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Tag: Messi

  • A dream to play with Lionel Messi – Lewandowski

    A dream to play with Lionel Messi – Lewandowski

    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has said it would be a dream to play with Lionel Messi

    The PSG attacker has been linked with a return to Barca next summer.

    Lewandowski told Marca: “Messi is absolutely brilliant with the amazing passes he plays to the striker.

    “If you think about Messi, he has this brilliant connection with strikers. He knows how to put the ball into the box, between the lines… he’s the best in the world at that. I don’t know what’s going on right now, but for a striker it would be a dream to play with Lionel Messi for sure.

    “If look at football for the past 10/15 years, the main two figures have been Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and, in the end, if you think about who deserves to win this World Cup, these two names always pop up. They are legends.

    “But on the flip side, this is football and you can never say what is going to happen because it’s a dramatic and unpredictable game. But in Messi’s case, it’s impossible for his achievements to be replicated as his amazing story continues. Now he’s dreaming to win the world cup. For him, that’s the big challenge. He wants to now win the World Cup with Argentina, but this is a World Cup and you can never know what is going to happen.”

  • [Full list] Kylian Mbappe beats Messi, Ronaldo, hits No.1 on Forbes Rich List

    [Full list] Kylian Mbappe beats Messi, Ronaldo, hits No.1 on Forbes Rich List

    Paris Saint-Germain star, Kylian Mbappe has topped the Forbes list for highest-earning footballers – the first time someone other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has been number one for nine years.

    Forbes estimates that the World Cup winner will earn $128m (£115.2m) this season.

    Mbappe’s PSG team-mate Messi is second on $120m (£108m) and Manchester United forward Ronaldo third on $100m (£90m).

    Neymar and Mohamed Salah complete the top five.

    PSG and Brazil striker Neymar will earn an estimated $87m (£78.4m) in 2022-23 and Liverpool forward Salah $53m (£47.7m).

    The last player to top the list other than Ronaldo or Messi was former England captain David Beckham in 2013.

    Mbappe signed a lucrative new three-year contract with PSG in May, which ended speculation about a summer move to Real Madrid.

    The France World Cup winner has lifted 11 trophies at the club, including four Ligue 1 titles, since joining from Monaco initially on loan in 2017.

    Erling Haaland, who has scored 19 goals in 12 games for Manchester City since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, makes his debut in the top 10 at number six.

    The Norway striker is one of four Premier League players in the top 10 along with Ronaldo, Salah and Manchester City team-mate Kevin de Bruyne.

    Haaland and Mbappe are the only players on the list aged under 30.

    Forbes’ list of highest-paid footballers 2022
    Kylian Mbappe PSG and France $128m (£115.2m)
    Lionel Messi PSG and Argentina $120m (£108m)
    Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United and Portugal $100m (£90m)
    Neymar PSG and Brazil $87m (£78.4m)
    Mohamed Salah Liverpool and Egypt $53m (£47.7m)
    Erling Haaland Manchester City and Norway $39m (£35.1m)
    Robert Lewandowski Barcelona and Poland $35m (31.5m)
    Eden Hazard Real Madrid and Belgium $31m (£27.9m)
    Andres Iniesta Vissel Kobe and Spain $30m (£27m)
    Kevin de Bruyne Manchester City and Belgium $29m (26.1m)

     

  • I love playing with Neymar, I enjoy it – Messi

    I love playing with Neymar, I enjoy it – Messi

    Lionel Messi admits he’s happy playing again with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Indeed, he says he missed Neymar at Barcelona.

    Messi told TUDN: “Ney and I know each other by heart.

    “We really enjoyed our time at Barcelona and I would have liked to play much more there with him.

    “Life has brought us together in Paris and we are happy to be together. I love playing with him, being with him every day and I enjoy it.”

  • We’ll miss seeing you on the court – Messi writes Federer

    We’ll miss seeing you on the court – Messi writes Federer

    Paris Saint-Germain star, Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to Swiss hero, Roger Federer, praising him for his incredible career.

