SPORT NEWS:- @Fcbarcelona former assistant Coach Turn Manager Tito Vilanova Died at the age of 45

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45 after losing his battle with cancer, the club have confirmed.

The ex-central midfielder was admitted to hospital on Thursday following a downturn in his health which required an operation on his stomach on Thursday, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the trainer was "fighting" for his life.

However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career has been tragically plagued by cancer, was unable to battle any longer and passed away on Friday afternoon.

MUSIC:- Selebobo @selebobo Joana

Selebobo official single under his new label Made Men Music Group titled “Joana” has finally arrived. Still unsure about the game the Iyanya led label is playing but “Joana” is a commendable number.

Selebobo’s talent is not be questioned as he played a major role in creation of Flavour’s “Ada Ada”, Yemi Alade hit singles “Johnny” and “Tangerine” not forgetting his signature song “Yoyo”.

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ENTERTAINMENT:- PSQUARE Rock Solid and Unbreakable says @judeengees @PeterPsquare @Rudeboypsquare Declared

After all the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, P-Square fans have been anxious to find out what the fate of the most successful duo in Nigerian music over the past 2

MUSIC:- Sean Tizzle @iamseanTizzle International Bad man

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MUSIC:- Sean tizzle @iamseantizzle Igi Orombo feat Tiwa savage @TiwaSavage (from the Journey Album)

Woah enjoy this dope Track sean tizzle needed the help of naija queen of soul to get murdered Tiwa savage Vocal stregnth tho!! -_-
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MUSIC:- Sean Tizzle @iamseantizzle 'LOKE LOKE' feat 9ice @iam9ice (from the Journey Album)

enjoy this blazing track by Sean tizzle and 9ice
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MUSIC:- Dtunes @therealdtunes "Thank The Lord" feat Sean tizzle @iamseantizzle and Yemi Alade @yemialadee

 “Thank The Lord” was released in 2011 ace Producer D-Tunes hosting At the moment astounding successful artist like Sean tizzle who just released his “the Journey” Album and Yemi Alade who's Hits like Jonny and Tangerine are making waves ATM

The song is simply about being thankful and appreciative. Listen and drop your comments.

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NEWS:- Borno Chief Imam dies at 90

The Chief Imam of Borno, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad, is dead.

He was 90 years.

NEWS:- Northern Govs: All Cattle breeders must Expose deviants in their midst

ABUJA- AS part of moves to nip in the bud, constant clash between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in some parts of the country, Governors  of the nineteen northern states under the aegis of  the Northern Governors Forum, were yesterday locked in a meeting with the umbrella body of the cattle rearers, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

NEWS:- Security Council orders military to rescue 234 girls

Service Chiefs got yesterday an order to rescue the 234 girls abducted at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The girls will be rescued, the military chiefs told the National Security Council meeting in Abuja. Troops were closing in on the insurgents, they said, in what they described as a “highly tactical” operation.

NEWS:- NNPC pledges to drive FG gas revolution agenda

ABUJA: The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has expressed its determination to deliver commercial value for the Federal Government gas revolution agenda in order to ensure efficient gas–to-power, gas-to-industry and sufficient gas for domestic consumption.

NEWS:- Tanzanian High Commissioner:- Boko Haram menace in Nigeria transitory

The High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Daniel Ole Njoolay, yesterday, said that the present security challenges confronting Nigeria, especially in the north-eastern states of the country, is but temporary.

Njoolay, who made the remarks at a press briefing in commemoration of the Tanzania 50th Anniversary celebration in Abuja, said Nigeria would sooner than later overcome those challenges.

He said he was of the belief that the spate of terrorism in the country would not affect the country’s bilateral relations with other countries as terrorism has become a phenomenon almost in every country of the world.

NEWS:- CAN declares fasting, prayer because of the State of Insecurity in the Country

"The effective fervent prayer of the Righteous avail  much"  

FOLLOWING the intensity of Boko Haram’s war against the nation, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, declared today as a day of fasting and prayer for peace, unity and progress of the country.

