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      Lionel Messi escapes 12-match ban and is suspended for just two games after punch sending off with Barcelona to appeal

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      LIONEL MESSI has been banned for just two matches in a major let off for Barcelona.
      Spanish press reported that the Argentine faced up to 12 matches out after his red card in the Spanish Super Cup final.

      Lionel Messi was facing a 12-game ban for his Spanish Super Cup red cardCredit: Rex Features

      Messi was sent off after his tensions boiled over and he lashed out at Asier VillalibreCredit: Rex Features

      But the sending off against Athletic Bilbao has resulted in just two games out with Barcelona set to appeal the decision.
      The club wrote in a statement: “FC Barcelona is to appeal the suspension issued to Leo Messi. The Competition Committee announced on Tuesday that the Argentinian’s red card in the final minutes of the Spanish Super Cup Final against Athletic Club shall incur a two-match ban.
      “It was the first time that Messi had ever been sent off while playing for FC Barcelona.
      “The referee’s report describes the motivation thus: ‘Striking an opponent with his arm with excessive force while the ball was in play but not within a playable distance’.”

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      The Argentine was given his marching orders after lashing out in the dying seconds of a dramatic Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao.
      With Barcelona desperately searching for an equaliser, Messi’s frustrations boiled over when Asier Villalibre attempted to block his run.
      The referee watched the incident on the VAR monitor and showed no hesitation in brandishing a red card to cap a miserable night for Barca.

      Athletic Bilbao won the Spanish Super Cup in extra-timeCredit: EPA
      Koeman won the Super Cup three times as a player for the Catalan giants but was on the touchline to see his side throw away the trophy with just minutes to play.
      Marca reported that an incident so severe could have landed Messi up to 12 games suspended.
      And they also published an article with the headline “Messi, you should apologise”.

      The respected Spanish outlet wrote: “This wasn’t what is expected of a captain and he should apologise.”
      Athletic Bilbao won a thrilling Super Cup final with an extra-time strike from Inaki Williams.
      Messi was then sent off late in the extra period with Barcelona’s hopes fading away.

      Lionel Messi sent off for violent conduct as Barcelona and Ronaldo Koeman are denied first silverware against Athletic Bilbao More

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      Real Madrid stars who quit club and showed they were world class elsewhere, including Rodriguez, Robben and Makelele

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      JAMES RODRIGUEZ, Claude Makelele and Arjen Robben are just three players that have seen their careers improve after departing Real Madrid.
      Playing for the 13-time European champions is usually seen as the pinnacle of a footballer’s career, however the trio have shown that leaving the Bernabeu is sometimes for the better.

      James Rodriguez has starred at Everton after leaving Real Madrid last summerCredit: PA:Press Association

      Here SunSport looks at five players that have thrived since leaving Real.
      JAMES RODRIGUEZ
      The Colombian playmaker linked up with Everton last summer on an initial two-year deal, with Toffees bringing him in on a free transfer.
      Everton looked like a team transformed with the ex-Monaco ace in their starting XI.
      His stunning form led Madrid chiefs to become angry with Zinedine Zidane over his treatment at the player.

      Rodriguez joined Everton last summer and made an immediate impactCredit: Reuters
      CLAUDE MAKELELE
      Another player that swapped La Liga for the English top-flight, the defensive midfielder left for Chelsea in 2003.
      During his three season stay at Real, he won the league twice, while also winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
      He was then instrumental in Chelsea’s title-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2006.
      Makelele left Stamford Bridge in 2008 to join Paris Saint-Germain after five trophy-laden campaigns, where he had his position named after him in honour of his dazzling displays.

      Claude Makelele (right) joined Real Madrid in 2000 from Celta VigoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      ARJEN ROBBEN
      Signed from Chelsea in 2007, the Dutch forwad helped Madrid win LaLiga in his opening season, before notching in eight goals the following campaign.
      In the summer of 2009 he was forced out after the club brought in Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, with Bayern Munich signing him for £21million.
      And it was in Bavaria that he became one of the most feared wingers in Europe as he banged in 144 goals in 309 games.
      He called time on his career in Germany in 2019 after winning the Bundesliga title eight times, the Champions League once and the German Cup five times.
      Robben sits eighth on the list of Bayern’s all-time top goalscorers.