    Federer had on Thursday announced his retirement from competitive tennis in a heartfelt social media post.

    The upcoming Laver Cup in London will be Federer’s last ATP tournament.

    Reacting, Messi, in a post on his Instagram account, described Federer as a genius who is an example for any athlete.

    “A genius, unique in the history of tennis and an example for any athlete.

    “All the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy, @rogerfederer,” Messi said.

  • Messi has nothing to prove to anyone – Neymar

    Messi has nothing to prove to anyone – Neymar

    Brazilian forward Neymar insists club teammate Lionel Messi has nothing to prove to his critics in his second season as a Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player.

    Messi had an underwhelming first campaign with PSG following his move from FC Barcelona, scoring 11 goals in 34 games.

    This was down on the 38 scored with Barca the previous year.

    The Argentina captain assisted 14 goals, though, 10 of which came after the turn of the year.

    Only Barca’s Ousmane Dembele (11) has managed more across Europe’s top five leagues in 2022.

    The 35-year-old impressed in his first competitive outing of the 2022/2023 campaign on Sunday as he opened the scoring in PSG’s 4-0 Trophee des Champions win over Nantes.

    However, when asked if that display is a sign of a new Messi at PSG, Neymar leapt to the defence of his colleague.

    “I don’t think so. I think people talk too much,” he said. “They don’t know what’s going on every day, what’s going on inside.

    “Leo, it’s Leo. It’s still Leo, it doesn’t change. No, he continues to make the difference. He adapts.

    “It is obvious that we hope that everything goes well for the three of us, for me, for Leo, for Kylian [Mbappe]. If the three of us are well, I’m sure it’s good for the team.”

    Neymar scored twice after Messi had opened the scoring in Tel Aviv and Sergio Ramos was also on target as PSG won their first silverware under Christophe Galtier.

    The Parisians have now won 11 Trophee des Champion crowns, including nine of the past 10 editions of the competition.

    Neymar, who also created a game-high three goalscoring chances, is pleased to have started the new campaign — his sixth with PSG — in style.

    “I’m satisfied. We had a very good match with the team,” he said. “It’s very important to start winning and it’s a match that ends in a trophy. Whatever happens, you have to win.”

  • Messi deserves second chance at Barca – Xavi

    Messi deserves second chance at Barca – Xavi

    Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed he’d like to bring Lionel Messi back from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.

    The Argentine forward departed the club last summer and joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, as, once his contract expired, Barcelona couldn’t afford to offer him a new deal due to their financial issues.

    “I wish Messi’s time was not over, I think he deserves a second chance, a last chance, but that’s next year,” Xavi said in a press conference when asked about the player.

    “He has a contract right now [with PSG], but I would like that.”

    Messi’s PSG deal expires at the end of the coming season.

  • Messi speaks on handing Ballon d’Or to Benzema

    Messi speaks on handing Ballon d’Or to Benzema

    Lionel Messi says there can be “no doubts” Karim Benzema will be a worthy Ballon d’Or winner after the Real Madrid star cemented his frontrunner status with Champions League glory.

    The France international is the favourite to succeed Messi as the next recipient of the game’s most prestigious individual prize after inspiring his side to domestic and European success this term.

    Benzema netted 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions this term for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and led them in Paris to victory over Liverpool on Saturday as captain.

    Messi has added to his trophy cabinet with a Ligue 1 title at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in his first year away from FC Barcelona.

    But he certainly feels Benzema has earned his shot at the award.

    “I think there are no doubts,” Messi had said on Monday night when asked if the Frenchman would be a fitting successor as the Ballon d’Or winner.

    “It is very clear that Benzema has had a spectacular year and ended up consecrating himself with the UEFA Champions League, being fundamental from the round of 16 onwards in all the games.

    “I think there are no doubts this year.”

    Messi also reflected on his triumph in 2021, when he defended the crown he won in 2019 against Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.

