Barca vow to stand by Vilanova

The news comes just over a year after Vilanova first had a tumour removed from his throat.

Rosell revealed assistant coach Jordi Roura would take charge of the first team while Vilanova, who took over from Pep Guardiola at the Nou Camp this summer, underwent his treatment.

That decision is set to be made after Thursday's surgery but for now Rosell offered the club's full support for Vilanova and his young family.

Rossell admitted Vilanova had told him of the news yesterday, but tonight's confirmation was delayed until after a meeting with the players.

Speculation in the Spanish press has already linked Guardiola, who left the club to take a year-long sabbatical in the summer, with a return, but sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta denied any contact had been made.

Zubizarreta also expressed his shock at the news, saying: "It was difficult news to hear this morning.

Vilanova has enjoyed a superb start to his tenure in the hotseat, helping Barcelona establish a nine-point lead at the top of the Spanish league standings after winning 15 of their opening 16 games while drawing the other.

Messi deserves Ballon d'Or

Messi has already won the previous three Ballon d'Or awards but Ibrahimovic, who himself was earlier backed to win the award as well, has conceded that Messi fully deserves to win the accolade yet again.

"Messi is the best player in the world, he deserves the Ballon d'Or," Ibrahimovic told BeIn Sport.

"I know he's won it several times but it is deserved. He plays like he's on PlayStation, it's unbelievable. People who say otherwise either don't know anything about football or are just talking nonsense."

The Swede pointed out former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane as a player he wants to play like, citing the Frenchman's extraordinary playmaking abilities as his inspiration.

"When Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the 10 other guys just got suddenly better. It is that simple.

"It was magic. He was a unique player. He was more than good, he came from another planet. His team-mates became like him when he was on the pitch. A player that makes the difference is a player that makes the others better.

"I don't know if we will see others like him. That's my mentality. Make the others better. Because if they are better, I too will be better," he said.

Messi has recently extended his contract with Barcelona and is set to stay at the club until 2016.

Cazorla shines as Arsenal rout Reading

Santi Cazorla helped himself to a hat-trick as Arsenal closed up on the top four of the Barclays Premier League with a 5-2 win at bottom club Reading.