Chelsea FC and England midfielder Joe Cole will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a serious knee ligament injury.

Cole ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during Chelsea's FA Cup replay win at Southend United FC in midweek and on Saturday had successful reconstructive surgery. Chelsea have confirmed his absence for the remainder of the campaign.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I am very sad for Joe to have suffered this injury and I am disappointed to have lost a very important player for me and the club at such a vital moment in the competition. However, I believe that with his spirit, Joe will come back to Chelsea even better than before."

Cole had made 20 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring three goals. The London club sit third in the Premier League and will play Juventus in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round on 25 February and 10 March.

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Cristiano Ronaldo tonight became the first Premier League star to be named FIFA's world player of the year.

The Manchester United and Portugal winger beat AC Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich. It caps a stunning year for the 23-year-old in which he played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup. His 31 league goals in the 2008-09 season, and 42 in total, won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer. He was also awarded the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine, and named FIFPro's player of the year.

Premier League players have finished as runner-up before, David Beckham and Thierry Henry both did so twice while Frank Lampard also came second two years ago but Ronaldo becomes the first to take the top prize. Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family but also paid tribute to influence of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award and I would like to dedicate this to my family. But it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him. His experience over so many years is of paramount importance, it's a privilege to have such a great club manager."

Messi finished in second place and Torres came third ahead of fourth-placed Kaka and Xavi.

Full result of votes:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: 935
2. Lionel Messi: 678
3. Fernando Torres: 203
4. Kaka: 183
5. Xavi: 155

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Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo escaped unscathed on Thursday from a car crash that left his Ferrari a mangled wreck, and will be fit to play in Sunday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

His luxury sports car collided with a roadside barrier in a tunnel near Manchester airport as he was driving to training on Thursday morning. A photographer who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards described the Portugal winger's car as a "terrible mess" but Greater Manchester Police said no one had been injured.

"Officers attended and discovered a Ferrari had collided with a barrier," a statement said. "No one is believed to have been injured."

The Portugal international played as a second half substitute in United's 1-0 defeat away to Derby County in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Barring any delayed reaction to Friday's crash, he will be back in the starting line-up for Sunday's match at Old Trafford as United seek to overcome one of their major rivals in the battle to retain the Premier League trophy.

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David Beckham made his long-awaited AC Milan debut today as the Serie A giants beat Hamburg 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Dubai.

The former England captain started the game in a Milan midfield that also featured Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini and Ronaldinho before being substituted at half-time.

Ronaldinho put the Rossoneri ahead with a 63rd-minute penalty, but Collin Benjamin equalised four minutes later. Beckham has joined Milan on loan from Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy until 8 March.

He could make his Serie A debut when Milan return to domestic action away to Roma on Sunday evening.

Hamburg 1 - 1 AC Milan (Ac Milan won penalty 4-3)

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Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson by reacting to the manager's comments regarding his contract situation.

Tevez has spent a lot of time on the bench. Tevez, 24, has revealed his disappointment at speculation that he had rejected a new offer from the Premier League champions, and reiterated his desire for his future to be sorted.

''I didn't like him (Ferguson) saying I didn't like the offer I was made because neither my agent nor me were given one." the Argentina international, whose deal runs out in the summer, told Radio del Plata. ''I don't know anything on my future. United know what they must pay if they want me to stay. I want to stay but the club have not made any offer. I've been waiting for them for a year and a half."

Tevez also was on collision course with Alex Ferguson after insisting: I’d love to play for Real Madrid. The striker dropped his bombshell by revealing a desire to join the club that Manchester United boss Fergie despises the most. Tevez admitted in a Spanish magazine:

“Who wouldn’t want to play for Real Madrid? Like Manchester, they are one of the best clubs in the world and it would be a pleasure to play for them.”

New Real boss Juande Ramos is keen on Tevez and the player says he would love to face Barcelona ace and pal Lionel Messi.

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David Beckham is set to make his debut for AC Milan in a friendly against Hamburg on Tuesday. Speaking from the squad's Dubai training camp, Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, said:

"He is available and he can therefore play. The past few days he [Beckham] has been working hard and I’ve noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team."

