La Liga

BARCELONA are going to be fined £2,700 for Lionel Messi’s shirt tribute to Diego Maradona in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Osasuna.
The Catalan giants’ skipper started his career at Newell’s Old Boys and unveiled their shirt in tribute to Maradona – who also played there – after scoring at the weekend.

Lionel Messi unveiled a Newell’s Old Boys shirt with Maradona’s No10 on the back after scoring against Osasuna on SundayCredit: Getty Images

The goal had striking similarities to a goal scored by Maradona on his Newell’s debut 27 years ago.
He picked up the ball outside of the box, beat two defenders then fired a shot into the far corner of the net.
The celebration forced referee Mateu Lahoz to book Messi for removing his Barca shirt, in line with the Spanish FA’s rules.
As touching as the gesture was, in addition to the booking it also comes with a £2,700 fine.

The rule which imposes a fine for celebrations like Messi’s is not exclusive to the Spanish league, it is also applied by FIFA.
On FIFA’s official website, it states: “The IFAB, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game, decided to add a detail to Law 12 relating to ‘Fouls and Misconduct’, stating: “A player who removes his jersey after scoring a goal will be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.”
Newell’s president Eduardo Bermudez saw the tribute on Sunday and expressed the equal love the club has for both Messi and Maradona.
Bermudez insisted Messi is welcome back at the club, no matter how old.

In line with the Spanish FA’s rules, the referee has to book the player for taking his shirt offCredit: Getty Images

Lionel Messi smiles as he receives a booking for Diego Maradona tributeCredit: Getty Images

After news broke of Maradona’s passing last Wednesday, Messi delivered a heartfelt message on Instagram: “This is a very sad day for all Argentines and for football.
“He has left us, but he hasn’t gone, because Diego is eternal.
“I remember all the nice moments we experienced together and I send my condolences to all his family and his friends. RIP.”

Watch Messi and Maradona’s eerily similar goals for Barcelona and Newell’s Old Boys as Barcelona star honours icon More

LIONEL MESSI’S goal for Barcelona at the weekend that he dedicated to Diego Maradona was eerily similar to one scored by the late legend himself in 1993.
The 33-year-old paid tribute to the Argentine icon after he scored during the 4-0 win over Osasuna.

Lionel Messi scored Barcelona’s fourth goal of the game

Fans immediately compared Lionel Messi’s goal to one scored by Diego Maradona

Maradona tragically passed away last week after suffering a heart attack at his home, aged 60.
Messi was among the long list of stars to pay tribute to the former Barcelona forward.
When he returned to action on Sunday, Messi incredibly mimicked a goal scored by Maradona 27 years ago.
He picked up the ball outside of the box, beat two defenders then fired a shot into the far corner of the net.

It was freakishly similar to the strike by Maradona on his debut for Newell’s Old Boys in 1993.
And Messi was actually in the crowd for that match when he was just six years old.
During an interview with TyC Sports, the Barcelona star spoke of his memories of that day.
He said: “I don’t remember much, I was very young, but I saw Maradona on the pitch the day he made his debut against Emelec.”

Lionel Messi was in the crowd when Diego Maradona scored the goal in 1993

After Messi’s goal on Sunday, he whipped off his shirt to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys jersey.
Despite the touching tribute, the six-time Ballon d’Or received a yellow card.
Two of Maradona’s former clubs, Newell’s Old Boys and Boca Juniors, also went head-to-head this weekend.
Both teams paid tribute to the 60-year-old – which left his distraught daughter in tears.

Lionel Messi paid tribute to Diego Maradona after he scoredCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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LIONEL MESSI paid tribute to Diego Maradona by taking off his Barcelona shirt to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys jersey but was BOOKED for the geture.
The Catalan giants’ skipper bagged a stunning goal against Osasuna before unveiling Maradona’s old No10 strip from years gone by.

Lionel Messi unveiled an old Newell’s Old Boys strip with Maradona’s No10 on the backCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Messi’s touching tribute was in honour of Maradona who passed away last weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Messi is booked at the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But despite the touching moment in honour of Messi’s late Argentine compatriot, the LaLiga ref still saw fit to brandish a yellow card.
Maradona died on Wednesday aged 60 after suffering a heart attack and the latest news suggests the house of his personal doctor was searched by cops amid reports his passing is being treated as manslaughter.
Messi began his career at Argentine side Newell’s before moving into Barca’s youth system in 2001, while former Napoli icon Maradona had a short stint at the club after arriving in 1993.
Fittingly Messi’s strike was a sublime solo effort reminiscent of Maradona’s footballing genius.

The two all-time greats have been compared thanks to their similar playing style, stature and innate ability.
Footage of them playing together for Argentina emerged in the wake of Maradona’s passing.
The pair teamed up on the same Argentine all-stars side in an exhibition match in 2005.
Maradona and Messi – two of the greatest footballers of all time – shone brightest on a night which also featured Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Maradona’s former son-in-law.

Messi and his team-mates and Osasuna opponents observed a minute’s silence in honour of MaradonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
And that was despite neither of them being in their prime with Maradona already 45 and a fresh-faced Messi just 18.
They caused havoc for the opposition with highlights showing plenty of neat through balls and sumptuous flicks.
Messi’s goal was Barcelona’s last in their 4-0 rout of Osasuna at an empty Nou Camp amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Both sides observed a minute’s silence in honour of Maradona before kick-off.
Former Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite were also on target for the Blaugrana.

A framed No10 shirt was displayed inside the Nou Camp after Maradona’s deathCredit: AP:Associated Press

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EDEN HAZARD went off injured as Real Madrid suffered a horror night against Alaves.
Things started badly for Zinedine Zidane’s side and only got worse in a 2-1 defeat on home soil – leaving them SIX points off the pace in LaLiga.

Eden Hazard went off injured AGAIN as Real Madrid lost 2-1 to AlavesCredit: Reuters

The unlucky Belgian has suffered injury hell since his £150m move from ChelseaCredit: Reuters

Former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez scored a penalty after just five minutes, before Hazard limped off in discomfort on 28 minutes.
Real thought they should have had a penalty in the incident.
It then got even worse early in the second half when Hazard’s former Chelsea team-mate Thibaut Courtois gifted Alaves a second goal.
The Belgian keeper passed straight to Joselu, who slotted into an empty net from 25 yards out.

Casemiro scored in the 86th minute to try and spark a comeback, but it was too little, too late for Real Madrid.
In only his fifth start of the season, the Belgian superstar injured himself when he was hacked down inside the box.
A penalty was not given for the tackle and to rub salt into Zinedine Zidane’s wound, Hazard had to be withdrawn straight away.
The Chelsea legend could be seen limping with a frustrated look on his face as he made his way to the bench.

Thibaut Courtois’ shocker made it a miserable night for Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors
It was not clear what Hazard has injured.
Hazard has had a miserable time since moving to the Spanish capital in a deal worth up to £150million in the summer of 2019.
He missed 24 matches last season as Zidane’s side won the Spanish title, but promised to come back this season and return to top form.
However, his bid to get back to his best – and get a consistent run of games – has been hampered by injury and illness.
He first suffered a thigh injury in pre-season training that forced him to miss the start of the season.

Hazard then tested positive for Covid-19 that kept him out for two weeks at the start of month.
Now Hazard suffered this latest setback, although the seriousness of the injury is still to be determined.
Early reports in Spain say Hazard had ‘discomfort’ in muscles in his right leg, with tests to follow in the coming days.
In fact, Hazard has already missed more than QUADRUPLE the amount of games (36) in just 17 months than he did (eight) in seven YEARS at Chelsea. More