Messi is back : Takes part in training

The Argentine picked up an injury on international duty, forcing him to miss the clash with Venezuela, but he is nearing his return, while Andres Iniesta could play this week.

Lionel Messi has returned to training with Barcelona as he nears his return from injury. The Argentine damaged his hamstring after firing his national team to victory over Uruguay, forcing him to drop out of the squad ahead of their meeting with Venezuela. The Barca star insisted that his recovery was going well and took a step towards his return to first-team action by taking part in training on Wednesday. Messi participated in the first part of the session with the rest of the team before doing some specific exercises.

Messi did the first part of training with the group and afterwards did specific exercises. #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/tYmGdAPnxu

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 7, 2016

Meanwhile, Andres Iniesta is hoping to make his return against Alaves this weekend after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury. The 32-year-old has not featured for Luis Enrique's side since last month's Supercopa de Espana first-leg win over Sevilla due to a strained right knee. Iniesta had spoken positively about his rehabilitation earlier this week and he now hopes to prove his fitness to enable him to feature at Camp Nou.

[VIDEO + PHOTOS] The Wednesday training session featuring Paco Alcácer https://t.co/goIu0WYxxe pic.twitter.com/1qpfM01lmm

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 8, 2016

"I started to do things with the ball this week, but we will have to see how it reacts," he is quoted as saying by AS . "Right now I cannot say because I have not trained with the team. I am optimistic because the knee is responding well.

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Neymar on target to give Selecao hard-earned victory: Brazil 2-1 Colombia

The hosts made it two wins from two under new coach Tite thanks to the Barcelona star, who struck after Miranda's early header had been cancelled out by a Marquinhos own goal

This is some text!Neymar was the hero for Brazil as the home side overcame Colombia 2-1 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The 24-year-old, fresh off guiding Brazil to gold at the Olympic Games in Rio, netted the match-winner with 16 minutes remaining in Manaus. Brazil had a dream start after Miranda opened the scoring in the second minute at the Arena da Amazonia. The Inter defender headed the home side into the lead courtesy of Neymar's early corner, but Colombia struck back in the first half. It was not a Colombia player who found the net, however, with Marquinhos putting the ball past his own goalkeeper Alisson from a teasing James Rodriguez cross. But it was Brazil who came out on top, with Neymar firing home a low strike after being set up by Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho. The win put Brazil up to second in the CONMEBOL standings, equal on points with Argentina and one behind leaders Uruguay after eight games. Brazil coach Tite went in unchanged from his first game at the helm - a 3-0 win away to Ecuador last Friday. The Brazilians got off to an ideal start, with Miranda heading in a Neymar cross in just the second minute of the match.

Martinez felt he should have been awarded a penalty midway through the half, but the referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge from Otamendi and instead gave Argentina a free-kick for a handball by Martinez. However, Venezuela's persistence paid off 10 minutes before half-time. Juanpi showed great feet on the right-hand side of the box to wriggle away from Javier Mascherano and Marcos Rojo before bending a sublime left-footed shot into the far corner. It could have been worse for Argentina had Pablo Zabaleta not produced an excellent last-ditch tackle to stop Martinez slotting Alexander Gonzales' cross home in the 39th minute, but Dudamel's side did extend their advantage eight minutes after the restart. Salomon Rondon showed great strength to outmuscle Otamendi before cutting back to Martinez, who committed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero before slotting home. Argentina responded positively, halving the deficit five minutes later when Pratto made the most of ricochets off Jose Velasquez and Villanueva to stab home. Di Maria came close to levelling but had his strike from an acute angle batted away by Hernandez in the 67th minute, but the Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder played a role in the equaliser. His corner found Otamendi inside the six-yard box, and the centre-back poked home a first-time finish to spare Argentina's blushes. Villanueva struck the upright after a moment of madness from Romero near the death, but Venezuela will remain pleased with an unlikely point.

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Everything is fine: 'Messi talked about his Injury'

The Barcelona forward was forced to return from international duty due to a fitness problem, but he believes he can make a speedy return to first-team action.

Lionel Messi has played down the seriousness of a hamstring injury which forced him to come home early from international duty with Argentina. 