Beckham has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan from Los Angeles Galaxy as he attempts to extend his England career. LA Galaxy resume competition in March, but AC Milan's first official match of 2009 is Sunday's Serie A encounter against AS Roma.

Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham faces stiff competition from Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Brazilians Ronaldinho and Kaka in his bid to play competitive games for Milan.

"I want to play well instead of just play. I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world. I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. The training has been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team-mates are exceptional." said Beckham

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Liverpool v Everton
Man Utd v Spurs
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth or Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
L Orient or Sheff Utd v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Pompey or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Villa
WBA or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay United v Coventry City
Kettering Town v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolves v Boro

The FA Cup 2008/09 Fourth Round Draw Highlights

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Argentine playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron was officially chosen as the best footballer in South America of 2008, an award that is handed out by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais.

Veron, the captain of Estudiantes de La Plata, beat Juan Roman Riquelme of Boca Juniors by three votes. Riquelme recently claimed the Argentine Apertura Championship with his club. Both players are likely to be taken into consideration by Argentine national team coach Diego Maradona for the restart of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in March. Veron admitted that such an award is recognized around the world, and that he is very proud of the achievement.

"One is recognized not only by the people at a local level, but throughout the footballing world," Veron told radio Provincia. "This prize arrives in a special moment of my life, because my objective is to always be the best in what I do, and I've always thought in this way."

In third place in the voting was Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas of Club America of Mexico, with 19 votes less than Veron. Cabanas won the award in 2007. Internacional playmaker Andres D'Alessandro finished in fourth place, after having played a key role as his club lifted the Copa Sudamericana for the first time. Fifth place went to Liga Deportiva Universitaria goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos, who was detrimental in his team's Copa Libertadores triumph.

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NEWS 1: Premier League champions Manchester United have completed the signings of Serbian footballers Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade. Tosic and Ljajic both attacking midfielders are United's first signings of the January transfer window.

Tosic, 21, will sign with immediate effect and wear the No 14 shirt, while an agreement is in place for 17-year-old Ljajic to remain with Partizan for the rest of 2009. Having personally pleaded for the 21-year-old Tosic's work permit at a hearing in November, manager Sir Alex Ferguson had been frustrated that the move was being held up by the Serbia winger's pay demands and number of agents involved in the deal.

There had been fears that Premier League rivals could hijack the move, but the acquisition was completed within 24 hours of the transfer window opening Thursday. Tosic, who has made 12 international appearances since his debut against Finland in 2007, including at the Beijing Olympics, will join immediately as United looks to close the seven-point gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

Ljajic has made just 10 league appearances for Partizan Belgrade since his debut in July, although he underwent a trial at Old Trafford in October when the Serbian club's general manager confirmed Manchester United had been in contact "for some time now". The 17-year-old right-sided midfielder has been nicknamed "Little Kaka" after impressing in Champions League qualifiers for Partizan Belgrade.

It has been suggested United could end up paying around £17 million for the duo, although that figure is likely to be based heavily on future success and the club have refused to comment on the size of an initial payment.


NEWS 2 : Cristiano Ronaldo has treated Alex Ferguson to some New Year cheer by resolving to stay at Manchester United. The moody Portugal winger, 23, said:

“I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here.”

But before boss Fergie starts popping the champagne he should be warned that only one in four people actually stick to their New Year resolutions. And Ronaldo is still very much a target for Real Madrid. There have even been claims that the Spaniards already have a deal to sign him in the summer.

Ron tried to engineer a move to Real last year and accused United of treating him like a ‘slave’. But he insists the disruption was down to the media. He said:

“There’s always speculation, not just about me but about the future of players all around the world. People were speaking about me this summer and what people are saying now is not true. Who says that is a liar. I want to stay here.”

NEWS 3 : Alex Ferguson has offered Leeds a package worth up to £10million for teenage midfield star Fabian Delph.

Manchester United boss Fergie made his move after Fulham steamed in with a £6m bid for the 19-year-old sensation, who is being tipped as the new Paul Scholes. Delph is a combative midfielder with an eye for goal like Scholes.

