When Brazilian under-23 coach Rogerio Micale suggested that Neymar could one day quit the Brazilian national team due to a lack of respect, the parallels that could be drawn with Lionel Messi’s treatment and subsequent retirement from Argentina’s setup were almost too self-evident.
This is 100 percent, absolutely, undeniably intentional from Lionel Messi. Even if it had been a mis-hit, this would’ve been a world-class goal from Barcelona. As it stands, this bicycle assist from Messi to Luis Suarez is one of the most absurd team goals you’ll ever witness.
Andres Iniesta’s pass over the U.C. Sampdoria defense is perfectly timed — it finds Messi streaming through totally unmarked. But it’s what happens next that’s simply unreal. You can’t create team goals like this in EA Sports’ FIFA, only the real version of Barca can pull off magic like this.
Newly appointed Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza has arrived in Barcelona in an attempt to bring Lionel Messi back into the international fold. The most important task facing Bauza over the coming months is to entreat the former Argentine captain to reconsider his early retirement.
We've all seen Lionel Messi blow past five defenders before slotting the ball beyond the keeper. But have you seen every solo goal that Lionel Messi has ever scored?
Well, thanks to the Messi Magic Youtube channel, you can now watch every...single...one. All 74 of them.
That's right. 19 whole minutes of bamboozling, nutmegging, tackle-shrugging, dribbling, hair-flowing, career-ending, net-rippling, ball-caressing, mind-expanding, hair-raising entertainment.
This is a public service announcement: do not attempt to hug Lionel Messi. It will go poorly for you.
Especially don't attempt to hug Lionel Messi by jumping a barrier and landing at the entrance to the stadium tunnel.
KEEP WALKING
Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/lfnOk696N3— Doentes Por Futebol (@DoentesPFutebol) August 3, 2016
The first half of the Leicester City vs. Barcelona ICC match was a trial by fire for Leicester. For a side looking to make an impression in their first Champions League campaign this season, the ICC has been a wonderful exercise in witnessing the excellence of the competition. It’s only preseason, but Barcelona showed the kind of quality that Europe’s top club competition offers.
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were particularly disrespectful to the English champions — Suarez registering a goal and an assist while Messi contributed two assists in the first half.
Following Tata Martino's resignation after the Copa America Centenario, the Argentina National Team has a new manager: Edgardo Bauza.
Bauza comes to La Albiceleste from Sao Paulo, the same club the Mexico National Team lured their current manager, Juan Carlos Osorio, away from. Bauza, an Argentine, collected three caps for the team he now manages.
Bauza has been a manager for almost 20 years, collecting multiple Copa Libertadores trophies in that time.
Sources from Lionel Messi’s family have told Goal.com that the former Argentina captain will not return for his country’s September World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Venezuela.
Barcelona used some rather unorthodox training methods ahead of their game against Celtic in Dublin Saturday.
The team walked out onto the pitch at St. George's Park expecting maybe some shooting drills or perhaps a little El Rondo action, only to greeted by the sight of a dozen human bubble suits.
That's right folks. The secret to Barcelona's success is intensive rounds of bubble football.
Messi's family has informed Goal that the Argentinian star will not play in the next round of World Cup qualifiers for La Albiceleste after he retired from international duty following the 2016 Copa America Centenario.