La Liga

BARCELONA survived a massive Copa del Rey scare before winning an epic eight-goal thriller in extra-time at Granada.
The Catalan giants were 2-0 down with just three minutes to play but somehow staved off elimination with a late show.

Antoine Griezmann was Barcelona’s hero as they avoided a Copa del Rey exitCredit: Reuters

The French forward scored twice in a thrilling 5-3 extra-time win at GranadaCredit: Getty Images

Both those Granada goals were scored by Premier League outcasts – ex-Chelsea winger Kenedy and former Spurs striker Roberto Soldado.
But it was Antoine Griezmann who was the Barcelona hero – scoring twice, including the goal that sparked the comeback – as Ronald Koeman’s men won 5-3.
The Nou Camp side booked their spot in the semi-finals after a pulsating win in southern Spain.
Kenedy handed Granada a shock half-time lead when he scored on the half-hour mark.

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And that lead was doubled moments after the break by Soldado as Barcelona were staring at an embarrassing defeat.
The Catalan side are 10 points off the pace in La Liga and were watching another chance of silverware slip away from them.
But Lionel Messi and Griezmann combined to give Koemen’s men hope in the 88th minute.

French forward Griezmann then turned provider for Jordi Alba to score a dramatic equaliser in the second minute of injury-time.

Former Chelsea winger Kenedy stunned Barcelona in the first halfCredit: EPA

And ex-Spurs forward Roberto Soldado doubled Granada’s leadCredit: AP:Associated Press

But Barcelona fought back in brilliant fashion to win in extra-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And it was the Griezmann show in extra-time as well as he gave Barcelona the lead on the 100-minute mark.
Alba assisted that strike for Griezmann, but he turned villain a few minutes later when he conceded a penalty with Fede Vico converted to make it 3-3.
Griezmann and Alba would then link up again in the second period of extra-time.
Frankie De Jong restored Barcelona’s lead in the 108th minute before French striker Griezmann set up Alba to seal the win.

The Copa del Rey is Barca’s best chance of silverware this season with Real and Atletico Madrid both out.
Koemen’s side moved into the last four – joining Sevilla and Levante.
The last remaining quarter-final tie sees Real Betis take on Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

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EDEN HAZARD’S injury hell at Real Madrid has continued after the club confirmed he picked up ANOTHER muscle problem.
The former Chelsea star started Los Blancos’ 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend but missed training on Tuesday.

Eden Hazard has suffered fresh injury heartbreak at Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty

HLN claim the injury is the same as the one he suffered in November only now in his left leg not his right.
The report adds that Hazard is likely to miss four to six weeks with his latest problem.
That would see the 30-year-old miss both legs of the Champions League knockout clash with Atalanta as well as numerous league games.
For Hazard it’s another blow in what has been a tumultuous time during his Real Madrid career.

He also faced criticism for being overweight in his past two pre-seasons, as he struggled for fitness.
At the start of the season he was hampered by a calf injury, but looked to have returned to his best in spells under Zidane.
Yet his progress was once again hampered after he tested positive for coronavirus in November.
Just days after his isolation period had ended Hazard was then ruled out for the rest of 2020 after he was forced off during Real’s 2-1 defeat to Alaves.

The Belgian missed six games with a muscle injury in the same right leg, including the 3-1 El Clasico win against Barcelona back in October.
Hazard’s latest setback is the TENTH separate problem he’s picked up in the Spanish capital.
In contrast at Chelsea, Hazard netted 110 times in 352 games across seven seasons, missing just 20 matches through injury.

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YOU may remember the heartwarming story of the the young Afghan boy that met his hero Lionel Messi after he wore a plastic bag with his name on it.
But you might not know how the incident lead to threats from the Taliban, kidnapping attempts and him being sent to live with his uncle for fear of his life.

Murtaza Ahmadi went viral in 2016 for wearing a plastic bag with Lionel Messi’s name on itCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

His brother posted the image on Facebook, leading to worldwide interest in the boyCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

Murtaza met Lionel Messi in Doha in December 2016 after being flown out by Qatar World Cup officialsCredit: AFP – Getty

Murtaza Ahmadi shot to fame in January 2016, when at the age of five, he was pictured with a blue and white binbag with ‘Messi 10’ scrawled across it.
His older brother Hamayoun uploaded the picture on Facebook, with the post quickly going viral, where it caught the attention of the Barcelona star.
Messi then gifted the child a signed Argentina shirt with his name on as well as a football, but his kind gesture lead to hostility from Ahmadi’s neighbours in Jaghori.
The fairytale soon turned into a nightmare, as people suspected that just because Messi had been in touch, the family must have received money from the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Murtaza’s father Arif told Bleacher Report: “When I first saw the boxes I thought one would have toys for Murtaza and the other dollars, but no, a ball and a shirt.”
Before adding: “People started asking us if Messi had given us money.
“There were people who would walk around our house during the night. I was very disturbed.”
A letter from the Taliban was then sent to their home, where they threatened to kidnap the family, resulting in the Admadi’s filing an asylum request, which was denied.

