I Would Vote For Xavi To Win Ballon D'Or - Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan wants the Ballon d'Or, but believes Xavi is worthy of the title.

 Atletico Madrid Defender Luis Perea Champions Diego Forlan For Ballon D'Or

Luis Perea believes Atletico Madrid colleague Diego Forlan is front runner for Ballon d'Or.

 Quique Sanchez Flores Pleased With Filipe Luis Progress At Atletico Madrid

Quique Sanchez Flores is looking for Filipe Luis to play a role in a successful season for Atletico Madrid.

 Atletico Madrid Were Never Interested In Galatasaray Captain Arda Turan

Atletico Madrid knew that they were going to get turned down by Galatasaray over Arda Turan.

 Atletico Madrid Defender Diego Godin: Assess Our La Liga Challenge In December

Diego Godin is delighted with Atletico Madrid's start to the season, but is wary of title talk so early in the campaign.

 New Schalke Signing Jose Jurado Delighted To Team Up With Raul

Jose Jurado has revealed that he's looking forward to playing alongside Raul at Schalke.

 Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo Has No Place In Our Team

Atletico president wants to continue great things at the club while watching their rivals do the opposite....

 Goal.com Special: 20 Most Important Signings For La Liga Clubs

Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal picks out one major summer signing made by each Primera Division side...

 Galatasaray Reject €11 Million Bid From Atletico Madrid For Arda Turan - Report

Atletico Madrid fail in 11th hour bid to sign Galatasaray's Arda Turan as a replacement for Jose Jurado.

 Official: Jose Jurado Seals Schalke Switch

Jose Jurado has left Atletico Madrid to join Bundesliga club Schalke...

 Sergio Aguero Will Not Leave Atletico Madrid For Inter - Agent

Sergio Aguero will remain with Atletico Madrid this season.

 I Rejected Schalke Offer To Remain With Atletico Madrid - Tomas Ujfalusi

Atletico Madrid defender Tomas Ujfalusi claims he rejected offer from Schalke.

 Atletico Madrid New Boy Fran Merida Faces Two Weeks Out After Sustaining Muscle Injury

Fran Merida faces two weeks out after picking up a muscle injury prior to Sporting Gijon victory.

 Atletico Madrid Can Fight For La Liga - Sergio Aguero

Young Argentine Sergio Aguero believes that Atletico Madrid are capable of challenging Real Madrid and Barcelona.

 Atletico Madrid Finally Prepared To Complete Rod Fanni Swoop From Stade Rennais - Report

After a summer of chasing Stade Rennais' Rod Fanni, Atletico Madrid finally have the resources to get their man.

 La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 1

Goal.com showcases the best XI from the opening round of la Primera...

 Inter Milan ace Eto’o defends Benitez after slow start

Samuel Eto'o has dismissed concerns over new Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez.

The Nerazzurri got off to a poor start in Serie A, drawing 0-0 at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Monday evening.

“I think you all saw Bologna-Inter and realise it was a game that should’ve ended 5-0 for us, but their goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano was truly incredible,” said Eto’o.

Inter also lost the European Super Cup 2-0 to Atletico Madrid, but the Cameroon international is not concerned.

“Our squad is growing exponentially and I can guarantee that Benitez is a great Coach. We will do very well together.”

Need your Inter Milan news fix? Click here for all Inter news, transfer rumours and gossip.

 Liverpool ace Torres delighted with Spain double

Liverpool ace Fernando Torres was delighted with his double for Spain in their Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

The 26-year-old looked in fine touch for reigning European champions Spain in Vaduz on Friday night as he opened the scoring with a superb chip in the 19th minute before adding a second - his side's third - in the 54th minute with a low shot inside the near post.

The former Atletico Madrid man, who was substituted soon after netting his second, said after the game: "I feel better every day after the injury, with more rhythm and the goals give me a lot of confidence."

Torres' double saw him move onto 26 goals for his country, level with legendary Real Madrid striker Emilio Butragueno in fifth place in the all-time list.

"It's always nice to be on these lists and it makes me proud to be here and to continue scoring, although the most important thing is the three points and that we've played," Torres added.

Need your Liverpool news fix? Click here for all Reds news and transfer rumours.

 Tottenham signing Van der Vaart: I rejected Atletico Madrid

Tottenham signing Rafael van der Vaart admits he rejected a late move to Atletico Madrid.

The former Real Madrid midfielder joined Spurs on deadline day amid talk of a failed bid from Bayern Munich.

Of Bayern's interest, he said: "The offer from Bayern never ended up being concrete.

"In the end, only Atletico Madrid pushed but neither I nor the club wanted me to go there."

There have been suggestions new Real boss Jose Mourinho was reluctant to let Van der Vaart leave and that sporting director Jorge Valdano was behind his departure.

Van der Vaart said: "I don't want to speak badly about anybody - I have too much respect for the club."

The midfielder added that he would love to return to the Bernabeu in what is Spurs' debut Champions League season.

"It's a shame that some Madrid fans were sad that I was sold but I'm sure we will see each other again soon," he said. "It would be a dream to go back to the Bernabeu with Tottenham. I would feel at home.

