Lionel Messi Scores 500th Goal For Barcelona

Lionel Messi struck his 500th Barcelona goal with the last kick of the game to blow the La Liga title race wide open with a thrilling 3-2 win at Real Madrid on Sunday.


Messi had broken a three-year goalless drought against Madrid to cancel out Casemiro’s opener for Madrid in the first-half.

Ivan Rakitic’s stunning strike and a red card for Madrid captain Sergio Ramos for chopping down Messi 13 minutes from time put Barca on course for victory before James Rodriguez came off the bench to level four minutes from time.

However, fittingly, Messi had the final say with a brilliant finish deep into stoppage time to lift Barcelona’s hopes of a third straight La Liga title.

Fresh from dumping Bayern Munich out the Champions League in a 4-2 thriller after extra-time in midweek, Madrid had started confidently in another breathless encounter at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo had strong appeals for a penalty waived away inside two minutes after he appeared to have been clipped by Samuel Umtiti.

Barca grew slowly into the game and had their first big chance when Luis Suarez dragged wide Jordi Alba’s fine cut-back from the edge of the box 11 minutes in.

Shortly after Messi was left floored and bloodied after being caught by a stray elbow from Marcelo.

The Argentine was still down by Ronaldo drilled another fine effort towards goal that Marc-Andre ter Stegen did well to parry to safety.

Unsurprisingly given both Madrid’s potency and Barca’s inability to defend set-pieces, the opener arrived from a dead ball.

Marcelo picked up the loose ball from a corner and when Sergio Ramos volleyed his cross against the post, Casemiro was on hand to tap into an unguarded net.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, as with a handkerchief still mopping the blood from his cheek, Messi danced past Dani Carvajal and Nacho to fire home his first goal against Madrid for three years.

Ter Stegen was called into action again to prevent Real immediately retaking the lead as he flew to his left to save from Luka Modric’s long-range effort.

However, Barca ended the half feeling hard done by when referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez didn’t show Casemiro a second yellow card for upending Messi as he led a promising counter-attack.

Madrid were rampant at the start of the second period, but were met with a wall of resistence in Ter Stegen.

The German dived low to his left to turn international teammate Toni Kroos’s effort behind before diverting Karim Benzema’s goalbound header to safety with his outstretched foot.

However, Keylor Navas was also busy at the other end as he came to Madrid’s rescue on three occasions.

Firstly, he got a foot to Paco Alcacer’s prodded effort before pulling off acrobatic saves to deny Gerard Pique and Suarez.

Ronaldo then missed a guilt-edged chance to put Madrid back in front as he somehow turned the ball over from point-blank range after unselfish play from Asensio.

There was nothing Navas could do to deny Barca 17 minutes from time when Rakitic took aim from 25 yards and drilled into the top corner.

The match seemed to have swung decisively in Barca’s favour four minutes later when Ramos scythed down Messi to be shown the 22nd red card of his career.

However, even with 10 men, Madrid rallied and levelled when substitute James Rodriguez swept home Marcelo’s cross four minutes from time.

There was still time for one huge twist in the title race, though, as Sergi Roberto’s lung-bursting run led a Barca counter-attack to feed Jordi Alba and his cross was smashed into the corner by Messi.

(AFP)

I Know How To Beat Chelsea — Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has said that he knew the best tactical plan, that would see his team defeat Premier League leaders, Chelsea.

Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera scored for the hosts as they cut the Blues’ lead at the top to four points.

Mourinho revealed afterwards that it was the same system he used in their 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup, but it did not work that time because Herrera was sent off for two bookable offences.

“We went to Stamford Bridge in the cup with same tactics, the game was totally controlled with 11 players, only the decision that made us play with 10 men for the second half and 10 minutes in the first half, gave Chelsea a chance to be dominant.

“We knew that playing this way would be very difficult for them.

“Marcus Rashford played fantastically well. He had a very good game at Stamford Bridge in the cup, exactly the same chance to score, because he is faster than their defenders.

“Today he scored and it gave the team more confidence, more stability,” he told Sky Sports.

Football Club AC Milan Sold To Chinese Investors for £628m

Football club AC milan has been sold to Chinese investors Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux for £628m (740m euro). 

AC Milan was formerly owned by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who bought the Serie A club in 1986. 

AC Milan has eight league titles and five European Cups under its belt. 

However, Milan have not won Serie A since 2011 and finished seventh, 10th and eighth in the last three seasons.