The Barcelona star had been doubtful for the Albiceleste's clash against Uruguay, but played the whole 90 minutes and scored during Edgardo Bauza's first game in charge. 

La Pulga dropped out of the squad the following day, and after returning to Spain Barca physios confirmed the hamstring problem which could keep him out against Alaves at the weekend.

-LEO

"Everything is fine, I have to slow things down as I recover with physio, but it's nothing to worry about," he wrote.

"Thanks to you all for your support."

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Blonde bombshell Messi reveals why he changed his look

The disappointment of another final defeat for the Albiceleste and his decision to walk away from the national team motivated La Pulga to pull out the peroxide.

Barcelona's blonde bombshell Lionel Messi has revealed the reason behind his drastic change of hairstyle over the summer. 

The Argentina captain caused ripples throughout the world of football when he appeared with a platinum blonde do while on holiday with his family. 

And when quizzed about the dye-job, he affirmed that it was part of a time of soul-searching following his nation's Copa America failure. 

"One particularly tough day I dyed my hair, I had to start again from scratch. I said to myself, 'I have to make a clean break and start over", he explained during an interview with cult Argentine comedy figure 'Mingo' on Telefe's 'Polemica en el bar'. 

The star donned 'Mingo's' iconic hat and checked scarf during the chat, while he also saw the actor save one of his penalties.

Messi also admitted that his young son Thiago might not be following in his footsteps, as he shows little interest in the beautiful game. 

"I try not to give Thiago balls as presents, he doesn't like football much," he said. 

"We'll see if he gets into it now as he's started playing in a club."

Blonde Lionel Messi - Barca legend's new haircut

Messi: My son doesn't really like football

It appears unlikely that there is to be any dynasty of great Messis, as the multiple Ballon d'Or winner's son has not immediately taken to the game.

Messi proves his love for his son Thiago

Barcelona star Lionel Messi revealed his son, Thiago, has little interest in the game his dad has become arguably the greatest player in.

The Argentine's plethora of individual awards, eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns seemingly are not enough to get the three-year-old interested.

So the Barca ace's biggest challenge yet may be trying to get Thiago loving the game his father dominates.

Lionel Messi with Mateo and Thiago Messi | The Most Beautiful Moments Ever


"I don't buy him many balls or force him to play with them because he doesn't like them that much," Messi told Telefe's 'Polemica en el Bar' in his homeland. There may be hope yet, with Messi saying Barca are working on a project for the players' children to play the game. "Let's see if he gets hooked that way, it would be a good start," Messi said.

Brazil vs. Ecuador, Neymar takes Over, Final Score 3-0

Brazil looked like they were doomed to a repeat of their scoreless draw against Ecuador in the Copa America — until Neymar decided he’d had enough.

Brazil rode a strong second-half performance from Neymar to trump Ecuador 3-0 in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying action on Thursday, earning their first-ever win on Ecuadoran soil in the process. Gabriel Jesus led the scoring with a brace, but the win was very much on a dominant display from Neymar. He put the team on his back in the second half, scoring the opening goal and putting on an absolute show to will his team to victory.

The first half saw a fairly disjointed-looking Brazil side who struggled to get forward effectively against Ecuador, looking on a whole very similar to when they met in the Copa America Centenario group stage. Just like in that game, Brazil struggled to string much together in attack against Ecuador’s energetic defending, and Ecuador lacked the attacking firepower to take advantage of the holes Brazil were leaving in defense as they threw more players forward.

Unlike that match early in the summer, however, Neymar took this game over in the second half, and he did it in style:


That’s just one of numerous examples of Neymar’s quality on display in the second half of the match, putting the team on his back and forcing the game forward. Ecuador were utterly unprepared for that to happen, and Neymar pretty much single-handedly threw Brazil’s opponents into chaos.

That led to a 72nd-minute penalty that Neymar himself took and scored easily. He followed it up by helping force the foul that saw Ecuador right back Juan Paredes earn his second yellow card, putting the opponent down a man for the rest of the match. From there, Neymar pretty much just played provider, helping create Gabriel Jesus’ first goal and assisting on his extra time exclamation mark to make it 3-0 — but there were still plenty of scintillating individual moments from the Barcelona star.