"It was sad for me to leave. I have a lot of good friends in the dressing room. The fans have always treated me well and I have a great opinion of Mourinho. He has won everything."

Need your Tottenham news fix? Click here for all Spurs news and transfer rumours.

 Wife’s illness prevented van der Vaart leaving Madrid earlier

New Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart did not leave Real Madrid a year ago because his wife had developed breast cancer.

Holland star Van der Vaart was set to be sold by the Spanish giants last summer but he refused to move on while model wife Sylvie was undergoing what proved to be successful treatment.

Atletico Madrid did try to buy the 27-year-old, however, but Real did not want to sell to their city rivals, instead accepting Tottenham's last-gasp £8million bid on transfer deadline day.

Van der Vaart told Marca: "Thank God my wife is now perfectly okay.

"She had a very serious illness and it is true that she had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron.

"Last season, they wanted me to leave but I couldn't leave for that reason.

"Now she is well and the only thing that happened was that Madrid wanted to sell and I wanted to get back to enjoying playing football, and Tottenham are a great team that are going to give me the football opportunities that I need."

Need your Tottenham news fix? Click here for all Spurs news and transfer rumours.

 TRANSFER WINDOW: Arsenal

Arrivals:
Marouane Chamakh (free from Bordeaux)
Laurent Koscielny (undisclosed from Lorient)
Sebastian Squillaci (undisclosed from Sevilla)

Departures:
Eduardo (£6million to Shahktar Donetsk)
Sol Campbell (free to Newcastle)
Philippe Senderos (free to Fulham)
Mikael Silvestre (free to Werder Bremen)
Fran Merida (undisclosed to Atletico Madrid)
Luke Ayling (free to Yeovil)
Francis Coquelin (loan to Lorient)
Sanchez Watt (loan to Leeds)
Kyle Bartley (loan to Sheffield United)
Luke Freeman (loan to Yeovil)
Jay Simpson (£1.2m to Hull)
Armand Traore (loan to Juventus)

Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

 TRANSFER WINDOW: West Brom

Arrivals:
Steven Reid (free from Blackburn)
Pablo Ibanez (free from Atletico Madrid)
Gabriel Tamas (undisclosed from Auxerre)
Boaz Myhill (£1.5m from Hull)
Nicky Shorey (undisclosed from Aston Villa)
Peter Odemwingie (undisclosed from Lokomotiv Moscow)
Marc-Antoine Fortune (undisclosed from Celtic)
Paul Scharmer (free from Wigan)
Craig Dawson (undisclosed from Rochdale)

Departures:
Robert Koren (released, now at Hull)
Filipe Teixeira (released, now at Metallurg Donetsk)
Andwele Slory (released, not at Levski Sofia)
Joss Labadie (free to Tranmere)
Jonathan Greening (loan move made permanent to Fulham)
Luke Daniels (loan to Bristol Rovers)
Borja Valero (loan to Villarreal)
Reuben Reid (loan to Walsall)
Leon Barnett (loan to Norwich)
Craig Dawson (loan to Rochdale)

Need your West Bromwich Albion news fix? Click here for all Baggies news and transfer rumours.

 Chelsea defender Ferreira announces international retirement

Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira has announced his international retirement from Portugal.

The 31-year-old told the Portuguese Football Federation it was a move he had taken "after deep reflection" and was motivated by "personal reasons".

Right-back Ferreira won the first of his 62 caps for his country against England in September 2002.

His decision to quit international duty follows that of Atletico Madrid winger Simao last week.

 Departing Atletico Madrid star Jurado confirms Schalke move

Jose Manuel Jurado is leaving Atletico Madrid for Schalke.

Jurado is moving to Schalke for a fee of €11 million.

"The offer was too good to refuse and there are times when you cannot say no. The club is very happy and me too, so there has been no problem. Schalke is a very good step in my career, I will try to do my best there and I hope it's a see you later, not a goodbye," he said.

"It was difficult [leaving] because everyone has treated me very well. The fans have always treated me very well."

 Forlan hits brace in Atletico Madrid victory

Diego Forlan struck twice as buoyant Atletico Madrid started their Primera Division campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-0 demolition of Sporting Gijon on Monday night.

A near-capacity crowd crammed into the Vicente Calderon to see if Atletico could build on a memorable few months that has seen them win the Europa League, the European Super Cup and reach the final of the Copa del Rey.

And the Rojiblancos supporters headed home happy after seeing their side record an ultimately convincing victory with Jose Manuel Jurado netting early on and Forlan adding two more in the 40th and 64th minutes.

The scoring was completed in injury-time when substitute Simao Sabrosa curled home a brilliant goal.

 Inter Milan boss Benitez suffers stalemate on Serie A debut

Inter Milan have been held 0-0 at Bologna in last night's Serie A opener for both clubs.

Rafael Benitez definitely wished for a better start in the Campionato but the Nerazzurri looked once again poor and were unable to find the net against a side which was, on paper, far from unbeatable.

The Rossoblu were more than happy to hold for a point and ultimately were rewarded for their defensive attitude.

