Category: Messi

Guardiola sure Messi will beat César Rodríguez’s club record.

Josep Guardiola the  Barcelona coach has said that he is sure that Messi will beat the record held by César Rodríguez and has said.

“The most important thing is that we’re through to the next phase and evidently in our next game against AC Milan we’ll be fighting for top spot in the group.”

“We’re very satisfied to be in the next round with a couple of games to spare. European competition isn’t easy, especially at this stage of the season. It’s normal that you can underestimate opponents but at this level it takes a lot of effort. Just look at Milan’s tonight playing away at BATE. It’s always hard and I have to admit that in the past, Kazan and Kyiv were great learning curves for me.”

“We have to congratulate Leo for once again scoring goals. He has scored his 202nd goal  at just 24 years of age which says it all really. I am convinced he will beat César Rodríguez’s club record  but I don’t know if he’ll do it this season; it depends on how we do in the rest of the campaign but you can’t rule it out.”

“As coaches, we are here to help players like him and others. I tried to move him closer to the area when I arrived at the club; I knew I had to put him in the centre is also conscious that without his team-mates and the people around him none of this would be possible.”

Leo Messi “A third hat trick is very difficult”

Two days after scoring his second hat trick in a row, the 13th of his career, and 200 goals as Barca Player – Leo Messi attended a promotional event for Adidas The world’s No. 1 does not reject any questions.

Is it true that you and Villa are not speaking, as published Superdeporte?

This was a surprise for us, this news. I dont know where it came out. The Guaje and I get along very well, as with other colleagues, both inside and outside the locker room. There is nothing to say about that because we dont know anything, and does not worry us.

What did you make of the interpretations of criticism you received for not scoring in three games?

I neither know nor do I care if I wanted to annoy criticizers.

You have always professed undying love for Barça. What would happen if you were to go away from here?

For money I will never leave Barca never. I would go if the club wants me again that my performance was not the mismoo the club or people doubted me, but otherwise I do not look outside.

La Liga – Strike action ended in Spain

The strike action that delayed the Spanish season’s start has now ended, and the weekend’s games will go ahead as planned.

The Spanish league (LFP) and the players’ union (AFE) have struck an agreement which means the season can start on Saturday.

A date has not yet been set for last week’s cancelled games to be played on.

The union demanded greater protection for players’ wages that have not been paid at clubs that have gone into financial administration.

The AFE says around 50 million euros ($72m) is owed to 200 footballers from the end of last season.

Barça will play against Villarreal at Camp Nou on August 29th. A chance to finally see Barça and Lionel Messi play football again 🙂

Barcelona FC vs Villareal CF  (Compare prices for tickets)
Date: August 29th 2011
Venue: Camp Nou stadium, Barcelona, Spain

Pep Guardiola has admitted the champions are finding it hard to complete deals for new players.

Barca has tried three times to re-sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, and their attempts at Alexis Sanchez are also becoming a drawn-out affair.

Pep Guardiola said on Catalunya Radio: “Now the situation about moves for reinforcements is very complicated, but I’m hopeful it will become clear in the next few days.

“I’m always optimistic.”

The addition of these two players would be excellent news for FC Barcelona. Cesc will complement one, if not the best, midfield in the world (Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets), while Sanchez would bring young talent to the attacking cast around Lionel Messi.

Messi steps up for Argentina

“We had a change of mentality and game above all, we were more mobile, Messi brilliant and I’m satisfied with the commitment and play of the team which is what we’re looking for,” coach Sergio Batista said.

Argentina will learn later on Tuesday who they will meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

But Batista told a news conference: “We have players to face any national team”.
“We did it against Costa Rica who until a short while ago were a fantastic team who played very well but you also have to look at Argentina, because what they did was very good”.

“Today we changed our tactics a bit giving Lionel the right side” said Batista.

“We bet on three forwards and it worked, we got our organisation sorted and we played the game we want.”

“I want to defend Messi,” says Maradona

“The national team didn’t attack at all (in the 0-0 draw with Colombia) and we blame him; we are being very unfair to Messi when I hear all those idiots slamming him.” Maradona said.
“I spoke to him during the week and I told him to remain calm,”
“Before the 1986 World Cup I was a disaster and I was criticised by 80 per cent of the journalists. Later, there wasn’t one who didn’t ask me for a story, so I can understand what’s going on.”
“I wish the best in the world to all of the boys who were with me at the World Cup and all of the other players,” he said.
“But not to the others.”

‘To me, Pele is the best,’ says Pele

Maradonna said it best – Pele is a dinosaur. Regardless­ who is the best, and I still think Messi has what it­ takes to eclipse Pele, he should have a little more­ respect for a player than to be lambasting him in­ public. And what is this addressing himself in the­ third person all about. Stop taking the blue tablets­ Pele, its messing with your head.

Take a look at what he said about our beloved Messi below and make up your own mind.

“Messi better than Pele? To get there he needs to score more than 1283 goals,” said the 70-year old.

“Neymar has great talent. I hope Neymar doesn’t end up like Messi, who plays so well for his club but does nothing for his country,” said Pele.

