France Ligue 1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi reveals Barcelona’s transfer plans in PSG press conference as he confirms their interest in Verratti

      by

      LIONEL MESSI revealed Barcelona tried to sign Marco Verratti for ‘many seasons’.Messi will instead play alongside the Italian midfielder at Paris Saint-Germain – rather than at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona tried to sign Marco Verratti during Lionel Messi’s time at the Nou Camp, the Argentine said to reportersCredit: AP
      The Italian has been one of the best midfielders in the world over recent yearsCredit: The Mega Agency
      The superstar Argentine, 34, addressed the media this morning as he was unveiled as a PSG player following his free transfer after leaving Barca.
      But during the press conference, he admitted his former side had tried to lure Verratti to Spain time and time again.
      Messi said: “Marco has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position.
      “In Barcelona, we wanted him for many seasons.
      “In the end, it’s me who comes to play with him at Paris. It’s a phenomenon.”
      Verratti, 28, broke through at Pescara before joining PSG in 2012.
      He has racked up 346 games for the club across nine seasons so far – with 28 trophies.
      And the Euro 2020 winner will be confident of adding more trophies this season now he is playing alongside the six-time Ballon d’Or winner who he met up with on holiday in Ibiza last week.
      ‘INCREDIBLE TEAM’
      Messi expressed his excitement at joining up with his new team-mates and repeatedly insisted he was in Paris to win silverware.
      Asked about playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe, the new No30 said: “It’s crazy. I am very happy sharing day to day life with them and all the squad.
      “Really there are some amazing transfers – the team is incredible.
      “I want to train and compete now because I’m going to be playing with the best players in the world and that’s always good.”
      Messi continued: “Neymar did a lot and was important in my decision. Neymar and I know each other very well.
      “I hope we will be stronger together and with all our team-mates.
      “I know a lot of the players from Argentina: Di Maria, Paredes etc.
      PRICE BOOST – GET CHELSEA AT 8/1 OR VILLARREAL AT 33/1
      FREE BETS BONUS: GET £180 IN FREE BETS FOR CHELSEA vs VILLARREAL
      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      “I know the coach Mauricio Pochettino very well. The fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start, it was important in my decision making.
      “I am impatient. I still want to win trophies, we can fight for them, that’s why I have come here.
      “It’s all been crazy, my arrival – it was a surprise. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
      He spoke in Spanish as he addressed the media with his family watching onCredit: Reuters
      Verratti has won 28 trophies with PSG after joining from Pescara in 2012Credit: AFP or licensors
      Messi is reportedly earning £650,000-a-week at PSG
      Messi speaks about the prospect of playing with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at PSG More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      EA Sports hint PSG could become FIFA’s first-ever SIX-STAR team after Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos transfers

      by

      EA SPORTS have hinted Paris Saint-Germain could become the first SIX-STAR team in Fifa history following five huge summer signings.Les Parisiens have brought in a new spine to their squad, and have only spent £52million with four players brought in on free transfers.
      Lionel Messi is Paris Saint-Germain’s fifth high-profile signing of the summerCredit: Getty
      Les Parisiens how now signed Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf HakimiCredit: EA SPORTS FIFA
      Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma has penned a five-year contract at Parc des Princes after running his contract down at AC Milan.
      Achraf Hakimi also joined from Italy, with PSG signing the right-back from Inter Milan on a deal potentially rising to £59m.
      And PSG also snapped up Sergio Ramos for free after he decided against extending his stay at Real Madrid.
      In midfield, the Ligue 1 giants secured the services of Georginio Wijnaldum after he eyed up a new challenge away from Liverpool.
      But the biggest shock move is Lionel Messi linking up with Mauricio Pochettino’s side following his Barcelona exit after 21 years in Catalonia.
      PSG now boast one of the strongest squads in Europe, with bookmakers listing them as the favourites to win the Champions League this season.
      Due to their strength in depth, EA Sports have hinted that they could be upgraded from a five-star team to a six-star side on Fifa 22.
      Their Twitter account posted a snap of all of PSG’s new recruits standing next to each other in an in-game photo.
      PRICE BOOST – GET CHELSEA AT 8/1 OR VILLARREAL AT 33/1
      FREE BETS BONUS: GET £180 IN FREE BETS FOR CHELSEA vs VILLARREAL

