Messi, Xavi & Ronaldo up for Uefa award

Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Xavi will fight Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award after the list of nominees was announced.

The inaugural award will take place in August and the final trio have been announced after a jury of 53 sports journalists representing each of the Uefa member associations scaled down the list which included Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta.

A deciding vote to determine which player will win the award takes place on August 25.

Ronaldo hat-trick propels Real Madrid win

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in a devastating nine minute second-half spell on Wednesday to propel Spanish giants Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara.

Ronaldo, a former world footballer of the year, was thwarted by Chivas keeper Luis Michel in the first half of the friendly.

Michel stopped one of the Portuguese star's signature free kicks in the 6th minute and shortly afterwards denied a Ronaldo headed attempt off a corner.

Then as half-time approached Ronaldo fought off a defender to reach a through ball from Mezut Ozil, only to find Michel had rushed out to close the angle.

David Beckham: "I'll prove I'm still the Real deal"

Becks and his LA Galaxy team-mates are gearing up for the World Football Challenge in the States, which also features Premier League champions Manchester United.

And the England international is looking forward to proving he can still cut it among the best players in the world.

Beckham, who starred for Madrid from 2003 to 2007, said: "I spent four amazing years at Real Madrid.

"To go from a club like Manchester United to Real Madrid, it really doesn't get much better than that in football.

"I've got many friends still there. To be facing Real Madrid for the first time since I left is emotional.

"You get attached to the club, you get attached to the people.

David Beckham: Real Madrid can win everything with 'genius' Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid are on course to win everything under the expert guidance of "genius" Jose Mourinho, believes former Santiago Bernabeu favourite David Beckham.

The ex-England captain spent four years in the Spanish capital between 2003 and 2007, and believes that the Portuguese tactician will take next season by storm, and in doing so end Barcelona's run of dominance in La Liga.

Beckham told Marca: "Madrid are building a powerful side with important players and they can win all competitions. They are a team that strikes fear [into opponents] and I have no doubts they are able to win everything.

"They have one of the best coaches in the world - Mourinho is a genius - and he has proved this with all the teams he has coached."

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder also hailed former Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo, and added that he hopes to face him when Madrid arrive to do battle in a pre-season friendly next weekend.

He said of the winger: "Ronaldo is a phenomenon and one of the best. I hope to play against him."

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Tecnologia para treinadores do futuro

José Mourinho já não conta apenas com a ajuda dos portugueses Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, ou Pepe, para triunfar. O treinador do Real Madrid conta agora também com a ajuda da empresa portuguesa Forward Green, que desenvolveu o chamado "Training to Play", um instrumento precioso para testar e armazenar táticas de jogo.

Uma das imagens associadas a José Mourinho são os seus blocos de notas. Durante os jogos, o treinador português escreve, testa e armazena tácticas preciosas para o desenrolar dos jogos. Mas este cenário está prestes a mudar. É que, em vez dos blocos de notas, Mourinho vai passar a andar com um iPad nas mãos e que carrega um instrumento especial: o Mourinho Tactical Board, um software que permite aos utilizadores testar e armazenar tácticas e estratégias quer da equipa quer dos adversários e que foi criado por uma empresa portuguesa, a Forward Green.

Ferdinand: We can deal with Messi

Former England captain hails the departing Van der Sar but insists he is not thinking about his own future just yet, and also reveals he would have Ronaldo in his team before Messi

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is confident that his side can handle the threat of Barcelona star Lionel Messi in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley.

Will Tidey - Lionel Messi unlocks the door to greatness

Despite his undisputed genius, there was still a question mark over Lionel Messi's pedigree for greatness ahead of last night's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.

Messi might be a twice world footballer of the year, and still only 23 years old, but was his mesmeric talent applying itself when it really mattered?

The little maestro had scored a record 50 times for Barcelona this season before he stepped on the field, but not once in six previous matches at this stage of Europe's biggest club competition.

Ronaldo: Real are Favourites

CRISTIANO RONALDO thinks Real Madrid are the favourites for this season's Champions League.

The Spanish giants have splashed the cash in recent years with £80million going on Ronaldo alone. But they have been knocked out at the last-16 stage for the previous SIX campaigns.