Kick Off: Messi 'never rejected pay cut'; Benzema defends 'F1 & karting' jibe

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

TOP HEADLINES

OFFICIAL: Messi & Barcelona players accept 70% pay cut to keep staff's at 100%

Lionel Messi has revealed that generous Barcelona players will donate 70% of their wages so club employees can continue to be paid full salaries during the coronavirus outbreak.

'It's truth' - Benzema defends his F1 & karting comments over Giroud

Karim Benzema has defended his comments made about Olivier Giroud during an Instagram Live broadcast.

Bartomeu: Messi told me from day one that there was a need for pay cuts

Josep Maria Bartomeu has made clear that Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has never opposed the board's decision to carry out salary cuts for the first team.

THESE THINGS HAPPEN

Icardi's wife Wanda attacked by her ex-boyfriend Lopez over Italy trip with kids

Wanda Nara travelled to Italy, one of the worst affected placed in the world by Covid-19, and her ex, Maxi López is not happy with her.

Utd confirm Rashford has been cleared to step up rehabilitation from back injury

Manchester United have cleared striker Marcus Rashford to step up his rehabilitation from a back injury that has kept him out of action since January.

OFFICIAL: Rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympics set to open on July 23, 2021

The Tokyo Olympic Games will start on 23 July, 2021 and will run to 8 August after it was postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

TRANSFER RUMOURS

The Sancho comments that could give Man Utd a transfer clue

When you speak to one of Jadon Sancho's earliest coaches at Watford not many questions go by without reference to the winger's "courage" and "resilience".

Barcelona want a centre-back who can play left-back (Sport)

Barcelona want to remodel the left flan for next season. The idea is to sell Samuel Umtiti and Junior Firpo and prioritise the arrival of a left-footed centre-back that can play, if needed, as a full-back. Bayern Munich’s David Alaba would be the ideal choice but it would cost a lot to get him to move away from Bayern Munich and other options are being evaluated.

Chelsea now in pole to land Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma (CdS)

Chelsea have found themselves in pole position to land AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the upcoming transfer window, according to a report.

Grealish's £80m move to Utd 'is expected to go through' despite lockdown party

Jack Grealish has jeopardised a dream move to Manchester United after allegedly crashing his car following a late night party.

Coronavirus crisis could see Ronaldo leave Juventus (Il Messaggero)

Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to lower his salary to help Juventus handle the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

WHAT THEY SAY

Cassano: If there's a football God, it's Ronaldo Nazario, then Messi's above him

Former Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano has revealed a humorous anecdote about Ronaldo Nazario during their time together at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

'Stay at home to save lives' - Ronaldo offers his advice on coronavirus pandemic

The Portuguese striker remains in his native Funchal on the island of Madeira and is helping his mother recover following her recent discharge from hospital.

Guardiola: We will come back stronger, kinder... and a little bit fatter

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged his "football family" to listen to scientists, doctors and nurses by staying at home to combat the coronavirus.

AF COLUMNS & IN-DEPTHS

VOTE: Who is your pick for All Football La Liga Player of the Season so far?

Who is the best player of La Liga this season so far? We name 5 candidates based on their ratings & performances. Please vote for the player who impressed you most this season.

La Liga Team of the Season so far: Messi & Benzema lead XI, 4 Madrid players in

The La Liga season has suspended due to Coronavirus and we don't know if it can be completed. Here we bring you the Team of the Season so far.

Sancho, De Ligt, Mount...  Did 2018 best wonderkids go on to fulfil potential?

Some of world football's most prominent household names were among those rewarded for their performances as teenagers, though others have not lived up the potential they showed as youngsters.

Age Battle Episode 14: Who is the best defender at 24 years old?

Hello AFers, Welcome to our Age Battle. We select the elite players from each age group for AFers to decide the best one starting from 17 years old and finishing with 40+.

Messi, Mbappe, Mane, Martial, Maguire, Mahrez...which 'M' player is the best?

Today we select TEN active players whose last name starts with the letter M.

Football's transfer market values have dropped due to coronavirus

CIES have published a study that says team values have dropped by a staggering amount with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona affected.

Liverpool win... How PL table would look if games weren’t cancelled

It's been three weeks since a ball was last kicked in the Premier League.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

He still got it! Ronaldinho wins footvolley challenge with inmates in prison 🎥