Last week I was sitting at home watching Rangers FC of Glasgow play Sporting Braga of Portugal in the Europa League, marveling at the goal scored by the Scottish team’s newest signing, IanisHagi. It was the start of the classic comeback — from 0-2 down to a 3-2 victory in front of a manic, eventually […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Mackenzie O'Neill
“I wasn’t nervous. I was a bit shy at first but then just did what I love doing best.” — Mackenzie O’Neill, an 11-year-old Englishman on a family vacation in Antigua, on playingsoccer on the beach, like he did most days, when out of nowhere Lionel Messi, also on vacation with his family, came up […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Lionel Messi
“We don’t have to be part of this corruption. The lack of respect that they have showed us throughout this tournament. Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people toenjoy football, they ruined it a bit. I think the cup is fixed for Brazil. I hope that the VAR and the referees have nothing […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Cesar Luis Menotti
“It scares me that Messi plays. I see him emotionally fatigued between the Champions League and the national team. He has a lot of obligations and with a lot of emotional baggage, a lot ofresponsibilities at his feet.” — Cesar Luis Menotti, the 81-year-old director of the Argentine national team and head coach in 1978 […]
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Watch: The irrepressible Lionel Messi
Here’s a montage of every time Lionel Messi was on the ball in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Liverpool, against which he scored twice and sparked numerous attacks.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Pope Francis
“In theory, it’s a sacrilege. You can’t say it, and I don’t believe it. I think people say ‘he is God’ just as they say ‘I adore you.’ You have to adore only God. It’s expressions that people use.This is a god with the ball on the pitch. It’s a popular way that people have […]
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Watch: Lionel Messi amaze his coach by scoring on a Panenka free kick
Lionel Messi‘s two goals in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over city rival Espanol included a free kick he struck Panenka-style and Espanyol defender Victor Sanchez could only head into the goal.The goal even amazed his coach. “I had no idea what he was going to do,” Barca’s Ernesto Valverde said. “I’d love to say it’s something […]
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Watch: Lionel Messi goal voted greatest Barcelona goal of all time
Lionel Messi‘s goal against Getafe in the 2006-07 Copa del Rey semifinals, when he picked up the ball inside Barcelona’s half and scored after faking out four defenders and the goalkeeper, wasvoted the greatest Barcelona goal ever with a whopping 45 percent of the more than 500,000 votes cast. The second and third greatest Barca […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Simon Brundish
“While he’s alive, there’s only Lionel Messi. If you’re saying anybody else is the best player in the world, Messi’s had a broken leg for a year, or he’s dead, or you’re lying.” –British sports scientist Simon Brundish, who has compiled a set of metrics to show why — no surprise — Lionel Messi is […]
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Watch: Messi compared to the Pope, Gardel, Borges & Co.
Leo Messi‘s return to the national team on Friday for a friendly against Venezuela prompted this tribute in which he’s compared to 10 famous Argentines.