Tag: Messi

  • Messi to miss FC Barcelona’s final match of La Liga season

    Messi to miss FC Barcelona’s final match of La Liga season

    Lionel Messi will sit out FC Barcelona’s final match of the 2020/2021 La Liga season against Eibar on Saturday.

    The club confirmed on Friday their captain has been granted permission to start his holidays early before he begins preparations for the Copa America with Argentina.

    Midfielder Pedri will also skip the game at Ipurua after a hectic season, with Barca unable to finish any higher than third in the table.

    Messi has played in all but two of Barca’s league games in 2020/2021, making 47 appearances in all competitions.

    He leads the goalscoring charts in La Liga with 30, seven clear of nearest rival Gerard Moreno, meaning he is almost certain to win the Pichichi trophy for the eighth time in his career.

    It is unclear whether Messi will play again for the Catalans where he broke the club’s appearance record with 778 matches.

    He also broke the world record for most goals at one club with 672 goals this season.

    The 33-year-old’s future at Camp Nou remains in doubt, with his contract expiring in June and no agreement yet reached on an extension.

    Messi attempted to leave last year, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) said to be interested, but he was thwarted by former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

    The return of Joan Laporta, who has a good relationship with Messi, as Bartomeu’s successor this year could play a part in the player’s decision over his future.

    Laporta is reported to have sanctioned a 10-year contract offer for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

    Barca have also been tipped to sign Messi’s Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero on a free transfer after he leaves Manchester City.

  • Messi informs Barcelona of his future plan

    Messi informs Barcelona of his future plan

    Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has told the club he will remain beyond this season, according to TVE.

    Messi tried to leave last summer and now into the final weeks of his current deal.

    The 33-year-old’s future remained up in the air with Manchester City and PSG both linked to the Argentine.

    Messi’s father, Jorge, who also acts as his agent has flown into Spain to discuss his son’s future with club president, Joan Laporta.

    They have signalled to the Catalans that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner intends to remain at the club.

    Messi, however, has made it clear to Laporta, that investment needs to be made into the team as he targets more honours.

    Barcelona ended last season without a trophy, but Ronald Koeman won his first trophy at the helm as he lifted the Copa del Rey earlier this month.

  • Messi Set To Equal Xavi’s Record Of 767 Games For Barca

    Messi Set To Equal Xavi’s Record Of 767 Games For Barca

    Lionel Messi is set to equal Xavi Hernandez’s record of 767 appearances for Barcelona after he was named in the team to play against Huesca on Monday.

    Messi was in the starting line-up for the match at Camp Nou where Barca will look to put further pressure on Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s title race.

    Xavi spent 17 years at Barcelona before leaving in 2015 and is now the coach of Al-Sadd in Qatar.

    Messi, meanwhile, has been an ever-present in the Barca team since 2004 and is expected to break Xavi’s record against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

    This handout pictured made available by FC Barcelona shows Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi attending a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi on May 8, 2020. Miguel RUIZ / AFP / FC BARCELONA

    “It could only be Leo”, Xavi told Mundo Deportivo on Monday.

    “It is totally fair that the best player in history is the one who has defended Barca’s colours the most times.”

    AFP

  • Champions League: Griezmann subtly blames Messi for Barcelona’s defeat to PSG

    Champions League: Griezmann subtly blames Messi for Barcelona’s defeat to PSG

    Barcelona forward, Antoine Griezmann has partly blamed teammate Lionel Messi for the team’s exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night.

    While the first leg ended 4-1 in favour of Paris Saint-Germain in Camp Nou, the reverse fixture ended one goal apiece between the two sides.

    Barcelona could not make it beyond the last 16 of the competition joining another top side, Juventus who were knocked out by FC Porto earlier on Tuesday.

    Messi missed from the spot in the 45th minute of the game, a goal that would have turned things around for the visitors.

    And Griezmann believes that Messi’s missed spot kick and a couple of other wasted opportunities did not help the team’s course of upturning the result.

    The Frenchman told the press, “It’s a real shame, I’d say there were four clear-cut opportunities plus the penalty.

    “If you don’t put them away, it’s harder later in the game. Nevertheless, It was a completely different contest to the first leg.

    “In the end, it wasn’t to be but we gave it everything we had. It’s also true that [PSG goalkeeper, Navas] Keylor had a great game for them tonight – congratulations to him.”

  • Messi, Ronaldo end 16-year streak after Juventus, Barcelona crash out

    Messi, Ronaldo end 16-year streak after Juventus, Barcelona crash out

    Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2004/2005 season.

