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Ronald Koeman would like to see Lionel Messi spend “many more years” at Barcelona, but admits that “the only person who can decide his future is Leo himself”.

Speculation continues to rage at Camp Nou regarding the future of a six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

There is a very real threat to the Blaugrana that a talismanic presence will walk away as a free agent at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are among those keeping a close eye on developments, with European heavyweights ready to pounce on an all-time great.

Barca are still hoping that a superstar Argentine will not hit the market, with fresh terms possible, but Koeman accepts there is little he can do to influence that decision.

The Dutchman told reporters when asked about Messi at his press conference to preview a meeting with Real Betis: “As I said the other day, the only person who can decide his future is Leo himself.

“As a club, as the coach, I would like him to stay for many more years and will try to give him good sensations to be happy because we need him.

“If he is happy like he is at the moment, he gives so much quality to the team. He also helps the morale and brings good energy. He helps the team. 

“But as I have said before, only one person can decide the future in this case and it's in his hands.”

Messi has been back to his best of late, netting six goals through as many appearances, but Barca are without a number of other players.

Ansu Fati is a long-term absentee, with the 18-year-old suffering a serious knee injury, and Koeman is reluctant to be drawn on reports of the youngster enduring a setback in his recovery.

He said when quizzed on the exciting forward: “Out of respect for the player, I won’t speak about his recovery.

“When there is something, we will talk. The most important thing is that he recovers well. He has a long future ahead of him and he has to do things right.”

While Fati remains out of contention in the attacking department, Koeman has plenty of options to pick from at the back.

World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti has returned to fitness and favour, with fellow Frenchman Clement Lenglet now having to make do with outings off the bench.

Explaining that selection call, Koeman said: “He [Lenglet] has played many games. We have competition because Umtiti is fine now. It is better for everyone to have the centre-backs available.”

Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar has backed goalkeeper Andre Onana after his 12-month ban from football, saying he believes his doping violation was a genuine mistake.

Starting February 5, the Cameroon international goalkeeper cannot play or train after a banned substance was found in a urine test.

Van der Sar says that, while he cannot be 100 per cent sure, he trusts the 24-year-old’s explanation of what happened.

Why has Onana been banned?

Onana was banned by UEFA after an out-of-competition drugs test in October found the banned substance Furosemide in his urine sample.

He says he accidentally took a pill which had been prescribed to his wife, as he had been feeling unwell and believed it to be aspirin.

Can Onana appeal his ban?

Ajax have already confirmed they will appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

A club statement said: "The disciplinary body of the football association has stated that Onana had no intention of cheating. However, the European Football Association believes, on the basis of the applicable anti-doping rules, that an athlete has a duty at all times to ensure that no banned substances enter the body."

What has Van der Sar said?

Van der Sar explained how Onana came to take the substance and says he believes it was simply "stupid bad luck".

“I am 100% convinced that the positive doping test was the result of a misunderstanding,” Van der Sar told De Telegraaf.

"During the international break in November we received a message from UEFA that Andre had been detected with a banned substance in his urine during an 'out of competition' check at De Toekomst (Ajax’s training base).

“That was a huge shock for us and the same was obviously true for him when we sought contact with him in Cameroon.

“A few days after the UEFA message, he came directly to De Toekomst from Schiphol [Airport] and we went to his bathroom with the doctor, where we took all the medication and anything that looked like it for examination.

“Andre was not feeling well on the day of the check-up and thought he had taken a headache tablet, but it turned out that he had taken a pill from a strip of his wife's medicine, which she had been prescribed after the pregnancy of their first child. It looked quite similar in name and the packaging. And the strips were loose in his locker. It's stupid bad luck."

What effects does Furosemide have?

Furosemide does not have any performance-enhancing qualities. It is a diuretic medication used to treat fluid build-up due to heart failure, liver scarring, or kidney disease, and can also be used to treat high blood pressure.

Van der Sar believes this adds credence to Onana’s claim that he took it by accident.

"It doesn't make you stronger or faster. Andre, who has been checked many times, is the undisputed number one with us and Cameroon and is highly regarded by all top clubs. You don't get that from one pill."

Van der Sar also addressed the claim that Furosemide can be used as a masking agent to prevent other substances showing in doping tests.

"That could be the case, yes. But in all the other checks, Furosemide was not found and no other substances either."