SPORTS:- Obiku: "Brazil World Cup: Intelligence ’ll determine Eagles’ altitude"

Ex-international, Mike Obiku is not worried with the group opponents of the Super Eagles in the World Cup as he said that the Eagles have no reason not to fly into the second round in a group that has Argentina, Iran and Bosnia Herzogovina.

NEWS:- Tinubu: "Ekiti, Osun guber polls’ll be rig and roast"

FORMER Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday threatened fire and brimstone over any plan to rig the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states fixed for this year’s June and August, warning that  “It will be rig and roast.”

NEWS:- Delegates: "We ‘ll review plea bargain"

THE concept of plea bargain in the Nigerian Judicial system might be expunged from the criminal justice system or at best reviewed to adequately punish persons who run foul of the law.
This is the position of the National Conference Committee on Law and Judiciary.

SPORTS:- Keshi: "NFF ia a Liar"

Stephen Keshi was the first to step out of the meeting with the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation Tuesday.

He told the press that he had submitted a provisional list for the 2014 Brazil World Cup to the committee.

NEWS:- Labour threatens to shut Eko, Ikeja, Electricity Distribution Company and Many Others Tomorrow

INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, of an imminent blackout across the country as organised labour vowed to shut down Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC; Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IEDC, and six others, including power plants, tomorrow over electricity tariff without power supply, among others.

NEWS:- Uduaghan: "Youth unemployment gave rise to terrorism, kidnapping in Nigeria"

DELTA State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has attributed the spate of terrorism and other violent crimes in the country including kidnapping largely to the problem of youth unemployment, which he said, had been neglected over the years.

NEWS:- Supreme Court: "Inheritance Rights For Igbo Daughters"

MONDAY, April 14, 2014, the Supreme Court voided the Igbo customary law, which denies daughters inheriting their fathers’ estate. The Supreme Court said it was discriminatory and in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is a verdict that would have far-reaching effects in addressing a dehumanizing tradition, which can no longer be excused in a modern, democratic society such as ours. It is a practice that regarded women as lower than men.

Gang members: "Boko Haram Niger recruits Get as High as N500,000, Alcohol Weed and Tramol

Boko Haram recruits members, not just from Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, it also gets recruits from Niger Republic who it pays N500, 000. However, their pay is raised should their bombs kill more people in Nigeria, the BBC has said.

The teens, when they are enlisted, are given Tramol [an opiate drug], marijuana and alcohol. They break into houses for cash; sometimes beat people for money, and steal their animals for food. They gather again for their opium and drinks.

ENTERTAINMENT:- Nigeria’s Ladi Emeruwa, others for Shakespeare’s 450th birthday

William Shakespeare’s plays are to be performed in mid-air as Britain celebrates the 450th anniversary of his birth this week, while a tour of “Hamlet” aims to reach every country on Earth.

Shakespeare, the English language’s greatest playwright, was baptised on April 26, 1564, and his birthday is traditionally observed on April 23.

NEWS:- LAGOS CP: "Mushin clash not robbery"

Mushin clash not robbery

He, however, clarified that the Mushin reported robbery was not true after all. Rather, he explained that it was a fight among rival groups over supremacy.

NEWS:- DPO accused of rape still in detentioN

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the panel investigating the alleged rape of a mother of three by a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Lagos was working hard to unravel the truth behind the claims.

NEWS;- Lagos CP: No Boko Haram attack in Lagos,

The  Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Umaru Manko, on Wednesday said there was  no truth in a report that Boko Haram had attacked some people in the state.

Manko made the announcement while briefing newsmen on the purported attack by the Islamic sect, stressing that Lagos was peaceful.

NEWS:- Gunmen kill 17 in Taraba village raid

Gunmen killed at least 17 people in an attack on a village in eastern Nigeria where scores of people have died in ethnic violence in recent weeks, police said Wednesday.

