Diego Maradona has left a private hospital in Dubai after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones.
Maradona’s club Al Wasl said the coach and former Argentina great complained of abdominal pains on Sunday and was taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined he will need surgery to remove kidney stones. He was discharged from the Canadian Specialist Hospital on Monday following the operation Sunday night.
It said Maradona will take a day off to rest and recuperate and is expected to return to the club on Wednesday.
Maradona’s club Al Wasl said the coach and former Argentina great complained of abdominal pains on Sunday and was taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined he will need surgery to remove kidney stones. He was discharged from the Canadian Specialist Hospital on Monday following the operation Sunday night.
It said Maradona will take a day off to rest and recuperate and is expected to return to the club on Wednesday.
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, still only 24, won the World Player of the Year award for the third time in a row on Monday.
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was second in the vote for the 2011 FIFA Ballon D'Or and Messi's Barcelona team mate Xavi third. Messi swept home with 47.88 per cent to votes in the survey among national team coaches, captains and selected media. Ronaldo took 21.6 percent and Xavi 9.23 per cent.
Messi, who inspired his Spanish team to win the Champions League, La Liga and Club World Cup, was also first last year when the award was created by joining together the separate annual prizes handed out by FIFA and France Football magazine.
"To win it three times running is a very big honour," Messi, who also won both old awards in 2009, told the audience after being presented with the trophy by former Brazil striker Ronaldo a three-time World Player of the Year.
"I want to share it with the people who helped me, my team mates and coach. This is very special, I want to divide it with me team mate Xavi."
No player has previously won the FIFA award three times in a row, although Michel Platini claimed the France Football prize three years in succession in the 1980s.
Barcelona's Pep Guardiola won the coach's award ahead of Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid.
Ferguson took the FIFA presidential award for outstanding service to the sport.
The ceremony, co-presented by former Netherlands striker Ruud Gullit, also saw Japan's Homare Sawa voted women's player of the year, ending a run of five successive wins for Brazil's Martha.
Brazil and Santos forward Neymar won the award for the goal of the year, a stunning effort in a Brazilian championship match against Flamengo.
"I also thank the thousands of people through more the 100 years who have worked in football in Barcelona and have developed one of the best clubs in the world."
Blatter heaped praise on Ferguson before handing him his prize.
"In a world in which coaches are expected to produce instant results or be changed, his longevity is a shining example of what can be achieved through stability, continuity, investment in development and trust and confidence in the personality himself," said the Swiss, in his fourth mandate as FIFA president.
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was second in the vote for the 2011 FIFA Ballon D'Or and Messi's Barcelona team mate Xavi third. Messi swept home with 47.88 per cent to votes in the survey among national team coaches, captains and selected media. Ronaldo took 21.6 percent and Xavi 9.23 per cent.
Messi, who inspired his Spanish team to win the Champions League, La Liga and Club World Cup, was also first last year when the award was created by joining together the separate annual prizes handed out by FIFA and France Football magazine.
"To win it three times running is a very big honour," Messi, who also won both old awards in 2009, told the audience after being presented with the trophy by former Brazil striker Ronaldo a three-time World Player of the Year.
"I want to share it with the people who helped me, my team mates and coach. This is very special, I want to divide it with me team mate Xavi."
No player has previously won the FIFA award three times in a row, although Michel Platini claimed the France Football prize three years in succession in the 1980s.
Barcelona's Pep Guardiola won the coach's award ahead of Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid.
Ferguson took the FIFA presidential award for outstanding service to the sport.
The ceremony, co-presented by former Netherlands striker Ruud Gullit, also saw Japan's Homare Sawa voted women's player of the year, ending a run of five successive wins for Brazil's Martha.
Brazil and Santos forward Neymar won the award for the goal of the year, a stunning effort in a Brazilian championship match against Flamengo.
"I also thank the thousands of people through more the 100 years who have worked in football in Barcelona and have developed one of the best clubs in the world."
Blatter heaped praise on Ferguson before handing him his prize.
"In a world in which coaches are expected to produce instant results or be changed, his longevity is a shining example of what can be achieved through stability, continuity, investment in development and trust and confidence in the personality himself," said the Swiss, in his fourth mandate as FIFA president.
Alex Ferguson, rarely noted for complimenting other teams, heaped lavish praise on Barcelona on Monday, saying he could not see the Catalans failing to defend the Champions League title.
FOOTBALL
"Sometimes in football, you have to hold your hand up and say: 'They're better than us'," Manchester United manager Ferguson told a news conference before the FIFA Balon D'Or player of the year award.