Further reading

Ajax goalkeeper Onana given one-year doping ban after failing out-of-competition test (Feb 5)

Borussia Dortmund tracking Ajax goalkeeper Onana as potential Burki replacement (Feb 4)

Gareth Bale “hasn’t performed” since returning to Tottenham, admits Michael Dawson, with the former Spurs skipper “so disappointed” at the Welshman’s contribution so far.

Jose Mourinho moved to bring a familiar face back to north London during the summer of 2020.

A season-long loan agreement was put in place with Real Madrid, allowing Bale to retrace his steps to the Premier League.

That deal appeared beneficial to all concerned, with the 31-year-old finding himself frozen out at Santiago Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane.

Niggling fitness issues have, however, followed Bale back to England from Spain.

He is still scratching around for match sharpness as a result and has seen just 15 appearances across all competitions – with those outings including only 230 minutes of Premier League football.

More was expected from a four-time Champions League winner, with Dawson telling talkSPORT: “I’ve been so disappointed since he’s come in. We all talked about the front three Spurs would have with Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Gareth slotting in.

“He came with an injury and he hasn’t hit the ground running. In his defence he hasn’t had many minutes.

“When he has he hasn’t performed, but he needs time. He needs game time. He was out for a few weeks when he came back and then he’s chucked into cup games and he does okay. But you need a run of games.

“One game here and there, ten minutes here and then – it doesn’t give you much of an opportunity.

“Yes, he played against Brighton and he wasn’t great, but give him another chance and stick with him for three or four games.”

Spurs could do with Bale rediscovering his spark as talismanic striker Harry Kane has been sidelined with an ankle injury.

The England captain is always a big miss for his club employers, with Dawson admitting that the prolific 27-year-old has become irreplaceable.

He added: “We’ve lost Harry. Harry is our main man and there’s no hiding that. You cannot be successful without a player like that because you can’t replace him.

“Spurs cannot replace Harry and you’ve seen it – the proof is in the pudding. They are not performing when Harry is there and they have to find a solution to do that.”

Mourinho’s men have suffered three successive Premier League defeats, and have only one win from their last five, with a seven-point gap now separating them in eighth from the top-four spots required to secure Champions League qualification.

Gor Mahia coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto has warned his players not to bank on their recent dominance over AFC Leopards when they face off in an FKF Premier League derby on Sunday.

The two Kenyan giants will clash at Kasarani Stadium with K’Ogalo keen to maintain their dominance over Ingwe, who are yet to beat them in the last seven matches, with the best result against their rivals coming in the 1-1 draw of the 2017-18 season, with Gor Mahia winning the second round fixture 1-0.

Last season, Gor Mahia won both encounters, beating Ingwe 4-1 in the first round match before edging them out by a solitary goal en-route to winning their fourth straight league title.

And despite the dominance, the Portuguese tactician, who will be taking charge of his first derby on Kenyan soil, has told the Gor Mahia players to put their feet on the ground as this will count for nothing.

“I am really excited because the derby is always a special game,” Van Pinto told FKF social media pages ahead of the clash.

“I know what it means to the fans and what they feel for this type of game, sometimes the players feel the same way but we try to make them calm and we are trying to push our thoughts to how we play the game.

“This is a special game to everyone and of course we expect one good result for the fans and my message to the squad is that they must forget about the past and work on what we have ahead of us, we don’t need to look at the past.”

Pinto has further admitted he has an idea of how his opponents play but he will not put much focus on that.

“I have an idea about AFC Leopards and how they play but I always don’t put my focus so much on the opponent,” Pinto continued.

“We need to know the opponent but I think about our work every day. We look at our team 90 percent because that is what is important and 10 percent about the opponent.”

Ingwe are enjoying a good run in the league, after losing two matches – 2-0 (against Western Stima) and 1-0 (against Wazito) - they have gone ahead to register three straight wins – 2-1 against KCB, 2-0 against Kariobangi Sharks, and 2-1 against Posta Rangers.

On the other hand, K’Ogalo, who are the defending league champions, have also recovered from the shock 1-0 defeat against Vihiga United to win two straight matches – 3-0 against Zoo FC and 3-1 against Bandari.

AFC Leopards will head into the derby placed ahead of Gor Mahia in the 18-team league table, in fourth position with 18 points from eight matches, while Gor Mahia are sixth on 15 points from eight outings.

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has offered a positive fitness update, with the Uruguayan claiming to be “in good shape” after picking up a slight knock against Southampton.

