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Tag: Lionel Messi

  • Rohr: why I didn’t vote Lionel Messi

    SUPER Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has sensationally revealed why he snubbed eventual winner Argentine Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi for the 2019 Best FIFA Men’s Player award.

    Incidentally, only one of Rohr’s choices in the shape of Dutch and Liverpool’s ace defender, Van Dijk Virgil, made the final shortlist of three players along with Messi and Ronaldo; while his other two choices Mbappé Kylian and Hazard Eden were overlooked.

    But the German coach has shed light on his preferences, arguing he didn’t see any player better than Mbappe in the year under review after the youngster helped PSG finished the season as Ligue 1 champions while also finishing the season as the top goal scorer with 33 goals.

    “Yes, I was impressed (with The Best FIFA Awards Gala in Milan),” the 66-year-old Rohr told NationSport. “But for me, Mbappe was the best one.”

    Speaking further, Rohr who was a defender in his heyday with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga said he was enthralled with the defensive qualities of Liverpool’s Virgil.

    “Of course, Van Dijk is a fantastic defender and (I picked) Hazard for a great season,” he noted.

    Meanwhile, 2019 Best FIFA Men’s Player award winner, Messi has enthused that his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo does not extend beyond the pitch when pressed by FIFA’s website on his recent camaraderie with the Portuguese international.

    “People perhaps think the rivalry goes beyond football, but it doesn’t,” noted Messi after winning his record title as world’s best player. “We both want what’s best for our teams and neither of us like losing; it’s something we don’t accept.

    “That’s why there’s that competitiveness between us. The important thing is that it stays there, out on the pitch,” the Argentine said.

  • UPDATED: Messi wins 2019 FIFA Best player award

    Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi has been named 2019 The Best FIFA Men’s Player

    The Argentine beat Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo to scoop the prize.

    Messi sealed the victory after leading Barcelona to yet another La Liga title last campaign, his 10th since breaking through with the club.

    He scored 51 goals across 50 appearances for the Catalan side, marking his 10th consecutive season with at least 40 finishes.

    Monday’s ceremony signalled the fourth time the prize had been presented, having previosuly been merged with France Football ‘s Ballon d’Or, with Real Madrid’s Champions League successes dominating the award’s early history.

    Ronaldo had won the award in 2016 and 2017, having led his team to Champions League crowns, with Messi finishing second in the voting in each season.

    Luka Modric then took home the trophy in 2018 following yet another Champions League triumph, the club’s third in a row, as well as a run to the World Cup final with Croatia in Russia.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Lionel Messi crowned FIFA best player for 2019

    There was no stopping Messi, this year, though, as he was also named to the FIFA Men’s World XI alongside Van Dijk, Ronaldo, Modric, Alisson Becker, Marcelo, Matthijs de Ligt, Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe.

    It wasn’t all successful for the Barca star, though, as 18-year-old Hungarian Daniel Zsori topped Messi’s strike against Real Betis to claim the Puskas Award.

    In the women category, Megan Rapinoe won the player award – ahead of fellow American Alex Morgan and England’s Lucy Bronze.

    Rapinoe, 34, claimed the Golden Ball for being the best player at the 2019 Women’s World Cup as she helped the United States win the competition.

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also won the men’s coach of the year.

    Klopp beat Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino to win the prize, after leading Liverpool to winning the 2019 UEFA Champions League final in June, and finisghing second place in the English Premier League

  • Messi may miss Dortmund clash

    LIONEL Messi still remains doubtful as Barcelona visit Borussia Dortmund in today’s UEFA Champions League at the Signal Iduna Park.

    The Catalans go into the clash off the back of a 5-2 victory against Valencia on Saturday, with Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez scoring after 16-year-old Ansu Fati had grabbed the opener. Prior to the win, La Blaugrana had managed a solitary triumph in La Liga this term.

    The Germans crushed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in the Bundesliga to record their third league win of the season. Lucien Favre watched his side tear their opponents apart in a devastating display that showed they are genuine contenders for Bayern Munich’s throne.

    Read Also: Messi better team player than Salah declares Wenger

    These two teams have only locked horns twice in European competition, with both of those matches coming in the UEFA Super Cup back in 1998.

