Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Keeping Franck Ribery saved Bayern Munich

Franck Ribery has been a key player in Bayern Munich's domestic and European success. The France international winger, who was shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, attracted the attention of major rivals after his first season in Germany.

When Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks, you listen.

And his advice, if you want to be the best club in the world, is: Never, ever sell your best players.

"I believe a very important point in our history came in 2008," Rummenigge, a legend in German football and executive board chairman of the all-conquering Bayern Munich, told CNN.

"We received big offers from England and Spain for the transfer of Franck Ribery to big clubs and we decided not to accept," added the 58-year-old, referring to an official bid from Chelsea and an inquiry from Real Madrid for the player who had cost Bayern $40 million in 2007.

"That was very important. I believe because from that point onwards all clubs in Europe understood that Bayern Munich was not a selling club. It's a buying club and that's it."

Rummenigge is all too conscious that it could have been so very different for his beloved Bayern, where he spent the first decade of his senior playing career and won numerous honors.

Back in 2004, the Bavarians finished second in the German Bundesliga behind Werder Bremen and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the last-16 by Real Madrid.

Not since 2001 had Bayern lifted Europe's most coveted trophy, as teams from the English Premier League, Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga dominated.

For a club that enjoyed such glorious years in European Cup football between 1974-76, winning the title on three consecutive occasions, the prospect of being left behind by the continent's elite was frightening.

Rummenigge -- who played in the 1976 success and was an unused substitute in the previous year's final -- was all too aware of Bayern's precarious position.

It wasn't just the interest other more avaricious clubs had in Bayern's leading players; the new money flooding into European football also potentially threatened the Germans' status.

"About 10 years ago I thought we had no chance when gentlemen from Russia and from the Arab countries came into the business," said Rummenigge, referring to the various takeovers of major European clubs by Middle East groups and also Roman Abramovich's investment in England's Chelsea.

Bayern Munich: The best in the business

"Then we found a very good philosophy at the club -- being a bit patient, and buying good players.

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"The story began in 2007 when we bought Ribery, Luca Toni ... and we continue this story to today."

Read: Bayern's 'final objective' draws into sight

A buying club indeed -- Bayern has become a European power to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid by attracting some of the world's top players.

That it is able to do so owes much to the commercial model Rummenigge has created along with club president Uli Hoeness.

Helped by the presence of so many of its great players on the board, Bayern is a club which understands not just what happens on the pitch, but off it too.

According to the Deloitte money report, Bayern is the third richest club in the world, with its revenue growing by 17% over the past year to $592 million.

It is the first time in 11 years that Bayern has been in the top three of the Money League and comes following a Champions League triumph from which it gained a 31% increase in broadcast revenue.

Its average home attendances of 71,000 led to matchday revenue of $4.6 million -- more than any other Bundesliga club and less than only four others in Europe.

Commercial revenue, merchandise, sponsorship and advertising have all increased markedly, while deals with partners have also boosted the coffers.

Extensions to deals with Coca-Cola and Lufthansa, on top of the club's longstanding partnerships with Adidas and Allianz, which holds the naming rights to the stadium, have put Bayern miles ahead of its domestic rivals.

That is part of the reason why it has been able to raid the likes of Borussia Dortmund for talents such as Mario Gotze, who joined at the start of this season, and Robert Lewandowski, who will arrive in Munich when it finishes.

"That is not our will," Rummenigge says when asked about poaching from rival clubs.

"Our will is where you find the best players in the German Bundesliga. In England it's not different that the big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United are interested especially in players from Arsenal, from Liverpool and so on. I believe that is the normality of the business."

Read: Bayern honors president persecuted by Nazis

Such is the talent at Bayern that Pep Guardiola, who took over from treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes at the end of last season, was able to name Germany internationals such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller as substitutes for last week's 2-0 win at Arsenal in the Champions League.

Already 19 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, unbeaten in 47 league games, Bayern looks set to win a record 24th championship without much hassle.

