Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has hailed the mental strength of Lionel Messi and believes the Argentine has the capacity to play until the age of 40. Messi has been with the Blaugrana throughout his professional career and he is presently their all-time scorer with 564 goals across all competitions.
Speaking to reporters, Xavi was complimentary of his former teammate and believes the Argentine has the credentials to prolong his footballing career until the age of 40, he said: “For a player like Messi, you need very little to do to play for as long as he is 38, 39 or 40. He is incomparable. Let’s be honest, what do you lose when you grow old as a footballer? Physical pace?But mental pace, that’s what Messi has and that won’t diminish. I think that he would be able to play wherever he wants on the park. He already drifts into the centre of the field and is effective there, as he is at defending too because he is very strong mentally.”
Chile international Arturo Vidal has admitted he is not pleased with the reduced gametime under the tutelage of Ernesto Valverde this term. The 31-year-old made the surprise move to Barcelona from Bayern Munich during the summer but things have not gone right for him thereafter with just two starts from six appearances.
Moreover, he has not managed to complete 90 minutes in any of those matches and Vidal has now admitted that he is now pleased with his current treatment at the Blaugrana, he said: “I am not happy but if I have a problem with the coach I will say it to his face. How am I going to be happy if I don’t play, and me of all people?
“I am someone that has always fought, that has been in the best teams in the world that has won everything and who wants to continue winning at Barcelona. I am fine physically and happy. In the past few games I have been a little irritated but that’s how it is, we will keep battling, there are a lot of important games ahead and we will see.”
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has suggested that he is open to prolonging his stay with Arsenal beyond the current campaign. The Spain international has been a solid performer for the Gunners over the past six years but of late, he has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona during the January transfer window.
Amidst this, Monreal has taken time to speak about his future and in a report covered by Evening Standard, he has stressed that he has no apparent desire to leave the Gunners, he said: “At the moment we are talking with the club. I've always said I am really happy, I feel very happy playing for Arsenal. I came [almost] six years ago. I have a good relationship with them. We are in contact in any moment so don't worry about that. I am happy here. That is the most important thing.”
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted that he is pleased with the involvement of the club’s summer signings during the recent friendly game against Tottenham Hotspur. The trident of Clement Lenglet, Malcom, and Arthur featured during the 2-2 draw versus Spurs which they won on penalties and Valverde was particularly pleased with the efforts of the latter, who has no European experience to his name.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “The new signings? They all played really well, it was evident that both Lenglet and Arthur have been training with us for a little while. We had no doubts about Lenglet because he already played in Spain and we have been working on Arthur settling in but this was very encouraging. We believe Arthur can give us a lot in terms of possession, bringing the ball forward and offering a goal threat.”
The agent and uncle of Yerry Mina has indicated that Everton remain the front-runners to pursue the Colombian from Barcelona this summer. The centre-back could not make an impression for the Blaugrana after his winter move last term and he has now been linked with a probable exit with Clement Lenglet recently joining the Catalan giants.
In a report covered by The Mirror, Mina’s uncle Jair admitted that the Toffees are leading the race for the central defender but the Colombian would prefer staying put with Barcelona, he said: “For now, Yerry Mina has shown only one part. We wanted him to be in Barcelona and it was not easy. It was the number one goal and he got it. He wants to succeed in the world of football and he must do it at a big club like Barcelona. I spoke with Ramon Planes and he told me to be calm, that he has a contract and that what arrives will be heard. For Yerry Mina it would be a failure not to play. He just wants to play.”
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand suggested that Lionel Messi showed a huge change in body language during Argentina’s crucial 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the World Cup. Argentina opened the scoring within the 14th minute of the game after an impressive finish from Lionel Messi but ultimately it was Marcos Rojo, who caught the headlines after netting the winner four minutes from time.
Speaking after the game, Ferdinand praised the Barcelona star for lifting his performance on the night where Argentina needed a win to avoid a shock group-stage exit, he said:"His body language, immediately as he came on the pitch, was different to what we've seen in this World Cup. He looked like there was a spark about him, there's an energy about him, that 'this was my stage, my moment now'. His touch for the goal...you can't underestimate how good this guy's touch is, not only his first touch but his second touch after that."
Colombian defender Yerry Mina has stressed that he does not have plans of leaving Barcelona despite the criticism levied at him during the second half of the season. The centre-back was recruited by the Blaugrana during the winter transfer window after Javier Mascherano left for China and he has since struggled for consistency at the heart of the defence.
Despite this, the 23-year-old is unfazed by the situation and he is looking forward to making better progress next term, he told Mundo Deportivo: “I arrived in the middle of the season, in a difficult moment, I talked to some of my teammates, but now I have to show why I am here and do it well since the start of the next preseason. Compete with Piqué and Umtiti? I know that the beginnings are not easy, but I have all the desire in the world to succeed here. Going out of Barca is not something that goes through my head, nor will it happen.”
Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has admitted that he shares a fond relationship with Philippe Coutinho despite the latter leaving the Reds for Barcelona midway through last season. The 25-year-old spent five seasons at Anfield where he contributed 41 goals and 35 assists but the urge to join the Blaugrana was too hard to refuse.
Regardless of this, Firmino continues to share a good bond with his compatriot whilst playing for the Brazilian national side and he is looking forward to sharing the same dressing room during the upcoming World Cup in Russia. Speaking exclusively to Four Four Two, he said: “Everybody knows that Coutinho is a great footballer – here in England they call him ‘The Magician’. He made his decision to join Barcelona, but every time we play for the Seleção we have a chat and maintain that friendship. He's an exceptional guy – one of the best friends football has given me. I believe Brazil is enjoying a good uprising since Tite took over – everyone is playing good football.”
Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has expressed his disappointment after the club were not able to maintain their unbeaten league run. The Blaugrana had not lost any of their previous 36 games in the Spanish La Liga and they appeared on the course to go invincible before succumbing to an away defeat at Levante.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has remained calm about the ongoing injury concern to star forward Lionel Messi. The Argentina international missed the friendlies against Italy and Spain during the break with a hamstring niggle and he is now said to be doubt for the La Liga outing against Sevilla this weekend.