The performance should help silence many of Neymar’s critics, who call him a poor leader and a bad fit for the captain’s armband with Brazil. Some even have gone so far as to say that he’s a bad fit for Brazil in general, since they seem to force the ball his way when he’s on the pitch. But if Neymar can put in more strong, team-shifting performances like this, the critics will have precious little to complain about.

Now Brazil’s focus turns to Colombia on Tuesday, setting up what should be a very entertaining match between two sides jockeying for positioning in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table. Playing on home soil and with momentum on their side, Neymar and Brazil could put on one heck of a show.

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Argentina 1-0 Uruguay: Messi marks return with winner

The Barcelona wizard wasted no time in announcing his return to international football after ending his short-lived retirement, breaking the Celeste open in the first half

Lionel Messi struck the only goal of the game as 10-man Argentina secured a 1-0 win over rivals Uruguay in World Cup qualifying on Thursday. 

Just over two months after retiring from international football, a decision he later reversed, Messi was the hero for Argentina in Mendoza.

The strike - which deflected off Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez - was enough to separate the two sides in Edgardo Bauza's first game in charge. 

The win sends Argentina above Uruguay and to the top of the qualification standings after seven games. 

Bauza and Co. were also forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after striker Paulo Dybala received a second yellow on the stroke of half-time. 

Chances were few and far between in the opening stages, with Argentina dominating possession and Messi pulling the strings. 

Their first real chance was a free-kick by Messi which did not clear the wall, before Mathias Corujo skied a good opportunity for the visitors. 

Dybala was unlucky not to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark, with the Juventus attacker's shot coming off the post and off the back of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera and out for a corner. 

Luis Suarez had a free-kick which went straight into the hands of Sergio Romero, before a Messi shot was blocked by Gimenez. 

But just two minutes later Messi found the back of the net - his 56th goal for Argentina - aided by a heavy deflection from Gimenez once again, leaving Muslera stranded. 

Suarez had the chance for an immediate response from the restart, but his shot was blocked by Pablo Zabaleta, before he attempted to set up Nicolas Lodeiro with a bicycle kick.

Things were looking good for Argentina until Dybala received a second yellow right before the break in rather harsh circumstances, following a soft foul on Corujo. 

The second half was largely dominated by Uruguay, who used the extra man to their advantage to control more of the possession. 

However, Messi almost doubled Argentina's lead in the 52nd minute with a superb curling free-kick, which was brilliantly tipped away by Muslera. 

Uruguay continued to attack but Suarez and strike partner Edinson Cavani failed to break through the Argentine defence, suffering their second defeat of the qualifying campaign.

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Lionel Messi back in Argentina squad after reversing retirement decision

• • Barcelona playmaker returns for games against Uruguay and Venezuela 
•  ‘I don’t want to cause any damage,’ he says after talks with Edgardo Bauza

Lionel Messi said of his decision to return to the Argentina squad: ‘We need to fix many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and not criticise from outside.’ Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers hours after reversing his decision to retire from international football.

The Barcelona playmaker announced he loves Argentina “too much” to walk away from the national team, having announced his international career was over following their penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa América final in June.

Following talks with the new Argentina coach, Edgardo Bauza, Messi’s name was included in the squad to face Uruguay and Venezuela next month.

Messi, Argentina’s captain and record goalscorer with 55, said in a statement reproduced by the Argentinian newspaper La Nación: “I see there are many problems in Argentinian football and I don’t intend to create another one. I don’t want to cause any damage, I’ve always tried to do just the opposite, to help all that I can.

“We need to fix many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and not criticise from outside.”

Messi said he was quitting international football after missing a penalty in the Copa América final shoot-out in New Jersey. That would have left Messi – one of the most decorated players in history at club level with Barcelona – having never won a major trophy with Argentina.

As well as June’s defeat to Chile, the world player of the year also tasted defeat in the 2007 and 2015 Copa América finals, as well as in the World Cup final in 2014.

He added: “Many things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought of leaving, but I love this country and this shirt too much. I’m grateful to all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina, hopefully we can give them something to cheer about soon.”

Argentina face Uruguay at home on 1 September and Venezuela away on 6 September.