      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      Captioning the picture, EA Sports said: “Should PSG be our first six-star team?”
      Fans were divided over whether PSG should be upgraded, as one user commented: “They haven’t won anything and they wanna give them six.”
      Another tweeted: “This would be CRAZYYY.”
      Meanwhile one quipped: “Anyone who plays as them should immediately be banned.”
      A fourth added: “Previous champions league winning teams never got it… why should PSG who haven’t?”
      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi reckons PSG front line is ‘crazy’ and can’t wait to play alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after transfer

      by

      LIONEL MESSI cannot wait to line up alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to form a ‘crazy’ front line at Paris Saint-Germain. The superstar signing, 34, was unveiled at a press conference at the Parc des Princes this morning following his stunning free transfer.
      Lionel Messi addressed the media for the first time as a PSG player on WednesdayCredit: AFP
      The Argentine cannot wait to line up alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in a ‘crazy’ front threeCredit: AFP
      And the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is excited to get going – and cause chaos with the new blockbuster attacking trio.
      Asked about playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe, Messi said: “It’s crazy. I am very happy sharing day to day life with them and all the squad.
      “Really there are some amazing transfers – the team is incredible.
      “I want to train and compete now because I’m going to be playing with the best players in the world and that’s always good.
      “It’s very nice, it’s an incredible experience to be able to enjoy this.”
      Neymar has kept the iconic No10 jersey at the Parc des Princes while Messi went for No30 – his first number when he broke through at Barcelona.
      Messi played alongside Neymar at Barcelona – and admitted the Brazilian was influential in his move to Ligue 1.
      HOME COMFORTS
      He added: “Neymar did a lot and was important in my decision. Neymar and I know each other very well.
      “I hope we will be stronger together and with all our team-mates.
      “I know a lot of the players from Argentina: Di Maria, Paredes etc.
      “I know the coach Mauricio Pochettino very well. The fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start, it was important in my decision making.
      “The coaching staff and the squad had a lot to do with me choosing this club.”
      “I have friends and know Ligue 1 with friends in Paris, this league has been growing a lot.
      “The league is competitive and getting stronger as the teams want to beat PSG.
      “I will have new rivals and stadiums and I am very happy to experience this new atmosphere.”
      Messi departed Barcelona in emotional fashion on Sunday after 20 years with the club as their financial mess meant they could not sign him to a new contract.
      The Argentine legend signed a two-year deal with the French giants on Tuesday, with the option of an extra 12 months.
      He admitted he is not sure how he would feel if PSG are drawn to play against Barcelona in the Champions League.
      It would be very strange to play at home [Nou Camp] in another shirtLionel Messi
      Speaking alongside president Nasser Al-Khelaifi with his family watching, Messi continued: “I love to win. I know that my goals and PSG’s goals are the same.
      “I don’t know if we will face each other. It would be very nice to go back to Barcelona, it would be very strange to play at home there in another shirt.
      “We will see, it would be good with the fans there after the pandemic.
      “Of course it was very complicated to exit Barca without knowing where I was going to go.
      “Barca is my home, I’ve been there since I was a kid I have lived so much there.
      “Everything has been hard and emotional this week, I cannot forget what I lived and experienced in Barca.
      “I am happy and excited about this new moment in Paris on a sport and family level.
      “At a family level it will be a beautiful experience, we are in a spectacular city and we are going to enjoy it. We are relaxed and happy.
      “This whole week I have had ups and downs, every day we are processing it.”
      PRICE BOOST – GET CHELSEA AT 8/1 OR VILLARREAL AT 33/1
      FREE BETS BONUS: GET £180 IN FREE BETS FOR CHELSEA vs VILLARREAL
      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      Inside the press conference room, chants of ‘Messi! Messi! Messi!’ broke out, as well as shouts of ‘Vamos Leo’ for the new signing.
      Thousands of fans congregated outside the stadium to welcome their new hero.
      And after addressing the media, Messi headed outside to say hello to his adoring supporters.
      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
      Messi spoke in Spanish as he addressed the mediaCredit: AP
      He was all smiles alongside president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director LeonardoCredit: AFP
      The Argentine hero was joined by his family at the official unveilingCredit: Reuters
      Thousands of fans gathered outside the Parc des Princes to welcome their new heroCredit: AP
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner gave the thumbs up when he headed outsideCredit: Reuters

