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      Generous Lionel Messi gives up hat-trick chance as he gifts Griezmann injury-time penalty in Barcelona’s win over Getafe

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      LIONEL MESSI turned down the chance to score his first hat-trick of the season to hand a penalty to Antoine Griezman.Barcelona would not have begrudged the Argentine, 33, from grabbing the ball for a late chance to bag his third goal against Getafe on Thursday.
      Antoine Griezmann thanked Lionel Messi for the chance to score a penaltyCredit: Reuters
      However, with the points in the bag, he allowed team-mate Griezmann the chance to find some form in front of goal.
      It was the French forward who won the late spot-kick at the Camp Nou, with Barcelona leading 4-2.
      Instead of Messi commandeering the opportunity to score his eighth penalty of the season, Griezmann drove it hard and low into the net – the ball clipping the post as it escaped David Soria’s dive.
      The 30-year-old former Atletico Madrid player is still yet to hit double figures for the LaLiga campaign as the Catalans look to overcome a poor start to win the title.
      Messi remains the league’s top scorer with 25 goals after his brace on Thursday.
      Yet the club are statistically less reliant on their talisman than rivals Real Madrid are on Karim Benzema.
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      The Frenchman’s 21 LaLiga strikes account for 38 per cent of his team’s total, higher than Messi’s 34 per cent of Barcelona’s goals.
      An early one-on-one finish from Messi set his side up for victory over Getafe but the capital club hit back quickly with a Clement Lenglet own-goal.
      A calamity own-goal from the visitors allowed Barcelona to stretch out a lead with Messi’s second, this time from a tight-angle rebound.
      Enes Unal replied before a Ronald Araujo header for the Blaugrana and Griezmann’s penalty sealed the win.
      An absolute calamity at the back from Getafe restores Barca’s lead! 😱😱Chakla plays the pass back but there’s no communication between him and the keeper and it rolls into the net 🤦 pic.twitter.com/zJihBPheVa— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) April 22, 2021

      With Atletico Madrid also claiming victory, Diego Simeone’s side remain three points clear of Real Madrid atop the table.
      Barcelona are five back with a game in hand while Sevilla, who beat Levante the night before, are a further point behind.
      Ronald Koeman said after the match: “[Messi] never slows down, if his concentration ever drops it doesn’t show in his game.
      “We need him. Today he has been decisive again.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      Lionel Messi urged to snub transfer exit by new Barcelona president Joan Laporta in passionate plea More

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      Watch Barcelona profit from comical own-goal as Lionel Messi nets twice vs Getafe in first game since ESL controversy

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      BARCELONA profited from a farcical own goal in their first game since the failed European Super League plot.President Joan Laporta insisted the Dirty Dozen’s breakaway competition remains “absolutely necessary” before kick-off on Thursday, as he and Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez continue their campaign to screw over LaLiga’s also-rans.

      Getafe scored a comical own goal as they lost 5-2 to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      The farcical effort helped Barca to victory in their first game since the ESL falloutCredit: AP
      Yet opponents Getafe were clearly in a forgiving mood as Sofian Chakla produced one of the season’s standout own goals to set Barca on their way to a convincing 5-2 victory
      Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet had already put one in his own net in the opening 15 minutes, cancelling out Lionel Messi’s opener.
      But his blushes were spared when Chakla overcooked his backpass and chased in vain as the ball agonisingly rolled over the goalline, restoring Barca’s lead.
      Messi then scored his second goal five minutes later to make it 3-1.
      Enes Unal’s penalty gave Getafe a flicker of hope in the second half.
      But Ronald Araujo’s bullet header from Messi’s corner made the points safe late on.
      And there was still time for one more as Messi generously passed up a golden chance at yet another hat-trick by allowing Antoine Griezmann to slot home and injury time spot-kick.
      Victory takes Ronald Koeman’s side back into third in LaLiga – five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, with a game in hand – as we approach the end of a turbulent week for football fans across the continent.
      The Catalans were one of 12 sides to sign up to the European Super League on Sunday.
      But after widespread criticism, all six Premier League clubs pulled out on Tuesday with Atletico and Inter Milan following soon after.
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      Lionel Messi scored twice at the Nou Camp to help Barca on their way to victoryCredit: Getty

