Gab and Juls discuss Quique Setien’s response to Lionel Messi saying Barcelona can’t win the Champions League. Sid Lowe warns that Barcelona’s player swap plans could fail again if it can’t persuade players to leave. Gab Marcotti analyses why Inter Milan are standing firm on Lautaro Martinez’s potential move to Barcelona. The clause allowing Lionel
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Gab and Juls discuss Quique Setien’s response to Lionel Messi saying Barcelona can’t win the Champions League. Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta chooses a 4-2-3-1 formation in his FIFA 20 Ultimate Team. La Liga experts Sid Lowe and Ale Moreno test their Messi & Ronaldo IQ in the latest FC quiz. Barcelona’s full squad takes to
Gab Marcotti examines Barcelona’s pursuit of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez amid transfer market uncertainty. Gab Marcotti reveals why Miralem Pjanic’s swap deal from Juventus to Barcelona may be held up. Barcelona resume team training drills with the signature rondo taking centre stage at their latest practice. Staff in full bio-hazard gear disinfected the Barcelona player’s
ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe and Ale Moreno give their picks as to who you should follow once the Bundesliga returns. Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss how the Bundesliga is planning to deal with coronavirus cases within the league. When Roberto Firmino was first called up to the Brazil squad in late 2014, most of
Ian Darke reflects on Chelsea’s dramatic Champions League semifinal finish against Barcelona in 2012. Shaved head or afro? Messi or Ronaldo? Braithwaite is put on the spot in ESPN FC’s “You Have To Answer.” Barcelona legends and players thank all the people fighting the pandemic on Saint George’s Day. While they are kicking their heels
Maradona’s now-iconic warm-up 31 years ago last Sunday was one of those defining moments in soccer for what it revealed about the player and about us. It was a viral video before there were viral videos. A TikTok before TikTok. The video of Diego Maradona’s warm-up routine ahead of Napoli’s UEFA Cup semifinal second leg
Javier Aguirre remembers watching Lionel Messi for the first time in 2002 and had “no doubts” he’d be great. 17-year-old Lionel Messi lists Maradona, Ronaldinho and Pablo Aimar as his idols. Sid Lowe explains why Lionel Messi is likely to remain at Barcelona despite recent turmoil at the club. Five years ago today, Pele said
Shaka Hislop and Steve Nicol clash over Lionel Messi’s standing after his UCL showing vs. Chelsea in 2018. Ale Moreno feels competing with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate fuel for Lionel Messi. Over the years, our writers have been present for some of the game’s greatest occasions. In the first of
Relive Paulo Dybala’s stunning strikes for Juventus so far this season. Watch Serie A on ESPN+. Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, one of the highest-profile players to be infected with the coronavirus, has started training again after recovering from the illness which he said left him struggling for breath. Dybala is one of three players at
The FC TV crew discuss USMNT prospect Gio Reyna’s future at Dortmund after his stunning goal vs. Bremen. Brian Dunseth contextualizes the USMNT’s win vs. Costa Rica in their first match of 2020. Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna has attempted to end speculation about his international future by committing himself to the United States national team. The
Alejandro Moreno breaks down Argentina’s win over Brazil and raises questions about Tite’s job security. Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi’s talent after another hat trick. Julien Laurens explains why Eric Abidal is already talking about pursuing Neymar again next summer. Lionel Messi was guest of honour all weekend at
Alejandro Moreno believes Lionel Messi may have endeared himself to the Argentina fans, but was ‘irresponsible’ for his comments that could land him a ban by CONMEBOL. The Argentine Football Association has failed with their appeal to CONMEBOL regarding Lionel Messi‘s three-month ban following last summer’s Copa America. Messi was banned for three months from international matches
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
Lionel Messi beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo to claim a record sixth FIFA’s The Best award given to the top men’s player on Monday. The award was handed to the Barcelona and Argentina captain at a ceremony in Milan. – Champions League group stage: All you need to know – ESPN Champions League