      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta admits ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi at PSG after he completes blockbuster move

      by

      ANDRES INIESTA admitted ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi ‘in another team’s shirt’ after the Barcelona legend completed his move to PSG. Messi confirmed his free transfer to the French giants, officially ending his 20-year stay with boyhood club Barca.
      Andres Iniesta admitted ‘it will hurt’ to see Lionel Messi ‘in another team’s shirt’Credit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi has confirmed his move to PSG
      Iniesta spent 14 of those with the Argentine, with the pair winning nine LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies together.
      But Messi’s time at the Nou Camp has now come to an end after LaLiga’s financial fair play rules left the player unable to renew his contract.
      And with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner now announced as a PSG player, it has left former team-mate Iniesta, 37, heartbroken.
      He told AFP: “I don’t know what happened internally, nor how things unfolded, but the club will need to recover from this transfer.
      “It will hurt to see him in another team’s shirt. Leo personifies Barcelona. He was everything, he’s a player who transcends the team.
      “I’ve never seen a player like him and I don’t think I ever will.
      “[Barcelona] will continue to be one of the best teams, one of those that has to be on the summit.”
      Messi, 34, has signed a two-year deal PSG with the option to extend it for a further 12 months.
      He was pictured in his new colours for the first time and will wear the No30 shirt – his first number at Barca.
      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS

      Messi said: “I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris. The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions.
      “I know how talented the players and staff are here. I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the club and for the fans.
      “I can’t wait to set foot on the Parc des Princes pitch.”
      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi LEAKED images and video show former Barcelona man in PSG kit wearing No 30 and doing kick-ups on pitch

      by

      LIONEL MESSI has finally been pictured in a Paris Saint-Germain kit with LEAKED footage circulating on social media.The ex-Barcelona icon is closing in on a blockbuster free transfer to the French giants, with the deal expected to be announced soon.
      Leaked images show Lionel Messi in a full PSG kit ahead of his blockbuster move
      The former Barcelona star was doing kick-ups at the Parc des Princes
      Messi will wear the No 30 shirt – his first shirt at Barcelona
      The latest twist in Tuesday’s mammoth Messi saga have now seen images and video leaked online.
      They show Messi, 34, in full PSG kit – and sporting the No 30 shirt – doing kick-ups on the Parc des Princes pitch.
      It is not clear where the footage originated, although it is likely someone close to the deal leaked them.
      Shortly after the video was leaked, PSG put out their own video of Messi wearing kit and at the stadium.
      Messi’s arrival was announced on Tuesday afternoon after a frantic and fascinating day in European football.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will join on a two-year deal, with the option of a third, that includes a £25MILLION signing-on fee on top of his take-home wages of £650,000 per week.
      That totals £92.6m over two years.
      PSG confirmed the signing by sharing a teasing video on social media, containing Messi’s Argentina shirt and his six Ballons d’Or trophies.
      Passionate PSG supporters arrived at Paris-Le Bourget airport on Tuesday morning to catch a glimpse of the footballing legend.
      There were also plenty of fans at the club’s Parc des Princes stadium and on the streets of Paris as Messi appeared in the French capital, wearing a ‘Ici c’est Paris’ – This is Paris – shirt.
      The four-time Champions League winner waved to his adoring supporters from a window at the airport.
      A later video emerged showing him being convoyed around Paris with a massive police escort that looked more fitting for a president than a footballer.
      Timeline: Messi joins PSG

