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      ‘It is not logical’ – Lionel Messi’s PSG contract clause to prioritise Argentina call-ups slammed by chief Leonardo

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN chief Leonardo has spoken of his frustration at Argentina calling up Lionel Messi despite his knee injury.The 34-year-old, who hasn’t featured for Les Parisiens since October 29, has been named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
      Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
      PSG chief Leonardo has hit out at Argentina for calling up Messi despite his knee injuryCredit: Rex
      And Leonardo has hit out at the South American nation, while also voicing his displeasure at a clause in Messi’s contract that allows him to prioritise international games over club fixtures.
      Much to the 52-year-old’s annoyance, PSG are not able to block Messi from participating in national team matches.
      Fifa rules demand that clubs release players for officially sanctioned international windows.
      In an interview with Le Parisien, Leonardo has insisted that Messi should remain in France to continue his recovery.
      It is a double blow for the Ligue 1 giants as Argentina have also called up Leandro Paredes, who hasn’t appeared for PSG since September due to thigh problems.
      Leonardo said: “We do not agree to let a player go by selection who, for us, is not in physical condition or who is in the rehabilitation phase.

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      “It is not logical, and these types of situations deserve a real agreement with FIFA.”
      The French news outlet makes it clear how Leonardo’s anger is not directed towards his players.
      Speaking ahead of PSG’s 3-2 win against Bordeaux on Saturday, boss Mauricio Pochettino claimed he was hopeful how Messi could return to action during the international break.
      He said: “Tomorrow he won’t be available to play for the team.
      “We will see if he can travel to play for his country.
      “We hope he can go and play for his country and then return to us fit.”
      Mauricio Pochettino says he hopes Lionel Messi is back soon after injury More

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      Man Utd star Paul Pogba ‘chooses Juventus transfer over Real Madrid and PSG but Italians must first sell Aaron Ramsey’

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      PAUL POGBA reportedly favours a move back to Juventus in 2022 with Manchester United resigned to losing the midfielder on a free transfer.Though it has been claimed that the Old Lady will have to offload at least two midfielders in order to snap him up – including Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey.
      Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could depart the club on a free transfer next summerCredit: Getty
      Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey may have to be sold in January in order for the Italians to sign PogbaCredit: Getty
      World Cup winner Pogba is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and is free to talk to foreign clubs in the New Year.
      He had hinted at staying at United last month after declaring that he loves playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
      But SunSport understands that talks to extend his stay at the Theatre of Dreams have been shelved following the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool.
      The 28-year-old, who was sent off against the Reds, has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as well as the Bianconeri.
      But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba’s priority is to return to Turin to link up with Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
      He is said to have told agent Mino Raiola that Juventus is the club he wants to play for, despite tempting proposals from Los Blancos and Les Parisiens.

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      But the Italian news outlet states that in order to give Pogba a three-year deal, Juve must first offload peripheral figures in their side.
      They state that the Serie A giants will look to sell Ramsey, who is believed to be raking in £400,000-a-week at the Allianz Stadium, in the upcoming transfer window.
      And the club will also try and offload another midfielder not in the plans of Allegri.
      That player could be USA international Weston McKennie, who has been linked with a £25million switch to Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham in January.
      Following Pogba’s straight red card against Liverpool, United legend Paul Scholes declared that the Frenchman should never play for the Red Devils again.
      Speaking after the humiliating defeat, he remarked: “Paul Pogba coming on to the pitch at half time to try to help the team and maybe get a little respectability about it, tries to stand on the ball, tries to show how strong he is in the middle of the pitch… gives the goal away.
      “Then later on gets sent off with a ridiculous tackle, now you’re 5-0 down with ten men. You’d have to think, if Ole’s still a manager there, will we see Pogba again in a United shirt?
      “He’s caused mayhem over the last couple of years. Everyone knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tried to give him his head and let him be the player he’s been.
      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
      “But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom, and then he comes on and does something like that.
      “It’s not Ole’s fault, don’t get me wrong, but that’s part of it which almost summed the United performance up today.
      “Look, he probably will play [again] won’t he? But I don’t think they will be missing anything if he doesn’t.
      “He’s had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just [a lack of] discipline and disrespect for your manager and your teammates, what he’s done today.”
      Paul Scholes urges Paul Pogba to snub transfer and stay at Man Utd as he calls Real Madrid & Barcelona a ‘complete mess’ More