He has been a regular in the Leeds side this term after captaining the reserves. Fergie has matched the Fulham offer of £6m up front but has added extra incentives related to appearances and trophies that would push the deal close to £10m.

And the Old Trafford boss has also told Leeds they can take two of his own promising youngsters on loan as they bid to get their League One promotion train rolling again. He is prepared to let midfielders Darron Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon switch temporarily to Elland Road.


NEWS 4 : Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez has insisted he is determined to stay at Old Trafford on a permanent basis. The Argentinian is in the second year of a loan deal with the Premier League champions, but that agreement expires at the end of the season and United are yet to offer him a full-time contract.

The 24-year-old has been reduced to a bit-part role this season following the close-season arrival of Dimitar Berbatov, fuelling reports that he is ready to leave England. But the former West Ham United player is confident he will remain with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"I am not preoccupied about my future," Tevez told the Daily Mail. "My instincts are to stay with the club and in the next week or so I think there will be more contact with regards to sorting out my contract. That is what we've been told. It is up to the club. Other clubs have asked about me but I see my future at United"

With Real Madrid believed to be ready to pay the £32m transfer fee required to sign Tevez, it would be easy for him to quit, but the forward is determined to fight for his place.

"It has been a complicated season for me, there is no point denying that. I have not been able to get as many minutes on the field as I would like because the quality of the forwards at the club is incredible. It is not easy for forwards to get into this team and I have suffered. But that does not make me want to leave. I have no urge to run away."

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Manchester United are facing the real prospect of losing Carlos Tevez in this transfer window.

The club have still not made his loan deal permanent despite assurances in the summer it would be completed. Now Real Madrid are ready to make their move for the Argentine, 24. Agent Kia Joorabchian, who owns the rights to the striker, will be prepared to do business with Inter Milan also interested.

United have Tevez on a two-year loan with a verbal agreement for a £32million transfer. But United are not sure he is worth that in a deflated market and Joorabchian fears United will pull out in the summer.

As it is, Tevez is unhappy at having to play second fiddle to Dimitar Berbatov.


MEANWHILE, Didier Drogba has been hit with a £100,000 fine by Chelsea for criticising the club in SunSport.

The whining Ivory Coast striker has angered team-mates and Blues officials by claiming he did not get the support he deserves. Now he has been docked a week’s wages after the club ran out of patience with his constant moans.

Drogba claimed the club failed to support him when his grandmother died this year. He also confessed he did not exactly rush back from his knee injury and criticised manager Phil Scolari’s team selection.

His comments have infuriated Scolari and chief executive Peter Kenyon, particularly as the club laid on a private jet so he could return to Africa to be with his grandmother.

Drogba, 30, was yesterday ordered to explain his outburst and told he would lose a week’s wages under an internal disciplinary procedure. And that could spell the end of his 4½-year stay at The Bridge.

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Manchester United FC forward Dimitar Berbatov has been named Bulgarian Player of the Year for the fifth time in his career, equalling the record of Hristo Stoichkov.

The 27-year-old took the accolade with 283 points to add to the titles he picked up in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007. PFC Levski Sofia goalkeeper Georgi Petkov came second with 162 points while PFC Slavia Sofia midfielder Blagoy Georgiev finished third with a tally of 122. During 2008, Berbatov won the first major trophy of his career after lifting the English League Cup with Tottenham Hotspur FC and then joined UEFA Champions League winners Manchester United on 1 September for €38m.

Berbatov, who has scored 41 goals in 68 appearances for Bulgaria, said:

"There is something special about winning this honour for a fifth time. The most important thing for me is to be healthy and to fulfil my aims step by step." Bulgarian legend Stoichkov was on hand to present the award and the former Bayer 04 Leverkusen forward added: "I was really happy to receive it from Stoichkov. It was a great gesture from him."

In the night's other awards, Levski's Georgi Ivanov was voted forward of the year in the Bulgarian A PFG while Aleksander Aleksandrov of PFC Cherno More Varna took the prize in the midfield category. CSKA Sofia's Kiril Kotev was proclaimed top defender, his team-mate Pavel Vidanov most improved player and Petkov named No1 goalkeeper.