      10.56am: Barcelona begin to remove a mural of Messi at the Nou Camp ahead of his departure.
      11.00am: Rumours on social media suggest Messi will fly from Barcelona to Paris on Tuesday to complete a free transfer.
      11.53am: Messi’s father Jorge reportedly confirms the player will sign for PSG on Tuesday.
      12.00pm: Dozens of PSG fans arrive at Le Bourget airport in Paris to greet Messi after hearing the news.
      12.21pm: Messi and his family arrive at El Prat airport in Barcelona to fly to the French capital.
      12.23pm: PSG fans and the press begin to arrive at the club’s Parc des Princes stadium.
      1.07pm: Dozens of police officers are spotted at Le Bourget as numbers grow to welcome Messi.
      1.53pm: Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo shares a photo of the couple on a plane heading to Paris.
      2.20pm: Brazilian superstar Neymar announces Messi will sign for PSG on Instagram.
      2.40pm: PSG confirms the signing of Messi.
      2.57pm: Messi waves to fans at Le Bourget.
      3.29pm: PSG confirm a press conference will be held on Wednesday, August 11 at 10am.
      3.32pm: A huge motorcade of police cars and motorbikes escort Messi across Paris
      8.48pm: Leaked images and video circulates of Messi in a full PSG kit doing kick-ups at the Parc des Princes 

      PSG confirmed the signing via a social media video
      A picture of Messi’s No10 Argentina shirt was included in the video
      Lionel Messi earlier landed in Paris with his wife AntonelaCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
      The superstar arrived at El Prat airport in Barcelona on Tuesday morningCredit: Reuters
      Paris Saint-Germain fans flocked to the airport to welcome MessiCredit: EPA
      Barcelona have taken down a mural of Messi at the Nou CampCredit: Reuters

      Messi and his dad Jorge were seen passing through El Prat airport in Barcelona as they headed to Paris.
      Jorge had reportedly confirmed the transfer on Tuesday morning, telling the press: “Leo’s going to sign with PSG today.”
      Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo then posted a snap of her alongside her husband on board a jet.
      Fans also turned up at Le Bourget airport on Sunday after rumours the player was due to land in France circulated on social media.
      But they have finally gotten the chance to say bonjour to Messi and he is expected to be officially unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday at 10am (UK time).
      Messi said adios to his adoring Barcelona supporters in an emotional press conference on Sunday.
      Speculation of a shock u-turn was quashed when the Spanish giants began removing a mural of their former captain at the Nou Camp.
      Cash-strapped Barca released Messi after a salary cap ensured the LaLiga club couldn’t offer him a new deal, despite the player wanting to stay.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET ARSENAL TO BEAT BRENTFORD AT 30/1

      Jorge Messi reportedly confirmed the transfer on Tuesday morningCredit: AFP
      Messi arrived at the airport with his familyCredit: Alamy
      The Argentine superstar travelled with luggageCredit: AFP
      There was heavy security at Le Bourget airport ahead of Messi’s arrivalCredit: Reuters
      Fans were also waiting at PSG’s stadiumCredit: AFP
      Spanish law ensured Messi couldn’t play for free, with new contracts required to be a minimum of 50 per cent of the previous wage.
      And another Spanish law will deny Barcelona the chance to retire the player’s famous No10 shirt following his departure.
      Earlier this week, Messi gave a farewell press conference in Barcelona.
      Fighting back tears, a heartbroken Messi said: “I was convinced to stay here at Barcelona.
      “This is my home, our home.
      “I wanted to stay at Barca and it was the plan… and today I’ve to say goodbye after my entire life here.”

      He added: “My new contract was done. All done. I wanted to stay and when I come back from holidays, it was done.
      “Then it’s how [Joan] Laporta explained it. At the last minute, with everything with La Liga, it couldn’t happen.
      “I’m really sad because I didn’t want to leave this club. I love Barcelona and I wanted to stay, my contract was ready.
      “I did everything in my possibility to stay.”
      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Kylian Mbappe transfer to Real Madrid ‘closer than ever’ as PSG ‘can’t afford three superstars including Lionel Messi’

      by

      KYLIAN MBAPPE’S transfer to Real Madrid is ‘closer than ever’, according to reports.Paris Saint-Germain are on course to hand Lionel Messi a mammoth contract after his emotional Barcelona exit.
      Kylian Mbappe could make a dramatic transfer to Real Madrid this summerCredit: Getty
      And while that had fans dreaming of one of the greatest attacks ever alongside Neymar, they may not be so lucky.
      According to AS in Spain, there is no way the French giants can afford all three superstars at the same time.
      The report adds PSG need to make at least £152million in player sales this summer to balance the books for Financial Fair Play, even before Messi signs.
      Messi will become the top earner on £650,000 per week, Neymar second on £490,000 and Mbappe third with his £310,000-per-week wages.
      That totals almost £1.5m per week on just three players – plus a further six are on at least £200,000.
      With Neymar signing a new contract in May and Messi only just arriving, Mbappe is the obvious choice to depart – especially with the Frenchman out of contract next summer.
      Real Madrid are yet to contact PSG regarding a transfer – because Florentino Perez does not want to antagonise the Qatari board at the Parc des Princes before they can secure the deal.
      The Spanish side will wait until Messi’s arrival is confirmed in the coming days.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET MO SALAH TO SCORE ONE OR MORE GOALS IN AUGUST AT 20/1

      DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
      Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti knows it will not take a record-breaking contract offer to convince Mbappe to come, instead confident the lure of becoming the latest Galactico will be enough of an incentive.
      Although the Bernabeu giants are tight financially, they believe they could get a deal done, the report adds.
      David Alaba has essentially taken on the wages freed up by Sergio Ramos’ departure and they still have a number of sellable assets in the squad including Martin Odegaard and Luka Jovic.
      Carlo Ancelotti is keen to bolster his attacking options at the BernabeuCredit: Getty
      Reports in Spain suggest the mega transfer is ‘possible’ and ‘closer than ever’
      DREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

      £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      It’s hard to be unmoved by Messi’s tears after Barca exit, but he almost single-handedly brought the club to its knees

      by

      DON’T cry for me, Barcelona.It would need a heart of stone not to be moved by the sight of Lionel Messi struggling to keep his emotions in check as he contemplated the end of a football era.
      Lionel Messi in tears as he left Barcelona – but his wages almost brought the club to its kneesCredit: Getty
      Nevertheless, it’s hard to have too much sympathy for the player whose wages have almost single-handedly brought one of the world’s greatest clubs to its knees.
      Not to mention providing the catalyst for the despicable European Super League project.
      So maybe the finest player of all-time should spare us his crocodile tears.
      Because the reality is that Messi has effectively bankrupted Barcelona and driven football to the brink of a financial abyss.
      When the Spanish newspaper El Mundo published the full details of Messi’s Nou Camp contract back in February, the whole world gasped in astonishment.
      It turned out that it was costing the club a ludicrous £2.35million per WEEK to keep the Argentine superstar in the style to which he has become accustomed once they had paid all his tax, image rights and various other bonuses.
      No wonder they reported a £405m loss in the last financial year and have debts in excess of £1billion.
      So when 34-year-old Messi announced he had agreed to a 50 per cent pay cut to extend his stay, he wasn’t exactly doing them a favour.
      And even that ‘discount’ wouldn’t have been enough to comply with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules which have also shackled the mighty Real Madrid.
      That is why the Spanish giants are refusing to give up on the idea of the breakaway Super League, which briefly threatened to tear football apart.
      Their presidents were reported to have met with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli this week to discuss ways to revive a scheme which was hastily abandoned by their co-conspirators earlier this year.
      Their desperation is borne out of the need to find a new way of financing their out-of-control wage bills.
      “Clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Chelsea are financially doped and infecting the rest.”LaLiga president Javier Tebas
      Not that Messi needs to worry about that.
      He’s off to Paris Saint-Germain, where he will be slumming it on £650,000-a-week alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
      It is no wonder Barca are trying to block the move on the basis that PSG’s FFP ratio is even worse than theirs.
      LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently claimed: “Clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Chelsea are financially doped and infecting the rest.”
      It’s hard to argue with that assessment when they are breaking the bank to sign the likes of Messi, Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku.
      Fortunately for PSG their president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is also the new chairman of the European Club Association, who are working to update Uefa’s FFP regulations.
      Meanwhile, Barca and Real are doing everything in their power to prevent LaLiga selling off ten per cent of its commercial rights to an investment fund for £2.3bn.
      For though it might benefit each top-flight team to the tune of £210m, it could also threaten a Spanish TV deal which is currently massively skewed in favour of the two biggest clubs.
      The bottom line is that absolutely nobody comes out of this squalid affair smelling of roses.
      Messi has undoubtedly given Barca the greatest years of its life. But what a price they have paid.