"It's not a crime or weakness, it's just plain facts. They are just an extraordinary team," said Ferguson, whose side lost the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals to the Catalans.
"I can't see anyone taking the trophy from them this year. Real Madrid are probably the nearest to them," added Ferguson, whose side failed to reach the last 16 this season.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola, wearing a black sweater and faded jeans while Ferguson wore a suit, said Barcelona had almost forgotten that losing was part of the sport.
"We have to live with the fact that, by winning so much, we lose the perception this is a game with opponents and it's quite possible that we can win or lose," said Guardiola, whose team trail Real Madrid by five points in La Liga.
"We are competing against opponents who have a spectacular record," he added. "If a team is five points ahead it's because they are better, they have done things better than us. There are no secrets in football."
Ferguson, Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho are candidates for the coach of the year award while Lionel Messi, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on the shortlist for the player
FOOTBALL
"Sometimes in football, you have to hold your hand up and say: 'They're better than us'," Manchester United manager Ferguson told a news conference before the FIFA Balon D'Or player of the year award.
"It's not a crime or weakness, it's just plain facts. They are just an extraordinary team," said Ferguson, whose side lost the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals to the Catalans.
"I can't see anyone taking the trophy from them this year. Real Madrid are probably the nearest to them," added Ferguson, whose side failed to reach the last 16 this season.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola, wearing a black sweater and faded jeans while Ferguson wore a suit, said Barcelona had almost forgotten that losing was part of the sport.
"We have to live with the fact that, by winning so much, we lose the perception this is a game with opponents and it's quite possible that we can win or lose," said Guardiola, whose team trail Real Madrid by five points in La Liga.
"We are competing against opponents who have a spectacular record," he added. "If a team is five points ahead it's because they are better, they have done things better than us. There are no secrets in football."
Ferguson, Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho are candidates for the coach of the year award while Lionel Messi, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on the shortlist for the player
Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat FA Cup holders Manchester City 3-2 in a dramatic third round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in which City played most of the match with 10 men after Vincent Kompany's early dismissal.
The Premier League title rivals' first meeting since City crushed United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October lived up to expectations with City fighting back after going 3-0 down, but ultimately failing to hold on to the trophy they won last May.
In contrast to United's nail-biter, Chelsea, who won the cup three times in the four seasons before City's triumph last May, beat Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in a replay of the 2010 final which they won 1-0.
Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead just after halftime and three of Chelsea's goals came in the dying minutes. Ramires scored in the 85th and 87th minutes before Frank Lampard added a fourth in the fourth minute of stoppage time against the Championship (second division side).
Sunderland, the third Premier League team in action, also made the last 32 with a relatively easy 2-0 win at Championship side Peterborough United with Seb Larsson opening the scoring direct from a free-kick and James McClean adding the other.
There was one shock with sleeping giant Sheffield Wednesday, three times FA Cup winners in the past but now playing in League One (third tier), beating Championship promotion hopefuls West ham United 1-0 at Hillsborough with Chris O'Grady scoring the late winner. Sam Baldock missed a penalty for West Ham early in the second half.
The third round will be completed when Arsenal face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
UNITED COASTING
All eyes were focused on the Etihad Stadium where City had been unbeaten since losing to Everton in December 2010.
By halftime that record was in jeopardy with United, the 11-times record FA Cup winners, 3-0 ahead and seemingly coasting into the fourth round.
Rooney headed them in front after 10 minutes, two minutes before City captain Kompany was controversially sent off for a challenge on Nani when he appeared to make fair contact with the ball, although referee Chris Foy ruled he had slid into the tackle with his feet off the ground.
Danny Welbeck scored with an acrobatic volley on the turn after 30 minutes to put United 2-0 ahead before Rooney made it 3-0 with another header, scoring on the rebound when Costel Pantilimon initially saved his penalty.
But City, victors over United in last season's semi-final, were in no mood to surrender meekly their grip on the trophy, and stormed back after the break with Aleksandar Kolarov scoring from a freekick after 48 minutes.
Midfielder Paul Scholes, who came out of retirement on Sunday to rejoin United until the end of the season, featured as a 59th minute substitute but his loose pass enabled City to break for Sergio Aguero to make it 3-2 after 65 minutes and set up a dramatic finale.
Rooney told ITV: "We knew it was going to be a difficult game today. Obviously going 3-0 up, we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit, City got two goals and we had to make sure we saw the game out which we managed to do so we are delighted."
Rooney dismissed any notion that he would be leaving the club following newspaper reports on Saturday morning which implied he had had a major falling out with manager Alex Ferguson.