      Arjen Robben spent two years at the Bernabeu before moving to Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      CLARENCE SEEDORF
      Like Robben, Seedorf was forced out of the club in 1999 with the club in dire need of funds.
      Seedorf won the LaLiga title as well as the Champions League at the Bernabeu, but there was no room for sentiment as they offloaded him to Italy.
      Speaking of his move to Inter Milan, he said: “The club needed money, and I was the highest ticket.”
      He then joined AC Milan in a swap deal with Francesco Coco leaving to join Inter, and it was with the Rossoneri that the midfielder created history.
      After winning the Champions League in 2003 with Milan, he became the first person to win the European Cup with three different teams – the first being at Ajax in 1995.
      In 2007 he won the trophy again after Milan beat Liverpool 2-1, and in doing so, he was named as Uefa’s best midfielder.
      He left Milan in 2012 having scored 63 times in 431 games, where he also helped the club win the Serie A title twice.

      Clarence Seedorf was sold to Inter Milan in 1999 with the club struggling for fundsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      WESLEY SNEIJDER
      Another Dutchman that was shown the door by Real, the ex-Ajax maestro was deemed as surplus to requirements in 2009 following the arrivals of Kaka and Xabi Alonso.
      He subsequently joined Inter, where he won a historic treble in his first season.
      No other player assisted more times in the Champions League during the 2009-10 campaign, with Sneijder also named as Uefa’s Midfielder of the Year.
      That summer he helped Holland reach the World Cup final where they lost to Spain.
      As a result of his performances, he was awarded the Silver Ball after scoring five goals during the tournament in South Africa.

      Wesley Sneijder played for Los Blancos between 2007-2009Credit: AP:Associated Press

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      Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona fearing transfer exit with five-months left on deal and ‘vultures’ PSG lurking

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      BARCELONA are scared stiff Lionel Messi will leave this summer, according to reports.
      And Paris Saint-Germain ‘lurking like vultures’ is not abating the Catalans’ fears.

      Barcelona are fearful Lionel Messi will finally leave in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Spanish reports suggest PSG are ‘lurking like vultures’

      Messi’s Barca contract expires on June 30 this year.
      And any mention of his potential exit causes ‘earthquakes’ among Nou Camp chiefs, according to Sport.
      On Monday, French giants PSG stirred the pot again confirming Messi is on their ‘transfer shortlist’.
      Sporting director Leonardo admitted the club will try to sign Argentine superstar after he told the cash-strapped club he wanted to quit last summer.

      Leonardo told France Football: “Great players like Messi will always be on PSG’s shortlist, but now isn’t the time to talk or dream about this.
      “We are sitting at the table following this matter closely.
      “Four months in football is an eternity, especially in this day and age, but our chair is reserved at the table.”
      A move to Paris could see Messi reunite with Brazilian Neymar after the pair formed a dynamic forward line with Uruguayan Luis Suarez back in their Barca days.

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      PSG director Leonardo’s comments have made the front pages in Spain

      Spanish paper AS also focussed on the Argentine

      And the appointment of Messi’s compatriot Mauricio Pochettino as PSG’s boss could help lure him to the Parc des Princes.
      In December, Neymar said: “What I want most is to be with him on the pitch again.
      “He could be in my place, he has no problem. I want to play with him and I’m sure next year we will do it.”
      Ex-Spurs boss Poch took over at the start of January after Thomas Tuchel was brutally axed on Christmas Eve.
      He hinted the door was open for Messi after saying ‘any big player in the world is always welcome in PSG’.
      But PSG will face competition from City who have made no secret of their desire to reunite Messi with former boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad after failing to do so in the summer.
      Messi was sent off for the first time ever in his club career on Sunday after lashing out at Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in the dying seconds of Barca’s Super Cup defeat.
      And the Argentine maestro will have plenty of time to consider his future as he is facing up to a TWLEVE-MATCH ban with Spanish media calling for Messi to apologise for his violent conduct.

