By Tim Stannard

1) Madrid papers with more millionaire Messi mischief

It looks like Leo Messi might well become one of the few people on the planet who doesn’t watch ‘Million Dollar Listings’ without sobbing into a cushion and then hurling it at the TV over how the other 1% of the planet live. If the Barcelona man plays his financial cards right, then Barcelona’s Argentinean attacker could be living in even more luxury for the rest of his life and hanging out with Freddie and Ryan.

There are two competing stories in Monday’s press about Messi’s next move and both involve the city of Manchester. Apparently both clubs – City and United - are looking to lure the footballer to their particular homes with huge signing-on bonuses and salaries to tempt the Barca player not to renew his contract which runs out in 2018. Mischievous Madrid paper ‘El Mundo’ – again, a key part of this particular ‘story’ – says that an unnamed club is offering Messi $100 million as a signing-on bonus, which would dwarf anything Barcelona would be able to offer the footballer.

And on the topic of Leo Messi, the footballer was back in action on the training pitches on Monday having missed the weekend’s goalless draw with Malaga due to illness and should be visit for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Celtic. Indeed, the footballer was joined by a figure just as famous as him with Justin Bieber turning up for a kickabout, and to catch up with showbiz, buddy, Neymar.

2) Zizou breaks record with demolition derby

Over in Madrid and the local papers are in bragging mode and with good reason. Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday has apparently made Coach Zizou the most successful manager in La Liga history over his first 32 games with 26 victories, five draws and just one defeat to the Frenchman’s name.

But football being football, Zidane and Real Madrid have another job to do in the Champions League on Tuesday against Sporting in Portugal. The decision to be made in that particular must-win encounter is whether Karim Benzema will be brought back into the starting line-up or if the team keeps on keeping on with the same line-up that beat Atletico.

3) Juve without Higuain for Sevilla sizzler

Depending on which side of the ‘Gonzalo Higuain = choker’ divide you lay your hat and Juventus will either be boosted or troubled by the news that the Argentinean forward is missing Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Sevilla after picking up a foot injury in the weekend win against Pescara. Higuain missed training on Monday and was left off the squad for a game that could see Sevilla winning Group H with a victory over their Italian visitors.

4) Southgate’s interview for job no-one wants

Gareth Southgate is being interviewed on Monday for a job that he currently has and no-one else wants – the role of England manager. The former defender has the role on an interim basis but still has to undergo a grilling from his England federation bosses despite the fact that no-one else in their right minds would want a position that largely concerns itself dealing with the fall-out from players crashing weddings or heading to adult establishments on evening’s off from international duty.

5) Murray on top of world after Novak takedown

Andy Murray is enjoying a very happy Monday. The Scotsman ended the tennis season with a win over Novak Djokovic in the ATP World Tour Finals which keeps the Brit at number one in the rankings after a remarkable period of form for both Murray, mirrored by quite the drop-off from his Serbian rival.