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Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard arrested and spends night in cells after fracas. England footballer Steven Gerrard was among six men being questioned by police after officers were called to a Merseyside bar. The Liverpool captain was arrested after an early morning disturbance on Monday at licensed premises in Bold Street, Southport.

A 34-year-old Southport man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, which were not thought to be serious. The Liverpool FC star spent the rest of the night in the cells and was still being quizzed by police this morning. Officers were called to the Lounge Inn at around 2.30am. Police later detained six people nearby on Lord Street. Four men, aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, all from Huyton, Gerrard, 28, from Formby, and an 18-year-old from Litherland were arrested on suspicion of Section 20 assault.

The alleged incident happened 12 hours after Liverpool crushed Newcastle United 5-1 at St James's Park on Sunday. Gerrard scored two goals in a brilliant display that helped the Reds extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to three points. A Liverpool FC spokesman said the club would not be commenting about the alleged incident. It is still unclear why trouble started or if the group of six men knew the victim.

A police spokeswoman said:

"We are investigating an assault in the early hours of the morning. Officers attended a licensed premises where they detained six people on suspicion of Section 20 assault. They are still being questioned."

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes winning four more trophies this season is not a 'realistic' target.

The Red Devils are currently playing catch-up in the defence of their Premier League title and are also in contention for more silverware. Derby County await in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, Inter Milan are last 16 opponents in the UEFA Champions League and United start out in the FA Cup against Southampton next weekend.

United have already scooped the Club World Cup this month, but Ferguson is not getting carried away by dreams of a further four trophies this season.

"To win one major trophy is unusual but nice all the time," said Ferguson in the Daily Star. "But there is no chance of winning all four competitions we are left in this season. It is appetising and we will have that opportunity if we are still in them all come March and April, but it is not realistic.

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Rio Ferdinand faces a 10-day lay-off after being forced to pull out of Manchester United's victory over Stoke City with a recurrence of a back injury.

The centre-back was named on the team-sheet at the Britannia Stadium but was withdrawn minutes before the Boxing Day kick-off when the problem flared up and he was deemed unfit to start the game. Ferdinand's place was taken by young Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans and the England international has now been ruled out of the rest of the Christmas and New Year programme.

"We have to get to the root of this because he has had this problem too many times now," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We have to get to the bottom of it. It will be a week to 10 days and then he should be okay."

His injury means Ferdinand will miss Monday's visit of Middlesbrough to Old Trafford and the FA Cup third round tie at Southampton the following Sunday. The defender, who would almost certainly have been rested for the first leg of the League Cup semi-final with Derby County on Jan 7, will now target the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford four days later for his return.

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Sunderland have appointed Ricky Sbragia as manager after his successful spell as caretaker. The Scot, 52, has been handed an 18-month contract by chairman Niall Quinn as the reward for his four games in charge, which have brought two victories a 4–0 win over West Brom and a 4–1 thumping of Hull, a draw and a single defeat, and that away to Manchester United.

"Ricky Sbragia is a thoroughly professional football person," said Quinn. "We have been taken aback by how easily he has slotted into the managerial role and are really heartened by his intelligent approach in dealing with the players and the day-to-day rigours of the job.

Sbragia succeeds Roy Keane, who resigned earlier this month with the club in 18th place in the Premier League. Results under Sbragia's caretaker charge have lifted the club out of the relegation zone and into 14th, though they remain only two points clear of the bottom three. Prior to rejoining the club last year, Sbragia had spent eight years as a youth and reserve-team coach with the Black Cats after joining from York in 1994.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed that Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas will be out of action for four months after suffering a partial rupture of his medial knee ligament in Sunday's draw against Liverpool.

The Spaniard suffered the injury in a challenge with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and limped off at half time at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger initially hoped Fabregas would only be out for three weeks but scans confirmed the Spain midfielder won't play again before April.

"The news is not good. It will take three to four months, we count four. He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months." Wenger said.

