Madrid, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi continued his sublime form by netting his 31st La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Levante 5-0 on Sunday to regain their three-point lead at the top of the table. The 31-year-old Argentinian arrived in Valencia having scored two free-kicks in last weekend’s derby …
Read More »Messi’s free-kick magic keeps Barca top
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi stole the show with two free-kick goals in a blistering display as Barcelona maintained their lead at the top of La Liga with a thumping 4-0 derby win over Catalan rivals Espanyol. The Argentine superstar curled home two sensational set-pieces and set up …
Read More »Modric tipped to pip French stars to Ballon d’Or and end Ronaldo and Messi era
Paris, France | AFP | The winner of the 2018 Ballon d’Or will be revealed at a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday evening, with Croatia’s Luka Modric and a host of French World Cup winners all hoping to finally end the 10-year duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. …
Read More »Barca’s support cast show their worth as Messi nears return against Inter
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi could make an earlier return than expected against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday but Barcelona have hardly missed him. Four wins out of four, including a stroll past Inter Milan and a hammering of Real Madrid so severe it cost …
Read More »Messi to miss three weeks after fracturing right arm
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi is expected to be out for three weeks after fracturing his right arm during Barcelona’s win over Sevilla on Saturday. Messi will now miss Barca’s Champions League game at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday, as well as the season’s first Clasico four …
Read More »Messi suffers arm injury as Barca put four past Sevilla
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi scored and then went off injured as Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday to move back to the top of La Liga. Messi had to be substituted in the 26th minute at the Camp Nou after falling awkwardly on his right arm, but …
Read More »World Cup expectations a ‘sufferance’ for Argentina, Messi
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Former Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said the ‘Albiceleste’ were saddled with excessive expectations at the World Cup, stifling the performances of his players, including Lionel Messi. Argentina were tipped as possible winners of the tournament in Russia but were eliminated at the knockout phase following …
Read More »Messi hat-trick seals Barca’s 25th title in style
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Barcelona claimed their 25th La Liga title on Sunday as a Lionel Messi hat-trick secured a thrilling 4-2 victory at Deportivo La Coruna that wrapped up the league with four matches to spare. Ernesto Valverde’s men completed a league and cup double after thrashing Sevilla 5-0 …
Read More »UN body names Messi responsible tourism ambassador
Madrid, Spain | AFP | The UN World Tourism Organization said Monday it has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism. “During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the …
Read More »Messi hat-trick helps Barcelona equal record unbeaten streak
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Barcelona equalled the record longest unbeaten run in La Liga history as a Lionel Messi hat-trick inspired the runaway leaders to a 3-1 win over Leganes on Saturday to make it 38 league games unbeaten. The Catalan giants will look to break the record that …
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