Football

Messi, 28, scored his 300th goal to give Barcelona the lead in the 25th minute against Sporting Gijon on Wednesday.

Having replaced Rafa Benitez as Madrid's coach last month, the game at the Stadio Olimpico will mark Zidane's managing debut in the Champions League.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted it would be very hard to finish in the top four after his team's insipid 2-1 loss at Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

Leicester City will be wary of a reality check when the Premier League front-runners visit Arsenal on Sunday before Tottenham Hotspur's burgeoning title ambitions come under scrutiny at Manchester City.

West Ham United's influential France international playmaker Dimitri Payet has signed a new long-term contract until 2021, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Manchester United showed its commercial strength when it raised its core earnings expectations for the year as it posted a 26.6 percent rise in quarterly revenue.

The 21-year-old "appeared to be holding his hamstring" when he pulled up in the first half of United's 7-0 victory at Old Trafford and was substituted soon afterwards.

Robert Fernandez insists striker Neymar has the backing of the Catalan club and renewal of his contract is soon to be wrapped up.

A new head coach will be at Stamford Bridge next season after interim manager Hiddink's tenure ends, but the next incumbent is unlikely to oversee a 14th successive season of the Champions League football, according to the Dutchman.

Modric scores in 85th minute as Real managed to beat low-ranked Granada FC 2-1 in an away match on Sunday.

Liverpool led 2-0 with goals from Roberto Firmino (59) and Adam Lallana (70), before Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe drew parity for Liverpool in the dying moments of the English Premier League clash at Anfield, Liverpool, on Saturday.

A Brazilian judge has thrown out tax fraud charges against Brazil and Barcelona star striker Neymar, his father and two senior FC Barcelona figures.

However, Atletico claimed the ban was excessive and had their case upheld by the Federation's Appeals Committee.

Taking a dig at the AIFF last week, Sen said it has been "sold out" after his request for rescheduling of an I-League match was ignored by the football body.

Sami Khedira will be sidelined for two to three weeks after medical tests revealed a muscle tear in his right thigh, the Serie A club said.

With 14 games of an enthralling season left, Leicester have 50 points with City on 47 ahead of their top-of-the-table blockbuster at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.