The loss of his recently installed skipper and creative talisman is a massive blow to Wenger as he tries to end Arsenal's four-year wait for a trophy. He was already short of experienced midfielders after losing Mathieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb in pre-season, while Tomas Rosicky has been injured for the whole of the current campaign.

"We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say," Wenger said."We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more. I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months. I believe we are able to do it."

A bid for Zenit St Peterburg's Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin is one possibility for Wenger, who is yet to decide who will replace Fabregas as captain. Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia wore the armband when Fabregas came off against Liverpool and would be the leading candidate. fifa

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David Beckham impressed the locals from the start when he was unveiled as an AC Milan player last night, by speaking Italian at his first press conference.

Dressed in a blue jumper, jeans, mirrored sunglasses and a scarf against the chill he smiled and waved at the small group of fans who had gathered to welcome him. After landing at Milan's Malpensa airport he headed off to a private clinic for a medical, which he reportedly passed with flying colours.

As he left the airport he said:

"I am honoured to be here and to play for one of the most successful clubs in the world. I have played for the biggest club in England, the biggest club in Spain and now I want to play for the biggest club in Italy."

Beckham also was keen to emphasise that his stay in Milan would be strictly football.

"Fashion had nothing to do with coming to Milan," he said. "The red and black shirt and the history of the club took me here."

You can see the press conference here;

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Matches will be played over two legs on 24/25 February and 10/11 March. In the ceremony staged at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the eight winners of the group-stage pools were paired with teams that finished second. No clubs from the same association could be pitted together, while sides that met in the group stage were also kept apart. The draw for the remaining rounds will be made on 20 March, with this season's final taking place in Rome on 27 May.

First leg : 24 & 25 February 2009
Second leg : 10 & 11 March 2009

Chelsea FC (ENG) v Juventus (ITA)
Villarreal CF (ESP) v Panathinaikos FC (GRE)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) v FC Bayern München (GER)
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) v FC Porto (POR)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Barcelona (ESP)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Liverpool FC (ENG)
Arsenal FC (ENG) v AS Roma (ITA)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)

uefa.com

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The sides who finished first in each UEFA Cup section were drawn against one of the third-ranked teams from another group while the runners-up in each section were paired with one of the eight clubs joining the competition from the UEFA Champions League group stage. The group winners and runners-up will play their second leg at home, while sides from the same association were kept apart in the draw. The format is two-legged knockout ties with the first legs being played on 18/19 February and the second legs on 26 February. No teams were seeded in the draw for the last 16.

First leg : 18 & 19 February 2009
Second leg : 26 February 2009

Round of 32 draw

Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA) v VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
FC København (DEN) v Manchester City FC (ENG)
NEC Nijmegen (NED) v Hamburger SV (GER)
UC Sampdoria (ITA) v FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)
SC Braga (POR) v R. Standard de Liège (BEL)
Aston Villa FC (ENG) v PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
KKS Lech Poznań (POL) v Udinese Calcio (ITA)
Olympiacos CFP (GRE) v AS Saint-Etienne (FRA)
ACF Fiorentina (ITA) v AFC Ajax (NED)
Aalborg BK (DEN) v RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP)
Werder Bremen (GER) v AC Milan (ITA)
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA) v Galatasaray AŞ (TUR)
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) v Valencia CF (ESP)
FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) v VfB Stuttgart (GER)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) v FC Twente (NED)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)

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Arsenal's Croatian international striker Eduardo made a successful return to action after being out for ten months after suffering a broken left leg and dislocating his left ankle.

The 25-year-old Brazilian-born striker came through the first 45 minutes of a reserve game against Portsmouth and professed himself to be mightily relieved even to be playing after the tackle by Martin Taylor of Birmingham at the end of February had many fearing it had ended his career.

"I am feeling very happy to have started my first game in ten months," he said. "I hope I can do more and that next time will be better. I just felt something in my hamstring, but in two weeks I will be all right."

The injury cost both Arsenal and the player dear as they ended up trophyless, and Eduardo also missed the UEFA EURO 2008 championships where Croatia sparkled before bowing out to Turkey in the quarter-finals. He underwent an intensive rehabilitation programme that included spells in his native Brazil.

His blunder's pic

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