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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wins in head-to-head battles ahead of Champions League clash

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      IT IS the question that divides football fans across the globe –  who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
      They gave Clasicos a bit of extra spice for nine years and now as they prepare to face off in the Champions League this season, SunSport looks at how they compare in matches against each other.

      How Messi and Ronaldo compare in head-to-head battles

      The greatest managers of the modern era have had their say, fans have had their say and even former team-mates have waded in on the never-ending GOAT debate.
      So we thought we’d look past the trophies and accolades to see how they fared when they were in direct competition.
      The pair know each other well, of course, having gone toe to toe in dozens of El Clasico contests down the years.
      Not only would the rivals share the same pitch whenever Real Madrid played against Barcelona, but they would tussle for LaLiga supremacy season after season.

      El Clasico has always been more that just a football match to the clubs’ fans and having the two best players in the world took it to a different dimension.
      Ronaldo has gone up against Messi 35 times in total during his spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as on the international stage.
      And fans will be treated to two more match ups this season with Ronaldo’s Juventus drawn in the same group as Barca for the Champions League.
      Barca’s all time leading goal-scorer pipped the former Los Blancos ace by three goals in all of their meetings – finding the back of the net 22 times.

      Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed a career-long rivalry

      While Ronaldo may have three goals fewer, he holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive Clasicos – in six consecutive games in 2012.
      Messi poetically netted his 500th goal for the Catalan giants against Real in a thriller in 2017, which also put Barca top of LaLiga.
      The Argentina ace famously celebrated by whipping off his No10 shirt and holding it aloft to the away support to prove why he is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      Ronaldo later had to have his say too, of course.
      The next time he visited the Nou Camp and scored in the Supercopa de Espana final first leg in August 2017, he mimicked his great frenemy’s celebration by showing his No7 shirt to the crowd.
      In that same clash, Ronaldo’s night hit a sour note when he was shown a second yellow card for diving, which resulted in the forward PUSHING the referee.
      He had already been booked for taking his shirt off after mimicking Messi’s celebration.
      That has been the only red card shown to either hero in the duo’s 35 stand offs with Messi managing to keep his cool and escape with three fewer yellows than his arch-rival.

      Lionel Messi scored a last-minute winner to give Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2017

      Cristiano Ronaldo showed the Nou Camp who was boss in his celebration
      Football is a results business so when it comes to score lines, the Argentine maestro leads the way.
      In the 35 matches, Messi has 16 wins, Ronaldo has ten and there have been nine draws.
      Ronaldo’s United got the better of Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
      Messi and Co got their revenge a year later, winning the 2009 final 2-0 as Messi scored a header.
      That started a run of five consecutive wins for Messi over Ronaldo including a 5-0 Barca win and a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Portugal in an international friendly as both players found the net.
      Arguably their greatest contest came in the 2012/13 LaLiga campaign as both players scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
      The Portugal icon left Los Blancos for a new challenge at Juventus two years ago meaning their last meeting was way back in May 2018, another 2-2 draw.
      Messi has played his entire career so far for Barcelona but is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

      Brazil icon Pele waded in on the greatest of all time debate.
      The footballing legend reckons Messi is best player of this generation, just months after siding with arch-rival Ronaldo.
      Sun Sport brought to you what the superstars say about each other in the argument that divides football fans across the globe. 
      Pele might not be able to split them but in head-to-head battles Messi edges it.
      Now all eyes are on the European battles ahead this season as Ronaldo goes up against his long-term rival for the first time in a Juventus shirt.

      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo debate More

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      Celta Vigo 0 Barca 3: Watch Messi put transfer row behind him with magical run to stop Fati stealing show

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      LIONEL MESSI overshadowed Ansu Fati’s history-making goal with a glorious victory-clinching dribble for ten-man Barcelona to banish memories of his summer transfer saga.
      Fati became only the second Barca 17-year-old to reach ten LaLiga strikes as Ronald Koeman’s new-look side made it two wins from their first two games.

