La Liga

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas fumes after being robbed of LaLiga title with Barcelona

      by

      CESC FABREGAS believes he was robbed of a LaLiga title during his time at Barcelona.The midfielder is still fuming after a vital Lionel Messi goal was incorrectly ruled out by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for offside.
      Cesc Fabregas is still annoyed about losing the 2013/14 LaLiga titleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Lionel Messi was denied a goal in that crucial meetingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Messi was judged to be offside as the ball came to him with officials thinking that Fabregas was the last one to touch the ball.
      But replays showed that it was actually Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran with the final touch.
      If the goal had been allowed to stand then Barcelona would have beaten Atletico on the final day of the 2013/14 season and sealed the league title.
      However, the game finished 1-1, meaning the trophy went to Atletico.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      And Fabregas – who would have picked up his second Spanish LaLiga title – is still annoyed about the mistake.
      He said: “They took away a league against Atlético de Madrid from me.
      “I was in the game and they annulled a goal that was legal, because I didn’t touch the ball, Juanfran touched it.”
      Former Barcelona assistant manager Elvio Paolorosso even revealed that referee Antonio Meteu Lahoz admitted his mistake and apologised to the team after the game.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      He said: “Messi scored a goal that would have given us the title and the referee ruled it out.
      “We were crying in the dressing room and the referee came to apologise.”
      Midfield maestro Fabregas left Barcelona following the end of the season and returned to the Premier League by joining Chelsea.
      He is now playing for Serie B side Como after a three-year stint with AS Monaco. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi voted SECOND in top 30 players of all time in fans poll, despite breaking records

      by

      LIONEL MESSI may be Barcelona’s highest ever goalscorer, but he has missed out in one fan poll naming the club’s greatest player of all-time.In a ballot from fan poll site Ranker, the Argentina World Cup winner and now-PSG star, 35, managed to only come second best with a famous compatriot winning out.
      Messi came only second in a fans’ poll on Barcelona’s top playersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Diego Maradona edged Messi when supporters were asked to rank the LaLiga giants’ best and brightest.
      Several big names were forced to settle on a place outside of the top ten, from 1940s and 50s legend Cesar Rodriguez to Rivaldo and Neymar.
      Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique squeezed into the top ten behind recent heroes Ronaldo, Carles Puyol and Xavi.
      The top five is hard to dispute even if the order can be debated.
      Andres Iniesta, the most decorated Spanish footballer of all time with 35 trophies to his name, was fifth behind Johan Cruyff.
      The Dutch maestro is arguably remembered for his time as coach at the Camp Nou as much as for his mighty playing record, with two Ballon d’Or awards arriving while a midfield focal point for the Blaugrana and four LaLiga titles won from the dugout.
      FANS’ ALL-TIME TOP 20 BARCELONA PLAYERS1. Diego Maradona
      2. Lionel Messi
      3. Ronaldinho
      4. Johan Cruyff
      5. Andres Iniesta
      6. Xavi
      7. Carles Puyol
      8. Ronaldo
      9. Gerard Pique
      10. Luis Suarez
      11. Neymar
      12. Dani Alves
      13. Sergio Busquets
      14. Samuel Eto’o
      15. Rivaldo
      16. David Villa
      17. Ronald Koeman
      18. Romario
      19. Hristo Stoichkov
      20. Victor Valdes

      latest laliga news
      It is perhaps a surprise to see Cruyff come in behind Ronaldinho, who dazzled with his sensational skills during five years in Catalunya but won only two league titles and a Champions League.
      Edging out Barcelona’s record scorer and highest appearance maker Messi is Maradona.
      The club forked over a world record transfer fee to secure the forward from Boca Juniors.
      But injuries meant Maradona left two years later with just a Copa del Rey to his name, before going on to become a global superstar with Napoli and Argentina, winning the 1986 World Cup in the process – a trophy Messi claimed in Qatar before Christmas.
      Messi’s old Argentina boss Maradona beat him in this pollCredit: AFP – Getty More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid star David Alaba suffers racist abuse after his vote at Fifa Best Awards

