anyone else from Chelsea had contacted him Costa said: ‘No, but if the manager gets in contact with you to tell you that you are not wanted then you have to leave.’                                                                  Costa's former team Atletico Madrid are desperate to take the Spain forward back but they are banned from registering new players until January 2018.

Costa and Conte fell out in January over the striker's fitness. 

The Spain striker has been consistently trailed by Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian but has made it clear he will only consider a move back to former club Atletico.

Their transfer ban – which will not allow them to register players until January of next year – would seemingly make an immediate move for Costa unlikely.

'To go to Atleti would be nice but I have to think about it,' Costa added. 'This is a World Cup year and I cannot be not playing for three or four months.

Arsenal could have signed Kylian Mbappe for just £230,000 last year but £100m-rated teenager heads list of targets including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Lemar, Riyad Mahrez and Kingsley Coman                        Arsene Wenger is driving the attempt to recruit Kylian Mbappe, even though Arsenal recognise it will be a difficult task to persuade the 18-year-old to turn down Real Madrid or even to leave Monaco.

Arsenal have set aside at least €100m (£87.5m) for his recruitment and, ironically, were in talks with the striker and his family this time last year when he was out of contact and could have signed for about £230,000 under FIFA’s compensation rules.

Arsenal hopes of persuading Mbappe to move and for Monaco to let him go rest on the long-standing relationship they have with the player and his family and their promise of rapid development under Wenger. Arsene Wenger is driving the attempt to recruit Kylian Mbappe, even though Arsenal recognise it will be a difficult task to persuade the 18-year-old to turn down Real Madrid or even to leave Monaco.

Arsenal have set aside at least €100m (£87.5m) for his recruitment and, ironically, were in talks with the striker and his family this time last year when he was out of contact and could have signed for about £230,000 under FIFA’s compensation rules.

Arsenal hopes of persuading Mbappe to move and for Monaco to let him go rest on the long-standing relationship they have with the player and his family and their promise of rapid development under Wenger.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The striker told reporters after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday that the Blues boss has informed him via text message

Chelsea striker Diego Costa says he has been told by manager Antonio Conte that he does not have a future at Stamford Bridge.

The striker has been linked with a move away from the Premier League champions for much of the past season, despite having scored 22 goals in all competitions.

Costa was tipped for a move to the lucrative Chinese Super League in January only to commit to Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign, but his future has been cast into fresh doubt since reports emerged linking.

The 28-year-old Costa has now stated that Conte has informed him he is free to look for another club and believes his dip in form in the second half of the season is behind the decision.

"I had a simple little message on my mobile from Conte in which he said that he isn't counting on me for next season," Costa told the media following Spain's 2-2 friendly draw with Colombia on Wednesday. "It will be because I've done badly this year. It's a shame. I've forwarded the message on to the people at the club for them to decide but it's clear that the coach isn't counting on me and he doesn't want me there.

"I'm on the market and so I'm looking for a team. If the coach doesn't want you, you have to leave."

Costa has been linked with a potential move back to Atletico Madrid but he says a return is complicated by the LaLiga club's transfer ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) refused to uphold Atletico's appeal against a ban on registering new players handed down by FIFA, which means they will be unable to field any new signings until January next year.

"It would be nice to go back to Atletico but I have to think everything over," he said. "There's a World Cup [in 2018] and I need to play. Being four or five months without playing is tough, but people know that I love my Atletico team-mates a lot, I love living in Madrid."                                                                                                 

After winning the Golden Boot and the PFA Fans' Player of the Year awards, the Spurs star wants to show his leadership skills for the Three Lions                                                                                  Tottenham striker Harry Kane is keen to demonstrate his leadership skills for England ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Scotland.

Gareth Southgate's side are four points clear at the top of Group F, with Scotland in fourth place in the table in the build-up to Saturday's game at Hampden Park.

Kane ended the league season with a stunning run of 15 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances, retaining the Golden Boot and winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award, although he has not scored in over a year for England.

