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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Khabib posed for a picture with keeper Kaylor Navas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Kylian Mbappe shows off his moves in training More

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      How Real Madrid’s Galacticos would have lined up with Totti as Roma icon admits he was tempted by £10.5m transfer offer

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      FRANCESCO TOTTI has revealed the substantial offer he rejected to join Real Madrid.
      In 2005, the Spanish giants vowed to pay the striker over £200,000-a-week to sign him from Roma.

      Francesco Totti was in his prime when the huge offer landedCredit: AFP

      The deal would have seen the Italian enter a team already bursting full of talent, including Raul, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Ronaldo.
      It is not hard to see how Totti would have slotted into a fiercely attacking system, which missed out on the LaLiga title that season without him.
      Recalling the bid, Totti told Movistar+: “Real Madrid wanted me at any cost.
      “They offered me £10.5m a year, the temptation was very strong.

      “When we played against them there was Beckham, Raul, Zidane…
      “They told me half-jokingly half-seriously, ‘We know that there is a possibility that you will come and play with us. Hurry because Real Madrid is Real Madrid’.”

      My family and friends would all have carried me to Madrid.
      Francesco Totti

      The Roman, 44, was in his prime at the time having previously won Serie A with his beloved club and, in 2006, starting in the final as Italy conquered the World Cup.
      In 2017, Totti retired as a one-club man with over 300 goals in 785 appearance to his name.

      And it was his love for Roma that kept him in the Italian capital despite his family and friends urging him to sign for Real.
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      He continued: “The truth is, I had my doubts.
      “My contract with Roma was to expire soon and my family and friends, they all told me, ‘Look, Roma is Roma, okay? But what do you have to think about?’.
      “They would all have carried me to Madrid.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Francesco Totti chips in magical free kick during amateur match More

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      Zidane ‘gave Vinicius Jr silent treatment after finding Real Madrid star on phone rather than warming up vs Man City’

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      REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane reportedly gave Vinicius Junior the silent treatment after catching him on his phone while the side were warming up.
      The Frenchman caught the winger scrolling when he should have been stretching and getting ready for last season’s Champions League quarter-final away at Manchester City, according to AS.

      Zinedine Zidane is said to have given Vinicius Junior the silent treatmentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Vinicius was caught by the boss on his phone ahead of the Champions League quarter-final last seasonCredit: Rex Features

      Vinicius Jr, who was disappointed not to be starting, and Marcelo were the two absentees from the initial warm-up – which even the subs are expected to go through.
      And instead of letting rip at the two stars in the changing room, Zidane is said to have given them the cold shoulder.
      The incident is thought to have upset the 48-year-old, who never asked either player to warm-up with the prospect of coming off the bench during the second-half.
      Madrid were already down 2-1 after the first leg at the Bernabeu and Gabriel Jesus’ 68th minute strike left them 4-2 down on aggregate.

      With elimination from Europe looming, attacking star Vinicius is thought to have been miffed he was never asked to get loose as Real headed for the exit.
      Days are thought to have passed before there was any communication between player and manager.
      The report states Vinicius eventually called up Zidane – when the side had already been dismissed for the summer – to ask whether he had been punished for the phone incident.
      He apologised and promised to put in maximum effort for the coming season and insisted nothing similar would happen again.

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      Vinicius has started 11 LaLiga games this term – with Zidane thought to have appreciated his personal call and recognised he is still young – making a further nine appearances off the bench.
      Earlier this month, it was reported in Spain that the Brazilian youngster had hit ‘rock bottom’ and the club would look to cash in this summer with funds tight amid the pandemic.
      He was panned by the press who pointed to a number of disappointing displays – particularly in the embarrassing Copa del Rey defeat to third-tier Alcoyano.
      In October, team-mate Karim Benzema was caught on camera telling Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius at half-time in the Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Real Madrid boss Zidane insists that Copa del Rey Cup defeat to Alcoyano is not an embarrassment More

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      Barcelona open investigation into Lionel Messi contract leak and deny sharing details of record £492m deal themselves

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      BARCELONA interim president Carles Tusquets has promised to investigate Lionel Messi’s contract leak – and denies being the man behind the saga.
      The Argentinian talisman wants to launch legal action against whoever revealed the details of his mega deal.

      Lionel Messi is preparing legal action against the culprit of the leakCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Interim Barcelona president Carles Tusquets has opened the club’s own investigationCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A leak to Spanish newspaper El Mundo earlier this month revealed Messi’s whopping £492million of earnings over the course of the four-year contract.
      Interim chief Tusquets has vowed that he and his fellow board members were not responsible.
      He told Deportes Cuatro on Tuesday: “The details of the contract have not come out through the management, because none of us have ever asked for them.
      “We have opened an investigation in the club.”

      Much attention has been paid to the deal expiring in the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City thought to be preparing a bid to sign the 33-year-old.
      But Barcelona hope to convince him to stay and successfully investigating the matter could be key.

      Tusquets is taking temporary charge of the LaLiga giants until the delayed presidential elections are completed in March.
      Whoever of Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font is chosen for the role faces a fight to keep Messi.

      The coronavirus pandemic has bitten the Catalan club hard, leading to the striker’s salary package being seen as even more astronomical than before.
      German side Bayern Munich have ruled themselves out of the running for Messi’s signature having seen the numbers involved.
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      Karl-Heinz Rummenigge disparaged the amount when speaking to Italian daily Corriere della Sera earlier in the week, saying: “I laughed when I saw Messi’s contract with Barcelona.
      “I can only say congratulations to him for obtaining an astronomical contract. But this salary situation needs to be changed.”
      Prospective bidders PSG will have the chance to bulk up their scouting report of the superstar forward when they play Barcelona on Tuesday.
      Messi goes into the Champions League last-16 first leg with nine goals in his last eight matches.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Barcelona fans vent their fury on PSG chief Al Khelaifi over Messi chase More