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Tag: Lionel Messi

  • Messi does not deserve a red card, he should be banned from football

    Lionel Messi is an Argentine and Barcelona’s Professional Football star. He has since the beginning of his career, been playing a top-notch football in the Catalonia side. Having been outstanding over a decade, he has won close to a hundred awards, including six Ballon D’or, a feat that has placed him above any football player you can think of.

    The only person that can rival him is Portuguese and Juventus star Cristine Ronaldo, who won the award five times. Together, they have been ruling the football space for more than a decade.

    However, it was so heart rocking last night to see Messi do what an amateur wouldn’t have done. He was so unprofessional in that match between Barca and Sevilla that I’m still weeping over the whole incident. The most painful part of the whole thing is that the football governing body seems to be ignoring the public uproar the action of the footballer has generated. Oh! Messi, my GOAT, why do you have to do that? 

    Being who I am, it is unlikely for me to support evil. Even though Messi is my favourite footballer, ever, justice must prevail. Slapping and pushing Diego Carlos in that match, just exposed Messi’s lack of maturity. He is a type of what my grandmother calls “passing six is not passing sense”. The skill he possesses has hidden much about him. With this, I now believe that he enjoys undue preference from the whole football governing body. My friends call him the most protected player in the world.

    If Messi is not the most protected player, why won’t he be punished for violating the spirit of sportsmanship? Though I still believe that he will be sanctioned for that unguided and disgraceful act later, the question is, would it be kept for tomorrow if it were another player? The answer is no. We have not forgotten the Zinadine Zidane and Canaverro incident in the Mundial. Therefore, if his punishment has been kept for the last, it must be doubled. In fact, for justice to prevail for the Sevilla player, Lionel Messi should face an outright ban from football.

     UEFA and FIFA should step into this issue if the Spanish Football Federation claims not to know what happened. Even as we recommend ban for Messi, the Spanish Football Federation should be heavily fined and the referee sacked. Nobody should be a sacred cow in football. This is because they would destroy round leather game if they continue in such direction

    Please note that I’m an ardent Lionel Messi supporter, anytime anywhere, but not in situations like this. He just disgraced his fans in a broad daylight. What do you think about that action of his? What kind of punishment do you recommend for him? Do you think he doesn’t deserve any punishment? Please, share with us in the comment box. Like, share and follow as well, God bless you.

    Source: opera.com

  • Revealed: What’s the message behind Leo Messi’s celebration vs Leganes

    Messi scored Barcelona’s second goal in the win over Leganes.

    He celebrated the goal by putting his left hand on his hip and pointing towards the sky with his right arm.

    Leo’s official website say this was a dedication to his children.

    Apparently, this pose is from a video game Messi and his family play together.

    If Leo Messi’s goal celebration after the goal against Leganes has you confused, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one.

    Apparently, it was a dedication to his children, Diario Sport claim, citing the Argentine’s official website. It is said that the pose comes from a videogame he and his family play together at home.

    Obviously, this isn’t the first time he dedicates a goal to his family. Here are some of the other special celebrations.

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    The captain had a good game against the Madrid side. He registered 61 passes, completed five dribbles and won one penalty which he later converted himself.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

     

  • Messi not just about scoring goals – Barcelona coach

    Barcelona boss Quique Setien says Lionel Messi must be assessed for more than just his contribution in front of goal as he nears another career milestone.

    The Argentina great needs just two more goals to reach a combined 700 for club and country after registering in Barca’s 4-0 over Mallorca on Saturday, their first match since La Liga returned following the suspension of top-flight football in Spain as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Messi has a chance to reach the next benchmark in his sensational career in Tuesday’s home clash with Leganes behind closed doors at Camp Nou.

    Setien recognised the sensational achievement Messi, who played against Mallorca despite having sustained a knock in training, is about to reach but said the Barca skipper should be praised for far more than just his goals.

    “Leo is fine. You don’t only have to assess the goals he scored, but also the rest of his contributions, like assisting. That gives us a lot of points,” he said.

    “It’s an astronomical number. I think he’s reached 700 goals and that’s why he’s the best player in the world.”

    Setien is pondering several selection dilemmas ahead of the contest as he looks to protect his squad from injuries given they have only just returned to action.

    Antoine Griezmann started in attack against Mallorca, while Luis Suarez returned from injury off the bench.

    With another fixture against Sevilla on Friday, Setien is yet to decide if either forward will start against Leganes.

    “I have not decided if Luis Suarez will start tomorrow, I have to talk to him. We have to be very cautious, after long injuries muscle problems can start to appear. We must take care,” he added.

    “Luis Suarez could be one of the players to rest tomorrow or at a later time. Luckily, we have more players. We have a team to adapt to the circumstances.

    “Griezmann is indisputable, he is a great footballer, we continue to count on him, he will continue to play a leading role because he is important for the team and the club, but there are also other players that we have to use.”

    The game will be Barca’s first played at home without spectators in attendance and Setien hopes the absence of fans will not hinder the leaders.

    “We would rather play with the support of our fans tomorrow but we know it’s not possible and we have to adapt. Football loses its essence playing in front of empty stands,” he said.

