All the very latest football news across Europe!

It's all change with the Premier League transfer window this year as it opens and closes earlier than before.

The new dates are to ensure that all transfers are completed before the start of the 2018/19 season.

The Premier League has confirmed the transfer window will open at midnight on 17th May.

It will then close at 5pm on 9th August - instead of 31st August, which it has been in previous years.

The reason for the changes to the transfer window are so clubs avoid disruption to their squads once the Premier League season has kicked off on 11th August.

In fact, deals can be agreed before 17th May, however, the paperwork cannot be processed until the window has officially opened.

That means domestic transfers can be completed from midnight on 17th May, but transfers from abroad can only be finalised once the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) opens at midnight on 8th June.

In France, the transfer window will open on 9th June. In Italy and Germany it will be on 1st July and in Spain it will be on 2nd July.
The windows in those four leagues will close on 31st August.

The EFL transfer window is already open.
It opened on Monday, 7th May for domestic transfers. Clubs involved in play-offs can sign players now - but cannot play them until their season is over.

The EFL window closes at the same time as the Premier League, at 5pm on 9th August - five days after the new EFL season begins.

EFL clubs will still be able to sign players on loan until 31st August. They can also sign free agents up until the same date.

Everton have confirmed manager Sam Allardyce has left the club with immediate effect -skysports.com

The sacking of Allardyce means Everton will have to pay Allardyce £6m in compensation, after less than a year in charge. Ex-Watford boss Marco Silva is favourite to take over at Goodison Park - Daily Express

David Moyes has left West Ham. Moyes met David Sullivan on Monday to discuss whether he should carry on in the job as West Ham manager. Following that meeting it was reported in a club statement that he was unlikely to stay, despite the fact that he was only appointed last November - skysports.com

Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is very close to becoming the club's new manager, taking over from Arsene Wenger. Talks between the Gunners and the 36-year-old Spaniard have progressed well, with former team-mate Santi Cazorla lined up for a backroom role - Independent, Daily Mail and Daily Mirror

Ex-Gunners captain Patrick Vieira, 41, says he has been left disappointed at the club's "token gesture" after being contacted about the vacant managerial position at Arsenal - skysports.com

Mauricio Pochettino is ready to snub Chelsea's advances to stay loyal to Tottenham - Daily Star

Danny Rose hopes Tottenham will give boss Mauricio Pochettino "what he wants" this summer as the club look to move to the next level. Danny Rose hopes Tottenham will give boss Mauricio Pochettino "what he wants" this summer as the club look to move to the next level- skysports.com

England manager Gareth Southgate will name his 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup in Russia today!
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will not be included. Southgate is unable to call up Liverpool pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez along with Swansea defender Alfie Mawson, who have been ruled out through injury - BBC Sport

Southgate said that "19 or 20" of his squad had been decided upon, with Liverpool's Adam Lallana and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey and Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek among those in contention for the fringe places - BBC Sport

Manchester City's Joe Hart is furious after believing West Ham manager David Moyes cost him a World Cup place - Daily Mirror

Cristiano Ronaldo is wanted by Manchester United, who have two plans to sign the Real Madrid forward - Diario Gol (Spanish daily sports newspaper)

The first includes a swap deal with Paul Pogba and a fee of £43m, while the second would see them launch a £142m bid to re-sign their former player - Diario Gol (Spanish daily sports newspaper)

Real Madrid's 28 year-old midfielder Toni Kroos is leaning towards a move to Manchester United.
He has been earmarked as a replacement for the retired Michael Carrick, with the Germany international said to be keen on a Premier League move - Don Balon (Spanish news outlet)

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho will try to tempt AC Milan defender Leonardo Bonucci to Old Trafford this summer - Tuttosport (Italian sport newspaper published in Turin)

Paul Lambert's future as Stoke manager is still hanging in the balance, ahead of talks with the club hierarchy this week - Daily Telegraph

Championship side QPR will name ex-England boss Steve McClaren as their new manager to replace Ian Holloway, who was sacked last week - skysports.com

Eden Hazard insists he is happy at Chelsea but has challenged the club to match his ambition with new signings this summer. Asked what would persuade him to sign a contract extension with the club, Hazard said: "I'm waiting for new players next season. I want good players because I want to win next season the Premier League. That's why I'm taking my time. It's something big. I need to think about a lot of things. One thing I'm sure is that I'm happy here." - skysports.com

Clubs will have to part with £88m in order to sign highly-rated Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, with the Daily Star reporting that Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested.
The Senegalese international has been linked with a move away from the Serie A side over the last few windows - Daily Star

West Ham want Burnley and England keeper Tom Heaton to replace Joe Hart next term - The Sun

Manchester United are confident of signing 29-year-old Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld and are willing to spend more than £40m on the Belgium international - London Evening Standard

Inter Milan will bid for Manchester City and Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan if they qualify for the Champions League - Corriere dello Sport in Italian - (Italian national sports newspaper based in Rome)

A bidding war could break out as a number of top clubs are eyeing Leicester defender Harry Maguire. The 25-year-old centre back is wanted by Manchester City, as well as a number of other top Premier League clubs, and will be subject of close attention when he plays for England at this summer's World Cup - Daily Mirror.