    That was after the award was cancelled for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Lewandowski would have been many people’s favourite in 2020 and went on to break Gerd Muller’s long-standing record of 40 Bundesliga goals in a single season the following year.

    Yet he was forced to make do with second behind Messi after he helped Argentina to their first Copa America success in 28 years.

    Messi acknowledged Lewandowski would have been a worthy winner in 2020, but on reflection feels he deserved the 2021 triumph he was awarded.

    “What I said at that moment was from my heart and because I really felt that way,” Messi said, alluding to his comments at the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

    “I said that he deserved the Ballon d’Or before, because the year before it had seemed to me that he had been the best.

    “But the year that I won, he wasn’t the best. I just said that. But let him take it as he wants. Everyone says what they want and obviously he can express himself and say what he wants.

    “Honestly, I don’t share what he said, but I didn’t give it much importance either. That’s it, he can say what he wants, I’m not interested.”(

  • Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Lionel Messi scored a fine goal as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sealed the Ligue 1 title in spite of being pegged back late on by Lens in a 1-1 draw.

    PSG went into the game at the Parc des Princes knowing a point would be enough to claim a record-tying 10th Ligue 1 title.

    They were then hoping to get the job done in style on home turf.

    Lens had Kevin Danso sent off in the 57th minute, and 11 minutes later Messi effectively clinched the title with a magnificent long-range goal.

    Yet the title-winning moment was spoiled somewhat.

    Slack PSG defending allowed Corentin Jean to steal in at the far post and ensure the hosts secured the trophy with a damp squib rather than a bang.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s men were booed off by the home fans at half-time.

    Seko Fofana and Danso spurned early chances for Lens before Achraf Hakimi and Neymar went close for PSG.

    PSG were improved after the break.

    Kylian Mbappe was denied by Jean-Louis Leca’s save and Christopher Maurice Wooh’s goal-line clearance from the rebound following Marco Verratti’s quickly-taken free-kick.

    Danso paid the price for a rash challenge on Neymar on the edge of the penalty area as he received a second yellow card.

    Although Leca turned Messi’s subsequent free-kick behind, he could do nothing to prevent the Argentina international’s thunderbolt from finding the net 10 minutes later.

    It was a trademark Messi finish, his 25-yard shot lacking in perfect placement but possessing both the bend and velocity to leave Leca with no chance.

    Yet the frustration that defined much of the evening returned in the 88th minute.

    That was when Jean slid in to turn home Deiver Machado’s ball across the face of goal and dampen the celebrations.

  • I don’t speak with Messi, no plans to re-sign him – Laporta

    I don’t speak with Messi, no plans to re-sign him – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits he no longer speaks with Lionel Messi after his controversial move to PSG.

    Laporta was excited at the idea of Messi being present for the inauguration of the new Camp Nou, even though it’s a long way away, because it would be “beautiful.”

    However, he recognised that “there’s no personal contact, I remember him with affection and I hope he feels the same. It was not easy for me, I would have liked things to go differently, but as they happened, I thought of the institution first and I think we did what we had to do.”

    In that sense, he doesn’t see any chance of Messi coming back as a player: “We’re not considering it. We’re building a new team with young players, but he deserves respect.”

    Laporta added: “I don’t speak with him, I don’t have fluid communication with him like before he left. We hear comments from people close to him… Barcelona pulls you a lot and when you leave you miss the city, Barça, he had a great life here. I felt worse for the personal and family side of things than the other, but also that.”

  • Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Lionel and Neymar were booed by Paris Saint-Germain fans on Sunday in their first game since their dramatic Champions League loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

    The Ligue 1 leaders took on Bordeaux and both players were roundly booed by the home supporters and their every touch jeered.

    However, there was no such treatment for Kylian Mbappe, who is likely to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.

    At one point during the first half, the fans booed as Messi and Neymar stood over a free-kick and then sarcastically cheered when Neymar hit his effort over the bar.

    PSG eventually won 3-0, with Mbappe, Neymar and Paredes scoring the goals.

    The victory moves them 15 points clear at the top and continues their march toward the title