      HEADING FOR THE HISTORY BIN
      IF YOU are at a loose end today, can I recommend you go and watch Keith Houchen’s 1987 Cup final winner, Alan Shearer’s goal against Bayer Leverkusen and Duncan Ferguson’s 2005 effort against Manchester United.
      Because the way things are going the flying header will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.
      New guidelines issued by the FA, Premier League and EFL recommend that players should be restricted to ten ‘higher force headers’ per week in training.
      It’s a worthy move aimed at reducing the risk of early-onset dementia.
      But I’m not sure how the authorities will enforce the rule and it does not seem to apply during matches — for now.
      Still, it’s a great excuse for teams conceding a last-minute winner from a set-piece.
      “Sorry boss, I couldn’t head it clear because I’d used up my weekly allowance.”
      Alan Shearer’s flying header against Bayer LeverkusenCredit: PA:Press Association
      KENN YOU DELIVER?
      TRACK CYCLING royalty Jason and Laura Kenny have extended their Olympic gold medal haul to 12 — two more than the entire 1.36billion population of India have so far managed.
      If and when the golden couple finally decide to call it a day, there’s a lucrative career awaiting with Just Eat.
      Imagine how many takeaways they could deliver while ignoring traffic lights and peddling the wrong way down one-way streets.
      Track cycling royalty Jason and Laura KennyCredit: Rex
      JUR HELL
      LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp is understandably holding his breath as he awaits the results of Andy Robertson’s scan.
      The Reds left-back suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Athletic Bilbao and fears he could miss his first Premier League match for more than a year.
      And if Klopp thought that replacing Virgil van Dijk was a tough ask last season, coming up with a stand-in for Robertson will be even more of a challenge.
      It was Liverpool’s lack of options which wrecked their title defence last time out.
      Klopp will pray that Robertson is only a short-term absentee.
      Andrew Robertson suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Athletic BilbaoCredit: Getty

      BORN TO RUN
      SEEING rock idol Bruce Springsteen’s kid Jessica win a showjumping silver last week, I couldn’t help thinking that she had missed a trick.
      Surely she was born to run.
      Jessica Springsteen of the US riding Don Juan van de Donkoeve in the equestrian’s jumping team finalsCredit: AFP More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      PSG fans crowd airport after fake report of Lionel Messi arriving in Paris to complete transfer on Sunday night

      by

      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN fans crowded an airport on Sunday night – after fake reports Lionel Messi was due to land in the French capital.Hundreds of supporters gathered at the gates of the Le Bourget airport hoping to catch a glimpse of their new hero with phones ready to capture the moment.
      PSG fans hoped to see Lionel Messi at Paris’ Le Bourget airport on Sunday night
      The mass group were left disappointed because the forward was still in Barcelona
      Footage from Marca also showed the large group bustling along the street chanting ‘Messi’.
      But they were left waiting – because Messi was still in Barcelona.
      The Argentine great, 34, conducted a press conference with his boyhood club on Sunday lunchtime.
      He was in tears as he explained he did not want to leave the Nou Camp – but was forced out with Barca’s financial woes.
      It means the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is now a free agent and open to offers.
      Paris Saint-Germain look to be in pole position to sign him with a medical imminent.
      They expect to land the Argentine on a two-year contract – with reported wages of £570,000 per week.
      Marca add Messi and his entourage will fly to Paris early this week – and could even land in France today.
      That would see PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino secure free signings for Messi, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same transfer window.
      And Messi would line up in one of the most devastating attacks of all time alongside ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and superstar Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
      Neymar’s sister appeared to confirm the deal was done by welcoming Messi’s wife Antonela on Instagram.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      Rafaella commented in Portuguese: “Welcome beautiful!!!!” as they look to be reunited in Paris.
      Barca’s record scorer told the media on Sunday afternoon: “Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes.
      “At the moment nothing is confirmed. I received lot of calls after Barcelona statement. We’re talking about it.”
      Messi held a press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday lunchtimeCredit: Getty
      Preparations are underway in Paris for the imminent arrival of the Argentine legendCredit: AFP
      PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium could stage the unveiling this weekCredit: AFP
      Fans also congregated outside the Messi family home in Barcelona to say their goodbyesCredit: AFP

      Lionel Messi breaks down in tears and handed tissue by wife Antonela as he insists he’s ‘not ready’ to leave Barcelona More