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      Lionel Messi celebrates the wonder dribble that created Barcelona’s second goal in a 3-0 LaLigs winCredit: Reuters

      There was some fortune in how it ended up in the back of the net, but there was nothing lucky about that incredible dribbling 🙌Brilliant from Lionel Messi to double Barca’s lead 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/FBibGfL1iE
      — Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) October 1, 2020

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      Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi peaked his brilliant run with this cross-shot that was turned into his own net by Celta’s Lucas OlazaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Already capped twice by Spain, striker Fati notched his third goal in two matches with a stylish two-touch finish from Philippe Coutinho’s tee-up.
      And despite defender Clement Lenglet seeing red on 41 minutes for his second booking, Messi conjured the moment of the match to finish off Celta Vigo early in the second period
      The 33-year-old Argentinian snaked past two players on the right of the box with dazzling footwork for a cross-shot turned into his own net by  Lucas Olaza.
      Sergi Roberto then smashed Barca’s third deep into stoppage time.

      Defeat ended Celta’s unbeaten three-game start to LaLiga, while fifth-placed Barcelona and Sevilla are the only 100% teams.
      Most of their rivals have played more than twice, with leaders Getafe a point ahead on seven from three matches.

      Until Fati, the only Barca player to achieve double figures in league goals before his 18th birthday was once-capped Spaniard Bojan, 30, now with Montreal Impact, who played for Stoke from 2014-19.
      And now Fati must be dreaming of emulating one-club icon Messi more than Bojan.

      Yet barely six weeks ago Messi was pleading to leave the Nou Camp, before eventually accepting he would have to stay until at least his contract runs out next summer.

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      Ansu Fatis salutes his brilliant breakthrough goal for BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Sergi Roberto has a vision of victory after bagging Barcelona’s third goal in stoppage timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Barcelona confirm Luis Suarez transfer to Atletico Madrid leaving only Lionel Messi as part of legendary MSN trio More

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      Barcelona announce £23.5m Sergino Dest transfer from Ajax with poignant social distancing video in empty Nou Camp

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      BARCELONA confirmed the signing of Sergino Dest from Ajax with a poignant video inside an empty Nou Camp.
      The American right-back, 19, completed a transfer from the Dutch outfit on a five-year deal.

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      Right-back Sergino Dest has signed for Barcelona on a five-year deal

      Barca beat Bayern Munich to Dest’s signature and paid £19million up front for him with an extra £4.5m in add-ons while his release clause is set at more than £360m.
      He takes the No2 shirt vacated by Nelson Semedo, who joined Wolves in September.
      And Barcelona announced the deal with a special video on Twitter.

      Captioned “Shhhhh…” the clip showed Dest walking out of the tunnel, up the steps on to the Nou Camp pitch.
      With the ground empty, the only noise in the video is Dest’s footsteps and whispering: “Wow… unbelievable,” as he takes it all in.
      Ajax, in typical classy fashion, replied: “Take care of him.”
      A second video released by the LaLiga giants captured the new signing making his way to the stadium, in the changing room and then in his kit on the pitch doing skills with the ball.

      Born in Almere, Netherlands, Dest joined the Ajax academy nine years ago and progressed through the ranks before making his first-team debut in July.

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      Dest walked out of the tunnel and up the steps on to the Nou Camp pitch

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      The American teenager kissed the badge after completing the transfer from boyhood club Ajax

      He made 35 appearances last term, scoring twice and assisting six, as his performances attracted the attention of the Catalan club.
      And the teenager – who opted to represent the USA in international football and has three senior caps – took to Twitter for the first time to say thank you to Ajax.
      He shared an emotional video with a series of photo and short clips of his time at the Amsterdam club.
      Dest wrote: “Just a boy from Almere Stad who grew up with a dream of playing for Ajax.
      “I’m blessed to have represented this club for the last nine years.
      “Thank you to everyone at Ajax, and a special mention to the fans, you will always hold a special place in my heart.”

      Just a boy from Almere Stad who grew up with a dream of playing for Ajax. I’m blessed to have represented this club for the last 9 years. Thank you to everyone at Ajax, and a special mention to the fans, you will always hold a special place in my heart. 🙏🏼 @AFCAjax ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/ScV5wkhe1X
      — Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) October 1, 2020

      Wolves welcome new signing Nelson Semedo from Barcelona in £29m transfer More

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      Barcelona boss Koeman accepts he won’t have a ‘quiet life’ due to Lionel Messi and jokes ‘there’s always something’

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      RONALD KOEMAN has accepted he won’t have a ‘quiet life’ at Barcelona as he responded to Lionel Messi’s latest interview.
      The Argentine, 33, called on the Blaugrana to be ‘united’ after his failed bid to secure a move away from the Nou Camp.