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Sunday's 4-0 victory over Hannover -- its 14th successive league win -- means only an absolute disaster can prevent Bayern from coasting to a successful title defense, making Dortmund's two-season reign seem long ago.

Even more impressive is that Bayern's fans can enjoy this success while paying prices which English Premier League counterparts could only dream of.

Bayern's 225,000 members hold an 82% share of the club, and Rumenigge has made football accessible to all supporters with some season tickets available for just over $200.

Indeed, the low-cost deals offered by all Bundesliga teams are the envy of many within the European game.

Bayern, the 2013 Club World Cup champion, is seeking to extend its dominance and will reportedly open the club's first overseas office in New York from April 1 to help break into the North American market.

Guardiola's team will begin a U.S. tour in late July, including a match against the Major League Soccer All-Star lineup.

Read: Ballack says Bayern and Dortmund dominance bad for Bundesliga

Under the guidance of the Spaniard, the possibilities appear endless for Bayern -- a heavy favorite to become the first team to retain the European title since the advent of the Champions League in 1992.

It makes Bayern's acquisition of the former Barcelona coach even more frightening for those who are trying to compete within the same sphere.

"From the very first meeting, I had a feeling that he was something special," Rummenigge said of Guardiola.

"He's different. Obsessed by football in a very, very nice and good way. When I talked to our players six months ago they said this guy doesn't stop our success story. This guy brings us ahead."

If they move any further ahead, then the others will only look on with fear.

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Who will win the 2014 World Cup?

Argentina will lift the World Cup on July 13, 2014 - and the country's third triumph in football’s biggest tournament will be the sweetest of them all because it will come in the back yard of South American rivals and hosts Brazil.

Predicting the winner of a major sporting contest is a precarious business for a journalist at the best of times. We’re trained to report the facts, not interpret tea leaves or stare into a crystal ball.

The guessing game for a World Cup, even an educated one, is even harder when it’s done before the teams are drawn into groups – but that’s the task I’ve been given.

Better, then, to face it than live in fear of it. I’ve pinned my colors to Argentina’s mast because they have the will, the skill and the local knowledge to beat their rivals.

Alejandro Sabella’s side were top scorers in South American qualifying, by a distance, and only Colombia conceded fewer goals.

Read: Pele promise "fantastic" World Cup in Brazil

Any statistician will tell you that one of the main reasons the best team doesn’t always win in football is because the sport is a relatively low-scoring one compared to, say, basketball or rugby.

Argentina can swing the odds in their favor thanks to impressive attacking firepower: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria are just some of the stars who can win a game on their own.

Now, I’ll admit the “we-can-score-more-goals-than-you” approach is doomed to failure in a season-long league campaign. But it is far better suited to a knockout tournament with a short group phase.

Ultimately, Argentina’s chances could hinge on four-time world player of the year Messi. Criticized in the past for failing to reproduce his club form at international level, he is finally delivering his best for Argentina in the same way he does for Barcelona, and scored 10 goals in 14 games during the qualifying competition for Brazil 2014.

As I write, the diminutive genius is injured and not for the first time this season. However, I view that enforced absence as an advantage, possibly ensuring he will arrive at the World Cup finals more refreshed than he otherwise might have been - his physical frailty may stop Barca coach Gerardo Martino from overplaying his key forward as the Spanish club chases trophies.

The case for Argentina isn’t watertight but the other reason I’m backing them is because of the even stronger doubts hanging over the other contenders.

Read: The 2014 World Cup draw explained

Spain’s squad remains astonishingly talented but I feel the reigning world and double European champions will finally be undone by their lack of goals.

In 2010, they lifted the title after four consecutive 1-0 wins in the knockout rounds. La Roja looked uninspiring at Euro 2012 until their demolition of Italy in the final, and during world cup qualifying they managed just 14 goals in 8 games – only the 25th best scoring performance in the UEFA zone.

Germany, by contrast, were top scorers in the European section with 36 goals. They have a mouth-watering mix of young talent and experienced campaigners.