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      Newcastle cult hero Hatem Ben Arfa is ‘as good as Lionel Messi’ technically, claims ex-Liverpool star Djibril Cisse

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      LIVERPOOL cult hero Djibril Cisse has sensationally claimed that former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa is technically as good as Lionel Messi.The pair briefly played together at Marseille at the start of the 2008-09 campaign before Cisse joined Sunderland on a season-long loan deal.
      Hatem Ben Arfa was a fan favourite at Newcastle during his time at St James’ ParkCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Ben Arfa’s former Marseille and France team-mate Djibril Cisse has hailed his technical qualitiesCredit: AP:Associated Press
      And the duo were also team-mates on the international stage for France with both players named in Les Blues’ World Cup 2010 preliminary squad, where Ben Arfa missed out on the final cut.
      Despite their limited time together, Ben Arfa appears to have made a lasting impression on Cisse – who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005.
      Speaking on YouTube show Soyons Foot, the 40-year-old compared his compatriot to Barcelona legend Messi.
      He said: “Technically, Hatem… I might seem crazy but I think that Ben Arfa at a good level is as good as a Messi.
      “I’ve seen him do things. I’ll say it again, Hatem at his best, is Messi.”
      Ben Arfa, 34, mesmerised fans during his stay at St James’ Park between 2010-2014 – notably wowing supporters with his superb solo strike against Bolton in 2012.

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      But his performances were inconsistent in England, and after a failed loan spell at Hull, he returned to Ligue 1 where he instantly became a hit at Nice.
      After 17 top-flight goals in the 2015-16 season he linked up with Paris Saint-Germain, but he quickly fell out of favour and was overlooked for the entire 2017-18 term.
      Ben Arfa, who won titles with Lyon, Marseille and PSG, then claimed silverware with Rennes the following campaign in what was their first trophy since 1983.
      Rennes beat Les Parisiens in the Coupe de France final, with Ben Arfa incredibly scoring against his former side in the dramatic penalty shootout.
      The forward is currently a free agent after being released by Bordeaux in the summer after yet again falling out with management.
      Cisse likened Ben Arfa to Paris Saint-Germain forward and Barcelona legend MessiCredit: AFP
      He was linked with a switch to Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis last month after holding talks regarding a two-year contract.
      A Tunisian source said: “If [Esperance chairman] Hamdi Meddeb succeeds in attracting the Franco-Tunisian star, this will undoubtedly be the football event of the year.
      “This would be a masterstroke in terms of marketing and communications.”
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      ‘Laporta’s words hurt me’ – Lionel Messi slams Barcelona president and insists he was never asked to play for free

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      LIONEL MESSI has slammed Barcelona president Joan Laporta for suggesting he could have played for free as he insisted he was never asked to.The 34-year-old departed the Nou Camp in August on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after 21 years spent in Catalonia.
      Argentine forward Lionel Messi swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summerCredit: Getty
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated earlier this month he was surprised Messi didn’t offer to play for freeCredit: AFP
      Messi had wanted to remain with the Blaugrana and had agreed to lower his salary by 50 per cent, only for LaLiga to impose a salary cap on the crisis club.
      Speaking earlier this month, Laporta revealed he thought that Messi would have offered to play for nothing instead of linking up with Les Parisiens.
      That is despite Spanish law making it legally impossible for a player to represent a team for free, with the rule in place to avoid financial manipulation.
      Laporta, 59, told RAC1: “With Messi I do not get angry because I appreciate him.
      “I know he had a huge desire to stay, but also a lot of pressure because of the offer he had.
      “Everything indicates that he already had the offer from PSG. Everyone knew that he had a very powerful offer. We knew from Messi that they had a very good offer.”