The 33-year-old was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution after he had been among the goals in a game that finished 9-0 to the Red Devils, with his sixth effort of the season being a first at Old Trafford.

Cavani is pleased to be off the mark on home soil and has suggested that he could be line for more minutes against Everton on Saturday after shaking off an ankle complaint.

“I’m feeling in good shape fitness-wise and, as I wrote on social media, I was very happy and pleased to have finally scored my first goal in the beautiful stadium that is Old Trafford,” the former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain frontman told United’s official website.

“As we all will know, I would genuinely have loved the supporters to have been in the stadium to enjoy the moment, but that’s just how the circumstances are right now and dictated how it had to be.

“That first goal had been proving to be a bit elusive, with the post intervening on one occasion and the ball just not wanting to go in on another. But after a lot of effort, commitment and desire to succeed, the goal finally came and I was really happy, I really was!”

Cavani only saw 45 minutes against the Saints but the score was already 4-0 when he was replaced, with the visitors collecting the first of two red cards, and he believes another serious marker has been put down by the Premier League title hopefuls.

The South American added: “I think that right from the start of the game, you could almost breathe it in the air that the team were in decent nick.

“Then when the Southampton player was sent off, that definitely opened up a bit more space for us. Although huge credit should also go to the team for how well we worked and moved the ball around to pick just the right time to attack.

”We managed to score the goals which made things more comfortable and allowed us to manage the game in a different way.

“Then for the second half I got to watch the game from the stands and follow closely just how the team was functioning as a unit. It’s always very pleasing and makes you happy to see everything flowing and working so nicely, and things going to plan.

“Throughout my career so far, I’ve seen games like this, and I’ve featured in one or two goal fests. There was one game I was involved in at PSG, against Troyes, where we won, I think it was either nine or 10-0.

“These are the things that football throws up from time to time. Things that you get the chance to experience and which surely remain etched in your memory as a sportsperson.”

Sergio Ramos has undergone surgery on his left knee, Real Madrid have confirmed.

Ramos has not played since the Supercopa de Espana semi-final defeat to Athletic Club on January 14. He played 90 minutes in that fixture but had been struggling for fitness and on Saturday, Madrid confirmed he has had a surgical procedure on the meniscus of his left knee.

Spanish outlet COPE reported Madrid expect to be without their captain for six to seven weeks.

If that is the case, Ramos would miss both legs of his side’s Champions League last-16 tie with Atalanta. Madrid travel to Bergamo for the first leg on February 24, with the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 16.

Zinedine Zidane would also be without his key defender for the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, with his side looking to claw back a 10-point deficit to city rivals Atletico at the top of La Liga.

A seven-week absence would, however, see Ramos return in time for the next Clasico with Barcelona on April 11.

With Madrid so far off the pace in La Liga – Atletico have a game in hand as well as their huge lead – fans will no doubt be concerned that 2020-21 could prove an underwhelming end to the Ramos era at Madrid.

Speculation around the defender’s future has been mounting for some time - Ramos is out of contract at the end of the season and Madrid are open to the possibility of allowing him to leave for free.

While there have been rumours of a move to the Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain have been the club most strongly linked with a move.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino did little to quell speculation when asked about Ramos in January.

“PSG's strategy has been the same for years, ever since we signed Ronaldinho: to look at market opportunities and bring in those who can improve what we have,” Pochettino told Marca.

“We will see in the coming months. Here, Ramos would find a great club with the obsession to always win. PSG are one of the biggest [clubs] in the world.”

Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna has conceded he knows little about their sworn rivals AFC Leopards ahead of Sunday's Football Kenyan Federation Premier League Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani Stadium.

Ingwe have started the 2020/21 season on a high and after eight games they are fourth on the table with 18 points while the reigning champions are sixth on the log with 15 points from as many games.

The soft-speaking skipper has, however, insisted his charges are ready for their rivals, stating that past results will play no role in this weekend's outing.

"I do not know much about [Leopards] because I have not watched most of their games," Muguna said ahead of the game.

"But what I do know is that they are a good team and we are ready for them because we are a good team too.  

"Winning brings confidence to the group but we are not relying on past matches. Those are now gone, and we have a big task ahead of us which needs us to work hard to get results."

The fans will not be allowed into the stadium owing to Covid-19. It is the first time the supporters will be missing out on supporting their favourite team in the Mashemeji Derby.

