Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Lionel Messi misses a penalty but scores the rebound to finally end visitors' resistance and give Luis Enrique's men slender advantage in Copa del Rey quarter-final

• Lionel Messi scores after 85 minutes to break Atletico Madrid's resistance on Wednesday night
• Argentine saw his penalty saved by Jan Oblak but he followed up to tap in the rebound into an open goal 
• Juanfran's challenge on Sergio Busquets brought a penalty in the 83rd minute of the match at the Nou Camp 
• Two sides will meet again next week in the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg at Vicente Calderon
• Fernando Torres started for Atletico but was hooked at half-time for Mario Mandzukic by Diego Simeone  
•            Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the narrowest of first-leg leads over Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday night.
  With stalemate looming Barcelona were awarded penalty four minutes from time and, although the Argentine saw his spot kick saved, he rammed home the rebound to give his team the edge ahead of next week’s second leg.
  After a cautious start to the game from both sides, Neymar was the first to go close - forcing a save from Jan Oblak. Alongside the Brazilian, Luis Suarez was occupying Uruguayan team-mate Diego Godin and Messi was loitering with intent on the right wing, making a fool of left-back Siqueira whenever he could. 
  

  
  

  Lionel Messi (left) runs off in celebration after scoring the rebound having missed a penalty to put Barcelona ahead against Atletico Madrid
  

  Barca players jump on top of Messi and celebrate in the corner after the Argentine's winner against Atletico on Wednesday night
  

  Messi taps home the rebound from his missed penalty as he scores into an open goal to net the only strike of the match
  

  Jan Oblak (left) longs on agonisingly after Messi taps home the winner for the home side to give them a slender first-leg advantage
  

  Messi (left) is followed by Barca team-mate Luis Suarez as the Catalans show relief at finally breaking Atletico's resistance
  

  
  

  Luis Suarez jumps on the back of Messi to congratulate him after his matchwinner against Atletico in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg

  MATCH FACTS 

  BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alba, Alves, Piqué, Mascherano; Rakitic (Xavi 77), Busquets, Iniesta (Bartra 87); Suárez, Messi, Neymar

  Subs not used: Masip, Pedro, Rafinha, Roberto, Adriano

  Goal: Messi (85)

  Bookings: Suarez, Mascherano

  ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Mario Suarez, Gabi (Jimenez 88), Koke, Arda; Griezmann (Garcia 66), Torres (Mandzukic 46)

  Subs not used: Rumbo, Niguez, Gamez, Vargas 

  Bookings: Juanfran, Gabi Godin
  On one foray into a more central position the Argentine almost scored Barcelona’s first. Rakitic's cross was slammed at him at uncontrollable speed but he still killed it dead and got his shot away just over Oblak’s bar.
  Alves found Suarez with an equally-awkward pass but the former Liverpool striker couldn’t quite control the ball with Godin in close attendance.
  Atletico were not offering too much going forward - but they were forcing set-pieces and corners. Arda Turan went down after being challenged by Rakitic and was struggling to walk when he got back to his feet but he recovered immediately when the rebound from the subsequent free-kick came out to him and he fired it straight back at Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
  Torres was being jeered at every turn. His eight goals in 12 games record against Barca made him a threat but his aim was off in the first half, shooting through Pique’s legs out for a corner and running into the same defender when a misplaced pass from Sergio Busquets played him through.
  The other former Liverpool striker - Suarez - was having no more luck. He was hacked down from behind by Godin and the referee waved play-on. To add to his frustration he was then gifted Barca’s best chance of the half from a Rakitic pass but blazed over from the edge of the six-yard box. His name rang around the stadium as supporters did their best to get behind him but the frustration was palpable.
  Torres went from Pique’s pocket to the bench for the re-start as Mario Mandzukic came on for the second half. Andres Iniesta had Barcelona’s first chance of the second period but, played in by 
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  Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night
  

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  Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
  

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  The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him
  

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  Lionel Messi (left) walks along the field before spitting on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday
  

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  Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night

  

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  Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg

  

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  The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him

  

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  Lionel Messi (left) walks along the field before spitting on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday

  
  

Cristiano Ronaldo linked with Spanish TV reporter Lucia Villalon after Real Madrid star splits from Irina Shayk

 Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be dating Spanish TV reporter Lucia Villalon 

 The Real Madrid superstar's split from Irina Shayk has been confirmed

 Ronaldo picked up his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr from school on Monday

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have moved on from former long-term girlfriend Irina Shayk, with reports suggesting he has begun dating Spanish TV reporter Lucia Villalon.

Ronaldo was pictured celebrating with Villalon after he beat off competition from Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to win his third Ballon d'Or. 

