Are you gripped with International Champions Cup fever yet? Because Miami sure as hell is — or at least ticket sellers on the secondary market are. Miami’s newly refurbished Hard Rock Stadium will play host to the second-ever meeting outside of Spain between Real Madrid and Barcelona on July 29 in the ICC.
Barcelona defeated 10-man Valencia 4-2 on Sunday to cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga to two points although Zidane’s men maintain a game in hand. A Lionel Messi brace propelled Barca at the Camp Nou, taking him over 40 goals in all competitions for the eighth consecutive season.
Lionel Messi: Has scored 40+ goals in all competitions for Barcelona for the eighth season in a row #FCBValencia
"Bicho" is Spanish for "bug".
Bicho, a player in the Spanish third division, put his own twist on the scorpion kick with this excellent goal:
Stunning scorpion kick goal by Racing Ferrol's Bicho of the Spanish 3rd tier! (Via Galicia) pic.twitter.com/kcTBxHl0EN
— PlayerPro (@PlayerProSoccer) March 17, 2017
Ten years ago today, a roguish little imp touched down in the Camp Nou and began to do things with the football that this planet had never seen before. It’s said that he was 19 years of age at the time, and his well shampooed mop of hair, preciously pushed back with a hairband, and wiry frame do allude to an awkward period in life, but to highlight your greatness at such a tender age by scoring a hat trick against Real Madrid in El Clasico, that defies all notions we have of the effect of time on a person.
Bayern Munich will be losing a legendary player in Xabi Alonso. The Spanish midfield general has announced his decision to retire at the end of the season.
Lived it. Loved it.
Farewell beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 9, 2017
La Liga's title race has become extremely tight after last week’s midweek games, which saw Real Madrid dramatically drop points at home to Las Palmas while Barcelona and Sevilla both enjoyed wins to collect three valuable points.
Although they still have a match in hand, Real Madrid now trail the Catalans in the table.
We're not going to wax poetic about Messi because we've done that many times already. La Pulga tore up Celta Vigo's defense to give Barcelona an early lead Saturday.
GOOOAL!! Leo Messi right on point. @FCBarcelona 1-0 vs. @RCCelta. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/m1hmFDLH1H
After a difficult November and December that saw him go nine La Liga matches without a goal at one point, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is quietly regaining the form that saw him tear up the European Championship and the opening fixtures of La Liga.
Griezmann salvaged a point for Atletico against Deportivo on Thursday after deciding that his two exchanged passes constituted a sufficient buildup and so hammered one from almost 30 yards out. The shot flew over the goalkeeper and into the right-hand corner.