The 2016 league's Most Valuable Player has stated how it will impact the game on Sunday.

"The atmosphere will be different but this is a job and we have to do it no matter whether fans are there or not," Muguna added.

"The players know the importance of this match and we will have to represent the fans on the pitch and get the victory for them. I urge them to stay away if they will not be allowed in the stadium and we will get a good result on the day."  

The two Kenyan giants will face off with K’Ogalo keen to maintain their dominance over Ingwe, who are yet to beat Gor Mahia in their last seven matches with the best result against their rivals coming in the 1-1 draw of the 2017-18 season with Gor Mahia winning the second round fixture 1-0.

Last season, Gor Mahia won both encounters, beating Ingwe 4-1 in the first round match before edging them out by a solitary goal en-route to winning their fourth straight league title.  

Simba SC forward Perfect Chikwende has promised fans 'bigger things' as they prepare to play Azam FC in the Tanzania Mainland League on Sunday.

The Zimbabwean joined Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the short transfer window and made his debut in the league on Thursday away to Dodoma Jiji FC. The winger was introduced in the 66th minute with the teams tied at 1-1, and he managed to provide an assist from which Ghanaian Bernard Morrison scored the winning goal.

The 27-year-old former FC Platinum player is delighted to have helped the 21-time league champions to victory in his debut and went on to promise fans more.

"I thank God for helping me to contribute to my team's win [against Dodoma Jiji]," Chikwende said ahead of Sunday's game.

"It was an important three points for the team since we want to continue doing well in the league.

"Currently, we are preparing for the Azam game and our fans should expect bigger things from the team because our objective is to get maximum points from every game we are playing."

The forward was signed by the Msimbazi-based side to help the team win their fourth consecutive league title ahead of their rivals Yanga SC who are currently leading the race with 44 points, six more than the reigning champions who have played two games less. 

After playing Azam, the team will be preparing for their Caf Champions League game away to the Democratic Republic of Congo to play hosts AS Vita.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are in Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt, AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Al-Merrikh of Sudan.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi will open their campaign with an away trip against the Black Dolphins on Friday, February 12, before hosting the Red Devils on Tuesday, February 23. They will then make a trip to Sudan to play the leaders on March 5.

The second round for the Tanzanian heavyweights will start with a home game against the Sudanese outfit on March 16 then host AS Vita on April 2 before finishing their campaign with an away game against the reigning champions on April 9.

Simba are aiming at reaching the semi-finals of the annual competition for the first time in their history. They are also eyeing the domestic league title as well as the FA Cup.

Granit Xhaka says Arsenal are “bound for glory” under Mikel Arteta.

After a promising first season and a disastrous start to his second, Arteta has steadied the Gunners’ ship and has them aiming for a top-four finish once again.

Xhaka believes that Arsenal’s struggles along the way have been down to individual failings rather than problems with Arteta’s overall approach – so things will keep improving if they can cut out those mistakes.

“We had the run without wins but even during that time, I think we have played without any self-doubt,” Xhaka told the Guardian.

“Our mistakes, like the red cards – my own included – have been the fault of each of us rather than one with the plan. As a collective, we’ve been functioning well and we can do something special, including this season.

“We are playing a very tight, compact game of late and we are also gleaning a lot of respect from the other big teams we are playing. I think we are bound for glory.”

Xhaka himself came very close to leaving Arsenal before Arteta arrived, holding talks with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after publicly falling out with fans.

The Swiss international says he had never met Arteta before he replaced Unai Emery as manager, but he has been hugely impressed with what he has seen.

“I have to say it was the first time I had met him; I had no prior knowledge of him as a man or a coach. But we had a really great one-to-one chat – very open, very positive, very long.

“He looked deep into me, into my thinking, and he persuaded me that we should go on together, stick with each other on this Arsenal project. I am happy that I made the decision.

“Mikel is an unbelievably good coach who puts a huge amount of detail into his work. We have individual discussions for every match, a plan about what is expected for that game. He even hands out an individual match plan to each player. We are always very well prepared for our opponents.

“The individual work he does with every player – that’s the trick. And after the match, there is a very detailed analysis of what’s been done. Who was where.

“As far as the opponents go, we work on our offensive line, where every person should stand and this detail is a huge advantage for me. Also, when you’re without the ball, it gives you a great advantage for the anticipation of the opponents’ moves.”