Newcastle will make on loan Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, 29, their first summer signing from Sparta Prague - The Sun

Atletico Madrid will watch Kieran Tierney in the Scottish Cup final and join the race for the Celtic full-back. The 20-year-old has caught the eye with the Scottish Premiership champions, with Man Utd, Tottenham and Bournemouth also said to be interested - The Sun

Leicester and West Ham will make moves to sign Manchester City's Patrick Roberts, who has been on loan at Celtic since 2016, after the Scottish Cup final - Daily Express

Romelu Lukaku will be fit to start for Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Arsenal have held talks with 26-year-old Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, who is valued at £40m by the Ligue 1 club. However, Premier League rivals Chelsea are favourites to sign the Ivory Coast international - Daily Mirror

Everton, Newcastle and Huddersfield are among the clubs in pursuit of Schalke 04 and Kosovo international Donis Avdijaj - Daily Mail

Huddersfield's on-loan defender Terence Kongolo looks to have made his last appearance for the club. The Terriers signed the 24-year-old from Monaco in January on loan for the rest of the season. Town fans had been hoping Kongolo would extend his stay in England but he now looks set to return to France with his latest Instagram post - skysports.com

League One champions Wigan Athletic want to turn 23-year-old Leicester left-back Callum Elder's loan into a permanent deal. The Australian has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium - Daily Mail

Stephen Thompson is close to selling his majority shareholding in Dundee United to an American investor - Daily Express

Manchester United and Liverpool are in line to be invited to take part in a new 24-team Club World Cup which could earn the clubs more than £100m - The Times

Liverpool are to sign midfielder Isaac Christie-Davies, 20, on a free transfer after the Englishman was not awarded a new contract at Chelsea - ESPN

Diego Maradona has signed a three-year contract to join top-flight Belarusian club Dinamo Brest as their new chairman. Argentine legend Maradona, a former World Cup winner recognised as one of the all-time greats, last month stepped down as coach of United Arab Emirates second division club Al-Fujairah after they failed to gain automatic promotion to the first division - skysports.com

Some Interesting, Unusual and Bizarre Facts about Football Players - Part One

# In 2013 the word "Inmessionante" was added to the Spanish Dictionary which references Lionel Messi. It was chosen because of its similarity to the Spanish word for “impressive.”
It is an adjective which is explained in the Spanish dictionary with two points:

1. Perfect way to play football, an unlimited capacity for self improvement.
2. Describes the best player of all time.

# Johan Cruyff's niece Estelle married Ruud Gullit in 2000, but she walked out on him in 2012 due to his continuous womanising. Estelle was his 3rd wife and Ruud has six children - two from each of his marriages.

# Ryan Giggs never received a red card during his 24 season playing career with Manchester United. He was only once sent off when playing for Wales, on 5 September 2001 in a World Cup qualifier against Norway.

# Mark Hughes once played two games in a single day; In the morning he played for Wales against Czechoslovakia in Prague, drove across the border, and then turned out for Bayern Munich in the afternoon.

# Lille and France International footballer Rio-Antonio Mavuba was born in international waters. Mavuba, son of former Zaire international Ricky Mavuba Ndokia Ndombe - who featured at the 1974 World Cup finals - was born on a boat, off the coast of Angola, on 16 March 1984. His birth certificate does not have a nation listed, it just says “Born at Sea.”

# Former Tottenham Hotspur player and now television pundit and actor David Ginola has an unfortunate tale to tell. His name is an anagram for 'Vagina Dildo.'

# The younger brother of Joey Barton, Michael, is a convicted murderer. He and his cousin murdered their male victim, in an unprovoked racially motivated attack with an ice axe in 2005. Both were given life sentences with Michael Barton given a minimum term of 17 years and eight months.

# Ronaldinho first gained media attention in 1993, when aged 13 his youth team won a game 23-0. Ronaldinho scored all 23 goals in that victory.

# Charles Itandje of Cameroon is the only professional footballer to be sacked for laughing!
That’s what happened to the goalkeeper whilst at Liverpool in 2010. The reason his punishment was so harsh was because he was caught chuckling about something during a memorial service for the victims of Hillsborough.

# Manuel Neuer stars in the German version of the 2013 Disney/Pixar film 'Monsters University’. He provides the voice for the character Frank McCay

# Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro got the name "Ronaldo" after then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, a favourite actor of his father's.

As a child, Jakub "Kuba" Błaszczykowski, the Borussia Dortmund and Polish international winger witnessed a tragedy, which had a major influence on his life. When he was ten years old his father stabbed his mother to death. After his father went to prison, Błaszczykowski and his brother were raised by their grandmother. Every goal he scores, he dedicates to his mother and can be seen looking up in the sky during goal celebrations.

