Maradona-Messi is more like a 'teddy bear' than a footballer

By

Diego Maradona believes Lionel Messi should have been banned for longer after allegedly insulting a linesman, as he referred to the Barcelona star as a 'teddy bear'.

Messi was initially handed a four-game suspension after the incident in a World Cup qualifier against Chile, but after sitting out just one match he has already been cleared to play again.

Maradona believes Argentina's star man has received preferential treatment, although he admits it is good for the team that he can feature again.

He told Radio La Red: 'It makes absolutely no sense, but Leo deserved [to be sanctioned] for one more match and I say that with my heart in my hand.

'They reduced the ban for the same reason they always do with star players and veteran players.

'Messi is not the type of player to insult anyone. I managed him for one year and he is more like a teddy bear than a football player.'

Argentina lost 2-0 to Bolivia in the one game Messi missed, and they will clearly be delighted when he returns to the international stage.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Video Assistant Referee(VAR) to be used in Spain

By
Image
According to Marca, The Spanish FA have been given the green light to begin using VAR - Video Assistant Referee - and the technology could make its debut in the second leg of Atletico Madrid and Elche's Copa del Rey tie at the end of November. VAR is already in use in some European leagues, but there has been a mixed reaction to it, particularly in Germany   and Italy. As such, any initial use of it in Spain will be for testing and it will not be rolled out across the country straight away. This, though, is a start and a big step, one which seemed unlikely to come to fruition until Angel Maria Villar had to step aside as Spanish FA president. click here for more
Read more

Real Madrid are the first team to win the UCL trophy back to back after a 4-1 win over Juventus

By
Image
He did what he always does. And Real Madrid did what they have done so often since this rather magnificent trophy was first awarded in 1956. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 32, is still demanding centre stage. He won an FA Cup final at this stadium in 2004 as a callow youth against Millwall. It was his first ever trophy. On Saturday night he secured his 20th. The opposition was somewhat more glamorous here, the prize more treasured but the performance remained the same. He did what he does, which is to lead from the front and ensure that, if silverware is at stake, he is the man left holding it at the end. But Real Madrid are the team who appropriated the old European Cup at its outset. Now they are dominating the modern era. This was their 12th trophy of all time. But never before in the modern era of the Champions League has the trophy been defended. It has now. Three wins in four years begins to look like a team of the calibre of Ajax, Bayern, Liverpool, AC Milan. Don't mention it on L...
Read more

Sergio Ramos: 'I would bleed a thousand times for this badge and this shirt.

By
Image
Sergio Ramos claims he will be 'back in no time' after the Real Madrid defender broke his nose in their derby draw with Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Zinedine Zidane's side had to play the whole of the second half without their captain as he was taken off at half-time after breaking his nose in a collision with Atletico's Lucas Hernandez. Following the goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, Ramos took to Instagram to post some graphic and bloody photos of his nose, as well as showing his devotion to the club. The Spanish international wrote: 'I would bleed a thousand times for this badge and this shirt. Thanks for your support. I'll be back in no time #HalaMadrid'. It was another disappointing day at the office for both Madrid clubs on Saturday as the result has left them even further off the pace at the top of the La Liga table.
Read more

Chelsea ready to pay £100m for Mauro Icardi to partner Alvaro Morata

By
Image
CHELSEA are looking to add fire power to their attacking force in order to compete with Premier League high flyers. To do this the Italian hopes to bring Inter Milan's captain Mauro Icar d i  to partner their striker Alvaro Morata The striker would cost Chelsea in the region of £100million, which would make him the most expensive Premier League player. Conte has been tasked with retaining his title, a mission which is looking far less likely as the games go on. It is unquestionable whether or not Icardi would add quality to the Chelsea squad, the issue for the champions is catching up with the unprecedented pace set by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side. The London club face a number of challenges if they wish to bring the young forward in however. Icardi would prefer a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid , a club searching for a young striker to replace Karim Benzema. And Inter are unwilling to let go of their star man mid-season.
Read more

Drogba reveals what Abramovic said when he was asked about the way he sacks managers

