Post-USA 2016: Messi Retires!

Following Argentina’s loss to Chile in the Copa America 2016 final, Lionel Messi was visibly devastated. Not long after the tournament’s closing ceremonies, Messi did an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina where he announced that he would no longer play for the national team.

Messi: “I’m taking this decision for me and for the many people who want this. I’ve tried so hard, but I’m leaving without managing it.”

Messi: “The national team is over for me. It’s not for me after four finals. The decision is made, I believe.”

This comes three days after Messi wrote about his frustration with the Argentine FA. “Once again waiting on a plane to leave for our destination,” Messi wrote on his Instagram. “What a disaster the AFA are. My god!” When asked about the post the next day, Messi said he’d speak to AFA about his concerns after Copa America ended.

But through some combination of his frustrations with losing in another final and dealing with AFA, the world’s greatest player has decided that enough is enough. It’s possible that this decision was made in the heat of the moment, after an emotional defeat, and his fans will be hoping he reconsiders his decision.

The World Cup is two years away, and might be Messi’s final chance to win the tournament while still in the prime of his career.

Post-USA 2016: Messi Retires!

USA 2016 Final: The Night Messi Missed

Leo Messi’s legacy was expected to have been sealed with victory over Chile in the final of USA 2016.

The one that silenced the doubters, that killed off the question mark hanging over his greatness, that gave him his place in the pantheon next to Diego Maradona and showed he could achieve the same success with Argentina that has become so staggeringly routine at club level. Instead, it became The Night Messi Missed.

Goalless after 120 minutes, a game that during the first half looked on course to be decided by over-zealous officiating, instead had to be settled by penalties. This wasn’t the first time the stomach-churning lottery of spot kicks has been needed to separate Argentina and Chile.

With Chile shooting first in the spot kicks, Sergio Romero’s thwarting of Arturo Vidal’s first kick, handed Argentina the early advantage. Then a calm and ticless Messi stepped forward, after a game in which he’d been consistently excellent but struggled to apply the finishing touch, destiny surely awaited. He took his kick, but blasted high over the bar and into the stands. Clearly agonized, once again at an international tournament, Messi had missed.

Francisco Silva, brought on late during extra-time for Sánchez, proved a perfect proxy for the hero of the 2015 shootout. He shot hard; Romero dived the wrong way; the Copa became Chile’s once again.

USA 2016 Final: The Night Messi Missed

Barcelona Deserve La Liga Title - Zidane

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane conceded Barcelona are deserved La Liga champions after losing out to their arch-rivals by one point.

Real won their last 12 league games, but Barca ended with five victories in a row after a blip in April saw their lead over Real closed from 10 points.

“We’re all disappointed, but with 38 match-days played, we can’t change anything now,” said Zidane, who has won 21 of his 26 games in charge.

“Barcelona deserved to win La Liga.”

Luis Enrique, who has won the title in both his seasons in charge of Barcelona, agreed with his rival.

“It was a deserved title which shows that the team knows how to bounce back from a bad spell.

“We played very well over the full season, we were on top of the table for many weeks and the most consistent team wins the title.”

Captain Andres Iniesta has now won eight La Liga titles, a third of Barcelona’s total league championships. Barca have won six of the last eight titles – including two in a row.

“La Liga is glorious,” the Spain midfielder said. “It is the competition of stability, the one we are able to win year after year. Whenever you win the league, it is a great season.”

Defender Gerard Pique said: “This is a historic time for the club. This is a unique generation of footballers with loads of talent and who are achieving things that have never been done before.

“We had a negative run that meant we had to fight right to the last, but we got our prize in the end.”

Both sides have a cup final yet to play. Barca face Sevilla in next Sunday’s Copa del Rey final, while Real face city rivals Atletico in the Champions League final on Saturday, 28 May.

BBC

Barcelona Deserve La Liga Title - Zidane

Zidane Will Not Check Barcelona Score

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says he will not check Barcelona’s score until full-time on Saturday, despite his side needing the champions to slip up on the final day of the season.

Real would win La Liga with victory at Deportivo La Coruna only if Barca fail to win at Granada at the same time.

“I won’t know what’s going to happen until the end,” said Zidane.

