Manchester City have announced the signing of Brazilian full-back Danilo from Real Madrid on a five-year deal.

Seen from above, the man in the golden shirt is caught in mid-flight, high in the air, as if vaulting some invisible obstacle, writes David Shonfield

Lionel Messi being found guilty of tax fraud yesterday, and handed a prison sentence of 21 months and fine of €3.5 million, is unlikely to cause too many long-term on-field problems for either the Barcelona star or his team.

One of the best, and best-known, sportspeople of all time is selling his personal collection, writes Des O’Sullivan.

Barcelona star Neymar has seen assets worth almost €45m including a yacht, a jet and several properties frozen by the authorities in Brazil.

A Spanish judge has asked Manchester City and Chelsea to reveal how much they offered for Neymar’s signature after accepting a lawsuit alleging fraud with regard to the Brazilian’s move to Barcelona in 2013.

Every transfer window is different; the one just closed has been unique. Not because of the deals that were done, but because of those which have been blocked. For the first time ever, third parties have been excluded from acquiring players’ economic rights, not just throughout Europe but worldwide.

Germany picked up their obligatory group win over Gibraltar but the expected flurry of goals failed to arrive as they only managed to score four without reply in Nuremberg.

Colombian World Cup star James Rodriguez joined Spanish giants Real Madrid from Monaco for a fee believed to be in the region of £63 million on Tuesday, making him the fourth most expensive signing in football transfer history.

Considering his face is plastered on every other billboard and features in all manner of television adverts, it may seem strange to call Pele ‘the invisible man’.

Neymar is convinced that Brazil can win the World Cup without him.

As the Costa Rica team arrive at the crumbling, atmospheric Urbano Caldeira stadium in Santos, a Neymar lookalike starts juggling a football and a dozen or so vociferous supporters go wild, screaming and waving national team flags wildly.

A Brazilian judge sentenced the son of football legend Pele to 33 years in prison after finding him guilty of laundering money for a drug gang.

Manchester City have halved their losses for a second consecutive year with the club confident they will break even as early as next season and comply with Uefa’s financial fair play rules.

Sandro Rosell has resigned as president of Barcelona with immediate effect.

LA LIGA:

China may boast the world’s largest potential reserves of shale gas but is likely to lose to Australia in the race to be second behind the US in bringing significant production on line.

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino is confident Cesc Fabregas will not swap the Nou Camp for Old Trafford but admits the Spain international will decide his own future.

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principal for the transfer of striker David Villa to Atletico Madrid.

Neymar has put the finishing touches to his switch to Barcelona by signing a five-year contract at the Nou Camp this evening, the Spanish club have confirmed.

Last week was supposed to be one where Spanish football supporters prepared to cheer on at least one La Liga side in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Radamel Falcao is set to have a medical with Monaco today before moving to the Ligue 1 club for €60m, according to reports in Spain.

So you don’t trust the banks with your money. What are you supposed to do – put it under your mattress? Well, sort of …

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu says his club will be ready to sign Neymar as and when the Brazil striker decides he wants to leave Santos.

Arsenal defender Andre Santos has joined Gremio on loan until the end of the season, the Premier League club have announced.

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2

Benfica and Porto are once again locked in mortal combat at the top of the league in Portugal.

A former Brazilian football star said to have orchestrated the murder of his ex-girlfriend went on trial in a case that includes claims that the young model was lured to a ranch where she was held hostage, killed and her body dismembered.

Seldom does an international get-together pass without Giovanni Trapattoni referring to the friends he’s won over his illustrious managerial career and, from that reservoir of acquaintances, Greece manager Fernando Santos last night chipped in to support the Ireland manager in his time of need.

Manchester United 2 Arsenal 1

Arsenal 1 QPR 0

Darren Fletcher was last night named in Manchester United’s squad for their Champions League group stage campaign.

Florent Malouda has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League group stage, casting further doubt over his future.

Brazil 1 Mexico 2

Brazil 3 Belarus 1

FIFA are facing a dispute over the release of three players for the Olympic football tournament.

A couple of weeks ago, I questioned the ability of our Department of Agriculture and farm organisations to deliver a clear vision of where the CAP reform might be going for Ireland.

Giovanni Trapattoni has warned key men Shay Given and John O’Shea they will have to prove their fitness ahead of Euro 2012.

West Brom 2 Arsenal 3

If a week can be a long time in politics, in football it can feel like an entire lifetime.