independence blog: Lionel Messi

Showing posts with label Lionel Messi. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Messi And Ronaldo Would Struggle To Adapt To Epl

English Premier League analyst and journalist, Andy Gray, has claimed that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi would struggle to adapt to play in the English Premier League.

When Gray was asked by co-presenter Richard Keys whether or not he felt Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would be able to score the same number of goals in the EPL, Gray stated that the Argentine international would “struggle in a cold night at the Britiannia Stadium”, referring to the home of top-flight side Stoke City. He added that “Barcelona would struggle in the EPL as they’ve never played the likes of Stoke.”

Gray later went onto say that La Liga lacks the depth that the Premier League has, suggesting that both Ronaldo and Messi would struggle to score consistently.

Perhaps Gray has forgotten that Ronaldo netted a whopping 31 goals in 34 matches during the 2007-08 season with Manchester United.

To add insult to injury, Gray finished his remarks by saying that Ronaldo “would not be the player that he is today had he not played in English football”.

Messi vows to continue for Argentina

Lionel Messi says he will continue to play for Argentina despite harsh criticism about his performance for the national team.
Messi on Thursday responded to Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association, who suggested the star Barcelona playmaker could quiet the criticism by declining to play for his country.

Messi and Argentina played poorly in their first two group games in the Copa America and were booed off the pitch in one of them. But on Monday, Argentina beat Costa Rica 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals, and Messi showed some of the form he regularly displays with Barcelona.
''Although they criticize me, I will always come to the national team,'' Messi said in a press conference. ''Criticism by the fans bothers me and everyone, but we are aware that we didn't do things correctly.''
''Nobody likes to be whistled at,'' Messi added. ''It happened because the team did not play well.''
Grondona, in a radio interview, talked tongue-in-cheek about Messi staying away.
''The solution would be if he (Messi) said: `I'm not coming again, I'm staying in Spain'.''

Monday, July 18, 2011

Pablo Zabaleta dispute with Cesar Elizondo in a 3-0 win with authority

Friday, July 15, 2011

Aguero celebrates with Messi and Di Maria's second goal in the match

Monday, May 9, 2011

With a magical Messi, Barcelona won the first semifinal of the Champions League

The team led by Joseph Guardiola defeated Real Madrid by 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Lionel Messi scored the goals for the great victory of his team.

The whole “Merengue” had a difficult afternoon in the capital of Spain as they suffered a heavy defeat local in the European Champions League, and the expulsion of defender Pepe and José Mourinho DT.

Messi led Barça to victory with two goals and a wonderful game. Now, they can only hope that their efforts will bear fruit next Tuesday, in the second leg.

Whoever wins this “derby” key shall play Manchester United or Schalke 04. Thus, the 2009 final could be repeated as the English side won 2-0 in the first leg.

Messi Scores 50th Goal of the Season

Villa slid in the opener from close range before half-time, his first goal since February, while Messi came off the bench to finish inside the box and continue an astonishing season of football for the Argentine. The win re-extends the gap at the top of La Liga to eight points. Earlier Real Madrid had hammered Valencia 6-3 at the Mestalla in a statement of intent on the title race, but Barca responded with enough to edge closer to retaining their crown.

There was a buoyant atmosphere inside the Catalan cathedral despite the sapping midweek Copa del Rey final loss to Real Madrid. With the third Clasico of this historic quadruple coming up on Wednesday, the Champions League semi-final first leg in the Bernabeu, Pep Guardiola rested stars Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. And the lack of star quality showed, with Barca struggling to break down their opponents and not dominating possession to the level now expected of them.
Striker David Villa summarized, stating “It was a complicated game but 3 more points. We were a bit tired from Wednesday’s game. The goal? Of course it’s nice but main thing is of course that the team wins. Now we rest a bit and then we’ll be trying to reach the final of the Champions League.”

Magical Messi Beats Madrid

Two Lionel Messi late goals, the second of which an amazing solo effort, at the Santiago Bernabeu in a heated Champions League semifinal between Barcelona and Real Madrid to give the Catalans a vital away goal before the second leg next week.