      Lionel Messi sent off for violent conduct as Barcelona and Ronaldo Koeman are denied first silverware against Athletic Bilbao More

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      Trippier will miss Chelsea clash as 10-week ban for breaking betting rules is upheld after Fifa dismiss Atletico appeal

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER must sit out the next six weeks after Fifa backed the FA over the England star’s betting ban.
      Trippier was handed a 10-week ban last month after being found guilty of four breaches of betting rules after friends gambled on his move from Spurs to Atletico Madrid in 2019.

      Kieran Trippier will miss Atletico Madrid’s Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Chelsea after Fifa backed the FACredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the suspension was put on hold after Atletico appealed to Fifa over its worldwide application.
      The LaLiga leaders claimed it was unfair that the FA should have jurisdiction over a player in Spain, hinting that Wembley beaks had deliberately imposed a ban that would rule him out of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea.
      Last week, an FA commission denied Wembley chiefs the right to restart the clock on the ban after the Fifa decision, ruling it was time-limited and would end on February 28.
      Atletico were seeking to run down the clock by their appeal, keeping Trippier available for Diego Simeone’s side.

      But in a surprisingly early decision, Fifa rejected Atletico’s appeal and confirmed the ban was reinstated.

      Atletico could now take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but with Fifa having backed the FA over the case there is no guarantee that the Swiss-based Court would agree to accept jurisdiction or place the penalty on hold.
      Trippier was not a party to the appeal and has told the FA he wants to “get on” with his career once he has served the ban.
      The former Burnley man will be available for England’s opening World Cup qualifiers in March as well as the second leg of the Champions League tie, to be played at Stamford Bridge.

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      Lionel Messi faces up to 12-match ban for first Barcelona red card as Spanish media demand legend apologises

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      LIONEL MESSI is facing up to 12 games out after his red card shame in the Spanish Super Cup.
      And Spanish media have demanded the Barcelona superstar apologise for his sending off.

      Lionel Messi is facing a four-game ban for his Spanish Super Cup red cardCredit: Rex Features

      Messi was sent off after his tensions boiled over and he lashed out at Asier VillalibreCredit: Rex Features

      The Argentine was given his marching orders after lashing out in the dying seconds of a dramatic Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao.
      With Barcelona desperately searching for an equaliser, Messi’s frustrations boiled over when Asier Villalibre attempted to block his run.
      The referee watched the incident on the VAR monitor and showed no hesitation in brandishing a red card to cap a miserable night for Barca.
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      Koeman won the Super Cup three times as a player for the Catalan giants but was on the touchline to see his side throw away the trophy with just minutes to play.
      And Messi could be banned for up to 12 Spanish games in a blow to Barcelona’s La Liga bid.
      The Catalan giants are seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid – who have two games in hand.

      Athletic Bilbao won the Spanish Super Cup in extra-timeCredit: EPA
      Marca report that Messi will miss this week’s Copa Del Rey tie against Cornella and the next round of the Spanish Cup.

      If Barca are knocked out by the minnows, then it will be three La Liga games that Messi misses.
      But they also report that an incident so severe could land him up to 12 games suspended.
      Marca also published an article overnight with the headline “Messi, you should apologise”.

      The respected Spanish outlet wrote: “This wasn’t what is expected of a captain and he should apologise.”
      Athletic Bilbao won a thrilling Super Cup final with an extra-time strike from Inaki Williams.
      Messi was then sent off late in the extra period with Barcelona’s hopes fading away.

      Lionel Messi sent off for violent conduct as Barcelona and Ronaldo Koeman are denied first silverware against Athletic Bilbao More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo expresses himself more than Messi and gets on with everyone, says Juventus star Arthur in GOAT U-turn

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO expresses himself more than Lionel Messi and gets on with team-mates better, claims Arthur Melo.
      The midfielder spent two years alongside Barcelona legend Messi, and claimed he was the ‘greatest player in history’.

      Arthur Melo pictured with Juventus team-mate Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arthur spent two years alongside Barcelona legend Lionel MessiCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But now playing alongside Ronaldo at Juventus, Arthur opened up on how the Portugal icon differs on a personal level to his great rival.
      He told Desimpedidos: “Cristiano Ronaldo expresses himself more than Messi and he gets on with everyone in the dressing room.
      “He’s very active in the dressing room. He talks to everyone and has a good relationship with everyone.
      “Maybe the fact we speak the same language makes it easier.

