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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

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      Luis Suarez has clause allowing him to leave Atletico Madrid on FREE transfer this summer… but striker wants to stay

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      LUIS SUAREZ could leave Atletico Madrid on a FREE this summer.
      But the Uruguay goal machine wants to stay in the Spanish capital after hitting the ground running.

      Luis Suarez could leave Atletico Madrid on a free this summerCredit: Getty Images

      The 34-year-old striker signed a two-year deal after joining from LaLiga rivals Barcelona after last season.
      And, according to Marca, he has a clause in his contract that lets him leave for free this summer if he wants to.
      But the report adds that Suarez has no intention of triggering it with Atletico on course to win the Spanish league.
      Suarez has already been paid a bonus by Atletico after scoring for fun.

      The 33-year-old is LaLiga’s top scorer with 16 goals in 18 games, and seven in his last five.
      His goals have fired Atletico Madrid to the top of LaLiga – five points ahead of Real Madrid with two games in hand.
      Former club Barca are eight points behind.
      And Mundo Deportivo reported that the Uruguayan was paid a million Euros bonus (£880,000) for scoring 15 goals.

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      Suarez is also in line for another payout if and when he makes it to 20 goals, which seems like a formality.
      The Uruguay striker has found a new lease of life since his tearful exit from Barcelona last year.
      Suarez was reportedly told by new boss Ronald Koeman that he wasn’t part of his plans.
      He was seen driving out of the training ground for the last time in tears after six years at the club – during which he won four LaLigas and the Champions League.
      Atletico have lost just one league game this season and Suarez credits manager Diego Simeone with their record.

      Luis Suarez has been lethal in front of goal for Atletico MadridCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He told Onda Cero: “He is one of those coaches who convinces you by his desire and positivity and by everything he knows about this.
      “I rely more on the coach’s conviction when speaking to you than on the style of play he has.
      “Simeone is a coach who reaches out to you and motivates you.
      “I would not like to be a coach, you suffer a lot and you can’t keep everyone happy.”

      Luis Suarez shows his talent as he joins Atletico Madrid in training More

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      Adnan Januzaj insists he has ‘nothing to prove’ to Man Utd and hits out over lack of game time while at Old Trafford

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      ADNAN JANUZAJ believes he has ‘nothing to prove’ on his return to Manchester United.
      Real Sociedad face the Red Devils in the first knockout round of the Europa League, with the first leg taking place in Turin on Thursday.

      Adnan Januzaj has recalled his difficult period under Louis van Gaal at Manchester UnitedCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      The meeting will be Januzaj’s first encounter with United since he ended a six-year association with the Premier League giants in 2017.
      Once tipped as the next big thing, the 26-year-old winger has found good form in Spain and still describes his old team as ‘the club I love’.
      He told ESPN: “I don’t have to prove to anyone, I know my qualities.
      “I don’t have to prove to anyone how good I am, I just have to believe in myself, get my games and be happy.

      “I’m really happy to go back there, the club I love.
      “Once I’m on the pitch, there’s going to be no friends because obviously I’m playing for another club now and also I want to win the game.

      “I want to go through with my team. I’m really happy to go back there to see the people but once I’m on the pitch there will be no friends.”
      Januzaj made his debut in David Moyes’ first game in charge having impressed in the youth ranks during Sir Alex Ferguson’s later years at the club.

      Despite a promising run in the side, the Belgium international struggled for game time under Louis van Gaal and fell by the wayside.
      Sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, where he was relegated in a reunion with Moyes, Januzaj explained his frustration at missing out under the Dutch coach.
      The midfielder recalled: “I had Fergie and David Moyes, coaches that were believing in me, but then some others came in and they wanted a bit more experience in the team.
      “I was a young boy and when you’re a young boy you have to shut up and do what people tell you to do.
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      Januzaj (right) is a regular in Real Sociedad’s experienced setupCredit: AFP or licensors

      “I didn’t have the right coach to push me. For example when Van Gaal came I was playing one game out of six so it was difficult and I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’.
      “The first season under Moyes I was getting game time to show myself. At Manchester United, the most disappointing thing was that I wasn’t getting games.”
      Januzaj started in Real Sociedad’s win at Getafe on the weekend and the LaLiga side, home to fellow Prem old boys David Silva and Nacho Monreal, are the designated home team for Thursday’s 5.55pm kick-off.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Ex-Chelsea star Fernando Torres temporarily leaves Atletico Madrid B coaching role for ‘personal reasons’

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      FERNANDO TORRES has stepped away from his Atletico Madrid coaching role for ‘personal reasons’, reports say.
      The ex-Liverpool and Chelsea striker has been working with Atletico Madrid’s B team.

