LALIGA

10Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi says tax problems made him want to leave Barcelona

Lionel Messi has admitted he wanted to leave Barcelona when he was under investigation from the Spanish tax authorities but insists now he intends to finish his career at the club.In an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Messi also said he had expected Neymar to sign for Real Madrid last summer after Barca failed to strike an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of defrauding Spain of 4.1 million euros in taxes between 2007 and 2009, for which they paid close to 10 million euros and Messi was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence.Asked on Tuesday night if he had ever wanted to leave Barcelona, Messi said: “In 2013-14, when I started having the tax problems, it was very difficult for me and my family.”“My children were young and we ha...

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6Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid: Toni Kroos a major doubt for El Clasico against Barcelona

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has been ruled out of Germany's upcoming fixtures and is a major doubt for the clasico against Barcelona after sustaining a thigh injury during the 4-2 win over Granada on Saturday.A statement from Real said Kroos had injured his left thigh muscle but did not say for how long he would be out, while Spanish media reports said he would be out of action for three weeks.This timescale would mean Kroos was certain to miss Germany's friendly with Argentina on Wednesday and their Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday as well as Real's league game at Real Mallorca on October 19 and the Uefa Champions League visit to Galatasaray on October 22.He will then face a battle to be back in time for the clasico against Real's arch rivals Barcelona on October 26 at ...

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29Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid regain top spot after draw against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid regained top spot in La Liga after a goalless derby with Atletico that saw them move above surprise package Granada and maintain their small lead over a crowded chasing pack.Unbeaten Real are a point ahead of promoted Granada and Atletico Madrid after Diego Simeone’s side failed to break down their well-drilled local rivals, whose disciplined performance at the Wanda Metropolitano was deserving of at least the point they gained.“These matches with Atletico are very physical, this is one of the hardest grounds we have to visit during the season,” Real captain Sergio Ramos told broadcatser Movistar on Saturday.“It was difficult to create chances in attack because they leave such little space. The point does little for us though as we wanted the three even more.” Real are a f...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi limps off as Barcelona secure win over Villarreal

Barcelona secured a much-needed 2-1 home victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Tuesday, racing into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes before hanging on after Santi Cazorla halved the deficit on the stroke of halftime.The victory takes Barcelona up to fourth with 10 points after six games, one point behind surprise leaders Granada, Athletic Bilbao, who visit Leganes on Wednesday, and Real Madrid ahead of their game at home to Osasuna the same night.Barca's win was marred by the sight of Lionel Messi, making his first start this season, receiving lengthy treatment before being replaced at halftime by Ousmane Dembele in what coach Ernesto Valverde insisted was a precautionary measure."He noticed a little bit of an issue with his abductor and we preferred for him not to stay on the pitch, but ...

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20Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona : Ansu Fati granted Spanish citizenship

Barcelona's prodigious teenage attacker Ansu Fati is set to represent Spain at international level after being granted Spanish citizenship.Local media reports said the 16-year-old, who became Barcelona's youngest ever Champions League debutant after starting Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund, was eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau, the country of his birth, as well as Portugal.Yet he has chosen to play for his adopted country Spain, where he moved aged six.Having completed the required 10 years of residency in order to obtain Spanish citizenship, the 16-year-old’s application was processed by the country's Interior Ministry ahead of next Wednesday's Under-17 World Cup squad deadline.Spain’s senior coach Robert Moreno said last weekend that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) were ...

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14Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona 5-2 Valencia: Ansu Fati steals the show as LaLiga champions hit five in Camp Nou thriller

Frenkie de Jong scored his first Barcelona goal, 16-year-old Ansu Fati netted again and substitute Luis Suarez struck twice as the Catalans thrashed Valencia 5-2 at Camp Nou on Saturday night.Barca boss Ernesto Valverde picked Arthur in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and De Jong, with youngster Fati in attack alongside La Masia graduate Carles Perez and Antoine Griezmann.The Blaugrana had failed to beat Valencia in three meetings last season: two draws in La Liga and a defeat in the final of the Copa del Rey in May.But the Mestalla-based side had sacked their coach Marcelino against the wishes of their players on Wednesday and Albert Celades, a former Barca player, was thrown in at the deep end for this one.Ansu Fati, on his first start for Barcelona’s first team, opened the scoring af...

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12Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi admits he ‘would have loved’ Neymar to return to Barcelona

Lionel Messi says he wanted Neymar to return to Barcelona this year as the Brazilian would have helped the club take a leap forward, adding that his former team mate was looking forward to rejoining the La Liga champions.Barca spent the bulk of the close season negotiating with Paris St Germain to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou two years after he left for a world record €222m but the Catalans failed to strike a deal with the Ligue 1 champions."The truth is I would have loved him to come back to us," Barca captain Messi told Spanish newspaper Sport."I understand some people were against it and that's normal considering everything that happened and how he left us, but thinking about it on a sporting level, for me Neymar is one of the best players in the world."Obviously he would have incr...

