Argentine star Lionel Messi on Friday signed a new two-year deal with Spanish and European champions Barcelona that will keep him at the club until 2016, the team announced on its official Web site. A buy-out clause for Messi, 22, has also risen from 150 million euros (US$221 million) to an even more staggering 250 million euros. “I’d like to finish my career here at Barcelona,” Messi told the club’s Web site. “I feel like I am playing with a formidable squad, with a strong, unified team.” Although the club did not reveal details of Messi’s salary, Spanish press have reported that he is currently paid between 7 million euros and 8 million euros a year. Sports daily Marca claimed recently that Messi’s annual wages will rocket to around 10 million euros to 12.5 million euros a year under the new contract agreement. Messi, who has been at Barcelona since he was 13, is one of the world’s most sought-after players. Last year, he helped Barcelona to a treble trophy haul and scored in the Champions League final win over Manchester United.
■SOCCER
Ronaldo to make comeback
Ronaldo is expected to play for Corinthians today in the Brazilian league after missing almost two months with a broken left hand. Ronaldo, in the midst of another comeback from a knee operation, was Corinthians’ leading scorer with six goals in five matches before he was injured. Team doctor Paulo da Faria said on Friday that Ronaldo was cleared to play. He was expected to wear some minor protection on his hand against Goias. Ronaldo is the leading goalscorer in World Cup history and has played in the last four, but he has not played with the national team since they were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup by France in the quarter-finals. Brazil have already qualified for next year’s tournament in South Africa and coach Dunga is likely to come under increasing pressure to call up one of Brazil’s greatest players.
■RUGBY UNION
Bath clinch first victory
Australian center Matt Carraro scored two tries as Bath beat Sale 25-12 on Friday to clinch their first English Premiership win of the season and their first victory at Edgeley Park in six years. After defeats to Gloucester and Wasps, Bath were bottom of the table, but a brace from Carraro and one try from Matt Banahan gave them a much-needed triumph. Bath coach Steve Meehan said: “There has been a cloud over the club at various times, but, as a squad, we certainly haven’t felt that it has been a weight and we’ve tried to move on. I think we have been building toward this result. The guys really applied themselves tonight and I don’t think you could fault anybody in terms of commitment.”
■RUGBY LEAGUE
Leeds see off Hull KR
Defending champions Leeds ran in eight tries to see off Hull KR 44-8 on Friday to move into the Super League semi-finals and just 80 minutes away from a third successive Grand Final. Leeds were only 10-8 ahead at the break, before scoring 34 unanswered points as injury-hit Hull KR wilted. Lee Smith and Ali Lauitiiti both scored two tries, with Keith Senior, Ryan Hall, Brent Webb and Jamie Peacock also crossing for Leeds. Daniel Fitzhenry grabbed Hull KR’s only try of the game. In a revolutionary new play-off system, Leeds will get the chance to choose their semi-final opponents, while Hull KR will have another chance to make progress with a preliminary semi-final.
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