    Messi and Barcelona were sent packing at the last-16 stage by Paris Saint-Germain, who drew 1-1 with the Spanish side on Wednesday, to seal a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

    A day before, Porto stunned Juventus and Ronaldo, to advance on away goals in Turin.

    The last time both Messi and Ronaldo missed the last eight of the competition, Barca were eliminated by Chelsea in the last 16.

    Ronaldo, who was with Manchester United at the time, lost to AC Milan in the round of 16.

    Overall, Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, while Messi has won the competition on four occasions – most recently in 2014-15.

  • Messi could face four game ban for red card

    Messi could face four game ban for red card

    Lionel Messi could face a four-match ban after being sent off for taking a swipe at Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in Sunday’s Spanish Supercopa final.

    Barca lost 3-2 despite twice taking the lead through Antoine Griezmann, who afterward said he was “p***ed off” at what transpired in Seville.

    Koeman said he could empathise with Messi’s frustration, saying the 33-year-old was fouled constantly during the clash against Athletic.

    “I can understand what Messi did,” said Koeman, quoted by ESPN.

    “I don’t know how many times they fouled him, and it’s normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”

    Messi will now be suspended for two games but the ban could be doubled when the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s competition committee meets this week to discuss it.

    The forward will miss Thursday’s Copa de Rey trip to face third-tier Cornella and Sunday’s La Liga game away to Elche.

    He could also miss the next round of the Copa if Barca progress, and the visit of Bilbao in La Liga on January 31.

    Messi had passed a late fitness to start Sunday’s Supercopa final, after missing the semi-final victory over Real Sociedad.

    Barca had gone into the game unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and looked set to make it 10 when Griezmann struck twice.

    But the French striker was denied his first trophy since joining Barca after his goals were cancelled out by strikes from Oscar De Marcos, Villalibre and Inaki Williams.

    “I am pissed off, angry, annoyed,” Griezmann told reporters after the defeat.

    “I have all the bad feelings you can have after losing a final. We made mistakes at set plays, we defended poorly, we didn’t speak at free-kicks. They’re important details.”

    Messi’s first red card in 753 for Barcelona was the fourth of his career overall.

    He has been sent off twice playing for Argentina, including on his debut in 2005, and was dismissed during a Barca B game the same year.

  • La Liga: Messi, Griezmann score twice as Barca thrash Granada 4-0

    La Liga: Messi, Griezmann score twice as Barca thrash Granada 4-0

    Lionel Messi is back in form and Barcelona are finding their feet after a 4-0 demolition of Granada on Saturday put them within four points of the top of La Liga.

    Messi scored twice to make it four goals in three matches since the turn of the year and his resurgence has coincided with an upturn for the team too, this victory Barca’s third on the bounce.

    It puts them in sight of league leaders Atletico Madrid, even if Diego Simeone’s side now have three games in hand.

    Atletico’s match against Athletic Bilbao earlier on Saturday was postponed due to the snowstorm that has engulfed Spain this weekend.

    Messi’s double, the second a sweetly-struck free-kick, came between two strikes from Antoine Griezmann, who is also enjoying a revival after a disappointing 18 months at Camp Nou.

    Some had wondered if Messi would ever get back to his best following an underwhelming start to the season but his latest contribution makes him the league’s top scorer on 11 goals.

    After attempting to leave Barcelona last summer, the 33-year-old’s recovery always felt dependent on him rediscovering his own motivation and focus.

    But Barca coach Ronald Koeman deserves credit for the rejuvenation of players like Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, all of whom have improved significantly in recent matches.

    Barcelona’s recovery has a long way to run, with unresolved issues on and off the pitch very likely to resurface before the end of the season.

    Yet Koeman will hope a corner has been turned and at a good time, with the Champions League last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain to come next month and a large chunk of the league calendar still remaining.

    Barca’s first goal was fortunate, with Roberto Soldado seemingly surprised to have the ball passed at him by Sergio Busquets. Soldado’s lashed clearance saw the ball sliced backwards to Griezmann, who touched and shot past Rui Silva.

    Griezmann was the instigator for the second goal too, the Frenchman driving forward to the edge of the area before transferring inside to Messi. Messi was given the yard he needed to shift onto his left foot and curl home.

    Messi made it three from a similar position, just on the edge of the box, this time the ball was stationary.

    Pedri had been prevented from running into the box and Messi fired the resulting free-kick low, perfectly into the corner.