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8Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona handed huge boost as key star poised to make return from injury for Valencia clash

Barcelona have been handed a big boost ahead of their clash against Valencia next weekend, as it’s been stated that Luis Suarez is poised to make his return from injury in time for the match.The Blaugrana take on Valencia at the Nou Camp next Saturday, as they look to gain their second win of the season following their 2-2 draw with Osasuna last weekend.Ernesto Valverde’s side have gained just four points from their opening three La Liga fixtures, with their draw at Osasuna being accompanied by a 5-2 win against Real Betis and a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao.And amid this patchy form, the Spanish giants now have to endure the tricky test of Valencia at home in six days time.However, despite the difficult of this fixture, Barca fans can still look ahead to the match with optimism, as it seems...

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31Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ansu Fati scores first goal for Barcelona with brilliant header

Barcelona were held by promoted Osasuna as 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the champions' youngest La Liga goalscorer.Roberto Torres gave Osasuna the lead early on with a sweet volley from Brandon's cross.Fati came on at half-time for his second Barca appearance and headed in Carles Perez's cross six minutes later to equalise.Perez then set up Arthur to put Barca ahead with a 16-yard shot but Torres equalised with a late penalty.That kick was awarded after Gerard Pique handled Oier's cross.

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21Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lionel Messi expected to face Real Betis

Lionel Messi is reportedly "expected to get his first minutes of the season" for Barcelona against Real Betis on Sunday after recovering from a calf injury.The Argentinian missed Barca's opening game of the 2019-20 La Liga season last Friday when the defending champions lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao.The Blaugrana will be aiming to get their first win of the new campaign at the Camp Nou against Betis, and their chances will be boosted if Messi is involved.According to Sport's Jordi Gil, the 32-year-old is "fully recovered" from his injury and will join the rest of Barca's squad in training on Friday and Saturday before a decision is made about his involvement against Betis.Gil added, barring any setbacks, Messi could be included in Barca's starting XI on Sunday, but he is "extremely unlikely"...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Bale Shines as Real Madrid Beat Celta Vigo

Gareth Bale marked his return to the starting line-up with an impressive assist as Real Madrid survived a red card for Luka Modric to win 3-1 at Celta Vigo in their opening LaLiga fixture of the season.The Wales star had been left out in the cold for large parts of pre-season following a collapsed move to China, but he was handed a start at Balaidos on Saturday and set up Karim Benzema for a 12th-minute opener.Looking to capitalise on champions Barcelona's shock loss to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, Madrid added a stunning second goal through Toni Kroos, but only after Brais Mendez had a strike ruled out and Modric was shown a straight red card.Zinedine Zidane started without any of his new signings, although the quality of his side's third goal - rounded off by substitute Lucas Vazquez - wil...

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16Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Gareth Bale to get another chance at Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is ready to put his faith in Gareth Bale as he looks set to stay at the Bernabeu.The Wales forward was omitted from Zidane's squad for a pre-season friendly with RB Salzburg, having also previously missed the club's trip to Germany for the Audi Cup.That came after the collapse of Bale's proposed transfer to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning amid widespread speculation his six-year stay in Spain was about to end.Bale reportedly skipped the trip to Germany, where the Spanish giants faced Tottenham and Fenerbahce, as he was furious with his treatment at the hands of Zidane and president Florentino Perez and felt he was not in the right frame of mind to play.But Zidane now seems to have changed his mind on the Welshman.He said in a press conference ahead of Real's op...

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13Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Atletico Madrid face setback after striker Diego Costa sustains left thigh injury

Recent reports received on Tuesday reveal that La Liga side Atletico Madrid’s forward player Diego Costa has injured his left thigh during a friendly match against Serie A giants Juventus in Sweden.Notably, Diego Costa was replaced by Ivan Saponjic immediately after he complained of muscle pain in the 90th minute of Saturday’s encounter which Atletico won 2-1.“Diego Costa suffers a muscle injury in the adductors of the left thigh,” the club said in a statement.“Costa underwent an MRI scan at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and is pending response to treatment,” the statement added.Atletico Madrid is all set to host Getafe on Sunday in the first week of the new La Liga season. It is worth noting here that Costa will not be able to take part in that match even if he regains fitness by the...

