Latest news with #Ex-Barcelona
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lionel Messi's changing room conduct emerges as ex-team-mate tells all
Ex-Barcelona star Marc Bartra has opened up about the intense drive and high standards of the legendary Lionel Messi. The defender shared a dressing room with the Argentine icon at the Catalan giants for six years. Bartra, who rose through the ranks at La Masia alongside Messi and spent his early professional years at Camp Nou, has since moved on to play for Borussia Dortmund and is currently in his second spell at Real Betis. He recently contested the Europa Conference League final against Chelsea, losing 4-1. The ex-Spain international has now spoken out about his time with Messi during the latter's golden years at Barcelona. Appearing on the Spanish TV show Viajando con Chester, hosted by Risto Mejide, Bartra revealed insights into Messi's self-criticism and relentless pursuit of excellence. He recounted witnessing Messi berate himself for errors made on the pitch, even to the point of swearing and tugging at his own shirt in frustration, before making an immediate amends when he took to the field again. Bartra recalled Messi's reaction after missing a penalty, saying: "He has had bad moments on a football field. I've seen him in a dressing room swearing at himself and pulling his shirt for missing a penalty. I heard him saying, 'What have I done?' "Then he would come out in the second half and be the best, dominating the field. That's what made him the best. Beyond technique, it's about getting up again. "It is about knowing what to do with what happens to you, what solution you bring to what you encounter. Not playing the victim, but taking it with responsibility." Messi's passion for the game and winning attitude were also echoed by Josef Martinez, another former team-mate who played with the Argentine maestro at Inter Miami, reports the Mirror US. The Venezuelan, who briefly shared a changing room with Messi in Florida before moving to CF Montreal, was taken aback by the Argentine superstar's down-to-earth nature and meticulous habits. "Everything changed in a day. I swear. It was shocking," said Martinez. "You see him sitting there, and he's the most normal person I've ever seen in my life, and he's famous. "Not even God is as well-known as he is. Seeing him sitting there was something impressive: folding his shirt, matching his uniform with his watch, and shoes with his shirt. "He would sit down, and you'd say: 'Wow!' He'd greet you normally. That, despite being a guy who has won everything, he always arrived first for training." Martinez continued, adding that Messi raised the standards of everyone in his squad, as he claimed: "He was great with us, he was great with me. And you felt you had to be at his same level." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves has rape conviction overturned in Spain
Ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves has rape conviction overturned in Spain Show Caption Hide Caption Messi's 2024 season is over, what's next in the star's MLS career? USA TODAY Sports Safid Deen maps out Messi's 2025 and 2026 season, and discusses the possibility of Messi playing in the 2026 World Cup. Former Barcelona star and Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves had his rape conviction overturned on appeal by a court in Spain's Catalonia region on Friday, the latest twist in a high-profile case stemming from an alleged incident in a nightclub on New Year's Eve more than two years ago. The ruling was levied by Catalon's top court, according to Reuters, due to "inadequacies of the evidence" that did not meet the standard required by the presumption of innocence. The court also noted "a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and contradictions concerning the facts, the legal assessment and its consequences." Alves, 41, had been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in the bathroom of a Barcelona, Spain night club last year and was sentenced to four-and-a-half-years in prison. The court instead concluded Friday the alleged victim "voluntarily went to the bathroom area for the purpose of being with the defendant in a more intimate space," according to Reuters. Alves was released from prison in March 2024 on 1 million Euro (about $1 million) bail while awaiting a decision in his appeals case, but had to surrender his Brazil and Spain passports. He had been imprisoned since January 2023. Friday's ruling lifted all travel restrictions against Alves and a restraining order that had been put in place in relation to the alleged victim. The case can still be appealed to Spain's Supreme Court. Alves is regarded as one of the most decorated fullbacks in international soccer history, most notably due to his eight-year tenure with Barcelona and 126 appearances with the Brazilian national team. He helped Barcelona clinch five La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and three Supercopa de Espana titles and won two World Cups with Brazil. Alves last played professionally with Pumas UNAM in Liga MX in Mexico during the 2022-23 season. His contract with the club was terminated after his arrest in Spain more than two years ago.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hagi backed to extend Rangers stay
Relative believes Romania playmaker will agree new Ibrox deal, while former coach backs Celtic forward for higher level... Ex-Barcelona skipper Gheorge Popescu tips his nephew Ianis Hagi to snub free transfer interest in the summer and agree a new deal with Rangers. (Sportpesure via Glasgow World) Interim head coach Barry Ferguson warns Rangers could suffer a "heavy defeat" in upcoming games with Fenerbahce and Celtic after Saturday's home loss to Motherwell. (Herald) Former Celtic coach Harry Kewell is surprised Daizen Maeda is still with the Scottish champions and says "there's no limit" for the Japan forward. (Sunday Mail) Hearts full-back James Penrice describes his release as a teenager from Edinburgh rivals Hibs as "a wee wake-up call", adding that "it was the best thing that happened to me" and he holds no grudge. (Sunday Mail) Hibs defender Jack Iredale says being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 12 "made me grow up really, really quickly" before leaving home at 15 to pursue his career. (Edinburgh Evening News) Brighton are confident of fending off interest in David Weir as Everton shortlist the former Scotland defender to become their new sporting director. (TBR Football) Isak might cost Liverpool £120m - Sunday's gossip Premier League interest in Celtic's Johnston - gossip
BBC News
02-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hagi backed to extend Rangers stay
Relative believes Romania playmaker will agree new Ibrox deal, while former coach backs Celtic forward for higher level... Ex-Barcelona skipper Gheorge Popescu tips his nephew Ianis Hagi to snub free transfer interest in the summer and agree a new deal with Rangers. (Sportpesure via Glasgow World), externalInterim head coach Barry Ferguson warns Rangers could suffer a "heavy defeat" in upcoming games with Fenerbahce and Celtic after Saturday's home loss to Motherwell. (Herald), externalFormer Celtic coach Harry Kewell is surprised Daizen Maeda is still with the Scottish champions and says "there's no limit" for the Japan forward. (Sunday Mail), externalHearts full-back James Penrice describes his release as a teenager from Edinburgh rivals Hibs as "a wee wake-up call", adding that "it was the best thing that happened to me" and he holds no grudge. (Sunday Mail), externalHibs defender Jack Iredale says being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 12 "made me grow up really, really quickly" before leaving home at 15 to pursue his career. (Edinburgh Evening News), externalBrighton are confident of fending off interest in David Weir as Everton shortlist the former Scotland defender to become their new sporting director. (TBR Football), external