“We don’t depend on ourselves, but we don’t have to think about the other game, just about our game and winning.”

Real were nine points off leaders Barcelona, having also played a game more, when they lost 1-0 to city rivals Atletico Madrid on 27 February.

Since then they have won all 11 La Liga games to take them to within a point of top spot.

Zidane only took over in January, replacing Rafael Benitez, and has won 20 of his 25 games in charge – also taking the club to the Champions League final against Atletico.

But the former France and Real Madrid midfielder and reserve team boss does not know whether he will remain in charge beyond the summer.

“I don’t know if I have earned the opportunity to continue,” he said.

“There were a lot of doubts and I can understand that. I haven’t won anything to make me think that I can stay on. We have two finals to play.”

BBC

Zidane Will Not Check Barcelona Score

Barcelona Set To Sign Young Brazil Defender

Barcelona wants to sign a new defender from Brazilian football and would’ve already identified their target.

According to the information from Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola on Rádio Bradesco Esportes FM, the player wanted by Barcelona is Fluminense defender Marlon who has been on the radar of the Catalan team’s for quite a while, and can move to the Camp Nou.

As mentioned by the journalist, the representative of Barcelona in Brazil, André Cury, would have met with president Peter Siemsen at Fluminense’s training centre to enquire about the transfer values of the defender to move to the Spanish team.

The idea of the representative would be to pass on the information received from Fluminense to the Catalans.

On the other hand, Barcelona would have competition from other European teams in their pursuit of Marlon this summer.

Italian sides AS Roma and Juventus have also made inquiries for the Fluminense player’s situation, but an official proposal is yet to be made.

Last year, Barcelona reportedly reached an agreement for a first-option on Marlon, Kenedy and Gérson.

Kenedy is currently at Premier League side Chelsea, while Gérson was sold to AS Roma.

Sambafoot

Barcelona Set To Sign Young Brazil Defender

Thiago Silva Wants Champions League Glory With Barcelona

Barcelona had repeatedly tried to sign the Brazilian defender during his spell at AC Milan, and also after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to the information from Mundo Deportivo, Thiago Silva is willing to come to Barça and this time it’s very serious. Another story is that the club wants to sign him, now that the Brazilian is 31 years old.

Barcelona were unsuccessful in their previous attempts to bring Thiago Silva, and the player revealed few seasons ago that, at Camp Nou, he would’ve earned less wages than what he makes at Paris.

The report adds that Thiago Silva is tired of winning leagues and cups in France because his team have been consistently disappointing in the UEFA Champions League.

It is public knowledge that Barcelona are seeking central defenders to strengthen their back-four, and Thiago Silva and his entourage are also aware of this.

He wants to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world before ending his career and also dreams of finally lifting the European Cup, which hasn’t been possible at Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona had repeatedly tried to sign the Brazilian defender during his spell at AC Milan, and also after hia move to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to the information from Mundo Deportivo, Thiago Silva is willing to come to Barça and this time it’s very serious. Another story is that the club wants to sign him, now that the Brazilian is 31 years old. Barcelona were unsuccessful in their previous attempts to bring Thiago Silva, and the player revealed few seasons ago that, at Camp Nou, he would’ve earned less wages than what he makes at Paris. The report adds that Thiago Silva is tired of winning leagues and cups in France because his team have been consistently disappointing in the UEFA Champions League. It is public knowledge that Barcelona are seeking central defenders to strengthen their back-four, and Thiago Silva and his entourage are also aware of this. He wants to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world before ending his career and also dreams of finally lifting the European Cup, which hasn’t been possible at Paris Saint-Germain.

Thiago Silva Wants Champions League Glory With Barcelona

Nadal To Play Nishikori For Ninth Barcelona Title

One week after completing his ninth title run at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Rafael Nadal will vie for a ninth crown at another happy hunting ground.

The top seeded Spaniard will look to dethrone two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori on Sunday after downing Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-3 in the semis of the Barcelona Open.

Bidding for an unprecedented ninth victory on home soil, he is hoping to lift his first trophy in three years, adding to crowns in 2005-’09 and 2011-’13 at the Real Club Tenis Barcelona-1899.

“Tomorrow I will play against one of the world’s best players and it will be complicated,” said Nadal. “I have to play a great match to win the final.”