      Despite that, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan still remain.
      And Barca president Laporta has refused to apologise for the mess, insisting a super league is needed and that he hopes fresh talks can get it back on its feet.
      Laporta said: “It is absolutely necessary. We are supporters of the national leagues and we will talk to Uefa.
      “We have a position of prudence. It is a necessity, but the last word in the end will be from the members.
      “The big clubs contribute a lot – we must participate in the economic distribution.
      “It should be an attractive competition based on sporting merits. We are open to dialogue with Uefa, I think there will be an understanding.”
      Araujo seals the points for Barca! 🔵🔴A great leap and a powerful header from the corner, and an important 3 points for Koeman’s side 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RvGjD9oanM— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) April 22, 2021

      Erling Haaland’s dad and agent land in Barcelona and whisked off to transfer meeting with president Joan Laporta More

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      Premier League clubs will NOT be able to afford Haaland and Mbappe transfer fees without Euro Super League, claims Perez

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have no chance of signing Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland without money from the doomed European Super League.That is the view of deluded Real Madrid president Florentino Perez who is still desperately clinging to the remains of the money-grabbing scheme despite all six English clubs bailing on it already.
      Florentino Perez says Premier League clubs will not be able to afford Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe without the European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
      PSG ace Kylian Mbappe is being heavily linked with a move away this summerCredit: Rex
      Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola has been touting him around Europe’s biggest clubsCredit: EPA
      Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with Borussia Dortmund ace Haaland.
      His agent, the controversial Mino Raiola, even embarked on a world tour to meet prospective clubs interested in the free-scoring sensation.
      And Mbappe has been linked with a Paris Saint-Germain exit too.
      The France international’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions expires next summer and talks over a new deal have yet to bear fruit.

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      Manchester City have been mentioned as a potential destination with the club looking to replace legend Sergio Aguero at the end of the season.
      But Perez – whose interviews have taken on a distinctively ‘in denial’ feel since the Super League all-but collapsed – reckons no Prem side will have the cash to afford the stars.
      He told El Larguero: “In general, there will not be big transfers this summer.
      “When money does not flow from the rich clubs to the poor clubs, everyone suffers. It’s impossible to make signings like Mbappé and Haaland, in general, not just for Real Madrid, without the Super League.”
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      The desperate Spaniard also claimed fan protests against the Super League at many grounds – including Chelsea’s – were staged.
      Despite his attempt to scaremonger the Prem clubs into re-joining with the Haaland/ Mbappe rhetoric, Real are in serious financial trouble of their own.
      They are said to be close to £1billion in debt and would also likely struggle to cough up the cash for the pair.
      And Perez also said Los Blancos would NOT be re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He refused to confirm they would be extending club legend Sergio Ramos’ contract too – because he would not accept a pay cut.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Real Madrid chief Perez insists European Super League still alive More

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      Chelsea clash with Real Madrid in Champions League in ‘small’ doubt as Uefa chief hint leaves Florentino Perez fuming

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      UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says there is still a possibility that Chelsea’s game with Real Madrid will be binned.The Champions League semi-finalists signed up to the European Super League that collapsed in dramatic fashion 48 hours after its unveiling.
      Florentino Perez (left) and Aleksander Ceferin (right) are at war over the ESLCredit: PA
      Chelsea are due to face Real Madrid in the Champions League next weekCredit: Getty
      Furious Ceferin, 53, vowed to crack down on the 12 sides who attempted to usurp the governing body’s competitions.
      And he has left the door open to kicking any of the involved teams out of THIS YEAR’S Champions League.
      He told Slovenian TV channel 24UR, via Marca: “The key is that this season has already started, so broadcasters would come at us for damages if we don’t play the semi-finals.
      “So, there’s a relatively small possibility that this match isn’t played next week.
      “But, things could be a little different in the future.”
      Real club president Florentino Perez was one of the key figures behind the ESL, which he has claimed is on ‘standby’.
      Speaking to El Larguero, he criticised Ceferin and spoke of his desire for an ‘educated’ Uefa boss.
      He insisted: “I’m not afraid of retaliation from Uefa, but I’m worried.
      “The president said on Financial Fair Play that it was necessary to protect those who financially support their teams. Everyone interprets it as they want.
      “We had prepared for everyone from every place to speak. We were killed with terrible aggression.”
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      Perez added that he ‘does not understand’ why Chelsea versus Real Madrid may be abandoned.
      The tie kicks off in Spain next Tuesday before the Stamford Bridge return leg on May 5.
      Ceferin added: “If these clubs want to play in our competition again, they will have to get close to us.
      “And we will have to evaluate what happened, but I don’t want to go into details, as we are still talking to our legal team.