      Before adding: “I did hope that at the last minute Messi would say that he would play for free. I would have liked that and he would have convinced me.
      “I understand that the league would have accepted it. But we cannot ask that of a player of his level.”
      And Messi has now broken his silence over Laporta’s comments as he declared he has been left ‘hurt’, with the forward stating he did everything possible to stay.
      He told Sport: “The truth is that, as I explained on my way out, I did everything possible to stay, never at any time was I asked to play for free.
      “I was asked to cut my salary by 50 per cent and I did it without any problem. We were in a position to help the club more.
      “The desire of me and my family was to stay in Barcelona. 
      “Nobody asked me to play for free but at the same time, it seems to me that the words said by the president are out of place.
      “They hurt me because I think he doesn’t need to say that, it’s like getting the ball off you and not assuming its consequences, or taking charge of things. 

      “This makes people think or generates a type of doubt that I think I do not deserve.”
      Messi has also declared he does intend to return to Barca in the future, though only when his playing days are over.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is planning to become the club’s ‘technical secretary’ – a role designed to bridge the gap between the boardroom and dressing room, as well as helping to sign players and hire coaches.
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      Mauricio Pochettino ‘still admires Man Utd’ amid ‘PSG uncertainty’ as Red Devils draw up manager shortlist

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO ‘still admires’ Manchester United as speculation around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job continues.The former Tottenham manager, 49, has been heavily linked with the hot seat at Old Trafford for years.
      Mauricio Pochettino is thought to still be appreciative of Manchester United – but will he replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?Credit: Getty – Contributor
      And according to The Athletic, he maintains his appreciation for the club to this day, despite plenty of issues on and off the field.
      Poch is currently in charge at Paris Saint-Germain, aiming to get Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to power the French giants to Champions League glory.
      However, the report adds there is ‘uncertainty’ around the Argentine boss’ future at the Parc des Princes.
      They sit top of Ligue 1 and their Champions League group but recent results against Marseille, Rennes and Club Brugge have caused concern for some.
      And that has led to some suggesting he could replace under-fire Solskjaer at United.
      The Norwegian is battling for his future, with Sunday’s 5-0 nightmare against Liverpool leaving him at his most vulnerable after three years in charge.

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      However, SunSport understands he looks set to KEEP his job for now – despite the calls for him to be sacked intensifying.
      It comes after a dismal run of results with no win in four Premier League matches and a series of shocking performances.
      Old Trafford chiefs held talks yesterday over Solskjaer’s future, with the board mixed over when he goes or stays.
      The ex-Cardiff boss is set to take training this morning, and prepare his team for Tottenham this weekend.
      The 48-year-old will also hold clear-the-air talks with his squad as their season descends into chaos.
      But although Solskjaer remains in the job for now, SunSport also revealed United have drawn up a four-man shortlist of possible replacements.
      A top agent is contacting out-of-work pair Zinedine Zidane and Antonio Conte about their interest as well as Leicester City chief Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd draw up four-man shortlist to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer including ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers More

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      Watch Dimitri Payet turn Lionel Messi inside out with outrageous skill sending fans wild during Marseille against PSG

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      DIMITRI PAYET gave Lionel Messi a taste of his own medicine as he twisted and turned away from the Argentinian maestro.The Marseille playmaker grabbed possession from his Paris Saint-Germain rival in Sunday’s heated ‘Clasique’ between the two French giants.

