SPORTAL

Liverpool's Argentinian player Maxi (L) shoots the ball past Chelsea's goalkeeper Ross Turnbull (R) to score the opening goal during the League Cup 5th round football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on November 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi scores a goal during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano on November 29, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.

Liverpool's Argentinian player Maxi ( centre L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates while Chelsea's goalkeeper Ross Turnbull (R) kicks the ball away during the League Cup 5th round football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on November 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Barcelona's forward David Villa (C) is congratuled by his teammates after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano on November 29, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. AFP PHOTO/ JOSEP LAGO

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano on November 29, 2011 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. AFP PHOTO/LLUIS GENE

Napoli's Marek Hamsik (L) and Goran Pandev celebrates after Hamsik's second goal during the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli versus FC Juventus in San Paolo Stadium in Napoli on November 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO / Carlo Hermann

Adam Clayton of Leeds United celebrates scoring the fourth goal during the npower Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United at the City Ground on November 29, 2011 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini (R) and Manchester City's assistant David Platt gesture during the match against Arsenal during a league cup quarter final football match at The Emirates Stadium in London, on November 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON

Spanish top-flight strugglers Racing Santander have parted company with coach Hector Cuper by mutual agreement, it was announced on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi deserves to win a third straight FIFA Ballon d'Or according to Portuguese legend Eusebio, who believes Neymar could soon challenge the Argentinian for his status as the world’s best player.