     

  • Messi better team player than Salah declares Wenger

    Former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has described Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as a complete player who though constantly desires to score but recognises when to allow others do the finishing.

    Wenger who has been out of job since quitting Arsenal last year after 22 years at the Emirates, was reacting to misunderstanding between Liverpool duo of Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah after their 3-0 defeat of Burnley last weekend.

    Salah was involved in a spat with team-mate Sadio Mane in the Reds’ 3-0 win at Burnley, with the Senegal forward furious at his Egyptian team-mate for failing to pass the ball to him to apply a simple tap-in late on.

    Mane was substituted moments later and could not hide his anger over the incident on the touchline as he departed the field.

    Sadio Mane and Mo Salah argue during their tie against Burnley

    Wenger while describing the two feuding players as great players nonetheless criticised Salah for being too selfish in attack.

    The former AS Monaco handler said though the Egypt international has the abilities of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, he unlike Messi, insists on doing the finishing at all times.

    ‘He [Salah] has similarities with Messi,’ Wenger told beIN Sports. ‘He must find the consistency of Messi.

    ‘I find he’s a good finisher but Messi has the complete thing, he gives the final ball as well. ‘Salah is a bit obsessed with finishing himself.

    ‘That’s a dimension he’ll get certainly, when he grows a little bit older, to find the moment when you have to give the ball and when you have to finish. ‘But I like him very much, he has huge potential. Mane as well,” he submitted

    Liverpool who have won all their premier league matches played so far in the new season will next host Newcastle in a tie they have been tipped to win to make it five wins in five matches.

  • MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Virgil Van Dijk pips Messi, Ronaldo

    LIVERPOOL dominated the UEFA awards in Monaco on Thursday evening, as Virgil Van Dijk picke up two awards and Alisson picking up one.

    Van Dijk and Alisson were heavy favourites to win in their respective positions, but the Dutch defender winning the Men’s Player of the Year may well come as a shock, as he beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the major gong.

    Sportsmail takes a look at all the award winners, at the event where the Champions League group stage draw was also revealed.

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK

    Van Dijk picks up the major award, beating Lionel Messi and Crisitano Ronaldo to UEFA’s major men’s gong. Van Dijk had a terrific season, and was integral to the Liverpool side who won the Champions League in Madrid in June.

    He was the PFA Player of the Year last season, but this individual honour may well rank higher given who he was up against.

    LUCY BRONZE

    England and Lyon’s Lucy Bronze won the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. After playing an integral part in Lyon’s run to winning the Women’s Champions League, right back Bronze was a vital cog in the England women’s side which reached the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in France – she scored a memorable long-range goal in the quarter-final against Norway.

    ALISSON BECKER

    Liverpool’s number one was named the 2018/19 UEFA goalkeeper of the year at the awards in Monaco, following a fantastic first season at Anfield.

    Alisson kept a clean sheet in the famous comeback second-leg victory against Barcelona, and made a string of important saves in the final against Tottenham, as Liverpool won the competition for the sixth time.

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK

    Virgil Van Dijk was a colossus at the back for Champions League winners Liverpool last season. The Holland captain scored a crucial away goal in the Reds’ last-16 tie against Bayern Munich, and marshalled the defence all the way to the final, where he was named the official man-of-the-match against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

    Van Dijk can add this award to his PFA Player of the Year prize for last season.

    Midfielder of the 2018/19 Champions League season

    FRENKIE DE JONG

    Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong won the midfielder of the year, after playing a vital part in Ajax’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the competition last season.

    The Dutch giants beat holders Real Madrid in the last-16 after a historic 4-1 win at the Bernabeu, before knocking out Juventus in the quarter-finals. They fell just short in the semis against Tottenham, but de Jong’s performances in the centre of the park earned him a move to Barcelona, for £65million.

    FORWARD OF THE 2018/19 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEASON

    LIONEL MESSI

    Lionel Messi took home the forward of the season award, after scoring 12 goals in 10 Champions League appearances.

    The Argentinean forward scored a sensational free kick in the semi-final first leg against Liverpool, and although he couldn’t quite guide Barcelona to the final, the captain had another brilliant individual season, scoring 50 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions.

  • Messi, Ibrahimovic in running for 2019 Puskas Award

     

    Argentina international and Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi and LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic are in running for this year’s Puskas Award.

