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      Lionel Messi looked ‘disinterested’ and Man City transfer would be GAMBLE after Barcelona thrashing, claims Joe Cole

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S summer move for Lionel Messi would be a ‘gamble’, claimed Joe Cole.
      The 33-year-old failed to impress during Barcelona’s shock 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

      Lionel Messi failed to inspire his team to glory against Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former West Ham star Cole claimed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner looked ‘disinterested’ throughout.
      And he insisted City would be taking a huge risk if they made a move for him this summer.
      The pundit told BT Sport: “You’d have to do your due diligence before you sign Messi. He looked disinterested tonight. 
      “The 34-year-old Messi, if he plays like that it will be a gamble.

      “To take him into a club where Pep relies on energy, enthusiasm, togetherness.
      “It’s a mess at Barca, I don’t know how they’re going to sort it out. I can’t see Messi staying there. 
      “It’s going to be tough for him to connect into one of these big teams because he’s going to have to roll back the clock and move like he did three or four years ago.”
      After the match, Cole claimed that PSG star Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world.

      Joe Cole claimed Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world
      Rio Ferdinand backed him up as he insisted Mbappe is on track to ‘take over the throne’.
      The World Cup winner scored a hat-trick as PSG ran riot during the Champions League clash on Tuesday.
      Cole claimed Messi was not ’emotionally engaged’ in the match as he slated Barcelona’s performance.
      He added: “Disinterested is the word. They had no power, no togetherness.
      “There was no connection between the back four and the front three and in between it looked bitty.
      “Messi looked disinterested. It’s really hard for any ex-player to criticise him because he’s a genius and the greatest player I’ve seen play football but tonight he didn’t look like he was emotionally engaged in the game. 
      “He’s a leader out there, so is [Gerard] Pique and so is [Sergio] Busquets. The spine of the team at Barcelona look weak and just fell to bits. 
      “It was 4-1 – but it could have been five or six. It’s worrying times for Barcelona.”

      Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show as PSG beat BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi tried to force his way out of Barcelona last summer when he handed in his transfer request.
      But he decided to stay for one final season to avoid a legal battle with the Spanish side.
      His contract expires in June amid interest from both Manchester City and PSG.
      But Arsene Wenger has urged PSG to focus on Mbappe and Neymar rather than Messi.

      PSG should keep Mbappe & Neymar as Messi ‘demands huge investment’, says Wenger More

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      Khabib demands Dana White make UFC fight at Barcelona’s Nou Camp with 100,000 fans after getting signed Mbappe shirt

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      KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV called on UFC president Dana White to make a fight at Barcelona’s 100,000 capacity Nou Camp stadium.
      UFC lightweight champion Khabib travelled to Spain to watch Barca’s Champions League clash with PSG.

      Khabib watched PSG’s 4-1 win at BarcelonaCredit: Twitter

      Kylian Mbappe signed his match shirt for KhabibCredit: Twitter@btsportufc

      Khabib posed for a picture with keeper Kaylor Navas

      The night belonged to 22-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick as the French champions ran riot, winning 4-1.
      Afterwards, Nurmagomedov got himself a signed match day shirt from the man of the moment Mbappe and posed for a picture with keeper Kaylor Navas.
      Dagestani hero Khabib, a Real Madrid fan, also told White on Instagram Live: “Hey Dana you here? Let’s make fight here 100,000 people, let’s go”
      The UFC has never in its 28-years history hosted an event in Spain.

      Nurmagomedov, 32, was unfortunate not to watch his beloved Madrid in action as they play in next week’s round of European games.
      Khabib, who retired from the UFC in October, is an avid football fan and joked he was going to make his debut on the pitch.
      He even received an ambitious offer from Russian third tier football side FC Kamaz, who were willing to take the MMA star on trial.
      Khabib hung up his gloves after the first fight since the loss of his influential father Abdulmanap, who passed away aged 57 in July.

      Anderson Silva tops the list for the biggest UFC win streak
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      But with Nurmagomedov one win away from achieving his dad’s dream of 30-0, White held a meeting to tempt the Russian back for one final fight.
      It was then revealed after Conor McGregor, 32, was beaten by Dustin Poirier, also 32 – two of Khabib’s ex-opponents – that he had no inspiration to return.
      But White is not giving up hope just yet with the pair now set for fresh showdown talks in Las Vegas.
      Nurmagomedov as a result has kept his lightweight belt, but he has hinted it will be vacated should he choose to remain on the sidelines for now.

      Dana White is set for fresh showdown talks in Las Vegas with KhabibCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription More

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      Wenger urges PSG to focus on keeping Mbappe and Neymar over Messi transfer that will demand ‘huge investment’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN should focus on keeping Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than breaking the bank to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene Wenger.
      The Arsenal legend thinks the size of the investment necessary to land Barcelona star Messi would be better spent on keeping ‘their two best players’.