      Fernando Torres has reportedly left Atletico Madrid short term for ‘personal reasons’Credit: Rex Features

      And reports in Spain state the 36-year-old has asked for short-term leave.
      Diario AS say the former Spain forward’s absence is ‘due to personal reasons’.
      Torres took up a role with Atletico B last month under manager Nacho Fernandez as he works towards getting his Uefa badges.
      He recently showed off his hulking new physique after bulking up since his playing days finished.

      The B team have just two wins this season in the third tier.
      Torres is a club legend with Atletico having spent his youth and early years with the club.
      He joined Liverpool in 2007 under Rafa Benitez and hit the ground running with his goalscoring form.
      Torres was the fastest Liverpool player to score 50 league goals and one of the world’s best centre-forwards for a couple of seasons.

      Spain striker Torres had spells at Liverpool and then Chelsea (above)Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      He moved to Chelsea for £50million in 2011 but failed to hit the same heights.
      The striker returned to Atletico initially on loan from Milan before making his move permanent in 2016.
      He finished his career at Sagan Tosu in Japan before hanging up his boots two years ago.
      Torres scored 38 times for Spain in 110 caps, helping them to World Cup glory as well as Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 success.

      Fernando Torres shows off hench new physique as ex-Chelsea and Liverpool star undergoes incredible body transformation More

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      Watch Lionel Messi score two wondergoals as magician matches Xavi’s Barcelona appearance record in thumping Alaves win

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      LIONEL MESSI scored two vintage long-range stunners to help Barcelona hammer Alaves 5-1 – on a record-equalling night for the club captain.
      After having one ruled out for offside already, the Argentine legend grabbed his first on the stroke of half-time, cutting in from the right channel on to his left foot.

      Lionel Messi scored his first against Alaves with a sublime finish off the inside of the postCredit: Reuters

      Messi was at his brilliant best in the 5-1 win as he matched Xavi’s haul of 505 Barcelona LaLiga appearancesCredit: AFP or licensors

      And his lethal low strike gave the Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco no chance, nestling in off the inside of the post.
      Messi was back at it again with 15 minutes to go.
      Just seconds after Francisco Trincao had scored his second on his first full league debut to make it 3-0 at the Nou Camp, he dribbled directly at the Alaves defence in trademark fashion.
      Again he knocked the ball on to his left foot but this time his 25-yard beauty flew into the top-left corner – leaving fans and team-mates in awe once more.

      Gary Lineker tweeted: “Oh my word. Stop the debate,” followed by a goat emoji.
      It took his remarkable record against the relegation-threatened side to 13 goals in 12 appearances during his career.
      And he did it on the night he equalled Xavi’s Barcelona LaLiga appearance record.
      The midfield maestro appeared 505 times for the Catalan giants in the Spanish top flight.

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      And the footballing magician joined him at the top of the tree – and is expected to break the record at home to Cadiz next weekend.
      Messi had a hand in the final goal of the thumping, too, scooping the ball over for Antoine Griezmann who set up Junior Firpo at the back post.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has eight goals in his last five league appearances, while Barca are unbeaten in 12 games – picking up seven LaLiga wins on the bounce.
      He also scored in a fifth consecutive league game for the first time since April 2019.
      Despite leapfrogging Real Madrid into second before Los Blancos’ game on Sunday, Ronald Koeman’s side remain eight points behind leaders Atletico, who have a game in hand.

      Francisco Trincao scored twice on his full league debut for the Catalan giantsCredit: Reuters

      Emi Martinez says Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish reminds him of Lionel Messi More