      Shielding the ball just outside the centre circle, Payet then spun 360 degrees to wrongfoot Messi and send him stumbling into thin air.
      The France international was then free to stride into PSG territory as he quickly turned defence into attack.
      The scene was one familiar to any defender who has attempted to shut down Messi over the years.
      And fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing as the former Barcelona star was made to look like an amateur in France.
      Fan ‘RMA_Jonnis’ wrote on Twitter: “Dimitri Payet roasted Lionel Messi and showed him levels tonight.”
      ‘OsayiOsa’ wrote: “Messi actually got sent back to Barcelona by Payet but no one’s gonna talk about it.”

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      ‘Clem6times’ wrote: “Payet taught Messi a footballing lesson last night.”
      And ‘abhishek_87’ added: “Lol Payet just gave Messi a taste of his own medicine. Left him for dead.”
      Payet’s midfield heroics were not enough to break a 0-0 stalemate at the Stade Velodrome as the hosts failed to capitalise on a man advantage.
      PSG’s Achraf Hakimi was sent off close to the hour mark but the visitors clung on for a point as they stayed on top of Ligue 1.
      Watch Dimitri Payet’s shocking dive for Marseille against rivals PSG with defender YARD away from ex-West Ham star More

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      Watch Arsenal loanee William Saliba make amazing last-ditch tackle to stop Mbappe and his stats vs PSG are incredible

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      WILLIAM SALIBA produced a sensational last-ditch tackle to stop Kylian Mbappe and thwart a Lionel Messi through-ball.The Marseille defender – on loan from Arsenal – showed Gunners fans what they’re missing when he pounced to halt the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

      PSG star Kylian Mbappe is played through on goalCredit: Getty
      Marseille’s William Saliba slides in with a last-ditch challengeCredit: AP
      The Arsenal loanee took the ball to deny Mbappe a one-on-one chanceCredit: Reuters
      Messi had found his PSG team-mate with a delicious pass that threatened to send him one-on-one with Pau Lopez in the Marseille net.
      But Saliba turned on the afterburners and slid in with a goal-saving tackle that left Mbappe hopelessly appealing to the ref.
      The tackle was all the more impressive with Saliba as the last man – had it gone wrong he would have surely seen red.
      The intervention came as Marseille held rivals PSG to a 0-0 stalemate at Stade Velodrome.
      The Ligue 1 leaders’ cast of attacking riches was blunted in Sunday’s ‘Clasique’, with Saliba playing a huge part in holding them off.
      The 20-year-old produced a masterful performance at the back – and the stats back that up.

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      The centre-back was solid in defence as he won five of six duels, three tackles, made an interception and a clearance apiece, and won his only aerial duel.
      He also impressed with the ball at his feet as he played 57 passes with an accuracy of 96%.
      Arsenal fans clearly liked what they saw as they dubbed Saliba a ‘Rolls-Royce’ on social media.
      Fan ‘Finn_AFC’ tweeted: “William Saliba pocketed Messi, Neymar and Mbappé at the age of 20. Rolls Royce CB”
      User ‘iBraa_Afc’ added: “Last ditch tackle by Saliba on Mbappe. What a player man. Get this boy back to Arsenal ASAP.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
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      Ten stars who have played for both Barcelona and PSG including Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Mikel Arteta

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      BARCELONA and Paris Saint-Germain have had their pick of some of the most talented footballers to have ever graced Europe’s top divisions.And a few have had the privilege of leaving their mark on both sides.
      Lionel Messi became the most high profile player to have swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      Here is a look at ten players who have experienced life at the Parc des Prince and the Nou Camp.
      Lionel Messi
      The Argentina skipper, 34, is considered by many to be the greatest to have played the game alongside his late compatriot Diego Maradona and Pele.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner spent 21 years at Barcelona winning ten LaLiga titles, seven Spanish Cups and four Champions League crowns before sealing a sensational move to Paris this summer.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic
      The former Sweden international, 40, joined his Inter team-mate, Maxwell, at Barcelona in 2009 in a £59million deal.
      And he helped the Nou Camp giants win a Club World Cup in December that year.
      The Swede would later have an acrimonious fallout with ex-Barca coach Pep Guardiola following the club’s Champions League semis loss to Inter in 2010.
      The striker moved to PSG in 2012 after a year at AC Milan where he finished as Serie A’s top scorer in 2011-12.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Fifa Club World Cup with BarcelonaCredit: AFP – Getty