      PSG should spend their money on Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rather than trying to sign Lionel Messi, according to Arsene WengerCredit: AFP or licensors

      The French champions have been heavily linked with the ArgentineCredit: Reuters

      Wenger’s comments came as Mbappe bagged a hat-trick as PSG thrashed Barcelona 4-1 at the Nou Camp.
      Messi scored Barca’s opening goal from the penalty spot while Neymar missed the tie due to a groin injury.
      Argentine superstar Messi has been heavily linked with a free transfer to the Parc des Princes with his Barca deal expiring at the end of this season.
      But with Messi currently on a £123MILLION-A-YEAR contract at the Nou Camp, Wenger reckons such money would be better spent on persuading Mbappe and Neymar to stay in the French capital.

      Mbappe’s deal expires in summer 2022 and he said on BeIN: “Mbappe is free in 2022.
      “If he does not extend in 2021 PSG has to sell Mbappe or he will be completely free in 2022.
      “And they have to extend Neymar and Mbappe together. And it looks like that will be financially very very expensive.
      “And the question PSG has to answer, can they convince the two?

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      Wenger thinks PSG should double down on what they’ve gotCredit: Getty – Pool

      “And do they have the money to do it? Because they need to sign the two together.
      “Messi demands a huge investment and I would say PSG today is more focussed on keeping their two best players and investing all the money they have into their two best players.
      “Mbappe is 22 maybe the future best player in the world so when you have the next two best players in the world, keep them.”
      Messi tried to quit Barca last summer by attempting to trigger a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free.
      But after threatening legal action, he made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his deal.
      He is, though, expected to leave after 20 years this summer.
      Man City are also keen on signing the Argentine.
      Speaking in December, he admitted he still ‘doesn’t know’ what he will do at the end of the season.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Joe Cole says Kylian Mbappe is the best player in the world More

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      Kylian Mbappe is best player in world AHEAD of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, gushes Joe Cole after PSG hat-trick

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      JOE COLE hailed Kylian Mbappe as the best player in the world after the Frenchman’s breathtaking Champions League hat-trick.
      Barcelona were sunk by Paris Saint-Germain’s comeback at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

      Kylian Mbappe did the business for Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lionel Messi was left in the Frenchman’s shadow at the Camp NouCredit: Reuters

      Mbappe quickly levelled after Lionel Messi’s penalty opener in a performance that outshone the Argentine icon.
      A deflected cross was swept home by the 22-year-old after half-time to make it two and he added PSG’s fourth – and his hat-trick – with a brilliant finish after a lightning quick counter-attack.
      Everton loanee Moise Kean headed home the other goal in a dominant night for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      Former England star Cole, 39, felt the display put Mbappe above the often-favoured duo of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best.

      The Chelsea and West Ham legend told BT Sport: “[Mbappe] is the best player in the world, at the moment.
      “The influence he has on his team, the way he can just run away from players.
      “His link-up play, his work-rate off the ball… he is the alpha dog in football at the moment.
      “The top player in my opinion – maybe Ronaldo still. But as young players go, if you want to build a team, go and get Kylian Mbappe.”

      Beaten Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann, who won the World Cup alongside Mbappe in 2018, predicted a place on the podium for the striker very soon.
      He stated: “Kylian Mbappe had a great night.
      “PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.”
      PSG will aim to heap further misery on Barcelona and avoid a repeat of their famous ‘remontada’ of 2017 in the second leg on March 10.
      Mbappe was left delighted with the position his team put themselves in and praised the ‘style’ with which they won.
      The striker told RMC: “We are very happy. It was a very important match for us. We wanted to come here and win.
      “And we did it in style. Now we have an important match on Sunday in the league.
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      Ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole was left in awe of Mbappe’s performanceCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      “Tonight, it is magnificent but we have not won anything yet. I am happy. I always want to give the best of myself.
      “I have not always had that success. But never in my life will I hide.
      “Today, my hard work is paying. We were a little heckled, there was Covid. But we are feeling better and better physically.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      Barcelona 1 PSG 4: Mbappe outshines Messi with stunning hat-trick in Champions League thrashing

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      THIS felt like a changing of the guard.
      Lionel Messi, for so long the planet’s greatest player not only of his day but of all time, was completely upstaged by Kylian Mbappe.

      Kylian Mbappe put in a world-class performance on Tuesday night, becoming the first player to score a European Nou Camp hat-trick since 1997Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Lionel Messi was left in the Frenchman’s shadow at the Camp NouCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The electric Frenchman produced a complete performance marked by a breathtaking hat-trick.
      And he now looks ready to claim Messi’s crown as the king of world football. 
      It certainly seemed like a changing of the guard at the top of world football.
      Mbappe’s French compatriot and Barca star Antoine Griezmann said: “Kylian Mbappe had a great night.