      “Each person has their own way of demonstrating leadership. Messi does it with actions, as much as it seems he doesn’t.
      “He demonstrates it when he receives the ball, with his will to win the game and all his team-mates notice this.”
      The debate has long raged over who is the Greatest of All Time between Messi, 33, and Ronaldo, 35.
      And despite initially picking Messi as football’s best ever, 24-year-old Arthur looks to have made a U-turn when asked which superstar he prefers.

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      He said: “I’d go with Cristiano, we’re playing together!
      “I’m not that close to Cristiano that I go round his house for coffee, but we have a good relationship.
      “Cristiano never backs down if there’s a team-mate in need of something and he always gets to it with a fierce determination.
      “He trains like an animal, he doesn’t know when to rest and he encourages you to give your all.
      “He always tells me what to eat, not leaving anything to chance.”

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      Fernando Torres appointed Atletico Madrid B manager as ex-Chelsea and Liverpool star takes step up in coaching career

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      EX-CHELSEA striker Fernando Torres has been appointed Atletico Madrid B manager.
      The 36-year-old, who also played for Liverpool and AC Milan, has begun his managerial career at the club where he spent most of his playing days.

      Fernando Torres retired from playing in 2019

      Torres had returned to Atletico in September to take on a coaching role with the B team but has now got the main job.
      According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the club’s youngsters are said to be amazed by his training sessions.
      Torres started his career at Atletico, becoming captain at 19 before moving to Liverpool in 2007.
      He enjoyed lots of success at Anfield, scoring 65 Premier League goals and earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year in 2007/08 and 2008/09.

      The striker’s form persuaded Chelsea to spend £50million on him in January 2011, but he never lived up to his billing.
      He scored just 20 Premier League goals in three-and-a-half seasons with the Blues before being offloaded to Milan.
      The Spanish international lasted just half a season at the San Siro as he returned to Atletico in January 2015.
      He scored 38 times during his second spell at Madrid before moving to Japanese side Sagan Tosu in July 2018, retiring 13 months later.

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      Torres won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup during his spell with Chelsea but never lived up to his £50m transfer feeCredit: PA:Press Association

      Torres won plenty of trophies during his playing career, including the World Cup, Champions League and Euros twice.
      Several high-profile players have emerged from Atletico’s academy, including Torres, current captain Koke and David de Gea.
      And Torres may be on his way to landing Diego Simeone’s job in the future after claiming their relationship ‘blew up’ last year.

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      Spanish press turn on Eden Hazard and question his role at Real Madrid in new low for the ex-Chelsea star

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      EDEN HAZARD has hit the headlines in Spain for all of the wrong reasons.
      The 30-year-old’s shocking spell of form continued during the 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

      The former Chelsea star failed to make an impact against Athletic Bilbao

      He failed to complete a single successful dribble during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
      The Real Madrid flop was eventually hauled off after 67 minutes by Zinedine Zidane.
      His disastrous display led several Spanish papers to plaster him on their front page and question his role within the team.
      Popular paper AS claimed ex-Chelsea star Hazard was ‘nowhere to be seen’ during the game.

      His performance was described as ‘disappointing’ and he was accused of ‘wasting’ possession.
      Meanwhile, Marca insisted Hazard wasted yet another chance to prove himself.
      The Spanish publication concluded: “The Belgian isn’t himself. He played more centrally and, although he was active, he went off for Vinicius and still needs to do more. ”
      Zidane has begged fans to ‘be patient’ with the Hazard as he is low on confidence.

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      Eden Hazard was slated for his poor performance during the defeat on Thursday

      The Bernabeu boss told reporters: “[Hazard] needs to recover confidence, play a great game or score a goal, just to do something different.
      “We know what a great player he is and we need to be patient with him as he is working hard.
      “We are behind him and we must give him time.
      “The fans want to see the best version of Eden so we must be patient.

      Eden Hazard was hauled off in the second half of the semi-final clashCredit: The Mega Agency
      “We’re sticking with him and he really wants to step up. But today it wasn’t just Eden, we’re all in this together.”
      Madrid signed Hazard from Chelsea in 2019 for a fee that could exceed £150million.
      Since his arrival, the Belgian superstar has scored just three times for Zidane’s side.
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