    ​FIFA released the 10-player shortlist of nominees Monday. The annual prize handed each year to individual who scores the ‘most beautiful’ goal of the year

    All goals under consideration were scored between 16 July 2018 and 18 July 2019 inclusive, with seven men and three women on the shortlist, the highest number of female nominees in a single year to date. As yet, no woman has ever won the Puskas Award.

    Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend makes the list for his thunderbolt effort against Manchester City last season, as does Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his wonderfully improvised finish for LA Galaxy against Toronto FC back in September.

    Amy Rodriguez’s stunning solo effort for Utah Royals also makes the list, as does Cliftonville Ladies’ Billie Simpson’s strike against Sion Swift Ladies – an incredible volley from the halfway line.

    Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah won last year’s Puskas Award, while other past winners since its creation in 2009 have included Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Olivier Giroud as well as 2019 nominee Ibrahimovic.

    Ibrahimovic nominated for super goal for Galaxy

    Fans will have until midnight (CEST) on 1 September to cast their vote. The public vote will then close and the overall winner will be chosen from the top three by a panel of FIFA Legends.​​

    The winner will be announced at the Best FIFA Football Awards gala in Milan on 23 September

    The full list of 2019 Puskas Award nominees are as follows:

     

    Player                                                                                                                                    Team​

    ​Matheus Cunha                                                                                                       RB Leipzig​

    ​Juan Fernando Quintero                                                                               River Plate​

    ​Zlatan Ibrahimovic                                                                                          ​LA Galaxy

    ​Lionel Messi                                                                                                              Barcelona​

    ​Ajara Nchout                                                                                                            ​Cameroon

    ​Fabio Quaqliarella                                                                                        ​   Sampdoria

    ​Amy Rodriguez                                                                                                       Utah Royals​

    ​Billie Simpson                                                                                                          ​Cliftonville Ladies

    Andros Townsend​                                                                                                  Crystal Palace​

    Daniel Zsori​                                                                                                              Debrecen​

  • UNENDING RIVALRY: Why I am better than Messi- Ronaldo

    It doesn’t really matter whether one is in Jerusalem or Judea, the rivalry between Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina forward Lionel Messi is not one that can end in a jiffy.

    Both players boast of cabinets full of numerous awards from far and near. Their rivalry remains a talking point not only among stakeholders and soccer pundits alike but also among their teeming fans scattered across the globe.

    But like the saying goes out of the abundant of the heart the mouth speaks, which perhaps explains why Ronaldo has finally submitted that he is better than Messi.

    The Juventus forward gave his personal take on the eternal rivalry between them, stating that the difference between the record-breaking pair is that he has won the Champions League with more than one club.

    The debate over who is better – either currently or indeed of all time – reached boiling point during the duo’s shared time in Spain, with Real Madrid and Barcelona fans at odds over which of the world-class stars should be named the best.

    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after netting for Juventus

    A total of five Ballons d’Or each does little to help separate the attackers, but with Messi having spent his entire senior career at Barcelona, Ronaldo hinted that he perhaps puts himself ahead of the Argentine due to his ability to adapt to new surroundings.

    “In the case of Messi, he is an excellent player,” Ronaldo said in DAZN’s series The Making Of.

    “Not only for the Ballons d’Or he has won but for also being a player who was always at the top year after year, just like me.

    “The difference with me is that I’ve played for different clubs and I also won the Champions League with different clubs.

    “I was the top scorer in the Champions League six times in a row.”

    Regardless, Ronaldo continues to harbour great respect for Messi, making it clear that sustained success over a ten-year period for both players should be appreciated for the huge amount of hard work that it takes to stay at the top.

    “Obviously, I have not seen such a rivalry between two players at the top of the mountain for so many years,” the Portugal captain added.

  • Between Obi Mikel and Lionel Messi who deserves more accolades

    Former Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel and current La Albiceleste of Argentina Captain Lionel Messi have indeed come a long way and indeed deserve accolades

    That both players have in the course of the game left their footsteps on the sand of football history is to put it mildly.

    Both players locked horns in quest for honours at the FIFA Under 20 World cup in Netherlands 14 years ago, gingered their teams all the way to the final with Lionel Messi running away with the Golden boot after scoring two penalties against Nigeria and Argentina emerging champions.