      “PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristian Ronaldo.”
      Mbappe became the first player to score a Champions League hat-trick at the Nou Camp since Andriy Shevchenko did it for Dynamo Kiev in 1997.
      His first was a close-range blast after dancing round Clement Lenglet, his second a shot on the rebound and his third a sublime curling effort.
      But his all-round display was Messi-esque in the way he tormented Barca – with pundit Owen Hargreaves likening the World Cup winner to the Brazilian Ronaldo.

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      In his first game at Camp Nou, and his first time facing Barcelona…Kylian Mbappe completes a wonderful hat-trick with a SUBLIME finish 🤩We are witnessing greatness! pic.twitter.com/7uc84LQ2nE
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 16, 2021

      Mbappe hailed Mauricio Pochettino for his influence since taking the reins at Paris Saint-Germain, who look a good bet to win the competition after finishing runners-up under Thomas Tuchel last term.
      The superstar, 22, said: “The coach has done a great job since he joined. But he’s continued the work of Tuchel who started an extraordinary job, with the final. 
      “We’re starting to get better and better physically. We’re not yet in peak form, even if tonight was very good.
      “We wanted to come here and win. We did that in style. Tonight was magnificent, but we haven’t won anything yet.”
      Everton loanee Moise Kean also got in on the act in a display to send shockwaves around Europe.
      It was the perfect pitch from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their summer bid to lure Messi, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
      The Argentine genius did score himself with an early penalty – but it will have been scant consolation as his side were hammered.
      It left Barca’s hopes of a 14th consecutive year progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals looking all but over.

      Messi had fired Barcelona into the lead in the last-16 first legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mbappe struck back with an amazing hat-trickCredit: Reuters
      While Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 giants look a good bet to repeat last season’s journey to the final – and perhaps go one better.
      This titanic battle saw Pochettino come up against a fellow former Southampton boss in Ronald Koeman, who succeeded the Argentine at St Mary’s in 2014.
      Messi was quiet in the first-half yet still produced a stunning pass that led to the penalty he converted.
      The 33-year-old lofted a beautiful ball over the top to Frenkie de Jong, who WAS clipped by Layvin Kurzawa even if at first the Dutchman looked to have tripped himself.
      Messi venomously dispatched the spot-kick for his 20th of the season and 10th goal in his last ten matches.
      But Pochettino’s side responded superbly and, after Ousmane Dembele had failed to finish Messi’s neat pass seconds after the opener, they hit back through Mbappe.
      The leveller was a thing of beauty.

      Former Arsenal target Kurzawa cut back a diagonal pass first time to Marco Verratti, who instantly lifted the ball through to Mbappe.
      The most exciting player in European football showed some nifty footwork to waltz round boyhood PSG fan Clement Lenglet before blasting into the roof of the net.
      Paris were unlucky not to go to the break ahead as Marc-Andre Ter Stegen saved brilliantly to deny efforts by Kurzawa and Kean, before Icardi headed Mbappe’s corner just wide.
      Some players are made for the big stage.
      Messi is the ultimate example of that but Mbappe appears to be cut from the same cloth.
      The French star was relishing the contest, dancing round challenges and brushing opponents off at will.
      He went close with a strike seconds into the second period with a curling 20-yard effort.
      And just after the hour he netted his and PSG’s second, turning home after Alessandro Florenzi’s cut-back had deflected off Gerard Pique.
      It was 3-1 shortly afterwards as Kean continued his amazing turnaround with Paris by heading home Leandro Paredes’ free-kick.

      Messi may be staring at his final Champions League game with Barcelona in next month’s second legCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronald Koeman may have to hope for a fresh ‘remontada’ to save his jobCredit: Reuters

      Kean’s strike was his 13th of the season for his loan club – compared to a paltry two in 33 appearances for the Toffees.
      Mbappe settled things once and for all with five minutes to go, ending a swift counter with a sublime finish into the top corner.
      It was his 40th goal involvement in 41 Champions League games as he well and truly picked up the baton from Messi.
      The master has been eclipsed by the apprentice.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      PSG star Marco Verratti ‘really wanted’ Barcelona transfer in 2017, claims ex-agent as he slams French league

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Marco Verratti wanted to join Barcelona in 2017, according to his former agent.
      The Italian’s former representative Donato Di Campli claimed the midfielder was eager to link up with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.