Malaba Youth Development Association (MYDA FC) striker Ibrahim Nsimbe is hopeful the January-February break has helped them find solutions for problems that have seen them struggle in the Ugandan Premier League.

MYDA, promoted after the cancellation of the season in 2020, are among the bottom three teams on the table but Nsimbe feels the break gave the coaches ample time to address their weaknesses.

“But I am happy that as the league took a break the coaches have emphasized playing as a team which calls upon all players to be attentive all through the game even in the dying minutes,” Nsimbe said as was quoted by Football256.

The forward pointed out what has been their biggest challenges that have seen them fail to have a good start in the top-flight so far.

“As a team, we struggled to collect points, though, personally I did not find it hard to score and I hope to do so when the league returns,” he added.

“As a team, I believe we played good football which was flowing and entertaining, however, I believe we didn’t have the necessary luck in our opening fixtures.

“I confess we lost a number of defenders with whom the team moved the journey to the promotion and the team was forced to recruit new and young players to fill the void,” he said.

“As you see we conceded easy goals in injury time which I believe we should have done better as a team.”

Although he admitted conceding easy goals as one of the primary factors that have caused the struggle, Nsimbe – who has scored five of the eight goals for MYDA – is hopeful the defenders will cope with the Premier League pressure soon.

“That said, we have young defenders who are still learning a lot and it will take time for them to get to the level required in the league,” he concluded.

MYDA will be hosted by Vipers SC for a rescheduled match at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday before the league finally resumes on February 12.

The Premier League administration paused the competition in order to give time to the selected players to represent Uganda in the African Nations Championship.

Pep Guardiola has explained the reasons behind Manchester City’s excellent defensive record this season and hailed Ruben Dias’s impact on his team-mates.

With just 13 goals conceded in 21 games, City have by far the best record in the Premier League so far this season. Arsenal and Tottenham are the next best with 22 goals conceded.

It is a marked improvement from last season, when City’s porous defence contributed to their surrendering of the league title to Liverpool.

Dias, brought in from Benfica in a £62 million ($79m) deal over the summer, has drawn comparisons to Virgil van Dijk for his transformative effect on City’s defence, and Guardiola believes it is his communication and reading of the game which have proved his biggest attributes.

"Basically, he talks to them during the game," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "He anticipates. He does not play the game for himself; he looks what happens in front of him and behind him."

Despite City’s excellence at the back, Guardiola says his team’s good record at the back is down to improvements all over the pitch.

City struggled to maintain their best form last year but, after grinding out wins at the start of this season, they now look close to their imperious best.

Even with star men Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero out of the team, City have won a club-record 13 consecutive games in all competitions, conceding just three goals.

"The reason why [our defensive record is so good] is because 67 per cent of the time we have the ball," Guardiola explained.

"This is the main reason. The main reason is that we have the ball. If you have the ball as much as possible then the opponent does not have the ball.

"Of course, the opponent can score from set pieces or a counter-attack but the more that you have the ball the more chances you will have to score a goal. This is the reason why.

"Maybe one day they will change the rules but I think to score a goal you need the ball.

"You cannot win titles, especially the Premier League and the Bundesliga, if you concede a lot of goals. Last season we conceded more than usual and we didn't adjust well to some things. But if you look at the goals that we conceded in all of our years here in Manchester, in Munich, in Barcelona, it was always few. Few, few, few.

"And we did it playing 50 or 60 metres in front of our goal, and always we were stable defensively. Absolutely, I do not want to concede goals. And I want to score a lot. That is what we are working for with good quality players who want to have the ball."

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says he will conduct his transfer business in a totally different way from how he used to do it at Bidvest Wits, while also revealing he has already drawn a list of transfer targets “longer than my arm.”

After being inactive in the previous transfer window as well as the current one due to a Fifa ban imposed on Chiefs, Hunt will be free to start buying players in July.

The Amakhosi tactician arrived at Naturena in September 2020, with his hands tied from participating in the transfer market but he has already mapped out how he will do business starting this winter.

At Wits, Hunt would mainly target out-of-contract players in a cost-cutting activity usually involving him and club chief executive officer Jose Ferreira.

“It’s not going to work like that. Obviously, everything will be done through the football manager in cohesion with myself and a few other people,” Hunt told the media.

“We will see. As I say, everything is done with proper structures and signings – not just throwing things willy-nilly hoping it works. I’ve obviously got a list longer than my arm, but that’s all pie in the sky. It’s like saying you want this one and that one and knowing it’s not possible.