The 23-year-old has been touted as a potential captain of the Three Lions after Wayne Rooney was again omitted from Southgate's squad.                                                                                                                                                                                             "I see myself as one of the leaders now in the team and I'm looking forward to it," Kane said at a sponsors' event on Monday. "I'm only 23 but I feel that there are a lot of younger players in the team compared to me and I have a good relationship with them.

"I have a good relationship with all the players - the older, the younger - and there are quite a few Spurs boys in there as well. It helps as we play with each other, train with each other day-in, day-out, so we know each other very well on the pitch, but off the pitch also.

"If someone is feeling a bit down, or if they're not quite right then we are there to know that and help them out." Kane is expecting the derby atmosphere to be a factor at Hampden as Scotland look to avenge a 3-0 loss to England in November. He added: "It is a massive game; everyone knows how big England versus Scotland is with the rivalry that we have, and we had a great result against them at Wembley in November.

"We just want to go out there and do it again. We know it will be a bit tougher doing it away from home but, with the team we have got and the confidence we have got, we know we just have to go out there and not get too caught up in the moment.

The Galatasaray midfielder feels those criticising his attempts to dethrone Edwin van der Sar as Netherlands' most-capped player are simply envious.                                                                             Wesley Sneijder has hit out at his critics after equalling Edwin van der Sar's record figure of 130 caps for Netherlands in Sunday's 5-0 win over Ivory Coast.

The attacking midfielder is no longer an undisputed starter for Holland and some have suggested he is past his prime.

Sneijder remains keen to represent his country, though, and got special permission from Galatasaray to travel back and forth between club and national team in recent days as he chases Van der Sar's record.

The 32-year-old featured for Galatasaray in the 3-2 over Alanyaspor on May 29, before making a substitute appearance in Netherlands' 2-1 friendly win over Morocco two days later. He then immediately flew back to Istanbul for his club's final game of the season on Saturday, only to return to the national team again for Sunday's game.

A number of pundits criticised his efforts to catch Van der Sar at all costs, but Sneijder is not impressed by such comments.

"Van der Sar was approaching the age of 40, I am almost 33 said, This really is fantastic. It is something very special to now be level with Van der Sar. Goalkeepers generally play on longer than outfield players, so it is somewhat easier for a goalkeeper to achieve this.

130 - Wesley Sneijder has equalled Edwin van der Sar as the most capped player in the history of the Netherlands (both 130 caps). Legend.                                                             

                                                                                                          

                                                                      

The Italy boss admits there is still a lot to do and not much time to do it, but thinks his side are on the upswing as they near a showdown with Spain

Giampiero Ventura believes Italy are moving in the right direction as their crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain draws closer.

Ventura's side are unbeaten in their last nine matches after Wednesday's 3-0 friendly win over Uruguay in Nice.

They are expected to extend that to 10 games when they host Liechtenstein in a qualifier in Udine on Sunday, a game they need to win to ensure they stay in touch with Spain.

Both sides are locked on 13 points after five games in Group G, meaning September's clash in Madrid is likely to determine who qualifies automatically for Russia 2018.                                                                                                                                     Following their latest success, Ventura said he was pleased with the progress his side have made and backed them to upset the former world champions later this year.

"Some of the objectives we had set are slowly getting achieved," he told Rai Sport. "The most important thing [against Uruguay] was the mentality, as usually Italy friendlies are never good.

"We had the right approach, didn't allow a chance on our goal, had six or seven chances and played with a certain degree of sharpness. There's a lot to be done, unfortunately there isn't much time to do it in, but I am happy. It's difficult to make football this organised in such a short space of time.

"I've been in football for many years, so I know that big statements and promises mean little, you have to know who you are and prove it every time.

"We've got the chance to become something important in the future.

The Monaco striker found the back of the net against Spain, allowing him to move into sole position atop his country’s goalscoring charts

Radamel Falcao is now the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the Colombia national team.