Former Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh Survives Bomb Explosion In Germany

Sunday Oliseh

Fortuna Sittard Fc coach Sunday Oliseh, revealed he was just 200 meters far from the Dortmund stadium when blasts went off, harming one player and compelling the game to be put off.

Sunday Oliseh survived the blasts that shook the German team's mass transit on their way to the Stadium for their Champions League clash against Monaco on Tuesday.

I'll Only Retire When I Die — Arsene Wenger

 Arsene Wenger

The 67 Year Old Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has said he will only retire from football when he is dead, as he is too addicted to the game.

Arsene Wenger has been in charge of the Gunners for over 20 years and now under pressure from fans to quit, when his current contract runs out in the summer.

But Wenger, who reportedly has a new two-year deal on the table, insists: “I will not retire.

“Retiring is for young people. For old people, retirement is dying.

“Yes, I watch every football game. I find it interesting. And I am as hungry as when I first came. I carry a bit more pressure on my shoulders than 20 years ago, but the hunger is exactly the same.

“When you see what the club was and what it is today – well, one share [in Arsenal] was £400 and it is £18,000 today. And I tell you straight away, I don’t have any shares!”

It appears Wenger will sign a new deal at the Emirates. MirrorSport reports that transfer negotiator, Dick Law, was at the club’s London Colney training centre last week speaking to a number of agents.

It is believed that the Frenchman is already planning for next season and has given Law the go-ahead to work on transfer targets.

'I Know What I Will Do In My Future' - Wenger Says After Yet Another Defeat

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger

Under-fire Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has made a decision on his future that he will announce soon.

Wenger was subjected to more vocal criticism from Arsenal supporters during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at West Brom, while a plane sporting a banner calling for him to stand down flew over The Hawthorns at kick-off.

In a bizarre spectacle, another light aircraft trailed a message of support for the 67-year-old but there were few other sources of encouragement as his side slipped to a fourth defeat in five Premier League outings.

West Brom defender Craig Dawson twice benefitted from abysmal set-piece defending either side of Hal Robson-Kanu punishing poor goalkeeping by David Ospina - on as a substitute for injured Arsenal number one Petr Cech.

Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and, although he has attempted to play down speculation over his future in recent weeks, he told a post-match news conference his mind was made up.

"I know what I will do in my future. You will soon know, very soon," he said.

"We do not necessarily worry about that. We are in a unique bad patch that we have not had for 20 years and that is more important for my future."

Arsenal are now five points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who face Manchester City on Sunday, while Manchester United can go above them by beating Middlesbrough and a victory for Everton over lowly Hull City would bring them level with the Gunners on 50 points.

"We take all responsibility. It's obviously a big disappointment when you lose a game like that. We all have to take responsibility and prepare for our next games," Wenger said in an interview with Sky Sports.

"It's very worrying because we are not used to that [four defeats in five] and overall we have a hell of a task now to fight back.

"We need to regroup and of course focus on the games coming up because there are many big games.

"Everybody goes away now [for the international break] and we have to recover and prepare for our end of season.

"We focus on analysing where we are not good at the moment and correct what didn't work."

(AP/Goal)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Considering Quitting Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he’s contemplating a sensational return to Serie A with Napoli.

The iconic Manchester United striker has excelled in his first season in English football, scoring 26 goals including the vital late winner which helped secure a 3-2 win in last month’s EFL Cup final against Southampton.

The 35-year-old’s contract with United is due to expire at the end of the season and although he has an option to extend his stay by a further year, a move to Napoli has been mooted as his next destination.

Ibrahimovic has talked up the Serie A side in the past, while his agent Mino Raiola has suggested the former Juventus and Milan star would like to represent Napoli before he retires.

‘A move to Napoli? You never know,’ Ibrahimovic told Fox Sports.

‘I am feeling well at United, but we will see what happens.’

Ibrahimovic will miss Sunday’s Premier League match against Middlesbrough as he serves the second match of a three-game domestic ban for his elbow on Tyrone Mings during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

Ahmed Ahmed Emerges CAF President

Madagascar Football Association chief, Ahmad has been elected Confederation of African Football president, ending Issa Hayatou's 29-year reign.

 

Ahmad won 34 of the 54 votes in the election, which was held in Addis Ababa on Thursday.

 

The result means a change in leadership for the first time since Cameroonian Hayatou took charge in 1988

Ahmad becomes only the seventh Caf president in the governing body's 60-year history.

 

The departure of Hayatou is a huge change for African football and the 70-year-old will also lose his Fifa position and his place on the ruling council of world football's governing body.