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11Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann Lead Barcelona to 4-0 Friendly Win over Napoli

Antoine Griezmann scored his first goal in Barcelona colours, and Luis Suarez netted twice, as the La Liga champions thrashed Napoli 4-0 in their final pre-season game on Saturday in Michigan.All the goals came in the second half at the Michigan Stadium as Barcelona beat the same side they had faced in Miami on Wednesday as part of their short United States tour.Suarez, who had scored the winner against Arsenal at Camp Nou six days ago, continued his good form as he struck three minutes after half time, and then in the 58th minutes.Sandwiching that was Griezmann's first goal since he joined from Atletico Madrid. Valverde had backed the Frenchman after he had looked frustrated in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Serie A side, and the 28 year old stepped up here.Ousmane Dembele struck the other ...

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10Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid in talks with PSG to sign Neymar

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have engaged in talks over the potential transfer of Brazilian attacker Neymar Jr. to Madrid, according to a report from AS. The French club simply don’t want to sell Neymar to Barcelona and even offered the player to Real Madrid, knowing that the attacker just doesn’t want to stay in Paris.A year-long loan deal could be a possibility, per that same report, although a regular transfer seems more likely given the quality and reputation of the player.Real Madrid have almost ruled out the signing of Paul Pogba after the transfer window in the Premier League closed without Manchester United securing the arrival of a replacement for the French midfielder. Los Blancos seem ready to sign Van de Beek this summer.While Neymar is definitely a quality player w...

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8Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Zinedine Zidane furious with Real Madrid over Paul Pogba move

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is on collision course with club president Florentino Perez over a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba. The Frenchman returned to the club at the end of last season after Perez promised to fund a rebuild at the Bernabeu.The likes of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic have arrived in a £250m spending spree but they’ve been offset with sales of Theo Hernandez and Mateo Kovacic. After the initial outlay, Zidane wanted Madrid to focus their efforts in the remainder of the window in signing Pogba.Zidane made it clear to Madrid on his return last season that Pogba was a crucial part of his rebuild.However, a move for Pogba was dependent on Gareth Bale’s departure and the club have failed to get the Welshman’s £600,000-a-week wages off the books. Another man s...

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7Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Neymar must speak out – Pique hopes star returns to Barcelona

Gerard Pique says Neymar must speak out if he wants to push through his "complicated" return to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.Sources have told Football Flame that Barca have looked into a deal for Neymar, while PSG sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club would sell the Brazilian forward for the right price.Neymar, 27, left Barca for PSG in a world record €222 million transfer two years ago and the way he forced through his exit angered some people at the Catalan club.However, Pique says he would be delighted to welcome him back to Camp Nou but added the caveat that it will not be easy to come up with a formula to satisfy the French champions."I think Neymar's a great player that knows the dressing room, the city and the club," the defender said in a news confere...

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6Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lionel Messi to miss Barcelona's US trip due to calf strain

Argentine star Lionel Messi strained his right calf in his first training session on Monday, forcing him to extend his break and miss the upcoming matches against Serie A side Napoli."Messi withdrew from the session due to discomfort in his right leg," Barcelona said in a club statement. Barca confirmed that Messi was diagnosed with a grade 1 calf strain. The club did not say when Messi could return to the field.Messi also expressed his disappointment on social media: "I wanted to be with the team and the fans that follow us in the U.S. This time its not to be but we will see each other soon," he wrote.Barcelona will play on Thursday at Miami Gardens, Florida, and on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Barcelona faces Napoli on both Aug. 7th and 10th, before opening their league schedule on t...

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31Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid's Pre-Season Struggles Continue With Loss To Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid's disastrous pre-season continued on Tuesday as they lost 0-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in Munich. "Our defeat was well deserved," Real midfielder Tony Kroos told German TV after the match. It's true that we're not quite in good shape." In the second match of the evening, Bayern Munich thrashed Fenerbahce 6-1. Champions League runners up Tottenham will play Bayern Munich in Wednesday's final. Real Madrid will have a chance to find winning form run against a Turkish side that finished their game against hosts Bayern in disarray.For Spurs, Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game with a deft finish after pouncing on a disastrous pass by Marcelo, who was trying to prevent a throw in, after 22 minutes.Humiliated 7-3 last week by Atletico Madrid, Real could thank goalkeeper ...

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30Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Pique's Team Pay £411,000 for Promotion to Spanish 3rd Tier

FC Andorra - owned by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique - have paid 452,022 euros (£411,000) to fill a vacated slot in Spain's third tier.The club, bought by Pique's Kosmos group in December, earned promotion to the fourth tier last season but have now replaced Reus, who were relegated as a result of financial problems.Zamora, Jaen, Intercity and Linares were also keen on replacing Reus.FC Andorra, founded in 1942, have played in the league system since 1948.

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