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 …
Read More »Messi rescues unbeaten Barca as Bale double propels Real
Seville, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi rescued Barcelona’s unbeaten season on Saturday as the La Liga leaders scored twice in the last three minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw at Sevilla. Messi came off the bench with his team two goals down at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Luis …
Read More »Argentina have a ‘debt’ to settle at World Cup – Messi
Buenos Aires, Argentina | AFP | Argentina captain Lionel Messi admitted Monday that his generation has a score to settle at the World Cup in Russia after a series of agonising near misses in major tournaments. “The debt we owe is to ourselves, not to the people. We always give …
Read More »Messi takes Barcelona 11 points clear, Ronaldo hits four
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi delivered another masterful performance as Barcelona sailed past Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Sunday to take an 11-point lead over nearest rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga. After putting Chelsea to the sword in the Champions League midweek, Messi scored for the sixth game …
Read More »Messi hits Champions League century in emphatic Barca win over Chelsea
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona hailed Lionel Messi as ‘The King’ and he handed Chelsea the royal punishment by scoring twice to reach 100 Champions League goals and end their quarter-final hopes. After unfurling a banner showing the words ‘God Save The King’ before kick-off, Barca’s fans were celebrating …
Read More »Barcelona stroll past Malaga without Messi
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Lionel Messi was away attending the birth of his son but Barcelona still had more than enough to beat 10-man Malaga 2-0 on Saturday and move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. Messi was watching the game on a television in hospital …
Read More »‘Experts’ to the fore as Ronaldo, Messi again rule in Europe
Paris, France | AFP | As the stakes mounted in the Champions League, the usual suspects once more rose to the occasion with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski starring in the last 16, first legs. Season after season, these preeminent performers deliver on the biggest stages and administer …
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