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The Barcelona ace had been expected to miss the Clasico but the Blaugrana president insists the Argentine could be available for the trip to the Bernabeu Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says star forward Lionel Messi is on course to be fit to face Real Madrid on November 21. Messi suffered a knee injury in the win over Las Palmas at Camp Nou on September 26 and was ruled out of action for six-to-eight weeks. However, it was reported at the start of the month that the Argentina captain was a week behind schedule in his recovery programme and that he had no chance of making the first Clasico of the season. Bartomeu, though, insists Messi has every chance of being available for selection for the top-of-the-table clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. "I hope he can play as his recovery is within the timeframe we had set ourselves," he is quoted as saying by Marca . In addition, Bartomeu is praying that Barca will have a clean bill of health after

Senegal's President Macky Sall has called for a fight against the "excessive form" of Islam which has led to the growth of jihadi groups. Muslim clerics needed to be trained to promote "tolerant Islam", he added. Mr Sall, a Muslim, also called for greater intelligence-sharing between governments. Last week, Senegalese officials said two imams had been charged with money-laundering, and suspected links with militant Islamists. It is the first such case in Senegal, a mainly Muslim country known for its tolerant version of Islam. Other West African states - including Nigeria and Mali - are battling militants linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) group. Africa Live: BBC news updates Speaking at a peace and security conference in the capital, Dakar, on Monday, Mr Sall said people should have the "courage to fight this excessive form" of Islam. Militants should not be allowed to "impose another form of reli

One supporter produced a daring piece of wishful thinking during Sunday's 3-2 loss to Sevilla, brandishing a shirt with arguably the club's biggest rival brandished across the back It has been known for players from Barcelona to cross the Clasico divide and head to Real Madrid. Luis Figo was one who completed the ultimate act of treachery by signing terms at the Santiago Bernabeu, but during Real's 3-2 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday, one Blancos support took things to another extreme... ...brandishing a shirt with Lionel Messi's name and number on the back. Messi has spent his whole footballing career at the Camp Nou and, while Barca fans were angry enough to throw a pig's head at Luis Figo upon his return in a Clasico, what would come the Argentine's way

The Arsenal boss guided his team to four successive victories during October, with the Gunners beating Manchester United, Watford, Everton and Swansea to enter the title race Arsene Wenger has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for October. The Arsenal boss led his side to four successive victories during the month, with the Gunners defeating Manchester United, Watford, Everton and Swansea to firmly establish themselves in the title race. Wenger defeated both Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri to win the award, with his two competitors winning three and drawing one of their Premier League fixtures during the month. Wenger has now won 15 such prizes, and Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table following their 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Tottenham. Jamie Vardy, meanwhile, has won the Premier League Player of the Month award after scoring five goals in the month, defeating fellow n