# There have been many goalkeepers over the years who have fancied themselves as strikers.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was renowned for going up for corners late into a game and scored 13 times in his career.

# West Ham and Cameroon international Alex Song has 27 siblings – 17 sisters and 10 brothers. His father, who died when Song was two, had five wives.

# Croatian footballer Luka Modrić and former Australian footballer Mark Viduka are cousins.

# Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima commonly known as the Brazilian Ronaldo, never won the UEFA Champions League despite playing for 5 teams that did. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also never won the UEFA Champions League, despite playing for some of the world's biggest European clubs.

# Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet speaks 5 languages and has a degree in politics.


*Part Two will follow soon.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 2014 Ballon d'Or Winner

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award last night for the second consecutive year at a ceremony held in Zurich.

This was the Real Madrid forwards third Ballon d'Or (2008/2013/2014), as he topped a poll of journalists, international coaches and captains to the title of 'World's Best Player' during the calender year 2014, beating Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ronaldo has also been runner-up on four occasions (2007/2009/2011/2012).

Ronaldo received 37.66 per cent of all votes, while Messi just pipped Manuel Neuer to second place, with 15.76 per cent compared to 15.72 per cent for Germany's World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
The remaining 30.86 per cent of the votes were split between a number of other players including: Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm and Neymar to name just a few.

Ronaldo's latest success comes on the back of 12 months during which he scored 56 goals in 51 club games for Real Madrid in all competitions, along with 21 assists. Among his 56 club goals he scored a competition-record 17 in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning campaign.
Roanaldo also made 9 appearances for the Portuguese national team, scoring 5 times with one assist.

On receiving the award on stage from guest Thierry Henry, 29 year-old Ronaldo said the following:

"I can see my mother, my family. I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow player, the President of my club.
It's been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles - individual and as a team - for my mother, my father who is up there looking at there any my son.
I want to get better as the days go by. I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions. Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening. BOOM!"

Germany national manager Joachim Low won the 'Coach of the Year' award ahead of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

The Puskas Trophy for the best goal of 2014 went to Columbia's James Rodriguez for his volleyed World Cup goal against Uruguay,
Republic of Ireland women's striker Stephanie Roche was 2nd for her ball juggle and volley for Peamount United, with Robin van Persie third in the public vote for his diving header in Holland's 5-1 win over Spain at the finals.

Wolfsburg captain Nadine Kessler added FIFA's Women's World Player of the Year trophy to the UEFA equivalent she won last year.

Ralf Kellerman also of Wolfsburg won the award FIFA Women’s Football Coach of the Year.


FIFA's World Team of the Year for 2014 was as follows:

Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Brazil/PSG), David Luiz (Brazil/PSG), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/Barcelona), Ángel Di Maria (Argentina/Manchester United)
Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich).

All the latest World Cup 2014 injury news!

Germany:

Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) will be available for today's World Cup clash against Portugal.

A local Brazilian website - Radar64 - claimed the 29-year-old was airlifted to hospital after taking a knock to his left foot in training on Friday.

But the German FA (DFB) insist the hospital visit was for a routine MRI scan, because of his recent knee injury, and he later rejoined the team in Salvador to prepare for today's Group G match at the Arena Fonte Nova.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has struggled with tendinitis of the knee since the German Cup final a month ago.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has recovered from his shoulder injury and will start today's World Cup match against Portugal, coach Joachim Loew said.
Neuer, Germany's number one goalkeeper for the last four years and pillar of their defence, injured his shoulder in Bayern Munich's German Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund last month.

Neuer did not play in the friendlies against Cameroon and Armenia.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who was also struggling with an injured ankle, is likely to play a holding midfield position rather than in the back four, a visibly relieved Loew told a news conference ahead of his team's Group G opening game against Portugal in Salvador.


Portugal:

Cristiano Ronaldo said he is "100 per cent" fit and ready for Portugal's opening World Cup match against the powerful Germans today. However after an injury-disrupted campaign for Real Madrid there are huge concerns over his fitness.

The Real Madrid star had ice applied to his troublesome left knee after training on Thursday, sparking fears over his fitness ahead of Monday's Group G opener.

The 29 year-old former Manchester United forward, arguably the most recognizable player in the sport, said he wouldn't risk his career by going into such a tough match with a serious injury.


United States:

Timothy Chandler is a fitness doubt for the USA's opener versus Ghana today. The right-back injured his leg in practice last Tuesday.

Stars and Stripes coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be keeping a keen eye on the full-back's progress while DaMarcus Beasley deputises.

Nigeria:

Nigeria will have a full squad for their opening game today against Iran. Defensive midfielder Gabriel Reuben is available having missed two days training with a knee problem.

Although he is not expected to start, the midfielder's return is a welcome boost to Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who continues to rue the injury-enforced pre-tournament departure of AS Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile.