      PSG star Marco Verratti once wanted to join BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Italy international Verratti was made a prime target under former Catalan chief Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona.
      But Ligue 1 giants PSG dug their heels in over letting the 28-year-old leaving to join their European rivals.
      BARCA vs PSG OFFER: GET MESSI AND MBAPPE TO SCORE AT 70/1
      However, Veratti, who has spent the last nine years at Parc de Princes, did have his head turned by Barcelona’s interest.

      Di Campli told French outlet L’Equipe: “When Barca contacted me, I asked Marco what we’re doing.
      “He told me to talk with them, and that we would also talk with PSG since an extension was in the pipeline. PSG was not great at the time, so I said to Marco, ‘Are we going or are we staying?’
      “He said ‘OK, let’s try another experiment’. Marco really wanted to go to Barcelona. He texted Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] to tell him, I kept it.
      “They were offering a lot of money, but it wasn’t even that. Playing with Messi, becoming a champion, which is a different thing to being a great player. PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but they play in a weak league.

      “I told Marco that if he wanted to become a champion, he had to change tune.”

      Verratti is now set to line up against Messi after recovering from a hip injury to face Barcelona in the Champions League tonight.
      But the duo could become team-mates at PSG next season with the Argentine linked with a sensational switch to the French capital.
      Yet two of Messi’s other pals Neymar and Angel Di Maria will be missing for the first-leg clash in Spain due to injury.

      Mbappe shoves Neymar out of PSG team photo, before Veratti pulls him back in, after Champions Trophy win More

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      Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car confirms Liverpool transfer offer before Reds signed Kabak and Davies

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      DUJE CALETA-CAR has confirmed that Liverpool were keen to sign him last month but he decided to remain at Marseille.
      The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp desperately looked to sign a centre-back due to their defensive crisis.

      Marseille ace Duje Caleta-Car has stated he turned down an approach from LiverpoolCredit: AFP or licensors

      Liverpool eventually managed to bring in two centre-halves, though the club first tried in vein to bring the Croatia international to Merseyside.
      Caleta-Car has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most talented defenders since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2018.
      So it came as no surprise when the Premier League champions firmed up their interest with an offer.
      And the four-time Austrian Bundesliga winner has declared it was an ‘honour’ to be chased by Liverpool, though he believed sticking at Marseille would prove key in his development.

      Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s top-flight encounter against Nice, he told reporters: “Today, there is the Champions League, and I am going to watch the two games.
      “I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.
      “We decided with the club that I was going to stay.
      “Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”

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      After being turned down by Caleta-Car, Liverpool opted to bring in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on an initial loan deal.
      And they also signed Ben Davies from Preston to fill their centre-back void with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out injured.
      Following Kabak’s mix-up with goalkeeper Alisson in the defeat against Leicester on Saturday, it remains to be seen who will partner Jordan Henderson at the back against RB Leipzig tonight.

      Jurgen Klopp denies rumours he has quit Liverpool after poor run of results and insists he doesn’t need a break More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘set to leave PSG for FREE next summer sparking transfer battle between Man Utd, Chelsea and Real Madrid’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE is likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of next season, according to reports.
      The French champions are desperate to renew the 22-year-old’s contract, which is currently set to expire in June 2022.

      Kylian Mbappe has fewer than 18 months left on his contractCredit: Reuters

      It has previously been suggested that should they fail to reach an agreement, Mbappe could be sold this summer so as to at least get some return back on a player they spent around £156million on back in 2017.
      But according to Spanish paper Sport, Mbappe will NOT leave the French capital this summer – irrespective of whether he pens a new deal.
      They claim that he still feels that he has unfinished business at Parc des Princes.
      Boss Mauricio Pochettino is confident that Mbappe will commit to Paris beyond 2022, having recently told Cadena Ser: “I believe the club is working on it.

      “They are obviously making an effort to renew the contracts of the players they believe are important not just for the present but for the future.”
      But Sport believe that Mbappe is more likely to opt for pastures new, with the Premier League or LaLiga on his horizon.
      This opens the door to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and particularly Real Madrid.
      Mbappe’s childhood love of Madrid is no secret, and neither is his relationship with their manager Zinedine Zidane.

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      Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful of keeping his No7 aroundCredit: AFP or licensors

      But even if under-pressure Zidane was to depart Santiago Bernabeu, Mbappe would still be interested in a move to the Spanish capital.
      Fellow superstar Neymar is also out of contract at PSG next summer.
      But the Brazilian has indicated that he would like to stay.
      He told RMC Sport in December: “I am very happy here in Paris. I am very happy at the club, with my team-mates.
      “The idea of leaving does not occur to me. We have to discuss [my contract]. We have a very good relationship, I am very happy and we’ll see what happens in the future.”

      Neymar has indicated that he wants to stay in ParisCredit: Reuters
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      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More