Zico: Messi deserves to win The Goal 50 ahead of Ronaldo

Brazil legend Zico believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win this year's Goal 50, arguing that the Barcelona ace has usurped Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.

Ronaldo scored a personal-best 61 goals in just 54 games in all competitions last season, while he became Real Madrid's all-time record scorer last month.

However, Zico feels that Messi should be recognised for inspiring Barcelona's treble triumph in 2014-15, as well as leading Argentina to the final of this year's Copa America.

"I could have chosen Cristiano as well as Neymar," the Selecao icon told Goal. "For me, the three of them are in the top bracket and they can change a match individually.

Ozil: The best playmaker in the world?

“If you love to watch football, you love to watch Mesut Ozil.”

That is Arsene Wenger’s mantra when asked about Arsenal’s most expensive ever signing, and with every passing week Ozil puts forward the case that he is the best playmaker in the world.

The German produced another masterclass in the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night that keeps alive Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League for a 16th season in a row.

Much of the talk this season has centred around the importance of Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal’s hopes in the Premier League and Champions League, but it is Ozil who has been their main man.

He scored the opener here with a flying header and, even though Alexis added the Gunners’ second and third with close-range finishes, it is Ozil who represents Arsenal’s best chance of escaping from their Champions League group when they travel to Olympiacos on December 9.

Real Madrid fans boo Ronaldo

Real Madrid fans have vented their anger at Cristiano Ronaldo after watching their side sink to a crushing 4-0 defeat by Barcelona on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo was powerless to prevent Luis Enrique’s side moving six points clear at the top of La Liga thanks to a double from Luis Suarez and goals from Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

The white handkerchiefs were out in force at the final whistle with Rafa Benitez now under increasing pressure having been forced to deny rumours of a rift between himself and key players including Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez in the build-up to his first Clasico as Real Madrid coach.

Benitez accepts blame for Barcelona mauling: I chose the wrong XI

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has accepted the blame for his side's 4-0 humbling at the hands of Barcelona, insisting that he selected the wrong starting XI for the match.

Two goals from Luis Suarez and one each for Neymar and Andres Iniesta ensured the Catalans claimed a valuable three points to move six points clear of their fierce rivals at the top of the Liga table.

And while Benitez is adamant that the entire team must be held responsible for their collapse against Luis Enrique's side, he has revealed that he selected the wrong XI for the match.

'Abramovich knows Mourinho is the right man for Chelsea'

Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo insists Jose Mourinho has the full backing from Roman Abramovich.

The Premier League champions currently sit 16th in the Premier League having suffered seven defeats in their opening 12 games.

Mourinho has already been given the public support by Chelsea but Emenalo, who is one of Abramovich’s closest allies at Stamford Bridge, insists the Russian billionaire “has the whole picture” of the current situation at the club.

“When it comes to decisions, we feel confident we have an owner who has a very good track record, who is astute at making decisions of this kind at the right time to get us to where we want to be,” Emenalo said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

Real Madrid's problems are exaggerated - Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique believes Real Madrid's problems have been exaggerated and insists Saturday's Clasico will not prove decisive in the race for the league title.

Barcelona head to the Santiago Bernabeu with a three-point advantage at the top of the table and with Madrid reportedly in disarray amid speculation senior players are disgruntled with the tactics employed by new boss Rafa Benitez.

But Luis Enrique, who played for both clubs, says suggestions Barcelona can move in to an unassailable lead by beating their rivals are over the top.

Luis Enrique: Messi won't be 100% for Clasico

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has confirmed Lionel Messi is available for Saturday’s Clasico, but stressed he will not be “100 per cent fit” for the trip to Real Madrid.

Enrique wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not Messi will start the match at the Bernabeu, though, saying he will make a decision on his line-up as close to kick off as possible.

The Argentina international has been missing since the end of September when he injured ligaments in his knee against Las Palmas.

However, he has returned to training this week and could feature in this weekend’s top of La Liga clash.

“With respect to Leo, he’s back with the squad and the feelings are positive,” the Barca boss told a press conference.