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Ahmadi’s neighbours began to suspect Messi sent the family money after he gifted him a signed shirtCredit: EPA

Hamayoun Ahmadi revealed how his Facebook post about his brother went viralCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

Ahmadi and his family were sent threats by the Taliban, resulting in them filing an asylum requestCredit: YouTube / B/R Football
Murtaza and his family were then invited by Qatar World Cup officials to meet Messi in Doha in December 2016 before Barcelona’s friendly against Al Ahli.
Arif agreed to the meeting in the hope that the footballer could help Murtaza seek asylum in the same way Cristiano Ronaldo helped Syrian refugee Zaid Abdul.
He stated: “We thought that by going to Doha to meet Messi, maybe he’d be like Ronaldo.
“We went to Qatar so that Messi could do something for him, but he unfortunately did nothing for Murtaza.”
Murtaza left Qatar after achieving his dream of meeting his idol, but once again the family were targeted upon their return in Afghanistan.
The youngster explained: “When I arrived, they said, ‘You have so much money with you, from Messi.'”
His family were then issued more threats where they claimed they would capture the boy and hold him for ransom.
After his parents stopped him from going to school as he was repeatedly singled out, Murtaza was sent to live 170 miles away in Kabul with his uncle in the hope he would be safer.

Murtaza’s father Arif has stated that people stalked their house during the nightCredit: YouTube / B/R Football

Things again took a turn for the worse once Murtaza returned back from meeting MessiCredit: AFP – Getty

Murtaza was sent to live with his uncle in Kabul for fear of his safetyCredit: YouTube / B/R Football
Suddenly, the Taliban’s attacks on Kabul escalated – putting the child in danger once again.
The ordeal had a huge affect on the boy, with his uncle declaring: “Before he went to Qatar, he was such a happy boy.
“He used to talk to everyone and be mischievous. Now he doesn’t talk a lot.
“This kind of situation in other countries could be an opportunity, but for us it was a threat. It shouldn’t have happened in our lives.”
Murtaza – who rejoined his family last summer – was then asked whether he wishes he never wore the plastic bag.
To which he said: “I would have worn it, because I love Messi.”

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SERGIO RAMOS has reportedly liked a damning post about him leaving Real Madrid.
Marca claims Ramos interacted with the Instagram picture uploaded by a fan four days ago.

Sergio Ramos has liked a damning post about him leaving Real Madrid

Reports claim Ramos is targeting a free move to Man Utd this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It comes after weekend reports linking the Los Blancos captain with a stunning move to Manchester United when his contract expires this summer.
Ramos, 34, has been at the Bernabeu since 2005, going to score 100 goals in 668 appearances.
Ramos, who has also been capped an incredible 178 times by Spain, has led Real to numerous trophies including five LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
But reports claim he will finally end his stay in the Spanish capital when his contract expires this summer.

Real are yet to offer him fresh terms and have been linked with a free transfer for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba as a replacement.
Ramos himself has now indicated that time is up after liking an Instagram post lamenting his contract situation.
A picture of Ramos sitting down and staring at the ground was accompanied by a caption.
It read: “Real Madrid are now convinced that Sergio Ramos will LEAVE the club this summer. That’s how we treat our legends. Heartbreaking.”

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It now remains to be seen where Ramos ends up should his contract actually expire in July.
It’s been claimed he has his heart set on Man United after talking about the club with ex-Red Devil and former Real teammate David Beckham.
However, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are also said to be weighing up a contract offer.
And French giants Paris Saint-Germain are reported to be in the running as well.

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LIONEL MESSI must ‘integrate into Catalan society and culture’ including by learning the language as part of his Barcelona contract.
However, the Argentine has the ability to trigger a free transfer should the Catalonia region become independent of Spain.

Lionel Messi must ‘integrate into Catalan society and culture’ including by learning the local language, his Barcelona contract statesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

These are some of the bizarre clauses in his current deal at the Nou Camp, as leaked by El Mundo.
The £492million contract – signed in 2017 and expiring this summer – was publicised at the weekend.
It is worth up to £123m per year – or £2.4m per week – and includes a £102m renewal fee for signing on the dotted line as well as a loyalty bonus of £69m per year for staying.
Now the Spanish newspaper, who obtained a copy of the 30-page confidential document, have unearthed more details of Messi’s contract which expires at the end of the season.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner agreed in article 1.2.7 of the first clause to an obligation to learn the Catalan language.
This was all part of Barcelona’s plan to cement his place as a man of the city rather than simply the football club’s greatest player.
On top of that, Messi must ‘adopt an adequate personal conduct and pace of life’ and not engage in doping, another clause adds.
He is also financially rewarded for playing 60 per cent of official Barcelona matches with a £1m bonus – although this does not include the Copa Catalunya where Barca tend to use their B-team players.

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But should Catalonia successfully break away from the rest of the country, that gives Messi the option to quit the club for nothing.
Messi’s bumper contract is the biggest in sporting history, trumping NFL star Patrick Mahomes’ £402m deal with Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the leak has sparked a backlash in Spain with the club and former president Josep Maria Bartomeu strenuously denying responsibility for the press getting hold of a copy.
Bartomeu told ESport3: “It’s a very serious issue and it’s totally illegal to leak professional contracts.
“Speaking on TV and making accusations is easy, but it’s not a joke and this will end up in court.”

What is clear is that there was a leak. If I win the election I will try to find out who is responsible
Joan Laporta

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta hinted who he thinks may have released the paperwork.
Laporta, who is the favourite to win March’s presidential candidate and believes Messi will stay at the Nou Camp beyond the summer, said: “What my suspicions are does not matter.
“What is clear is that there was a leak. If I win the election I will try to find out who is responsible. I will ring Javier Tebas (head of LaLiga) to see if he knows anything.
“There are only five people [at Barcelona] who have this contract in their custody: the president, the director general, the sporting director, the club’s legal advisers and human resources.”

Messi agreed to the terms and conditions when he put pen to paper on the deal in November 2017Credit: AFP or licensors

The details were released by Spanish newspaper El Mundo who obtained a copy of the documents

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