Nadal had his entire shotmaking arsenal on display against Kohlschreiber, firing 18 winners and claiming 80 per cent of first serve points. He denied his lone break point faced, while capitalising on three of eight on the German’s serve.

Nadal broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set when a Kohlschreiber forehand clipped the tape and sailed long. The Spaniard continued to apply the pressure in the second, and after failing to convert on three break points in the fifth game, he took his fourth chance for 4-3 and another to seal the victory two games later.

He struck a deep return at Kohlschreiber’s feet and a backhand winner to the open court to emerge victorious on his first match point after one hour and 32 minutes.

The World No. 5 advanced to his 101st tour-level final, where he will look to continue his winning ways against Nishikori. Nadal owns an 8-1 advantage in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry, with their lone final encounter also coming on Spanish soil, in Madrid two years ago.

Should Nadal prevail on Sunday, he would earn a record-tying 49th career clay-court crown, pulling level with Guillermo Vilas.

ATP

Nadal To Play Nishikori For Ninth Barcelona Title

Barca Appologizes For Coach’s Comment

Barcelona have finally apologized to a journalist who was unfairly snubbed by coach Luis Enrique at a press conference.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was visibly upset last Sunday when his side went down 2-1 to Valencia in La Liga.

Following the defeat, the Catalan giants found themselves level with Atletico Madrid and one point ahead of their rivals Real Madrid.

The result blew the title race wide open, something that angered Enrique, judging from his mood at a post-match press conference.

During the press briefing the 45-year-old boss was asked by a journalist named Victor Malo about the fitness of the team.

Here is how the conversation went down after the question from the sports journalist:

Luis Enrique: ”What was your surname?”

Journalist: ”Malo’’.

Luis Enrique: ”Correct, next question.’’

It should be noted that ‘’Malo’’ in Spanish means ‘’bad’’ and Enrique’s comments were probably meant to inform the journalist how bad his question was, or how bad he was at his job.

The assumptions aside, Barca reportedly sent an apology to the journalist’s employers, according to Sport.

Confirming the incident, Malo revealed:

“Nobody from the club has called me to apologise directly, but they called the newspaper to do so.”

The Spanish tactician’s temper was quite understood given the fact that Los Blaugrana blew away their 7-point lead at the top of the table in a matter of weeks, and are now cornered by two Madrid giants.

The Camp Nou outfit have now gone three matches without a win in the league, their worst record since 2011

Barca Appologizes For Coach’s Comment

Atletico Madrid Eliminates Barcelona

Atletico Madrid knocked holders Barcelona out of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate victory after Antoine Griezmann’s double secured a 2-0 second-leg win at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Atleti edged ahead when Griezmann headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen on 36 minutes, and the Frenchman added a second from the penalty spot two minutes from time after Andres Iniesta’s handball.

Barcelona were denied a late penalty themselves when Iniesta’s shot appeared to strike Gabi Fernandez on the arm in the box, but referee Nicola Rizzoli awarded a free-kick, which Lionel Messi curled over.

Atletico Madrid, who eliminated Barca at the same stage of the competition two seasons ago, join Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid in the last four, with the draw set to take place in Nyon on Friday.

Atletico Madrid Eliminates Barcelona

Brazil To Fight Barcelona Over Neymar

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has vowed not to give up in its battle to see Neymar turn out at both the Copa America and Olympic Games this summer.

As Goal reported on Thursday, Barcelona communicated to the CBF that they would allow the forward to play in only one tournament – effectively ruling him out of the Copa America.

But while the CBF have confirmed the existence of the letter, they are not willing to admit defeat in the battle ahead of a crucial period for the national team.

A statement reads: “The Brazilian Football Confederation received on Friday afternoon (April 8) a letter signed by the Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, leaving clear the club’s position over the participation of Neymar in the competitions the Brazilian national team will contest in the coming months: the Centenary Copa America and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“The club will only agree to free the player for one of the competitions.”

It continues: “The CBF, by way of the National Team Committee, will make every possible attempt to have Neymar in the Centenary Copa America and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“Neymar has already publicly announced that he wishes to play both competitions for the Brazil national team and we will count on his efforts inside the club.”