    “I hope we don’t lose any intimidation factor because we don’t have our fans. The public factor would help us a lot, I hope it doesn’t hurt us too much now we won’t have them with us.”

    Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Messi claims new La Liga record in Barcelona win over Mallorca

    Lionel Messi set another La Liga record on Saturday as Barcelona made a winning return to the pitch.

    The leaders won 4-0 at Real Mallorca in their first match since the campaign was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Arturo Vidal opened the scoring after just two minutes before Messi set up Martin Braithwaite for his first Barca goal and then Jordi Alba to make the points safe.

    Messi then added a fourth in second-half injury time to reach 20 La Liga goals for 2019-20.

    The Argentina star is the only player to score 20 or more goals in Spain’s top flight in 12 consecutive seasons.

    Messi’s strong performance against Mallorca also saw his league assist tally this season rise to 14, making him both the top scorer and top assist provider in La Liga this campaign.

    Ahead of Barcelona’s return to action, club legend Rivaldo stressed Messi’s workload must be managed carefully , though the 32-year-old did end up playing the full 90 minutes on Saturday.

    “Lionel Messi had some physical issues last week, so there’s a lot of discussion about whether he play the whole game for Barcelona in their first game back against Mallorca on Saturday,” Rivaldo told Betfair.

    “Barca are two points head of Real Madrid at the top of the table so the title race is tight. If Barca can pull away, they could rest Messi in a few games.

    “If the battle goes to the wire then he might have fewer chances to rest – perhaps only in games which Barca manage to dominate from the first-half – but it will be important for Quique Setien to manage his squad well, as it won’t just be Messi that will reach the first game still looking to be 100 per cent fit, after all everyone has stopped and it’s not easy to resume on the best form.

    “As we know, Messi is always in contention for the ‘Pichichi’ top scorer award in La Liga and always making the difference in the team, so he wants to be on the pitch all the time and it’s difficult for the manager to rotate him. He also fights for the Ballon d’Or every season and that’s on his mind regularly, so you can’t go to Messi and simply tell him ‘take a rest’.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Lionel Messi breaks new record in La Liga.

    Barcelona had quite interesting match yesterday as they top the league with 2 points ahead of Real Madrid.

    Barcelona secured a 4-0 win over Real Mallaro yesterday at the Camp nou. The first goal was scored by Vidal while Lionel Messi Barcelona winger assisted Braithwait with the second goal.

    The third goal as scored by Jodi Alba and the Argentina player Lionel Messi score the fourth goal in the injury time of the second half.

    However, Lionel Messi broke a new record in la Liga yesterday after making two goal assists and scoring a goal in their opening match.

    Lionel Messi scored his 20th goal with 14 goal assist this season making him the highest goals and assist scorer on La Liga this season.

    What do you think about Lionel Messi scoring his first goal towards Real Mollaro at Camp Nou

  • Messi is an inspiration – Braithwaite opens up on life at Barcelona

    Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has described Lionel Messi as an “inspiration” as he reflected on his first few months at Camp Nou.

    The 29-year-old was a surprise signing in February after injuries to Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele left Barcelona short on attackers. While yet to score for the club across three appearances, Braithwaite did contribute two assists on his debut as he gets used to playing with the Catalans.

    Messi is one player the Dane hasn’t struggled to gel with as he noted the Argentina legend has already begun improving his game.

    “It changes a lot, of course,” Braithwaite told Goal when asked about his opinion on Messi now he plays alongside him.

    “He gives so much confidence to the team because he can make the difference and also helped me personally to be a better player with his advice and how he sees football. He is really an inspiration.”

    Signed in the wake of an injury to Suarez, Braithwaite may now struggle for minutes when the Liga season resumes this week with the Uruguayan star now fully fit again, but rather than despair at his likely limited role at Camp Nou, the Denmark international is eager to learn from Suarez.

    “Honestly I don’t think in that kind of way. I am so happy that Luis is back because when I came here he was injured and I haven’t played with him,” he said. “I want to learn from him, he is one of the best strikers in the world and I am happy he is back.”

    After previously playing for the likes of Leganes, Middlesbrough and Toulouse, Braithwaite has found things quite different on the training ground at Camp Nou.

    “The training is totally different to what I was used to so I can feel I am developing a lot in the technical level,” Braithwaite said. “As a human I can feel I have more attention in such a big club like this but you must learn to live with all this attention.”

    One year ago, the prospect of Braithwaite being a Barcelona player would have been laughed off by many, but the fact it has happened convinces the man himself that no dream should be deemed too hard to reach as he hopes his time at the club will show his grandchildren anything is possible.

    He said: “I just want to tell them everything is possible in life. If you put your mind in it you can achieve your dreams.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Transfer News: Messi, Jack Grealish, Kai Havertz, De Bruyne and many others

    ​● Tottenham no longer want to sign Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to the Daily Star.

    ● Barcelona have opened negotiations with Lionel Messi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen over contract extensions, according to Mundo Deportivo.

    ● Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has rejected approaches from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as he looks to force through a move to Barcelona, according to Marca.