“Nobody did what Pele did. Being champion of the world at 17 years old, won three World Cups, scored more than 1,208 goals – only him! Then until now, nobody did this… to me, Pele is the best,” he said (Pele).

Messi plays down ‘assault’

Barcelona star Lionel Messi played down an incident in which someone tried to punch him outside a restaurant in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

“I wasn’t even touched,” Messi said after a punch thrown by a youth wearing a hoodie failed to make contact.

“I didn’t feel a thing and I only found out after all the kerfuffle it was nothing,” Messi told sports daily Ole from Rosario, 300 km north of Buenos Aires.

On holiday after another brilliant season in which he helped Barcelona win the Champions League, Messi left the restaurant with friends and was surrounded by autograph hunters.

Argentine media, who gave the incident massive coverage, said Messi’s aggressor was a fan of Rosario Central, arch-rivals of Newell’s Old Boys, where the 23-year-old spent his formative years before joining Barcelona some 10 years ago.

“We’re taking photos and we see the arm and he dodges it. (Messi) did not react badly, he left walking and got into the (car),” witness Carolina told the TV news channel C5N.

Messi will report to national team coach Sergio Batista on June 8 to begin training for next month’s Copa America hosted by Argentina.
Reuters

Man Utd v Barcelona

A look at the probable Champions League final teams, with marks out of 10 for each player, the benches and the managers for Manchester United and Barcelona.

Wembley

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

After 30-plus years of success and 47 trophies, it says a lot about Ferguson that it still bothers him that he has ‘only’ won the Champions League twice. Could not find a way to better Guardiola’s Barca in 2009, and is desperate to make amends. – 9/10

1-Edwin van der Sar – Goalkeeper – age 40

The great Dutchman is going for his third Champions League winner’s medal, having won with Ajax and United. He retires after the game, and will be a huge loss to United thanks to his aerial dominance, distribution and agility – 8/10

20-Fabio – Right-back – age 20

Has replaced twin Rafael as Ferguson’s preferred right-back, although John O’Shea is also an option. Fabio offers far greater attacking threat and complete commitment in the tackle, but he can be caught out of position – 6/10

5-Rio Ferdinand – Centre-back – age 32

When fully fit, Ferdinand is one of the best defenders in the world. Unfortunately, those occasions are increasingly rare due to a chronic back complaint. Any lack of mobility is sure to be exposed by Messi – 8/10

15-Nemanja Vidic – Centre-back – age 29

Vidic claimed one of several Premier League Player of the Season awards last week, and has been a tower of strength for United in an often tricky season. His physical presence, coolness under pressure and absolute determination are immense – 9/10

3-Patrice Evra – Left-back – age 30

The full-back shrugged off the debacle of his France captaincy at the World Cup with another fine season at club level. Fit, strong and as effective going forward as in his defensive duties – 8/10

25-Antonio Valencia – Right midfield – age 25

After missing six months with a broken ankle, Valencia has quickly established himself as a key player for United, ousting Nani from Ferguson’s starting XI. Less skilful than Nani, but more disciplined and a more consistent crosser – 7/10

16-Michael Carrick – Central midfield – age 29

A great survivor, Carrick has ridden a prolonged spell of underperformance and come through the other side with some key contributions at the business end of the season. A fine passer, Carrick needs to ensure his tackles have maximum bite – 6/10

11-Ryan Giggs – Central midfield – age 37

Will be glad to return to the back pages after the most turbulent week of his 20-year career. Giggs rarely lets situations faze him, and Ferguson will be relying on the old stager to offer control, as he did in the title-clinching win against Chelsea – 8/10

13-Park Ji-Sung – Left midfield – age 30

Derided as a ‘marketing’ buy when he arrived from PSV Eindhoven, the Korean has won over the doubters with his incredible appetite for work and his knack of rising to the big occasion. Though a natural attacker, his biggest task will be at the defensive end – 7/10

10-Wayne Rooney – Forward – age 25

After a prolonged slump, Rooney is finally back to his best and enjoying a withdrawn forward role. Hernandez’s introduction has been crucial, as the Mexican stretches the game and allows Rooney space to operate – 9/10

14-Javier Hernandez – Forward age 22

Hailed as the ‘buy of the century’ by Rooney, that description might be pushing it but Hernandez’s impact on United’s season has been huge. His searing pace, intelligent movement and unerring finishing have brought him 19 goals in his debut season – 7/10

Substitutes from: Tomasz Kuszczak, John O’Shea, Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Paul Scholes, Nani, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen – 8/10

TOTAL SCORE (out of 130): 100

BARCELONA

Manager: Pep Guardiola

The Barca playing legend takes a low-key approach to coaching, and you can understand why. When you have players as good as this, there’s no need to over-complicate things. Has achieved the notable distinction of rattling Jose Mourinho – 8/10

1-Victor Valdes – Goalkeeper – age 29

A solid performer, Valdes is one of eight youth team products who could start at Wembley. United will look to test Valdes’s possible weakness under high balls. Like Van der Sar, his distribution is excellent – 7/10

