Messi hopes to win a bet with Maradona by scoring against Mexico

Argentina playmaker Lionel Messi has agreed a double or quits bet with coach Diego Maradona that he scores against Germany in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final. Messi bet Maradona he would score against Mexico in the previous round, although he has since refused to reveal the size of the stake.

Maradona has also made it clear that Messi has a free role. He said: "Nobody ever told me where to play. So, I shouldn't have to tell Messi where to play either. It's up to him to decide where to play. He's a grown-up. I did it back in my era - and now it's his turn."

Burglars stole seven replicas of the golden World Cup trophy on Sunday after breaking into Fifa's offices in South Africa, police have said.

"We know there was a burglary at the FIFA offices. Seven replicas of the World Cup were stolen and several sweaters. Police are looking into it," said national police chief Bheki Cele.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan needed an ice pack after hurting his ankle in training on Monday but officials expect him to recover in time for Friday's quarter-final against Uruguay. Black Stars defender Hans Sarpei is also reportedly carrying a leg injury.

Meanwhile, Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed Italian side Lazio are interested in signing him from Portsmouth. He stated: "Lazio want me. I know about their interest but I don't want to think about it. For now, I just want to do well in South Africa."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, whose side have impressed so far and beat South Korea in the second round, believes he is reaping the benefit of the majority of his players plying their trade overseas.

He said: "Most of the squad joined the national squad when they were still playing in Uruguay at around 22 years of age. Four years later, almost all of them are playing at important clubs overseas and they are capitalising on that experience of playing high-level football abroad."

Guus Hiddink thinks Sepp Blatter should only continue as Fifa president if he is prepared to allow the introduction of goal-line technology and video replays in order to avoid future controversies.

The former Netherlands boss, now in charge of Turkey's national side, stated: "Sepp Blatter should announce tomorrow that video replays will be implemented, or he needs to resign."

Fit-again Netherlands winger Arjen Robben does not believe he is back to his best yet, despite his man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 victory against Slovakia.

Robben, who had been out with a calf injury, said: "It was a great feeling to start the game. I am not yet at my top level but I was pretty confident."

Craig Brown believes Scotland would have progressed at least as far as England at the World Cup had they qualified for the tournament.

The former Scotland boss said: "Having seen the England games, I genuinely believe had Scotland been there, we would have done at least as well with the team we have at the moment and the manager we have."

North Korea's squad has arrived home after competing in its first World Cup since 1966. International TV news agency APTN showed footage of the players at the airport in Pyongyang.

Striker Jong Tae Se said: "It was good to be at the World Cup. We as players, and the people, think that we should keep being enthusiastic and develop our football."

Updated throughout the day.

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