One of the best things about history is that it so regularly submits itself for revision – and never more arrestingly than in Barcelona this week, when the damage to one ultimate superstar's reputation (yes, Lionel Messi's) was maybe balanced by the recall of the great strength of another whose playing career ended 28 years ago.

Birthday greetings for a great but can Barca's young prince hold a candle to Dutch master?

As if reaching a European Cup final in their own stadium were not motivation enough, Bayern Munich will have countless reasons to want to end Real Madrid's European adventure at the Allianz Arena tonight.

The pope is having a very Bavarian birthday, celebrating his 85th milestone at the Vatican with his brother and bishops from his native land.

The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, insists he would "die" if he witnesses another World Cup goal-line blunder such as Frank Lampard's disallowed goal for England in 2010.

'Der Kaiser' is retiring after 50 years in the game. He tells Andrew Warshaw why the media 'killed' England's 2018 bid, why Beckham could head FA and why Blatter will win the vote

View From The Sofa: Bobby Charlton, BBC2/Champions League, ITV

If ever there was footballing royalty, it has to be the Charltons. There was grandfather Tanner, four uncles who were all professionals (Jack, George, Jim and Stan) and mother Cissie's cousin, the legendary Jackie Milburn. And Bobby and Jack, of course. And as with the Royal Family, there would even be some dodgy ties with the Kaiser, although in their case it was Franz Beckenbauer.

World governing body Fifa could face a split after Mohamed Bin Hammam announced his presidential bid against incumbent Sepp Blatter, Franz Beckenbauer said yesterday.

Gareth Southgate said yesterday that he wanted to be the first former England international of his generation to take on a senior executive role in the game, rather than a return to management, as he was appointed the Football Association's new head of elite development.

Eric Cantona's appointment at the New York Cosmos franchise is expected to be the beginning of a revolution in which the Cosmos eventually challenge the salary cap that has become the biggest obstacle to the growth of Major League Soccer.

Messi again displayed mesmerising skills, but he did not dominate the great events

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has thrown his weight behind moves to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during the winter to avoid the heat problems.

Fifa Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer says he has "limited" faith in Fifa after the way it handled the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2, and the way it has acted since then.