We already know that Lionel Messi's ball control is second to none.
Apparently the folks at Masterclass.com have hired him to teach Real Betis how it's done. During Barcelona's 5-0 thrashing of Betis on Sunday, Messi dribbled at one point past so many Real Betis players that the even the Betis fans started applauding. This must feel really, really good if you're a Betis player. We're just guessing.
Walking off the pitch today, face covered in blood after scoring Real Madrid’s sixth goal of the day, Cristiano Ronaldo borrowed his doctor’s phone to check out the damage.
Real Madrid and Arsenal are both having terrible (for them) seasons. Real Madrid are in fourth place in La Liga, which is unacceptable for a club that big. Arsenal are in sixth in the Premier League, and in danger of falling out of the Champions League race altogether. Fortunately, there is a solution that fits both clubs, that would benefit each right now and in the long-term: Arsena Wenger and Zinedine Zidane should switch clubs.
You think this is a joke but it's not.
Arsene Wenger and Zinedine Zidane should switch clubs.
Ronaldinho retired this week. Maybe you’ve heard. We’ve mentioned it a few times. But it’s worth revisiting once more because the Brazilian was one of the most creative footballers to ever play the game. He was, in essence, the Nintendo Labo of soccer.
Barcelona perdió ayer. Sucedió y fue extraño porque no sucede muy a menudo. Pero algunas cosas sucedieron que sí suceden a menudo. Una de esas cosas fue Sergio Busquets arruinando vidas con toda la calma del mundo.
The Barcelona Derby doesn’t exactly set pulses racing outside of Catalonia as FC Barcelona’s dominance over RCD Espanyol has been pretty thorough dating back to 1928. In 206 league matches, Barcelona have won 120 and drawn 42, leaving Espanyol with only 44 victories.
But Wednesday’s Barcelona Derby was played in the Copa del Rey — where the magic happens. The first leg of their quarterfinal matchup at RCDE Stadium saw Barca field a strong starting XI, including Lionel Messi (the all-time leading scorer in the Barcelona Derby with 20 goals), Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique.
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Ángel Moyà had himself one helluva first half. The second-choice keeper behind Jan Oblak kept the first half scoreless with an incredible save on Sevilla’s Sergio Escudero during their Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg. But the Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla match turned when a Moyà howler helped propel the visitors to a 2-1 victory in Spain’s capital city on Wednesday, Atleti’s first loss to a Spanish side at the new Wanda.
When he was in his prime, there were few sights as fun to watch as Ronaldinho with a soccer ball at his feet. He combined dazzling skill with unpredictability and pure joy to form something that was basically the platonic ideal of what a footballer could be. He was flawed, sure, but even his flaws were fun.
Ronaldinho is officially retired now, and to commemorate the occasion La Liga posted a video showing some of Ronaldinho's highlights from his time in Spain. Good God, that man could play soccer.