Argentina's opening defeat in the Copa America - a 2-0 loss to Colombia despite dominating the second half yesterday morning (Singapore time) - has left La Albiceleste feeling bitter, said captain Lionel Messi. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in 20 years, as Messi's hopes of finally landing a major international trophy - after losing in four finals - suffered a serious blow. "We leave here feeling bitter," said Messi, after the Group B clash in Salvador. "In the second half, we had our chances." One of the best of those fell to the 31-year-old Barcelona icon, but he headed wide after Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina got down quickly to push out a header from centre-back Nicolas Otamendi. Although Argentina dominated possession and created more chances in the second half, they rarely caused Ospina any serious concerns. "We didn't want to start this way, obviously, but now we have to lift our … [Read more...] about Lionel Messi bitter about Colombia defeat in Copa America opener
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Lionel Messi to launch a fashion line
On Wednesday, Women's Wear Daily (WWD) has reported that the Argentinian soccer star is collaborating with MGO (whose chief creative officer is none other than Tommy Hilfiger's sister Ginny Hilfiger) to create his own line of ready-to-wear. The first collections will be on sale starting this summer, on an online platform dubbed "The Messi Store." While soccer and fashion have fastened their bonds in recent years, few could say they saw this one coming: FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi is, indeed, launching his own fashion line. We'll have to wait until the summer to see what the striker has come up with in partnership with MGO, under the direction of Ginny Hilfiger, whose brother happens to be Tommy Hilfiger. For the time being, there has been very little information about famous Argentinian soccer player's fashion line. WWD has confirmed that it will be primarily focused around sportswear-inspired menswear, with a few pieces dedicated to women. Read also: Superhero Ronaldo takes … [Read more...] about Lionel Messi to launch a fashion line
Football: Messi’s double downs Liverpool
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi put Barcelona to within touching distance of the Champions League final on Wednesday (May 1) after firing a stunning brace to down Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou.Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez opened the scoring midway through the opening half of the semi-final first leg before Messi struck twice in seven second half minutes to leave the Reds with a mountain to climb in the tie despite an impressive performance in Catalonia.Messi's second, an incredible long-range free-kick, was his 600th Barca goal in all competitions.The two sides meet again on Tuesday for the decisive second leg at Anfield. … [Read more...] about Football: Messi’s double downs Liverpool
Liverpool aim to spoil Messi’s Champions League dream
BARCELONA: Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool are ready to end Lionel Messi’s Champions League mission by beating Barcelona in the semi-finals. Messi has been rested for Barca’s last two league games and appears more motivated than ever in Europe, after pledging to “bring that beautiful cup back to Camp Nou” at the start of the season. But Klopp has warned his players not to focus only on the Argentinian. “It’s not only about Messi but of course it’s about him as well,“ Klopp said at a press conference on Tuesday. “Can we concentrate on Messi? We should in a lot of moments but if we only concentrate on him there are 10 other world-class players who can decide the game as well. “Messi said before the season, ‘we want to bring back that cup’. That sounds like a threat to me. Now we did it, now we are here and all I can say is we want to go to the final as well.” Barcelona play Liverpool four days after … [Read more...] about Liverpool aim to spoil Messi’s Champions League dream
Barcelona manages Messi’s time ahead of Champions League
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By Tales Azzoni The Associated Press Tues., April 30, 2019 MADRID—For the biggest moments, there is always Lionel Messi. The 31-year-old Argentine has been the key to Barcelona’s success ever since he made his debut, but more and more this season he has been rested. Wednesday won’t be one of those days, as Barcelona faces Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. “I’ve rested Messi more than usual but this has been a month with two Champions League clashes, and twice we had to play three games in a week,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said on Tuesday. “We wanted to clinch the Spanish league title, but at the same time we also wanted to make sure he was prepared for this tie. I think I’ve probably got the balance right.” A few days ago, Messi won the Spanish league trophy for the 10th time in his 15 seasons with the Catalan club. He scored the decisive goal — yet another one — that … [Read more...] about Barcelona manages Messi’s time ahead of Champions League