2-Daniel Alves – Right-back – age 28

A worthy heir to Brazil’s flying full-backs Roberto Carlos and Cafu, Alves’s pace and fitness allow him virtually to play two positions at the same time. As an advanced winger, he links up particularly well with Messi – 9/10

3-Gerard Pique – Centre-back – age 24

Let go by United in 2008, Pique has blossomed into a spectacular ball-playing centre-back who has drawn comparisons with Franz Beckenbauer. A cultured foil to the uncomplicated Puyol, Pique is a key player for club and country – 8/10

5-Carles Puyol – Centre-back – age 32

The beating heart of Barcelona, Puyol’s wild-haired captain’s symbolic importance outweighs his ability. Though not a bad player, he is vulnerable to extreme pace and can be bamboozled by skilful opponents. But nobody is braver – 7/10

22-Eric Abidal – Left-back – age 31

European football’s feel-good story of the season, Abidal has made a remarkable recovery from surgery on a liver tumour in March. A slight question-mark remains over his match sharpness – Maxwell is ready to deputise if necessary – 7/10

16-Sergio Busquets – Defensive midfield – age 22

For many, Busquets represents the dark side of Barcelona’s beautiful game. Primarily a destroyer, Busquets’ willingness to go to almost absurd lengths to win a free-kick, exaggerate contact and incite opponents grates with neutrals – 7/10

6-Xavi – Central midfield – age 31

The best passer in the world, bar none. Xavi is the man who sets the tempo for Barca, touching the ball more than any other player and nearly always finding an opponent. A supreme creator, he makes his team-mates better – and they are already pretty good – 9/10

8-Andres Iniesta – Central midfield – age 27

The 27-year-old inhabits a world somewhere between Xavi and Messi – a nightmare to defend because he can pass, dribble and shoot with equal quality. His goal knocked Chelsea out in the 2009 semi-final, and he scored the winner in the World Cup final. A big-game player – 9/10

17-Pedro – Forward – age 23

The winger has had his season interrupted by injury, but at his effervescent best he can be a thorn in the side of any defender. He is a tireless worker who likes to run directly at opponents. Has 21 goals this season, four in Europe – 7/10

10-Lionel Messi – Forward – age 23

How good is the best player in the world? If he scores on Saturday, Messi will take his tally to 100 goals in the last two seasons. Oh, and he has also assisted over 20 goals this season. Messi, Iniesta and Xavi were the top three in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting – 10/10

7-David Villa – Forward – age 29

Spain’s record scorer ended the season with an uncharacteristic goal drought, hitting just once in 16 games. United have instructed Michael Owen to ‘impersonate’ Villa’s movement, cutting inside from the left, in training – 8/10

Substitutes from: Ruben Mino, Maxwell, Adriano, Seydou Keita, Javier Mascherano, Ibrahim Afellay, Bojan Krkic – 7/10

TOTAL SCORE (out of 130): 103

The highest earning players/managers in football today

The 10 highest-earning footballers

  1. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – £26.9 million
  2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – £23.9m
  3. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – £18m
  4. Kaka (Real Madrid) – £16.7m
  5. David Beckham (LA Galaxy) – £16.5m
  6. Ronaldinho (Flamengo) – £15.9m
  7. Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) – £13.4
  8. Frank Lampard (Chelsea) – £12.3m
  9. Yaya Toure (Manchester City) – £11.9m
  10. Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) – £11.5m

The five highest-earning managers

  1. Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid) – £11.7m
  2. Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) – £9.1m
  3. Rafael Benitez (ex-Inter Milan) – £8.8m
  4. Fabio Capello (England) – £7.4m
  5. Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) – £6m

Champions League 09/10: FC Barcelona to face VfB Stuttgart

FC Barcelona will face the German team of Stuttgart in the last 16 of the 2009-2010 Champions League. The first leg will be played in Germany on the 23rd of February, and FC Barcelona will host the German team at Camp Nou on the 17th of March.

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Champions League: FC Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kiev

FC Barcelona won an easy match against Dynamo Kiev in the 2nd round of the Champions League (2-0) Messi and Pedro both scored.

FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal; Xavi, Touré (Busquets, min.68), Keita; Messi, Ibrahimovic (Jeffrén, min.85), Iniesta (Pedro, min.46)

Dynamo Kiev: Shovkovskiy; Eremenko, Khacheridi, Leandro Almeida, Magrao (Betao, min.73); Yussuf (Ghioane, min.46), Vukojevic; Gusev (Ninkovic, min.86), Shevchenko, Yamolenko, Milevskiy

Goals: 1-0, min.25: Messi. 2-0, min.76: Pedro

Venue: Camp Nou Stadium. Attendance: 68.221

Deportivo – FC Barcelona 1-1

Review of the football match Deportivo La Coruña – FC Barcelona – 30th of May 2009

Four days after their win in the Champions League Final against Manchester United, FC Barcelona was playing their last match of the Spanish League season at the Riazor against Deportivo La Coruña. Eto’o scored his 30th goal of the season in the second last minute of the game.

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