Goal

Brazil To Fight Barcelona Over Neymar

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Holders Barca face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, four days after losing El Clasico 2-1 to Real Madrid.

“We had almost forgotten what losing was,” Enrique said on Monday.

“Our team has more than enough to keep being the same it has been.”

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Barca could yet finish the season with five trophies.

Having already won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, the Catalans are six points clear of Atletico at the top of La Liga and have reached the Copa del Rey final.

This is the 13th meeting between Barcelona and Atletico in less than three years.

Barcelona have won the past six meetings, with Atletico’s last victory coming in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2014.

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Barcelona Won’t Release Neymar For Copa America

Barcelona have announced that they will only allow Neymar to play in the Olympics for Brazil this summer, but not the Copa América.

The Seleção will be involved in both tournaments this summer and the CBF and Dunga were hopeful of having Neymar available for both.

Technically, Barcelona cannot refuse to release Neymar for the Copa América as it is a FIFA tournament. However, the Olympics is not and the club can refuse to release players for the games.

Brazil slightly prioritise the Olympics, having never won the gold medal for football and with the games taking place in Rio de Janeiro.

Dunga and Barca manager Luis Enrique have held talks over recent weeks regarding the Brazil captain’s summer schedule, but Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told journalists on Saturday that they would not countenance releasing their forward for two tournaments during the off season.

“It will be impossible to convince us [to release the player twice],” Bartomeu said, according to UOL Esporte. “We are aware of the importance [of the Copa America], but our view is that players need to have some rest after two strong seasons.

“We see no problem in Neymar playing at the Olympics,” he said. “The club would be enchanted, and I would take him if I were the Brazilian manager.”

Meanwhile, Bartomeu insisted the club are not worried about the player’s unresolved contract issue, “Barca don’t need to hurry. We won’t put pressure on the player, and instead we will allow him to focus on the competitions,” Bartomeu said.

“I know we won’t have problems because the player himself has already said he wants to stay. Our plan is to have him here until the end of his career.”

Credit: Sambafoot

Barcelona Won’t Release Neymar For Copa America

Match Build-up El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona will be hoping to inflict further damage on El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, and stay on course for a sixth La Liga title in eight years, when they welcome their old foes to the Nou Camp later today.

Luis Enrique’s men are now unbeaten in a remarkable 39 games in all competitions, and sit nine points clear of Atletico Madrid in second, and ten clear of Saturday’s opponents.

An unprecedented second successive treble beckons for the record-chasing Catalans, and victory over a Real Madrid side very much in transition would take them another step closer.

Here’s what you need to know as the kick off gets closer

Squads
Barcelona

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Jordi Masip, Douglas, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Rafinha, Daniel Alves, Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Adriano, Aleix Vidal, Sergio Busquets, Arda Turan, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Sergi Roberto, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Munir el Haddadi, Sandro Ramirez.

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Ruben Yanez, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Raphael Varane, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dani Carvajal, Danilo, Marcelo, Nacho, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Isco, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Jese, Lucas Vazquez.

Reasons for Barcelona fans to be optimistic

Barcelona sit nine points clear at the top of La Liga and 10 points clear of third place Real Madrid. The title is almost theirs.

The Catalan giants have already beaten Real once this season. They won 4-0 away in the Bernabeu back in November, helped by a brace from Luis Suarez.

Neymar. Suarez. Messi. Barca possess arguably the most lethal strike force ever. Between them they’ve netted 107 times for their club this season; a remarkable statistic.

Reasons for Real Madrid fans to be optimistic

They have more points from their last four games than Barcelona do. We’re clutching at straws a little here, but Madrid have 12 points from 12 while Barca only have 10. Zidane has built a bit of momentum ahead of the big one.

The pressure is off. At the Nou Camp and with the league title in sight, Barca are definitely favourites for this game. By contrast, Madrid are playing largely for pride and this could play into their hands.

Last 5 meetings

Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona

Last time out – Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
Barcelona’s key man

Since his £75m move from Liverpool to Barcelona in July 2014, Luis Suarez has just got better and better. Playing alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi in Barca’s sumptuous front three, the Uruguayan has bagged 43 times in 43 appearances this season.