    ● Jose Mourinho has tasked Tottenham with signing midfielder Ruben Neves from Wolves, reports Le10Sport.

    ● Chelsea are weighing up making a move to bring Nathan Ake back to the club from Bournemouth, reports The Guardian.

    ● Barcelona have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro, according to A Bola.

    ● Jack Grealish is now Manchester United’s primary summer transfer target, according to the Sunday Mirror, after being at the centre of detailed due diligence undertaken by senior figures at Old Trafford over an £80m move.

    ● Liverpool have enquired about Adama Traore to Wolves, according to the Sunday Mirror. Wolves could also lose Mexican star striker Raul Jimenez to Manchester United, according to the paper.

    ● Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Ajax midfielder Donny Van de Beek, according to The Sunday Times.

    ● Everton are the frontrunners in the race to sign midfielder Adrien Rabiot from Juventus, reports Tuttosport.

    ● Roma fancy their chances of securing a permanent deal for defender Chris Smalling, according to Il Tempo.

    ● Leicester’s Ben Chilwell has been identified by Chelsea as the club’s No 1 left-back target this summer.

    ● Frank Lampard and Petr Cech made an undercover pre-lockdown trip to Germany that helped Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool and Manchester United to convince Timo Werner to move to Stamford Bridge. (Daily Telegraph)

    ● Brendan Rodgers is closing in on a reunion with free agent Adam Lallana at Leicester. (Daily Mirror)

    ● Kevin De Bruyne could look to leave Manchester City if the club’s Champions League suspension is upheld, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has admitted. (Daily Mail)

    ● Zinedine Zidane’s son is set to leave Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. Luca Zidane will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month, according to Marca.

    ● Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes insists Kai Havertz’s future is ‘still not decided’ amid growing interest for his signature this summer (Manchester Evening News)

    ● Liverpool are ‘closely monitoring’ Jadon Sancho’s situation at Borussia Dortmund – and the club may yet do battle with Real Madrid and Manchester United for the signature of the highly-rated 20-year-old (Liverpool Echo)

    ● Manchester United are ready to battle it out with rivals City to sign @Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.

    Source:opera.com

  • We are going to kill him! – Messi’s cousin reveals Barca star’s brutal introduction to football

    Lionel Messi’s cousin Maxi Biancucchi has explained how the Barcelona star found a way to cope with being smaller than oppposition players from a young age.

    The Argentine has become a legend for club and country over the past 15 years, winning a record six Ballon d’Or awards in the process.

    The 32-year-old has never let his height stop him on the pitch, with his cousin revealing that, even as a child, Messi never shied away from a challenge.

    “In the neighbourhood he played with us, we were bigger than him, and they told us: ‘Crazy, get him out because we are going to kill him.’ They wanted to hit him, but he put up with it,” Biancucchi told Ataque Futbolero via Ole.

    “When he was eight or nine, I would get up early on Saturdays to watch him play and he’d do impressive things. I could not believe it.”

    Having joined Newell’s Old Boys as a child before moving to Barcelona in 2001, many Argentines hold out hope Messi may finish his playing career at the club.

    While Biancucchi is keen to see his cousin play for Newell’s, he conceded a return is unlikely due to security issues in the region.

    “Leo has a lot of love for Argentina, people never understand that,” Biancucchi said.

    “If it were not for insecurity, I have no doubt that he would play in Argentina, that is the only thing that can affect him when it comes to him returning.

    “It is my dream to be able to see Leo at Newell’s, but I see it as complicated. It is difficult, imagine that Messi plays a Classico, the kids have to go to school…the city is hell.”

    Messi admitted last year he does dream of returning to Newell’s but stressed his family comes first.

    “I have the dream of being able to play for Newell’s in Argentina, but I don’t know if it’s really going to happen because I have a family that is ahead of my desire,” Messi told TyC Sports.

    “It’s a dream I’ve had since I was little, but I have a family, I have three children, I live in a place that has given me everything and where I am calm and can give my children a spectacular future.

    “We think much more about that than my desire of playing football in Argentina. I will try to convince the family, because today we have to convince the children too.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Messi or Ronaldo: Klopp picks Barcelona star ahead of ‘perfect’ rival

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp prefers Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo, even though he said the Juventus star was close to a “perfect player”.

    Barcelona great Messi and Ronaldo are widely considered two of the greatest players of all-time, although just who is better continues to be debated .

    While Klopp prefers Messi, the German paid tribute to both for their era of dominance, which has seen them win 11 of the past 12 Ballons d’Or.

    Klopp lauded Ronaldo’s physical build, but said Messi was able to produce his magic while making it look so easy.

    “For me Messi, but I couldn’t admire Ronaldo more than I do already,” Klopp told YouTube channel freekickerz.

    “The explanation is the following. We’ve played against both already and both are almost impossible to defend.

    “But Messi has much lower physical requirements from birth on. If you could paint yourself a perfect player, it would have Ronaldo’s height, he could jump and run as high or quick as Ronaldo can do. And what is then even added to that is his total attitude, it is absolutely perfect and professional, it couldn’t be any better.

