Top ten UK shirt sales:

Top ten UK shirt sales:

1. Robin Van Persie (Man Utd) 25.4%

2. Gerrard (L’pool) 8.2%

3. Rooney (Man Utd) 6%

4. Kagawa (Man Utd) 5.8%

5. Suarez (L’pool) 3.6%

6. Hazard (Chelsea) 3.1%

7. Scholes (Man Utd) 2.7%

8. Torres (Chelsea) 2.5%

9. Aguero (Man City) 2.2%

10. Podolski (Arsenal) 2.1%

Neymar excited by Messi alliance

Neymar excited by Messi alliance

After signing a five-year deal with FC Barcelona, Brazil attacker Neymar said he was looking forward to teaming up with Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi at his new club.

FC Barcelona attacker Neymar said he found it "hard to hold back the tears," after the 21-year-old completed his €57m move to Spain from FC Santos. 



After featuring in Brazil's 2-2 friendly international draw against England in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night, Neymar traveled to the Catalan capital where he passed a medical before being presented to the world's media and around 55,000 supporters at the Camp Nou.

"I was very emotional on entering the stadium and receiving the applause from the fans," the São Paulo native explained during his press conference. "I found it hard to hold back the tears. This is a great day for me and my family and I am so happy to be realising a dream," the 2011 and 2012 South American Footballer of the Year added.

The deal to take the Brazilian to Barcelona was announced a little over a week ago and after signing a five-year contract with the four-time European champions, Neymar said he was looking forward to combining forces with some illustrious team-mates.

"Having the opportunity to play alongside so many important players like [Andrés] Iniesta, [Xavi] Hernández and [Lionel] Messi, players I have admired since my youth, is something I owe to God," he said. "I have never worried about being the best in the world because the best is Messi and I hope to be able to help him continue to be so."

The signing represents Barcelona's first ahead of the 2013/14 season when the Liga champions will start their UEFA Champions League challenge from the tournament's group stage.

Spain morale delights Del Bosque

Spain morale delights Del Bosque

Spain concluded their tour of the United States with a 2-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland and now travel to Brazil for Sunday's FIFA Confederations Cup opener against Uruguay.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said his side were heading to Brazil for this week's FIFA Confederations Cup "in confident mood" after La Roja enjoyed a 2-0 friendly win against the Republic of Ireland in New York.

Spain defeated Ireland 4-0 en route to UEFA EURO 2012 success in Poland and Ukraine last summer, and second half goals from substitutes Roberto Soldado and Juan Mata at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday ensured the World and European Champions stretched their unbeaten run against the Irish to five games. 

"We have completed our objectives," Del Bosque explained of Spain's trip to the United States, which also featured a 2-1 win against Haiti in Florida. "There were no injuries while a good atmosphere within the group has been created. We've also advanced physically. We are better now than when we arrived."

Believing that the Spanish "had possession of the ball and dominated the game," against Giovanni Trapattoni's men, the former Real Madrid CF tactician added: "If there was one thing missing it was that final pass. We played well overall, however, and I don't think it would have been unjust had the victory come by one more goal."

Spain now travel to Brazil where they begin their Confederations Cup campaign against Uruguay in Recife on Sunday before concluding Group B with games against Tahiti and Nigeria. "We are going into the tournament in eager and confident mood but we know there are seven other teams who have the same chances of winning the title as we do," the coach concluded.  

Currently top of their FIFA World Cup qualifying section, Spain resume their campaign away to Finland on 6 September, the same day Ireland – who are also in the running for a place at next summer's finals – host Sweden.

Ibrahimović double gets Sweden past Faroes

Ibrahimović double gets Sweden past Faroes

Sweden 2-0 Faroe Islands

Zlatan Ibrahimović‎ scored twice as the Blågult beat Lars Olsen's men, leaving Sweden one of three sides locked on 11 points in Group C.

Sweden are one of three teams locked on 11 points in a tight FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C after a double from captain Zlatan Ibrahimović‎ sank the Faroe Islands in Solna.

Suspensions and injuries forced coach Erik Hamrén into a raft of changes from the side beaten in Austria four days ago, with four players making their competitive debuts: Pär Hansson in goal, Per Nilsson and Pierre Bengtsson in defence, and Albin Ekdal in midfield. It was an old head that led the way, however, as Ibrahimović‎ – making his 90th appearance for his country – took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Visiting keeper Gunnar Nielsen withstood wave after wave of attacks, until Swedish pressure paid off in the 35th minute when Ibrahimović‎ dropped deep to feed Mikael Lustig on the right before advancing into the area to finish the full-back's cross.

Sweden failed to press home their advantage, although it was as late as the 57th minute that the Faroese mustered an attempt on goal, a long-range effort from lone striker Jóan Edmundsson. The confident home fans were suddenly given cause for concern when Andreas Granqvist was sent off with 11 minutes left, but their hero stepped up to provide the knockout blow, Ibrahimović converting an 82nd-minute penalty for his 41st international goal.