How much of soccer is becoming — as the kids would say — an ‘aesthetic?’ And a privileged aesthetic at that.
Here in the U.S., soccer is becoming an elitist sport. We talk about how the newest and most expensive boots are the only way to be like Ronaldo or Messi. Hand me downs are a no-go. If you don’t have the best kits or play for the most expensive clubs then you don’t stand a chance.
The La Liga season restarts Saturday, September 12, and Real Madrid will again be heavy favorites for the title. Los Blancos used a late surge to overtake rivals Barcelona and win the league by five points.
The final 2019-20 La Liga table pic.twitter.com/RBzufwDvDQ
— Goal (@goal) July 19, 2020
Friday’s 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich will undoubtedly see heads roll at Barcelona, from dead man walking Quique Setién to the elderly cohort of Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and Ivan Rakitić.
But the biggest question mark remains the future of Lionel Messi, who dictates his own future following the most humiliating defeat in Barça history.
Argentina's health system is on the verge of collapse as the country is overwhelmed by coronavirus cases. Hospitals are running out of space and resources are few and far between. The country has recorded 246,499 total cases and 4,634 deaths because of the virus. On the whole, South America is at its worst moment yet with the virus.
After six months between the first and second legs, Barcelona took care of business against Napoli on Saturday by winning 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate) to clinch a 13th-straight Champions League quarterfinal appearance.
Lionel Messi led Barcelona, of course, shining even with a sea of defenders harassing him throughout the match. The GOAT had the goal of the game after driving through five defenders and clipping one right by Napoli keeper David Ospina. Messi has now scored against 38 different UCL opponents.
Barcelona’s path to the Champions League quarterfinals looks assured after Lionel Messi put his side up 3-1 on aggregate over Napoli by conjuring a goal from the seat of his pants.
After beating three defenders in Napoli’s area, the chance looked over after Messi lost his balance and was sent tumbling to the floor. However, the 33-year-old brushed the dirt up off his psyche and finished beyond David Ospina while falling over for a second time.
Oh. My. Messi.
Barcelona coach Quique Setien says he is not worried that Saturday's Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Napoli could be his last game in charge of the team.
Setien, 61, saw his side surrender the Spanish title to Real Madrid last month, while the tie with Napoli is on a knife edge after the 1-1 draw in Italy back in February.
The Champions League is finally back on Friday with some crucial Round of 16 second leg ties, as Juventus attempts to comeback against Lyon while Manchester City hopes to maintain a slender advantage against Real Madrid.
Europe's premier club competition is a showcase event for elite talent, and many of the world's best players have demonstrated their abilities under the European lights this season.
To celebrate the Champions League's return, we highlighted the top goal scorers and the most distinguished performers of this season's Champions League.
UEFA has decided to remove pending yellow cards once the Round of 16 is completed for the 2019-20 season. This applies to both the Champions League and the Europa League.
The decision amends articles in the Regulations of the Europa League and the Champions League where yellow cards had been suspended after the quarterfinals.
“Obsession is a young man's game, and my only excuse is that I never grew old.” — Michael Caine