Music:- Kim wonder @kimwonder26 there was a boy

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MUSIC:- Sean tizzle @iamseantizzle I Got it feat Naeto c @NaetoC Iceprince @iceprincezamani

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MUSIC:- Sean tizzle @iamseantizzle ft kcee @iam_kcee All the way (Off the Journey Album)

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MUSIC:- Seantizzle @iamseantizzle kilogbe Rmx ft @olamide_ybnl @Reminisce

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MUSIC:- Little simeoney @littlesimeoney Delilah ft runtown @iruntown

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VIDEO:- Burna Boy ( @burnaboy ) – Won Da Mo Ft D’banj ( @iamdbanj )

Watch Burna boy and Dbanj 'won da mo' here it's been long anticipated

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VIDEO:- Maheeda (@Maheedanigeria) – LasGidi Chic (Explicit Version) 18+

She released a video with the single last month; but we all didn't have a clue she's got work on, making the explicit version of it...ain't surprised anyways because she's the Goddess of X watch naija bad girl in action Yo!! u must b 18 :) ;) enjoy ;)


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NEWS:- Stop spreading bomb rumour – Police warn FCT residents

The FCT Police Command on Wednesday appealed to residents spreading rumour of bomb blasts in the territory to desist from such habit.

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Altine Daniel, made the appeal while reacting to another purported bomb scare at the Federal Secretariat.

NEWS:- (PICTURE) Fulani herdsmen confess to membership of Boko Haram

Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and even those that recently killed scores of people in Zamfara state, are Boko Haram sect members.

This development came to light following the confessions of some arrested Fulani herdsmen that took part in the killings and burning of houses in Wukari, Taraba state, they  disclosed to  security forces that they took  part in many Boko Haram attacks.

NEWS:- Officials plan response to massive waivers allegation

There is unease in government circles over the allegation that Nigeria will lose billions of naira to waivers granted some businessmen to import 290 luxury vehicles for next month’s World Economic Forum taking place in Abuja.

A source told The Nation in Abuja that some government officials planned to respond to this allegation today.

An official conversant with the waiver said the government was working on a response to the petition written to President Goodluck Jonathan by members of the Nigerian Auto Manufacturers Association (NAMA).

The official also said that “some members of the association had also applied for the waiver but because they were not prequalified they may have become angry”.

Nineteen NAMA members last week urged the Federal Government to cancel the import duty waivers granted to an unnamed businessmen to import cars into the country, claiming that “the import waivers would sabotage the new automotive policy launched by the government and cause a loss of billions of naira in revenue”.

NEWS:- Anambra state solidly in support of Goodluck Jonathan re- election – Group

A group under the aegis of the Nigeria Mandate 2015, Anambra state chapter led by Mr Shedrack Anakwue has embarked on aggressive campaign for support for President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015 presidential election.

NEWS:- Police arraign applicant for cheating businessman of N138,000

The police on Wednesday arraigned an applicant, Wilson Igbo, 38, in a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp, Abuja, for absconding with N138,000 belonging to a businessman.

Igbo, of no fixed address, is charged with two counts of joint act and cheating before Senior Magistrate, Mr Abdulateef Abolaji.

SPORST:- Top 10 Disastrous EPL Manger

LONDON (AFP) – David Moyes’ 10 month stay at Manchester United is one of many managerial fiascos in the English Premier League. Here are five English football coaching disasters:

NEWS:- Anger over Boko Haram’s abduction of 234 girls

It was meant to be a ceremony for the presentation of a book. But yesterday’s event was not just that: it was an avenue to express feelings on the state of the nation, particularly the April 15 kidnapping of 234school girls.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged Nigerians to protest the abduction of the girls from their hostel Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

In Ilorin, women Muslims marched on the Governor’s Office to demand action on the fate of the girls.

Christians in the Northeast began a three-day fast and prayers for the safe return of the girls.

In Lagos, lawyers urged the Presidency to do its all in finding the girls.

Boko Haram insurgency: Time for some home truth

ON my way home from work on Monday, the bloody day in Nyanya, Abuja, a lot of depressive thoughts went through my mind as we encountered a huge traffic jam on our route, a major road in the city.

I really didn’t achieved much in the office that very day after news broke that the merchants of death had finally struck again in Abuja, leaving scores dead and many more critically injured.

Boko Haram insurgency: Time for some home truth

ON my way home from work on Monday, the bloody day in Nyanya, Abuja, a lot of depressive thoughts went through my mind as we encountered a huge traffic jam on our route, a major road in the city.

I really didn’t achieved much in the office that very day after news broke that the merchants of death had finally struck again in Abuja, leaving scores dead and many more critically injured.

