La Liga

LIONEL MESSI has revealed his wife Antonela was begging him to see a sports psychologist but he refused.
The Barcelona superstar rocked the club last summer when he handed in a transfer request during the most turbulent period of his career.

Lionel Messi says his wife Antonela begged him to see a sports psychologistCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/

The Argentine legend suffered a turbulent summer as he tried to leave BarcelonaCredit: AFP

And he admitted he should have sought help from a sports psychologist.
Messi said: “I should have gone to the psychologist, but I never went.
“Why? I don’t know. It’s hard for me to take that step, even though I know I need it.
“Antonela [his wife] has insisted a lot of times that I should go, but I’m someone who keeps everything to myself.

“I don’t share things. I know it would do me good, but I haven’t gone.”
Messi’s mood darkened when he tried to invoke a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to walk away from the Nou Camp for free.
With Manchester City lurking and ready to reunite the forward, 33, with Pep Guardiola, a legal row ensued before LaLiga ruled the clause was not valid and he was forced to stay.
Messi’s unhappiness was further triggered when new Barca manager Ronald Koeman sold his close friend Luis Suarez as part of his attempted squad overhaul.

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Marca have now discovered that the woman he could have seen to discuss his feelings was Imma Puig, Barcelona’s psychologist for the last 15 seasons. 
She worked closely with Andres Iniesta throughout his difficulties.
Puig said: “Everyone believes that to suffer from depression you have to have a lot of problems.
“But it’s not true, people can feel bad despite having everything that others want.
“Footballers have exactly the same problems as anyone else, but the difference is they work in a shop window.
“Everyone can criticise them, knows what they earn, can comment on their private lives.

Lionel Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in 2017Credit: Rex Features

The couple have three sonsCredit: Refer to Caption
“Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the lives of politicians or businessmen were as exposed as those of footballers. It’s not easy. They have to live with the envy of the world.”
Messi returned to the Barcelona side to set up the winning goal in 1-0 win over LaLiga’s bottom side Huesca.
Messi, making his 750th appearance for Barcelona and his 500th in LaLiga, lifted the ball to Frenkie de Jong for the Dutchman to coolly finish past the goalkeeper.
That lifted Barcelona up to fifth place but they remain 10 points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who also have a game in hand.

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IVAN RAKITIC had to ask his wife out ’20 or 30 times’ before she eventually said yes.
The Sevilla star, 32, has lifted the lid on how his relationship with Raquel Mauri began.

Ivan Rakitic first set eyes on Raquel Mauri when she worked in a coffee shop

Rakitic first laid eyes on Mauri after he signed for Sevilla from Schalke 04 in 2011.
She worked as a barista in a coffee shop – which is where it all started for the couple.
The Croatian star found himself popping into the shop regularly just to see her.
But it was far from straightforward as the Sevilla star did not speak any Spanish.

Rakitic said: “I don’t know how to explain it. Sometimes, you meet someone and you just have a different feeling.
“Whenever I saw her, it was like a bomb went off inside me.
“Week after week, I slowly started to learn some Spanish words, and if I was struggling, I would use my hands a lot to try to explain what I was trying to say to her.
“She thought that was funny. She was like, ‘Me …  Jane. You … Tarzan.’

“I was drinking so much coffee it was ridiculous. I probably asked her out 20 or 30 times.”
Before he continued: “You know, I’m not the biggest guy in the world, so I thought, ‘S***, maybe she sees me and she doesn’t think I’m going to be very good and Seville will sell me in the summer.’
“Part of my motivation when I went to training was to establish myself in the squad so that I would be around for a while and this girl would finally have dinner with me. It literally took me seven months.”
He finally managed to secure a lunch date with her – and the rest was history.
The loved-up couple are now proud parents of two children, Althea and Adara.

Ivan Rakitic claimed he asked her out ’20 to 30 times’
Rakitic shared a cute snap of himself with Mauri on Boxing Day to his Instagram page.
And she shared a picture of them together to her page to celebrate the New Year.
Rakitic joined Barcelona in 2014 but returned to Sevilla earlier this year on a four-year deal.

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INTER MILAN have offered out-of-favour star Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid and Atletico, according to reports.
The Dane was in high demand last year, after outlining his intention to leave Tottenham Hotspur.

Eriksen has largely been limited to a place on the benchCredit: Rex Features

Inter eventually won the race to his signature, securing it for what seemed a bargain £17million at the time.
But Eriksen, 28, has endured a difficult 12 months at San Siro.
Boss Antonio Conte has struggled to implement the attacking midfielder into his 3-5-2 system, with Eriksen having to spend plenty of time left on the bench this season.
Real Madrid and Atletico were among the sides monitoring Eriksen’s situation during his final months at Spurs.