The Portuguese forward only recently confirmed he had broken up from Shayk in an official statement.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Ronaldo's rumoured new lady on a road trip to the Bernabeu 

Cristiano Ronaldo is allegedly dating Spanish TV reporter Lucia Villalon after his split from Irina Shayk

 Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr was wrapped up warm as he made his way home from school on Monday

'After dating for five years, my relationship with Irina Shayk has come to an end. We believed it would be best for both of us to take this step now.' 

Ronaldo showed no sign of being down after his split from Shayk when he was spotted picking up his son - Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr - from a school in Madrid.

A couple of admirers had waited nearby and asked the sportsman for a selfie, and he happily obliged, appearing to be in good spirits. 

He became a father back in July 2010 and has previously admitted that being a parent changed him.

'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility,' he said

'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends, that gives me important support for everything else.

'I would love him to like football, for him to be my successor, but we'll see what happens.

The popular star was approached by another admirer who was keen on speaking to Ronaldo

Victoria's Secret beauty Shayk's spokesperson revealed on Saturday: 'We can confirm Irina Shayk has ended her relationship to Cristiano Ronaldo of five years.'

A massive argument between his mother and his long-time love may have resulted in the demise of their romance.

Ronaldo's alleged new flame, who is an avid follower of his successful sports career, is a state broadcaster who graduated with law and journalism degrees.

The 26-year-old noticeably braved the plummeting temperatures and sat in the stands at Real Madrid's game against Getafe on Sunday, cheering on the world-famous star with a couple of girlfriends.

Villalon watched the action as Ronaldo and Real Madrid beat Getafe at the weekend

Ronaldo scored a brace against Getafe in front of his rumoured new girlfriend 

The 29-year-old football star was in a five-year relationship with model Shayk

CESC FÀBREGAS - ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER EPL RECORD BROKEN...

In Chelsea's 5-0 dismantling of Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, midfielder Cesc Fàbregas notched up his fifteenth league assist of the season and became the first player in Premier League history to provide 15 assists in two seasons (2007/08 and 2014/15).

Fàbregas' assist for Diego Costa's 20th minute goal put the midfielder just 2 behind his personal best of 17 assists in 2007/08 for Arsenal and just 5 behind Thierry Henry who holds the record of 20 assists in the 2002/03 season. After 22 games in the 02/03 campaign Henry had just 7 assists, less than half what Fàbregas currently has. If the Spaniard continues at the same rate, he is on track to total a remarkable 26 assists by the end of the season, a figure that would blow his ex-teammate's record clear out of the water.

The 27-year-old currently sits fifth in the all-time table for Premier League assists on 86 behind Wayne Rooney [93], Frank Lampard [96], Steven Gerrard [100] and Ryan Giggs who holds the overall record with 131. Fàbregas is on course to surpass Giggs' tally by the time he is 31 and break yet another record.
 

In the big five European leagues, the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and Spanish La Liga, the Chelsea midfielder sits top of the tree by some distance in the assist charts this term. His nearest challenger, ex-Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne now at Wolfsburg in Germany, has 10 assists. Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo completes the top European assisting trio with 9.

His breathtaking return to English football will not please one man in particular, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Fàbregas spoke of his discussions with the Arsenal coach about a return to his old club last summer and was told that he was not needed by the Frenchman as the position was already covered by Mesut Özil. The German midfielder has only played 7 games this season after suffering a knee injury and is still yet to find his Real Madrid form since he arrived in the Premier League. To further emphasize the mistake that Wenger made in not welcoming Fàbregas back to the Emirates is the fact that the Chelsea midfielder has more assists this season than the combined tally of Arsenal's main creative quartet - Alexis Sánchez [7], Santi Cazorla [4], Aaron Ramsey [2] and Jack Wilshere [1] - a total of 14.

Cesc Fàbregas is arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment based on his stats this season.

Has he been the Premier League's Player of the Season so far?

Ronaldo: former Brazil striker eyes comeback with US team

     Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has pledged to get back in shape with a view to playing for US club Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Ronaldo recently became a minority owner with the Strikers, who play in America's second-tier North American Soccer League (NASL).

"I will train a lot, and if the coach needs me, maybe [return to playing]," he told a news conference.

The 38-year-old last played with Brazilian club Corinthians in 2011.

"It's easy to get in shape - you have to train," three-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo added.

"To play a soccer game you have to be in very good shape so I will try.

"I'll start another challenge and I'm sure it will help the league and it will help the team and help soccer in America."

Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, finishing as top-scorer in the latter tournament with eight goals.

He also played for Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan and Real Madrid during a decorated club career.