In what panned out as more of a riot than a football spectacle, both teams had players sent off while Real coach Jose Mourinho was banished to the stands. The first half ended goalless, but a melee between the players after half time, just outside the tunnel had Barca’s substitute goalkeeper Josep Pinto seeing red for his role in the clash. After the restart, Pepe went into a challenge against Dani Alves with his studs up and though replays suggested he didn’t intend malice, he was given a straight red card. In his protests, Mourinho, who sarcastically winked and the fourth official and seemed to say “well done, well done”, was banished from the technical area and into the stands.
The game was at risk of being remembered for tackles and play acting. However, at the late stages, there was some football to savour. Ibrahim Afellay, who came on for the injured Pedro, used his pace to skip past Marcelo down the right before delivering a cross at the near post for Messi to touch in from close range. It was the crucial away goal they had wanted.
It wasn’t over though. There was still time for some Messi magic. If his first goal had been a poacher’s goal, the second was a conjurer’s. As only he can do, Messi raced at the Madrid rearguard in typical fashion, skipping past Arbeloa and Albiol and into the box, where he calmly slotted it past Casillas. Madrid were left flabbergasted. Real have given themselves a lot to do in the second leg if they are to get to the final, and it remains to be seen what Mourinho will do. At the moment though, Barca are definitely the favourites to go all the way to Wembley.

Jorge Messi and Sergio Batista Reflect On Clasico

Lionel Messi’s father has criticized the approach of Jose Mourinho following Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Argentina national team coach Sergio Batista believes that Lionel Messi is on course to establishing himself as the greatest footballer ever
After the match, Mourinho complained about the referee’s decision to send Pepe off in the early minutes of the second half for his challenge on Daniel Alves and claimed that it was a “scandal” at the Bernabeu. The father of Lionel Messi, Jorge, has now given his take on the matter and says that Mourinho was wrong to vent in the manner he did after the clash.
“It was bad, very bad,” said Jorge Messi, according to Goal.com Spain. “I can understand that the game was heated. “I cannot tell if it was right to show him [Pepe] the red card or not but I agree that it was the turning point. But until then, Madrid played badly. “Mourinho’s approach was very conservative,” he added.
Jorge was delighted to watch his son Lionel score both the goals, the second one of the finest strikes in a Clasico. “I told him [Lionel] that they would win 2-0 and that he would score both the goals,” enthused Jorge, who then jokingly added: “Paul the Octopus is useless, you have to listen to me.”
Messi’s national team coach Batista was at the game last night and was left mesmerised with what he saw.
“We saw the Messi we all know and love,” said Batista, according to Reuters. “He’s on his way to becoming the best player in history. Given what we already know and because he surpasses himself day by day, he’s already the best in the world. I left the stadium telling myself, ‘Thank God players like Xavi and Messi exist’. They give you goose bumps, they thrill anyone.”

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Barcelona Stars Come Out For Shopping in a Boutique

Barcelona’s star forward stepped out for a spot of Italian boutique shopping on Sunday, 20th March. He and his posse received preferential treatment in the Dolce & Gabbana store, but only left with a tiny bag as a token of his well-spent time.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

10 Barca Players Tested by UEFA Doping

Barcelona Ten players, including Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez, are required to attend a drugs test by the European Football Federation (UEFA), Thursday, March 17, 2011. The test is said to be 'routine' is done the day after there were reports of one radio in Spain who called Barca had a troubled relationship with the doctor.

Cadena Cope Radio-name it-claim that Real Madrid as the biggest rivals Barca have requested that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is more serious in conducting doping tests in the domestic league. Madrid, Cadena Cope added, also could not understand how the 'doctor with a questionable reputation' can work for clubs of Barcelona.

"The doctors from UEFA made surprise visits to the gym this morning and Barca do a routine doping test on 10 players Barca," the statement listed the club's official website.

"This isis the second time to receive regular visits UEFA Barca this season ,last year three times ( visit)."

Doctors suspected it named Eufemiano Fuentes and never didakawa in December last for criminal trade in athletics doping scandal. He also recorded works for the Valencia club when the club came out as champions of La Liga in 2002 and 2004.

This accusation makes Barca and Valencia threatened to bring an action against Cadena Cope. The threat is then addressed the radio with an apology.

They also expressed no doubt the sincerity of Barcelona and the player. Cadena Cope's just not interesting reports about the doping suspicions.

"We're coming (team) of the UEFA anti-doping controls today, what a coincidence," said Gerard Pique as one of the players tested.

Besides Pique, Messi and Xavi, the seven other players tested was David Villa, Jeffren Suarez, Jose Manuel Pinto, Andre Iniesta, Victor Valdes, Javier Mascherano, and Ibrahim Afellay

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Biography of Lionel messi

Full name: Lionel Andres Messi
Popular name: Lionel Messi
Nickname: Messidona, Messiah
Position: Striker / Wing

Lionel Andres Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, 23 years ago. He is the son of the couple Jorge and Celia Messi. Since the age of five, Messi was playing football with a local club, Grandoli, trained by his father. Messi is naturally gifted footballer, like its rival the moment, Cristiano Ronaldo. Sports bodies and shrewdness dribble ball not only gained from exercise, but grew up instinctively.

