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Liga - Messi level with Maradona - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Messi, who has earned comparisons with Maradona as likely to stand alongside him as one of the best, scored twice at the weekend to bring his career tally also up to 345, across games for club and country. The 25-year-old has reached the same tally as his former Argentina Coach in 457 games since debuting in 2004, whilst Maradona managed his total across 680 games played between 1976 and 1998.
Sabella: "Messi comes on and changes everything" | FC Barcelona
Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella has spoken to Barça TV about Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano. Messi came on in the second half last night and led the team to a spectacular comeback that leaves them just two points adrift of the Liga title. The manager of the South American team was delighted to see that his star player and captain is performing as brilliantly as ever.
Leo Messi, the supersub | FC Barcelona
He is also still on the most amazing goalscoring streak in Liga history. He has not failed to score at least once in 21 outings, ignoring the games against Mallorca, Zaragoza and Levante in which he played no part due to hamstring trouble. Against Betis he got his first brace since March 17 (3-1 against Rayo).
Alexis, 5 goals in last 8 league matches | FC Barcelona
Alexis has scored five goals and claimed six assists in the last eight league matches, meaning he was directly involved in 11 out of 22 FCB goals. The Chilean found the target against Deportivo (2), Mallorca, Bilbao and Betis.
Champions without kicking a ball? | FC Barcelona
Barça could be proclaimed 2012/13 La Liga champions without kicking a ball this week. On Wednesday, Real Madrid play at home to Malaga and on Saturday they visit El Prat to face Espanyol. If they fail to take three points from either of the matches, Barça will mathematically be champions. Should Madrid win both games, it’ll be up to Barça to beat Atletico Madrid.
Cristian Tello honoured that people want him to play | FC Barcelona
"It is an honour for me that people want me to play", he said, adding that he accepts the fact that he hasn’t featured in some big games, against Bayern for instance. "Those are the manager’s decisions, I can’t comment on that. I felt bad not to be picked in the squad for such a big game, but I’ll carry on working just as hard".
Schedule before trip to Calderón | FC Barcelona
This could be a big week for FC Barcelona, as they could finally be proclaimed league champions. Barça have seven days to regain strength and prepare for the match on Sunday at the Vicente Calderón against third placed Atlético Madrid. The squad has been given two days off and then they’ll regroup on Wednesday to start preparing for the visit to the Vicente Calderón.
Wage issues have hit Isaac Cuenca's loan move from Barcelona to Ajax | Sky Sports
There is thought to be a strong relationship between Ajax and Barcelona and, in January of this year, the Catalan club agreed to loan winger Isaac Cuenca to the Dutch side. For Overmars though, the deal to extend Cuenca's time at Ajax is proving problematic and he told De Telegraaf: "Currently the wage is a problem."
Sergi Roberto out of action for 7 to 10 days | FC Barcelona
Sergi Roberto will be out of action for 7 to 10 days due to injury. The Barça B player pulled the adductor in his left leg in this weekend’s match against Lugo, according to the Club’s Medical Services. Sergi Roberto will miss Barça B’s next match, which is scheduled for Friday at 21.00 away to Elche.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez calls for unity - ESPN FC
"We have two new and big challenges in front of us, the basketball Final Four in London and the Copa del Rey final," Perez said. "Now we must be united, for our people and our supporters - to give everything and deliver the best we can. Our players will do that."
Getafe boost European bid | Sky Sports Football
The home side came into the match on the back of three successive defeats in La Liga and things looked ominous when they fell behind to an early Carlos Vela goal. But Pedro Leon and Abdel Barrada turned things in Getafe's favour before the interval and the scores stayed that way as Luis Garcia's men closed the gap on the top six to six points.