FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned players that running away from racism is not the right way to deal with the issue.

With Spanish clubs having supplied all 11 members of the FIFPro World XI for 2012, La Liga's claim to be considered the world's best league appears stronger than ever.

Cristiano Ronaldo picked up a Spanish League champions medal in 2012. Last year he also became the first man to find the net against every La Liga team in a single season and score 40 or more in two consecutive campaigns.

Spain bathed in glory on Tuesday after Barcelona star Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for best footballer of the year for a record fourth time, cementing his claim to be one of the greatest players of all time.

Lionel Messi added yet another record to his stellar list of achievements over the past 12 months when he won an unprecedented fourth, consecutive, Ballon d'Or at a FIFA gala in Zurich.

Sports figures and media hailed a great night for Spanish football on Monday after Liga star Lionel Messi won a fourth Ballon d'Or and national coach Vicente Del Bosque was crowned coach of the year.

Lionel Messi added yet another record to his stellar list of achievements over the past 12 months on Monday when he won an unprecedented fourth, consecutive, Ballon d'Or at a FIFA gala in Zurich.

Former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, currently on a one-year sabbatical, said Monday he was already thinking about a return to coaching but stressed he didn't know at which club.

Record-breaking Lionel Messi is poised to become the first player to win four successive Ballon d'Or awards on Monday, sealing his status as the greatest player of his generation.

Fiorentina have announced the imminent signing of Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi, the Serie A club said Friday.

Everton announced on Thursday that England international centre-back Phil Jagielka has extended his contract at the club by two years to 2017.

Newcastle United have reached an agreement to sign France international right-back Mathieu Debuchy from Ligue 1 side Lille, Britain's Press Association reported on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson says England have enough quality players to give the world's top sides a run for their money and claims it is not "impossible" for his team to win the 2014 World Cup.

Germany can win the 2014 World Cup, team manager Oliver Bierhoff believes, pointing to the presence of three Bundesliga sides in the Champions League last 16 to support his assertion.

Barcelona's star Argentinian striker Lionel Messi has pledged to stay with the Spanish giants until June 2018 by renewing his contract, the club said Tuesday.

With a performance of breath-taking technical mastery in their Euro 2012 final humbling of Italy, Spain proved this year that they are one of the greatest national teams ever to have graced the game.

Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli is to appeal this week to the English Premier League against a club fine imposed for on-field ill discipline, according to reports on Monday.

Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli is to appeal this week to the English Premier League against a club fine imposed for on-field ill discipline, according to reports on Monday.

England coach Roy Hodgson insists his country's players and fans must stop thinking about past failures if they want to enjoy a successful future.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says he has no doubts that flamboyant teammate Mario Balotelli will become one of the top strikers in English football, despite the Italy international's ineffective showing at the weekend.