Lionel Messi on Sunday broke Gerd Mueller’s 1972 record of 85 goals in a calendar year with another brace for FC Barcelona against Real Betis. TheArgentine needed just 25 minutes to score his 85th and 86th goals of the year, and 23rd of the 2012/2013 season. And Messi, who set the record in 66 games, still […]
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Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Study: Messi, Barcelona World's Most Valuable Player and Team
FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is the most valuable soccer player in the world, playing for the most valuable soccer club in the world, according to the results of Brazilianconsulting company Pluriconsultoria, which has released its annual study analyzing the approximate market value of all players, clubs and competitions in professional soccer. Messi topped thelist […]
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Messi Feared the Worst; Injury Not Severe
Lionel Messi said he feared the worst after being stretchered off toward the end of Barcelona’s 0-0 draw with Benfica after receiving an elbow to his knee from the opposinggoalkeeper. Tests revealed that the Argentine merely suffered a bruised knee, and that he could be passed fit to play Barca’s next game against Real Betis […]
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Bale to 'Look Seriously' at Transfer Options
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has said he will “look seriously” at any offers that come his way during the January transfer window, indicating that the 23-year-old maybe on his way out of White Hart Lane. “It would be nice to experience other leagues and other cultures,” Bale said following Tottenham’s 3-0 win away to Fulham […]
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Report: Mourinho to Leave Real in June
Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season even if the club wins the UEFA Champions League, La Marca is reporting, as relations between the Portuguesecoach and President Florentino Perez have completely broken down. Mourinho will depart in June 2013. According to the report, Perez said in private last weekend that […]
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Messi Moves within One of Muller's Record
Following his brace against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi moved within one goal of Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in acalendar year, which the German set in 1972. Messi’s 11th double of the season—and fifth in five games—helped Barca to a 5-1 mauling of the Basque team that also moved theCatalan […]
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Tottenham Fears Bale Departure
Andre Villas-Boas admitted Friday that Tottenham will struggle to hold on to Gareth Bale, after the Welshman’s man-of-the-match display that saw Spursend Liverpool’s eight-match unbeaten run. The 23-year-old may have only just signed a new contract at White Hart Lane, but AVB realizes that if the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona come calling, hewould be […]
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FIFA Announces Ballon d'Or Finalists
FIFA on Thursday announced the finalists for the 2012 Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF and AndresIniesta of FC Barcelona. The final three were chosen from a 23-man shortlist. Messi, who has won the award the last three years in a row, is the obvious favorite, as his […]
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Scolari in Line for Brazil Return
Representatives from Brazil’s soccer federation (CBF) hinted that former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari could be reappointed to the national team position following MarioMenezes’ ouster last week. Menezes coached Brazil for just two years, during which time the Selecao lost in the Copa America quarterfinals in 2011 and the 2012 Olympic Games final inLondon in August. […]
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Sources: Guardiola Cools Chelsea Interest; Eyes United
According to unnamed sources, Barcelona’s in-demand former coach Pep Guardiola seems to have cooled his interest in coaching European champion Chelsea after Blues ownerRoman Abramovich fired Roberto Di Matteo last week, replacing him with former Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez for the rest of the season. “When he does return, Pep will want stability and the […]