Boko Haram insurgency: Time for some home truth

ON my way home from work on Monday, the bloody day in Nyanya, Abuja, a lot of depressive thoughts went through my mind as we encountered a huge traffic jam on our route, a major road in the city.

I really didn’t achieved much in the office that very day after news broke that the merchants of death had finally struck again in Abuja, leaving scores dead and many more critically injured.

Cartoon:- Conversation Between A Policeman and a Criminal During Last Easter

NEWS: @Samsung brings Galaxy S5, wearable devices to Nigeria with promise

Committed to innovation and discovery in the Information Technology ecosystem, one of the world’s largest makers of mobile handsets, Samsung Electronics, last week in Lagos formally unveiled its long awaited Galaxy S5 smartphone, alongside the latest in its industry-leading wearable device line, the Gear Fit and Gear 2,  with a promise of improving lives with technology.

NEWS:- 20 hurt as car crashes into church

A runaway car plowed into a Florida church, smashing through a wall and injuring around 20 worshipers attending Easter services, police said on Monday.

NEWS:- Gunmen attack secondary school staff quarters, kill 5-year-old

Police in Bauchi State said suspected gunmen set ablaze some houses in the staff quarters of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Yana, killing a five-year old girl on Sunday.

NEWS:- CAN declares 3-day fasting for Abducted students

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno has declared fasting from Monday to Wednesday to seek divine intervention for the release of the abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

NEWS:- Drone attacks kill dozens of Qaeda suspects in Yemen

Weekend drone strikes in Yemen killed more than 40 suspected Al-Qaeda militants, including 30 on Sunday, days after the jihadist network’s Arabian Peninsula offshoot vowed to fight against Western “crusaders”.

The United States is the only country that operates drones in Yemen, and President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi has defended their use, despite criticism from rights groups who deplore civilian casualties.

NEWS: Nigeria gunmen raze teachers residence at girls school

Gunmen in northern Nigeria sets a staff residential building at a girls’ secondary school on fire; on Sunday but the 195 students sleeping in their nearby dormitories were unharmed, police and a teacher said.

The attack in Bauchi state came less than a week after Boko Haram Islamists kidnapped 129 teenage schoolgirls from the Chibok area of Borno state in the northeast. Forty-four of those girls have since escaped.

SPORT:- Osaze Odemwengie donates N1m to Bendel Insurance FC

Nigeria international and former Bendel insurance FC player, Osaze Odemwengie, on Sunday donated N1 million cash to the club. - See more at: 

Presenting the money on behalf of Odemwengie, Mr Austin Uwagboe, said the donation was part of Osazee’s appreciation to the club that made him who he is today.

MUSIC:- Kcee @iam_kcee Fine Face

Friday was Kcee‘s birthday and he has released his anticipated single “Fine Face” which was promoted by a competition on Instagram.

NEWS:- Jonathan: Boko Haram will not make Nigeria to disintegrate

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday reiterated that Nigeria would overcome its current tribulations and that no criminal group, including Boko Haram, could make it to disintegrate.

The President stated this when FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT), led some residents to pay him Easter homage at the Presidential Villa.

MUSIC:- @iamseantizzle Kilogbe Rmx Ft @olamide_YBNL @iamRminisce

this is the remix of “Kilogbe” which features indigenous rappersOlamide & Reminisce and retains elements of the original track. Also check out the album tracklisting after the jump and drop your comments.

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ENTERTAINMENT:- The Real Truth about @Judengees 's tweet that brought about the P square Break up Rumor

Yeah You see and can read write!!! *Sighs* but what exactly is Jude the engees talking about here? his 2 lil brothers Paul and Peter? or some other things he has being putting up with for the past 10years? it's so true that he has been a major factor in the career of his brother Psquare for the past 10 years and this Group had been an important part of his life.