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      “I would say that the English clubs have made a very good decision and we will take that into account.
      “They admitted their mistake and realised they were wrong. We all make mistakes. In a way, I was disappointed with everyone, but I must say that maybe Barcelona are the ones that disappointed me the least.
      “[Club president Joan] Laporta was elected very recently and I spoke to him two or three times. He was under great pressure due to the financial situation he inherited.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin attacks Big Six English clubs for wanting to join European Super League More

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      Real Madrid chief Perez insists European Super League still ALIVE and NONE of Prem’s Big Six have paid to leave

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      EUROPEAN Super League ring leader Florentino Perez went on an astonishing rant last night and claimed the rebel league is still ALIVE.And the Real Madrid president hit out at Uefa and other football bigwigs for ‘terrible aggression’ and an ‘orchestrated’ attack on the plans – which he says would have SAVED football.
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insisted the European Super League is still onCredit: Reuters
      The ESL spectacularly fell apart in just two days of chaos when all six English teams quit on Tuesday night amid a massive backlash.
      Newly re-elected Real boss Perez has been one of the most vocal supporters of a breakaway league and was set to be its president.
      Now he claims that no clubs have actually left the European Super League… and he insists it is only on standby, despite the uproar.
      Speaking on Spanish show El Larguero, he said: “The founder clubs believed in this project. It is not dead. We will keep working.
      “Nobody has yet paid the penalisation fee for leaving. We are almost all still in this, they have not left yet.
      “Juventus and Milan have not left. Barca are thinking about it. Maybe we can change it a bit – that the top four in England enter, the top four in Spain.
      “The important thing is that the big teams play each other, so the kids will watch football.
      “The contracts are signed by serious people, businessmen who know this world. We agreed last night to wait and to try and explain better, and we are open to other ideas.”
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      The Super League shambles was condemned globally with fans joined by football execs and even politicians such as Boris Johnson and royalty in Prince William.
      Perez hit out at Uefa for their reaction and for the ‘manipulated campaign’ that domestic leagues were going to be killed by the European Super League.
      He said: “There was a campaign, totally manipulated, that we were going to finish the national leagues. That we were ending football, it was terrible. But we were working for football to survive.
      Who brought those Chelsea fans to protest? Someone moved them. There were only 40 Chelsea fans, and I could tell who brought them.Florentino Perez
      “I have never seen aggression greater on the part of the president of Uefa and other presidents, it was orchestrated. I’ve never seen anything like it – insults, threats, as if we had killed someone, killed football. It was like we had thrown an atomic bomb.
      “The problems is they killed us the very next day, with terrible aggression. We have made some mistakes for sure. But they knew what we were going to do, and were waiting for us. Those who do not want to lose their privileges.
      “The English PM said things, then the fans and people wanted to damage us. But when all this passes, and we see the reality, lets see what happens. These clubs are going to lose millions of euros, and cannot do that, apart from those in England.
      “There are people with privileges who do not want to lose them, and are willing to run clubs, although when the clubs are ruined they will lose their privileges.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Cadiz fans protest ahead of their clash with Real Madrid on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      Chelsea fans protested outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday – but Perez said there were only about 40Credit: Alamy
      Manchester City were the first English team to withdraw on Tuesday with Chelsea close behind.
      Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham all followed within minutes of each other later that night.
      There were widespread protests at football ground around the country – including at Chelsea where Petr Cech was seen remonstrating with fans.
      Yet Perez reckons demonstrations were STAGED.
      Perez, 74, said: “Who brought those Chelsea fans to protest? Someone moved them – just like here someone gave Cadiz jerseys (against Super League).
      “There were only 40 Chelsea fans, and I could tell who brought them.”

