Category: Lionel Messi

Barcelona receive more penalties than anyone else – and here is the proof

The stats show that over the past five seasons the Catalans have benefited more from penalties won and conceded than any of their rivals Who is favoured more by referees Barcelona or Real Madrid? It is a question that has been debated furiously by fans of Spain’s two biggest clubs for decades and is once again in the spotlight following the events of Tuesday night in the Champions League. Barca completed the greatest comeback in Champions League history at Camp Nou, overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit to destroy Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 on the night.

Barca mounts 6-1 comeback to oust PSG; Roberto nets winner

Barcelona completed the biggest comeback in Champions League history by beating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals on Wednesday, scoring the decisive goal of a 6-5 victory on aggregate in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Barcelona scored three times from the 88th minute, with Sergi Roberto’s dramatic late goal sending the Nou Camp fans wild and making their team the first to overturn a 4-0 first-leg defeat since the Champions League format started in the 1992-93 season.

‘Yes we can!’ – Barcelona as good as their word in delivering greatest comeback in history

The Catalans secured an astonishing 6-1 win at Camp Nou to knock out Paris Saint-Germain and keep their Champions League hopes alive “If Paris Saint-Germain scored four, we can score six.” That is what Luis Enrique said in the pre-match press conference ahead of this match and his team did exactly that to produce perhaps the greatest comeback in football history.

Move over, Messi! – Barca’s man of destiny Neymar saw his ‘one percent chance’ and took it

It was the Brazilian who took control of what was a hopeless cause, dragging Barcelona single-handedly to the quarter-finals of the Champions League “As long as there’s a one percent chance, we’ll have 99 per cent faith,” Neymar wrote on his Instagram feed in preparation for Barcelona’s battle against the impossible. It might have been an exercise in positive thinking; he might well have believed it.

PSG had themselves and referee to blame for Camp Nou collapse, says Emery

With numerous decisions going against the visitors, their coach was frustrated with the officiating but confessed his men were second best in the end Unai Emery spoke of his frustration at referee Deniz Aytekin after Barcelona mounted an incredible comeback to knock Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League. PSG had won the first leg 4-0 in France and, despite netting three within 50 minutes at Camp Nou, Edinson Cavani’s away goal meant that Barca needed to score a further three times to go through.

Barcelona hoping for miracle

… faster, more determined and precise PSG who enjoyed the glorious European night they had long waited for since Qatar Sports Investments starting pumping millions into the club six years ago. Enrique spoke on Friday of the “relief” at ending …

‘Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or every year’ – Suarez salutes Barcelona team-mate

The mercurial Argentine has only taken the prestigious prize in one of the last four years, but his club colleague thinks he should always win it Messi has won the award – which is voted for by international managers and captains, as well as journalists – five times over the course of his career, more than any other player. But three of the last four have been clinched by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, taking the Portugal star to within one of Messi in what has become arguably the greatest player rivalry in football history.

Luis Enrique says he’s leaving Barcelona at end of season

FC Barcelona’s coach Luis Enrique, center, stands next Lionel Messi after been substituted during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sporting Gijon at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Luis Enrique says he will not stay as Barcelona coach after this season.

Lionel Messi strikes late again to sink Atletico Madrid

Lionel Messi scored his league-leading 20th goal with a shot from close range after a pass by Luis Suarez. Lionel Messi came to Barcelona’s rescue for the second time in a week by snatching a late winner to give his side a barely deserved 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday which provisionally took the champions top of La Liga.

Chaos at boardroom level, Galacticos over cantera – are Barcelona turning into Real Madrid?

With expensive signings, no midfield plan and a cold relationship between players and club chiefs, the Blaugrana have started to resemble their rivals The roles have reversed. Not so long ago it was Real Madrid who were known for their policy of signing superstars and their turmoil in the boardroom, while Barcelona bolstered their strength in depth by plucking players from their youth system.

LaLiga tips

Our Spanish football expert Tim Clement provides his latest LaLiga tips and is backing both Real Madrid and Barcelona to drop points this weekend. Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid before Real Madrid head to Villarreal in a crucial weekend in the LaLiga title race, with the top two both looking vulnerable.

Sevilla turns focus to another key game _ the Betis derby

After its 2-1 win over Leicester on Wednesday put the club in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly 60 years, Sevilla started preparing for Saturday’s derby against crosstown rival Real Betis. Victory will give fans bragging rights, and keep Sevilla alive in the race for the Spanish league title, which would be the team’s first in more than 70 years.

Quiz: Name the Liverpool team that stunned Barca on this day

A decade ago today, Liverpool visited Barcelona in the Champions League and returned home victorious. But can you remember who represented the Reds on that unforgettable evening at the Camp Nou? A Barca team containing the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Xavi started the game in a fashion befitting their status as European champions and deservedly took the lead through Deco’s 14th-minute header.