However, 16 other countries had better defensive records and the Mannschaft’s matches against Sweden showed a worrying frailty at the back.

Italy, world champions in 2006,  can never be discounted but the lack of a genuine star player - Andrea Pirlo will be past his 35th birthday and questions remain about Mario Balotelli's temperament - could count against the losing Euro 2012 finalist.

And what about the host nation? Brazil has a huge opportunity to remind the world why we fell in love with its brand of football but the country’s passion for the game could count against the team.

When Brazil last hosted the tournament over 60 years ago, they were beaten to the title by Uruguay. The scrutiny will be a hundred times stronger this time.

Neymar is their key man but his move to Barcelona is yet to be deemed a resounding success. Brazil must also contend with the double-edged sword of not having to qualify for the tournament.

The hosts were always guaranteed a spot but this year's Confederation's Cup, which Luis Felipe Scolari's team won, is the only competitive football they have played in recent years.

When discussing the contenders who could upset my pick, Argentina, you’ll notice I’ve gone for former champions. After 19 World Cups, we’ve only ever seen eight different nations triumph.

The case could be made for a first-time winner. Belgium and the Netherlands have talented squads, while the top African nations – Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana – all have the potential to reach the latter stages.

Colombia is, arguably, the pick of the candidates to win a World Cup for the first time, especially with a mean defense and a prolific forward like Radamel Falcao leading their attack. However, in my opinion, no country has a more compelling case than Argentina.

The 1978 and 1986 champions are poised to end a wait of more than a quarter of a century to lift football’s biggest prize.

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New Updated of Top 10 Richest Footballers

10. Thierry Henry - €57m (£47m)

Thierry Henry's glittering career has seen him collect winner's medals for the World Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League and La Liga.

But the French forward, 36, has not only been successful on the pitch, cashing in at the height of his fame with lucrative endorsements for global brands such as Nike, Renault and Gillette.

Henry moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in 2007 for €20 million (£16m), signing a four-year deal with the Catalan club worth €5.6m (£4.6m) a season.

France's all-time leading scorer then eclipsed David Beckham as the highest paid player in the MLS when he joined New York Red Bulls in 2010.

Although his base salary in 2013 dropped to €2.7m (£2.2m), with bonuses Henry is still estimated to earn €3.2m (£2.6m) per year playing for New York.

Off the field, his wealth continues to grow as the public face of PUMA and he was central to the launch of the sportswear company's new evoPOWER boot in 2014.

Henry also promotes Red Bull and has a string of business and stock market investments. His properties include a €6.8m (£5.6m) home in Hampstead, London, and a luxury apartment in New York that cost €11.1m (£9.2m) in 2010.

9. Gianluigi Buffon - €63m (£52m)

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon may not have experienced a particularly notable upturn in his sporting performances in 2013, but the same cannot be said of his bank balance.

While he continued to turn in the kind of performances for Juventus that have become his trademark since the Bianconeri paid Parma over €50 million (£35m) for his services in 2001, last year was a remarkable year for him in an economic sense.

Buffon, who already had some business interests off the pitch, added a key investment to his portfolio in purchasing 54% of manufacturing company Zucchi, increasing his previous 2% share. The Juve keeper reaped immediate dividends, with the company's capital increase in December seeing share prices rise by 107%.

There was heightened publicity for Zucchi off the back of the 36-year-old's cash injection and, on paper, the 139-cap shot-stopper became €19.5m (£16m) richer in the space of just two months.

Buffon continues to earn €4.5m (£3.7m) a year as skipper of the Turin club and will be looking to add further weight to his stock - both on and off the field - by leading Italy to glory at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

His Juventus contract runs out in 2015, at which point the club are expected to offer him a decreased wage, but his business acumen and ongoing sponsorship deals – notably with PUMA – mean he is likely to remain among football's wealthiest players for some time to come.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - €69m (£57m)

He has trademarked his forename, purchased an island boasting 500 hectares of hunting ground and become the first footballer to release his autobiography through a state-of-the-art app. Even away from the football field, Zlatan Ibrahimovic walks his own kind of walk.

