Bender ready for Messi challenge

Gonzalo Higuain continued his goal-scoring form to inspire Argentina to a 1-0 win over Honduras, but the Copa America Centenario warmup fixture was overshadowed by an injury to captain Lionel Messi.

After breaking a 66-year-old Serie A record with 36 league goals for Napoli in 2015-16, in-form striker Higuain was at it again in the first half as Argentina completed its preparations for next week s Copa America in the United States with a sixth consecutive match without defeat.

Higuain made it seven goals in four games for club and country with a sublime chip just past the half-hour mark in San Juan on Friday.

However, Argentina was left sweating on the fitness of Messi ahead of its opening Copa America fixture against defending champion Chile on June 6 after th…

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool s response to conceding an early Leicester City goal as the best I ve ever seen following Saturday s Mohamed Salah-inspired 2-1 win at Anfield.

Jamie Vardy continued his familiar habit of scored against Liverpool by dispatching Riyad Mahrez s third-minute cutback – the England striker s seventh in his past five outings against Klopp s men.

Leicester held firm under relentless pressure before the interval and Liverpool s reward arrived during the second period, courtesy of two expertly taken strikes from Salah that take the Egypt winger on to 23 goals for the campaign in all competitions.

It is a maximum satisfaction to win like this and on perfect days we win football games. Today was pretty much perfect, Klopp told BBC Sport.

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Portugal international defender Eliseu is being linked with a return to Malaga, according to El Desmarque.

The 32-year-old has spent the majority of his career at La Rosaleda, before making a move to Benfica in the summer of 2014.

Eliseu has since impressed at Estadio da Luz, making 53 league appearances and scoring 4 goals, while also nailing down a regular starting berth in the national team.

As a result, Malaga officials now want him back at La Rosaleda, but they could find it hard to persuade Benfica to sell.

Eliseu’s current contract is due to expire in June, but the Eagles have the option to extend it for another two years and they are certain to do so.

The experienced full-back has enjoyed a very successful Champions League campaign with…

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says he is in the dark over whether Philippe Coutinho could join from Liverpool in the transfer window.

Reports in Spain and England suggest Liverpool have softened their stance on the Brazil star, having refused to entertain any offers for him during August.

Barca are said to have not yet made an offer but there is speculation that a bid worth an initial €110million is being readied and that the deal could go through this month.

Valverde thinks Coutinho is a great player but insists he does not want to talk openly about anyone outside his own squad.

Sometimes I come in here and I learn about things that are happening; whether they re true or not, I don t know, he told a news conference ahead of Barca s Copa del Rey clas…

Luis Neto welcomes Napoli interest

Siena defender Luis Neto is interested in joining Napoli in the January transfer window, according to the player’s representative.

The Azzurri have lined up the Portuguese defender as a replacement for banned captain Paolo Cannavaro, but the problem is Juventus and few other top clubs are also keen.

Siena appear ready to sell their prized asset provided the price is right, and Neto’s representative admits that Napoli may have an advantage over their rivals for the player’s signature.

“Neto likes Napoli, he knows it is a great team, and he might want to play in a club like this,” agent Bruno Carvalho said to Radio Crc.

“There was a conversation between Siena and Napoli, but nothing official. We are wa…

Jose Callejon has stressed that he is determined to help Real Madrid to more silverware next season after winning the Liga title in 2011-12.

The attacker re-joined Madrid from Espanyol at the end of the 2010-11 season, and immediately won the first major trophy of career.

However, Callejon is not satisfied just yet and is desperate to add some more silverware to his trophy cabinet in the upcoming years.

I hope everything goes well next year and that we may win many titles, Callejon told the club s official website.

My objective is to continue giving Real Madrid everything I have in me. Everyone has goals and mine is to continue improving.

The 25-year-old netted five goals in 25 La Liga appearances this term, while scoring five more in the Cha…

Celtic face stiff competition for the signature of long-standing target Mark McKenzie of Philadelphia Union, according to the MLS club s sporting director Ernst Tanner.

Celtic have reportedly been interested in the 21-year-old defender for a while, but this summer they ended up signing Shane Duffy on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee of £2 million instead. Tanner confirmed to Sky Sports that the talks between Union and Celtic had been held, and Celtic apparently remain interested for the deal to take place in the near future.

However, Tanner also said that the Hoops aren t the only club to have expressed an interest in McKenzie, and that there have been inquiries from the Premier League and the Bundesliga as well.

McKenzie came through the ranks at t…

Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he never saw Lionel Messi as a rival after Juventus brushed past Barcelona in the Champions League.

Ronaldo converted two penalties and Weston McKennie also scored at Camp Nou, where Juve claimed a 3-0 win and top spot in Group G on Tuesday.

Messi had a game-high 11 shots, including seven on target, but Barca fell as he faced Ronaldo – who starred during nine seasons in LaLiga with Real Madrid – once more.

Ronaldo, who shared a brief embrace with Messi before the clash, said there was no rivalry between the two all-time greats.

I have always had a very cordial relationship with him, the Juve star told Movistar+.

I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.

He always…

Milan have announced that midfielder Sulley Muntari has extended his contract until the end of the 2015-16 season.

The 29-year-old scored six goals in 35 appearances in all competitions last term for Milan.

And his form has been rewarded with a fresh deal as new coach Filippo Inzaghi looks to improve on a disappointing campaign.

Milan finished eighth last season and sacked two coaches Massimiliano Allegri and former player Clarence Seedorf as a result.

A brief Milan statement released on Wednesday read: AC Milan announces that Sulley Muntari has renewed his contract to June 30, 2016.

Muntari joined Milan from arch-rivals Inter on loan in January 2012 before signing permanently later that year.

He is representing Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and p…

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes admitted to banning chips during his brief spell at Old Trafford.

David Moyes said he prohibited the consumption of chips at Manchester United because he felt some of the players were overweight.

Moyes came in for criticism following his sacking last April, with former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand critical of the Scot s decision to clear chips of the menu.

Eating low-fat chips had been a ritual under Alex Ferguson prior to Moyes arrival in Manchester.

Moyes now in charge of La Liga outfit of Real Sociedad has opened up about the decision to scrap chips in an interview with Four Four Two magazine, claiming some of his players were fat.

Yes, I did ban chips, said Moyes, who only lasted 10 months of h…