England:

England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) has expressed optimism that he will recover from a knee injury in time for his side's second World Cup game against Uruguay on Thursday.

"It's coming along," said the Arsenal player, who damaged knee ligaments in a friendly against Ecuador last week and sat out England's opening Group D game against Italy on Saturday.

Asked about his chances of featuring against Uruguay in Sao Paulo, he told British newspaper journalists: "We are not sure about timescales.

"We are hopeful that would be realistic, but there is nothing set in stone and I can't say whether I will definitely be back or not.


Brazil:

Givanildo Vieira de Souza or Hulk limped out of a training session on Sunday morning but later said his injury was not serious and he expects to be fit for Brazil’s World Cup match against Mexico on Tuesday.

The Zenit St Petersburg striker who was playing for Brazil’s first string against a second string team in a training match.
"I felt a niggle and came off as a precaution,” he told reporters shortly before the squad were due to fly 1,350 miles to the northern city of Fortaleza.


Cameroon:

Samuel Eto'o missed training for a second successive day on Sunday with the striker still struggling with a knee injury as Cameroon prepare for Wednesday's match against Croatia.


Croatia:

Croatia playmaker Luka Modrić (right) should be fit to resume training after being given the all clear following a foot problem, the Croatian Federation said on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Real Madrid star suffered a blow to his foot during Thursday's opening World Cup match, a 3-1 defeat by Brazil at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.


Spain:

Spanish media reports suggest Spain reserve goalkeeper David De Gea will be sidelined for up to 10 days, ruling him out of the final two Group B matches against Chile and Australia.

The Manchester United player, 23, missed training on Sunday after picking up a buttocks injury. The champions face Chile on Wednesday and then Australia five days later.

Captain and regular goalkeeper Iker Casillas' poor play in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Netherlands had given De Gea a possible chance to take over the starting role.
Pepe Reina is the only other goalkeeper available to the World and European champions going into Wednesday's must-win game against Chile at the Maracana.


Italy:

AC Milan left-back Mattia De Sciglio (right) pulled up in training in Portobello last Thursday with a thigh muscle strain.

Although the injury prevented the 21 year-old from playing against England on Saturday, he is hopeful to be fit again in time for the group match against Costa Rica this Friday.

Meanwhile Italy are waiting on goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who twisted his left ankle last Friday, forcing the veteran Juventus man to miss the win against England.

Enrico Castellacci, Italy's team doctor indicated that it is to early to know for sure whether either player will definitely be available for selection on Friday.

The Biggest Football Boot Sponsorship Deals & which boots the stars wear!

Football boot sponsorship deals provide lucrative ‘additional’ income to those at the top of the game. Becoming the face of a brand’s footwear also opens up other avenues for big name players, such as money-spinning contracts in other associated domains such as clothing, men’s grooming, television and billboard advertising as well as promotional events.

Here I take a look at which football superstars earn the most for sporting a particular brand's boot.
These are the Biggest Football Boot Sponsorship Deals in the game today – read it and weep!

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - Nike - £1 million per season

At £1m a season, Wayne Rooney has one of the biggest deals with arguably the biggest sports brand on the planet. Despite the controversial England striker having a far from squeaky-clean image, the Manchester United star is the face of the Nike T90 Laser IV boot. Only last April he lost his £600,000 a year endorsement with Coca-Cola after a foul-mouthed outburst was seen by millions on television, as he screamed the F-word into a camera after scoring a dramatic hat-trick against West Ham. Despite this Nike have stood by their man and Rooney is relied upon by the company to shift their boots by the bucket-load!

The Nike T90 Laser IV (above) has been designed to offer ultimate precision and power. Its adaptive shot shield technology is divided into 'Power' and 'Swerve' zones. The upper region, or the strike zone, is designed to flex naturally with the fit as you contact the ball while giving you some added power. The lower region, or swerve zone, features fins that are strategically positioned and sized to allow for closer feel on the ball while supplying added bend when you need it. Both zones are designed to flex naturally with ball contact, allowing natural movement of the foot.

Visit the Nike Football Bootroom

Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) – Puma – £1.25 million per season

Since landing in Manchester from Madrid in the summer of 2011 Agüero became an instant hit in the English Premier League, scoring goals regularly and helping Manchester City to win the Premier League title in May in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning goal in the final minute on the last day of the season. Last September Aguero became a landmark signing for Puma’s rapidly expanding stable of football stars, on a massive four-season deal, after persuading him to quit Nike. The Argentine international will become a 'central' figure in Puma's forthcoming global marketing campaigns over the coming years, wearing Puma's line of football boots for a long-term period, beginning with the Speed v1.11.