 

He had been challenged for the CAF presidency only twice before and both times won with landslide victories.

Congrats!

FA CUP: Chelsea Beats Manchester United, Set To Face Tottenham

Chelsea football club set to face Tottenham as it game end with 1 against 0 with Manchester United in the quarter final game.

Antonio Conte’s men dispatched Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of N’Golo Kante’s superb strike in 51mins of the 2^nd half.

It was the Frenchman’s second goal against the Old Trafford club this season, and came after Ander Herrera was sent off for two bookable offences.

Tottenham beat Millwall 6-0 in their quarter-final but are likely to be without star striker Harry Kane, who injured his ankle during the clash.

Arsenal, who hammered Lincoln 5-0, and are chasing their only realistic piece of silverware, will face Manchester City, who are in improved form under Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea and Spurs met at the same stage in 2012 when the Blues ran out 5-1 winners through goals from Didier Drogba, Juan Mata, Ramires, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda.

Amazingly Arsenal and City have met just twice before at any stage in the competition, the most recent of which was a 2-1 fifth-round win for the Gunners in 1971.

The matches will be played over the weekend of April 22-23, with the final on Saturday, May 27

Manchester City Will Sack Me If I Don’t Win Trophies This Season — Guardiola

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, has admitted he will not be at the club for a long time if he fails to win trophies.

The Spaniard replaced Manuel Pellegrini last summer and there were big expectations following his arrival, after past successes with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

City have already missed out on the EFL Cup and are 10 points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League. However, they are still playing in the FA Cup and Champions League.

“If I have no silverware, I will not be here for a long time,” he said.

“No silverware – it will not be a good season. I knew that in August. Being a manager depends on results.

“I know how my standard is in the past about the titles and I know what is on my shoulders and I have to handle that.

“But I always believe deep in my heart that results depend on the way you play. That’s why I need to be convinced that we’re playing better every day.

“I would like to see my team playing better at the end of the season than at the beginning. It is good that the players in the last month have shown how close they are and what good team spirit they have.

“But I know we will be judged on the titles we have won. My period in Munich was judged like a disaster because we were not able to win the Champions League.

“I won three leagues in a row, we won two cups from three, we arrived every time in the semi-finals and finals, (but) it was (judged) a disaster.

“I have to handle that but what I can say is try to play better, better, better than the previous month. That’s what I want to see for the next year – be better.”

German Referee Who Officiated Barcelona Vs PSG Match To Be Demoted

Deniz Aytekin is set to be sidelined by Uefa after the referee came under pressure for several decisions in Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The Catalan giants conceded an away goal to seemingly kill the game before and scoring three goals in the final seven minutes.

Neymar’s superb free kick in the 88th minute sparked a goal rush as Barcelona scored the winner in the 95th minute.

Barcelona vs PSG referee to be demoted after decisions in 6-1 result at Nou Camp

Aytekin consulted with his assistant before awarding the penalty (Picture: Getty)

The penalty decision that put Barcelona within a goal of pulling off the unlikely fightback was controversial as Luis Suarez went down under minimal contact.

Aytekin pointed to the spot much to the fury of the PSG players who had already seen the referee book Suarez for diving earlier in the game.

The German is now set to be taken off any future Champions League games and will not be given the chance to referee another high profile match this season.

Marca claim Aytekin could be demoted to lesser games and may even be sidelined from officiating all together as UEFA wait for the heat to die down.

Pep Guardiola Emerged Manager Of The Month

Pep Guardiola 

Pep Guardiola has beaten Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and Tony Pulis to be named the Premier League’s top boss for February.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for the first time since arriving in England.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach won February’s award after City won all three of their matches.

Guardiola oversaw wins over West Ham, Swansea City and Bournemouth, scoring eight times and conceding just once.

The 46-year-old therefore avoids failing to win the award in his debut Premier League season.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had been dominant, winning in three of the preceding four months.

Guardiola beat fellow nominees Conte, Jose Mourinho and Tony Pulis to the award. It is the first time a City boss has claimed the accolade since August 2015, when Manuel Pellegrini came out on top.

Man Rolls Inside Gutter To Celebrate Barcelona Win

Photos of a young man who celebrated in style after Barcelona made an incredible comeback in the history of UEFA Champions League are currently trending online

The Love for his supporting Club

I’ll Tell My Grandkids About Historic Barcelona Miracle — Sunday Oliseh

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has lavished praises on Spanish giants Barcelona who qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after overcoming a 4-0 first leg defeat to advance 6-5 on aggregate following their 6-1 win in the second leg of their round of 16 tie on Wednesday night.