While the sport saw many of its previous transfer records broken in 2013, the Swede remains the most expensive footballer in history thanks to a series of big-money transfer deals totalling over €169 million (£139m). And with signing-on fees flying in, Ibrahimovic has done as well financially out of those moves as he has in a sporting sense.

Although he will miss out on this summer's World Cup after Sweden's play-off defeat to Portugal, he remains one of football's most marketable commodities thanks to his continued goalscoring exploits. Add in his €15m (£12.4m) annual salary at Paris Saint-Germain and there are plenty of money-making avenues still open to the 32-year-old.

As well as his home in the French capital, he also owns properties in Milan, New York, Stockholm, Malmo and the Swedish ski resort of Are, and his sponsorship deal with Nike earns him a seven-figure yearly sum. Meanwhile, he has recently been unveiled as the face of Xbox One in France and the Swedish Postal Service has initiated the release of a series of stamps bearing Ibrahimovic's image.

Intent on putting something back into his local community, Ibrahimovic funded a football complex in the area of Malmo in which he grew up, Rosengard. He has also donated Nike kits to the youth club he played with before becoming a professional, FBK Balkan.

7. Ronaldinho - €78m (£64m)

Ronaldinho has been earning major money on and off the pitch since winning the 2002 World Cup.

His life was transformed the following year when he moved for €30m (£25m) from Paris St-Germain to Barcelona, and he soon developed into the best player on the planet - winning the 2005 Ballon d'Or.

After being generously rewarded by the Catalan club and key sponsor Nike, he joined AC Milan in 2008 for €22m (£18m) on a three-year contract worth €6.2m (£5.1m) a year, plus around €1.1m (£875,000) a season in bonuses.

It meant that by the time he returned to Brazil in 2011, initially to Flamengo, Ronaldinho had spent eight years as one of world football's biggest earners.

But the 33-year-old is hardly winding down his career. After a contract dispute with Flamengo, he switched to Atletico Mineiro and led the club to a first-ever Copa Libertadores title. He was named 2013 South American Footballer of the Year before renewing his contract for an estimated €2.7m (£2.2m) per year.

He still endorses Nike and owns property in Brazil, Greece, Barcelona, Lake Como and Florida.

The Neymar family - €80m (£66m)

It is a myth to suggest that just because Neymar was playing his club football in Brazil before last summer he was not already one of the game’s highest earners.

A string of sponsorships including Nike, Panasonic, Heliar, VW, Claro, Santander, Guarana Antarctica, Ambev, Red Bull and Unilever lifted his income as a Santos player to €20m (£16.4m) a year.

Then came that Barcelona move for €86.2m (£71m) in June 2013. One of the most controversial transfers in history ensured Neymar became one of the world's wealthiest players.

The precise details were announced on Barcelona’s website after the club was subjected to a tax fraud investigation. Neymar, 22, was paid a €10m (£8.2m) signing-on fee and also handed a five-year contract for an annual salary of €8.8m (£7.2m).

On top of that, the club revealed that Neymar’s mother and father, Neymar Snr and Nadine, were paid €40m as “compensation” related to a previous agreement with their company, N&N. 

No other parents’ earnings are factored into the Rich List simply because they are not significant enough. Neymar is close to his parents and, given that this extraordinary sum of family income is derived directly from his football career, this figure has been included.

Neymar’s global image rights are hugely valuable and were excluded from the Barcelona agreement. In May 2013, he announced a deal with the investment fund, Doyen Global, run by David Beckham’s advisor Simon Oliveira, to exploit these rights outside Brazil. 

Neymar owns a string of properties in Sao Paulo and a yacht worth €5m (£4.1m).

5. Kaka - €82m (£67.5m)

It was something of a topsy-turvy 2013 for Brazilian star Kaka. The end of his four-year stint with Real Madrid amidst a string of injuries and loss of form was offset by a mini-rebirth at AC Milan, the club he had left for Spain in 2009.