“Realistically, we are looking at targets like any club, even though we have not done it for some time now. But that is how it goes – what is attainable and what’s not is always a problem.

“You’ve got to be realistic. It’s like I say with football, anybody can come to the stadium and say ‘oh he’s a good player’. But what about the player who is the right player, that’s the most important one and that’s what we need to do.”

During the two transfer periods in which Chiefs have been inactive on the transfer market, the club has helplessly watched their rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns make big-signings to compete for the Premier Soccer League title.

Amakhosi’s only option in beefing up their squad has been promoting academy players to the senior team, with the latest being midfielder Sabelo Radebe.

After an exciting 2-2 draw against FC Goa, Khalid Jamil's NorthEast United now face another play-offs contender in Hyderabad FC on Sunday.

The Highlanders are on a four-match unbeaten run since Jamil took over at the club as the interim head coach. They have managed to pick up 10 points from a possible 12 and have emerged as a strong contender for a top-four spot.

Khalid Jamil doesn't want any complacency to creep in and believes that their  preparation for the game against Hyderabad wouldn't be any different to what they did for the earlier games.

"All the matches are important and not just one match. Tomorrow's match is important, it is a vital match and the preparation will be the same as any other game," said the NorthEast United boss.

Jamil's assistant coach Alison Kharsyntiew further added that the team needs to remain compact at the back and utilise the chances they create to the fullest.

"We will approach the game well. We have to do very well in defence and if we have the ball, we have to create chances and utilise it. But most importantly, we have to give a good effort. We just have to be confident once we reach the attacking third and we need to more clinical. I am sure that the boys tomorrow will put up a good fight and they will do well," opined the former Shillong Lajong coach.

After the Hyderabad tie, NorthEast United face Odisha, Chennaiyin, East Bengal and Kerala Blasters in their last four matches of the season. Incidentally, all the four teams are struggling in the bottom half of the league table.

Jamil doesn't believe that there are any easy matches in the league - whether one faces a team from the top half or the bottom half of the table.

"A match is a match. We give respect to every opponent. We will prepare our best for every game and all the teams are good. We are not taking any team lightly," opined the I-League winning coach.

The Highlanders are currently tied on points with FC Goa and Hyderabad but have the worst goal difference (+1) among the three sides. But Jamil is not too worried about the goal difference.

"Goal difference is important but the main thing is we have to get a positive result, that is three points. We will try our best to be in top form," the NorthEast United coach said.

Gerard Pique says he plans on retiring at Barcelona, and he believes Lionel Messi is “very happy” at Camp Nou.

Pique, a product of Barca’s legendary La Masia academy, has played more than 550 times for the club since returning from Manchester United in 2008.

He turned 34 this week and, while he hasn’t suggested retirement is immediately on his mind, he has no desire to play for another club before he hangs up his boots.

"I will retire at Barca. I've always said that,” Pique told streamer Ibai Llanos.

“I play football because I'm representing Barca. I don't see myself on another team. I wouldn't have the motivation, it would be a drama."

When Pique does step away, he believes Barca already have his long-term replacement at the club in 21-year-old Uruguay international Ronald Araujo.

"Araujo is a great centre-back, and will be for 10 or 15 years. He has everything. He is very young and has a very good head. Also, he is physically strong, fast and powerful, and has good ball control.

“La Masia is working very well and during his time in Segunda B with the youth team he matured, and now with the first team he has taken the opportunity. We need to help him to be the best player possible."

Of course, the player whose future is immediately on fans’ minds is Messi.

Messi is out of contract at the end of the season and has been strongly linked with a move away.

Goal exclusively revealed that Messi has not held talks with any other clubs and will not decide his future until the end of the season – but, for the time being, Pique believes he is happy at Camp Nou.

"Events happened in the summer that ended in the best possible way because Leo stayed at Barca,” he said.

“I see him very happy right now and having him by my side is a guarantee of success."

Pique also looked forward to Barca’s upcoming presidential elections, set to be held on March 7.

"There are elections now, and I hope the members vote within the Covid limitations. All three candidates are competent. We need to look to the future."

Head coach Hamza Lutalo has selected his Uganda U17 provisional squad to start preparations for the upcoming African Nations Cup tournament in Morocco.

The Cubs, as the junior side is known, will be featuring for the second consecutive time in the continental competition after winning the Cecafa trophy. They were part of the 2019 edition that was held in Tanzania.