Oliseh who currently coaches Dutch second-tier club Fortuna Sittard tweeted his feelings about the reversal of the tie between Barcelona and PSG moments after the match.

“This Barcelona 6-1 victory is one game that I will tell my grand kids about if God permits,” former Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund star Oliseh tweeted.

“I don’t think there has been a game like this.”

Barcelona defied history by reaching the quarterfinals Wednesday night by overturning a 4-0 first leg disadvantage in Paris, the first team in Champions League history to advance after suffering that massive first leg defeat.

Edison Cavani’s goal was not enough as Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar (brace), Sergi Roberto and an own goal by Layvin Kurzawa ensured the Blaugrana will be among the last eight sides left in the UEFA Champions League.

I Want To Become Barcelona Coach — Xavi

Xavi dreams of becoming Barcelona coach one day, but has made it clear he is not in the frame to replace Luis Enrique at the end of the season.


Luis Enrique revealed last week that he will leave his post at the conclusion of 2016-17 after three seasons, prompting some to suggest club icon Xavi as a potential candidate to take his place.

However, even though the 37-year-old - now playing for Qatari side Al Sadd - is keen to take charge of Barca at some stage, he has ruled out an immediate return to his boyhood club as he does not have the requisite experience.

"Becoming Barcelona coach is a dream," Xavi told Le Parisien. "And I am on the path of making it an actual project. I am working on becoming a coach, I have yet to earn my coaching badges.

"There are a lot of things to learn when it comes to dealing with a dressing room with 25 players and with a technical and medical staff.

"But replacing Luis Enrique next season already is not possible. I have yet to pass my exams.

"I am still thinking like a footballer rather than a coach. Next season will be my last as a player. From there on we will see what happens."

Ambode, Dalung And Other Top Officials Inspect Facilities At National Stadium, Surulere ,Lagos (Photos)

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and other top officials today paid a visit to the failing National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Leicester City Sacks Coach Claudio Ranieri 9 months After Winning The Premier League Title

Reigning English Premier League Champions, Leicester City FC have sacked it’s first team coach, Claudio Ranieri, nine months after he led them to the Premier League title.

Ranieri, who was appointed as Leicester coach in July 2015 and went on to lead the Foxes to their first title in their entire 133-year history last season, was sacked yesterday with the Foxes just one point above the relegation zone with 13 matches left…

Leicester City Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said:

“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City.

But we are duty-bound to put the Club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong tat might be.

Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City.

His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the Club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.

It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”

Assistant Manager, Craig Shakespeare and First Team Coach, Mike Stowell will now take charge of preparations for games in the interim as Leicester face a crunch Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Saturday.

cc: Daily Gossip

I Will Never Return To Barcelona — Guardiola

Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he will never return to Barcelona amid intense pressure on Spanish boss Luis Enrique.

Luis Enrique’s position at Camp Nou is under threat following Barcelona’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old, who has won two LaLiga titles as well as the Champions League since replacing Gerardo Martino in 2014, is out of contract at the end of the season.

But Guardiola – winner of 14 trophies during his illustrious spell at the Catalan giants – poured cold water over suggestions he could grace Barcelona’s touchlines again.

“I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach there. My period there is gone,” Guardiola said.

Guardiola was speaking ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash at Huddersfield Town.

And as City vie for a spot in the next round, Guardiola called for FA Cup replays to be scrapped, instead suggesting the Copa del Rey model, which is played over two legs expect for the final.

“In Spain, we play two games. I prefer that situation,” he said. “Maybe for the amount of games played, extra-time and penalties would be good.

“But OK, I’m not here to decide the rules of how we play the competition, I’m here to play the competition in the way that the chairmen and the important people decide. I prefer the quality over the quantity. Not only here in England, all around the world. It’s a big mistake, so many games.”

Photos Of Footballer Pogba's New Mansion Worth £2.9million

 Manchester United star Paul Pogba has just bought for himself a swanky five-bedroom Cheshire mansion worth £2.9million.

Footballer Who Survived Colombia Plane Crash Takes His First Steps Since The Disaster

Brazilian Helio Neto was one of just six people pulled alive from the wreckage of the jet which crashed down in November, killing 71 - including most of the Chapecoense football team.

New images by Daily Mail, show the 31-year-old, who was reading a Bible extract before the plane went down on its approach to the city of Medellin, walking around without using crutches.