      The Real chief continued: “There was someone in the English six clubs who did not have much interest. That started to affect the others, there was fear. One of the English clubs was never really convinced.
      “The English clubs tried to do something, but they were being told they were killing football. But there is no other solution than the Super League.”
      And, despite everything, Perez insists that the European Super League would’ve SAVED football despite creating a cartel of big clubs guaranteed extra money and entry every year.
      A big guy wears a big suit, a small guy wears a small suit. Everyone has to be comfortable with the suit they wear.Florentino Perez
      He claimed: “It cannot be that in England, the six lose money, and 14 make money. In Spain the top three lose money, and the others make money. It cannot continue – at the moment the rich are those who are losing money.
      “This is a pyramid, and the money runs down, there would be money for everyone. If Nadal plays Federer, everyone watches, if Nadal plays the number 80 in the world, nobody watches.
      “Football is maintained by the biggest clubs – it always has been. Cristiano vs Messi was great, not just for Madrid and Barca, but for Spanish football, and football in general.

      “There are games that nobody watches – the truth is I struggle to watch them. In Spain, in England, in Italy.
      “In general, there will not be big transfers this summer. When money does not flow from the rich clubs to the poor clubs, everyone suffers.
      “A big guy wears a big suit, a small guy wears a small suit. Everyone has to be comfortable with the suit they wear.
      “And the reality comes from the TV viewer figures. This is not capricious, I am just trying to help.”

      All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit More

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      Real Madrid president Perez rules out Cristiano Ronaldo transfer return and casts doubt on Sergio Ramos’ new deal

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO will not be returning to Real Madrid, according to disgraced Los Blancos president Florentino Perez. The Real chief also cast doubt over Sergio Ramos’ future with the defender out of contract at the end of the season.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will not be returning to Real Madrid and Sergio Ramos may not be given a new contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That is according to disgraced Real Madrid president Florentino PerezCredit: AP
      Ronaldo has been heavily linked with a Real return having cemented himself as one of the greatest players in history at the Bernabeu between 2009 and 2018.
      It is suggested Juve will sell him this summer to balance the books and recent reports claimed Los Blancos were planning an emotional reunion.
      But during a farcical interview in which Perez, 74, tried to defend the money-grabbing European Super League, he was asked whether the Portuguese would be re-signed.
      Perez replied: “They are very good players. Lionel Messi and Cristiano. It’s a historical thing.
      “Cristiano’s return? No. He has a contract with Juventus. But it doesn’t make sense for him to come back. I love him a lot, he has given us a lot.”
      Perez was also asked about Ronaldo’s fellow Real legend Ramos’ future.
      The Spain centre-back is out of the contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree a new deal.
      He has been linked with a sensational move to the Premier League, with Manchester United the frontrunners to sign him.
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      And Ramos recently told Perez ‘DO IT!’ when the president said they may have to plan for next season without him.
      And asked about Ramos, Perez admitted negotiations are proving difficult.
      He said: “I also love him very much, but we are in a very bad situation. We have to be realistic.
      “I did not say that Ramos is not going to continue. We are thinking about finishing this season, then we will see what happens.
      “A lot of things can happen. First we are going to finish this season. We are talking to many players and many are voluntarily lowering their salary.
      “Some have already lowered it, specifically the two who have left, Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard. Last year Ramos accepted. This year he is in a different situation.”
      Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
      The French side are one of few clubs in the world who could afford his wages.
      And they are said to be planning a swap deal involving Moise Kean and Mauro Icardi.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez defends Super League decision More