More than this, however, is Suarez’s all-round game. Tenacity has always been a big part of Suarez’s play and he has won over the Barca faithful with his enduring work ethic.

Brcelona’s demolition of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in November and if he’s on form come Saturday night, he’ll take some stopping.

Real Madrid’s key man

Real Madrid have certainly been under-whelming at times this season. Rafa Benitez paid the price in January when he was sacked with his side lying four points behind then league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also come under fire at times for his performances, however the Portuguese star seems intent on silencing his critics. 41 goals in 38 games games prove that the three time Ballon d’Or winner is still at the top of his game.

Match Build-up El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

EL Clasico Combined XI

El Clasico is nearly upon us, with Real Madrid and Barcelona enduring differing fortunes in La Liga this season.

This is sportscrusader.com combined XI
Goal Keeper: Keylor Navas

The Real Madrid shot stopper is one of if not the reason(s) why the Los Merengues still believe they can catch up with their sworn rivals, Barcelona in tonight’s game.

Right Back: Dani Alves

The Brazilian defender has shown his old form this season since he decided to renew his contract with FC Barcelona earlier this summer. And this consistency in performance has seen him make Sportscrusader.com right back position his own.
Right Centre Back: Gerard Pique

Pique has been a rock at the back for both club and country and his impressive form has seen Barcelona close in on another league title and make yet another successful defense of the UEFA Champions League crown.

Barcelona’s centre-back pairing has changed with every other game with Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu partnering Gerard Pique. Hence, only the Catalan centre-back gets the nod.

Left Centre back: Sergio Ramos

The Spaniard has been the only constant in defence and the captain is one of the most valuable leaders on the pitch. The two have partnered at the back for Spain as well and they feature in this XI. Though they have had their differences every now and then, there is no better pair to play in this team.

Left back: Marcelo

The afro-headed Brazilian has been in fine form when available, takes up the left-back slot. The Brazilian is effective at both ends of the pitch for Real Madrid. Comparing a few key stats alone, Marcelo has won almost twice the tackles as Alba while also creating 27 more chances in roughly the same minutes.

Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets

The lanky midfielder walks into this lineup as the central defensive midfielder with no real competition in the whole of La Liga, let alone Madrid.

Central midfield: Ivan Rakitic 

The Croatian international has been sensational ever since arriving at the Camp Nou and he adds a certain steely nature in both attack and winning the ball back – be it through tackles or interceptions.

Central midfield: Luka Modric 

The former Spurs midfielder is the only Real Madrid player in this combined XI. The industrious Croatian midfielder has created more chances and has more key passes than the other midfielders in contention.

Forward
Luis Suarez 

The Uruguayan is selected upfront with no doubt thanks to is 26 goals and 12 assists compared to Benzema’s 20 goals and 3 assists.

Lionel Messi

Five times FIFA ballon d’or winner, Lionel Messi in spite of the knee injury that saw him miss a number of games starts along with club mate, Suarez.

Messi has 22 goals and 10 assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese captain leads the race for the Pichichi this season so we just went with the stats on this one. Ronaldo has been involved in 37 goals while Neymar has had a hand in 31. And the Ballon d’Or runner-up has the knack of turning up inClasicos.

EL Clasico Combined XI

Cristiano Ronaldo Fan Kills Messi Fan In A Row Over Which Player Is Better

A 24-year-old man has been arrested after a football dispute ended up with his friend dead

A man has killed his friend in an argument over who is better of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The row, which Spanish news agency EFE reports as having taken place at a birthday party, was between two Nigerian men living in Nalasopara, an area of the Indian city of Mumbai.

Local police chief Kiran Kabadi revealed that a man known as Obinna, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, threw a glass at Cristiano Ronaldo fan Nwabu but missed after a heated discussion over the players’ respective merits.

The 24-year-old Nwabu picked up a piece of the broken glass and attacked Messi enthusiast Obinna, gashing him and leaving him to die on the floor of his apartment.

Both footballers had stellar weekends, with Messi back to his best in a 4-0 destruction of Eibar in the Basque Country.

The Argentine forward scored a wonderful solo goal, as well as a penalty, to ensure Barcelona finished the weekend eight points clear of nearest rivals Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored four goals in the 7-1 destruction of Celta Vigo.