In departing the Santiago Bernabeu for a fresh start, Kaka sacrificed the final two years of his massive contract worth an annual €9 million (£7.4m) plus bonuses.

He exchanged that for a €4m (£3.3m) a year deal with the Rossoneri and even docked his own wages after picking up an injury in his return match at Torino, saying he did not wish to be paid again until he was fully fit.

Now back in action and with his form having improved despite Milan’s slump this term, the 31-year-old continues to court interest from sponsors the world over.

Through commercial deals with Adidas, EA Sports and Sony he remains a huge marketing force, while his seven-year modelling association with Armani reflects his clean-cut, boy-next-door image.

Owning several luxury apartments in Manhattan, New York and additional properties in Natal, Madrid and Milan, Kaka has joined a growing list of footballers who see the housing market as a wise investment base. And while he may have suffered a drop in wages thanks to his return to Italy, his profile and overall wealth continue to grow.

4. Wayne Rooney - €84m (£69m)

Wayne Rooney is catapulted up the Goal Rich List after signing the biggest contract deal in the history of British football, worth around €365,000 (£300,000) a week for the next five years at Manchester United.

It is set to net the England striker close to €95m (£78m) over the course of the contract until the age of 33.

That represents a significant improvement on his last deal, signed in 2010 and worth around €300,000 (£250,000) per week.

It signifies a huge turnaround in the relationship between United and Rooney, who looked destined to part ways last summer following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite Rooney's lucrative on-field deals, he has been unable to cash to the extent of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi with commercial interests. Coca-Cola dropped him after allegations about his private life surfaced, while he is no longer the cover star of EA Sports' Fifa range of video games.

He has this year fronted campaigns for Nike and Samsung, which bring in around €4m (£3.2m) annually.

The 28-year-old also signed a five-year book deal with Harper Collins in 2006 - estimated at the time to be worth €6m (£5m) in advances.

3. Samuel Eto'o - €85m (£70m)

The great Anzhi Makhachkala dream may have died with the news in August that billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov was to refocus the club’s efforts on a more reserved, locally-based project. But Samuel Eto’o’s two years with the Russian outfit were enough to make him one of the richest sportsmen outside of North America.

In 2011, the Cameroon striker was the marquee signing of the Kerimov era, collecting a world-record salary for a footballer of €20 million (£16.5m) a year, including bonuses, to add to what was already a healthy fortune thanks to spells with Barcelona and Inter.

Indeed, Eto’o had hit the headlines in 2009 when he bought each of his national team-mates a €33,000 (£29,000) watch with a personal inscription after they qualified for the World Cup.

The short but highly lucractive spell with Anzhi – which included the practice of flying to Russia from Paris for training and then on to Dagestan for home games – has firmly established him at the top end of the Goal Rich List.

After the Russian Premier League side said they would only offer wages of €7m a year beyond 2014, he was allowed to join Chelsea, agreeing a one-year contract worth around €5m (£4.1m). It has still been a stunning year, however, when earnings from the first six months of 2013 are taken into account.

Eto'o retains a €5m a year sponsorship package with PUMA, as well as deals with Ford and fashion label John Richmond.

Among his investments, the 32-year-old boasts a collection of stunning cars worth a total of around €5m, including a Bugatti Veyron, two Aston Martins and a Maybach Xenatec.

2. Lionel Messi - €146m (£120.5m)

Lionel Messi has relinquished his Ballon d'Or crown to Cristiano Ronaldo and he has also slipped behind his great rival in the earning stakes.

Ronaldo's bumper new Real Madrid contract overshadowed Messi's deal with Barcelona, which was signed in December 2012 at a cost of around €15 million (£12.3m) per year until 2018.

The Argentine had been in talks over a new pay packet with Sandro Rosell before the president's resignation and a deal which will reportedly give Messi parity with Ronaldo is due to be signed this year.

