The possibility of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona has resurfaced after recent comments from Xavi Hernández.
According to Xavi, the idea of bringing Messi back to the club was seriously discussed after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. The Barcelona coach supported the move from a sporting perspective.
However, the final decision did not depend on him.
Reports suggest that Barcelona president Joan Laporta ultimately chose not to move forward with the deal, despite growing excitement among fans hoping for Messi’s comeback.
At the time, Barcelona were struggling with strict financial regulations from La Liga and a difficult economic situation.
Instead of returning to Camp Nou, Messi eventually joined Inter Miami, beginning a new chapter of his career in Major League Soccer.
The story remains one of the biggest “what if” moments in modern Barcelona history.
At Barcelona, the story of young talents has always been part of the club’s identity. From the legendary La Masia academy to the emergence of new stars, Barcelona continues to produce players who capture the imagination of football fans around the world.
One of the most exciting young players today is Lamine Yamal. Despite his young age, Yamal has already shown extraordinary technical ability, creativity, and confidence on the pitch. Many fans believe he represents the future of Barcelona.
Recently, an old photo resurfaced on social media showing a young Lionel Messi bathing a baby during a charity photoshoot years ago. The surprising detail is that the baby in that photo turned out to be Lamine Yamal.
For many football fans, the image became a funny symbol — almost as if Messi had “passed his magic” to the next generation of Barcelona talent.
Inspired by this story, I created a short cartoon imagining a humorous version of Barcelona’s “secret training method”.
In the animation, a baby blessed by Messi grows up to become the brilliant Yamal. But when another baby receives a different type of training — inspired by the “Shark” nickname of Ferran Torres — the result is a little more unpredictable.
The cartoon plays with the contrast between rising talent and the funny, chaotic side of football that fans love.
Football is full of stories, legends, and unexpected moments. Sometimes the best way to celebrate them is through humor and animation.
When Walid Regragui took charge of the Morocco national football team in September 2022, few expected what would happen just a few months later.
The short cartoon below celebrates Morocco’s incredible World Cup journey under Regragui.
Morocco entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup as an underdog. But under Regragui’s leadership, the Atlas Lions produced one of the greatest stories in World Cup history.
Morocco topped their group ahead of Croatia and Belgium, showing discipline, organization, and remarkable team spirit.
Then came the historic knockout stage.
Morocco eliminated Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Round of 16. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Portugal 1-0, becoming the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final.
It was a moment that united millions of fans across Morocco, Africa, and the Arab world.
Regragui’s success was not only about tactics. His connection with the players, his belief in the team, and the collective spirit of the squad played a crucial role in Morocco’s unforgettable journey.
The 2022 World Cup will always be remembered as a historic chapter in Moroccan football.
The Benfica curse is one of the most famous stories in European football history. Since 1962, when Béla Guttmann left the club after winning two European Cups, Benfica have failed to win another Champions League title. Some call it coincidence. Others believe it’s one of football’s strangest curses.
But what really happened?
Who Was Béla Guttmann?
Béla Guttmann was a Hungarian coach who led Benfica to back-to-back European Cup titles in 1961 and 1962. At the time, breaking Real Madrid’s dominance was considered almost impossible. Yet Guttmann built a young, dynamic team that conquered Europe.
After the second European Cup victory, Guttmann reportedly asked for a pay rise. The club refused.
He left the club and allegedly said:
“Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champions.”
That sentence became known as the origin of the Benfica curse.
How Many Finals Has Benfica Lost Since 1962?
Since Guttmann’s departure, Benfica have reached multiple European finals — and lost every single one.
They lost European Cup finals in:
1963
1965
1968
1988
1990
And later lost Europa League finals in:
1983
2013
2014
Each defeat strengthened the legend of the curse.
In 1990, before the final against AC Milan, Eusébio even visited Guttmann’s grave asking for forgiveness. Benfica still lost.
Was it bad luck? Financial power gaps? Or something psychological?
Is the Benfica Curse Real?
There is, of course, no supernatural explanation.
Modern football has changed dramatically since the 1960s. Financial power, broadcasting rights, and squad depth have transformed the Champions League. Clubs from Portugal operate with far smaller budgets compared to England, Spain, or Germany.
But the story of the Benfica curse persists because it represents something deeper: how one moment in history can shape decades of narrative.
In sports, belief matters.
The Curse of the Bambino: A Similar Story
Benfica’s story isn’t unique in sports.
In 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. The owner needed money to finance a Broadway theater production.
After that decision, everything changed.
The Yankees became a dynasty.
Boston went 86 years without winning a championship.
Fans called it “The Curse of the Bambino.”
In 2004, the Red Sox finally won again — breaking the so-called curse.
The parallel is striking.
One decision.
Decades of consequences.
Why the Story Still Matters
Whether you believe in curses or not, the Benfica curse has become part of football folklore.
It is a story about:
Leadership decisions
Pride and ego
Financial limitations
Psychological pressure
And the weight of history
Every time Benfica reach Europe’s later stages, the narrative returns.
Can they finally break it?
Will the Benfica Curse Ever End?
Boston waited 86 years.
Benfica have been waiting since 1962.
Football has surprised us before.
Curses in sports may not be real — but history can feel heavy.
The real question is not whether it’s a curse.
It’s when — or if — Benfica will lift the Champions League again.
Arsenal beat Chelsea in the London derby, but the real story was their deadly corners.
Two goals came from set pieces, proving once again that Arsenal’s corner routines are one of the most dangerous weapons in the Premier League.
In this cartoon animation, we show how Arsenal’s “corner cannon” works… and why Chelsea had no chance stopping it.
What a chaotic Champions League night! 🦁💃🔥
Galatasaray survive the battle against Juventus as Victor Osimhen roars at the final moment.
Real Madrid shine again with Vinícius Jr dancing past Benfica.
Atalanta break Dortmund’s wall through Scamacca.
PSG edge past Monaco in a tense clash.
Drama. Goals. Chaos. This is the Champions League.
Inter Milan are officially OUT of the Champions League after a shocking defeat to Bodø/Glimt. Another European nightmare for Serie A? While other clubs celebrate qualification, Italian football is facing serious questions in Europe. Is this the end of Inter’s UCL dream this season?
Galatasaray crush Juventus 5–2 in Istanbul.
After leading early, Juventus collapse as the lion of Istanbul takes over in the second half.
A dramatic animated take on one of the wildest Champions League nights.
