Sam Marsden – Football Scout

Barcelona forward Messi presented with Golden Shoe for record sixth time

ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti provides the latest on the Catalonia protests and how they may impact La Liga.

Shaka Hislop reacts to reports that Barcelona are interested in Marcus Rashford over Roberto Firmino.

Ale Moreno feels international duty will bring a huge deal of confidence for Antoine Griezmann.

Alejandro Moreno breaks down Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on El Clasico.
Lionel Messi was presented with the European Golden Shoe on Wednesday for a record-breaking sixth time after holding off a challenge from Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Messi, 32, scored 36 league goals for Barcelona last season to finish ahead of Mbappe, who scored 33 in France, and Sampdoria’s Fabio Quagliarella, who netted 26 times in Italy’s Serie A.
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It was the third successive season that the Barca forward has…

Guardiola says jail sentences of nine Catalan politicians a ‘direct affront to human rights’

Shaka Hislop reacts to reports that Barcelona are interested in Marcus Rashford over Roberto Firmino.

The ESPN FC crew are again at odds with Shaka Hislop’s “random collection of teams” in his Power Rankings.

Ale Moreno feels international duty will bring a huge deal of confidence for Antoine Griezmann.

Alejandro Moreno breaks down Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on El Clasico.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said a Spanish court ruling which saw nine Catalan politicians and civil leaders sentenced to between nine and 13 years in prison is a “direct affront to human rights.”
All nine defendants had been held without bail for the last two years over their role in Catalonia’s failed bid for independence from Spain.
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Lionel Messi gets the Cirque du Soleil treatment: A surreal tribute to the Barca legend

Messi’s circus opened to rave reviews last Thursday in Barcelona as the Cirque du Soleil’s attempt to translate his soccer career to the stage.

BARCELONA — Lionel Messi looked at Luis Suarez and, in amazement and in unison, they both rose to their feet and applauded what they’d just seen: a tightrope walker pulling out a ladder, placing it on the rope and climbing it with her hands.

The Barca pair were sat, front and centre, applauding a scene that was written to highlight his incredible balance in a Cirque de Soleil show based on his career. At one point, the No.10 gave the troupe a standing ovation. Messi’s had a dazzling career in…

Barcelona’s Dembele red-carded for calling ref ‘very bad’

Ousmane Demebele was sent off for protesting a teammate’s red card.
Ousmane Dembele is poised to miss the Clasico after being sent off for telling referee Mateu Lahoz he was “very bad” in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Sevilla.

The France forward scored the third goal as Barca moved second in La Liga behind Real Madrid, with Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Lionel Messi also on target at Camp Nou on Sunday.

– Ratings: 7/10 Messi nets first of season for clinical Barca
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But Dembele’s night ended…

Messi a 7/10 as he and rest of Barcelona attack clinical in 4-0 trouncing of Sevilla

Lionel Messi and the rest of Barcelona’s attackers were clinical in a 4-0 win over Sevilla.

BARCELONA — Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-0 on Sunday to move second in La Liga, but ended the game with just nine men as debutant Ronald Araujo and Ousmane Dembele were sent off.

Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Dembele were all on target in eight clinical first-half minutes as Barca made Sevilla pay for missing a string of early chances. Lionel Messi, with what was his first goal of a stop-start season, then rounded off the scoring with a free kick in the 78th minute before referee Mateu Lahoz took…

Ter Stegen on Suarez: He ‘shut a lot of mouths’

BARCELONA – Marc-Andre ter Stegen said Barcelona striker Luis Suarez ”shut a lot of mouths” with his match-winning performance against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Suarez, 32, scored twice in the second half as Barca came from behind to beat the Serie A leaders 2-1 at Camp Nou en route to their first win in Europe this season following a goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund last time out.
The Uruguayan’s brace came just a week after he was jeered by his own supporters…

Suarez, Messi earn 8/10 as Barcelona fight back to defeat Inter at Camp Nou

BARCELONA — Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona fought back from a goal down to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday at Camp Nou.

Antonio Conte’s side took a surprise lead when Lautaro Martinez held off Clement Lenglet’s challenge to open the scoring after just 121 seconds. However, the Serie A leaders were made to pay for failing to add to their advantage in a brilliant first-half display. Suarez leveled the score in the 58th minute with a fine volley from the edge of…

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann: I need time to adapt

Steve Nicol says Lionel Messi alone won’t solve Barcelona’s concerns on the pitch in what is shaping up to be a tight La Liga title race.

Sid Lowe believes Barcelona will feel tremendous pressure given their road struggles heading into the contest with Getafe.

The ESPN FC crew debate whether Barcelona can get going on the road against Getafe.

With Lionel Messi set to miss more games with a groin injury, the FC crew question if Ernesto Valverde can turn Barca’s fortunes around.
BARCELONA — Antoine Griezmann has said he still needs more time to adapt to Barcelona following his €120 million summer transfer from Atletico Madrid.
Griezmann, 28, has scored three goals in eight appearances this season but said he is yet to find his best form. Manager Ernesto Valverde has called for him to be “more involved” in games.
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Despite that, until being withdrawn in the second half of Saturday’s win at…

Ter Stegen 9/10, Firpo scores as Barca pick up first road win of the season

With Lionel Messi set to miss more games with a groin injury, the FC crew question if Ernesto Valverde can turn Barca’s fortunes around.

Craig Burley says Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s struggles can only get worse if Lionel Messi’s injury against Villarreal sidelines the star man.
Luis Suarez and Junior Firpo were on target as Barcelona beat Getafe 2-0 on Saturday to pick up their first away win of the season.
Suarez opened the scoring in the first half thanks to good work from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Summer signing Junior Firpo then added the second after the break with his first goal of the campaign, tapping home after David Soria had saved from Carles Perez.
Clement Lenglet was sent off late on for picking up two yellow cards as Barca held on to the three points…

Valverde bemoans nonstop Neymar-to-Barca talk

The ESPN FC crew debate whether Barcelona can get going on the road against Getafe.

With Lionel Messi set to miss more games with a groin injury, the FC crew question if Ernesto Valverde can turn Barca’s fortunes around.

Craig Burley says Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s struggles can only get worse if Lionel Messi’s injury against Villarreal sidelines the star man.

Julien Laurens questions where new Barcelona signing Antoine Griezmann can fit in alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the team’s formation.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi says hard work and a desire for more titles has given him longevity at the top after winning best men’s player at FIFA’s The Best awards.
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde complained that questions about Neymar are never ending after the Brazilian pushed ahead with his lawsuit against the Spanish champions on Friday.
Neymar is claiming Barca owe him €26 million as part of a loyalty bonus from the contract he signed with the club in 2016. The Spanish champions, meanwhile, have sued the Brazilian for breach of contract following his world record €222m move in 2017.
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