Messi, 26, enjoys a long-standing commercial relationship with adidas, worth at least €2m (£1.6m) per year, for whom he became only the second athlete after David Beckham to be given his own signature range of sportswear and apparel.

Along with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, Messi endorses Turkish Airlines while he also fronts the Fifa range of video games by EA Sports, Samsung's Galaxy 11 and a new campaign for Gatorade.  

The demand for brand Messi is such that he recently signed up to be the face of Gillette's "Inner Steel" campaign, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry and Roger Federer.

Among his string of properties are several in his native Rosario, Argentina, including a compound for his family, as well as a luxury mansion in Barcelona. He drives a Ferrari F430 Spider and also owns an Audi R8.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - €148m (£122m)

Cristiano Ronaldo is the Ballon d'Or holder and signed a new contract in September 2013, tying him to Real Madrid until 2018 at a dazzling cost of €105 million (£86.5m).

The Portuguese is being paid a salary of €17m (£14.3m) per year and also retains a large percentage of his lucrative image rights as part of the new agreement.

Ronaldo led Portugal to the World Cup finals with a stunning hat-trick in the playoffs against Sweden and Nike are in the process of negotiating an improved contract with him ahead of the tournament in Brazil. His €6m (£5m) per year deal, signed in 2010 with the American sportswear giant, is due to expire this year. 

The 29-year-old also enjoys lucrative sponsorship arrangements with Armani, Castrol Edge, Jacob & Co, Herbalife, Banco Espirito Santo and KFC.

In 2013, Ronaldo launched his own CR7 underwear label while he still maintains a CR7 boutique on his home island of Madeira - where last year he also opened his own museum.

He owns properties in Madrid, Lisbon and Madeira, while he is a well-known aficionado of high-powered sports-cars. Among his collection are a Lamborghini Aventador and a Bugatti Veyron.

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Sherwood said: Jesus lacked class

The managers clashed on the touchline during the Portuguese side's 3-1 win in the Europa League clash at White Hart Lane

Tim Sherwood has accused Benfica coach Jorge Jesus of lacking class following their touchline spat in a stormy Europa League clash at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

The Portuguese side beat Tottenham 3-1 in the first leg of the last 16 tie and the two coaches appeared to exchange words on several occasions during the match.

Sherwood accused Jesus of celebrating the third Benfica goal by raising three fingers and waving goodbye - and the Spurs boss refused to shake hands with his counterpart at the end of the game.

“I thought his team were very good and showed a lot of class,” Sherwood said. “It’s a shame he wasn’t the same. 

“He doesn’t mind himself, does he? Waving goodbye like that lacks class. Why would anyone do that? Not for me, thank you.

“I have got no intention of speaking to him.

“We will have a go in the second leg but they were better than us. They had a lot of attacking threat.

“It’s a blow. We have to hold our hands up and they were were better than us.”

Jesus claimed that he was holding up three fingers to signal the shirt number of Luisao - scorer of Benfica’s second and third goals - even though the centre-back wears number four.

“I was saying Luisao number three,” said the Benfica boss. “Maybe here in England the benches are too close compared to in Portugal. In Portugal, we have more space and can express ourselves in our own way.”

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transfer talk: Wenger rubbishes Barcelona job rumours saying my commitment is to Arsenal

The Gunners boss is yet to sign a new contract at Emirates Stadium but, after being linked with the Catalans, the Frenchman has distanced himself from the speculation.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has distanced himself from Spanish reports that he is in line to replace Tata Martino at Barcelona.

The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Catalunya as the current Camp Nou incumbent is under increasing pressure after the Blaugrana dropped to third in La Liga following two defeats in three games.

Wenger agreed terms over a new deal at Emirates Stadium back in October but because he has yet to officially sign the contract, Barcelona had been mooted as a potential destination.

However, Wenger has moved to quash reports that he is ready to leave his post in north London and head for Spain, telling reporters: "My commitment is here and nowhere else."

