Kaka never lost Real ambition

Kaka insists he has never given up on his dream of securing success with Real Madrid despite a difficult start to his career in Spain. The midfielder demonstrated the skill that prompted Real to pay a world record £56million for his services when he starred in their 3-0 UEFA Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday. The Brazilian, who arrived at the Bernabeu from AC Milan in 2009, scored one goal and set up the other two to see off the Dutch champions. That performance fuelled suggestions that Kaka is getting back to his best after a torrid start to life at Real which has seen him struggle with injury and fail to hold down a first-team place. The World Cup winner and former world player of the year is adamant he never thought of leaving the Spanish club and remains completely focused on succeeding under coach Jose Mourinho. "I am indebted to Real Madrid and the club. It would be very easy to have gone, but that is why I raised my game," he said. "I have a dream of winning with Madrid which I want to realise." Tribute The 29-year-old has voiced his gratitude to Mourinho and Real president Florentino Perez, who always wanted him to remain at the Bernabeu. "After the game (Perez) gave me a hug and congratulated me," he added. "He always supported me in bad times. Many have said they wanted to sell, but he said he would not and kept his word. I owe a lot to the president. "Three parties decided. I do not want to leave, Mourinho did not want me to go and the club did not want to sell."

Abidal to bide his time

Eric Abidal is prepared to wait until the end of the season before deciding on his future despite receiving an offer to extend his contract with Barcelona. Earlier this month, the noble Frenchman admitted he did not want to "deceive" the club by signing the deal while doubts surround his physical health. Abidal, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, had surgery to remove a liver tumour in March and is thought to be considering a return to his homeland. That has alerted wealthy Paris Saint Germain and Abidal's agent, David Benditelli, met with the French club's executive Alain Roche to discuss a future option. The 32-year-old, though, is in no rush to make a decision and insists any will be on his own terms. "This is not a question of money," said the defender. "How things work out will be determined at the end of the season and it will be my choice."

Perez offers Mourinho support

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has publicly backed manager Jose Mourinho, branding him the 'best coach in the world'. The Real supremo used the club's general assembly to defend the Portuguese tactician from a growing number of critics. Mourinho has attracted headlines for his actions inside and outside of the dugout during his time in Madrid, with a clash with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup seeing him widely condemned for jabbing a finger in the eye of Tito Vilanova. A number of Madrid members have expressed concern at having such a temperamental character at the helm, with the club's global reputation on the line, but Perez insists Los Blancos have the best man for the job. "We believe in this team and in the best coach in the world: Jose Mourinho," he said. "He understands what it means to be Real Madrid's coach and he has a high level of empathy and compromise with the club. New era "His 'Madridismo' is unquestionable. We should remember the team wasn't even a top seed in the Champions League when this new era at the club began two years ago. "Last season we reached the semi-finals, something that hadn't happened since the 2002/03 campaign. "We took more points than any other side in the group stage, and were the top scoring and least scored upon team." Mourinho was recently handed more responsibility at the Bernabeu after winning a power struggle with now-departed sporting director Jorge Valdano. Perez added: "The experience of last season proved we needed a new and modern organisational structure at the club that would give our coach autonomy and avoid dysfunction due to the existence of a sport director general's office."

Villa hails 'incredible' Messi

David Villa insists team-mate Lionel Messi is in a league of his own as the Barcelona star closes in on the club's all-time goalscoring record. Messi, 24, only needs 44 more goals to surpass the 235 mark, a record currently held by Cesar Rodriguez, who played for the club between 1939 and 1955. This season the Argentine has already scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in nine games - a share in 22 of Barca's 31 goals this term - as he continues to re-write the club's history books. "Each day he surprises everyone with a new record, he continually outdoes himself." David Villa on Lionel Messi Quotes of the week His scoring ratio this season is 1.33 goals per game and strike partner Villa, who has chipped in with four goals in all competitions this season, insists no other player comes close to him. "He is doing incredible things," said Villa. "Each day he surprises everyone with a new record, he continually outdoes himself. "Nobody can compare with him, and we are very happy to have him wearing our colours."

Laudrup quits Mallorca post

Former Denmark international Michael Laudrup has quit as coach of Primera Liga side Real Mallorca. The 47-year-old made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday morning, indicating his relationship with club owner Lorenzo Serra Ferrer had become untenable. Laudrup's resignation comes hours after the dismissal of his assistant Erik Larsen, who was sacked on Monday night after criticising Serra Ferrer. "This situation cannot continue like this," said Laudrup. "From now on, Mallorca will be whatever it is Serra Ferrer wants." Laudrup had previously expressed his frustration at not having been able to add quality to his squad during the transfer window, particularly after the departure of Jonathan de Guzman to Villarreal. Larsen went a step too far for the Mallorca board, though, when he described Serra Ferrer as a "bad person" and someone "unfit to lead the club". Laudrup acknowledged last week that managers being sacked was "a part of football" and that his side had "no other option but to win on Sunday" at home to Real Sociedad - which they duly did, 2-1, to end a three-game losing streak in which they had failed to score a goal. He revealed at Tuesday's brief press conference, during which he did not take questions, that he had been contemplating his future for a while but did not want to leave with the team in the lower reaches of the standings. "Why go now that you've won a game and you're in the middle of the table?" he questioned. "I had long been thinking about this, but I could not do it with the team in a bad situation. "Now I can quit being in the middle of the standings." The highly-decorated former Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder, who was five years ago voted Denmark's best player ever, sealed a return to Spanish football when he took up the Mallorca reins in July 2010. His discontent at off-field matters has become all too apparent, though, prompting him to call time on his reign after just 14 months. Laudrup started his managerial career as assistant to Denmark boss Morten Olsen in 2000 before taking over at the Brondby helm two years later. He guided the Danish club to a league and cup double in 2005. A short but impressive stint followed with Getafe in 2007-08, during which he took the club to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup and the final of the Copa del Rey, and then an ill-fated seven-month spell with Spartak Moscow which ended in dismissal in April 2009.

Acosta blow for Racing

Racing Santander striker Lautaro Acosta could be out of action for up to three months after picking up a knee injury during the goalless draw with Sporting Gijon. The Argentine joined on a loan deal from Sevilla during the summer's transfer window, and had scored in Racing's first match of the season against Valencia. However, Acosta was found to have damaged the meniscus in his right knee after limping out of Sunday's game against Sporting and will now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He told Racing's official website : "At the time I thought it was just a sprain or something similar, so I carried on. "But a few minutes later I was going to defend a ball in the area and I felt the crack in the knee when turning." However Acosta is keen to recover quickly and again be available for selection, adding: "Now I have to think only about recovering as soon as possible. "It's disappointing but at least I know I will be able to rehab in two or three months." Injuries have so far blighted the career of the 23-year-old, as many believe he never reached his potential at Sevilla due to a serious injury suffered shortly after arriving in Andalusia.

Surgery for Afellay

Barcelona have confirmed Ibrahim Afellay will require an operation after the winger tore a ligament in his left knee during training. It is another injury blow for the Dutchman, who had recently returned to fitness after picking up a hamstring injury in the pre-season. The 25-year-old has played just substitute roles this season, appearing in games against AC Milan and Osasuna. "Bad news for Josep Guardiola and FC Barcelona," the club said in a statement on Thursday night. "Ibrahim Afellay has torn a cruciate ligament in his left knee while training this evening. "He will require surgery and further details will be revealed tomorrow (Friday) regarding how and when."