Messi: Argentina Will Be Stronger At World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Argentina will be a better team at the 2018 World Cup than the one that struggled during the South American qualifying tournament, China's Xinhua news agency reported according to Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi.

The two-time World Cup champions avoided missing football's biggest event for the first time since 1970 when a Messi hat-trick ensured a 3-1 victory over Ecuador in the final CONMEBOL zone qualifier in October.

Argentina has been drawn in the same group as Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria for the June 14-July 15 tournament in Russia.

"We'll be in good shape when we get there because we're still growing," the Barcelona forward told FIFA.com.

"We had to go through something that we didn't expect or deserve because we had earlier matches against Venezuela and Peru that we could have won easily. If we had, then we wouldn't have had to go through what we did at the end.

"We've had four competitive matches with a new coach (Jorge Sampaoli), but the national team's going to change now that the Ecuador game is behind us. We're going to grow and get rid of all the tension and fear we felt because of that match and because of the risk of not achieving our objective."

The 30-year-old admitted the scars left by the team's extra-time loss to Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup are yet to disappear.

"I don't know if they're ever going to heal," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said.

"We're just going to have to live with it. It's going to be there forever. The World Cup is a very happy memory and a bitter one too because of how it ended, how it all worked out. But it's always going to be there."

Read More: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1419378

Real Madrid beats Al Jazira, reaches Club World Cup final

United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira earned all the plaudits despite losing 2-1 to European champions Real Madrid at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

The hosts produced a memorable performance and were 1-0 up at the break before Real Madrid turned the game around with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Goalkeeper Ali Khaseif was called into action early on, making five consecutive saves inside the opening ten minutes. Two Ronaldo headers were repelled by the Al Jazira captain, before he dived low to save Luka Modric's shot from the edge of the area.

Ali Mabkhout came within a whisker of handing Al Jazira the lead in the 20th minute when he latched onto Mbark Boussoufa's pass to go through on goal, but his half-volleyed strike went narrowly wide of the post.

At the other end of the pitch, Casemiro thought he had scored for the Spanish side on the half-hour mark, but after a video review, the referee ruled the goal out to keep the score at 0-0.

Instead, it was the Emirati champions who opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Boussoufa found Romarinho after a swift counter-attacking move and the Brazilian controlled with his left, before finishing with his right foot to put Al Jazira in front at the break.

Khaseif's night-to-remember was brought to an early end when he hobbled off to be replaced by Khalid Al Senani six minutes into the second period.

Al Senani's introduction to the match was, however, not a happy one as he conceded within two minutes of coming on.

Read More: http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2017-12/14/content_50102857.htm

WANTAWAY BARCELONA VETERAN MASCHERANO 'TOO OLD' FOR CSL SIDE TIANJIN QUANJIAN

Will the 33-year-old leave Barcelona for China? The club linked to his services says he's a bit old for them
Tianjin Quanjian have dismissed links with Barcelona veteran Javier Mascherano by insisting he is "too old" for the Chinese Super League side.
Rumoured CSL target Mascherano is tipped to leave La Liga giants Barca, having recently spoke of his time at Camp Nou coming to an end.
With game time hard to come by under Barca head coach Ernesto Valverde, the 33-year-old has been linked with a January move to China, where Tianjin have reportedly made an offer for the Argentina international.
However, Tianjin – now led by former Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa following Fabio Cannavaro's return to Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao – denied those reports, pointing to Mascherano's age.

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/mascherano-too-old-for-tianjin-quanjian/qgj67j33z4ar1nzg1cbocvla5

Wantaway Barca veteran Mascherano 'too old' for Tianjin Quanjian

Tianjin Quanjian have dismissed links with Barcelona veteran Javier Mascherano by insisting he is "too old" for the Chinese Super League side.
Rumoured CSL target Mascherano is tipped to leave LaLiga giants Barca, having recently spoke of his time at Camp Nou coming to an end.
With game time hard to come by under Barca head coach Ernesto Valverde, the 33-year-old has been linked with a January move to China, where Tianjin have reportedly made an offer for the Argentina international.
However, Tianjin – now led by former Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa following Fabio Cannavaro's return to Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao – denied those reports, pointing to Mascherano's age.

Read more: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/wantaway-barca-veteran-mascherano-too-old-tianjin-quanjian

FORMER BARCELONA FORWARD SALINAS: RONALDO NOT AMONG BEST EVER

The former La Liga star dismissed the Real Madrid man's claims that he is the "best player in history" via social media
Record-equalling Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo does not deserve his awards and is not among the best players in history, according to former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward Julio Salinas.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo made history Thursday by matching Lionel Messi's record Ballon d'Or haul of five, retaining football's most prestigious individual prize for the second year running.
Ronaldo claimed the Ballon d'Or for the fourth time in five years as the 32-year-old labelled himself the "best player in history".

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/former-barcelona-forward-salinas-ronaldo-not-among-best-ever/1tg4tjaszr8tm1wqx48use7n88

Real Madrid vs Sevilla – Match Preview ahead of the crucial La Liga fixture

Real Madrid take on Sevilla in the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday. Here’s what you can expect ahead of Madrid’s crucial La Liga fixture.

The Bernabéu should be rocking on Saturday as Real Madrid host Sevilla in a fixture that Madrid absolutely must win to keep the pressure on FC Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title. Cristiano Ronaldo returns from France the conquering hero, having just won his fifth ever career Ballon d’Or.

The Dark Invader comes into the match in fine footballing form as well, having just put on a display against Borussia Dortmund midweek in the Champions League. Ronaldo’s been going through a bit of a dry patch when it comes to goalscoring in La Liga, and he’ll be hoping to add a few to his tally against Sevilla.

Read More: https://therealchamps.com/2017/12/09/real-madrid-vs-sevilla-match-preview-ahead-madrids-crucial-la-liga-fixture/

Salinas: Ronaldo not among best ever and doesn't deserve Ballon d'Or awards

Record-equalling Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo does not deserve his awards and is not among the best players in history, according to former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward Julio Salinas.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo made history Thursday by matching Lionel Messi's record Ballon d'Or haul of five, retaining football's most prestigious individual prize for the second year running.
Ronaldo claimed the Ballon d'Or for the fourth time in five years as the 32-year-old labelled himself the "best player in history".
However, ex-Spain international Salinas dismissed Ronaldo's claims via social media as he talked Barca great Messi.

"Just because you're very good, that doesn't mean you're the best, as you've had the bad luck of coinciding with the great Messi," he wrote on Twitter.
"Sincerely, I don't think you are on the podium of the best in history, as there are quite a few who'd surpass you.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/salinas-ronaldo-not-among-best-ever-and-doesnt-deserve-ballon-dor-awards