Messi the ‘Wilt Chamberlain’ of football

After Lionel Messi surpassed 400 career goals on Saturday evening, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has likened the Argentine to NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain.

"If Cristiano Ronaldo is like Michael Jordan, then Messi is like Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in one game," the Barca coach said at a press conference.

"I considered taking Messi off to rest him, but watching him in action is such a big joy that I preferred to have him on the pitch for 90 minutes.

"He is very generous with his assists and it really is a joy to watch him. He has been touched by the magic wand.

"Messi scoring 400 goals? Most of us didn't even score that many goals if we counted all those at school, on the streets, wherever..."

Monday, 29 September 2014 12:00

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Messi, Suarez & Neymar keen on post-match pizza

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are all keen on tucking into a pizza after their games for Barcelona.

In a list leaked to the media, the Barcelona players’ post-game meals were revealed, including Gerard Pique’s preference for a Nutella sandwich and fruit.

Saturday, 27 September 2014 12:00

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Suarez gearing up for Barca debut

Luis Suarez made his first appearance in a Barcelona shirt on Wednesday as he struck twice for the club’s B team in a 6-0 win over Indonesia's Under-19 side.

The Uruguay international, who is serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, can make his official debut on October 25 when Barca meet Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the season's first Clasico clash.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s first team could have done with Suarez on Wednesday night as Luis Enrique’s men failed to register a shot on target in the goalless draw at Malaga.

While Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is still clean without conceded any goal.

Thursday, 25 September 2014 12:00

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Fiery Rooney reaches boiling point

Just as Louis van Gaal finally caught a break, with Manchester United picking up a 2-1 victory over West Ham, he was also dealt a blow as skipper Wayne Rooney picked up a red card.

The England international had opened the scoring at Old Trafford on Saturday, but hacked down Stewart Downing as the winger looked to lead a break away and was duly shown his marching orders.

It was Rooney's first red card in a United shirt since 2009, though his manager was keen to play down the maliciousness of the challenge and felt it was merely a "professional" foul.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be forced to make do without their new captain until November, with a three-match ban ruling him out of fixtures against Everton, West Brom and Chelsea.

Sunday, 28 September 2014 11:30

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Falcao & Di Maria storm Premier League shirt sales

Manchester United may have struggled on the pitch so far this season but when it comes to shirt sales the Red Devils have been leading the way in the Premier League.

New signing Radamel Falcao saw his new No. 9 shirt account for 33 per cent of all sales globally during the week following his deadline day arrival on loan from Monaco.

Meanwhile, fellow new boy Angel Di Maria boasted 24% of first-week sales, streets ahead of both Alexis Sanchez and Mario Balotelli with just 13%.

Friday, 26 September 2014 13:17

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Ferguson's Ryder Cup pep talk

Sir Alex Ferguson has been brought in to hold a motivational pep talk to the European team ahead of the Ryder Cup.

And the former Manchester United manager’s words appear to have had an impact on Rory McIlroy and the rest of the team.

“I was just sitting there and looking up at him, and I didn't take my eyes off him,” said the 25-year-old.

I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying and I'm sort of thinking, this is all the stuff that he's probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.

“He told us a couple stories just of past experiences in some big games and big matches, and some of the players that he managed, and it was a great evening. It was a really cool thing to be a part of.”

Wednesday, 24 September 2014 12:00

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Guardiola unconcerned by Bundesliga table

Pep Guardiola admits he is not worried by the fact that Bayern Munich are not already topping the Bundesliga table.

The German champions have secured eight points from their opening four games but are fourth in the league due to goal difference.

Bayern meet current league leaders Paderborn on Tuesday and could go top with a win.

"The table isn't important yet," said the former Barcelona coach. "We have to focus on our own results and performances, not others.

"Paderborn are very impressive, though, and we know why they're top of the table. They'll press us aggressively. They have nothing to lose."

Tuesday, 23 September 2014 12:00

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Chelsea strike gives Lampard the blues

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard came off the bench to net a late equaliser for Manchester City in Sunday's clash at the Etihad Stadium, ending the Blues' 100 per cent winning start to the season.

The veteran midfielder spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge and is the club's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in all competitions, though was not offered a new deal when his contract expired over the summer.

Instead Lampard joined Manuel Pellegrini's side and was named in the squad to face Chelsea despite previous suggestions that his move to City included a clause that meant he did not have to play against a club so close to his heart.

He received a rousing round of applause from both sets of fans when he was brought on in the 78th minute, though the Chelsea support was silenced as their former idol bagged an equaliser for the 10-man hosts just seven minutes later.

It was a trademark strike from Lampard, who opted not to celebrate, and after full-time in the 1-1 draw he headed over to the away end to thank the Chelsea fans for their support - and perhaps even apologise!

Monday, 22 September 2014 13:28

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Peas release me: Chicharito leaves the bench behind

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There's a new kid on the block at Real Madrid and he goes by the name of Chicharito.

The summer signing from Manchester United bagged two goals from the bench in Madrid's 8-2 demolition of Deportivo and could well have forced his way into Carlo Ancelotti's next starting XI.

That could mean the end for Karim Benzema's run in the team who missed out on the goalscoring party on Saturday as Gareth Bale (two), Cristiano Ronaldo (three), James Rodriguez (one) all found the net instead.

Sunday, 21 September 2014 12:45

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Man Utd plot Ronaldo escape plan

Next summer's major transfer saga may already have begun in earnest, with reports emerging this week that Cristiano Ronaldo is keen on a return to Manchester United.

The Red Devils are thought to reciprocate those feelings and could plot a move for the Portuguese, who has become dismayed at the Bernabeu by the decision to sell Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso.

Louis van Gaal hinted that he would jump at the chance to sign Ronaldo, just as he did when Radamel Falcao become available, but suspects Madrid will do everything possible to retain the Ballon d'Or winner.

“It’s always a discussion in the papers. I don’t think the media shall buy Ronaldo,” said the Dutch boss on Friday.

“When it is possible, it is what I have always said with Falcao, players like Ronaldo give a lot extra to selection, to the team, but I don't think Real Madrid shall sell him.”

Saturday, 20 September 2014 11:00

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