But unlike Ronaldo, who berfisik perfect. Messi as a child experiencing growth abnormalities. He was sentenced to growth hormone deficiency that prevents her height. As a result, until the teen years, height Messi smaller of two years from their peers. Doctors also said that if left unchecked, high maximum Messi will only reach 140 centimeters.

However, despite this, Messi can cover these shortcomings with his talent. When I joined the junior team of renowned Argentine club Newell's Old Boys, Messi is unbeatable in the field. Never in a game he easily passed two big opposing players (ideal posture). His opponent is bigger, the first, easily skipped. Fight them, trying to intercept by using a larger body. But, with a little trick of the foot, Messi with the ball can pass smoothly is that instead dropped his opponent.

Although brilliant in the field, but the physical deficiencies Messi worrying both parents. The father, Jorge, only a factory worker with a small salary in addition to the status Grandoli coached semi-pro. At that time, Massey was undergoing hormone therapy, but the cost for this is not little. About 650 U.S. $ per month. Jorge only able to finance Messi hormone therapy during the first two months. rose from the entire health insurance savings.

The economic crisis experienced by Argentina at that time also makes Jorge little broke. He almost intends to bring his family moved to Australia. But luckily it happens thanks to undo part of a man.
Is Charles Rexarch, Director of Personnel Barcelona who was in Argentina to look for young players with potential. The news about the greatness Rexarch Messi up to the ear. He also met the boy. Despite knowing the physical deficiencies Massey, Rexarch still take him to Spain after seeing action in the field. Messi was then aged 13 years.

Initially, the Barcelona is also hesitant to sign because knowing the shortage. But when they saw the direct action of Messi in the field, they immediately menyodorinya contract to sign. Barcelona also decided to finance the Massey hormone therapy until he reaches maximum height. Not only that, they also provide employment to the Massey's father, Jorge, and home to the Massey family in Spain.
Thanks to hormone therapy, Messi can grow to 169 centimeters. High that, although not ideal for a footballer, but a normal height.

In the Barcelona B team, he scored 35 goals in 30 games. Her achievements make it soon got promoted to the senior team in 2004. Not in vain Barca sign him. He became the youngest player ever to score for his team in Spain's Primera Liga in 2005, while down facing Albacete. He was only 17 years, ten months and seven days. He is often compared to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, including by Maradona himself. His goal in the semi-finals of the King's Cup against Getafe in 2007 reminiscent of the "Best Goal of The Century" is printed Maradona at the 1986 World Cup. Spanish media dubbed it "Messidona".

In 2005, Barcelona offers a new contract to 2010 worth € 150 million, € 30 million higher than Ronaldo's contract, which is still regarded as the world's best player at that time. Still in the same year, he for the first time got a chance to perform at the senior Argentine national team, against Hungary. After only 40 seconds showing, she was expelled for elbowing an opposing player Vilmos Vanczak, who pulled his shirt as he ran. Referee's decision to invite controversy. Maradona even openly supported the action Messi.

He became the youngest player ever to appear for Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, in the face of Serbia-Montenegro. Not only that, he also broke the record as the youngest goalscorer in the tournament, and the sixth World Cup history. In September 2005, Barcelona once again extend his contract, this time until 2014. He decided to hold Spanish citizenship (with dual nationality principle adopted for the country, allowing Messi became a citizen of Spain and Argentina as well), and thus could defend Barca in the Primera Liga. Previously, he could not appear because the club has met the quota for non-EU players.

Unlike some star players who enjoy their life as a celebrity, Lionel Messi is a closed figure. Apart from its action on the gridiron, he seldom opened his mouth about his personal life. Messi almost never spit to do with women, but it seems the ball players is indeed a magnet for the model. He now reportedly close to the model Luciana Salazar who was 28 years, after the escape from the Macarena Lemos, who was also a model. But that did not deter the fans to approach him. In Peru, a woman jumped into the front of the upper stands, as he walked out of the field. Messi tried to warn him, but she hurried tumbled in the field, prior to release by security personnel.

Messi is a versatile left-handed player. He was able to perform equally well in the center, wing, as well as the attacker. Speed, ability and vision dribel is world class. Rivalry between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also the best footballer in the world, has become a legend.

Now, Messi was a key player club Barcelona and Argentina national team. Has entered the gates of success with hard work, talent and perseverance. Messi is also known to focus on his career and away from the glamorous life. Stuff like this just added to the positive value of Messi in the eyes of fans and supporters.Let us look forward to more action Messidona in the field.

Career:
ClubBarcelona (157/105) (2004 - present)
National Team
-Argentina (53/15) (2005-present)
Awards:
-FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009