Former Spain striker Raul, a team-mate of Ronaldo at Real Madrid,joined New York Cosmos, who also play in the NASL, in October at the age of 37.

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Man Utd: which players should Van Gaal keep at Old Trafford?

There has been lots of talk this week about whether Radamel Falcao is staying at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season - but there are many more Manchester United players whose futures are uncertain

Eighteen United players who have played in the Premier League for the club are out of contract this summer, or within 18 months.

Not many of them have warranted a new deal with their performances this season and I am not surprised there is talk of another big clear-out by manager Louis van Gaal, rather than a rush to offer them new deals.

Since he took charge at United last summer, Van Gaal has got rid of 15 players either permanently or on loan.

He has more decisions to make about who stays and who goes as he continues to rebuild his squad, but there are 10 players who I don't think should be offered a new contract.

Out of contract at the end of 2014-15

Seven Manchester United players are out of contract in the summer of 2015

Tyler Blackett, from youth
Age: 20	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 6

Injuries meant Van Gaal gave him his debut and it is hard to judge him properly at the moment, with so much upheaval in the United defence. However, you do not play for United at such a young age if your manager does not believe in you. VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? Blackett made his debut in Van Gaal's first competitive game in charge of United, playing on the left of a three-man defence in their 2-1 home defeat by Swansea on the opening day of the season.

Paddy McNair, from youth
Age: 19	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 7

Thrown in for the same reasons as Blackett, and has had to deal with the same issues. Again, one for the future. VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? In nine league games this season, McNair has played in nine different three- or two-man central-defensive combinations.

Michael Carrick, £18m from Tottenham in 2006
Age: 33	Midfielder	PL starts 2014-15: 11

Carrick is the oldest outfield player in United's squad, but his role does not rely on pace or covering a lot of ground. He is still one of their best midfielders - great on the ball and a calming influence when he plays. Worth another year. VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? United have won 63.6% of Premier League games with Carrick in their starting XI this season, compared with 30% without him.

Tom Cleverley, from youth
Age: 25	Midfielder	PL starts 2014-15: 18

Aston Villa have the chance to buy him for £7m this month as part of his loan deal but I think his price has gone down since he moved there in September. There will not be a queue of clubs for him in the summer.VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Cleverley has started 17 Premier League games for Villa this season, and one for United, but is yet to score or provide an assist.

Darren Fletcher, from youth
Age: 30	Midfielder	PL starts 2014-15: 4

After missing so much football because of his illness, I am sure he now wants to play regularly and he is not going to be able to do that at United. If I was him, I would leave, and I am not surprised there is plenty of interest in him. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Fletcher has only played more than 45 minutes in three league games this season, and has not done so since August.

Anderson, £20m from Porto in 2007
Age: 26	Midfielder	PL starts 2014-15: 0

Only still at the club because they cannot get rid of him. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Anderson played just 40 minutes for United in the whole of 2014. He came off the bench for 20 minutes in United's 4-0 League Cup defeat by MK Dons on 26 August and did the same in the 0-0 draw with Burnley on 30 August.

Radamel Falcao, season-long loan from Monaco
Age: 28	Striker	PL starts 2014-15: 7

He is expensive - his wages are £265,000 a week and turning his loan into a permanent move would cost United £43.5m in the summer.

His injury record and fitness is a concern but I would still keep him because, if he has got over the serious knee injury he suffered in January last year, he is undoubtedly a world-class striker.

I don't think United will sign him though - the writing was on the wall when he was left out of the squad for Sunday's defeat by Southampton,which I thought was the wrong decision.

He needs to play regularly - if he does that he will produce. If he doesn't play week in, week out, there is no point signing him permanently.VERDICT: KEEP (BUT I DON'T THINK UNITED WILL)

Did you know? Falcao has played the full 90 minutes just twice in his 12 appearances so far for United.

Out of contract at the end of 2015-16

11 Manchester United players are out of contract in the summer of 2016

David De Gea, £18.9m from Atletico Madrid in 2011
Age: 24	Goalkeeper	PL starts 2014-15: 21

Has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world. United should make it a priority to get him tied down on a new deal as quickly as they can. But the problem might be if Real Madrid do come in for him - if they do, it might be very difficult for United to keep him. VERDICT: KEEP (IF THEY CAN)

Did you know? Of PL keepers to play a minimum of 15 games this season, De Gea ranks third in terms of his save-to-shots rate (73.42%), behind Swansea's Lukasz Fabianksi (75.56%) and Aston Villa's Brad Guzan (74.16%).

