SEVILLE • After his fourth hat-trick of the season and the 51st of his career, pundit Gary Lineker took to social media to claim that "there are great players, all-time great players, and then there is Lionel Messi".
The Real Betis fans were of the same opinion after seeing their side blown off the park 4-1 in LaLiga by a vintage Barcelona side, with the Argentinian talisman at the heart of everything on Sunday.
Messi was so mesmerising at the Estadio Benito Villamarin - a simple finish was sandwiched between another free-kick special and an arcing lob - that the home crowd gave him a standing ovation, before bowing and chanting his name.
The 31-year-old was humbled by the rapturous reception, telling reporters post-game: "I don't remember the opposition cheering me for a goal, I am very grateful.
"Every time we come to this stadium, they treat us really well. Very grateful and happy for the win, which was very important."
His coach Ernesto Valverde claimed it "was an acknowledgement of the player he is".
The Spaniard said: "Even though the opposition concedes goals to Messi, they can still enjoy this unbelievable era which he has created, they enjoy it too and today, they recognised that.
"It's significant that they gave him this ovation. Our rivals' supporters have to suffer him but they also appreciate him."
The victory moved Barcelona 10 points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid with 10 games left to play and Messi was delighted the Spanish champions seized the "opportunity to increase the gap".
The forward, who now has 39 goals in all competitions this term, added: "We had to take it tonight. The title is in our own hands but nothing has been decided yet.
"Worse things have happened before. We have a great advantage, but there are many points still to play for."
The only blot on the night was the sight of Luis Suarez, who scored Barcelona's other goal, limping off late on, with what Valverde said was a "bad sprain" to his ankle.
However, fears that the Uruguay striker could miss the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United on April 10 were allayed after the club yesterday confirmed he would be "sidelined for 10 to 15 days".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The 4 Kinds of Professional Respect: Which Ones Have to Be Earned and Shown? manipulability and forms of respect, the rest being at best a bonus or at worst
What is the adjective for respect? - WordHippo
Sport betting is a phenomenon that is quickly gripping Kenya. A university student, matatu tout, young professional, boda boda guy, retiree and watchman are all united in anxiety and joy or sorrow depending on the outcome of a sporting event for which they placed a bet on.
The official Liverpool FC website. The only place to visit for all your LFC news, videos, history and match information. Full stats on LFC players, club products, official partners and lots more.
Football: Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile
Neymar to Miss Man Utd Tie After Being Ruled Out for 10 Weeks However, Neymar will not undergo an operation, with PSG saying the Brazilian had instead agreed on "a conservative treatment" that could see him return in time for the Champions League quarter-finals in April should they qualify.
Neymar to miss Man Utd tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks
"Whenever our captain says something the rest of us follow," said Rakitic at a press conference on Tuesday. "Leo has been a La Liga champion 10 times in 15 years and of course, after seeing him lift the cup (on Saturday) with such happiness, that motivates everyone.
A British man has been arrested for wearing a Qatar football shirt in the UAE. Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, was on holiday in the UAE when he bought a ticket for the second round match between Qatar and Iraq on January 22 and wore a Qatar shirt to the game.
The Record - Corruption in world football and the fall of
Leicester line up Brendan Rodgers to replace under-fire boss Claude Puel Celtic boss is a prime target if Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha chooses to sack the Frenchman after the clash with Wolves this
Report: Leicester City make Rodgers top target following Puel
May 09, 2019 · Tottenham and Liverpool success hits England's Nations League plans physically draining Champions League final would be able to cope in Baku on 29 May has further disrupted Southgate's
Southgate: Champions League 'mess' could screw up England
Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba headed first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the quarter-finals in
With a bonus-point win over the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night, the Chiefs are all but certain to secure their spot in the Super Rugby playoffs. Someway, somehow, in this weekend's final
Lady in red tipped to advance to Eurovision final where
cphpost.dk/news/lady-in-red-tipped-to-advance-to-eurovision-final-where-destiny-beckons.html
Lady in red tipped to advance to Eurovision final where destiny beckons. Anja Nissen, an Australian-born singer to Danish parents who won that country's third season of 'The Voice', is strongly tipped to advance to Saturday's final. Anja was an easy winner of the Danish contest (photo: Wouter van Vliet, EuroVisionary)
DESTINY BECKONS - YouTube
Newcastle United get extra-time win, Stoke City fall to Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup replays Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town.
FA Cup: Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews
Arsenal Inflict First Domestic Defeat On Solskjaer To Surge Into Top Four. League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 10, 2019
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen