World Cup winner Mertesacker recently revealed a desire to avoid being called upon during the final months of a career plagued by injuries. In a candid interview with Der Spiegel, the 33-year-old detailed his battles with anxiety and said he was eager to be “free” from the mental and physical demands of professional football. Wenger sympathised with Mertesacker’s honest admission, although he believes the former Germany international will move past his frustration....

Vocal Argentina fans had decamped to their neighbouring country en masse. Surely, they felt, it was their time. A golden generation coming into their peak years and a chance to deliciously lift a third World Cup at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro — the hallowed turf of their sworn enemy. Some estimates suggest in excess of 200,000 Argentines made the pilgrimage over the course of the tournament, many travelling without tickets and winging it: staying in schools, sleeping on the streets or finding a place to crash in the favelas....

Messi has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Barca, however, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still searching for his first major senior title with Argentina. The 30-year-old was involved as Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, while Messi could not prevent back-to-back defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America deciders. Coming off a Liga and Copa del Rey double, which took his trophy tally to 32 at Camp Nou, Messi is desperate to taste success with Jorge Sampaoli’s men....

The Tottenham star set a new record for Premier League goals in a year when he ended 2017 with a hat-trick against Southampton on Boxing Day, taking his tally in the English top flight to 39. Only Messi and Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani scored more for their clubs in the last 12 months than Kane did, and his latest achievement prompted many to hail the England international as one of the world’s best attackers....

The Italian acknowledges that Lionel Messi is a “phenomenon”, that Neymar is improving and that Luis Suarez is the kind of centre-forward that the Camp Nou outfit have been crying out for. He is, however, of the opinion that Luis Enrique’s side have failed to address issues in the middle of the park. Neymar: Ballon d’Or win can wait In contrast, Capello believes that the recruitment by his former employers at Santiago Bernabeu has been largely positive....

Revealed: What Dani Alves said to Neymar Yet that is exactly what is currently on display in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia as part of the city’s celebrations for St George’s Day, which takes place on Saturday. Sant Jordi, as he is known in Catalan, is the patron saint of the region and so it is an important day in the city. It was painted by Tvboy, an artist known for his controversial work and is entitled ‘Love is Blind’....

Just six points out of 18 without Messi The Argentina striker sustained the setback in last month’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. But Barca confirmed the 29-year-old was back in training at the Ciutat Esportiva, though the club stopped short of declaring him fit for competitive action. Luis Enrique’s side hosts Deportivo La Coruna in LaLiga on Saturday and also welcomed Samuel Umtiti back to training following a knee problem....

The forward was a part of Luis Enrique’s squad for the match at Camp Nou, but his spot has been filled by teammate Carles Alena. Barca was already going into this encounter without one component of their “MSN” front line, as Luis Suarez is suspended. As a result, the Camp Nou outfit is without the scorers of 16 of their 32 league goals this season. Paco Alcacer, who is yet to score this season in La Liga since joining from Valencia in the summer, has been handed the opportunity to start, though the focus will inevitably be on Neymar, who has only four goals to his name in the league....

Messi salvages a point for Barcelona Barca began the day six points behind their fierce rivals and had the chance to cut that deficit to three, albeit with one more match played due to Real’s recent participation in the Club World Cup. But this was another subdued showing. With Ivan Rakitic left out of the squad amid reports in Croatia that the midfielder will join Manchester City in the January transfer window, Andre Gomes was disappointing again in midfield....

The Barcelona talisman may have been overlooked for Balon d’Or and FIFA Best Player honours, but he continues to set the standard at Camp Nou. He also has few equals in La Liga, with another notable landmark reached in his latest outing. The Messi stat that will make Ronaldo jealous Messi was on target in Barca’s 5-0 mauling of Las Palmas, with the club from the Canary Islands the 35th top-flight foe to have felt the Argentine’s wrath....