    “And on the other side there is the small Messi who makes everything look so simple. And therefore I like him maybe a little bit more as a player on the pitch. But Cristiano is also an absolutely incredible player.

    “It’s really difficult therefore, but what both have in common is that both have left their footprints for such a long time.

    “There are also some younger players who have a similar potential, but to do that over this time period is even more incredible.”

    In an earlier interview, Klopp was asked which former Liverpool player he would sign if he could bring a legend back to the club in their peak.

    The 52-year-old revealed that he would choose Steven Gerrard – but he jested the former skipper wouldn’t be an automatic selection.

    “Stevie, that’s easy! But he’d have to fight for his place,” Klopp told BT Sport .

    “The funny thing is we have lived for four-and-a-half years in the same town and I’ve never seen him before.

    “Since the lockdown, I’ve seen him six or seven times. I go for a dog walk or a run or whatever, and he has a walk with the family, so we’ve seen each other more often than all the time together before!”

    Source: stonebwoyb.net

  • Boateng on Messi’s nutmeg: I’ll get some popcorn and watch the 2014 World Cup final

    May 6, 2020, marked five years to the day since Lionel Messi famously nutmegged Jerome Boateng during Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final tie against Bayern Munich, but the German defender has reacted to the anniversary in a funny manner.

    Many people chose to interact with Boateng to try and provoke a reaction, and they succeeded, although the centre-back will feel like he had the last laugh.

    “Here you go – something to laugh [at during] these tough days,” Boateng tweeted.”I’ll get some popcorn meanwhile… and watch the World Cup final 2014 afterwards.”You can stop tagging me now, I know it’s five years today.”

    Source: marca.com

  • Messi won’t retire until he is nearly 40 – Xavi

    Lionel Messi could play until he is almost 40, according to long-time Barcelona team-mate Xavi.

    The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, 32, was in typically stellar form for Barca this season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions before the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to proceedings.

    Messi has arguably never been so important to the Blaugrana’s overall chances of success and Xavi feels the Argentina superstar has plenty left in the tank both at club and international level.

    “He’s still got five or seven very good years left in him,” Xavi said of Messi during an Instagram chat with another ex-Barca forward, Samuel Eto’o.

    “He takes good care of himself and he can keep playing until he’s 37, 38 or 39. He’ll play at the Qatar World Cup, I’m sure.”

    If Messi reaches those levels of longevity, Xavi will seemingly hope to have taken charge of him as head coach.

    The Al Sadd boss held talks with his former employers earlier this year before Quique Setien was appointed as Ernesto Valverde’s successor.

    “In January, it wasn’t the right moment,” Xavi said, echoing comments made on the matter earlier this year.

    “I had conversations with Eric Abidal [Barcelona’s sporting director] and Oscar Grau [Barcelona chief executive] and a big offer, but it wasn’t the right moment. I need a bit more experience. Coaching Barcelona is my dream. I’d like to do it one day. I’ve said that many times.”

    Ideally, Xavi would also see Neymar return from Paris Saint-Germain and be part of any prospective squad of his.

    The Brazil forward has frequently been linked with a move back to Camp Nou since his record transfer to the French capital in 2017.

    “Footballing wise, he’s in the top three or five players in the world, no doubt,” Xavi added. “He can make the difference. Let’s hope he returns to Barcelona. I’m a Barcelona fan and I want the best players there.”

    However, the presence of Neymar at Camp Nou next season seems unlikely due to the financial crisis caused by Covid-19.

    In an interview earlier this week, Setien admitted he believed there wouldn’t be any mega transfers this summer.

    Source: goal.com

  • Messi: I would give up Barcelona title for World Cup glory

    Coming off a Liga and Copa del Rey double, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is desperate to taste success with Argentina in Russia this summer

    Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he would swap a Barcelona title for a trophy with the national team ahead of the World Cup in Russia.

    Messi has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Barca, however, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still searching for his first major senior title with Argentina.

    The 30-year-old was involved as Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, while Messi could not prevent back-to-back defeats in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America deciders.

    Coming off a Liga and Copa del Rey double, which took his trophy tally to 32 at Camp Nou, Messi is desperate to taste success with Jorge Sampaoli’s men.

    “I would change a Barcelona title for one with the national team,” Messi told Argentinean TV channel El Trece.

    “Winning a title with Argentina would be something unique.”

    Argentina will face Iceland (June 16), Croatia (June 21) and Nigeria (June 26) in Group D at the World Cup, starting next month.

    The two-time world champions who last won the showpiece event in 1986 scraped into the tournament thanks to Messi’s magic.

    And Messi conceded Argentina are below the likes of Brazil, Spain and reigning champions Germany.

    “But we do not have to throw the message of ‘we are going to be the world champion because we are the best’, because the reality is that it is not like that.”

    On Group D, Messi added: “Iceland are a team that showed in the last European Championship that they are difficult for anyone.

    “Croatia have a midfield that plays very well, it is a style like Spain but one level below, and Nigeria always challenge us.”

    Source: www.goal.com

  • Lionel Messi embarrassed me during one of our meetings- Mubarak Wakaso

    Former Las Palmas and Deportivo Alaves midfielder Mubarak Wakaso says Lionel Messi embarrassed him in one of their meetings and Christian Atsu teases him with the highlight every morning.

