"Messi better than Pele, Maradona"

Lionel Messi will go down as the greatest player in history - better even than Diego Maradona and Pele, according to Ossie Ardiles.

The former Argentina midfielder claims Messi is similar to their fellow countryman Maradona - except better.
Former Tottenham star Ardiles, who helped nurture Maradona for the national side, said: "I think there is only one player you can compare with Messi, and that is Maradona, and in many ways they are very similar.
"But for some time I have thought that Diego could never be surpassed, and nor could Pele, but no longer. I would now say that Lionel Messi will go down in history as the number one player of all time, the best that there ever was.

Novak Djokovic claims Madrid Open

Novak Djokovic continued his stunning start to the season with a brilliant victory over world number one Rafael Nadal in the final of the Madrid Open.

Djokovic, the world number two, made it 32 wins out of 32 in 2011 and clinched his sixth successive title of the year after defeating home favourite and defending champion Nadal 7-5 6-4 in two hours and 17 minutes.
That was Djokovic's first win in 10 meetings with Nadal on clay, while it also brought an end to the Spaniard`s 37-match winning streak on the surface.
The victory also means Djokovic's current winning streak is the second-best to start an ATP season since 1975, with John McEnroe holding the record with 42 successive triumphs in 1984.

Derby victory takes Barca to the brink

Barcelona moved to within a whisker of their third successive La Liga title as they beat Espanyol 2-0 in Sunday's Catalan derby at the Nou Camp.

Andres Iniesta gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead just short of the 30-minute mark and Gerard Pique headed a second three minutes into the second period to give Barca a routine win over their local rivals and see them move to within reach of another title.

With Real Madrid thrashing Sevilla 6-2 at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, Barca were unable to clinch the title in this match but the win saw Guardiola's side stay eight points clear with only nine left to play for - while they also boast a superior head-to-head record in the games against Mourinho's men.

Guardiola hails 'extraordinary' United

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hailed Manchester United as an 'extraordinary' team ahead of the Champions League final at the end of the month.

Guardiola watched his team beat Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby at the Nou Camp on Sunday night to move within a point of winning the title, just as Sir Alex Ferguson's side had done earlier in the day with a 2-1 victory at home to Chelsea.
Barca now look set to wrap up the La Liga at Levante on Wednesday night, giving them more than two weeks to prepare for the showpiece at Wembley on May 28.
And Guardiola, who featured as a player in Barca's first European Cup success at the famous old stadium in 1992, admits he is wary of United's quality and strength in depth.

Ancelotti to wait on Chelsea decision

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has set his heart on another season in English football but admits his future is hanging in the balance.

Ancelotti conceded the Premier League title after Manchester United triumphed 2-1 over his side at Old Trafford and the Italian now faces a nervous two-week wait to discover his future.
Ancelotti said: "I have another year on my contract and I would like to stay but it is the decision of the club.
"The club will take a decision at the end of the season, we have two more games, two more weeks and we wait and see. We will arrange a meeting after the end of the season.

Ferguson hails Man United achievement

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed it was "fantastic to be the most successful team in the country" after Manchester United's 2-1 win over Chelsea.

The victory moved them to within one point of a record-breaking 19th league championship.

United were 1-0 up inside the first minute thanks to Javier Hernandez and two goals ahead after 23 minutes when Nemanja Vidic headed in.

Frank Lampard pulled a goal back for Chelsea in the 68th minute but Ferguson's side held on.

United are six points clear with two games left so a point at Blackburn next weekend will be enough to seal the title, which will see them surpass the English record of 18 league titles they jointly hold with Liverpool.