Back in January, Pep Guardiola was asked by a reporter if he thought Sergio Agüero was the world’s best No. 9. Guardiola’s response was classic: “The best is Messi. Messi is (the best) number nine, number 10, number 11, number seven, number six, number five, number four…”
Reports out of Spain this week have suggested Lionel Messi is done with Barcelona. Upset over contract negotiations and a sputtering title challenge, Spanish radio network Cadena Ser has reported the Argentine is ready to leave the only club he’s ever known as a professional.
Lionel Messi is ready to leave Barcelona in 2021, according to reports.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a 2-2 draw on Tuesday. Diego Costa opened up the scoring in the 11th minute with an unfortunate own goal.
BARCELONA — Barcelona gave up more ground to Real Madrid in LaLiga's title race on Tuesday after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid as a late penalty from Saul Niguez canceled out Lionel Messi's 700th career goal.
The draw meant the Catalans stayed second in the standings on 70 points and leaders Real Madrid, who have 71, will go four points clear at the top with five games left if they beat Getafe at home on Thursday.
Barcelona coach Quique Setién has said he does not always see eye-to-eye with his squad as their LaLiga title bid threatens to unravel following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo.
Second-placed Barça trail Real Madrid by two points with six games to go and face a grueling match at home to third-placed Atlético Madrid on Tuesday which they need to win to stay in close contention in the title race.
"It's true that you often have arguments with players as you do in everyday life and that's nothing new," Setién told a virtual news conference on Monday.
Celta Vigo had 11 players behind the ball as Lionel Messi set up for a free kick just outside the box. Everyone expected the Argentine to shoot. Instead he picked out Luis Suarez with a pinpoint assist. Despite the impressive Messi assist to Suarez, however, Celta Vigo nicked a 2-2 draw to further hamper Barcelona’s title hopes on Saturday.
The Blaugrana looked strong for much of the match, especially when Messi set up a go-ahead goal in the 20th minute.
In the U.S. there have been several star athletes who managed to go professional in two different sports. Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders stick out for their abilities to be dominant in football and baseball. Even Michael Jordan tried his hand in baseball. While the majority of soccer players aren’t exactly known for their abilities with their hands, that doesn’t mean some of Europe’s best couldn’t succeed elsewhere.
Here is a list of top soccer players that could succeed in another sport.
MALLORCA — LaLiga's organising body has said it is filing for criminal action against the man who ran on to the pitch during Real Mallorca's behind-closed-doors match against Barcelona on Saturday to try to get a photo with Lionel Messi.
The fan, wearing an Argentina shirt with Messi's name and number 10 on the back, breached strict security measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus by going onto the pitch early in the second half.
Lionel Messi set up two goals and scored one himself as Barcelona returned to the pitch and returned to the win column on Saturday. Three months after LaLiga halted play due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Blaugrana had few problems beating relegation-threatened Mallorca 4-0.
Messi was in the middle of three of the four goals and debuted his adorable new quarantine haircut.