The Speed v1.11 boot (above) does exactly what it was designed to do when on the pitch, that is, it makes you quicker. However, speed isn’t the only advantage you gain by wearing a pair of these. There is a noticeable increase in power during shooting, which is made possible by the large lace cover. This piece of fabric helps focus all the strength and speed of the player into the centre of the ball, allowing for maximum shot power. The lace cover is held down by an elastic strap and a TriHook fastener to ensure a snug fit. The curved instep of the shoe also helps for a curved shot from both long and close range - an ideal factor for any striker.

Visit the Puma Football Bootroom

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – adidas – £2 million per season

The best player in the world is only fourth on this list – how does that work? Thankfully for adidas, the contract with the two-time FIFA Balon D'or winner arranged his football boots deal back in March 2006, before his ascent to mega-superstardom, so adidas have been paying relatively little to have Messi in their wildly-popular adidas F50 adiZero range.

The adidas F50 adiZero miCoach boot (above) has taken footwear in the sport to a new level. Last November it was revealed that the Barcelona superstar had spent months developing the world’s first intelligent football boot with manufacturers adidas. It records player-specific data with an innovative miCoach Speed Cell chip placed in the cavity of the outsole. The boots – which store data including: speed, average speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels and active time for up to seven hours after a match or training – transmit on-pitch information to tablets, PCs and Macs using a wireless link.

Visit the adidas Football Bootroom

Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) – Puma – £3.2 million per season 

Another one of big-spending Puma's massive recent signings is Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has has turned his back on Nike in order to sign a lucrative £16 million boot deal with sportswear giant Puma. After rigorous testing, Fabregas decided last September that he will be sporting the brand-new Puma PowerCat 1.12 boots (below). The 25-year-old former Arsenal captain put pen to paper on a five-year contract and Fabregas will be the flagship player for the PowerCats. As a result the midfield maestro - a member of Spain's double UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup winning team, jumps into the top three on the list of the Biggest Football Boots Sponsorship Deals.

The PowerCat 1.12 features the new PUMA 3D DUO Power Shooting Technology, applied to the kicking area on the inside of the boot. Made from an innovative thermoplastic material with two different degrees of hardness, the boot has the advantage of being both highly responsive with extremely high rebound properties. The newly created PUMA 3D PST DUO technology enables improved grip on the ball through its exposed elements, and instead of absorbing the energy it increases the kicking power of the player. The kicking area employs a soft K-Leather while the lightweight microfiber material in the lateral quarter supports the midfoot and helps to keep the weight of the boot to a minimum.

Visit the Puma Football Bootroom

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – Nike – £5 million per season

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a whopping £20 million deal with Nike and stands to rake in £5 million-a-year. The deal negotiated in 2010 (the same year the first Nike CR Mercurial was launched) instantly rocketed Ronaldo into the upper echelon of sponsored athletes in any sport. As well as the face of their Mercurial line of Football Boots, for their money Nike are also getting a player with power, tricks, a signature style of free-kick and model good-looks. Despite technically being less successful at Madrid than at Manchester United, Nike will be banking on the Portugal international to constantly be challenging for titles with Los Blancos before his contract expires.

The Real Madrid forward is an advocate of Nike's Mercurial range and netted an incredible 53 times last season - including 25 times with his right boot and nine with his left. Designed for global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, the Nike Mercurial range of boots are the pinnacle of one of the most technically advanced, innovatively designed football boots ever created. Ronaldo is the heartbeat of every football boot Nike Mecurial produce.

On 24 February 2010 at a Nike Football event in London, Cristiano Ronaldo launched the second release of the Mecurial Vapour Superfly series.

On 16 March 2011 Nike unveiled the third incarnation of the Superfly series – the Mercurial Vapor Superfly III. The Mercurial Vapor Superfly III received its official on-pitch debut on 19 March 2011, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil played in the Madrid derby.

On 14 April 2011, Nike revealed the Nike CR Mercurial Vapor Superfly III (below), a version of the Mercurial Vapor Superfly III to be worn 'exclusively' by Cristiano Ronaldo. Whilst not featuring any technical updates to the standard Superfly III, the Nike CR Mercurial Vapor Superfly III featured an all-over 'Safari' print, that was designed specifically for Ronaldo, an all-over leopard-skin print in black and white, with contrasting safety-vest orange Nike Branding. The concept being that it set the man and the boot apart from the competition! The major innovation for the Superfly II soccer shoes was the development of the Nike Sense adaptive traction technology. A revolution in boot technology, Nike engineered a boot that combines a unique one-piece upper with a traction configuration sole-plate. Designers created an adaptive stud that can extend and retract by up to 3mm, based on ground conditions and pressure exerted by the player. Next-generation Nike Flywire technology was incorporated into the boot’s streamlined upper to provide a unique lightweight, strong and more dynamic fit.

