GO SPORTS

England's weary players headed straight for Copacabana Beach after touching down in Rio de Janeiro ahead of their eagerly anticipated friendly with Brazil at the Maracana stadium, just 12 hours on from their disappointing draw against the Republic of Ireland Roy Hodgson's men are seventh in the FIFA World Rankings, a staggering 12 places in front of their opponents on Sunday. Boys in Brazil: England keeper Joe Hart leads a warm down session on the beach Walk on: The England team head to Copacabana Beach Who's name is on the back? Wayne Rooney takes a closer look at shirt of young Man United fan Front three: Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson and Joe Hart walk along the beach Relaxed: England manager Roy Hodgson walks back to the hotel Team-talk: Leighton Baines, James Milner, Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott deep in conversation Touch down: England manager Roy Hodgson arrives in Rio ahead of their friendly o...

Sir Bradley Wiggins will not defend his Tour de France title because of concerns over his health.  Wiggins, who withdrew from the Giro d’Italia suffering from a chest infection and a knee injury, was making slow progress in his attempt to be in shape for the world’s toughest bike race.  He had already been told that he would have to play a supporting role to fellow Team Sky rider Chis Froome. Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: 'With illness, injury and treatment Brad has gone past the point where he can be ready for the Tour. It’s a big loss but, given these circumstances, we won’t consider him for selection. 'He hasn’t been able to train hard since the Giro and now he needs further rest. Whilst we all know these things happen in sport, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a huge disappointment for everyone in the team – and above all for Brad.

Incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will offer Fernando Torres to Napoli as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Edinson Cavani, according to reports in Italy. After missing out on Monaco-bound Falcao, Mourinho has switched his attention to bringing in Uruguayan striker Cavani - a long-term target of Manchester City’s. Cavani’s release clause stands at 60million Euros (£54m) and City are prepare to offer Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko as part of a deal to bring the 26-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.

Mark Hughes has been confirmed as Stoke’s new manager and will appear at a press conference at the club’s training headquarters at 11 am this morning. The former QPR manager was told he had got the job of succeeding the sacked Tony Pulis after lengthy talks at The Britannia Stadium.  He will outline his plans for trying to avoid another relegation battle next season when he takes his place alongside chairman Peter Coates and chief executive Tony Scholes at the media gathering at Stoke’s Clayton Wood training base. Hughes had been known to be looking for a route back into the game after leaving Queens Park Rangers last season due to their disastrous start to the campaign, which eventually saw them relegated. In choosing Hughes, Stoke have again gone for a Welsh manager, with Hughes having also coached the national side - his first post at the end of a successful playing career.

JOSE MOURINHO is Chelsea’s new boss  and that’s official! The Special One sealed a spectacular £40million four-year deal on Tuesday night. A senior Blues source revealed: “It’s official Jose is a Chelsea man again! Everyone is delighted he’s coming back the club, the players and the fans.

Manchester United star Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) and Mallorca forward Giovanni Dos Santos will lead the Mexican national team in the friendly against Nigeria on Friday, May 31 in Houston. The duo was named among the 23 players for Tricolore going into their packed campaign in June. Like Nigeria, Mexico will play World Cup qualifiers in June before heading to the Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil. Manager Jose Manuel de la Torre will use the game against the African champions to prepare his side. Only six of the called up lads play in Europe while the remaining 17 are based in Mexico. Full squad is listed below: 1 Jesús Corona - Cruz Azul 2 Gerardo Torrado - Cruz Azul 3 Pablo Barrera - Cruz Azul 4 Jesús Molina - América 5 Francisco Javier Rodríguez - América 6 Diego Reyes - América 7 Raúl Jiménez - América 8 Aldo de Nigris - Monterrey 9 Jesús Zavala - Monterrey 10 Hiram Mier - Monterrey 11 Severo Meza - Monterrey 12 Oribe Peralta - Santos ...

Nigerian left-back, Taye Taiwo has sealed a shock move to 18-time Italian champions, Internazionale Milano. The 28-year-old joins the Nerazzurri from the Ukrainian club, Dynamo Kiev on a two-year contract. aiwo, who recently completed a one-year loan deal with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, was reported to have flown into Milan Tuesday night to sign the contract papers with Inter, before making the news public on Wednesday. Meanwhile, former Nigeria national team coach, Christian Chukwu has voiced his opinion on Taiwo’s move to the Italian capital. “I will be lying if I say I am not surprised but to be honest, I expect him to do well. Some people might say he’s not a young man anymore but they forget that he’s just 28 and started playing at the top level at a very young age,” Chukwu told supersport.com on Wednesday. The former national team captain, who coached the Nigeria national team between 2003 and 2005, is full of admiration for the left-back’s qualities. “The on...

Not only did Bayern Munich sweep aside all-comers on the pitch last season but they also took Manchester United's title as the world's most valuable brand.  The Germans were ranked top of the latest BrandFinance Football 50 list after a nine per cent rise in value from 2012, moving from second to first, after winning the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Beaten, yet fashionable, European Cup finalists Borussia Dortmund also rose one place to 10th, with the Bundesliga's soaring reputation clear - Schalke are 11th with Hamburg in 15th.                              TOP 10 LIST Rank Club Brand value ($) % change Brand rating 1 Bayern Munich 860m 9 AAA 2 Man United 837m -2 AAA+ 3 Real Madrid 621m 4 AAA+ 4 Barcelona 572m -1 AAA 5 Chelsea 418m 5 AA 6 Arsenal 410m 6 AA+ 7 Liverpool 361m -2 AA 8 Man City 332m ...

