Not only is the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner fit for Wednesday’s opener but Suarez is expected to make his competitive debut following his winter switch to Florida from Brazilian side Gremio.
Messi will be involved having overcome the inflamed adductor issue that saw him miss a high-profile pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, sparking fury from expectant ticket-holders.
“They’re playing and they’re ready to play,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of Messi and the former Liverpool striker.
“If they’re required to play 90 minutes, we’re going to look at it always depending on the need of the team.”
Suarez is the latest former Barcelona star to rock up in Miami, where he has joined Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
“It’…
England forward Wayne Rooney hopes to end 2013 on a high with a morale-boosting victory over rivals Germany at Wembley on Tuesday.
England face Joachim Low s side for the first time since they were beaten 4-1 by the same apponents at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Rooney is eager to erase the memory of that game in Bloemfontein.
Germany are set to rest a number of their star players – including Mesut Ozil – but Rooney knows whatever team the hosts face will be a tough prospect.
There are so many good players (in their team), he said. Thomas Muller works hard and scores goals – big goals as well.
The biggest thing they’ve got is as a team they all play together and know their jobs. That is why they are so difficult to play against.
Germany are a great …
The winners of the 2014 FIFA World Cup will receive $35million (USD) in prize money, the governing body announced on Thursday.
Total contributions for the 32 participants in the tournament have increased by 37 per cent from 2010, with the champions poised to pocket $5million more than Spain did following their victory in South Africa.
The rise in prize money announced by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke following a meeting of the Executive Committee ahead of the World Cup draw in Brazil on Friday will see a total of $576million paid out to the teams, compared to $420million at the previous World Cup.
The runners-up will receive $25million, with the sides who finish third and fourth set to pocket $22million and $20million respectively.
Quarter-finallists will …
Denis Cheryshev s desire to earn regular first-team football has resulted in the Real Madrid winger being loaned to La Liga rivals Valencia for the rest of the season.
Cheryshev made just six appearances for the Santiago Bernabeu giants this season, but had a sizeable impact on their campaign as his inclusion in December s Copa del Rey fixture against Cadiz saw Madrid kicked out of the competition.
The 25-year-old had been ineligible for the match due to a suspension carried over from last term, when he was on loan at Villarreal.
Marcelino s men were credited with an interest in bringing Chershev back to El Madrigal, while Sevilla were also keen to re-sign the nine-cap Russia international, who played for them in the 2013-14 season.
But the Mestalla is C…
Gareth Bale praised the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and their patience with Chris Coleman after the nation qualified for Euro 2016.
Coleman guided Wales to their first major tournament in 58 years as runners-up to Belgium in Group B.
But it has not been all smooth sailing for Coleman, who took over the Wales job following the tragic passing of Gary Speed in 2012.
Coleman endured a nervy start to his tenure after losing his first four matches in charge.
It could have been five from five, but two late goals from Bale helped Wales to a 2-1 win at home to Scotland in a World Cup qualifier in 2012.
Bale said the decision to keep Coleman as manager paid off with the nation s Euro 2016 qualification.
The public stayed behind the manager,…
Lucas Hernandez said he turned down the chance to leave Atletico Madrid for city rivals and LaLiga giants Real Madrid.
The France defender s younger brother Theo is already on Madrid s books, having joined from Atletico in 2017.
Deals between the Madrid clubs are unusual but Theo s move was more palatable as he had never played for Atletico s first team.
Lucas, though, said he could not bring himself to follow his sibling to the Santiago Bernabeu, although the 22-year-old would not rule out leaving Atleti in the future.
I didn t pay too much attention [to the offer], Lucas said to RMC Sport. I was 100 per cent focused on my club, where I had recently signed a new contract.
My agent told me about it. When he said there was an opportunity to go t…
David Moyes has resigned as Sunderland manager, the club have confirmed.
Moyes informed Black Cats owner Ellis Short of his intention to leave the post at a meeting in London on Monday, a day after Sunderland s dismal Premier League season came to a fitting end with a 5-1 thrashing at champions Chelsea.
In a statement Short said: I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned.
Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.
In the days ahead we will take some time for reflection, and …
What the papers say
Manchester United and Paris St Germain have emerged as the frontrunners to land the signature of Victor Osimhen in the summer. According to The Independent, Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in the Napoli forward.
The Telegraph reports Newcastle are edging closer to inking a new deal with midfielder Joelinton. The 27-year-old has little over a year left on his current deal, but the two parties are believed to be on similar terms with negotiations proving productive thus far.
Tottenham have reportedly taken an interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand. The Sun, citing Portuguese paper Record, says Spurs sent scouts to watch the Denmark international in action as Sporting beat rivals Benfica 2-1 last Thursday, with a view to a potent…
Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Alan Varela from FC Porto in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Dortmund are among the clubs who have been impressed with Varela. The midfielder’s release clause in his contract is worth €70 million, and Porto are not going to let him leave for anything less.
Varela can play as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder. The Argentine has made 19 starts and one substitute appearance in Liga Portugal so far this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in those games. He has also played seven times in the UEFA Champions League this campaign.
Dortmund are fourth in the Bundesliga table at the moment with 44 points from 24 matches, as many as 20 points behind leaders Bayer…
Former England manager Fabio Capello said fatigue will catch up with his old side at the 2014 World Cup.
The now-Russia boss, who will lead his side into Group H against Belgium, Algeria and South Korea, has taken a swipe at Roy Hodgson s men, claiming England over-prepare for major tournaments.
England were drawn in Group D, alongside Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy.
It s just really important in which physical condition the teams arrive at the World Cup, Capello told CNN.
England are always tired because they play too many games.
Capello refuted suggestions there was disharmony in the England camp at the 2010 World Cup when he was in charge of the team, and also brought up their misfortune in their last-16 loss to Germany.
Frank Lampar…