    The Ghanaian played a number of years in the Spanish Premier La Liga where he met a number of fantastic players including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

    He revealed how the Argentine embarrassed him during one of their encounters in an interview with Angel TV.

    “First time I faced Messi was in my Villarreal days,”

    “I faced Messi one-on-one recently; The [2018/19] season before this one. He embarrassed me with a dribble so bad that Christian Atsu keeps on sending me the videos till this day.”

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Famous African pallbearer confesses love for football: My favourite player is Messi

    Benjamin Aidoo, one of the four African pallbearers who have gone viral for a video showing them dancing with a coffin, has expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi.

    The video has become a particularly popular meme this year, with the four rising to internet fame.”My favourite player is Messi, I love him,” Aidoo told Cadena Ser.

    “I like how he plays and the goals he scores.”Furthermore, he’s not selfish. That’s very important.”I love football and I love playing it, it’s one of my hobbies.”I’m a Barcelona fan, I like them a lot, but I’m also a fan of Messi, who is a great player.”

    Aidoo also spoke about becoming an internet sensation and the story behind the video.

    “My opinion is that we have to celebrate death,” he said.”Why? Because when a person leaves us, we have to remember what they’ve done during their life.”

    Source: marca.com

  • Kaka selects Messi ahead of Ronaldo

    Kaka labelled Lionel Messi a “genius” as he picked the Barcelona superstar over Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo despite playing with the Portuguese attacker at Real Madrid.

    Messi winner of a record six Ballons d’Or and Ronaldo are regarded as two of the greatest ever players, with debate often centred on who stands alone atop the all-time list.

    Kaka played alongside Ronaldo at the Bernabeu between 2009-13, but the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner selected Messi as his preferred choice.

    “I played with Cristiano and he’s really amazing, but I’ll go with Messi,” Kaka said when asked who he would pick out of Messi or Ronaldo during an Instagram Live Q&A for FIFA’s channel.

    “He’s a genius, a pure talent. The way he plays is incredible.”

    But on five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, Kaka added: “Cristiano is a machine. It’s not just the way he’s strong, powerful and fast; he’s strong mentally.

    “He always wants to win and play. To be the best. For me, that’s the most incredible thing he has.

    “In the history of sport, they [Messi and Cristiano] are definitely in the top five. We are very lucky to have been able to see both of them.”

    Messi has been in the headlines recently after he and his Barcelona team-mates agreed to have 70 per cent of their wages slashed to help protect the jobs of the club’s staff with coronavirus halting football worldwide for an indefinite period.

    He also claimed figures within the club were putting pressures on the players to act, however there was always a plan within the first-team squad to make a gesture in solidarity with their fellow employees.

    “Much has been written and said about the Barcelona team in regards to the salaries of the players during this state of emergency,” a statement from Messi said.

    “We want to clarify that our will has always been to take a cut in the salary we receive, because we fully understand that this is an exceptional situation and we are always the first ones to help the club when asked.

    “Therefore, it does not surprise us that from within the club there were those who tried to put us under pressure to do something we always knew we would do.

    “The agreement has been delayed for a few days because we were looking for a formula to help the club and its workers during these difficult times.

    “Apart from the reduction of 70 per cent from our salary, we will also make contributions so that club employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary while this situation lasts.

    “We do not want to say goodbye without sending an affectionate greeting and a lot of strength to all those having a hard time in these very difficult times, as well as to all those who patiently await the end of this crisis in their homes.

    “Very soon we are going to get out of this and we will all do it together.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Kevin-Prince Boateng snubs Ronaldo – rates Messi, Ibrahimovic as the best

    Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has sparked a huge storm by snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo and claiming that Lionel Messi and Ibrahimovic are the best players in the world.

    The 33-year-old, who plays for Turkish giants Besiktas, has joined the raging debate over who is currently the best player in the world with some tipping Messi while other opt for Ronaldo.

    has cited the two superstars as the best on the planet after sharing the pitch with them at Barcelona and AC Milan respectively.

    He singled out the two players, leaving out Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo in his all-time best players in the world.

    “The strongest? This is tough, after they attack me from all sides. They are both phenomena and each has its own style,” Boateng said.

    “For 10 years Messi has shown that he is the best in the world, I am happy to have played with both of them.”

    Boateng has played for several clubs in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and now Turkey.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • KP Boateng chooses Messi as the best player in the world

    German-born Ghanaian international, Kevin-Prince Boateng has picked Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.

    The debate as to which player is the greatest of all time never gets old. Often times, it is the Portuguese international and the Argentine who goes head to head.

    While everybody has their own view, the debate has never quite been settled with the two greats proving time and again that there possibly could be little or no difference between them when you look at the things they have achieved.

    In an interview with Sky Sports, KP Boateng was made to pick between the two players. After singling out Ronaldo and leaving Messi standing head to head with Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, the Besiktas star choose Lionel Messi as the best in the world.