      by

      REAL MADRID star David Alaba was racially abused after seemingly voting for Lionel Messi rather than Karim Benzema in Fifa’s The Best awards.The Paris Saint-Germain ace, 35, crowned his 2022 by leading Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986.
      David Alaba received racist abuse after Fifa’s The Best awardsCredit: Getty
      Messi has now scooped his latest accolade at Fifa’s The Best following last night’s glitzy bash in Paris after receiving the most votes from his peers.
      The legend pipped club mate Kylian Mbappe to the top prize – which he lifted for a second time – with 52 points compared to the Frenchman’s 44.
      Madrid star Karim Benzema came in third on 34 points. 
      A breakdown of each national captain who voted has now been released – but it was Austrian skipper Alaba’s choice that had some of his own supporters raging.
      READ MORE ON FIFA’S THE BEST
      Despite other players prioritising their own team-mates, the 30-year-old ex-Bayern Munich ace did not select Real Madrid colleague Benzema in top spot.
      He handed his five points to Messi, with Benzema in second and Mbappe in third – and soon #AlabaOut began trending on social media before he received the disgusting racist abuse.
      Idiots commented with monkey emojis on many of Alaba’s recent social media posts in a sickening online attack.
      Meanwhile, Alaba took to Twitter to offer an explanation on the choice of Messi following the criticism.
      Most read in Football
      He wrote: “The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone.
      “Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that’s how it’s decided. 
      “Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.”
      Lionel Messi received the The Best Fifa Men’s Player award for a second timeCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona ace Raphinha suffers bizarre injury blow after kicking FRIDGE in anger following Man Utd draw in Europa League

      by

      BARCELONA star Raphinha suffered a bizarre injury after kicking a FRIDGE following the club’s Europa League clash with Manchester United.Man Utd and Barcelona played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp.
      Raphinha starred in the Europa League first leg against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      But his frustration at being subbed off saw him kick out at a fridge, causing an injuryCredit: Getty
      Despite the 26-year-old being a danger throughout, contributing a goal and assist in the game, he was subbed off in the 82nd minute.
      Raphinha was visibly frustrated at his withdrawal, and was seen punching Marcos Alonso’s seat on the bench.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, he also kicked out at a FRIDGE that was storing water, but has been made to regret his outburst against the appliance as he suffered a knee injury for his troubles.
      Indeed, the injury left the Brazilian unable to start the weekend fixture against Cadiz.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Raphinha was able to return to the starting XI for the second leg against United, but was unable to repeat his first leg heroics.
      Instead, compatriots Fred and Antony proved the difference as they both scored to complete a second half comeback for Erik ten Hag’s side.
      Raphinha was once again benched this weekend for the LaLiga outing against Almeria, with Barca falling to a shock 1-0 defeat.
      This result has allowed reigning champions Real Madrid to close the gap to the league leaders to seven points after Los Blancos’ draw in the Madrid derby.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Barca’s next game is against their historic rivals in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey
      Raphinha has struggled to live up to expectations since his big money transfer from Leeds in the summer.
      He has scored seven times and added nine assists in 34 games, though 14 of these appearances have originated from off the bench.
      Meanwhile, former team-mate and ex-Barca star Junior Firpo slammed the Nou Camp for having “more tourists than fans”, claiming Elland Road was a better stadium. More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid ‘want injury-prone Christian Pulisic to replace flop Eden Hazard’ in summer transfer

      by

      REAL MADRID are set to repeat history by raiding Chelsea for Christian Pulisic to replace Eden Hazard, according to reports. Hazard, 32, joined Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 on a deal worth up to £130million.
      Eden Hazard could be shown the exit door by Real MadridCredit: Getty
      The 32-year-old’s injury issues have seen him fail to live up to expectationsCredit: Rex
      Christian Pulisic could move to Madrid as Hazard’s replacementCredit: Getty
      Pulisic has struggled to make an impact this season
      However, injuries and a lack of form have seen the Belgian’s career stutter.
      According to defensa central, Madrid have already identified a replacement for the stricken winger as they look to cut their losses.
      Though it seems Madrid have not learnt their lesson, with the report suggesting they want to replace Hazard with Christian Pulisic.
      The American arrived at Stamford Bridge the same summer Hazard departed, and that trick could soon repeat itself with Pulisic potentially on his way to the Bernabeu.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The report indicates the financial fair play restrictions on Chelsea following their £600m transfer outlay will see them “get rid” of a number of fringe stars.
      The 24-year-old’s deal at the club runs out in 2024.
      So while they will not recoup too much of the £58m transfer fee paid in 2019, they will be able to save at least £8.3m by shaving his annual wage from the books.
      Pulisic has not featured in a Blues shirt since the 1-0 defeat to Man City in the Premier League on January 5, owing to knee problems.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Regardless, Graham Potter will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways when the club play against Tottenham on Sunday.
      The misfiring Blues are languishing down in 10th place in the Prem, having won just two of their last 14 games in the division. More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid ‘want to replace Eden Hazard with another injured Chelsea star’ in summer transfer

