Azpilicueta had 12 months left on his Chelsea contract.

“It is difficult to express how I feel, it has been incredible,” he said.

In a social media video posted by the club, a tearful Azpilicueta added: “I feel I gave everything. I love it.

“I think it would be pretty obvious to pick the highest moment of my career, when we won the Champions League in Porto. It was my first trophy as captain.

“Chelsea is my home, it always will be and hopefully I can come back in a different role.”

Azpilicueta started out with boyhood club Osasuna and spent two years at Marseille before completing a £6.5m move to Chelsea in August 2012.

The full-back went on to score 17 goals in 508 appearances for the west London club, and succeeded Gary Cahill as captain in 2019.

Azpilicueta is one of just six players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup, while his 13 cup final appearances are a club record.

Capped 44 times by Spain, he has been a constant during a turbulent decade at Stamford Bridge that has seen 10 managers come and go, as well as a change in ownership.

Azpilicueta won the Premier League under Jose Mourinho in 2015 and again with Antonio Conte in 2017, and became only the second Chelsea skipper to lift the Champions League.

That was in 2021 when Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Manchester City in the final, while he also won the Europa League twice in 2013 and 2019.

The Spaniard was linked with a move to Barcelona before signing a new two-year contract in August 2022, but has become the latest senior player to leave the club during what has been a transitional summer under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Big-name departures have included Kai Havertz to Arsenal and Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City, while Manchester United have signed Mason Mount.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and French defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante have also left to play in the Saudi Pro League.

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Real failed to win a trophy this season and were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid on a dramatic final day on Saturday.

Real said in a statement that they “must now respect” Zidane’s decision.

They thanked Zidane, 48, for his “professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid”.

Former France forward Zidane, who played for Real from 2001 to 2006, won three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga title in his first period as manager between 2016 and 2018.

He left in May 2018, but returned 10 months later and secured a second La Liga title last season.

“Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s great icons and his legacy extends beyond what he has achieved as a coach and player at our club,” Real said.

“He is aware that he has a place in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he will always have a home at Real Madrid.”

Real finished two points behind Atletico in La Liga as they failed to win a trophy for the first time since 2009-10.

They suffered an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of third division side Alcoyano and lost to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

Earlier this month, Zidane, who had a year left on his contract, denied reports that he had informed his squad he would leave at the end of the season.

His future was a constant topic of discussion in the Spanish press this season, contributing to several spiky exchanges, with Zidane saying he and his players deserved more respect.

He is the only manager to win the Champions League three times, and his trophy haul at Real also included two Club World Cups, two Uefa Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.

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No Spanish side has played a competitive game since 11 March, when Atletico Madrid knocked holders Liverpool out of the Champions League.

Tebas says training will not return until emergency measures – in place until 26 April – are lifted in Spain.

He estimates clubs could lose 1bn euros if the current campaign is cancelled.

Tebas revealed three start dates are currently being discussed with Uefa, saying: “Of all the different scenarios we have been looking at with Uefa to go back to competing, the most probable ones are 28 May, 6 June or 28 June,” he said.

“We can’t say an exact date. This will be given to us by the authorities in Spain. But we still have time to get back to training before that.”

Tebas says La Liga is not contemplating a failure to complete the domestic campaign, which still has 11 rounds of matches to play.

However, having done the maths, Tebas is conscious that even if games are played with supporters in stadiums, a scenario he does not feel is likely in the short term, the losses will be extreme.

He said: “If we are looking at the economic impact, including the money we would get from European competitions, the revenue Spanish clubs would miss out on if we don’t get back playing again is 1bn euros. If we do get playing but without spectators, it would be 300m.

“Even if we get back to playing with spectators, the damage this situation has already caused would be 150m euros.”

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The World Cup winner signed a five-year contract last June but Saturday’s La Liga match against Levante will be his last for the club.

Barcelona will pay the buyout clause in Griezmann’s contract of 120m euros, BBC Sport understands.

“It’s been an incredible five years. Thank you for everything,” he said.

“I wanted to tell the fans who have always given me a lot of love that I have taken the decision to leave, to see other things, to have other challenges,” the 28-year-old added, in a video posted on Twitter.

“The truth is it has been difficult to take this route but it is what I feel I need and I would like to thank all of you for the love you have shown me during these five years.”

The Frenchman has scored 133 goals in 256 appearances for Atletico since joining from fellow Spanish outfit Real Sociedad in 2014.

He has won the Europa League, the Spanish Super Cup and the Uefa Supercup during his time at Atletico and has been the team’s top scorer in each of the last five seasons.

Griezmann rejected an offer from Barcelona last year and revealed his thought process in a documentary called ‘The Decision’.