    “The strongest? This is tough after they attack me from all sides. They are both phenomena and each has its own style: for 10 years Messi has shown that he is the best in the world, I am happy to have played with both of them”, the former Black Stars forward said.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Late Messi penalty takes Barcelona top of La Liga

    Lionel Messi scored a late penalty as Barcelona edged to victory over Real Sociedad to move top of La Liga.

    Barca go two points clear of Real Madrid, but Zinedine Zidane’s side can regain top spot with victory at Real Betis on Sunday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

    The home side’s spot-kick was awarded for Robin le Normand’s handball, which the referee saw on the pitchside monitor, allowing Messi to convert.

    Alexander Isak smashed a shot wide from Sociedad’s best chance of the game.

    Barca thought they had a second in the 95th minute when Jordi Alba stroked a finish into an open net, but substitute Ansu Fati was adjudged to be narrowly offside by VAR.

    Former Middlesbrough striker Martin Braithwaite, who signed for Barca in an emergency transfer outside the transfer window, was dangerous in the first half, striking a couple of shots straight at Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

    Ivan Rakitic had a thumping effort from the edge of the area pushed away, while Gerard Pique headed straight at Remiro from inside the six yard box.

    Messi seemed to be having an off day when he side-footed a shot wide from 10 yards out and curled another off target, but the skipper proved to be the match winner, clipping home an 81st minute penalty for his 19th league goal of the season.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ronaldo is a predatory striker and it’s only normal when he scores – Messi

    Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi isn’t surprised by Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent Serie A scoring streak for Juventus as he praised the striker’s ability to find the back of the net.

    Ronaldo has scored in 11 straight league games for his Italian club despite turning 35 this month and has an impressive 24 goals to his name this season.

    Messi, meanwhile, has gone four matches without a goal but has contributed six assists in his three most recent appearances for the Catalans.

    Though both players have always been prolific in front of goal, Messi believes Ronaldo has made scoring his obsession and isn’t surprised to see the Portuguese star continue to fire in the final third.

    “It’s normal that he continues to score, he is a predatory striker, he loves to score, any day he plays he will score,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo when asked about Ronaldo’s recent performances.

    “He has many good attributes as a forward and at the minimum he converts.”

    Messi himself has struck 14 times across just 19 La Liga games this season for Barcelona as he also shows he still has an eye for goal at the age of 32.

    Former teammate Carles Puyol recently backed the Argentina attacker to play on until he’s 38, with Messi himself admitting he’s feeling good despite his advancing age.

    “The reality is that one is turning years old and does not know, but I feel very good, better than in previous years, and that I am not making goals, but on a physical level and legs I feel very good,” he said.

    Asked if he could play on until he’s 40, Messi replied: “We will see, we will see.”

    Barcelona are currently one point shy of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title this season and Messi believes the battle for first will go down to the wire.

    “It is true that it is a year that in the league both Madrid and we are being very irregular, where we lost many points and in that sense I think we will be fighting until the end and that the league does not end after El Classico, whatever happens,” Messi said.

    “There will be important matches. We have hard outings and they do too.

    “Afterwards, it is true that if we want to qualify for the Champions League we have to continue growing a lot, because I think that today it is not enough for us to fight for the Champions League.”

  • Lionel Messi will end career at Barcelona – Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola has played down suggestions that Lionel Messi could join him at Manchester City and believes the playmaker will end his glittering career at Barcelona.

    Messi, 32, has spent his career with Barca but has a clause allowing him to leave for free this summer.

    Guardiola coached Messi at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012, winning three La Ligas and two Champions Leagues.

    “He will stay there (at Barca), that’s my wish,” said the Man City boss.

    Guardiola left Barca for Bayern Munich having become their most successful manager, with 14 trophies in four seasons.

    He went on to win three successive league titles in Germany and has won the Premier League for the last two seasons with City, although this term they trail Liverpool by 22 points with only 13 games remaining.

    Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or player award six times, 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues, is under contract until 2021.

    But he spoke out this week against Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal after the Frenchman accused players of not working hard under former coach Ernesto Valverde.

    Barca are three points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga but Guardiola would not be drawn on the apparent unrest between Messi and Abidal – both former players of his – adding: “I’m not going to talk about players for other clubs.

    “I think he will finish his career there, that’s my wish.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Messi to stay at Barcelona despite Eric Abidal row

    Lionel Messi intends to stay at Barcelona despite this week’s public row with sporting director Eric Abidal.

    Sources close to the 32-year-old have assured Sky Sports News that he is not thinking of leaving the Nou Camp this summer and remains determined to see out his current contract at the very least.

    Messi’s deal runs until 2021 and he is open to discussing an extension, although the forward is in no rush and would prefer to do so on a rolling year-by-year basis.

    Barcelona, however, would want to talk about another multi-year deal and hope to sit down with Messi’s father and agent Jorge in the upcoming months.

    Although the spat with Abidal has provoked reports in England, Italy, France and even Argentina that Messi could move to one of these countries, there has been scarcely any mention in Spain’s top publications that a summer departure is on the cards.