The 31-year-old striker scored in the 55th minute in an international friendly against Spain to give his side a 2-1 advantage. It was Falcao’s 26th goal for his country in 65 games and moved him into the sole spot at the top of Colombia’s goalscoring charts. It had been a long time coming for Falcao. His last goal for his country came on 6 June 2015, meaning he broke his international drought almost exactly two years to the day.

The striker may want to continue finding the goals for Colombia, however, if he wants to maintain the record for as long as Iguaran held it. Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez has 19 goals in his Colombia career and is just 25-years-old, leaving him lots of time to catch up to Falcao if the latter experiences another goalscoring drought.                                                                                                                                                                                      And while Falcao made history on one side for Colombia, Spain had an impressive decade-long streak of their own finally snapped

Though scoring two goals may not seem like the greatest achievement, it is when visiting Spain. When at home, they had not conceded more than a single goal since a match against Ivory Coast in 2006.

The midfielder will not see action for Bournemouth before the end of the term and his manager has pledged it will have no influence on contract talks.                                                                                Contract talks between Arsenal and Jack Wilshere will not be affected by his latest injury set-back, manager Arsene Wenger has insisted.

The Gunners confirmed on Wednesday that the 25-year-old has suffered a fractured fibula and will be out of action until next season.

Wilshere has spent 2016-17 on loan at Bournemouth after becoming concerned about a lack of first-team opportunities at Emirates Stadium, with the England international expected to hold talks about an extension to his contract on his return to north London.

Wenger says there have been no discussions as yet over Wilshere's deal, which expires at the end of next season, but stressed that his leg break will not be a factor in holding up talks.

"This injury is nothing to do with the extension of his contract," Wenger told a news conference on Thursday. "We haven't entered into any negotiations."                                                                                                                                                                 Wenger admits he was saddened by news of the latest blow to Wilshere in a career blighted by injury problems and says he expects him to be back in full training in July.

"We think it's a very simple fracture and it doesn't need any surgery. He'll be back in July for normal training," he said. "We need patience and let's hope it all goes well. "He's a player of Bournemouth until the end of the season but we have a good understanding with the medical staff. The rehab will be made here because the season will be over and the loan ends. During the break, all the rehab will be made here.

"I was sad because Jack is a great football player, great football brain. His career has been stopped by many injuries. At the top level today the most important thing is consistency. The game is of such intensity that it takes you a while to get rhythm and consistency back.

The defender will move to the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer and Goal gets the lowdown on what qualities he will bring to the Gunners

Arsenal have beaten the likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester City in the race to sign Sead Kolasinac.

The 23-year-old Bosnia & Herzegovina international has attracted interest from clubs across Europe following a series of impressive performances for Bundesliga giants Schalke this season.

Kolasinac is a versatile defender who predominantly plays at left-back but can also be deployed in defensive midfield or centre-back, with his arrival likely to displace the out-of-form Nacho Monreal on the left flank.

Goal has taken a look at Kolasinac’s strengths, weaknesses and what he’ll bring to the Premier League side next season.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    This season the performances of Kolasinac have gone up a level. After sitting on the bench for the first few matches of the campaign, he managed to surpass Chelsea loanee Baba Rahman at left-back and make the position his own. He has since become one of Schalke’s most important players, which is testament to how hard he works and trains every day.

His tackling in the derby against Borussia Dortmund in early April was particularly impressive. After a flick over Ralf Fahrmann by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kolasinac managed to slide in to prevent a shot and an almost certain goal from Christian Pulisic, which drew plenty of plaudits following the match.

The defender will move to the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer and Goal gets the lowdown on what qualities he will bring to the Gunners

Arsenal have beaten the likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester City in the race to sign Sead Kolasinac.

The 23-year-old Bosnia & Herzegovina international has attracted interest from clubs across Europe following a series of impressive performances for Bundesliga giants Schalke this season.

Kolasinac is a versatile defender who predominantly plays at left-back but can also be deployed in defensive midfield or centre-back, with his arrival likely to displace the out-of-form Nacho Monreal on the left flank.

Goal has taken a look at Kolasinac’s strengths, weaknesses and what he’ll bring to the Premier League side next season.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    This season the performances of Kolasinac have gone up a level. After sitting on the bench for the first few matches of the campaign, he managed to surpass Chelsea loanee Baba Rahman at left-back and make the position his own. He has since become one of Schalke’s most important players, which is testament to how hard he works and trains every day.

His tackling in the derby against Borussia Dortmund in early April was particularly impressive. After a flick over Ralf Fahrmann by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kolasinac managed to slide in to prevent a shot and an almost certain goal from Christian Pulisic, which drew plenty of plaudits following the match.

Manchester United make £113m offer for Kylian Mbappe as Manchester City go in at £105m, while Real Madrid have £118m lined up to sign Monaco starlet.                    Kylian Mbappe is set to reject a move away from Monaco this summer despite reported world-record offers from European giants Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Mbappe, 18, is the hottest striking property around after a brilliant breakthrough season and Madrid-based AS, working off reports from Monaco's Radio Montecarlo, claim there have already been offers approaching £118million for his services.

Tuesday morning's front page of AS references that €135m gambit from Real, their third offer for the France international, while United and City are said to have bid £113m and £105m respectively.                                                                                                                                                     His club, who won their first title in 17 years this season, will offer a new and improved contract to reflect Mbappe's status as the world's leading teenage centre forward prospect.

Arsenal have also shown interest in Mbappe, whose 26 goals this season pricked the attention of Europe's giants as the spearhead of Monaco's surprise drive to the Champions League semi-finals.           

Pepe has written a heartfelt farewell note to Real Madrid after confirming his 10-year Santiago Bernabeu stay will soon come to an end.                                                             The combative central defender revealed on Monday he would not be extending his stay when his contract expires this month, having only been offered a deal for one more year instead of the two he was hoping for.

He has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, while rumours of a Premier League switch also abound, but on Tuesday the Portugal international was in the mood for nostalgia.

The 34-year-old wrote on Instagram: "On July 12, 2007 I arrived at Real Madrid with the illusion of a boy who arrived where he had dreamed every day of his childhood.

"Today, 10 years later, I have to stop wearing this badge. Every day I wore this shirt, I did it with the illusion of always.

"Today I can only thank all of you who have supported me, that you have written this beautiful story with me. Thanks to each one of you, who accompanied me. Thanks to all the friends and colleagues I know will stay wherever I go.

"I say goodbye also to this city, which has seen the birth and growth of my daughters. I am very happy for what I have achieved and I will carry your affection in the heart!                                                                                                                                          "And I say it again ... The best of these 10 years ??? To train every day, to live with each and every one of the employees of this club ... Treading the Santiago Bernabeu and feeling your support was always magic!

"In my heart I keep your affection, and this feeling of duty fulfilled ... Real Madrid and your affection will always be part of my history, my life! Thanks and Until Always! ".

The Ivorian was training with second-tier Chinese side Beijing Enterprises, who he joined in February, when he passed out and was rushed to hospital. 

But emergency treatment failed to revive him, and it was later confirmed that he had passed away.                                                                                                                                                           The Beijing Enterprises midfielder was just 30, leaving a sport in mourning as it tried to digest the tragedy. 

And clubs and players joined to pay their respect to the former Newcastle United man, who will be sorely missed. Dark clouds gathered over the football world on Monday with the tragic news that Cheick Tiote had passed away after collapsing during a training session.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              R.I.P

Chelsea star Eden Hazard faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured ankle in Belgium training.                                                                                                                                         Hazard twisted his ankle during Sunday's training session and was quickly ruled out of Belgium's upcoming internationals, although the Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB) was initially unable to provide any details on the extent of the injury.

Nevertheless, they later followed up their initial statement on Hazard's physical misfortune with an update that he has suffered a fractured ankle.