      by

      REAL MADRID are reportedly eyeing up a move for Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic this summer.The Spanish champions are preparing to offload former Blues star Eden Hazard as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu.
      Eden Hazard has suffered a host of injuries during his time at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Christian Pulisic has struggled to build any momentum at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      And they could be set to return to Stamford Bridge for a replacement in the form of American Pulisic.
      According to Defensa Central, Chelsea need to sell players at the end of the season to recoup some of the £600million spent over the past two windows.
      Much is being made of how Todd Boehly’s bullish transfer strategy could raise issues around Uefa’s financial fair play regulations.
      And Pulisic is being looked at as someone they could offload to try and remain within the rules.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The USA international, 24, has been sidelined with a knee problem since January.
      He has started just six Premier League games for Chelsea this season.
      And inconsistency has left him frustrated ever since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
      Over 136 appearances for the Blues, he has bagged 26 goals and 21 assists.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      But Real remain interested and could capitalise on Pulisic saying in the past that he would like to play for Los Blancos one day.
      If he did arrive at the Bernabeu, the former Dortmund man would hope to avoid the injury issues Hazard has suffered.
      The Belgian, 32, has scored just seven goals since joining Real in the summer of 2019.
      And last month his latest injury was confirmed as he suffered an 18TH SETBACK in the Spanish capital.
      Hazard has been linked with a move back to the Premier League with Chelsea and Newcastle reportedly interested. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fuming Robert Lewandowski in ‘dressing room bust-up with Barcelona team-mate’ over wasted chance in Man Utd loss

      by

      BARCELONA striker Robert Lewandowski was reportedly involved in a dressing room bust-up with Ansu Fati following his side’s defeat to Manchester United.The LaLiga leaders were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday evening as a 2-1 loss at Old Trafford saw them suffer a 4-3 aggregate defeat at the hands of Erik ten Hag’s men.
      Robert Lewandowski was furious after Barcelona’s defeat to Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Lewandowski, 34, who scored a penalty to give Barca the lead in the match, was visibly frustrated towards the end of the game when Fati, 20, got in the way of a cross intended for the Polish marksman.
      He threw his arms up in the air while on the pitch… but that is not where the matter ended, reports claim.
      According to AS, the former Bayern Munich forward headed into the dressing room and confronted his Barcelona team-mate.
      The report states a “good mannered” Lewandowski spoke to Fati, insisting this was not the first time something like this had happened.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Fati defended himself by saying he had not seen Lewandowski.
      It is out of character for the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker who is often regarded as a quiet individual.
      And he made no reference to the late mix-up when reflecting on the game on social media.
      He said: “We fought until the last minute but unfortunately it wasn’t enough tonight.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      “We are disappointed, but we still have trophies to win this season. Thank you for your support.”
      Lewandowski has scored a sensational 25 goals in 30 appearances since joining Barcelona in the summer.
      And his arrival has helped Xavi’s men open up a healthy advantage at the top of the LaLiga table.
      The Catalan giants take an eight-point lead over Real Madrid into the final 16 games of the domestic campaign.
      But they could be without Fati for the trip to Almeria on Sunday after the club confirmed he “suffered a left knee contusion during a training session”.
      Barca are also still in the Copa del Rey and will face Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Thursday.
      Lewandowski was not happy with Ansu Fati following the Man Utd lossCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Erik ten Hag brands Man Utd star Fred a ‘mosquito’ after ‘stopping’ Barcelona star in Europa League

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG heaped praise on Fred for his performance against Barcelona.The Brazilian midfielder was vital to the result as he scored the equaliser before Antony’s winning goal.
      Erik ten Hag was happy with Fred’s performance against BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
      He scored and stopped Frenkie de Jong from dominating the midfieldCredit: Getty
      Fred also stopped Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong from controlling the game.
      Ten Hag compared the 29-year-old to a mosquito as he was consistently bothering the Dutch midfielder.
      Fred was all over the pitch as he had 47 touches of the ball.
      Ten Hag said: “He had an important role already last week in Barcelona.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “First, to stop Frenkie de Jong playing, he had to play as a mosquito around him and go behind him, and he did it magnificently.
      “Last week, he gave a brilliant assist for Rashy [Marcus Rashford], and today he scored a goal, brilliant performance.”
      Ten Hag will also be happy with how Fred stopped De Jong considering how Man United failed to sign him in the summer transfer window.
      Fred’s energy was crucial to United’s approach to the match as he had 47 touches of the ball all over the pitch.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Ten Hag – who himself received a lot of praise – insisted that the speed of his players was vital to how he wanted them to play.
      He added: “I like the speed. I like dynamic football.
      “I don’t like static football, I don’t like boring football.
      “I like football that entertains the people.”
      Ten Hag will be hoping his players can continue to perform at the same level in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday. More