Atletico also reported Barcelona to Fifa over an alleged illegal approach in December 2017.

Griezmann will be the third high-profile player to leave Atletico this summer after defender Lucas Hernandez agreed to join Bayern Munich and long-serving captain Diego Godin announced he would leave, with his contract set to expire.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it was Oshoala’s fifth goal in five appearances for the FC Barcelona Ladies in the Liga Iberdrola since her arrival on loan,

The Super Falcons star had joined from Chinese club Dalian Quanjian in January.

The game at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was watched by 60,739 fans, a new record for a women’s club match.

It saw Oshoala opening scoring for FC Barcelona Ladies in the 65th minute of the keenly-contested encounter, after the first half had ended goalless.

The former Arsenal Ladies and Liverpool Ladies player was however replaced by Toni Duggan 17 minutes from time.

Substitute Duggan made the three points safe for the FC Barcelona Ladies by netting the second goal 10 minutes from time.

The result means FC Barcelona Ladies, with 63 points from 24 games played so far,, narrowed the gap at the top to just three points.

They are behind table-toppers Atletico Madrid on 66 points in the 16-club Liga Iberdrola Primera Division.

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Antoine Griezmann’s double sent hosts France through to the final of Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over world champions Germany in Marseille.

Griezmann gave Les Bleus the lead from the spot after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area right on the stroke of half time.

Joachim Low’s men dominated proceedings until the spot-kick decision, but they posed less of a threat after the break – failing to register a shot on target until injury time as France defended stoutly.

And Griezmann sealed the victory in the closing stages after mistakes from Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer presented him with a simple finish.

Germany had beaten France en route to their World Cup success two years ago, but they will not secure a famous double as their 20-year wait for a continental crown goes on, with Portugal now awaiting Les Bleus in Sunday’s final at Stade de France.

After winning their first major semi-final appearance since the 2006 World Cup, Didier Deschamps’ side will be favourites as they look to seal glory having won their two previous Euro finals.

France – playing with an unchanged team for the first time in Euros history – came close early on when Griezmann weaved through the Germany defence and forced Neuer into an important low save.

Germany responded swiftly, with Hugo Lloris at full stretch to keep out a threatening deflected effort from Emre Can, who was one of three changes for the world champions as they re-shuffled their pack due to the absences of Mario Gomez, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira.

Die Mannschaft were the more threatening side as the first half progressed as Toni Kroos went down right on the edge of the box under pressure from Paul Pogba and Samuel Umtiti, but referee Nicola Rizzoli was unmoved as the Real Madrid midfielder claimed for a penalty.

Germany were taking charge of possession, but the match took a dramatic twist seconds before the half-time whistle when Rizzoli did point to the spot at the other end.

In the match that saw him crowned the most-capped European player at major international tournaments, Schweinsteiger denied Evra the chance to head at goal with his arm from close-range after Griezmann’s corner.

Griezmann stepped up and he showed no nerves to send Neuer the wrong way despite having missed a penalty in the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid less than six weeks ago.

And Germany suffered another huge blow when key centre-back, Jerome Boateng, limped off after an hour at the Stade Velodrome.

Germany continued to have most of the ball in the second half, but they had failed to trouble Lloris before Griezmann secured a famous home victory with 18 minutes remaining.

Pogba capitalised on a defensive error from Kimmich and when Neuer could only push his cross into the path of Griezmann, the forward stabbed home his sixth goal of the tournament.

Kimmich – trying to atone for his earlier error – curled an excellent effort off the far post from the edge of the area, but Germany ultimately failed to trouble Lloris until it was too late.

The Tottenham keeper made a brilliant stoppage-time save from Kimmich’s header to preserve his clean sheet as France booked their date against Portugal in the final on home soil.

* Goal.com

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It was reported the 27-year-old wanted to leave after a row with Enrique.

“I have no intentions of leaving for any team, not Chelsea nor Manchester City,” he said, after inspiring a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid.

“I’m tired of all the things that people have been saying. I didn’t ask the club to fire anyone.”

Messi, who will find out on Monday if he has won a fifth Ballon d’Or, has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp, winning a host of team and individual honours since making his debut in 2004.

“People make it out as if I run the club and that’s not how it is. I don’t ask anyone to make decisions. Everything that has been said is lies and I want people to know that. Everything that has been said is false.”

It had been suggested Barcelona’s record goalscorer might leave the Catalan club following reports of a training-ground row with Enrique, who took over last summer.

“People say these things because they want to cause us harm. It hurts because it came from Barca people. We must be united.”

Messi played a starring role as second-placed Barca beat defending La Liga champions Atletico to maintain their pursuit of leaders Real Madrid.

