Barcelona defender Eric Abidal could return to play football again after his liver transplant, the surgeon who carried out the operation has said.

Spain have every right to be exhausted after four taxing years of almost non-stop action but the chance to claim a unique treble is spurring them on. By Pete Jenson

Veteran striker Raul is convinced former club Real Madrid and Barcelona would dominate the Barclays Premier League if they played in England.

Gus Poyet has urged Roman Abramovich to hand Roberto Di Matteo the Chelsea job full time, dubbing the decision a complete no-brainer.

Despite his up and down form for Chelsea this season, striker Fernando Torres was yesterday named in defending champions Spain's squad for this summer's European Championships.

Today

Athletic Bilbao 0 Barcelona 3

From Castile to Catalonia, Spain's soccer history reflects the rifts and the dreams of a divided kingdom.

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque has underlined his disappointment that David Villa has not recovered from his broken fibia in time to take part in the European Championships.

Departing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hinted he could be seduced into making an earlier than expected return from his sabbatical.

Pep Guardiola's glorious reign as Barcelona manager will end tonight with the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid. Victory would mean Guardiola ending his four-year tenure at the Nou Camp with his 14th trophy – the perfect end to the best spell at a European club side for a generation. This date has been marked since, one month ago, the former Barça midfielder announced he would step down.

Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar admits he could be tempted by a big-money move to Russia or Ukraine.

The agent of Thiago Silva insists the Brazil centre-back wants to stay at AC Milan despite ongoing reports linking him with a move to Manchester City this summer.

Five years ago, at a mere 33, Ryan Giggs turned his back on international football, a prudent decision, most agreed, by someone wishing to extend his career with Manchester United. But now that he wants to join David Beckham in Great Britain's Olympic team, is it too much to hope that he will be discouraged?