    Griezmann made it four, firing in a scooped pass from Dembele on the turn. Messi went off with almost half an hour left, his work already done.

    Atletico’s game at home to Athletic Bilbao was called off, with the snowfall in Madrid on Friday the heaviest since 1971.

    Bilbao’s players were unable to land in the city and returned to Bilbao early on Friday evening.

    Seville was among the areas spared the awful weather conditions, with Sevilla able to play against Real Sociedad and win a five-goal thriller 3-2.

    Youssef En-Nesyri grabbed a hat-trick in a frantic match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where four goals were scored in the first 14 minutes before En-Nesyri decided it early in the second half.

    Defeat means Real Sociedad have won only one of their last six matches. They drop to fifth in La Liga, level on points with Sevilla.

  • ‘Messi is not only focused on money’ – Laporta

    ‘Messi is not only focused on money’ – Laporta

    Barcelona can keep hold of Lionel Messi despite their current financial problems, according to Joan Laporta, who insists the club captain is “not only focused on money”.

    Laporta was previously president at Camp Nou from 2003 to 2010, overseeing the early years of Messi’s career, and is now seeking a further term at the helm. 

    The Catalan giants were plunged into a financial crisis by the coronavirus pandemic and it has meant pay levels have been closely examined, re-thought and restructured. 

    Messi is the club’s top earner, but as he approaches the end of his contract, which expires in 2021, there are doubts over whether he will renew. 

    The club’s all-time record scorer wanted to leave before the 2020-21 season and may again tell Barcelona he intends to depart, although Laporta dearly wants the Argentine forward to stay. 

    Laporta says other clubs may have more money to tempt Messi, but they do not have the kinship with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner that would make a split so difficult to bear. 

    “We will use all our skills to keep Messi with us,” Laporta told Radio MARCA

    “Leo is not only focused about money. It will be a good economic proposal, but we will not reach what other clubs can offer. 

    “I have a very good relationship with Leo. He wants Barcelona. I am convinced that he is looking forward to a proposal from the new president. 

    “It is going to be based mainly on a competitive squad that can win the Champions League. If I make this proposal, I will fulfil it; I am lucky to have Leo’s credibility. 

    “Now is not the time to talk about Messi, and for that I have to be president.”

    Inevitably, however, it is Messi’s future which is dominating the elections, because of the clamour among supporters for him to re-sign. He has been linked with a host of teams, most recently Paris Saint-Germain. 

    In January, Messi will be free to negotiate with other clubs. For the elections to fall in the same month is a savage twist, and means each candidate will be expected to have not only a stance on Messi’s future, but a stance that appeals to club members and to Messi himself. 

    It is far from the only matter for each candidate to address, yet it is an unavoidably seismic topic. 

    As Laporta told the radio station, Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus was different because he had already played at Sporting CP and Manchester United, but Messi is a one-club player. 

    “Leo’s case is singular. He would be one of the few players like Pele who has only played for one team,” Laporta said, setting aside Santos legend Pele’s time at the New York Cosmos.

    Laporta’s campaign took a theatrical turn on Tuesday when he unveiled a giant poster of himself next to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu home. 

    The poster features an image of Laporta and bears the caption: “Looking forward to seeing you again.” 

    It was a creative stunt that drew the global attention Laporta craved, and he explained it by saying: “Madrid is an electoral zone and we had to come. It was a nice move, from the point of view of good faith. It has a point of irony, it is nice.”

  • I never saw Messi as a rival – Ronaldo

    I never saw Messi as a rival – Ronaldo

    Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he never saw Lionel Messi as a rival after Juventus brushed past Barcelona in the Champions League.

    Ronaldo converted two penalties and Weston McKennie also scored at Camp Nou, where Juve claimed a 3-0 win and top spot in Group G on Tuesday.

    Messi had a game-high 11 shots, including seven on target, but Barca fell as he faced Ronaldo – who starred during nine seasons in La Liga with Real Madrid – once more.

    READ ALSO: Barcelona leave Messi to fight Ronaldo’s Juventus all alone

    Ronaldo, who shared a brief embrace with Messi before the clash, said there was no rivalry between the two all-time greats.

    “I have always had a very cordial relationship with him,” the Juve star told Movistar.

    “I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.

    “He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.

    “But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him. I see him as always.”

    Since 2003-04, Messi’s seven shots on target were the most a player has had in a single Champions League match without scoring. His 11 in total was also the most in a game without scoring in the competition.

