COVID-19 quick insights from 2 April
Local
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Hamilton, Messi share men's Laureus award
South Africa, who won the 2019 Ruguby World Cup, were named team of the year, beating Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and the US women's football team.
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Messi demands Abidal name names after dressing room criticism
Sporting director Eric Abidal said that under recently-fired coach Ernesto Valverde many players had been unhappy, hadn't worked hard enough nor communicated properly.
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Messi gives new Barca coach Setien debut win
The Argentine struck the only goal in the 76th minute, firing into the bottom corner to complete a well-crafted team move shortly after the visitors had defender German Sanchez sent off.
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Saudi uses sports 'soft power' as lever of influence
Saudi Arabia is seeking to use glitzy sporting extravaganzas as an instrument of soft power in its push for regional supremacy as well as to project a moderate image of a country long seen as an exporter of jihadist ideology.
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Messi claims record sixth Ballon d'Or, Rapinoe wins women's award
The Argentine, who won the Liga title with Barcelona but only managed third place in the Copa America with his country, added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 trophies.
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Magical Messi sinks Atletico as Barca return to the top
It was Messi’s 30th goal in 39 competitive games against Atletico and inflicted a first home defeat on Diego Simeone’s side since they were beaten by Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in February.
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Messi leads Barca past Slavia Prague 2-1 in Champions League
Barcelona swarmed forward from the kick-off, keeping Slavia bottled up in their own end and denying them possession.
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Messi and Ronaldo wouldn't do what rugby players do: Jones
Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen are two of the most successful coaches in the modern game, with the New Zealander looking to guide the All Blacks to a third straight World Cup title at Japan 2019 and fourth in total.
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Messi says tax problems made him want to leave Barcelona
In an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Messi also said he had expected Neymar to sign for Real Madrid last summer after Barca failed to strike an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.
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Messi wins best FIFA player of the year for record sixth time
Messi, who won the Spanish La Liga title with Barcelona last season and the European golden boot having scored 54 goals in 58 games in all competitions, last won the award in 2015.
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I deserve more Ballon d'Or awards than Messi, says Ronaldo
Ronaldo, 34, has won the renowned France Football magazine trophy for the world’s best player five times - as many as Messi - but is eager for more as he moves into the twilight of his career.
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Sterling not on same level as Messi, Ronaldo, says Guardiola
England manager Gareth Southgate suggested Raheem Sterling could eventually be mentioned in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo when asked how far the City winger could go if he maintains his superb form.
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Van Dijk, Bronze take Uefa Player of the Year honours
Dutchman Van Dijk starred as Liverpool won their sixth European Cup last season with a 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham in Madrid.
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Messi 'made me better player', says Ronaldo
Ronaldo and Messi have won the coveted Ballon d'Or five times each, a factor that helps each player flourish.
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Messi and Ibrahimovic nominated for Fifa goal of the year
There are nominees from the Bundesliga, Spanish Liga and women's World Cup and one, a jaw-dropping shot by Billie Simpson of Cliftonville Ladies, from a Northern Ireland women's league game played on what appears to be a public pitch in front of no spectators.
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PSG and French football braced as Neymar exit
There is no doubting the 27-year-old forward is a brilliant player, and there is every chance he will get the success he craves by returning to Spain, whether with his old club or Real Madrid.
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Messi banned from internationals for 3 months for 'corruption' outburst
Lionel Messi was sent off against Chile in the Copa America third-place playoff and afterwards alleged that the tournament had been fixed in favour of hosts Brazil.
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Messi vows to play on after latest Argentina heartache
Messi will get another chance to break his tournament duck next year when the Copa America takes place in Argentina and Colombia, with the 2022 World Cup looming further on the horizon.