NOTHING TO PROVE
Asked if he had a point to prove, Rooney replied: "Not at all: what's been in the press of late has been a load of nonsense, because it's me, because it's Manchester United, it's blown up out of context. There are no problems with me at this club, I want to be at this club for a long time."
Rooney said the team were surprised when they realised Scholes was in the squad.
"It was a bit of a shock to be honest, we didn't know until we were in the dressing room. It's great. It gave everyone a lift he's a fantastic player and he showed his quality when he came on."
Ferguson was not overly pleased with his team's performance.
"I think we made them look better than they were," he said, "We were very careless in the second half, but the problem was, being 3-0 up at halftime, the players thought they were through and took their foot off the pedal."
Beaten manager Roberto Mancini seemed the happier of the two saying he was delighted with the character his side showed in their second half fightback.
"I am disappointed with the result but I am very happy with my players for their performance," Mancini told reporters.
"We defended very well in the second half, they did not have a chance and we scored two goals. It is not easy to play with 10 players against United."
The Premier League title rivals' first meeting since City crushed United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October lived up to expectations with City fighting back after going 3-0 down, but ultimately failing to hold on to the trophy they won last May.
In contrast to United's nail-biter, Chelsea, who won the cup three times in the four seasons before City's triumph last May, beat Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in a replay of the 2010 final which they won 1-0.
Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead just after halftime and three of Chelsea's goals came in the dying minutes. Ramires scored in the 85th and 87th minutes before Frank Lampard added a fourth in the fourth minute of stoppage time against the Championship (second division side).
Sunderland, the third Premier League team in action, also made the last 32 with a relatively easy 2-0 win at Championship side Peterborough United with Seb Larsson opening the scoring direct from a free-kick and James McClean adding the other.
There was one shock with sleeping giant Sheffield Wednesday, three times FA Cup winners in the past but now playing in League One (third tier), beating Championship promotion hopefuls West ham United 1-0 at Hillsborough with Chris O'Grady scoring the late winner. Sam Baldock missed a penalty for West Ham early in the second half.
The third round will be completed when Arsenal face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
UNITED COASTING
All eyes were focused on the Etihad Stadium where City had been unbeaten since losing to Everton in December 2010.
By halftime that record was in jeopardy with United, the 11-times record FA Cup winners, 3-0 ahead and seemingly coasting into the fourth round.
Rooney headed them in front after 10 minutes, two minutes before City captain Kompany was controversially sent off for a challenge on Nani when he appeared to make fair contact with the ball, although referee Chris Foy ruled he had slid into the tackle with his feet off the ground.
Danny Welbeck scored with an acrobatic volley on the turn after 30 minutes to put United 2-0 ahead before Rooney made it 3-0 with another header, scoring on the rebound when Costel Pantilimon initially saved his penalty.
But City, victors over United in last season's semi-final, were in no mood to surrender meekly their grip on the trophy, and stormed back after the break with Aleksandar Kolarov scoring from a freekick after 48 minutes.
Midfielder Paul Scholes, who came out of retirement on Sunday to rejoin United until the end of the season, featured as a 59th minute substitute but his loose pass enabled City to break for Sergio Aguero to make it 3-2 after 65 minutes and set up a dramatic finale.
Rooney told ITV: "We knew it was going to be a difficult game today. Obviously going 3-0 up, we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit, City got two goals and we had to make sure we saw the game out which we managed to do so we are delighted."
Rooney dismissed any notion that he would be leaving the club following newspaper reports on Saturday morning which implied he had had a major falling out with manager Alex Ferguson.
NOTHING TO PROVE
Asked if he had a point to prove, Rooney replied: "Not at all: what's been in the press of late has been a load of nonsense, because it's me, because it's Manchester United, it's blown up out of context. There are no problems with me at this club, I want to be at this club for a long time."
Rooney said the team were surprised when they realised Scholes was in the squad.
"It was a bit of a shock to be honest, we didn't know until we were in the dressing room. It's great. It gave everyone a lift he's a fantastic player and he showed his quality when he came on."
Ferguson was not overly pleased with his team's performance.
"I think we made them look better than they were," he said, "We were very careless in the second half, but the problem was, being 3-0 up at halftime, the players thought they were through and took their foot off the pedal."
Beaten manager Roberto Mancini seemed the happier of the two saying he was delighted with the character his side showed in their second half fightback.
"I am disappointed with the result but I am very happy with my players for their performance," Mancini told reporters.
"We defended very well in the second half, they did not have a chance and we scored two goals. It is not easy to play with 10 players against United."