    Nigeria’s only goal on that occasion was scored by in the 53rd minute by Chinedu Ogbuke.

    Mikel who only few days ago sealed a two year contract with Turkish premier league side Trabzonspor, the fifth club of his over 15 years football career and Messi who has been described as a one club man haven spent his close to 16 years soccer career with Barcelona all the way, have indeed seen it all. The two Olympians have played the game at its highest levels and boast mouthwatering awards and titles including the most cherished Champions league titles.

    Although five time Ballon d Or winner Messi could be said to parade more awards the exploits of Mikel cannot be waved off Prompting some soccer fans to ask the question between Mikel and Messi who is the greatest or better still who is a more complete player.

    Messi celebrates after scoring for Barcelona

    Those for the Argentine captain point to his numerous awards and titles as well as his over 420 goals for the Catalonians while those who point to the direction of Mikel point highlight the  fact that he has played for five different clubs namely  Lyn, Chelsea, Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough and now Trabzonspor.

    Ability to fit into new clubs and still deliver supporters of the Nigerian say is the hallmark of greatness.

    Messi as far as they are concerned is great and has continued to do a great job for Barcelona but Mikel stands out with his ability to rise to the occasion not just for one club but in different clubs.

    Blending with new teammates with every move to a new club is not a walk in the park and players who are able to do that a school of thought insists certainly deserve accolades.

  • Messi enjoys break with Suarez, Fabregas in Ibiza

    Lionel Messi has rejected claims he was almost involved in a fight with a drunk fan at an Ibiza nightclub.

    The Barcelona star reportedly had to make a quick getaway after being confronted by a drunken supporter who had attempted to ‘pick a fight’ with the Barcelona superstar.

    The Argentine’s night out in Ibiza looked like it took a turn for the worse amid unsavoury scenes, with footage appearing to show Messi being escorted out of the busy nightclub.

    It is believed that there was no wrongdoing on Messi’s part, and the potential situation was defused quickly.

    Messi has claimed in a recent Instagram post, however, that the stories about him were not true.

    The 32-year-old said: ‘Great night yesterday in Ibiza with friends. Do not believe anything you read out there that has nothing to do with reality.

    ‘Everything was great last night and everyone treated us incredibly, as always!’

  • Messi to Miss World Cup qualifier after tongue-lashing referees

     

    Argentina forward and five time Ballon d Or winner Lionel Messi has lampooned referees insisting “they don’t allow people enjoy football.

    Although the Barcelona talisman is not making a blanket condemnation of all whistle men his outburst came during the recently concluded Copa America which Brazil won after beating Peru 3-1.

    Fourteen time champions Argentina failed in their bid to claim a 15th title but claimed the third place beating Chile 2-1 in a tensed encounter.

    Messi received a red card and automatic ejection during Argentina’s third-place win against Chile July 6 in Brazil. He received the card after bumping chests with Chile’s Gary Medel.

    The two time UEFA men’s player of the year winner believed the referee was partial handing him a red when a yellow for both of them would have sealed the issue describing the act as part of corruption in the game.

    “We do not need to be part of the corruption that we have suffered at this tournament,” Messi told reporters after the Chile game. “Medel is always right at the limit. With a yellow that would have been the end of it for both of us, but well, maybe what I said recently had an impact.

    “What is important is that the team finished well in the tournament. Maybe this was ordered and I ended up suffering because of what I said.

    “Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football.”

    CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation while imposing a fine of $1,500 on Messi and suspending him from Argentina’s first match of the 2022 World cup qualifier, insisted nobody is being hunted, adding

    “In football sometimes you win and sometimes lose and a fundamental pillar of fair play is to accept the results with loyalty and respect,” CONMEBOL said. “The same goes for refereeing decisions, which are human and will always be improvable.

    “It is unacceptable that as a result of incidents typical in competitions, involving 12 teams, all on equal terms, unfounded accusations have been launched that lack the truth and question the integrity of the Copa America.

    “These accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the participating players and the hundreds of professionals of Conmebol, an institution that since 2016 has been working tirelessly to make transparent, professionalize and develop South American football.”