On March 19, 2012 the Nike Mecurial Vapour VIII boot (below) was released. The special features of the boot is that Nike no longer uses the sense studs and 4 studs for the heel counter now Nike uses a whole new stud design for traction and 2 studs for the heel counter. This implant of the Mercurials do not include a carbon fibre soleplate, but instead uses the fibreglass soleplate Nike has been using for 2 years for the standard Vapors. Nike no longer uses Flywire but uses a thin layer of microfibre that has a suede finish, which is said to be for control. Ronaldo currently wears The Vapor VIII, but it was not designed and marketed exclusively for him. Other players that wear the boot include Juan Mata, Neymar, Andrey Arshavin and Mesut Özil.

Visit the Nike Football Bootroom

David Beckham (LA Galaxy) – adidas – £7 million per season

You just cannot keep this man down. David Beckham will forever by synonymous with Adidas, having signed his first deal with the sportswear manufacturers early on in his playing career. The former England captain still wears adidas predators and has a unique deal in which he gets a cut of every boot sold. Beckham's deal with adidas is the result of some shrewd negotiation by 'team Beckham.'

Currently he can be seen wearing adidas Predator LZ DB (above and below), in a white, pink and black colour combination. The Predator LZ marks the first time that adidas have been able to incorporate so many Predator elements into a single boot, thanks to the new Hypertouch synthetic material used for the upper. Soft rubber ribs on the forefoot vamp use a recessed surface to create a ‘vacuum’ effect for a great first touch. SL Rubber on the instep toe area for a ‘high risk/high reward’ combination of spin and power when striking the ball. Finally rubber ‘Ribs’ on the medial out-step provides a precise ‘second skin’ feel when dribbling. The LZ is also the first adidas Predator to feature miCoach technology, with the latest Predator compatible with the same Speed Cell as the F50 adiZero and adiPure 11pro, thanks to it’s modified SprintFrame design.

The LA Galaxy midfielder pockets a percentage of every pair of Beckham-branded adidas football boots or piece of training apparel he personally endorses.

Given the desirable designs often reserved for these items, it’s no surprise to see Beckham pocketing more than any other footballer with his Football Boots Sponsorship Deal.

Visit the adidas Football Bootroom

# Figures correct up to the end of 2011/12 domestic football season.

The World's Highest Paid Footballers

At the beginning of April I posted an article on 'The World's Highest Paid Football Managers.'
Today I am going to focus on 'The World's Highest Paid Football Players.'

The last couple of years have been massive in the world of football sponsorships, with high profile players understandably benefiting the most, as brands from both inside and outside the world of football bankroll the top stars in the run up to the European Championships and the London Olympics this summer.

Mega-bucks clubs like Manchester City and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala are doing multi-million pound deals in the pursuit of glory. Some ten years or so ago the average footballers pay in the UK was about five times that of the average weekly wage of the man in the street. Today however the football world is giving millions of pounds to the elite players, and their wages are literally going off the richter scale!

While some saw the abolition of football's maximum wage, which had capped players' pay at £20 a week, as a defining moment in the game's history, others view the 18th January 1961, as the day football - and, more importantly, footballers - began to lose touch with reality. The wages spiral did not immediately follow the abolition of the maximum wage. It was only when stars such as Denis Law and Jimmy Greaves left to play in Italy for bigger salaries in the summer of 1961 that the clubs realised they were going to have to pay out for top talent.

By the end of the decade, George Best was earning £1,000 a week at United The real explosion in players' pay came about in 1992 when the Premier League was founded and Sky TV coverage was launched. Liverpool's John Barnes was then the highest-paid player in the country at the time - on £10,000 a week. A decade later, wages escalated dramatically, partly as a result of the introduction of the Bosman ruling, which allowed players to move for free at the end of their contracts. It was at this time that we saw the first £100,000 a week footballer.

Some say it has gone way too far now, with players in 90 per cent of football clubs being paid far more than their clubs can afford.

In 1980 the average weekly wage in the UK was: £124.
In 1980 the average weekly pay for a player in the top flight was: £550.

In 1990 the average weekly wage in the UK was: £295.
In 1990 the average weekly pay for a player in the top flight was: £1500.

In 2000 the average weekly wage in the UK was: £473.
In 2000 the average weekly pay for a player in the top flight was: £11,184.

In 2010 the average weekly wage in the UK was: £656.
In 2010 the average weekly pay for a player in the top flight was: £33,868.

While Bill Shankly built a Liverpool team in 1960 on a total wage bill of £517 a week, Manchester City have committed £500million to salaries in their bid for Premier League glory.

There is a staggering gap between what top players earn and what the average person gets and the relationship between players and the public really isn't that great any more.

The fans aren't stupid and they see too many 'average millionaires.' They will forgive players and the money if they feel that they really earn it, both on and off the pitch, but too many of them don't. Some players can't even be bothered to take their headphones off or give the fans an autograph when they're getting off the team coach.

Here is an up-to-date list of: 'The Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers in the World.'

10/ Philip Lahm - FC Bayern Munich and Germany, £11.9m per annum.