Welcome Messi

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From bald to blonde - How Neymar has changed over the years

At just 24 years old, Neymar has already enjoyed a bright career. Having been seen as a world class talent from a young age, the Brazilian has enjoyed immense success at both club and international level. Here, Goal takes a look at how the Barcelona and Brazil hero has changed over the years.

At the age of just 13 the attacker was already doing television interviews.

He has been mixing with greatness from a very young age, even being embraced by footballing icon Diego Maradona

Baby faced and thin, Neymar burst into the Santos first team in 2009.

In his first season, Santos reached the Campeonato Paulista final, only to suffer a 4-2 defeat to Corinthians, with Neymar coming up against Brazil icon Ronaldo.

His personal style soon started to change, as he became as flashy off the field as he is on it.

In 2010, he made his debut for the Selecao, scoring after 28 minutes in a win over the United States.

Then came the famous Mohawk hairstyle.

He continued to shine in the national team, looking right at home alongside the more experienced stars.

He impressed at the 2011 Copa America too, scoring two against Ecuador, though his side crashed out at the quarter-final stage.

That year ended in disappointment, however, with Santos losing in the Club World Cup final to Barcelona.

The hairstyles grew more flamboyant as the international acclaim grew - he won the Puskas Award for 2011.

Cool, stylish and talented, his hairstyle became a bit of a trademark after a while.

By the time the 2014 World Cup came around, Neymar was seen as the man to lead his country to glory.

Even during the World Cup he was changing his hairstyle.

And a year later, lining up against France in a friendly, he made another slight alteration to it.

Come the Copa America in Chile, it was not much different.

And as the 2015-16 campaign kicked off, there was nothing surprising in his look, until...

He went back to his original shaved head look in September 2015.

Then in November, as his hair grew back a bit, he brought out the hairband.

The lack of a Mohawk did not hinder him at all, as he found out in November when he was named as a finalist for the Ballon d'Or.

His hair was looking fairly normal but cool come the awards ceremony.

He kept it fairly simple as Barca returned to action after the winter break.

Even off the pitch he continued to look flashy - a real trendsetter.

Then after a while he opted for the standard swept over look that is rather popular among his generation.

But then he decided to mix it up a bit slightly.

After a while, though, he went back to the simple look.

He did not covet a lot of attention through his hair as he buckled down for the Olympics in Rio, a competition Brazil had never won before.

After scoring the winning penalty in the Olympics final, gold medalist Neymar quickly turned blonde, just like his Barca team-mate Lionel Messi.

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Barcelona 6-2 Real Betis: Suarez and Messi shine in easy win

The former Liverpool man netted three while the Argentine grabbed two for the reigning champions as they got the new campaign off to a perfect start
Credit: Goal.com

Celebrating Hattrick 

Barcelona began the defence of their La Liga title in ominous fashion on Saturday, with Lionel Messi and hat-trick hero Luis Suarez starring in a 6-2 demolition of Real Betis at Camp Nou.

Suarez and Messi netted 66 league goals between them last term and began the new campaign as they meant to go on, leading from the front and causing havoc as the Betis defence struggled to cope.

Barca's star duo were without Neymar due to his involvement in the Olympics, but Arda Turan continued his renaissance in the Brazilian's absence by opening the scoring – his third goal in two games after a brace against Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana on Wednesday.

Ruben Castro's bullet of a free-kick restored parity briefly, but a quick-fire double from Messi and Suarez just before the break effectively killed off Betis' chances.

Messi supplied Suarez with his next early in the second half before then blasting in another of his own from distance.

Suarez completed his treble with a delightful free-kick eight minutes from time, as new Betis coach Gus Poyet was given a harsh lesson in his first game in charge of the Andalusians, despite Castro's late second.

Injured Barca captain Andres Iniesta and Messi were finally presented with last season's Liga trophy before kick-off, and those celebrations were followed by further jubilation just six minutes in as the hosts broke the deadlock.

Messi's deep cross picked out the run of Jordi Alba and the left-back teed up Arda, who stabbed home from close range with the outside of his right foot.

That joy was short-lived, though, as Betis drew level 15 minutes later thanks to a ferocious 20-yard Castro free-kick which found the top-right corner.