Ahead of Sunday's crunch north London derby meeting with Tottenham, Wenger believes that, despite recent criticism that culminated in Thursday's Europa League defeat to Benfica, Tim Sherwood's side haven't had a bad season.

He added: "Tottenham is a difficult ground to go to for everybody, we have good memories and bad memories.

"I still think it takes time when you bring in many new players but you cannot say Spurs had a bad season."

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Fabregas said: Barcelona can win the treble

The midfielder is confident that the Catalans have the potential to sweep all before them if they perform to their potential, and also praised "natural leader" Lionel Messi

Cesc Fabregas has insisted that Barcelona are among the favourites in the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey - despite stiff competition and a recent wobble in form.

The Catalans have stumbled in recent domestic matches, losing twice in their prior three Liga ties to give Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid the upper hand in the Primera Division title race, and now sit four points off the pace.

They face the Blancos in the Copa del Rey final in April, but are likely to face a tough Champions League quarter-final beforehand.

Fabregas, 26, is yet to taste European glory with the Catalans, after returning to the club he grew up at in 2011, but he believes that there is no reason why they cannot pull off a treble, particularly on the back of their 4-1 aggregate win over Manchester City.

"I was worried that people were being overly critical of the team from all corners, because I see otherwise," the attacking midfielder told Mundo Deportivo. "I see the team wanting to be reborn.

"We will give it everything and the club is very much favoured in all three competitions.

"Yes, I'd rather avoid Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the Champions League last eight. But then again there's also Chelsea, while Paris Saint-Germain have taken a leap in quality - any opponent are now difficult."

Lionel Messi scored in midweek for Gerardo Martino's men, his eighth goal in five European games this season, and Fabregas thinks that Barca must get the very maximum out of their talismanic No.10 if they are to win silverware this season.

"He is the natural leader of this team and we have to be guided by him," the midfielder added. "We have to make the best of Messi for this team to aspire to every possibility."

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The revenge of Cristiano Ronaldo(Madrid) beats Lionel Messi(Barca) in all angles

The Real Madrid star takes over from retired 2013 winner David Beckham at the top of our index, with Samuel Eto'o, Wayne Rooney and Kaka rounding off the top five.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the world's richest footballer after topping the annual list of players' net worth compiled by Goal.

The Real Madrid superstar held off Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of €148 million, both in all time goals.

The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers. 

Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham, who led the way on the 2013 list but called time on his playing career last May. 

Only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goal's experts finalised the top 10.  

Ronaldo has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in which his value to club and country has never been more evident.

He scored all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs, landed the 2013 Ballon d'Or and signed a record-breaking new five-year deal with Madrid.

Messi came in second after inspiring Barcelona to the Spanish title and signing up for a range of lucrative endorsements. It was a mixed year for the Argentinian, however, who appeared in a Spanish court in September to testify over alleged tax fraud relating to commercial contracts and lost his grip on the Ballon d'Or after a year blighted by injuries.

Wayne Rooney makes the top four on the list following Manchester United's decision to offer him the biggest contract in British football history, worth €365,000 a week. 

Neymar's controversial transfer to Barcelona sees him rocket up the standings to sixth, with his parents' €40m 'compensation' payment included Goal's figures due to its game-changing significance. 

The rest of the list is made up of global superstars, who have accrued huge wealth over significant spells at the top of the professional game.

Samuel Eto'o is at number three, ahead of Rooney, thanks largely to the millions he earned at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gianluigi Buffon and Thierry Henry completing the top 10.

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Top 11 greatest UEFA Champions League facts and figures

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY

Goal-keeping

The Trophy

Trophy Owners

Most Wins

Un-beatable

Goals Galore

Top Scorer

Fastest Goal

Youngest Scorer

African King

First Winners

The most prestigious club competition in the world has a long and celebrated history. Impress your friends with our Top 11 greatest UEFA Champions League facts and figures.

Jörg Butt, the German goalkeeper, has scored three goals in the Champions League, all of them penalties and all of them against Juventus.

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