    Sky Sports News has been told that, as captain, Messi felt compelled to speak out in defence of himself and the team, while also wanting to highlight that he does not call the shots at the club, and that he feels public criticism from internal staff is not constructive.

    This response via his social media, which has outgrown Barca’s own by almost 60 million followers, was received positively by fans and the Spanish media, and Messi’s feelings were echoed by team-mates after the Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

    Defender Jordi Alba was among them, and he said: “We already have enough thrown at us from outside that we do not need it from inside.”

    As a difficult week for the club draws to a close, the situation has calmed down following talks between Messi and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who has also spoken separately with Abidal.

    But while the future of Messi at Barcelona remains more or less assured, that of the Frenchman Abidal appears increasingly uncertain despite hanging onto his job this time.

    A number of his key signings last summer are yet to make a significant impact, including the highly-sought-after Frenkie de Jong, while others he signed in 2018 such as Malcom and Jean-Clair Todibo are now playing their football elsewhere.

    The club were also in need of a new striker in January after Luis Suarez’s injury but failed to sign anyone, and they have subsequently been forced to ask for La Liga’s permission to make an emergency transfer following another injury to Ousmane Dembele.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Messi sinks Atletico on Griezmann’s return

    Lionel Messi struck late for Barcelona as Antoine Griezmann’s return to Atletico Madrid ended in a dramatic 1-0 victory.

    Griezmann’s first game in Madrid since leaving Atletico for Barcelona dominated proceedings going into the match, but it was Messi who stole the headlines on the eve of the Ballon d’Or announcement.

    A couple of inspired Marc-Andre ter Stegen saves initially kept Atletico at bay, with Messi then stroking home in the 86th minute to hand Barcelona all three points.

    Read:LMessi scores in 700th match as Barca ease into last-16

    Victory sends Barcelona top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico Madrid slip to sixth after Athletic Bilbao’s win earlier on Sunday.

    Atletico dominated the first half but Ter Stegen ensured it remained 0-0 at the break.

    After Mario Hermoso’s cross was deflected onto the post, the defender was denied by a spectacular point-blank save from Ter Stegen, who also produced an incredible reflex stop to keep out Alvaro Morata’s header.

    The closest Barcelona went to an opener in the first half was when Gerard Pique’s header bounced onto the top of the bar.

    Read:Messi will stay for another five years Barca president

    Player ratings

    Atletico Madrid: Oblak (6), Trippier (7), Felipe (6), Hermoso (7), Saul (6), Correa (6), Herrera (7), Thomas (6), Koke (7), Joao Felix (5), Morata (6)

    Subs: Vitolo (6), Lemar (6), Lodi (N/A)

    Barcelona: Ter Stegen (8), S. Roberto (7), Lenglet (7), Pique (6), Junior (6), Rakitic (6), Arthur (6), De Jong (7), Griezmann (6), Messi (7), Suarez (6)

    Subs: Vidal (6), Umtiti (N/A)

    Man of the match: Ter Stegen

    Source: skysports.com

  • La Liga: Messi gives set-piece masterclass as Barca outclass Celta

    Lionel Messi scored two exquisite free kicks as he netted his first hat-trick of the season in a 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday which took Barcelona back to the top of La Liga after a difficult week.

    Barca’s captain coolly converted a penalty to put the champions ahead in the 23rd minute but gave away a foul in a dangerous area which led to Lucas Olaza levelling for Celta with an outstanding strike from a free kick in the 42nd.

    Read:10 Records Messi & Ronaldo Have Not Yet Broken

    But Messi restored Barca’s lead right before halftime with a stunning free kick of his own, curling the ball into the top corner.

    He conjured up an almost identical strike at the start of the second half to complete his treble and match Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 34 hat-tricks in Spain’s top flight.

    Read:“I want to win the Champions League again”-Lionel Messi

    Sergio Busquets struck a fourth goal in the 85th to round off a first win for Barca in three games, after falling to a shock 3-1 defeat at Levante last week in La Liga and drawing 0-0 at home to Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

    Barca lead the standings on 25 points after 12 games, level with second-placed Real Madrid who eased to a 4-0 win at Eibar.

    Source: Wires

  • Messi is from another planet – Vidal

    Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal said superstar captain Lionel Messi is ‘from another planet’ after the Argentine produced a masterclass performance against Real Valladolid.

    Messi was at his trademark best with a brace and two assists as Liga champions Barca routed Valladolid 5-1 at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

    Argentina international Messi set up Vidal with an exquisite pass before scoring a stunning free-kick – the 50th of his career for club and country – prior to half-time.

    Messi netted his second of the match after the break and teed up Luis Suarez with a perfect through ball as Barca moved top of the table.

    Read:Messi scores 50th hat-trick in Bercelona win over Sevilla

    “It makes a difference with Leo giving all his quality. When he’s like this, the team feels it,” Vidal told Movistar Plus.

    “We see him every day, but he surprises us every day. Leo is from another planet.

    “We are happy, we won and the team felt good. I have no words to talk about Leo. You have to take advantage of it and make the most of him.”

    Although Clement Lenglet’s second-minute opener was fortuitously cancelled out by Valladolid’s Kiko Olivas 13 minutes later, Messi was able to inspire Barca against the visitors.