By
Image
Didier Drogba has revealed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s defiant response when confronted over the number of managers he has sacked at Stamford Bridge. Since taking over the club in 2003, Abramovich has hired ten different managers and has shown a ruthlessness in his approach, often dismissing his employees just months after periods of success. Antonio Conte, who guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in his debut season, is already being linked with a departure after reportedly clashing with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. But despite a whiff of controversy surrounding the Chelsea owner, his record speaks for itself and this is something he reiterated to Drogba when the subject arose during their time together. ‘Everyone says Chelsea isn’t very stable,’ Drogba told French radio station RMC. ‘But in modern-day football, there is no coach who lasts more than three or four years at a club. ‘I asked him [Abramovich]: “We have had how many managers in how many sea...
Read more

Abramovich move to settle rift between Conte and David Luiz

By
Image
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is investigating whether there is a growing problem between manager Antonio Conte and the players. The Russian billionaire is increasing his involvement in the day-to-day running of the club following the resignation of technical director Michael Emenalo on Monday. According to Sportsmail, Abramovich visited Chelsea’s Cobham HQ last week, and has already made enquiries over the relationship between Conte and his squad. Having fallen out with Diego Costa last season before selling him in the summer, question marks are being raised over Conte’s relationship with David Luiz. The Brazilian was axed from the squad that beat Manchester United on Sunday. Despite Conte’s insistence that the decision was tactical, it is understood the axe came after Luiz questioned the Italian in training last week. But while Abramovich is not questioning Conte’s handling of the Luiz situation, the latest stand-off has raised concerns of a rift between the manager and...
Read more

Chelsea coach Conte rubbish talk of him joining A.C Milan

By
Image
Antonio Conte has brushed aside talk of a return to Italy after he led his Chelsea side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Chelsea edged United in a tense game at Stamford Bridge to keep their hopes of defending their title alive. It has been a difficult season so far for Chelsea with several disappointing results and injuries to key men.  Conte has often bemoaned the size of his squad and criticised Chelsea’s transfer activity, but the Italian was not interested in questions about links to AC Milan. ‘Milan? Leave it out,’ Conte told Sky Sport Italia after the win on Sunday. ‘We’re trying to stay concentrated, because it’s a tough run from here to the end of the season. Chelsea earned a crucial win against Manchester United. ‘I am only concentrated on Chelsea and purely want to do what is best for Chelsea.’ Milan have been consistently linked with Conte as they look to re-build their status in Serie A. Conte has been suggested as t...
Read more

Tammy Abraham ready to prove his Worth for England national team

By
Image
Tammy Abraham keen to prove his international credentials with England Tammy Abraham wants the opportunity to prove himself at international level after being handed his first senior England call-up for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil. Abraham was drafted into the squad alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez, with the trio all fledgling Premier League players who have been fast-tracked into the England set-up for the fixtures at Wembley. Abraham has scored five times in 14 appearances while on loan at Swansea from Chelsea this season and now hopes he can show enough to Gareth Southgate in training to hand him his England bow against either Germany on Friday or Brazil next Tuesday. The 20-year-old striker said on Sky Sports: “It would be a massive achievement for me and a big confidence boost as well, it would show that I’m going in the right direction. If I do get my opportunity I’d like to grab it as much as I can. “I feel like I’m ready but it won’t be e...
Read more

Legendary Andrea Pirlo retires from football

By
Image
Yankee Stadium was the final stage for Andrea Pirlo. Indisputably one of the greatest ever and most well-loved players in the world, he finished his career as a leader by example in MLS where had played since joining New York City FC in 2015. It ended with elimination as New York beat Columbus Crew 2-0 but it wasn’t enough to overturn the 4-1 deficit from the first leg. With the match running down, New York Coach Patrick Vieira brought Pirlo on in the 90th minute to a standing ovation.  There was applause and chanting in the Big Apple from the fans who always applauded him whenever he went to take a corner as the club now turns a corner following the departure of one of its greatest stars. Pirlo won everything, representing the biggest clubs in Italian football. With Milan, he established himself on the international stage and reached the greatest heights before reinventing himself at Juventus for a new successful spell. With Italy, he made history lifting the World Cup in...
Read more