Born: 11th November 1983 (age 28)
Previous clubs: Bayern Munich II, VfB Stuttgart (loan)
Honours won:
Bayern Munich:
Bundesliga: 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10, DFB-Pokal: 2002–03, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10,
Germany:
FIFA World Cup Third Place: 2006, 2010,  UEFA European Football Championship Runner-up: 2008, UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship Runner-up: 2002.
Individual:
UEFA Team of the Year: 2006, 2008, FIFA Team of the Year: 2008

Captain of the German national side, Lahm’s renewed deal with his Bavarian club has had a year to mature, putting him amongst the world’s highest earners for the first time. He has also inked a lucrative deal to wear adidas football boots.

9/ Kaká - Real Madrid and Brazil, £12.9m per annum.

Born: 22nd April 1982 (age 30)
Previous clubs: São Paulo, AC Milan
Honours won:
AC Milan:
Serie A: 2003–04, UEFA Champions League: 2006–07, UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007, FIFA Club World Cup: 2007.
Real Madrid:
Copa del Rey: 2010–11
Brazil:
FIFA World Cup: 2002, FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual:
FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007, World Soccer Player of the Year: 2007, Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2004, 2007, UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2006–07,

As well as a 'healthy' contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid, Kaka’s clean cut image have helped him keep his finances among the highest in world football, as deals with adidas and EA Sports supplement his Los Blancos paycheque. It's interesting to note that the 30 year-old's 'on-field performances' have been a little inconsistent of late, which has meant that the Brazilian midfielder is actually earning around £2m less than this time last year.

8/ Fernando Torres - Chelsea and Spain, £13.9m per annum.

Born: 20th March 1984 (age 28)
Previous clubs: Atlético Madrid, Liverpool
Honours won:
Atlético Madrid:
Segunda División: 2001-02
Spain:
FIFA World Cup Winner: 2010, UEFA European Championship: 2008, UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship (1): 2001, UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship: 2002

Despite his well-documented troubles since his move to Stamford Bridge, Spanish striker Torres’ deal that took him from Merseyside to London with Chelsea has propelled him into the Top 10 highest-paid footballers for the first time in his career.
Addition spending money comes from the likes of Pepsi and Nike, who will hope that their investment can force his way back into the Spain squad in time for Euro 2012.

7/ Yaya Touré - Manchester City and Ivory Coast, £14.7m per annum.

Born: 13th May 1983 (age 28)
Previous clubs: Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, Monaco, Barcelona
Honours won:
Olympiacos:
Super League Greece: 2005–06, Greek Cup: 2005–06
Barcelona:
La Liga: 2008–09, 2009–10, Copa del Rey: 2008–09, Supercopa de España: 2009, UEFA Champions League: 2008–09, UEFA Super Cup: 2009, FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
Manchester City:
FA Cup: 2010–11
Individual:
African Footballer of the Year: 2011

Another player to benefit from a new deal at a new club is Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. The 2011 African footballer of the year has become a key member of the City squad since his move from Barcelona, and it’s worth noting he donates his sponsorship money from his Puma boot deal to charity.

6/ Sergio Agüero - Manchester City and Argentina, £15.7m per annum.

Born: 2nd June 1988 (age 23)
Previous clubs: Club Atlético Independiente, Atlético Madrid
Honours won:
Atlético Madrid:
UEFA Europa League: 2009–10, UEFA Super Cup: 2010
Argentina:
FIFA U-20 World Cup winner: 2005, 2007, Summer Olympics: 2008
Individual:
FIFA Young Player of the Year: 2007, FIFA U-20 World Cup Top Scorer (1): 2007, FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 2007, La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 2008, Don Balón Award: 2007–08

It’s a similar story for Toure’s team-mate and fellow Puma sponsor-ee Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker has quickly proven his worth at the Etihad Stadium – with 29 goals to date in all competitions this season, for the blue half of Manchester. He has switched his boot supplier to Puma following a protracted move from Nike.

5/ Wayne Rooney - Manchester United and England, £17.2m per annum.

Born: 24th October 1985 (age 26)
Previous clubs: Everton
Honours won:
Manchester United:
Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2009–10, UEFA Champions League: 2007–08, FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Individual:
PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2009–10, PFA Young Player of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, FWA Footballer of the Year: 2009–10, Goal of the Season: 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11, Barclays Player of the Year: 2009–10, England Player of the Year: 2008, 2009

Despite often being at the centre of controversy, Manchester United hitman Wayne Rooney has boosted his earnings by nearly £5m over the past 12 months to enter the top 5 highest-paid footballers for the first time in his career. Rooney's ban for the opening two group games of Euro 2012 will have no doubt  upset his sponsors somewhat, but the likes of Nike and EA Sports will be thrilled with his performances on the field for the Red Devils this season. He has netted 36 goals to date in all competitions.

4/ Samuel Eto’o - FC Anzhi Makhachkala and Cameroon, £19.4m per annum.

