Football

‘You were more than a mate’ – Lionel Messi pays tribute to Jordi Alba after he announced Barcelona exit

Published

2 weeks ago

May 25, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Lionel Messi wished Jordi Alba well after his former Barcelona team-mate announced he will leave the club this summer after 11 years at Camp Nou.

The Catalan club confirmed on Wednesday that the 34-year-old will depart the club when his contract expires this summer. His long-time co-star Messi took to social media to pay tribute to the Spain international, wishing him success in his next move.

“You were more than a team-mate, a true accomplice on the pitch… And how nice it is to also be able to enjoy how well we get along personally,” Messi wrote in an Instagram post.

“You know that I always wish you the best and also your family, I hope your new stage continues to bring you much success and joy. Thanks for everything, Jordi. A big hug!”

The Barca legend joined the club from Valencia in 2012 and spent nine years playing alongside Messi until the Argentine’s departure in 2021.

Alba won La Liga six times with Barcelona, along with five Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League and Club World Cup on one occasion.

Alba could be given the chance to make his final appearance at Camp Nou when Barca face Mallorca in their second last La Liga game of the season on Sunday

Related Topics:Barcelona featured Jordi Alba Lionel Messi

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Football

Messi Won’t Find Life Easy In MLS –Rooney

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has warned Lionel Messi that he should braze up for tough time in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Recall that Messi confirmed this week that he is joining Inter Miami as a free agent.

Rooney, who is currently in charge of DC United, is hoping that the 35-year-old’s MLS debut could come against his side.

Inter Miami are due to face DC United in Washington on July 8.

Rooney told reporters: “It’d be nice if we were his first opponents for D.C. fans to see him up close and for us to challenge ourselves against him.

“One thing I will say is that it’s not going to be easy for him. The league’s a difficult league, and I don’t think he’s going to come over here and absolutely tear it up immediately.

“He’ll have to adapt because it’s a bit different; it won’t be an easy ride for him.”

Football

UCL final: Guardiola afraid of Italian teams – Di Matteo

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Former Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo has claimed that Pep Guardiola fears Italian clubs.

Guardiola’s Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final.

The Premier League champions are favourites heading into the game in Istanbul, as they close in on a treble after they also lifted the FA Cup.

But Di Matteo believes Guardiola is a little bit scared of taking on Italian sides, knowing what a challenge they can pose.

He told Football-Italia: “You go to church with the whole team and pray; jokes aside, motivation makes the difference, and we had it. We were not fully fit, but convinced we could make it. Inter have the same spirit; they don’t look like a scared team.

“Guardiola is more than a coach; he is a visionary, but he knows how competitive Italians are and fears us.”

Football

Transfer: Real reason I didn’t join Saudi Arabian club – Messi

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has explained why he didn’t move to Saudi Arabia.

Messi, who played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain last Sunday against Clermont Foot, had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

The Argentina World Cup winner was also linked with a return to Barcelona, but he is now set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami.

However, according to Messi, he opted not to move to Saudi Arabia because he had made his final decision to go elsewhere [Inter Miami] and not because of money.

“If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me”, Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

“The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money.”