Cristiano Ronaldo clearly enjoys nothing more than mixing it with the biggest names in the music business after catching up with pop star Rihanna backstage at her concert in Lisbon. The Real Madrid forward met British band One Direction at the Spanish club's training ground last week before flying to his native Portugal to watch Rihanna - whose hits include Only Girl in the World and Umbrella - perform on the latest leg of her tour. Pleased to meet you: Cristiano Ronaldo hangs out with Rihanna after a concert on Tuesday night One Direction for Ronaldo: The Portuguese star took time out to speak to the popular boy band

what? Manchester United have made initial contact with Barcelona over a potential purchase of Cesc Fabregas, joseobi understands, as David Moyes has finally set out his main plans for a first transfer window as manager at Old Trafford. Moyes has resolved to greatly reinforce the midfield, and United will look to make at the very least two signings in the area - possibly more. At the top of the list of targets at present are Marouane Fellaini, Thiago Alcantara and, above all, Fabregas. Moyes also feels the need to make at least one "statement" signing, especially with the expected departure of Wayne Rooney. waiting United sources have confirmed  that there have already been discussions between the club and Barcelona over both Fabregas and Thiago. While the Catalans are willing to sanction the sale of Thiago to Old Trafford for around £18m, leaving the final decision over a move to the player, there is more uncertainty over Fabregas. Barca are still de...

The Super Eagles entered the United States of America yesterday and enjoyed a warm  welcome as American journalists and fans mobbed them at the Houston Airport. The Nigerian national side touched down at about 2.40pm local time (8.40pm West African Time) for the international friendly match against the national team of Mexico scheduled for Friday. After airport formalities the team arrived its Westin Galleria Hotel in West Alabama, Houston at 4.20 pm local time, had lunch and trained at 7.30pm (1.30am WAT). Coach Stephen Keshi said "All is well with the team and we are looking forward to a great game against Mexico on Friday.”

Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle to sign Manchester City defender Kolo Toure -  as we told you earlier this month . Centre-back Toure will become a Reds player once his contract at City expires, and he'll join them officially on July 1. Manager Brendan Rodgers has turned to the 32-year-old in order to add some experience to his back four following the retirement of veteran Jamie Carragher. The Reds boss is keen to get his business done as early as possible to avoid the sort of problems which arose last summer. Then he loaned striker Andy Carroll to West Ham the day before the August deadline in the belief he would be signing Clint Dempsey. But the move collapsed after owners Fenway Sports Group baulked at Fulham's asking price and the United States international moved to Tottenham instead. With Toure approaching free agent status it was a relatively straightforward deal to complete and further additions in defence are expected. The future of c...

Radamel Falcao   has signed a four-year deal with   Monaco, and   the French side expected to officially confirm the move shortly. The 27-year-old has long been the subject of intense speculation with club such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City all keen to lure him away from the Vicente Calderon this summer However, he will continue his career at Monaco 

Draws for the 2013 Federation Cup finals will hold on Thursday at  the Fifa technical centre, National Stadium, Abuja. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) director of competitions, Dr Mohammed Sanusi disclose this yesterday adding that a total of 63  clubs will be involved in the annual football event. Also draw for the Women’s category will take place alongside that of men. 

Roberto Martinez has resigned as manager of Wigan and will be free to take the vacant job at Everton.  The Toffees made an approach late last week for the Spaniard and at an emotional lunchtime meeting on Tuesday, Martinez told Wigan chairman Dave Whelan he was quitting. He spent time making his mind up over the Bank Holiday weekend while visiting family in Barcelona and now Whelan will seek £2million compensation from his new employers. MARTINEZ FACTFILE 1973:  Born July 13 in Balaguer, Spain. 1993:  Begins his playing career with Balaguer in the Spanish third division. 1995:  Signs for Primera Division club Real Zaragoza. July - After only five league appearances for Zaragoza moves to Wigan, becoming one of the club's 'three amigos' alongside compatriots Isidro Diaz and Jesus Seba. 2001:  July - Joins Scottish side Motherwell on a free transfer after nearly 200 league appearances for the Latics. 2002:  August - Moves to Walsall. 2003: ...

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is prepared to make Cristiano Ronaldo the best-paid player in the world to keep him at the Bernabeu after the departure of manager Jose Mourinho. Perez said: ‘I would like Cristiano Ronaldo to be the best-paid player in the world. We’re going to do everything at our hand to make him happy.’ The former Manchester United superstar has been linked with a return to Old Trafford this summer, and with a move to mega-rich French champions PSG, but Perez is determined to keep him at Madrid for some time yet.  Bumper deal: Perez is prepared to break the bank to keep Ronaldo at Real Star man: Ronaldo had another fine season despite Real not winning a major trophy Unhappy: Ronaldo is thought be considering a move away from the Spanish capital Ronaldo has been a prolific scorer since his £80million move to Spain in 2009, netting an extraordinary 146 goals in 135 games.