The Argentina captain set up goals for Neymar and Luis Suarez, before adding a late third, to help his side move within a point of their arch-rivals.

The victory lifted the mood at the 22-time Spanish champions following a tense week where current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu called for presidential elections at the end of the season.

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Champions Atletico Madrid moved into second, two points behind Barca, as they beat previously undefeated Sevilla 4-0 at home.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s hot scoring streak continued in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Villarreal to remain four points off the top in fourth.
Barca stretched their run of consecutive clean sheets to seven games, but rediscovered their scoring touch after being held to a 0-0 draw at Malaga in midweek as Messi and Neymar shone.

“Messi is someone who has been touched by a magic wand and he is desperate to enjoy playing football,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

After a slow start Barca took the lead on 26 minutes as Neymar was gifted the ball inside the Granada half and surged forward before seeing his effort deflect pass the helpless Roberto via Jean-Sylvain Babin.

Messi then increased his number of assists already this season to seven as he crossed right-footed for Ivan Rakitic to head home and Neymar tapped into an empty net to make it 3-0 after Roberto had denied Munir.

Barca continued to dominate after the break and Alves provided Messi with the kind of service he has been handing out in recent weeks with a fine cross that the four-time World Player of the Year headed home.

Messi returned to being the provider for Neymar to complete his hat-trick with a cut-back that the former Santos man dispatched low past Roberto.

And the Argentine rounded off a fine afternoon by robbing the Granada defence of possession and running through to slot home his fifth goal of the season and the 400th of his career.

Sevilla had started the day level on points with Barca, but their four-match winning streak came to an end at the Vicente Calderon as Atletico produced their most complete performance since winning the title in May.

The hosts went in front after 19 minutes when Koke’s deflected effort left Beto with no chance before Saul Niguez continued Atletico’s streak of scoring from set-pieces when he headed home the second just before half-time.

Raul Garcia put the result beyond any doubt from the penalty spot seven minutes from time after Antoine Griezmann had been felled in the box and Raul Jimenez sealed a fine night for Atletico when he headed in his first goal for the club a minute from time.

“I was happy to be back close to the play,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who was returning to the touchline after a six-game ban in all competitions.

“Along with the Supercup win against Madrid, that was the most consistent performance we have had this season. That is the hardest thing to achieve in football so I am very happy.”

– Madrid continue winning run –

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is now onto 13 goals from nine matches this season as Real won for the third consecutive league match at Villarreal.

Real survived an early onslaught from Villarreal and won the game with two goals in eight minutes before the break as Luka Modric drilled home the opener before Ronaldo converted from Karim Benzema’s pass to register his eighth goal in a week.

“We’ve won a difficult game against a team that played well and caused us problems,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“But the team controlled the game. We suffered when we had to, played when we had to and I think in the end we showed a good attitude and deserved to win.”

The match started at a high pace with attention from the action on the pitch only momentarily distracted by a banner from a Manchester United fans group begging Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo and his team-mates had more pressing matters at hand as Villarreal threatened to go in front as Ikechukwu Uche’s low effort was well saved by Iker Casillas, whilst Argentine youngster Luciano Vietto sliced wide when well-positioned inside the box.

However, the hosts’ profligacy in the final third contrasted with Madrid’s killer instinct and Ancelotti’s men went in front when Modric drove home his first goal of the season from outside the box on 32 minutes.

And the visitors doubled their advantage five minutes before half-time thanks to a classic counter-attack as James Rodriguez picked out the run of Benzema and the Frenchman brilliantly teed up Ronaldo to slot home.

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A resident told our correspondent that the bomber may have targetted a viewing centre where football fans gathered to watch the final of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid but the bomb reportedly went off less than 20 kilometres to the scene, killing the suicide bomber.

The blast followed the twin blasts, which occurred in the same city on Tuesday in which no fewer than a hundred people were killed and many others wounded and hospitalised.

Although information about the Saturday night blast was sketchy, the bomb was said to have been planted in a car, near a car stand where some youths were watching the match.

It was gathered that the bomb exploded near a residence injuring the owner of the house and his son with the bomber and two others reportedly killed in the blast.

The sound of the blast, eyewitnesses say, reverberated round the city and was heard around Angwan Rogo area of Jos North, behind the temporary site of the University of Jos. The sound was, reportedly, so loud it shook most buildings around the area. It was heard as far as Bukuru in Jos South, about 12 km from Jos.

A resident, Sani Mudi, who lives around Bauchi road told our correspondent that all the residents of the area rushed out of their houses, trying to fathom where the bomb exploded.

The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, Felicia Anselm, confirmed the blasts.

In a statement on Saturday night, Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, urged the people of the state to remain courageous and vowed to ensure that the masterminds are tracked down.

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