Inter got their man on that occasion, but the teams from the Spanish capital may have another chance to sign the talented ace.
According to Marca, Inter chiefs have offered Eriksen to both in recent weeks.
With the LaLiga giants struggling financially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, however, a deal this month may be unlikely.
Inter formally transfer listed Eriksen last month.

Real Madrid have seen Eriksen’s quality first hand in the pastCredit: Rex Features

But their rumoured demands of £27million may put off many potential buyers.
Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with the former Spurs supremo.
And perhaps former boss Mauricio Pochettino may decide to reunite with his former No23, having yesterday been appointed by Paris Saint-Germain.
Eriksen has made 38 appearances for Inter since joining, scoring four goals and laying on three assists in that time.
He has only started four of his side’s 15 Serie A games to date this term.

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VICTOR FONT has vowed to bring two former favourites back if he takes over as Barcelona president.
The prospective new chief has pledged that Xavi Hernandez and Jordi Cruyff will join the board if he is elected.

Xavi could be back at Barcelona in just a matter of weeksCredit: AFP

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has vowed to make him the club’s GM if he wins the electionCredit: Reuters

Carlos Tusquets is currently interim president following the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu, with the upcoming elections to be held on January 24.
He has revealed how he wants his new-look structure to look, with Barca’s legendary ex-captain Xavi being appointed general manager, according to Football Espana.
And Cruyff – the son of club legend Johan – would be the sporting director.
Xavi, 40, has been linked with a return to Barcelona for months and is believed to have rejected the chance to become manager a year ago when Ernesto Valverde was sacked.

Koeman eventually got the job last summer but has struggled to turn round the fortunes of the La Liga giants.
And it could be bad news for the Dutchman should Font win.
He said last year: “Even if Koeman  has a great season, I will not change my plans.
“If I become president, Koeman will not be the coach of Barca in the 2021-22 season.

“Xavi understands that all the puzzles in the club must be put together.
“Who will lead the team will be decided by the board of directors — in our case it will be Xavi.”
Xavi played 767 times for Barcelona between 1998 and 2015 and won 133 caps for the Spanish national team.
He lifted eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Nou Camp as a player.
Cruyff came through the Barca youth system and played for the first team for two years before joining Manchester United in 1996.

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BARCELONA legend Eusebio Sacristan has undergone an emergency operation after being rushed to hospital following a fall.
The 56-year-old was admitted to intensive care ahead of the op after medics discovered a blood clot in his brain linked to the tumble.

Barcelona legend Eusebio Sacristan has been rushed to hospital and was placed in an induced comaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Eusebio (back, right) was part of the Barca ‘Dream Team’ that won four La Liga titles and the 1992 European CupCredit: Getty – Contributor

The European Cup-winning midfielder was placed in an induced coma after his procedure to alleviate the pressure on his brain and try to reduce any future complications.
One unconfirmed local report said he was at a bar when he fell and hit his head in the accident, which did not happen while he was at home. 
The retired footballer, who managed four sides including Barcelona B and his last club Girona after a 20-year playing career, will now have to see in the New Year in hospital after being told he must remain under observation for 72 hours.
He is at a hospital called the University Clinic Hospital in his home city of Valladolid north of Madrid.

The Eusebio Sacristan Foundation, which helps to integrate vulnerable youngsters into society through sport, said in a statement: “Eusebio has been operated on today at Valladolid Clinical Hospital after suffering a severe head injury caused by an accidental fall and his recovery will be monitored over the next few days.
“All updates will be published through this Foundation at the request of his family, who wish to transmit their sincere gratitude to everyone including the media and colleagues from the world of sport who have shown concern for Eusebio’s health.”
Local reports said the retired footballer had suffered his fall at an unidentified location on Wednesday night after being spotted on a restaurant terrace with friends earlier in the day.
His condition today was described as stable.

The retired midfielder, 56, has undergone an emergency op after suffering a fallCredit: Getty – Contributor

Eusebio began and ended his playing career at Valladolid and spent a season at Atletico Madrid before signing for Barcelona and becoming part of Johan Cruyff’s so-called Dream Team.
He made 267 appearances with the Catalan giants over seven seasons from 1988, winning four league titles, the Copa del Rey, Cup Winners’ Cup and a European Cup.
He retired from football in 2002 aged 38 after playing 543 La Liga matches, fourth-best in the competition behind only Andoni Zubizarreta, Joaquin and Raul.
He earned 15 caps for Spain, first coming on in September 1986 in a friendly match with Greece and being picked to go to Euro 1988, although he failed to play in the tournament.
He resigned as manager of Girona after the club were relegated at the end of the 2018-2019 season.

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