Afcon U17 will be hosted in March 2021 with Lutalo and his players expected to start preparations in earnest.

“The players will report to camp on Tuesday 9th February and begin training the following day at the Fufa Technical Centre Njeru,” Fufa announced on Saturday.

Uganda emerged champions of the Cecafa region when they saw off Tanzania 3-1 in the final which was played in Rubavu, Rwanda in December 2020.

Uganda’s provisional squad: 

Goalkeepers: Magada Abdu (Busoga United FC JT), Mwebe Henry (Express FC JT), Oyirwoth Humphrey (Express FC JT), Kamya Shamulan (Bright Stars FC JT), Ssekamwa Salim Abdul (Synergy FC), Ocama Daniel Ogwal (Boro Boro SuperSport)

Defenders: Isiko Ismail (Sunset Academy-Mbale), Mulema Vincent (Kyetume FC JT), Ssonko Ssembatya Hafidhu (Kampala Junior Team), Anywar Abdul (Kibuli SS), Mungufeni Yabezi (Matete Comprehensive Seed), Ibrahim Juma (KCCA FC, SA), Luyima Enock (Volf SA), Nsambu Lloyd Tendo (Metz FC U17, France), Gava Peter (Express FC JT), Madoi Ronald (Wakiso Giants FC JT),

Midfielders: Irinimbabazi Ivan (Bright Stars FC JT), Ssembusi Reagan (Kampala Junior Team), Jemba Abudshakur Ramsey (Isra SA), Alafi Ceasor (Matete Comprehensive Seed), Mukiibi Sadi (Devine Soccer Ministries Academy), Mwokye Ronald (Dynamic SS), Mutyaba Travis (Vipers SC JT), Mulindwa Wycliff (Nakaseke international School), Ssekajugo Elvis (Bright Stars FC JT), Mutebi Hakim (St Henrys College-Kitovu), Mwanje Elvis Eddy (KCCA FC SA), Mudiba Samir (Express FC JT),

Forwards: Magogo Shafiq (KCCA FC SA), Mubiru Hassan (Express FC JT), Mawa Oscar (KCCA FC SA), Jumbe Fahad (Vipers SC JT), Nyongesa Christopher (Rock High School-Tororo), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Eton College, United Kingdom), Bugembe Issa (Bright Stars FC JT), Mayanja Abu (Synergy FC), Khayemba Usama (Nkoma SS, Mbale), Mukiibi Marvin (Wakiso Giants FC), Yahaya Toure (Oasis Primary school-Arua), Nyongesa Christopher (True Vine Soccer Academy), Busolo Paul (SC Villa JT).

Defender Felly Mulumba has completed a transfer return to FKF Premier League side Bandari.

The Coastal-based club has confirmed on their social media pages the return of the Congolese player, but could not divulge the duration of the contract signed.

“We are happy to announce the return of the defender loved by many, Felly Mulumba,” the club announced. “Mulumba will strengthen our backline and he has already been included in the squad to face Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday.”

Mulumba left Bandari in February 2020 to sign for Zimbabwean top-flight side Platinum FC but his stay at the club seems to have been prematurely ended as reports came in that he had parted ways with the team and was training with the Dockers.

During his first stint with the Dockers, Mulumba helped the team lift the FKF Shield Cup last year after beating Kariobangi Sharks in the final and also lifted the KPL Super Cup under coach Bernard Mwalala after beating Gor Mahia in the league's curtain-raiser.

He becomes the first signing for the Mombasa-based club who are still struggling to find their footing in the top-flight in this campaign despite hiring the services of Rwandan coach Andrea Casa Mbungo.

On sealing his return, Mulumba said he was happy to return home.

“Home is where the heart is,” Mulumba said on his social media pages. “I thank you all for accepting me back with both hands.”

When he left to sign for Platinum, Mulumba left a farewell message where he said that serving Bandari will be an important part of his career while in the KPL.

“I will be leaving Bandari after a five-year stint, and I send my gratitude to the club, the Sponsor (KPA) the technical bench, the football federation, and all the Bandari fans," Mulumba posted on his Facebook page.

“I have had very good memories with the club, and I have a very special place in my heart for the club. Over the years, this club has been my life and we have achieved a lot together with which I shall never forget.

"Thank you so much, guys. I look forward to my new journey and hope that we still are family.”

Bandari will face Sharks at Kasarani Stadium.