"I am happy with how the side reacted in the second half," Benitez told Sky Sport after the game. "We played much better than our previous match [against Atletico Madrid], as we showed the willingness to win.

"The side had 15 shots on goal, and their goalkeeper was very good this evening."

 Sunderland add Fanni to Rennes deal for Asamoah Gyan

Sunderland are keen on Rennes fullback Rod Fanni.

Le Parisien says Sunderland have been linked with a move for France right back Rod Fanni - but the Black Cats are waiting to hear back on an injury he picked up on Saturday.

The Rennes defender, who has previously been targeted by Everton, West Ham and Atletico Madrid, was substituted clutching his hamstring after 37 minutes of his team’s 1-0 win at Arles.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is already in talks with Rennes about Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, but 28-year-old Fanni could be part of the deal.

 Sanchez Flores demands Atletico Madrid focus for Sporting Gijon opener

Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores has warned his players to be focused on tonight's Liga opener with Sporting Gijon.

Atletico players have been basking in their European Super Cup success over Inter Milan on Friday night.

Sanchez Flores said: "There's clearly going to have a party atmosphere. We'll let the fans enjoy themselves but we, if we want the enjoyment to continue, have to do our jobs and our job is to be completely focused.

"Sporting are a super dangerous team, young, very dynamic, who if we relax are going to give us a very difficult game.

"We already know what it's like to lose to Sporting, having lost not long ago, so we are already warned. What we want to do is have a very good game and keep the points here at home."

 Schalke launch bid for Atletico Madrid attacker Jurado

Schalke are chasing Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado.

Jurado is the subject of a major offer from the Bundesliga giants.

Despite the Schalke bid, Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores has named Jurado in his squad for tonight's Liga opener with Sporting Gijon.

 Inter Milan boss Benitez looks for character on Serie A debut

New Inter Milan coach Rafa Benitez makes his debut tonight against Bologna.

The Nerazzurri face their Serie A debut away to managerless Bologna on Monday night, a fixture postponed due to the European Super Cup 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Friday.

“We tried to win on Friday evening, so we’re not happy with the result. Atletico worked for two weeks in preparation for this match and we arrived the day before, so our fitness levels cannot be at their best right now,” argued Benitez.

“Douglas Maicon also hurt himself in Montecarlo and will be unavailable for this game. A defeat is obviously not positive, but I am sure the team will react and use it as extra motivation.

“It is going to be a tough campaign and this side always needed a little time to get going in recent years. Our mentality will be crucial.”

Benitez has implemented changes from the Jose Mourinho era, taking more risks at the back in order to push forward with greater consistency.

“I don’t want a revolution. We’re learning gradually what works for us and what doesn’t. We also know that at this moment the tactics count for little compared to the mentality and character of the team.”

Need your Inter Milan news fix? Click here for all Inter news, transfer rumours and gossip.

 Panathinaikos on brink of Luis Garcia signing

Panathinaikos are set to sign released Racing Santander striker Luis Garcia.

Garcia made just 14 appearances since leaving Atletico Madrid last summer, but the former Spain international will now link up with ex-Liverpool team-mate Djibril Cisse, who he won the UEFA Champions League alongside in 2005.

"It's an exceptional honour for me that I will continue my career with Panathinaikos," Garcia told Greek newspaper Sport Day.

"It is a big opportunity for me to win new titles in my career with the biggest club in Greece."

 

Atletico Madrid (also known as Club Atletico de Madrid, Atletico de Madrid, El Atleti, Los Colchoneros, Los Rojiblancos or Los Indios) is a professional Spanish football club based in Madrid and plays in the highest division of Spanish football; the La Liga. Atletico Madrid holds its home matches at the Vicente Calderon stadium which has room for 55,000 spectators.

Atletico Madrid was founded in 1939 and since than became one of the most successful clubs in Spain having won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on nine occasions, including a double in 1996. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962, were European Cup runners-up in 1974, Intercontinental Cup winners in 1975, and UEFA Europa League winners in 2010.

In 1987, after spending a decade without winning the La Liga; Jesus Gil became Atletico Madrid's. Jesus brought some expensive signings and replaced the team coaches several times. Yet, Atletico Madrid failed to win the La Liga. It was only in the 1995/96 season when Atletico Madrid has finally won the La Liga/Copa del Rey double.

Despite heavy spending on top signings the team success was little. During the 1999/2000 season, Jesus and his board were suspended because of an investigation of misusing the club funds and as a result, the club was in complete disarray that led to relegation after finishing in the 17th place. Atletico Madrid played in the Second Division for two years before being promoted back in 2002.

It was only in the 2007/08 season that Atletico Madrid had a successful season again. The team reached the round of 32 of the UEFA Cup as well as the Quarter-final round of the Copa del Rey and finished the season in the 4th place which qualified the team for the Champions League play.

The 2008/09 season was also great for Atletico Madrid in both domestic and European Football; Atletico Madrid also participated again in the UEFA Champions League. The 2009/10 season began with poor performance of Atletico Madrid but after replacing the team's coach, its performance improved.

Atletico Madrid made it to the final of the Copa del Rey but lost in the match against Sevilla. In the European football, Atletico Madrid won the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League.