Batistuta 'not happy' for Messi's record with Argentina

Argentinian football legend Gabriel Batistuta has admitted that it does hurt to see his record being broken by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The 30-year-old Messi shattered Batistuta’s goalscoring record back in 2016 when his brace against the United States had handed the Argentines a win. As things stand, Messi has 61 goals in 123 games, while Batistuta’s tally reads 54 in 77 outings for the men in blue and white.

Batistuta talked to Telefe about about his record being shattered by Messi and how he felt about it. He said: "Has bothered me? Partially yes. Indeed, more than a little. It felt so good when I was the leading scorer, turning around the world all reminded me of the best goalscorer of Argentine history. I think Messi, in this step, doubts me. The only positive thing is that I know I'm coming after an extraterrestrial. "

Messi was involved in Argentina’s recent friendly against Russia, but failed to score as a Sergio Aguero goal proved enough to hand the country a 1-0 win.

Read More: http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/batistuta-not-happy-for-messi-s-record-with-argentina-69782

Neymar to Madrid possible – Morata

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar could join Real Madrid but it will be difficult, according to Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata.

The Brazil international has again been linked to the LaLiga champions, with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos saying the door was open for the 25-year-old.
Neymar made a world-record move from Madrid's fierce rivals Barcelona to PSG in August and has scored 11 goals in 12 games in all competitions for the Ligue 1 giants.
Morata, who left Madrid for Chelsea in July, said Neymar joining his former club would be hard – but not impossible.

"I think it is difficult because of his past," the Spain international told El Larguero.
"But we have already seen that in Madrid there is no impossible."
Zinedine Zidane's men are eight points behind rivals and LaLiga leaders Barcelona through 11 matches this season.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/neymar-madrid-possible-morata

Xavi considering coaching next season, praises Lionel Messi

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has reiterated his desire to become a coach once his playing career ends, while praising former teammate Lionel Messi as a "normal person" off the field.

Xavi, 37, is currently playing for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, but has also been taking the first steps in picking up his coaching badges.

The ex-Spain international's contract with Al Sadd, whom he joined in 2015 after ending his 24-year association with Barca, expires next summer, and the 2010 World Cup winner says he'll retire and become a coach soon.

Read More: http://www.espn.in/football/barcelona/story/3264777/xavi-considering-coaching-next-season-praises-lionel-messi

Lionel Messi is expecting surprise Liverpool FC transfer to happen – report

Lionel Messi is expecting to see Javier Mascherano secure a sensational return to Liverpool FC, according to reports in Spain.

Spanish outlet Diario Gol, as quoted by the Daily Express, is reporting that Messi thinks that the Argentina international is set for a return to Anfield to link up with the club he left back in 2011.

Mascherano’s current contract at Barcelona is set to expire at the end of the season and it looks as if his time at Camp Nou is coming to an end.

PSG and the MLS have both been touted as possible destinations for the defender in recent weeks, and Barcelona are thought to have found a long-term successor for Mascherano in the form of Colombian Yerry Mina.

The same report claims that Messi believes Mascherano has already made up his mind to leave Barcelona next summer, with Liverpool, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all believed to be in the running for his signature on a free transfer.

Read More: https://www.thesportreview.com/2017/11/liverpool-fc-transfer-news-messi-mascherano/

Stones has as much composure as any defender in Europe, says Southgate

Gareth Southgate compared John Stones to Jerome Boateng and Gerard Pique - and the England manager believes the in-form defender can get even better.
After a topsy-turvy first season at Manchester City, the 23-year-old Stones has become a key component of Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side, forming a solid partnership with Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence.
Southgate is also likely to lean on Stones for England's World Cup campaign in Russia next year and, having previously worked together at under-21 level, the national team boss is delighted with the player's progression.
A defender in his playing days, Southgate offered Bayern Munich's Boateng and Barcelona's Pique - considered two of the best in the position in Europe - as prime examples of ball-playing centre-backs who blossomed despite shaky moments in their early years.

"I’ve always said to him people will talk to you about just kicking the ball out,” Southgate told reporters.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/stones-has-much-composure-any-defender-europe-says-southgate

Should Arsenal aim to land all three unwanted Barcelona stars?

Barcelona are claimed to be looking to offload Arda Turan, Thomas Vermaelen and Aleix Vidal, but which players would improve the Arsenal squad.

The Gunners are strongly linked with a move to bring the Turkish international to North London with a view to replacing Mesut Ozil, who is expected to leave the club by the summer. The German is out of contract at the end of the season, and currently appears to be keen on an exit.

Turna has previously admitted that he thought he would join Arsenal, before making his dream switch to Barcelona, but the dream has turned into more of a nightmare and looks set to be forced out the club.

Vermaelen has also endured a tough time at the Nou Camp since leaving Arsenal previously, with an injury soon after arriving in Spain ruling him out for a large period, and he has failed to break into their first-team plans since his return to fitness.

Our defence has struggled so far this season, and even came under strong scrutiny this week by former right-back Lee Dixon, and Vermaelen was a top defender for our club previously, and would likely be welcomed back.

Vidal also represents a position in which we are lacking options,with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having been sold on Deadline Day without being replaced. Hector Bellerin remains our sole senior option for the right wing-back role, and his form has seemingly stuttered on without any rival for a starting spot.

Which of the three would add most to our squad? Does replacing Ozil remain a more important task than bettering our current squad weaknesses?

Read More: http://www.justarsenal.com/should-arsenal-aim-to-land-all-three-unwanted-barcelona-stars/81817

Croatia need Modric back to his best for playoff against Greece

ZURICH: Croatia need Luka Modric to get back to his best. And fast.

The country’s top player, who was targeted by critics after Real Madrid recently lost consecutive matches to Girona and Tottenham Hotspur, will be well-rested when Croatia attempts to secure a World Cup spot in the playoffs against Greece.

The 32-year-old Modric did not play with Real last weekend in La Liga, getting some important time off ahead of Thursday’s first leg at the Zagreb Maksimir Stadium following his less-than-stellar performances.

“This is no real issue,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “Luka has never let down the national team.”

Real were in turmoil following the back-to-back losses, with Modric playing in both games. But he stayed on the bench throughout the team’s 3-0 win against Las Palmas on Sunday.

Despite his diminutive stature, Modric has been an indisputable starter in Real’s midfield and is known for his reading of the game and good close control.

“Losing when playing for Real Madrid is harder than with any other team,” Modric said. “Football can be like this. These things happen. Last season we went through spells like this and we always came back to be the Real Madrid that everyone knows.”

Real coach Zinedine Zidane has often rotated Modric out of the lineup before international games, knowing that Croatia is heavily dependent on the midfielder and that he rarely gets a break while with the national team.

And it shouldn’t be any different now, with a World Cup spot on the line for the Croats. The decisive return game will be on Sunday in Piraeus.

Read More: https://www.dawn.com/news/1369396/croatia-need-modric-back-to-his-best-for-playoff-against-greece