Such cancers differ from other types of breast cancer in that metaplastic tumors often contain other types of tissue not normally found in the breast, for example, squamous cells (skin) or osseous cells (bone). Metaplastic comes from the Greek phrase for “changed in form,’’ which is why it is used to describe cells that appear to have morphed into those of another part of the body. Metaplastic breast cancer is less likely to be estrogen-receptor-positive or HER2-positive, which limits treatment options....

Lagares was an arbitration-eligible Super 2 candidate in 2016, but will now be under contract through 2019. The 26-year-old has a .262/.302/.368 slash line in two MLB seasons. He also brings plus defense and speed on the basepaths. The contract will be made official after a Thursday physical. Lagares will earn $2.5 million the first season, followed by $4.5 million, $6.5 million and $9 million, ESPN reported, with a $9....

The Mets announced the infielder won’t require surgery for his fractured right fibula. He was injured when Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley recklessly slid into second base as Tejada attempted to turn a double play during the Mets’ loss in NLDS Game 2 Saturday. MORE: Best photos from the NLDS | Open letter to Matt Harvey: Don’t throw at Harvey Tejada is expected to spend six to eight weeks in a cast, but will be ready when spring training rolls around in February....

Cincinnati is famed for a few things: its sports teams, Jon Moxley and Skyline Chili. A few of these things are objectively great — but not Skyline Chili, the Mets broadcaster said. Cohen offered play-by-play on a video of a Skyline Chili 5-Way platter being made during the Mets-Reds matchup — that’s spaghetti, beans, chili, chopped onions and about 2 pounds of shredded cheese, if you’re keeping score at home — and had some pretty inflammatory comments on Cincy’s “local delicacy” and its “disgusting chili gravy”...

The Mets announced Thursday they have fired their manager after two seasons. Callaway had one year remaining on his deal, plus an option for 2021. “We want to thank Mickey for his consistent work ethic and dedication over the last two seasons and I’m certain these characteristics will serve him well in his next opportunity,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a release. “A decision like this is never easy, however, we believe it is in the best interest of the franchise at this time....

According to multiple reports, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has been dictating in-game moves to Callaway, at least once while watching the game at home on TV. The New York Post reported Monday that Van Wagenen instructed Callaway to pull Jacob deGrom from a game in Arizona on June 1 after he suffered a cramp. Visibly upset, deGrom insisted he could continue. The bullpen blew a Mets lead as they went on to lose in extra innings....

THE RUMOR: The Mets have enhanced their inconsistent offense with the additions of Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson but still have their sights set on acquiring a “big bat.” MORE: Where will Price end up? | Most memorable deadline deals REPORTED BY: CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman THE DETAILS: Heyman lists outfielders Justin Upton, Carlos Gomez, Gerardo Parra, Carlos Gonzalez and Jay Bruce as possibilities that the Mets are considering. With the Tigers planning on selling, might as well add Yoenis Cespedes to the list, too....

The player formerly known as Ron Artest has signed a one-year deal with the Lakers, according to Yahoo Sports. MORE: All-time greatest Lakers It’s unclear what role the Lakers have in mind for the 35-year-old, but rumors that Los Angeles was planning on bringing World Peace back began swirling in August. World Peace has been at the Lakers’ facility during the offseason, mentoring Julius Randle alongside Kobe Bryant. Somewhere along the way, the Lakers decided to give World Peace another go....

Wildlife officials identified 76 wolves in Arizona and 87 in New Mexico, up from the 131 wolves counted at the end of 2018. According to the FWS, there are at least 42 packs of two or more individuals, and a further 10 lone wolves. Of the 28 packs that have been monitored since last spring, a minimum of 21 contained pups. Meanwhile, mortality rates appear to be down. Fourteen deaths were recorded last year, a 33 percent drop from the 21 recorded in 2018....

Nothing is confirmed yet, though, and all eyes will be on Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. The star Mexico forward looked likely to join Turkish side Besiktas, but West Ham United may try to convince the forward his Premier League days are far from done. A rash of injuries to other attackers has left David Moyes with few options going forward. Chicharito boosted his own case with a slick goal last weekend, scoring the equalizer for the Hammers in their Premier League match against Bournemouth and moving just a goal behind Marko Arnautovic for the team lead....