    Barca are two points clear of Granada and Atletico Madrid the latter of whom have played an extra match due to the postponement of El Clasico last weekend after 10 games.

    Read:Messi rivalry made me a better player Ronaldo

    “These victories help you, but you have to keep improving,” Vidal, who has been linked to Serie A outfit Inter, added. “The game against Slavia (Prague in the Champions League when Barca won 2-1 last week) is not what we know how to do. Hopefully it won’t happen to us from now on.”

    The Catalans have won seven games in a row in all competitions and face a trip to Levante in the league on Saturday.

    Following their domestic duties, Barca return to the European stage on November 5 as they host Slavia Prague in the Champions League at Camp Nou.

    Barca are top of their group with seven points, three clear of Inter and Borussia Dortmund, and can all but sew up qualification for the knockout stage with a victory against the Czechs.

    Source: Goal.com

  • La Liga more important than Champions League – Messi

    Lionel Messi believes La Liga is the “most important” competition for Barcelona, placing it ahead of the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

    Across his trophy-laden career to date, the 32-year-old has lifted the La Liga title a stunning 10 times with four Champions League crowns and six Copa del Reys also to his name.

    Speaking after receiving his sixth Golden Shoe on Wednesday, the Argentine attacker revealed his preference for domestic success, noting clubs stand a better chance of achieving in other competitions when they’re performing well in their own local leagues.

    “The Champions League is something special for us and we want to win it every year,” Messi said.

    Read:Messi caught up in FIFA The Best vote-rigging storm with countries claiming they did not vote for him

    “Although we know La Liga is the most important one because that will lead you to be competitive in the Champions League and the Spanish Cup.

    “It’s difficult when you are not doing well in La Liga and trying to do well in the Champions League.

    “It’s true we always speak about the Champions League but we don’t forget about La Liga and the Spanish Cup because we are Barcelona and we want to win all titles.”

    The Catalans are eyeing their third straight La Liga title this season but have started slowly and currently sit second, two points behind Real Madrid.

    In Europe, Barcelona last lifted the Champions League in 2015 when they beat Juventus 3-1 in Berlin.

    Read:I wanted Ronaldo to stay at Real Madrid Messi

    Since then, Messi’s side have failed to reach the final again across four attempts, dramatically squandering a 3-0 first-leg lead against Liverpool in their semi-final clash earlier this year and losing 4-3 to the eventual champions.

    Barcelona currently sit second in their Champions League group this campaign after two games having drawn 0-0 with leaders Borussia Dortmund and scraped past Inter 2-1.

    On the domestic front, Messi recently hinted in an interview he contemplated leaving Barcelona, an idea that sent chills down the spine of La Liga president Javier Tebas.

    “With the interview, I got scared and I was relieved to see that, just as well, he decided to stay – in this low moment, he decided to continue,” Tebas said.

    “I want to thank Messi for continuing in our league. If he feels down again, he shouldn’t have any doubts that we will support him and call him, that we will keep supporting him.”

    Source: Goal.com

  • I almost left Barcelona five years ago – Messi

    Lionel Messi has revealed that he almost left Barcelona in 2014 after he and his father were charged with tax fraud.

    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was alleged to have used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights, and as such defrauded Spain of €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009.

    Messi was eventually found guilty and sentenced to 21 months in prison and a €2m fine before his prison time was amended to a €252,000 (£223,000/$288,000) fine in July 2017.

    Messi caught up in FIFA The Best vote-rigging storm with countries claiming they did not vote for him

    His father, Jorge, was similarly sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and a fine of €1.5m, though his prison sentence was reduced on appeal.

    And Messi has now admitted that, when the charges were originally made, he wanted to leave Spain and spoke to a number of clubs regarding a move away from Camp Nou, though he did not receive any concrete offers.

    “I had it in my mind to leave at that time, not to leave Barcelona but to leave Spain,” he told RAC1. “I felt that I was being mistreated and did not want to be here anymore.

    “I had the door opened by many clubs but I never had an official offer because everyone knew of my previous desire to continue in Barcelona. The feeling I had went beyond what I felt for this club.

    “There was a time when I ended up tired by a lot of circumstances, it has happened several times, especially in 2013 and 2014, with the problems with the treasury and everything that came out. It was difficult for me and my family, many people did not know what I was going through and I heard a sector of the press helped to make this happen.”

    Speculation regarding Messi’s future continues, with the recent revelation that he has a clause in his current contract that would allow him to leave the Spanish champions for free at the end of the season should he so wish.

    Revealed: Messi holds right to terminate Barcelona contract

    The 32-year-old, though, insists that he wants to see out the remainder of his career with the Blaugrana, for whom he has worn the captain’s armband for the past two seasons.

    “Obviously I will stay if you love me. I am delighted and my idea is to stay here – nothing has changed that at all. It is increasingly clear that I will end my career here. It is my idea and that of my family, first for how I am and what I feel for the club and the city.

    “I would not like to change the friendships of the children or their social circle, I would not like this to break. I had to live with it and I do not want it to happen to them.”

    Source: Goal.com