“What happened in Rome was our fault and nobody else’s. Don’t let it happen again,” Lionel Messi said. But it happened again. There were just a few minutes to go before FC Barcelona headed out into Anfield for last year’s Champions League semifinal second leg when he delivered that message to his teammates, but maybe
Lionel Messi
Shaka Hislop weighs up if Frank Lampard should focus on silverware or a Champions League spot for Chelsea. Gab Marcotti and Shaka Hislop believe Barcelona are dangerously overreliant on Lionel Messi. Gab Marcotti explains how Liverpool could give Chelsea a boost in the FA Cup. Liverpool and dominated the FIFA 20 team of the year
The Exploding Heads present some baffling items available in Premier League club stores this holiday season. The Football Agents share their top charitable gift ideas for the players they represent. While Lionel Messi was reclaiming his crown as the world’s best player in 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo still managed to stun the world with his leaps
11:53 AM ET Barcelona opened up a three-point lead over rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Saturday, defeating Alaves 4-1 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal. Barca, who drew 0-0 with Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico on Wednesday, opened the scoring
Ale Moreno says it’s too soon to consider Antoine Griezmann a bust at Barcelona. Barcelona ended the calendar year with a 4-1 win against Alaves at Camp Nou on Saturday which will see them start 2020 at the top of La Liga. Antoine Griezmann, Arturo Vidal, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were all on target
Ale Moreno feels competing with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate fuel for Lionel Messi. Julien Laurens says Lionel Messi separated himself from other Ballon d’Or finalists by carrying Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s agent, Jorge Mendes, believes it was “an injustice” that the Ballon d’Or award was presented to Lionel Messi. The Barcelona
Zinedine Zidane looks forward to the challenge of Real Madrid facing Barcelona. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has said it is harder to face Real Madrid at the Camp Nou than at the Bernabeu. Barca welcome Zinedine Zidane’s side to Camp Nou on Wednesday for the first Clasico of the season with both sides level on points
ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol and Mark Donaldson react to Joao Felix being named the 2019 Golden Boy award winner. Alejandro Moreno weighs in on the hot takes from the weekend’s soccer action to see whether they are overreactions. Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix was once dubbed “the new Cristiano Ronaldo,” but he has achieved what
It is the greatest match in the history of organised football: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. Nicknamed “El Clasico,” it is a battle that encompasses all the flair, daring, skill, enmity, sporting and social significance that can possibly be bottled into a 90-minute footballing fixture. Yes, this season’s first Clasico was postponed by seven weeks due
Gab Marcotti says Barcelona’s 5-2 thrashing of Mallorca was a true Barca performance. The FC guys dismantle Shaka Hislop’s Power Rankings, where the surprise club remains at the top. Ale Moreno feels competing with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate fuel for Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique have been left
Gab Marcotti says Barcelona’s 5-2 thrashing of Mallorca was a true Barca performance. Craig Burley explains why Leicester City have a realistic chance to win the Premier League title race. Craig Burley thinks Pep Guardiola might have lingering doubts about staying for another rebuild at Manchester City. Craig Burley is uncertain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘good
The FC guys dismantle Shaka Hislop’s Power Rankings, where the surprise club remains at the top. Ale Moreno feels competing with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate fuel for Lionel Messi. Julien Laurens says Lionel Messi separated himself from other Ballon d’Or finalists by carrying Barcelona. BARCELONA — Lionel Messi scored his
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said the football world must get used to the idea that Lionel Messi will retire in the near future, adding that he will cherish being able to tell people he was able to coach the Argentine. Messi, ranked the No. 1 forward in the ESPN FC 100, was crowned world player
4:53 PM ET Barcelona reached the Champions League round of 16 after Lionel Messi scored one and assisted two in his 700th appearance for the club in a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the first half and Messi doubled Barca’s lead four minutes later, scoring his 613th goal for
Julien Laurens says Lionel Messi separated himself from other Ballon d’Or finalists by carrying Barcelona. Craig Burley believes Lionel Messi is single-handedly covering up deficiencies at Barcelona. Shaka Hislop believes Barcelona are far too reliant on Lionel Messi’s “superhuman” performances in recent years. Ale Moreno says Lionel Messi looked “untouchable” and Antoine Griezmann stayed disciplined
Julien Laurens says Lionel Messi separated himself from other Ballon d’Or finalists by carrying Barcelona. Craig Burley believes Lionel Messi is single-handedly covering up deficiencies at Barcelona. Shaka Hislop believes Barcelona are far too reliant on Lionel Messi’s “superhuman” performances in recent years. Lionel Messi gave Barcelona fans a fright after winning the Ballon d’Or on
So there you have it: the 2019 edition of the ESPN FC 100 — our annual ranking of the best players in the world — was dominated by Liverpool off the back of one of their best seasons in the modern era. Winning the Champions League and finishing just a point behind Manchester City for
Julien Laurens explains why Eric Abidal is already talking about pursuing Neymar again next summer. Ale Moreno is surprised by Antoine Griezmann and Didier Deschamps’ comments about Griezmann’s role at Barca. Sergi Roberto speaks on behalf of Barca and UNICEF regarding World Children’s Day on the 30th anniversary. Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has sent a
ESPN FC 100 is back, and our annual ranking of the best men’s players and managers in the world right now made something abundantly clear: Liverpool rule. The Merseyside club took home more than a few top honors, followed by Premier League defending champions Manchester City and, oh yeah, this Average Joe who plies his
Alejandro Moreno breaks down Argentina’s win over Brazil and raises questions about Tite’s job security. Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi’s talent after another hat trick. Julien Laurens explains why Eric Abidal is already talking about pursuing Neymar again next summer. Lionel Messi was guest of honour all weekend at