Barcelona won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid but lost their star player, Lionel Messi, who had to be stretchered off the pitch after a late tackle from Tomas Ujfalusi. The club stated that Messi has sprained the external ligament in his right ankle and will be out for three weeks. Barcelona will have four games to play during that period, against Sporting Gijon, Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao in the league plus the UEFA Champions League trip to Rubin Kazan. Will they manage to do well without him?
It was an unfortunate event but it was not De Jong's intention.
The midfielder has been axed by coach Bert van Marwijk for the forthcoming Euro 2012 Group E qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden. Van Marwijk's decision comes after De Jong's tackle on Ben Arfa in City's 2-1 win at Eastlands on Sunday left the Newcastle player with a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. In a statement of the Dutch FA's official website, van Marwijk said on Monday: "I just informed the squad and told them I saw no other possibility.In the near future I will discuss this matter with Nigel (de Jong) but right now we have to focus on the upcoming two matches." The player was not even booked for that foul.
Both Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas have been on hot form in the last few months and Fabregas rescued his team with a last gasp penalty against Guardiola's side. I|F you were to chose, would it be the Fantastic Fabregas or the Magical Messi?
Since 1998, the Mercurial has given players around the world a clear competitive edge. With every detail making a difference, the Mercurials technology and constant innovation has always pursed the worlds fastest and lightest boot design. HEROES OF SPEED is a celebration of this decade of innovation - a tribute to our most gifted Mercurial athletes and the goals that have made them legendary - and a preview of what is to come. In collaboration with the unique talents of Croatian artist, Danijel Zezelj, 10 of these memorable moments are recreated, bringing an unexpected dimension to football history. Sport illustrator Paolo Sabelluccis talents are showcased through the diagramming and construction of 10 goals that have made these Mercurial men Mercurial Heroes. In the following pages see Ronaldo, Ribery, Dani Alves, Drogba, Ibrahimovic, Arshavin, Ozil, Robinho, Pato and Cristiano Ronaldo as never before...
There is just over a month before the 2010/2011 La Liga season kicks off and two players who are expected to score plenty of goals this season are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Who do you think will score more goals? Vote now!
