By Paul Hayward, The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2013

Articles from the author

Ronaldo made Juve bow to gift for shaping games

Wise move by Zidane to rest Real star culminates in history on same turf where CR7 showboated to FA Cup win with Man United as a 19-year-old

Shutterstock

Messi wins Ballon d’Or, pledges future to Barca

Ronaldo pays tribute to greatest rival, jesting about how badly he wants the latter’s left foot

AP/PTI

Zidane has the vision and authority to lift Real

New manager may yet force an apology from those who have questioned his sudden elevation

AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo set to seal legacy in Brazil

Portuguese capped glorious year against Sweden to hint at something special in World Cup

Mourinho lands blow for strategy over idealism

Classic sees Chelsea find flaws in Pellegrini’s edifice and exploit them perfectly

AFP

Leicester gives hope to the little guys

Belief that only the metropolitan elite can win EPL has been extinguished

Leicester gives hope to the little guys

Brazilians are yet to buy into the World Cup

Many view showpiece tournament as a ruse to redirect wealth from poor to rich

image-fallback

Pietersen affair a disservice to the count

Telling England leading run-scorer he won’t be considered must have thrilled Australia

image-fallback

Arsenal in a comfort zone of mediocrity

Chance for change has been missed with scant evidence of any improvement

Reuters

TRENDING STORIES