Spain jails Catalan separatist leaders, protesters take to streets
World
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Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win
Liverpool, who were beaten 3-1 in last year’s final by Real Madrid, played far better than the scoreline suggested, carving out a number of clear chances but spurning them all.
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Goal-shy Man Utd pray for another Champions League miracle
Unlike their experience in losing the first leg of their last-16 tie on home soil 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain, United were not outclassed by the Catalan giants in a 1-0 defeat on Wednesday.
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Stopping Messi not mission impossible for Man Utd, says Solskjaer
Messi scored in both of Barca’s Champions League final victories over United, in 2009 and 2011, and is hungry to win the competition for a fifth time.
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There no point in resting Messi, says Valverde
Barcelona are 10 points clear at the top of the Spanish League ahead of Tuesday's away game, followed by a home tie with second-place Atletico Madrid on Saturday and then Manchester United away in a Champions League quarterfinal next Wednesday.
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Angry Messi says son questions why Argentines criticise him
The 31-year-old's return to the national side last week after an eight-month absence was marred by a humiliating 3-1 loss to Venezuela in a friendly. A groin strain then forced him to sit out an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Morocco.
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Lyon hoping to limit Messi's influence
Captain Nabil Fekir will be suspended for the game, limiting Lyon’s striking power as Bruno Genesio’s side will rely on defender Ferland Mendy.
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Argentina coach hopeful Messi will return to national team
Messi took a sabbatical from the national side after another disappointing World Cup, with Argentina knocked out in the second round after winning just one game in four.
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Modric criticises Ballon d'Or gala snub by Messi, Ronaldo
Croatian captain Modric said in a newspaper interview on Saturday the pair’s absence from the gala in Paris on 3 December did not make sense.
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Ronaldo wants Messi to resume their rivalry in Italy
Ronaldo moved to Serie A champions Juventus in July for €100 million after spending nine trophy-laden seasons at Real Madrid.
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Messi could play against Inter, says Valverde
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said captain Lionel Messi could feature against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, little more than two weeks after breaking his arm.
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Real's decision to not replace Ronaldo surprising – McManaman
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 451 goals in 438 games in all competitions, was Real’s all-time top scorer before he left to join Serie A’s Juventus during the close season.
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No Messi, no problem as Barca sink Inter
Barca top Group B with nine points while Inter are second on six, with PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur locked on a point each.
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Messi and co 'angry' after Barca slip up again
Lionel Messi was a surprise absentee from the starting line-up, along with Sergio Busquets, but he and the Spain midfielder were both called into action in the second half after Oscar de Marcos had put the visitors ahead.
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Messi's penalty miss not to blame for draw with Iceland - Maradona
Lionel Messi saw his spot kick saved by goalkeeper Hannes Por Halldorsson after Alfred Finnbogason had cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s 19th minute opener.
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Brazilians not so soccer mad after all, report suggests
The UAE, where the figure was 80%, was followed by Thailand (78%) and Chile, Portugal and Turkey (all 75) while five-times world champions Brazil ranked a modest 13th.
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'Fans should burn Messi shirts if he plays in Jerusalem'
The Palestine Football Association chief has declared a campaign against Argentina and particularly Lionel Messi, noting he has millions of fans across the Arab and Islamic world, Asia and Africa.
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Messi grabs hat-trick as Argentina canter to 4-0 win
With Javier Mascherano making his 143rd appearance to put him one ahead of Javier Zanetti as Argentina’s most capped player, Messi got the opener from the penalty spot after 17 minutes.
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Messi scores in trademark tussle in EU court
The EU’s second highest court said the footballer was famous enough to overcome phonetic similarities with Spanish bicycle clothing brand Massi.
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Messi agreed no-fee Barca exit clause in case of Catalan independence - media
Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona without a transfer fee if Catalonia ceded from Spain and the club did not compete in any of Europe’s top four leagues.
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Come to Madrid and you'll win Ballon d'Or, Real tell Neymar
Neymar finished third behind Lionel Messi and winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d‘Or on Thursday.
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Messi and Ronaldo duel to be world’s best footballer again
The pair, who have dominated the global award in its varied forms for a decade, will be favourites to collect yet another accolade amid the 24-strong list of the world’s best.