    But Ronaldo scored his first goals against Barca in the Champions League (in his sixth appearance) and 133rd and 134th goals in the competition.

    “Barcelona are going through a difficult time, but it is still Barcelona,” Ronaldo said.

    “The truth is that we are very happy, we knew it was an almost impossible mission, it was a complicated mission and we played well.

    “The key was to get into the game well, we scored two early and from there we believed it was possible.”

    Juventus are yet to lose in the Serie A this season but have drawn of their 10 matches to sit in fourth position – six points behind current leaders Milan.

    Having progressed out of the Champions League as group winners, the Old Lady will now turn their attention to a road trip to Genoa in the league on Sunday.

  • Barcelona leave Messi to fight Ronaldo’s Juventus all alone

    Barcelona leave Messi to fight Ronaldo’s Juventus all alone

    Barcelona’s interim president, Carles Tusquets, does not have the power to sack the coach – and that’s the only reason Ronald Koeman is still in a job right now.

    Make no mistake about it: In a normal season, the Dutchman would be gone. But this isn’t a normal season and Barca are in an extraordinary situation, an unprecedented mess.

    Koeman, of course, is not wholly responsible for the Catalans’ many problems – far from it.

    However, while he knew he was being dealt a bad hand when he agreed to take over as coach after a summer of total chaos at Camp Nou, he’s played it horribly.

    READ ALSO: Ronaldo hails Juventus after dominating Messi’s Barcelona

    Granted, Barca were already through to the last 16 of the Champions League before Tuesday’s night’s shambolic 3-0 loss at home to an average Juventus team, but now they’ve given away their top seeding to the Bianconeri, meaning the Blaugrana will face a group winner in the knockout stage.

    No matter who they draw, Barca have little chance of going through – not Koeman’s Barca anyway. He’s not influencing games in any positive way, shape or form. Not once this season have they come from behind to win, and they never looked like doing so here.

    Of course, Koeman could well be fired by February – if the cash-strapped Catalans can afford the pay-off. That’s certainly not a given.

    But one wonders how long it will be after the elections on January 24 before the new president decides that a change of coach is essential – because this can’t be allowed to continue.

    Whatever hope Barca had of convincing Messi to stay is all but over. It would require remarkable powers of persuasion to convince the six-time Ballon d’Or winner that he can claim another trophy playing for this team, under this coach. Don’t be surprised if he pushes to move again in January.

    He’s been accused of already throwing in the towel, of course, but that’s unfair. He was once again Barca’s best player against Juve. He had more shots (11), more shots on target (seven), more touches (125) and more duels (19) than any other player on the pitch.

    It’s almost as if he’s trying too hard because while he ended with no goals, his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo scored two, both from the penalty spot, after taking just three shots in total.

    And that’s the difference between these two living legends at the minute. Messi is playing for a team in decline under Koeman, while Juve are improving under Andrea Pirlo.

    Barca had the better of all the most important match stats except the one that really counts, on the scoreboard. That’s because this team specialises in the kind of self-destruction that their board has become famous for.

    The first penalty may have been harsh but it was a clumsy challenge from a young defender (Ronald Araujo) only starting because Barca are so painfully short of cover at the back, which is why Clement Lenglet is now showing the effects of playing all the time.

    A centre-half once renowned for his reliability has morphed into an accident waiting to happen, so it came as no surprise when the clearly mentally fatigued Frenchman literally handed Ronaldo another penalty in the second half.

    In truth, Juve didn’t do much after an impressive opening quarter in which they unsurprisingly overwhelmed Koeman’s two-man midfield, but then, they didn’t have to over-extend themselves, and that’s become a recurring theme of Barca’s campaign under Koeman. Defend well against this Barca and you’re always likely to be gifted a goal.

    Remember, they went into this game on the back of a farcical 2-1 loss at Cadiz that has left them ninth in La Liga, an embarrassing 12 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

    The one supposed saving grace for Koeman after Barca’s worst start to a Spanish season in 32 years was their perfect record in the Champions League.

    However, Barca’s group was desperately weak, with Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros the quintessential whipping boys, and Juve in transition under rookie coach Pirlo.

    Thanks to their earlier, Messi-inspired win in Turin, the Blaugrana could have been beaten 2-0 on Tuesday and still topped the group. In the end, though, they were lucky to only lose by three goals.

    Just like Koeman is lucky he can’t be sacked for somehow making a bad situation at Barcelona even worse.