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      Ivan Rakitic labels Ansu Fati, 18, as LaLiga’s biggest prospect and praises Barcelona star’s ‘incredible’ talent

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      IVAN RAKITIC tips Ansu Fati to become LaLiga’s top star – but hopes Lionel Messi has “many years left” as the main man.

      Former Barcelona midfielder Rakitic watched in awe at close hand as Spain wideman Fati, 18, broke record after record over the past 16 months.

      Ivan Rakitic, seen with Ansu Fati and Jean-Clair Tobido while with Barcelona last season, has identified the Spain teenager as a special talentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lionel Messi, 33, could eventually be replaced as Nou Camp king by Ansu Fati, 18Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      And despite the Croatia legend, 32, joining Sevilla in the summer, he still names Fati as “the most incredible talent compared to the rest”.
      The Guinea-Bissau-born teen became Barca’s youngest ever scorer in August 2019, aged 16 years and 304 days.
      He has since become the youngest player to score and bag an assist in LaLiga, as well as being the Champions League’s most youthful debutant, at 16 years and 321 days in December last year.

      But he could be out until March following knee surgery two months ago.
      And it still seems a lifetime away for Fati to even think of rivalling Messi, 33, who notched his 644th Barca goal on Tuesday, breaking the one-club record held by Pele with Santos.
      But Rakitic has seen enough to identify Fati as out on his own in Spain’s new generation.
      He told LiveScore and LaLiga: “I think Ansu Fati, who is unfortunately injured at the moment, is the one with the most incredible talent compared to the rest. 

      “I played with him for a time at Barcelona. He has been unlucky with his current injury, but I hope he can return as soon as possible.
      “For me, he is a boy who can be a great player for Spanish football and I am sure that many people, including me, will enjoy Ansu playing at the highest level for a long time.”

      But switching to Messi, Rakitic stressed: “I hope he has many years left and that he decides what is best for him and for Barcelona. 
      “I spent six incredible years playing with him at Barcelona and it is really incredible to have played with him and to be in the same team.
      “So I hope he can stay at Barcelona for many more years.” 

      Ansu Fati might be out until March after knee surgery two months agoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi’s reps hold talks with Barcelona over shock transfer despite dismal displays

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      ARSENAL flop Shkodran Mustafi could be set for a shock January move to Barcelona.
      The German has been a much maligned figure during his four-and-a-half years at the Emirates.

      Shkodran Mustafi started as Arsenal lost 4-1 to Man City last nightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His performances have been littered with mistakes, but he may be offered an unlikely-seeming North London escape route – by European giants Barcelona.
      That is according to the 28-year-old’s agent Emre Ozturk.
      The football rep recently posted a picture of himself outside Camp Nou, captioned ‘ready for meeting’.
      And quizzed about the cryptic post by Fox Sports, he revealed that talks were centred around Mustafi, not another of his clients Yusuf Demir.

      He said: “‘I’m not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, whom we also represent.”
      Mustafi could be set to join a club in crisis, amid turmoil off the pitch and poor performances on it.
      The LaLiga giants are interested in signing a new defender, following Gerard Pique’s devastating knee injury sustained last month.
      The Spaniard twisted horribly after colliding with Atletico Madrid star Angel Correa.

      Gerard Pique suffered a horrible knee injury last monthCredit: EPA

      In his absence, manager Ronald Koeman has been using various combinations involving Clement Lenglet, Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza – with Samuel Umtiti also now fit again.
      Barcelona are currently fifth in the table, having beaten Real Valladolid 3-0 last night – during which Lionel Messi set a new record of 644 for most goals scored for one club, beating Pele in the process.
      As for Mustafi, the 2014 World Cup winner has found himself on the periphery of Arsenal’s farcical season.
      He has featured just twice in the Premier League, making a further five appearances in the Europa League and one in the League Cup.
      He wouldn’t be the first Arsenal centre-back to make the switch, with Thomas Vermaelen making the move in 2014. In the four seasons he was at the club, the Belgian made just 34 league appearances.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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      England star Kieran Trippier buys £20,000 guard dog to protect his home from raiders after spate of thefts

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      ATLETICO MADRID star Kieran Trippier is one of the latest high-profile footballer to protect his home by purchasing a guard dog.
      The 29-year-old forked out £20,000 on a rottweiler in a bid to stop raiders from entering his house after his former Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli was robbed at knifepoint.

      Chaperone K9 have announced that Kieran Trippier has purchased a guard dog from the firm

      Trippier – who joined LaLiga side Atletico from Spurs in summer 2019 – is now the proud owner of a guard dog that was bought from Chaperone K9.
      And the company took to Instagram where they posted a picture of Trippier’s new dog on their story – tagging the defender and his wife Charlotte in the snap.
      Uploading an image of the rottweiler, the caption said: “Welcome to the K9 family @KTrippier2 @CharlHTripper.”
      Trippier joins the likes of Paul Pogba and his England international team-mates Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in having K9 guard dogs.