Born: 10th March 1981 (age 31)
Previous clubs: Real Madrid, Leganés (loan), Espanyol (loan), RCD Mallorca, Barcelona, Internazionale Milano
Honours won:
RCD Mallorca:
Copa del Rey: 2003
Barcelona:
La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, Copa del Rey: 2009, UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09
Internazionale: Serie A: 2009–10, Coppa Italia: 2010, 2011, Supercoppa Italiana: 2010, UEFA Champions League: 2009–10, FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Cameroon:
African Cup of Nations: 2000, 2002, Olympic Gold Medal: 2000
Individual:
Young African Player of the Year: 2000, African Player of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, African Cup of Nations Top Scorer: 2006, 2008, African Cup of Nations All-Time Top Scorer, La Liga Top Scorer: 2006, 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year- Third, UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match 2006

The most decorated African player of all time,Samuel Eto’o has won the African player of the year four times. With a move last year to Russian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala, Eto’o became the highest paid footballer of all time. Adding to that the Cameroon international can boast Ford and Puma to his sponsorship list in the last 12 months.

3/ Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid and Portugal, £24.3m per annum.

Born: 5th February 1985 (age 27)
Previous clubs: Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United
Honours won:
Manchester United:
Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, FA Cup: 2003–04, League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, UEFA Champions League: 2007–08, FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Real Madrid:
Copa del Rey: 2010–11
Individual:
Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006–07, PFA Young Player of the Year: 2006–07, PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, FWA Footballer of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, Barclays Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, Premier League Golden Boot: 2007–08, UEFA Champions League Top scorer: 2007–08, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08, FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2008, Ballon d'Or (1): 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008, World Soccer Player of the Year: 2008 FIFA Puskás Award: 2009, Copa del Rey top goalscorer: 2010–11, La Liga top scorer: 2010–11

The Portuguese playmaker and national squad captain Cristiano Ronaldo has bolstered his annual earnings by over £1.5m since this time last year. As well as being officially the most expensive player in the world, the superstar’s deal to keep him in Nike Mercurial football boots is reportedly one of the biggest in sport. Throw in his status as the most socially-networked athlete in the world, and due to this popularity Ronaldo has also secured sponsorship deals from brands like Armani, Coca-Cola and Castrol. He is a priceless face for any company!

2/ David Beckham - Los Angeles Galaxy and England, £26.2m per annum.

Born: 2nd May 1975 (age 36)
Previous clubs: Manchester United, Preston North End (loan), Real Madrid, AC Milan (loan)
Honours won:
Manchester United:
Premier League: 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, FA Cup: 1995–96, 1998–99, UEFA Champions League: 1998–99
Real Madrid:
La Liga: 2006–07, Supercopa de España: 2003
Los Angeles Galaxy:
MLS Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011, MLS Cup: 2011
Individual:
PFA Young Player of the Year: 1996–97, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 1998–99, Premier League Goal of the Decade, England Player of the Year: 2003, Real Madrid Player of the Year: 2005-2006, English Football Hall of Fame: 2008, Officer in the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II: 2003

After much pontification over the MLS off-season, Beckham turned down a potentially massive move to top French side Paris Saint-Germain, in favour of staying with the LA Galaxy for at least one more season. The former England captain’s new deal with the Galaxy and his hugely-marketed underwear deal with highstreet fashion label H&M, saw him earn over £2m more per annum than in the previous financial year.
Also his deal with adidas is the biggest deal in the footballing world, and part of that deal sees him earn 'bonus' money for every signed boot that the company sells. Adding to that his sponsorship deals with Samsung, who made him their company brand ambassador, and Pepsi make Becks the 2nd highest paid footballer on the list.

1/ Lionel Messi - Barcelona and Argentina, £27.5m per annum.

Born: 24th June 1987 (age 24)
Previous clubs: Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys
Honours won:
Barcelona:
La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, Copa del Rey: 2008–09, Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011
Argentina:
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005, Olympic Gold Medal: 2008
Individual:
FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2010, 2011, World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year 2011, Ballon d'Or: 2009, FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009, World Soccer Player of the Year: 2009, 2011, World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2006, 2007, 2008, La Liga top goalscorer: 2010, Copa del Rey top goalscorer: 2011, La Liga Player of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011, La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 2007, 2009, 2010, UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 2009, 2010, 2011, European Golden Shoe 2010, UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2011, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2009, FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 2005, FIFA U-20 World Cup top goalscorer: 2005, Copa América Young Player of the Tournament: 2007

After a record-breaking last 12 months, the mercurial Messi’s earnings are now as superfluous as the words used to describe him. A signature clothing range with adidas and a deal to see him become the cover star for EA Sports games from this season onward has seen the Barca ace add nearly £8m to his earnings over the past 12 months. He also boasts sponsorship deals with adidas, Konami, PepsiCo, Lay’s, Air Europa and Chery. Should his history-making form continue, it’s likely that we’ll see that figure continue to rise – over the next 12 months.