Real Madrid fans are relishing the prospect of watching 18-year-old Takefusa Kubo after his latest impressive display at the Copa America against Ecuador on Monday night.

Lionel Messi (left) and Sergio Aguerro (right) cut relaxed figures as Argentina prepared for their Copa America quarter-final clash with Venezuela.

Argentina booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Venezuela in Rio de Janeiro thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso.

The Barcelona star has scored just one goal in four appearances for Argentina at the tournament, a penalty against Paraguay, although they are into the semi-finals.

TOM SANDERSON IN SAO PAULO: Colombia international William Tesillo has confirmed that he has been the recipient of death threats for his role in the country's Copa America exit.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazilian 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli. The youngster is one of the most promising talents in his homeland and bases his game on Cristiano Ronaldo.  

TOM SANDERSON AT MINEIRAO STADIUM: Here it was, the one they had all been waiting for. A semi-final showdown between the two biggest rivals in international football. 

The 32-year-old's wait for major silverware with his country goes on after Argentina were beaten 2-0 by Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals. Messi will be 35 by the 2022 World Cup.

Lionel Messi blasted 'bulls***' refereeing and accused officials of favouring Brazil after Argentina were dumped out of the Copa America at the semi-final stage on Tuesday night.

When five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona star Lionel Messi eventually hangs up his boots, he might just have one huge regret lingering in the back of his mind.

After Lionel Messi tasted yet more international heartbreak with Argentina at the Copa America , his scoring record on the big stage has once again come under scrutiny.

He may have won the Champions League last season, but Alisson Becker learned a few crucial lessons along the way. After being beaten by Lionel Messi once, amends have been made.

TOM SANDERSON IN BRAZIL: Naturally, the Argentine press dug its heels in over the hours that followed yet another big stage disappointment. Messi, they feel, can lead new generation to glory.

Argentina and Lionel Messi remain optimistic about their future despite another year without a trophy. There is some hope despite the team's 2-0 loss to Brazil.

Gary Medel has come out in defence of Lionel Messi after both players were sent off for a confrontation in the Copa America third place playoff. The were dismissed for a clash in the first half.

TOM SANDERSON AT THE MARACANA: In front of 70,000 revellers at the Maracana, Brazil prolonged their record of having won the Copa America each time they have hosted.

The 25-year-old Juventus star netted Argentina's second goal against Chile in the 22nd minute as they won 2-1, with Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero scoring the opener.

Edu is closing in on the technical director job at Arsenal after Brazil appointed Juninho to replace him as their general coordinator.

Messi was left incandescent with the performance of referee Roddy Zambrano and the use of VAR and did not hold back in his post-match assessment after their defeat by Brazil.

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign emerging Japanese talent Hiroki Abe from Kashima Antlers, the J-League club said on Friday.

Lionel Messi has been recuperating on a family holiday after the disappointment of Argentina's Copa America semi-final defeat by Brazil.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been banned for one game and fined £1,200 after being sent off against Chile in the Copa America third-place playoff earlier this month.

As far as auditions go, Simon Mignolet's performance during Liverpool's recent pre-season friendly with Sporting Lisbon will be one to forget in a hurry.

Suarez was put through a rigorous sandpit routine on his own as he attended his first session back at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training base on Friday.

Lionel Messi will not feature for Argentina again this year after receiving a three-month suspension and a £41,000 fine following his controversial comments about Copa America.

Lionel Messi has started his recovery from a calf injury as the Barcelona star pushes to be fit for the start of the La Liga season on August 16. He trained alone with his team-mates away in the USA.

Lionel Messi has suffered another injury setback and will almost certainly be out of Barcelona's La Liga fixture with Osasuna at the weekend. Messi has struggled for fitness since suffering a calf injury.

JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: Manchester City cannot say they weren't warned. Those fears were realised against Brighton, 37 minutes into another procession.

Argentina and Chile renewed their combative rivalry in Los Angeles on Thursday in a game that was peppered with 10 yellow cards but ultimately ended as a goalless stalemate.

The Brazilian midfielder booked his wedding for July after expecting to be included in Brazil's Copa America squad. However, he was dropped by Brazil after a disappointing debut Premier League season.

Lionel Messi returns to action for Argentina on Friday against their arch rivals Brazil in what will be his first international since being banned for three months after claiming referees were 'corrupt'.

Lionel Messi rarely needs a second invitation to score but that is exactly what he got as he scored from the rebound of his missed penalty to ensure Argentina beat Brazil out in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's work ethic after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Brazil on his return to international football following a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL.

Lionel Messi will be hoping to strike again on Monday night following his winner against Brazil on Friday. Messi marked his return from a three-month ban for by scoring in a 1-0 win over Brazil.

Lionel Messi has a chance to win the Copa America on his own turf next summer - but Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says the competition will be about more than just the Barcelona star.

Marcos Rojo hopes to come back and revive his Manchester United career after his loan spell at Estudiantes, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Borussia Dortmund will return to training on Monday amid the coronavirus outbreak but will only allow their players to train in twos.

The Cambridges will kick off a day of engagements in South Wales next week with a visit to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Lifeboat station to learn about the  24-hour rescue service.

Prince William appeared upbeat as he arrived at Everton Football Club in Liverpool today.

Prince William, 35, and Kate Middleton, 38, have been preparing Prince George, six, for his future role as King of England by explaining it 'like a story book,' a source told Closer magazine.

Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, will travel to Ireland between 3-5 March at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Duchess of Cambridge paid tribute to late designer Alexander McQueen today on the 10th anniversary of his death while attending an engagement in Loughborough.

The Duchess of Corwall faced a battle with the icy winds as she arrived at a food market in Leicester today.

Fans have gone wild over the signatures of Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton, after they took part in their first joint royal engagement in nine years yesterday.

Prince Harry, 35, is 'more sensitive' than Prince William, 38, and 'takes everything personally', a source told Us Weekly. It comes amid reports he left for Canada on bad terms with his brother.

The Duke of Cambridge's impassioned message was shown at the Fire Fight Australia charity concert at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on Sunday night, in addition to its international broadcast.

Always ready to get stuck in, Kate, 38, ditched her £349 Hobbs coat and put a standard-issue company jacket over her Zara dress as she toured the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot today.

Prince William, 38, donned a high-vis jacket as he visited the Tarmac National Skills and Safety Park in Nottinghamshire today. The royal looked in high spirits as operated an asphalt paver.

The Duke of Cambridge was speaking to locals while he and Kate spent quality time together outside Dublin and enjoyed a romantic clifftop walk on the Howth peninsula yesterday.

Prince William, 37, has spoken out amid the coronavirus pandemic in a short clip shared to the Kensington Royal Twitter account.