Gareth Bale in action against Wigan

The Spurs forward comes up against his former side

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Pete Jenson: 'Whenever things get difficult, Messi steps up; in adversity he always comes forward'

The best ever: Messi or Maradona?

Guardiola feels his five-goal striker compares with greatest players in game's history... but is he even the finest Argentine?

Lionel Messi’s five goals at the Nou Camp last night - Fourth

Lionel Messi hailed as 'the best' by Pep Guardiola

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hailed the unique talents of Lionel Messi after the Argentina forward's five goals against Bayer Leverkusen last night eased the holders into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Messi celebrates his first hat-trick

Lionel Messi revels in first hat-trick for Argentina

Lionel Messi has long had to contend with the criticism that he saves his best for Barcelona but his first hat-trick for Argentina proved a perfect riposte against those who doubted his international credentials.

Sergio Aguero celebrates his goal against Manchester United

James Lawton: With Aguero flying high all City's dreams can come true

What mattered to him was to serve with every scrap of the best of him

Sergio Aguero meets the media in Naples last night

Aguero hopeful the Maradona magic can rub off on him

The evidence of what it means to be a folk hero in a sky-blue city starved of success ought to be well known to Sergio Aguero after his four months in Manchester, though the frayed images of Diego Maradona which you will still find on walls and lamp posts in this city tell of a different type of worship.

Aguero's off to a flyer but best is yet to come

Pablo Zabaleta tells Tim Rich that his fellow countryman will only improve at City if given time to settle

Argentina sack manager Sergio Batista after Copa America failure

Argentina's failure to win the Copa America as hosts and end an 18-year wait for a major title cost coach Sergio Batista his job last night.

Diego Maradona crashes car into bus

Former Argentina boss Diego Maradona was admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital last night after crashing his car into a bus on the outskirts of the city.

Copa America: Chile squad preview

Our Copa America previews continue with a closer look at Chile.

Only Copa America joy can cure Argentina's Plate pain

Messi & Co must beat Brazil and end 18 trophyless years to make a country smile again

England Under-17s to face Argentina

A quarter-century and eight days after the Hand of God, and that other, superlative goal by Diego Maradona, England and Argentina meet again in Mexico tonight with a World Cup at stake.

Hodge: 'I have no idea if Maradona has still got my shirt'

Twenty-five years after World Cup heartache, Steve Hodge talks about that goal, that game and that jersey

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'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in