Pep Guardiola believes Gareth Southgate would be taking a risk if he did not name Fabian Delph in England's World Cup squad after an impressive season from the Manchester City utility man.

Messages of support continued to pour in as legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson fought for his life on Sunday following emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage.

Legendary former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has upset his own plans to retire and announced he will extend his career until at least the end of this year, he said on Sunday.

Widely expected to end his illustrious playing career at the end of this season, the World Cup champion and four-times Champions League winner told AFP he feels fit enough to continue playing a little longer.

Barcelona defender Lucas Digne has admitted he and his team-mates are desperate to avoid surrendering their unbeaten La Liga record to Real Madrid on Sunday.

Barca are four games away from adding a first invincible La Liga season to their domestic double but this weekend they host a Real side in form, and buoyed by their run to the Champions League final.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte hopes his side can benefit from any lessening of intensity in Liverpool's play after their Champions League semi-final triumph when they face the Reds in the Premier League on Sunday.

Rangers on Friday confirmed former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard as their new manager, announcing he would join the Scottish Premiership club this summer on a four-year deal.

Gerrard, who has previously only worked with Liverpool's Under-18s, faces a daunting task in trying to compete with Old Firm rivals Celtic, who have just sealed their seventh consecutive title.

The IAAF will scrap morning sessions at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, as well as introducing a mixed 4x400 metres relay and a midnight marathon.

Jurgen Klopp has said that Liverpool are reaping the benefits of the footballing maturity Mohamed Salah gained during his spell at Roma.

Liverpool held off a spirited Roma fightback to reach the Champions League final 7-6 on aggregate despite losing a hectic semi-final second leg in Rome on Wednesday.

Liverpool are on the brink of a return to the Champions League final as they lead Roma going into Wednesday's semi-final second leg amid tight security with thousands of Reds fans flooding into the Italian capital.

The five-time winners have a 5-2 advantage in a clash overshadowed by security concerns which marred last week's first leg game in Anfield, and are favorites to reach their eighth final and first since 2007.