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      Lionel Messi scored in Barcelona’s 4-0 win against Villarreal on SundayCredit: Reuters

      In only his second interview following his transfer saga, Messi insisted he wants an end to the arguments at Barca.
      He said: “After so many disagreements, I would like to bring an end to everything.
      “We all have to be united and assume that the best is yet to come.
      “I take responsibility for my errors and if they existed, it was only to make FC Barcelona better and stronger.

      “I wanted to send a message to all the fans that follow us.
      “If at any moment, any of them were annoyed by something that I said or did, let there be no doubts that anything I did was always with the club’s best interests in mind.”
      And Koeman has now given his say on Messi’s thoughts, as he joked there’s always something happening at the club.
      Speaking to Sport, he said: “I don’t know if after Messi’s comments I will have a quiet life as Barca coach.

      “I don’t think so, there’s always something!
      “But, of course, it’s very positive that the captain calls for us to be united, very positive.
      “And I hope we’re going to be a little calmer than have been recently.”

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      Messi spearheaded Barca’s attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation in the club’s LaLiga opener against Villarreal on Sunday – scoring their third goal.
      Looking ahead to Thursday night’s clash against Celta Vigo, Koeman reflected on Messi’s new position.
      He added: “We’re looking for a position in which Messi can be at his best for this club, as he always has done.
      “In training, we always look for formulas to win and so Leo is very happy in this team.”

      Lionel Messi releases limited edition Budweiser beer in video that references failed Barcelona transfer More

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      Luka Jovic’s agent ‘tells Man Utd he wants to join them with transfer talks over Real Madrid outcast at advanced stage’

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      REAL MADRID forward Luka Jovic is reportedly desperate to join Manchester United as talks continue over a loan move.
      The LaLiga champions are willing to send out the striker on loan in the hope he rediscovers the form that saw Los Blancos sign him last summer.

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      Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic on loanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Jovic, 22, has flattered to deceive at the Bernabeu following his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, with the Serbia international scoring just twice in 29 games.
      And according to the Daily Star, Jovic has set his sights on joining United, with his agent informing the Red Devils of his desire to link up with them.
      They claim that talks are at an advanced stage, with Madrid expected to made a decision regarding his future of Thursday.
      It has been said that United would pay his wages during his season-long loan, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to seek an option-to-buy clause.

      However Real are currently resisting that proposal, in the hope that he will be a key player for them next campaign.
      Jovic started in Real’s 1-0 win against Real Valladolid on Wednesday night, but he was subbed off after 56 minutes having failed to make an impact.
      Zinedine Zidane fuelled speculation he could leave after the full-time whistle, as he stated: “I can’t confirm anything until October 5.
      “He’s a player from this squad. I decide [on the team] and that’s it.

      “I’m not going to say anything about what’s going to happen. Anything can happen. He’s here and he played today.”
      SunSport reported earlier this week how United were chasing Jovic on loan, as well as a swoop for free agent Edinson Cavani.
      United also remain keen on bringing in a right winger, with a move for Jadon Sancho still the priority.
      But should they fail to land the Borussia Dortmund ace, Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele could be brought in on loan.

      Man Utd open Ousmane Dembele transfer talks with Barcelona as they eye season-long loan amid Jadon Sancho struggles More

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      Eden Hazard named in Real Madrid squad for first time this season since returning to training ‘overweight’ and injured

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      EDEN HAZARD could play his first game this season having been named in the Real Madrid squad to face Real Valladolid on Wednesday.
      The 29-year-old has been left out of the LaLiga champions’ opening two matchday squads due to an ankle injury.

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      Real Madrid have named Eden Hazard in their squad to face Real Valladolid on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      There were even claims that he returned to pre-season training overweight, leaving Real ‘concerned’ by his condition.
      And after those reports emerged, Hazard was snapped knuckling down in the gym in his bid to drop a few pounds.
      Speaking ahead of the clash against Real Valladolid, Real boss Zinedine Zidane defended the winger as he stated he is close to returning to action.
      He said: “I think he’s very close to a return. He is prepared and training well with the team.

      “The issue is that he hasn’t been able to train much until now, but now he is back training regularly.
      “So, we’ll see what happens. What he wants is to play.
      “He had a big problem that caused him issues for a long time, but now it seems like he is fine.

      “The season is very long and he is a professional. He does not lack professionalism.