      Leicester duo Hamza Choudhury and Jamie Vardy also have dogs from the firm, along with British rapper Stormzy.
      Experts train breeds to be docile family pets that become roaring beasts when a threat is detected.
      On the firm’s website, bosses reveal: “Chaperone K9 have built a strong reputation.
      PAW PAW TWO
      “We are renowned for supplying trained dogs to the very highest quality that offer both security and love to their new families in an often unpredictable society.

      “At Chaperone K9 we know the full history or all of our dogs only accepting those who have been bred from quality stock with a known family history.
      “We have truly bridged the gap between security dogs and family pets.
      “We run a specialist in house training programme for a minimum of six months with a dedicated team of eight staff who expose the dogs to as many different experiences and environments so that they are fully prepared for all eventualities.

      Marcus Rashford invested in a personal protection dog from Chaperone K9

      Phil Jones and his wife Kaya bought Buddy, a German Shepherd from the Leicestershire-based company

      West Ham captain Mark Noble has his home protected by German Shepherds

      Everton’s Michael Keane is another who endorses Chaperone K9’s work
      “We have a broad range of clients with varying needs and we pride ourselves on being able to offer each a truly bespoke service which is supported by all of our client testimonials.
      “We provide dogs to couples, families, people with disabilities, the elderly and those looking for additional security of larger estates.
      “Our client base also includes premiership footballers, international rugby players, pop stars and people working in high risk environments.

      Trippier, 29, has become the latest high-profile footballer to protect his home with a guard dogCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We have supplied dogs all over the UK and Ireland, USA, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
      “We appreciate that buying a dog is a huge commitment, especially one that is fully trained to be loving family pet as well as a home protector.
      “Consequently, we work very closely with you from the initial meeting throughout the dog’s life.”

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      Ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa ‘to leave Atletico Madrid in January or on free transfer next summer’

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      DIEGO COSTA is set to leave Atletico Madrid in January or on a free transfer next summer, according to reports.
      The Spanish striker, 32, has a contract up until the end of the current campaign.

      Atletico Madrid are ready to let Diego Costa leave for a third timeCredit: Reuters

      But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, he will not be signing an extension.
      And that means Costa looks set to leave Atleti for the third time in 2021.
      Atletico are open to selling the striker in the January window despite their LaLiga title charge.
      However, should an appropriate offer not come in they will let him leave for free in the summer instead.

      Costa has struggled with muscle injuries, deep vein thrombosis and a blood clot in his leg, limiting his game time this term to just 204 minutes across seven appearances.
      He has, however, managed two goals in that time – in the wins over Granada and Elche which have helped Diego Simeone’s side to the top of the table at Christmas with a game in hand.
      Costa rejoined Atletico from Chelsea in January 2018 once the Spanish side’s transfer ban expired.
      He added the Europa League in the same year, adding to his LaLiga and Copa del Rey winners medals he picked up during his second spell at the club.

      The two-time Premier League winner first joined Atletico from Braga in 2007 but immediately went out on loan before signing permanently for Valladolid in 2009 and returning to the old Vicente Calderon a year later.
      In total, Costa has 83 goals in 215 appearances for the club but is now battling with Luis Suarez for the centre-forward spot.
      There was talk of a move to Paris Saint-Germain or a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham in the summer but a transfer did not materialise.
      And should a deal not get done for his departure in the winter window, Costa would be on course to face his former side Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      The Spain striker has scored twice this season as his side sit top of the LaLiga tableCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

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      Watch Lionel Messi beat Pele’s record for most goals for single club with 644th strike in Barca’s rout of Valladolid

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      LIONEL MESSI beat Pele’s record of 643 goals for a single club this evening, with a typically composed strike against Real Valladolid.
      The Argentine had matched the figure on Saturday, during his side’s 2-2 draw with Valencia.

      Lionel Messi makes HISTORY! 🚨Goal No. 644 sees him overtake Pele 🙌”Nobody in the history of this wonderful game has ever scored as many goals for the same club as Lionel Messi.” 🗣 pic.twitter.com/jXiXB1aQvI
      — Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) December 22, 2020

      Lionel Messi slotted home in the 65th minute – a record 644th for BarcaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The Argentine was quick to thank his team-mate Pedri for the exquisite assistCredit: AP:Associated Press

      And goal number 644 came in a much-needed 3-0 victory over lowly Valladolid.
      With his side already leading 2-0, thanks to first-half efforts from Clement Lenglet and Martin Braithwaite, Messi received a smart backheel from Pedri in the 65th minute.
      The 33-year-old took it perfectly into his stride, before slotting an unstoppable left-footed effort beyond the helpless goalkeeper.
      Messi achieved the feat in his 749th outing for the Blaugrana.