Barcelona players back Enrique, insists Andres Iniesta

‘If they haven’t trained on a surface like this, then they are mad’: Sutton and Keown tell Arsenal how to be fantastic on plastic ‘Chelsea can only think about the FA Cup because I think they are champions’: Mourinho starts mind games after being drawn against old club in quarter-finals Giant-killers Lincoln to face Sutton or Arsenal in FA Cup quarter-finals as Chelsea get ready to host former boss Mourinho and Manchester United ‘The first time I lost I threw up and I hate losing even more now!’: Wenger hoping to avoid shock defeat at Sutton Conte insists there will be no room for sentiment when it comes to skipper Terry as Chelsea look to do the Double Davis sets NBA All-Star Game best with 52 points as West beat East 192-182 and records tumble in game of all-out attack Super sub Ibrahimovic sends United into FA Cup quarter-finals as Mourinho’s men come from behind to beat struggling … (more)

Manchester City target Lionel Messi in A 100m deal as…

The English Premier League side believe the Argentinian superstar is ready to quit the La Liga giants and Etihad chiefs are confident they can seal a world-record 100million deal for the five-time world player of the year. Messis’ future at the Camp Nou has become more and more uncertain this season and his father, Jorge, who acts as his son’s adviser, is in Barcelona to look after business – but has no plans to talk to the club about extending a contract that now has less than 16 months to run.

Rumour Mill: Premier League play for $160m Messi

MANCHESTER City eye a move for Lionel Messi, Victor Lindelof is set to join Manchester United, and Arsene Wenger admits he wants to stay at Arsenal. Manchester City have made Lionel Messi their number one target as they believe the A 100 million-rated Argentinian superstar is ready to leave Barcelona, according to The Mirror.

What’s going on with Barcelona?

Barcelona risk an early elimination from the Champions League after losing 4-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie with Paris St Germain. With their LaLiga crown also on the line, here we examine why things are going so badly for the Catalan club at the moment.

What’s going on with Barcelona?

Barcelona risk an early elimination from the Champions League after losing 4-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie with Paris St Germain. With their LaLiga crown also on the line, here we examine why things are going so badly for the Catalan club at the moment.

PSG must cope without key defender Silva against Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona’s mighty strike force without its best defender and talismanic captain, after Thiago Silva was ruled out of the first leg of their Champions League knockout match on Tuesday. The center half sat out training and was not included when the squad was announced on Monday.

Ronaldinho on Gabriel Jesus

Ronaldinho has backed Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus to succeed Lionel Messi and Neymar as the world’s best player. Jesus, 19, has already usurped Sergio Aguero in the City pecking order under Pep Guardiola, scoring three goals in three starts since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in January, and looks set to keep his place for the Monday Night Football clash with Bournemouth .

Simeone: I’m happy when Carrasco is angry

The Argentine has played down the Belgium international’s frustrations after he kicked a water bottle after coming off at the weekend Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has no problem with Yannick Carrasco after the Belgium international reacted angrily to being substituted against Alaves. Carrasco kicked a water bottle when Simeone replaced him with Fernando Torres in the 62nd minute of Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw.

La Liga: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar help Barcelona down Eibar 4-0

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored their 15th league goals of the season as Barcelona stayed on the heels of La Liga leaders Real Madrid by winning 4-0 at Eibar on Sunday although the win was marred by an injury to key midfielder Sergio Busquets. Substitute Denis Suarez scored his first goal for Barca, firing the visitors into the lead from the edge of the area in the 31st minute after replacing Busquets, who had been carried off on a stretcher with strained ankle ligaments following a crunching tackle by Eibar’s Gonzalo Escalante.

Messi scores 5th goal in 6 games as Barcelona beats Eibar

With Lionel Messi’s fifth goal in six games this year, Barcelona comfortably defeated Eibar 4-0 on Sunday to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid and Sevilla at the halfway point of the Spanish league. Substitute Denis Suarez, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and Brazil forward Neymar also scored as the defending champions cruised to victory in the Basque Country to finish the first half of the season two points behind Madrid and one behind Sevilla.

Barcelona official relieved from role after Messi comment-Image1

A Barcelona official has been dismissed from an institutional-relations role after he said Lionel Messi would not be as good if he didn’t have great teammates, the club announced on Friday. Barcelona said it relieved Pere Gratacos from his responsibilities because “he publicly expressed a personal opinion that did not coincide with the opinion of the entity.”

Hebei China Fortune dismisses rumors about bids for big-name players

Chinese football club Hebei China Fortune claimed Thursday to have taken a pragmatic approach to reinforcing its team, dismissing rumors on purportedly splashy bids for big-name players. The purchase of foreign players will be carried out in accordance with the actual conditions of the team and the requirements of its coach Manuel Pellegrini, said Jerry Zhao, president of the Hebei China Fortune FC, in a press conference in Beijing.

Messi free kick puts Barcelona in Copa del Rey quarterfinals

Lionel Messi came through for Barcelona again, scoring with a perfectly struck free kick to give the defending champions a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Messi fired a remarkable low strike into the right corner in the 78th minute at Camp Nou to help the Catalan club reverse a 2-1 first-leg loss and advance 4-3 on aggregate.

Barcelona hard at work for Athletic Bilbao clash after Lionel Messi & Co miss FIFA awards

Let’s make it nine in a row! Manchester United stars arrive at their pre-match hotel ahead of tonight’s cup semi World Cup madness: 48 countries, 16 groups and shoot-outs to decide ALL draws… FIFA chiefs vote for bloated new format 10 years of domination: Ronaldo vs Messi era goes on and on The ultimate football fairytale? Last month, this kid was made redundant at the Bentley factory in Crewe.

Lionel Messi Statue Destroyed by Vandals After Standing Less Than 1 Year

A bronze statue of Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been cut in half by vandals less than a year after it was unveiled in a statement from the Buenos Aires city government did not reveal the identity of any known suspects but stated that the statue would be repaired: sculpture of Messi was unveiled in June last year, just days after the Barcelona star had announced his retirement from the international game following Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa America final, per BBC News . Argentina are struggling in the CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup – they lie fifth in the South American standings.