Music: @iamseantizzle THE JOURNEY ALBUM TRACK LIST

Tracklist

1. Perfect Gentleman
2. Baby O
3. Take It
4. Kilogbe Remix ft. Reminisce & Olamide
5. Could This Be Love
6. Loke Loke ft. 9ice
7. Komagbon
8. All The Way ft. Kcee
9. Duro
10. I Got It ft. Ice Prince & Naeto C
11. Arewa
12. Igi Orombo ft. Tiwa Savage
13. Komole
14. Mama Eh
15. Momayan
16. Kilogbe
17. Dem No Be God

Will You Be Buying Sean Tizzle’s “The Journey”?!

ENTERTAINMENT:- Leonardo DiCaprio and Toni Garrn enjoy romantic holiday in Bora Bora photos!

They were able to get lots of kisses wet!
Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend, Toni Garrn, flew to Bora Bora last week for a romantic stay where they were able to get lots of kisses, just both.

ENTERTAINMENT:- Pharrell cries of joy before Oprah Winfrey. Watch the touching images!

Remove the handkerchiefs. Seriously, you 're going to need .

Pharrell ( and his famous hat! ) Was upset during his interview with Oprah Winfrey will be the subject of an upcoming episode of Oprah Prime and could not hold back her tears . It all started when the duo talked about the catchy title "Happy" .

FASHION: Vanessa Paradis takes the pose in sexy bikini and Irina Shayk swimming with pigs

This is your lucky day! It offers not one but two sexy pictures of celebs in bikinis! Nothing.
The first is offered to us by Vanessa Paradis, Johnny Depp's ex, who left out the seductress who slept in her time of shooting in Malibu. The singer donned a gold scalloped and very sexy monokini on the beach and a large fur coat which fell upon his forearms baring her shoulders.

ENTERTAINMENT:- The wedding of Kim and Kanye is not far off: "It will be placed under the sign of elegance"

The rumors are confirmed by E! News: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have to marry in France . Their friends and families already have an idea of the date of the event people most anticipated of the year. " No formal invitation has been sent ," said our informant . "For now , it's mouth-to -mouth, anything in writing . But everyone begins to prepare for the trip . "

ENTERTAINMENT:- BRYAN SINGER, DIRECTOR OF X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, accused of raping A MINOR IN 1999

A complaint was filed Wednesday against the director of X -Men : Days of Future Past , Bryan Singer, who is accused of drugging and raping a 17 year old boy in 1999 , according to court documents . The complaint argues that Signer, now aged 48 , " has used his power, his fortune and his place in the film industry to sexually abuse and exploit the minor complainant through drugs, alcohol , threats and incentives . "

FASHION:- Harper Beckham named child of the most stylish stars

HARPER HAS A VERY PROMISING FUTURE IN FASHION

If Harper Beckham already won the prize for the best outfit for two years, she has a very promising future in fashion!
Start-Rite shoes did a survey asking moms to vote for the child stars of the most stylish and the results are in: Harper won, beating his two elder brothers.
Brother 15 years of Harper, Brooklyn Beckham, was right behind her in second place, and Romeo Beckham, 11, to the third. Do not panic, Cruz Beckham, 9, is also the first to rank! Sixth.

Video:- Comedy Skit How to spend Ur Husband's Money ft @Omalicha

A woman's Happiness is Always Aligned with shopping.....
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Sport:- Andrea Pirlo: 'I'm for Real Madrid'

'I belonged to Real' - how Andrea Pirlo agreed to join Madrid

BOOK EXTRACT
By Andrea Pirlo

It's the summer of 2006, we've just won the World Cup, and I'm thoroughly drunk on life. I go out and about on my bike in the quiet little streets of Forte dei Marmi and, as I pass by on the seafront, people stop and pat me on the back.

They must have thought that beating France in the final had fried my brain, but there was something they didn't know. They were missing a vital piece of the story, namely that as things stood, I belonged to Real Madrid, not Milan. I was a Madrid player in my head, my heart and my soul. I had a five-year contract sitting waiting, and a salary that was out of this world.

It seemed that certain people at Milan had got themselves into one too many scrapes – or at least that was the story doing the rounds. Calciopoli was the second most popular topic of conversation back then, a close second to Italy's penalty shootout triumph in Germany.

One day you'd read that we were going to be relegated to Serie B, the next that we were looking at a 15-point penalty. The next again they'd be talking about us handing back trophies and having our titles removed from the record books. After a while I began to suspect that it wasn't Mark David Chapman who killed John Lennon. It had been one of the Milan directors.