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      Saul Niguez names top three Spanish Premier League stars ever and claims Arsenal star Partey can be one of best in world

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      THOMAS PARTEY can become one of the best in the world for Arsenal after an ‘unfortunate’ year with injuries, Saul Niguez has claimed.The Atletico Madrid midfielder, 26, played alongside Partey for a number of years having come through the LaLiga side’s academy.
      Thomas Partey has been backed to become one of the world’s top midfieldersCredit: Getty
      Saul Niguez has talked up his old team-mate’s talentsCredit: LiveScore
      Since his summer move to Arsenal, Saul has remained in contact with the Ghanaian and checks in ‘a lot’ to hear about life in North London.
      Speaking at an event for LiveScore, he said: “I think having a coach like [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal eased things a lot for him.
      “He knows the language and it is a culture that suits him. As a player he’s incredible and if he manages to keep this consistency, he can be one of the best in the world, honestly.
      “I have known him since we were 16 or 17 years old and I’ve always felt that he was going to be a very important player, but what he has lacked is the consistency, because he’s capable of doing everything.
      “He scores from out of the box, he makes ground, intercepts, distributes, runs the game himself. But if he ever reads this [laughs] I would like to mention again that he should improve his consistency.
      “It’s not enough just doing one good game and then not appearing in three or four. He has to be more intelligent in that aspect and know what he has to do those days in which he’s not performing as well.
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      “It’s difficult because he started pre-season with us and then he left without finishing it. He tried to play every game, he got injured, then he tried to come back before the correct time.
      “Everything has been a bit unfortunate, but I think next season will be a great season for him.”
      Saul, fighting for the LaLiga title with Atletico, has been linked with Premier League leaders Manchester City in the past.
      The Spain international provided his top three compatriots to ever grace the English top-flight.

      Along with Juan Mata and David Silva, for his ‘legacy’ at Eastlands, he credited international team-mate David De Gea.
      Saul stated: “Even though people criticise him he’s one of the best keepers in the world.
      “Every year he’s there. Always. Every year you have criticism but he’s always there.
      “He won the Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson, he was namedbest Manchester United player for five years. It’s crazy!”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Arsenal wonder kid Marcelo Flores scores a screamer against Chelsea More

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      David Alaba to join Real Madrid on five-year contract for free in summer from Bayern Munich in transfer blow to Chelsea

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      DAVID ALABA is set to sign a five-year contract at Real Madrid ahead of a summer free transfer, according to reports.The news will come as a blow to Chelsea who have been heavily linked with the Austrian for months.
      Real Madrid have agreed a five-year deal with Chelsea target David AlabaCredit: EPA
      Alaba, 28, revealed he will leave Bayern Munich after 13 years this summer when his contract expires.
      Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is determined to bring in another defender this summer and the experienced, versatile Alaba certainly fits the bill.
      The West Londoners have been heavily linked with a move for the Austria international, where he is looking to pocket £400,000-a-week in wages.
      But according to Sky, Alaba has rejected the chance to join the Blues and has put pen to paper on a Bernabeu contract until 2026.
      He is also said to have turned down an approach from Paris Saint-Germain, where the Ligue 1 giants were willing to meet his demands.
      It has been stated that Alaba – who can play as a centre-back, left-back or in midfield – has his heart set on a move to Spain.
      Real Madrid and Barcelona were both vying to secure his services, where it was reported in February that a verbal agreement had been reached with Los Blancos.
      Spanish media declared that Real offered Alaba a £17million bonus with Zinedine Zidane desperate to bring him to the Bernabeu.
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      Commenting on his future, Alaba declared he is leaving Bayern to seek a new challenge having been at the club since 2008.
      He said: “I have decided to do something new. It wasn’t an easy decision. I have not yet made the decision where to go.
      “I have personally decided to see something new, to look for a new challenge. That certainly took its time.”
      And he added: “It’s no secret that my agent is negotiating with other clubs.
      “I am looking for a new challenge to develop myself as a person on and off the pitch.
      “Where can I continue to play football successfully? That will certainly be important in my decision.”
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