      Pele, however, may privately refute the achievement – having claimed to have scored 1,283 goals during his illustrious career.
      But the official records show that only 643 came in ‘official’ matches – although it took just 656 of them for Santos to reach the tally.
      On Saturday, when his record was equalled, the Brazilian, 80, posted a heartwarming congratulations to Messi.
      He wrote: “When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path.

      Barca stars present and future combined to create the landmark goalCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Pele claims to have scored 1,283 goals… but only 643 came in ‘official’ Santos matchesCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home.
      “Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona.
      “Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much.”
      Messi may not wear that same shirt for too much longer, however, having outlined his intention to leave over the summer.
      Presidential hopeful Joan Laporte is desperate to keep the talismanic No10 at Barcelona.

      I’m fine today, and I feel like seriously fighting for everything that’s ahead of u
      Lionel Messi

      And in an interview with Marca, Messi claimed that he is ‘excited’ by the challenges currently facing the club.
      He said: “I’m fine today, and I feel like seriously fighting for everything that’s ahead of us.
      “I feel excited. I know that the club is going through a difficult time, at a club and team level.
      “And everything around Barcelona is difficult, but I am looking forward to it.”
      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are both believed to be waiting in the wings, should Messi decide he still wants to leave Catalonia come next summer.

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      Lionel Messi opens up on ‘very bad time’ in summer after failed Man City transfer – but focus is back on Barcelona

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      LIONEL MESSI has revealed the ‘very bad’ experience he went through when trying to force a move from Barcelona in the summer.
      A trophy-less season at the Camp Nou saw Ronald Koeman installed and several big-name players sold.

      Lionel Messi says he is ‘excited’ for Barcelona’s trophy chances this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With best pal Luis Suarez among those binned, Messi attempted to trigger a release clause embedded in his contract.
      Yet he backed down when Barcelona threatened a legal battle, citing that the clause had expired amid the coronavirus pandemic.
      Recounting the incident on Spanish TV, Messi admitted the unhappy episode affected his form at the start of the season.
      In a snippet of a lengthy interview with LaSexta, via Marca, he stated: “I’m actually doing well today.

      “It’s true that I had a very bad time in the summer. It came from before.
      “What happened before the summer, the way the season ended, the burofax and all that…

      “Then I carried it with me a bit at the beginning of the season.”
      A draw at home to Valencia on Sunday left Barcelona eight points off the pace in the LaLiga title race.

      Although 33-year-old Messi has been edging back towards his best form, scoring nine goals in 17 appearances.
      The Argentine declared that he is willing to fight for titles with the Catalan club and is ‘excited’ for the challenge.
      He added: “I’m fine today, and I feel like seriously fighting for everything that’s ahead of us.
      “I feel excited. I know that the club is going through a difficult time, at a club and team level.

      Everything around Barcelona is difficult, but I am looking forward to it.
      Lionel Messi

      “And everything around Barcelona is difficult, but I am looking forward to it.”
      Messi’s future may be a step closer to being resolved when Barcelona’s presidential elections take place on January 24.
      The new chief will have to secure the forward’s future soon, with his existing deal expiring in June.
      Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be circling in case the superstar becomes available.

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      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in furious row with La Liga chief Javier Tebas over planned European Super League

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      LA LIGA chief Javier Tebas is locked in a war of words with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez over the planned European Super League and claims of TV “bias”.
      Perez upped the ante on his simmering dispute with the league boss by suggesting there was a deliberate TV policy to ignore bad decisions against the Bernabeu side.

      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes football “needs a change”Credit: Reuters

      The Real president said: “On the television there are times when they don’t show the replays for very important moments.
      “I’ve always said it, but the producers treat us very differently to other teams.
      “Everyone can see that there’s a big difference, not only with the replays but also in the people they have commentating on the games, who are never in favour of Real Madrid.
      “I’ve never gotten involved in this, but it’s true. They treat Real Madrid differently to the other teams in the country.”

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      Speaking to Real’s General Assembly, Perez added: “Football needs a change and Real Madrid will be there to promote it.
      “We are faced with an overcrowded schedule that harms fans, who often do not know what competition is being played, and the health of footballers, who suffer a lot of injuries.
      “The reform cannot wait. The big clubs have millions of supporters and a responsibility to fight for change with respect to other clubs.”
      That was seen as a direct challenge to the existing order but Tebas shot back with a withering Twitter response, designed to put Perez in his place.

      Tebas said: “I think the President of Real Madrid is getting very distracted by the matter of the Super League.
      “People should inform him better.
      “And when it comes to TV broadcasts, if he thinks they aren’t objective, he has the option to turn his remote and listen to Real Madrid TV. I’m certain they are more “objective”.”

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