By Tim Stannard

1) Ronaldo confirms return to action against Osasuna

While out flogging some cologne personally branded as ‘Legacy’ – to spray on his personally-branded blanket perhaps - Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he going to play against Osasuna on Saturday. In doing so, the Portuguese promoter confirms stories eking out of the Santiago Bernabeu that the footballer will feature for 60 minutes in La Liga on Saturday ahead of another appearance in the Champions League a few days later.

Ronaldo has not had a competitive game of football since suffering a knee injury during the Euro 2016 final win for Portugal against France

On a curious note, the cologne has been fabricated by taking sweat worked up from last season’s Champions League final and recreating its odor to within 93% of the original and then blended with Jasmin.

2) Paco Alcacer unveiled as Barca reveal battle over Gabigol

Barcelona have been busy bees on both sides of the Atlantic. The grown-up big wigs of the club were in New York on Wednesday along with Ronaldinho to open an official office in the Big Apple and also turn on the lights of the Empire State Building to the club’s colors. Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT to catch an interview with the brilliant Brazilian as he reflects on Barcelona past and future.

Over in the Old World, Barcelona have unveiled Paco Alcacer, who will wear the number 17 shirt for the team and also revealed that the club is studying legal action against Brazilian outfit, Santos, over the sale of Gabigol to Inter Milan. Allegedly, Barca were not given enough time to match Inter’s offer for the forward stipulated in a first refusal contract from 2013.

3) Cahill blames Mourinho for Chelsea failings

The Manchester derby is already beginning to make waves around the world, with the names of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola coming up in polite – and impolite -conversation. Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill, is arguing that Chelsea lost their way tactically under the Special One last season, which eventually lead to Mourinho’s firing.

Bayern winger, Frank Ribery, has been critical of Pep Guardiola in the past - "he lacks experience, sometimes he talks too much” – but was full of gushing praise for Carlo Ancelotti, whose philosophy seems to be defined by letting the players do whatever they want.

"Carlo Ancelotti is a chilled, accessible guy. He loves his players,” claimed Ribery. Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT to get the perspective of both sets supporters in Saturday’s big game.

4) Rio Paralympics underway but big boss is missing

The 2016 Rio Paralympics got underway on Thursday evening with a typically spectacular opening ceremony. 

The run-up to the games was beset with issues over funding and poor ticket sales but managed to reach the starting line at last. Unfortunately, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, will not be present at all during the Games, having missed the opening ceremony due to attending a funeral and having other diary commitments, apparently. Must be some pretty good lunches being laid out to miss the event you are paid to organize and promote, Thomas.

Day 1 of the Games is already underway with 38 gold medals up for grabs.

5) Murray KO at US Open as Serena sails on

There was a bit of a shock in the US Open on Wednesday night when a flagging Andy Murray was knocked out in the quarterfinals against Kei Nishikori.

No problems for Serena Williams though who defeated Simona Halep over three sets in a tough encounter for the world number one. Serena returns to the court on Friday in her semifinal clash against Karolina Pliskova. Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki make up the second pairing.