The whole thing was an absolute shambles. Nobody had a clue what was going on and what Milan's fate would actually be, least of all me. One thing I was sure of, though: I would never drop down to Serie B. And if I had to leave, I wouldn't feel like a traitor. There was no way I was going to pay for other people's sins, if that's what they turned out to be. 

Kiss goodbye | Pirlo almost bid farewell to Milan in 2006

The Madrid coach Fabio Capello phoned. And then Franco Baldini, their director of football. Everyone wanted to speak to me. I had a word with my agent, Tullio Tinti, and asked him to find out what Milan were saying about it all.

Shortly after, I was due back at Milanello. To make the Champions League proper, we had to get through a qualifier against Red Star Belgrade. At that point Tullio said to me: "Hold off on going back. Let me speak to Real. If you really want a change of scene from Forte dei Marmi, head back to your house in Brescia. And keep your mobile on – in a little while you'll get a call."

No sooner had he said it than the phone started ringing. Nostradamus was a mere amateur compared to our Tullio.

"Hello Andrea, it's Fabio Capello here." Only one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport.

"Hello, coach. How are you?"

"I'm great, and I imagine you're even better. Come and join us. We've just signed Emerson from Juventus and you're the man to play beside him in midfield."

"Okay then."

He didn't need much time to convince me. Less than a minute, I reckon. Not least because I'd already seen the contract. My agent had studied it in great detail and then shot off to Madrid.

"Andrea, we're on."

"I'm really happy about that, Tullio."

I pictured myself in that white jersey. Pristine, and at the same time aggressive; a mean streak running through its unusual purity. My thoughts often wandered to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Temple, a ground that struck terror into opponents. Bruised and battered slaves at the king's banquet.

"What do we do now then, Tullio?"

"Let's go for lunch in a few days."

"Where? Meson Txistu in Plaza de Angel Carbajo?"

"No, Andrea; not Madrid. Milanello."

"What do you mean 'Milanello'? Are you stupid?"

"Nope, you heard right: Milanello. We haven't got Galliani's approval yet."

I was a Madrid player in my head, my heart and my soul. I had a five-year contract sitting waiting, and a salary that was out of this world"

The menu was always the same: I knew it off by heart. Antipasto, starter, main course and then the legendary ice cream with crunchy bits on top.

We met in the room used for team meals, halfway between the kitchens and the hall with the hearth where Berlusconi would pound away on the piano and tell various kinds of jokes. 

Tullio spoke first. "Andrea's going to sign for Real."

Then me: "Yes…"

Then it was Galliani, staring straight at me. "Andrea, my friend, you're not going anywhere."

He pulled out a little case from under the table. That made me smile, thinking it had been just as well hidden as Monica Lewinsky under Bill Clinton's desk in the Oval Office.

A contract then appeared from the case, with Mr Biro (Galliani) adding, "You're not leaving, because you're going to sign this. It's for five years, and we've left the salary details blank so you can write in whatever you like."

Tullio just about ripped it out of my hands. "I'll keep hold of this."

He took his time, brought it home, read it and read it again. I went off to the national team training camp at Coverciano and, for a few days, I didn't hear anything. I thought it was a done deal: I was thinking in Spanish, dreaming in Spanish. My imagination was in overdrive, flying off to Madrid and landing somewhere between Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.

And then my agent phoned me.

"Sign for Milan. Right now, they'll not let you leave."

"No…"

"Yes."

"Ok, fine."

You're then forced to tell the media a lot of crap; provided, of course, that they manage to ask you the right question. If they enquire whether it's right you'd practically signed for Madrid, you're duty-bound to respond hiding behind well-worn clichés and half-truths. You read a dull, lifeless script written by press officers with no talent or creative spark.

"No, that's not the case. I'm perfectly happy at Milan."

F*** off!

It's a pity it went the way it did. I'd have signed for Real in a heartbeat. They're a club with more glamour than Milan; more prospects, more appeal, more everything. They strike fear in their opponents, whoever they happen to be.

All that said, at the end of the season I had the consolation of winning the Champions League. It could have gone a lot worse.