´It was an honour´ – Departing Dani Alves thanks Barcelona

Dani Alves has issued an emotional message of gratitude to Barcelona after the club confirmed he will be leaving.

Juventus are set to sign the Brazil international, 33, ending a glittering Camp Nou career that saw him win six La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey crowns and three Champions Leagues as part of an astonishing 23 winners medals since signing from Sevilla in 2008.

Earlier on Thursday, Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez revealed Alves has decided to leave the Spanish champions.

Alves issued a statement on Instagram thanking those associated with Barca and insisting he would always be part of the club.

In one month it will be eight years since my arrival at Barcelona, he wrote. In July 2008, I came to this club for the first time and occupi…

Ronaldo missed but not discussed at Madrid, says Courtois

Cristiano Ronaldo s departure has been keenly felt by Real Madrid, according to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room is not lamenting the loss of their former talisman.

Ronaldo left as Madrid s all-time record goalscorer when he joined Italian champions Juventus in July and Los Blancos form has faltered this season.

Julen Lopetegui was sacked as head coach after a 5-1 Clasico thrashing at the hands of Barcelona and, although matters have improved marginally of late under Santiago Solari, they lie 10 points shy of their bitter rivals at LaLiga s summit.

Courtois arrived from Chelsea a month on from Ronaldo s exit and the Belgium international insists the spectre of the five-time Ballon d Or winner does not linger over Madrid s seaso…

LaLiga dismisses Tebas to Premier League links

LaLiga has denied president Javier Tebas is a candidate for the vacant Premier League chief executive role in England.

Tebas has emerged as a potential replacem
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ent for Richard Scudamore, who departed the Premier League in December last year.

The 56-year-old was appointed LaLiga president in 2013, and Tebas looks set to remain in Spain.

Responding to speculation, LaLiga said in a statement: We are not aware of this supposed interest.

That said, if a competition as important as the Premier League is taking note of the work being done by LaLiga, including its president, clubs and employees, it is a source of pride for the entire organisation.

Javier has a contract with LaLiga and not only is he happy here, he also has responsibilitie…

Derby d´Italia: Defining challenge awaits for patient Allegri

In the Allianz Stadium press room after Kalidou Koulibaly powered home a 90th-minute winner for Napoli to blow the Serie A title race wide open, Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri had reached the end of his tether.

Asked why his reigning champions, chasing a seventh consecutive Scudetto, were not playing well at a crunch moment in the season, the 50-year-old s face was a picture of perplexed incredulity.

The quality of our play? he began. For four years, Juventus have been playing 57 matches a year, you know? I don t understand. How many do the others play? They re finished in December.

Good Lord! They go out of the cup, out of everything else. We play 57 matches a year.

Allegri, who will lead Juve in a crunch Derby d Italia at Inter on Saturday,…