Victor Valdes, free transfer in 2015
Age: 33	Goalkeeper	PL starts 2014-15: 0

Valdes turned 33 on 14 January but is still young for a goalkeeper. Van Gaal said the former Barcelona keeper joined this month as a number two but says he will fight to be number one. In an ideal world, United would keep hold of De Gea and Valdes - I know I would - but who knows whether that will happen? VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? While with Barcelona, Victor Valdes won six La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.

Anders Lindegaard, £3.5m from Aalesund in 2010
Age: 30	Goalkeeper	PL starts 2014-15: 0

Has slipped further down the pecking order with the arrival of Valdes.VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Anders Lindegaard's last competitive game came in Man Utd's 4-0 away win against Newcastle United on 15 April 2014.

Phil Jones, £17m from Blackburn in 2011
Age: 22	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 10

With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand leaving in the summer, he had the chance to step up and grab his place at centre-half by the scruff of the neck. He has not done that. A good player, but not good enough for United. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? United have won 20% of PL games this season with Jones starting, compared with 72.7% without him in the starting XI.

Chris Smalling, £7m from Fulham in 2010
Age: 25	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 10

A great athlete but not a good enough footballer. Also switches off too often. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Smalling has made more clearances (76) and blocks (8) than any other Man Utd player in the PL this season.

Jonny Evans, from youth
Age: 27	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 8

As with Jones and Smalling, I don't think what Van Gaal has seen of Jonny Evans this season is going to make him rush out and give him a new deal. He is the best of those three on the ball but he is not a commanding centre-half and Van Gaal is not going to think he can build his team round Evans at the back. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Evans has averaged a pass every 1.24 minutes in the PL this season, the best rate of any defender in the top-tier (min 450 mins played).

Rafael, £2.5m from Fluminese in 2008
Age: 24	Defender	PL starts 2014-15: 6

Can lose concentration defensively but offers a lot when he goes forward. I would buy a new right-back but keep Rafael as a squad player.VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? Rafael ranks in the top 10 for dribbles by PL defenders this season, embarking on a dribble every 34.53 minutes, the ninth-best figure for a defender (min 450 mins played).

Ashley Young, £17m from Aston Villa in 2011
Age: 29	Wing-back	PL starts 2014-15: 11

This time last year, he was one of the players I thought should leave United but he has turned things around and has been one of United's best performers as a wing-back this season. VERDICT: KEEP

Did you know? United have lost only once in the Premier League this season with Young in the side (W6 D6 L1), with that defeat coming on the opening day against Swansea.

Nick Powell, £3m from Crewe Alexandra in 2012
Age: 20	Midfielder	PL starts 2014-15: 0

His season-long loan at Leicester has been cut short,  and he did not play for them much either. Needs to drop down to the Championship and get some games. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Powell made three substitute appearances, totalling 40 minutes, in three months with the Foxes.

Robin van Persie, £24m from Arsenal in 2012
Age: 31	Striker	PL starts 2014-15: 20

I am torn. He is a legend of the Premier League but will turn 33 soon after his Manchester United contract ends in the summer of 2016.

Unlike with Carrick and Valdes, who are both older than Van Persie, age is a factor here because of his position.

I would keep him next season because he has definitely still got a lot to offer.

But after that, his age might mean his best days as an out-and-out striker, who has relied on his reactions and pace while playing on the shoulder of the last defender, are behind him.

Van Gaal must decide whether to offer Van Persie a new deal

So the end of his current deal might be the time for him to move on, and think about a lucrative move to somewhere like the MLS in the United States.

He has had an amazing career but there will be no sentiment from Van Gaal either when the decision is made. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Van Persie has scored 56 goals in 96 games in all competitions for United and his strike-rate of 0.58 goals per game puts him fourth in the club's all-time list behind Tommy Taylor (0.69), Ruud van Nistelrooy (0.68) and Denis Law (0.59).

Javier Hernandez, £6m from Guadalajara in 2010
Age: 26	Striker	PL/LL starts 2014-15: 2

Van Gaal has already sent him out on loan, and he has not featured much for Real Madrid this season. Hard to see a way back for him at Old Trafford. VERDICT: CAN GO

Did you know? Hernandez has played just eight times for Real Madrid this season in La Liga, and only one of those has been a start (vs Levante in October).

Rebuilding will not be cheap

I said at the start of January 2014 that Manchester United must spend £200m to rebuild their squad to the standard that once made sides visiting Old Trafford feel helpless.

With David Moyes signing Juan Mata for £37m soon after that, and his successor Van Gaal spending £150m in the summer, they have almost spent that amount already but it still feels like a lot of work needs to be done.

Van Gaal needs to rebuild the centre of his defence and sign another midfield player, so you are looking at another £100m or so on top and it is clear that his rebuilding job has only just begun.