Classy assist by Roberto

New Jersey Same Messi

Barca piled on the pressure in response and almost restored their lead in the 29th minute, only for the crossbar to deny Messi from 12 yards.

Messi found his range eight minutes before the break, however, lashing a fine strike beyond the helpless Antonio Adan from 25 yards.

And Adan was beaten again just a few moments later – Suarez meeting Sergi Roberto's cut-back with an exquisite first-time finish into the far corner.

Barca increased their cushion 11 minutes into the second half, with Messi leading a counter-attack and then squaring across goal to give Suarez an easy finish after linking cleverly with Arda.

Messi then did it all by himself a minute later, skipping past a tame challenge before thrashing a blistering strike into the bottom-right corner from 30 yards.

Suarez emphatically completed his hat-trick with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards in the 82nd minute and, although Castro netted a late consolation for Betis, Barca secured a remarkable opening-day triumph, laying down a clear marker for likely title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

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An open letter to Lionel Messi from an Argentina fan

Lionel Messi's shock retirement certainly has left the international arena with a huge void to fill.

credit: SportsKeeds

Señor Leo,

Commissaries on yet another excruciating final defeat in a major tournament. It is really gruelling to endure such losses in quick succession, especially when the hopes of an entire nation rest on your shoulders. I'm no expert to advice you on what you should do and what you shouldn't. I'm writing this letter only in my puny capacity as a fan. A fan of this beautiful game, which you have mastered more than anyone who has walked on the face of this planet.There was a sense of optimism brewing amongst the Argentine faithful that tonight will be the night which will heal over 23 years of heartbreak. There was no undermining the fact that a monumental task in the form of defending champions awaited you as the final hurdle. And as it was, the result was disappointing, to say the least, but it wasn't the most shocking news which I was going hear in the day.The news of your abject retirement from international football was not only saddening but heart wrenching, to an extent.

The most gifted footballer of all time was hanging his boots. In all honesty, your retirement isn't the part which shook the life out of me. Rather, it was the manner and the circumstances in which you chose to bid adieu.Lionel Messi, the symbol of the beautiful game, was at last crudely slayed. And here pop a few questions in my mind, is this the best Leo can do? Has he exhausted his immeasurable potential? The guy who played God-esque football was truly and squarely conquerable.And here I am sitting baffled and flabbergasted in front of my TV, wondering what broke this feisty bloke bred in Barcelona to such an extent. There are winners and above them are champions. There is a fine line which makes the latter immortal. I always thought of you as a champion for the sheer hardships you've endured to scale all these glorious peaks. Alas! Today that notion of mine is crumbling to pieces.The sole reason for this raging storm is your statement after the match. "This is the end". Yes, this is the end. Not only yours but a generation of Argentine footballers. Their messiah, their leader has been defeated. And there is no way to save a doomed ship which is led by a guillotined captain.With this decision, you may want to pave way for a new generation who can do better.

But if one of the best players of all-time can't do it, then who possibly can? And this is no hypothesis, the news of your teammates' imminent retirement for La Albiceleste is a testament to this. Today, it wasn't the end of your international career but it signalled the demise of perhaps, the most gifted group of Argentine footballers in over quarter of a century.There is a raging debate which has plagued every international footballer. The great old club vs country strife. The ghosts of scepticism in Buenos Aires have always loomed over your radiant persona. You were considered as an 'outsider' in Argentina largely due to your love and unconditional loyalty towards La Blaugrana. But you, time after time, not only proved them wrong but also made them eat their words. Yet, all this seems futile as these pseudo-detractors stand vindicated.Speaking of club football, has your unparalleled success in Catalonia killed your appetite for glory? The look on your face after the final whistle was of a man who is out of his depth. A dead man walking with no zeal to succeed whatsoever.

The man in New Jersey wasn't the Messi we all know. This wasn't a man who was beaten but obliterated to his very core. Is the chaos in the football administration a catalyst in this apocalyptic decision. All this paranoia off the field has made your retirement even more gruesome for Argentinian football. Argentina may surely not deserve you at the moment but you're the one it desperately needs to salvage itself from this era of pandemonium. International glory or not, your status as one of the all-time greats will never be under any threat. But your unceremonious exit from the international arena will always be your Achilles Heel.Yours truly,

A fan.