"Eden Hazard is out of #belcze and #estbel due to injury after twisting his ankle today in training (individual action). More news in 48h," a brief statement on the official Twitter account of the national team read. The winger will consequently miss the upcoming international friendly against the Czech Republic and the World Cup qualifier with Estonia.  the 26-year-old will be out of action, but the injury could endanger his availability for the start of the 2017-18 campaign as Chelsea look to defend their Premier League title.
Belgium currently sit first in Group H with 13 points from five games. They hold a two-point lead over second-placed Greece, with Bosnia-Herzegovina in third on 10 points.                                                                                    

Former Newcastle United player Cheick Tiote has died after collapsing during a training session on Monday.                                                                                                                                    The Ivorian was training with second-tier Chinese side Beijing Enterprises, who he joined in February, when he passed out and was rushed to hospital. 

But emergency treatment failed to revive him, and it was later confirmed that he had passed away.

Tiote's representative Emanuele Palladino said: "It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises.

"We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family's privacy be respected at this difficult time.

"We ask for all your prayers."

A statement from Beijing Enterprises also confirmed the news of Tiote’s death.

It read: “At 6pm on June 5th, Mr Cheick Tiote fell unconscious to the ground during training.

“He was immediately taken to hospital, but unfortunately died at 7pm on June 5th. We have informed his relatives of his death.

“After joining Beijing Enterprises Group FC on February 5th 2017, Mr Tiote has made a great contribution to the club and has received plaudits from the coaching staff and team-mates for his superb ability and professionalism. Tiote had been a mainstay for Beijing Enterprises, starting all 11 matches to date this season. The midfielder started his career in Belgium with Anderlecht and also represented Twente and Roda JC in the Netherlands, as well as making 52 international appearances for Ivory Coast.                                                                                                                                                                         

The Argentine forward will be the subject of a themed development in Nanjing which is due to throw open its doors to the public in 2019.                                                         As one of the most famous faces in world sport, Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is now getting his own theme park in China. There will be 20 attractions on offer, spread out over 500,000 square feet of indoor space and 130,000 square feet of outdoor play.

Messi’s park will use virtual and augmented reality technology to offer football training clinics, entertainment activities and displays featuring some of Messi’s career highlights.

The Chinese firms backing the plans, who intend to rival Disneyland, claim The Messi Park Experience will offer: “The most cutting-edge technology, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in all things Messi by combining the latest-generation attractions with the very best advances in content and multimedia attractions.”

Messi has been in China to launch the park during a four-day visit to the Asian nation.

He said: "I hope to provide them the experience they never had before and to inspire them to pick up the sport early on.

"Hopefully, they will feel that I am around when visiting the park."                                                                                                                                                 Spanish firm Mediapro, who will run the attraction alongside Chinese broadcaster Phoenix Group, says the Messi Experience Park will offer “a unique global experience”.

While Messi is currently promoting his interests away from the field, he has also been quizzed on football matters.

The 29-year-old will be working under a new manager at Barcelona next season, with Ernesto Valverde confirmed as the successor to Luis Enrique.

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard would consider a move to Real Madrid if the Champions League winners were to make an approach.                                                                             The Belgium international played a key role in Chelsea's successful 2016-17 campaign, scoring 16 goals in 36 Premier League outings to help them to the title

His sublime performances have reignited speculation that Madrid are interested in signing the 26-year-old and Hazard is keeping his options open.

"Of course, I would consider it if Madrid made an offer," Hazard told reporters.

"I am keen to win trophies. It would be great to win the Champions League. But Chelsea's goal is to win the Champions League as well. Honestly, I do not know what will happen.                                                                                                                           "I only know that I still have a contract with Chelsea for three seasons and that we just had an amazing 2016-17 campaign. We want to continue on this path and want to build on this in the Champions League.

"I am feeling very well at Chelsea. But you never know what will happen.

"I have not met with the board yet to discuss a new deal. I have two games with Belgium coming up first and I am off on my holiday after that. I want to think about football as little as possible."