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We thought you might be interested in NY Coed as a teenager, showing off all our tricks... Actually it's not. It's Arsenal's new 15-year-old signing Fran Merida, who comes from the same school as current player du jour Cesc Fabregas. The video.

With performances like this, Fran may just be ready to play in the NY Coed Soccer League this spring...

Absolutely Fab-regas

A Cesc Fabregas inspired Arsenal outclass Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.  Arsenal run riot as Juventus hit self-destruct button

Seldom renowned for their considered response, the Italian press duly savage Juventus' performance.

"Juventus shipwrecked in London," announced the Corriere della Sera, while the Gazzetta dello Sport's front-page headline read: "Henry punishes mad Juventus - six bookings, two sent off and zero in attack."  Italian papers savage 'shipwrecked' Juve

And oh, how we love the irony. Patrick Viera left Arsenal last summer because he wanted to be with a team that had the potential of winning the Champions League. Last night saw his rather underwhelming return to London and went some way to vindicating Arsene Wenger's decision to sell him.  Wenger's gamble vindicated by freshness and flair of Fábregas

Meanwhile in Lisbon…

Barcelona batter Benfica but are unable to break the deadlock.  Benfica 0 Barcelona 0: Moretto mans barricades to defy best of Barca

And finally, photos from last night's games.

Wayne Rooney: The Writer

The "White Pele" signs a publishing deal that will see him deliver five books over the next 12 years.  Thankfully for all that time at the typewriter, Roonaldo will be paid five million pounds.

I may be underestimating the penly powers of the Manchester United forward, but I doubt that any of these will be psychological thrillers, historical novels or fiery challenges to the musings of Professor Stephen Hawking…

How to read the Roons

Real Madrid Start Their Courting of Fabregas

Having been instrumental in disposing of Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas finds himself at the centre of the Spanish giants' attention. But sweet whisperings, chocolates, flowers and come-hither eyes may not prove sufficient in taking the young midfielder from London. The return of David Beckham might, however…

Fabregas to reject any advances from Madrid

Cesc and Leo

Amy Lawrence's piece on Lionel Messi and Fransesc Fabregas for the UK's Observer, is a gem of an article and shouldn't be missed.

Two boys who grew up together at La Masia commanded the Champions League stage on two sensational nights last week. They are aged 18 and they were brave enough to move to a new country to further their football careers before the hint of a teenage growth spurt. The two amigos

A Friendlies Report

Of note in Wednesday's batch of international friendly matches:

• Turkey, down 0-2 against the Czech Republic, came back to score goals in the 89th and 90th. Result: 2-2  Czechs held 2-2 by Turkey after late Umit double
• There were 3 goals scored in the first 6 minutes of the Argentina vs. Croatia match (including one by boy-wonder Lionel Messi).  Result: Croatia win 3-2.  Croatia fight back to down Argentina 3-2
• The World Cup host, Germany, humped by Italy. Result: Italy win 4-1.  Italy thrash Germany in friendly
• As a result of a Peter Crouch goal (something Liverpool haven't seen many of this season), and late strike by Joe Cole, England manage a win against Uruguay. Result: England squeek by 2-1.  Note of caution

The Feet of God

The world's top powerhouses battle it out in court over who has the rights to adorn Lionel Messi's feet:

A Spanish court lifted an injunction that had prevented 18-year-old Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi from wearing Adidas-Salomon AG soccer shoes. Nike to Appeal After Court Says Soccer's Messi Can Wear Adidas