      “What he wants is to be with his team-mates and to play.”
      Real were left fuming with Belgium earlier this month after they called Hazard up to feature in their Nations League clashes against Denmark and Iceland.
      And Hazard didn’t play a single minute in either of those games as he wasn’t fully match fit.

      Eden Hazard steps up training after angering Real Madrid by returning from summer break overweight More

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      Man Utd ‘tried to activate Ansu Fati’s £154m release clause’ but were too late as Barcelona had hiked it up to £363m

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      MANCHESTER United tried to activate Ansu Fati’s £154million release clause to sign him but were too late, incredible reports from Spain suggest.
      The 17-year-old Barcelona wonderkid caught the eye of the Premier League side, but their gambit failed after Barca officials moved quickly to hike the clause up to £363m in his new contract.

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      Fati is already in demand at only 17Credit: Getty Images – GettyIt was reported over the weekend that the teenager had attracted a monster bid, but now information from Spain suggests that Manchester United were the club who submitted it.
      The report comes as the Red Devils refuse to stump up the cash to meet Dortmund’s asking price for Jadon Sancho.
      They are also reportedly unwilling to go as high as Porto’s £18m valuation of Alex Telles, preferring to try and nab him for free next year.
      Despite a stingy approach to those moves, Spanish source RouteOneFootball claim Man United went all out for Fati.

      They attempted to trigger his £154m clause, which would have obliged Barcelona to accept the offer.
      But Old Trafford chiefs apparently did not realise the Catalan club had already upped the price to £363m, ending their hopes of an audacious signing.
      Fati hit a brace as Barca ran out 4-0 winners against Villarreal in their opening La Liga match of the season.
      He was also officially promoted to the first-team last week after being handed the No22 shirt left vacant by Arturo Vidal.

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      Ansu Fati’s incredible performances at such a young age have prompted comparisons with his team-mate Lionel MessiCredit: AP:Associated Press

      His new deal, which expires in 2024, is a two-year extension that helps guarantee his future – along with the £211m rise in his release clause.
      The teen became the club’s second youngest player when he made his debut last August at the age of 16 years and 298 days.

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      Fati then announced himself as the club’s youngest ever scorer just six days later.
      The records continued to go and last September he became the youngest player in La Liga history to score and assist in the same game.
      Fati appears to be just one of a number of players United are eyeing if they can’t get the Sancho deal done in time.

      Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati scores ridiculous goals in training including mid-air back-heel volley More

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      Barcelona make Memphis Depay No1 transfer target with Ronald Koeman wanting Lyon forward into link-up with Lionel Messi

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      BARCELONA have made Memphis Depay their no.1 target as Ronald Koeman bids to gift Lionel Messi a new strike partner, reports say.
      The Dutch manager is reportedly insisting on a fresh forward man after the departure of Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid.

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      Ronald Koeman has previously managed Memphis Depay when he was Holland bossCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Sport report that Depay is now seen as the no.1 target for Barcelona

      And Depay, who has long been linked with the Spanish club, is seen as the perfect replacement to link up with Messi.
      Barca hit four past Villareal in their opening La Liga game over the weekend but, according to Sport, Koeman was still left wishing for more going forward.
      He said he hoped the club can still “occupy [the striker] position” and added that it’s “always good to have other possibilities.”
      Without Depay, Koeman is left with only Martin Braithwaite as an out-an-out striker.

      The ex-Manchester United man came off the bench to help Lyon to a 1-1 draw away at Lorient on Sunday as speculation on his future grows.
      But reports have previously suggested that finances may continue to be a stumbling block to getting the transfer over the line.
      Covid-19 has hit Barcelona hard and they’ve rushed to get highly-paid players off the wage bill, with Suarez swiftly following Arturo Vidal.
      But even with those deals done, the Catalan club still may not have enough financial muscle to secure Depay.

      Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas even tweeted that his Barca counterpart, Josep Maria Bartomeu, told him the same thing in person earlier this month.

      He wrote that he was informed that Barcelona were ‘suffering a lot’ from the aftershocks of the pandemic and there was ‘no possibility’ of them stumping up the cash.
      Despite this, they are still being linked to Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
      The Argentine is rated at £83million by his club but he is another who is believed to be way beyond the club’s price range.

      Olympique Lyonnais star Memphis Depay shows off his physique as he works out at his luxury villa More