Sports
Messi’s time at PSG was a ‘hell’ – Neymar confesses
Brazilian football icon, Neymar has described Lionel Messi’s time at Paris Saint Germain as “hell” for the legendary footballer.
Recall that Lionel Messi left his childhood club, FC Barcelona for PSG in the summer of 2021 after the Spanish giants were unable to renew his contract due to financial complications.
He signed a two-year contract with the French side with the hope that he could help them win the UEFA Champions League which has eluded the club despite the heavy investment on players.
Hence, the players were left frustrated to the point they subjected Lionel Messi and Neymar to constant booing before, during, and after games.
Even after leading Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World in Qatar for the first time in his football career, PSG fans still subjected the record 7 times Ballon d’Or winner to ridicule. His 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 games in all competitions meant nothing to the fans since he couldn’t help them to win the Champions League title.
After his two seasons contract which has a year extension option, expired, Lionel Messi decided not to take the one-year extension and left the club for Inter Miami where he has already scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists in 11 games.
“I was very happy for the year he (Messi) had, but also very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin. He realized a dream with Argentina and won everything, but at PSG he lived through hell. We both did”, Diario AS quoted Neymar as saying.
“Messi left PSG in a way that, from a football perspective, he did not deserve. Everything he is, everything he does, anyone who knows him knows, he’s a guy who trains and fights, and if he loses he’s angry and was unfairly accused.
“It made me very happy that he won the World Cup. Messi deserved to ‘end’ his career like this.”
While Messi is doing exploits in Major League Soccer, Neymar is trying to recover from an ankle injury and is yet to make his Saudi Pro League debut with Al Hilal.
Sports
Favour Ofili Ready For 200m Semi-finals After 100m Setback
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Sports
Lionel Messi Explains Why He Hardly Runs During Football Games
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
Sports
Euro 2024: Portugal Join Two Other Teams In Round Of 16
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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