Sports

The key to a successful World Cup campaign is to start off against tougher opponents rather than easier ones, says Zidane.

The Argentina and Barcelona star is recovering from a thigh injury that has sidelined him until next month.

Vidal joined Juventus in 2011 from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract.

England are not one of the top seeds and could find themselves in the same group as hosts Brazil, Spain or even arch-rivals Germany.

Balotelli helped AC Milan beat 10-man Catania 3-1 as Massimiliano Allegri's men enjoyed their first win in six Italian league matches.

The 24-year-old England international has scored nine league goals this season and has been instrumental in helping the club make a bright start.

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani is to quit after 27 years at the club, he told the ANSA news agency on Friday.

The damaged concourse area took about 35 days to build, and previous experience suggests it will take about twice that time to clear the wreckage and rebuild.

Nine-time winner Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain qualified on Wednesday for the round of 16 in the Champions League.

Wayne Rooney set up three goals as Manchester United cruised to a 5-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Herrera on Wednesday denied any intention of signing with England club Manchester United when the winter transfer window opens in January.

AC Milan kept their Champions League hopes alive with a comfortable 3-0 win over a lacklustre Celtic side on Tuesday.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo will miss Wednesday's Champions League game against Galatasaray because of injury.

Mario Mandzukic has failed to recover in time from a calf muscle injury.

Ronaldo is one of the favourite to win the 2013 best footballer award after he scored a hat-trick in Portugal's World Cup play-offs against Sweden.

Ronaldo came out on top in his personal duel with Ibrahimovic, whose brace in Stockholm was upstaged by Portuguese three brilliant goals.