The Portuguese was jeered by the Bernabeu crowd as Real Madrid laboured in the first half. But the Portuguese turned it on in the second period to fire Zinedine Zidane’s men to a convincing victory.

Source: Mirror

Cristiano Ronaldo Fan Kills Messi Fan In A Row Over Which Player Is Better

Inaki Williams strikes but crushes out of Copa to Barcelona

Inaki Williams continued his impressive goal scoring run for Athletic Bilbao with his eleventh goal of the season in their Copa defeat to FC Barcelona.

The 21 year old forward celebrated his new four and half year deal with an opening goal for his Basque side in a thrilling 3-1 defeat to the reigning Spanish champions.

The much sought after Basque born Ghanaian attacker recently swerved a switch to English football to sign a contract extension that will see him stay at the San Mames till the summer of 2021.

Bilbao lost the opening leg at home 1-2 to their Pamplona based European heavy weight but Williams 12th minute strike levelled the tie earlier at the Camp Nou. The 21 year old feasted on a sumptuous ball from Aritz Aduriz to silence the roaring camp nou after a sustained pressure from Ernesto Valverdo’s men.

Barcelona returned from recess in class as Messi teed up Luis Suarez for the equaliser eight minutes into the second department of the game. The pendulum swung away from the 2015 Copa del Rey Finalists in the last few minutes as Neymar and Pique scored late goals to end the match 3-1 as Barcelona progress to the semi finals on a 5-2 aggregate.

Williams boast of the highest scoring player in Europe top five leagues under the age of 21 years.

Inaki Williams strikes but crushes out of Copa to Barcelona

Seasons Greetings: Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool Wish Their Fans A Merry Christmas

Cristiano Ronaldo And English CLubs Wish Their Followers Merry Xmas

 

It’s Christmas! and flurry of footballers and clubs have been quick and picked up on the occasion to share their festive goodwill on social media.

Some of the Premier League clubs’ social media departments have been creative to pass on festive joy.

 

footballcrusaader.com has selected some of the best

 

Manchester united’s official twitter page

 

 

 

Arsenal FC

 

Liverpool FC

 

ChelseaFC Twitter message

 

FC Barcelona

 

Real Madrid C.F.

 

FC Bayern Munich

Seasons Greetings: Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool Wish Their Fans A Merry Christmas

Opinion: Dutch Legend Tips Messi For FIFA Ballon d"or Award

Messi Is Better Than Ronaldo And Neymar – Edgar Davids

Dutch legend and former Juventus defender Edgar David’s  has declared in his opinion who the world’s best footballer is – and the winner Lionel Messi.

Dutch legend, Edgar Davids

FIFA shortlisted Argentina and Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, club mate and Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. and Real Madrid and Portuguese attacker Cristiano Ronaldo for the ballon d’or award for the 2014/15 football season at a an official ceremony on 11 January 2016.

Real Madrid and Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo

Edgar Davids who over the course of his 23-year professional career, has played alongside a handful of players who have been crowned in FIFA’s yearly gala – Davids was team mate of 1998 world cup winner with France and FIFA ballon d’or winner Zinedine Zidane.

FC Barcelona and Brazil forward, Neymar Jr.

The former Ajax player spoke highly of his former colleague when he said, “He won the award and a couple of days later he showed up at Juventus’ training camp with a gift for each member of the squad, including the kit manager, or the lady who helped us with administrative matters. I’ll never forget that. That’s Zidane,” he remembers.

The former Dutch international, now 42 years old, has shared the football pitch with the likes of FIFA World Player of the Year winners George Weah and Ronaldinho, and he discussed what it meant for two players to dominate the fight for the sport’s highest individual accolade in the way that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been doing since 2008.

 

“It’s unbelievable what they have accomplished so far and still are accomplishing. I love Ronaldo, because he’s amazing: he works so hard. If Messi is not sharp he’s right there, prepared,” says Davids, whose favourite to be crowned at the Gala on 11 January in Zurich is quite clear, though. “If he’s fit, most of the time it’s Messi. But he is an anomaly.

The rest will have to wait until he falls off a little bit.”

Opinion: Dutch Legend Tips Messi For FIFA Ballon d"or Award