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
Lionel Messi
FifPro General Secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffman explains covid-19’s financial impact on even the biggest clubs. Football lawyer Daniel Geey explains why it’s in the best interest for out of contract players to sign extensions. Jonas Baer-Hoffman, the general secretary of FIFPro, the international players’ union, has told ESPN that clubs will no longer be able to bank
Sid Lowe thinks Marc-Andre ter Stegen should have no qualms about leaving Barca after how he’s been treated. Sid Lowe explains why Barcelona’s wage cut would be a bad decision for the club. Gab Marcotti explains the FIFA regulation that could help Neymar leave PSG and return to Barcelona. Gab Marcotti outlines the reasons why
Lionel Messi, Carli Lloyd and more join in a message to the world to advise on Coronavirus and how best to beat it. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola have both made donations worth €1 million to help overburdened health care systems deal with the coronavirus pandemic. The large part of
With reporting by Moises Llorens and Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal Andy Webster, who won 28 caps for Scotland, retired from football in 2017, but he could provide the key to Neymar‘s possible return to Barcelona, assuming the indefinite delay of football caused by COVID-19 doesn’t linger too long and affect club’s finances too harshly. Webster famously walked
Steve Nicol says Barcelona are ordinary outside of Lionel Messi and lack connections this season. The FC crew react to Barcelona’s 6-1 win to advance past PSG in the 2017 Champions League round of 16. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says Lionel Messi will retire at the club despite a turbulent start to 2020 off
PREMIER LEAGUE Arsenal narrowly beat West Ham (1-0) to continue their impressive run of form under Mikel Arteta. Liverpool came from behind to beat Bournemouth (2-1) and tighten that grip on the elusive Premier League trophy. Chelsea dismissed Everton 4-0 while Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 to keep pace with the top four. 1
Steve Nicol is wary picking Barcelona to advance past Napoli after their unconvincing 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. Barcelona needed a helping hand from VAR on Saturday as a Lionel Messi penalty helped them beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at Camp Nou and move back to the top of the table. Robin Le Normand’s second-half handball
On Saturday came a respite of sorts for Barcelona. After a month that included a spat between star Lionel Messi and the club’s sporting director and a strange and awkward social media scandal, not to mention a loss to Valencia that gave the league lead to Real Madrid, the Blaugrana enjoyed an easy 5-0 romp
A superb weekend of football has thrown up its usual treasure trove of stats and numbers. We crunch the lot to bring you the best. Premier League Chelsea beat Spurs 2-1, Manchester City eked out a 1-0 at Leicester City, Manchester United beat Watford 3-0 and Arsenal beat Everton in an absolute cracker that ended
Sid Lowe explains why Martin Braithwaite’s late move to Barca will signal for change in the rules next season. The FC guys discuss Lionel Messi’s recent interview where he addresses many of the ins and outs of Barcelona. Martin Braithwaite explains how he’ll immediately work to integrate himself into Barcelona’s squad. Steve Nicol thinks Antoine
Steve Nicol thinks Antoine Griezmann still hasn’t fully settled in at Barcelona despite his goal vs. Getafe. Shaka Hislop says Barcelona’s back line will leave fans on the “edge of their seat” even with a lead. Lionel Messi has said that Barcelona is “my home” amid speculation that he could make a move away from
Shaka Hislop delves into Barcelona’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi after their 2-1 win over Getafe. Pep Guardiola quickly shuns the rumours surrounding Lionel Messi to Manchester City. Lionel Messi has revealed that Neymar is determined to return to Barcelona and believes the Brazil star can help the Camp Nou club win the Champions League once
Steve Nicol thinks Antoine Griezmann still hasn’t fully settled in at Barcelona despite his goal vs. Getafe. Shaka Hislop says Barcelona’s back line will leave fans on the “edge of their seat” even with a lead. Shaka Hislop delves into Barcelona’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi after their 2-1 win over Getafe. Julien Laurens, Steve Nicol
Shaka Hislop says Barcelona’s back line will leave fans on the “edge of their seat” even with a lead. Shaka Hislop delves into Barcelona’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi after their 2-1 win over Getafe. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu met with the club’s leading players on Tuesday in an attempt to cool rising tensions after
Steve Nicol considers whether Adama Traore’s recent form could earn him a return to Barcelona. Barcelona are nowhere to be found in Shaka’s Power Rankings after their early Copa del Rey exit. Barcelona twice came from behind to beat Real Betis 3-2 in a thriller at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday, as they moved back
Pep Guardiola quickly shuns the rumours surrounding Lionel Messi to Manchester City. Sid Lowe explains why Lionel Messi will likely remain at Barcelona despite recent turmoil within the club. Ale Moreno debates if Man City’s attack would surpass Liverpool’s or Juve’s with the addition of Lionel Messi. Gab Marcotti shares the latest on a potential
Shaka Hislop examines the dynamics at play between Lionel Messi and director of football Eric Abidal at Barca. Barcelona coach Quique Setien says all he can do is focus on football, everything else is “out of his control.” Steve Nicol feels Ivan Rakitic is not the right type of player Atleti need to get back
Shaka Hislop examines the dynamics at play between Lionel Messi and director of football Eric Abidal at Barca. Barcelona coach Quique Setien says all he can do is focus on football, everything else is “out of his control.” Gab Marcotti outlines how the current rift between Lionel Messi and Eric Abidal could progress at Barcelona.
Gab Marcotti outlines how the current rift between Lionel Messi and Eric Abidal could progress at Barcelona. Julien Laurens explains why Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Levante was more important than it seemed. Ale Moreno praises Barcelona for their strong first-half, but is still skeptical of their ability to hold a lead. Shaka Hislop leaves Barcelona