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• BREAKING NEWS: Mesut Ozil announces retirement at age of 34 

  Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.

  The former Germany international, who earned 92 caps for his country, also represented Schalke, Werder Bremen, Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir during his 17-year career.

  Ozil was under contract with Turkish side Basaksehir until the end of the season, but he has called time on his playing career due to a number of injury issues.

• Rabiot calm over Juventus future with all options open

  France midfielder Adrien Rabiot would not suggest whether he plans to remain at Juventus despite his contract only running until the end of the season.

  The Bianconeri are still fighting in the Europa League and Coppa Italia, after a 15-point deduction derailed their league campaign.

  Rabiot insisted he is focused on the remainder of Juve's season rather than being drawn on his personal position in a Tuttosport interview.

  He said: "My future? For the moment there is no news, but we will definitely talk soon, because in about two months the season will be over and we will try to discuss [it], but I'm calm.

  "There is the possibility of leaving but also the possibility of signing a new contract with Juve.

  "I feel good in Turin, I do a good job at the club and there is a good relationship with the management, my team-mates and the coach, who has also helped me.

  "I believe all of this is important to feel good and therefore make the right choice for my future."

  Rabiot might well have left Juve last year, when he reportedly came close to joining Manchester United, though a move to Old Trafford fell through.

  After a difficult start to the season, Juve had thrust themselves into the Serie A title race. However, their chances were ended by a 15-point deduction due to financial irregularities.

  As a result, Juve went into the international break in seventh, seven points behind fourth-placed Milan with 11 games remaining.

  Rabiot added: "Without the 15 points [deduction] we would be able to qualify for the Champions League.

  "But honestly, I say that we could qualify even if the penalty were to remain. I believe it.

  "We are focussed on all fronts and clearly the Europa League is something we will try and win.

  "There are still many good teams left, but we want to achieve something important. I'm confident we can win both the Europa League and the Coppa.

  "We are having a complicated season for all the reasons that are known, but I believe that despite this, we are able to win.

  "In fact, to be honest, I can also say that succeeding would give us even greater satisfaction."

  Juve's second game after the international break is the first leg of their Coppa semi-final against Inter, with the Bianconeri having beaten Simone Inzaghi's side at the San Siro in Serie A to round off their pre-break fixtures.

  "The lads in the team have a lot of desire to win, also because it is the historical spirit of Juventus," Rabiot said.

  "The DNA of the club is clear, and we all want to pass it on to those who arrive.

  "If I have to tell the truth, the impression I got on Sunday is, Inter is a team less strong than the one we faced in Turin.

  "They also seemed less strong than last year. I had the feeling that they felt less confidence."

  Rabiot's initial focus is on France, with Les Bleus facing the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifiers over the coming days.

• Gnonto still in awe of working with Mancini at Italy: 'He was an idol'

  Wilfried Gnonto has expressed his continued disbelief at working alongside Italy head coach Roberto Mancini as they prepare to start their Euro 2024 qualifiers against England on Thursday.

  Italy missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a loss to North Macedonia in their qualifying play-off in March last year.

  It was the second successive World Cup that the Azzurri had missed and came just months after their victorious Euro 2020 campaign that saw them beat England on penalties in the final.

  Gnonto made his international debut in May 2022 and looks set to add to his eight caps for the national side when they face England on Thursday before travelling to Malta on Sunday. 

  The Leeds United winger was a product of the Inter youth academy when Mancini was in charge of the Italian side and hailed the national team boss as one of his inspirations.

  In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Gnonto said: "I remember when I was young at Inter and he coached the first team. He was an idol and I never expected to be in the national team with him."

  The winger became the youngest goalscorer for Italy when he scored against Germany last June and backs Mancini's recent claim that Italy have young talent comparable to England's Jude Bellingham.

  He said: "He gave a strong signal, both with me and with other young people. We hope many others will follow."

  The 19-year-old also hailed to influence of former assistant coach Gianluca Vialli, who worked with the younger players extensively before passing away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

  "He immediately tried to make me feel part of the group and to give me advice. The moments spent together and his words will always remain with me," Gnonto said.

  Leeds sit 14th in the Premier League but just two points off the relegation zone, with Gnonto registering four goals in all competitions since his move from Zurich last year. 

  "I didn't even hope so much, it all happened very quickly and I didn't have time to realise," he said, reflecting on his transfer to the Premier League. 

  "But it was a beautiful emotion. The impact was good on a personal level, the team is experiencing some ups and downs.

  "It seems like a dream to me. I come from Baveno and I never expected one day to get to the Premier League or to receive compliments from such players. I live everything with great pride and I always try to commit myself to improve."