      Mikel Arteta
      The Arsenal boss, 39, began his senior playing career in Barcelona’s B and C teams making 47 appearances between 1999 and 2002.
      But after failing to break into Barca’s first team the playmaker headed to PSG in December 2000 in search of more playing time.
      And he made his debut for the French giants, then managed by Luis Fernandez, in a Champions League group stage match in the 2000-01 season.
      PSG has hoped to retain Arteta at the end of his loan spell and did have an option to buy the midfielder.
      However, Glasgow Rangers came in with a higher offer which saw Arteta move to Scotland in 2002.
      Mikel Arteta swapped Barcelona for PSG in a bid to get more first team opportunities during his playing careerCredit: Rex
      Richard Dutruel
      The retired stopper, 48, who has one cap for France, spent seven seasons at the Parc des Prince between 1991 and 1996 where he won a Cup Winners Cup in 1996.
      However, with first-team opportunities limited he would spend two seasons on loan at Caen from 1993 to 1995 before spending four more at Spanish club Celta Vigo, making 128 appearances for them.
      This was then followed by a two-year spell at Barcelona from 2000-02.
      Former PSG stopper Richard Dutruel spent two years at the Nou CampCredit: Empics
      Frederic Dehu
      The former centre-back, 48, joined Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona side in the summer of 1999, playing 23 games across all competitions in the 1999-00 season.
      However, the player was let go by the Nou Camp giants after one term and returned to France.
      There he joined PSG and won the French Cup in the final season of his four-year career at the club.
      Juan Pablo Sorin
      The retired Argentina international, 45, embarked on loan spells at the Nou Camp and Parc des Prince.
      The midfielder made 15 appearances for Barcelona in 2003 whilst on loan from Brazilian club Cruzeiro and following an injury-ravaged one-year stint at Lazio.
      And the player would spend 2003-04 on loan at PSG with whom he won the French Cup during that term.
      Ronaldinho wowed fans in LaLiga after he left PSG for Barcelona in 2003Credit: Reuters
      Ronaldinho
      The mercurial Brazilian, 41, who moved to Spain from PSG in 2003, is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played in LaLiga.
      The winger wowed fans in the Nou Camp with his trickery and ability to bamboozle his markers.
      He helped his side win the Champions League in Paris in 2006 with the club’s famous 2-1 victory against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side.
      Ludovic Giuly
      Guily, 45, finished as Barcelona’s second-highest scorer with 11 goals in his first season at the club in 2004-05 despite disruption caused by injuries.
      In 2005-06, the former Lyon and Monaco ace won a LaLiga title and Champions League crown with the Catalan giants.
      After losing his spot to Lionel Messi the Frenchman moved to Roma for one season before returning to France and joining PSG in July 2008.
      Ludovic Guily helped Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2006 before joining PSG in 2008Credit: AFP
      Thiago Motta
      Motta, 39, joined Barcelona’s B team at 17, before breaking into the club’s first-team in 2001.
      And he helped the team reach the semis of the 2002 Champions League contest.
      The midfielder would spend the final six years of his 19-year playing career at PSG before retiring in May 2018.
      Thiago Motta helped Barca reach the 2002 Champions League semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      Maxwell
      The former left-back enjoyed a three-year spell at the Nou Camp from 2009 to 2012 following a move from Inter Milan.
      He covered for the injured Eric Abidal towards the second half of the 2009-10 season.
      The retired Brazil star helped the club win La Liga at the end of that term before moving to PSG on a three-year deal.

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