Messi's son signs for Barcelona

Photo published for Lionel Messi's son, Thiago, is set to join Barcelona
We can’t
wonder why. Most of us saw this coming.
Another
member of the Messi clan has joined the Catalans.
Lionel
Messi’s eldest son, Thiago Messi has signed for Barcelona. The 3 year-old has joined
the FCBEscola; a pre-kids training intended for children of athletes and
members of all professional departments of the club as well as employees
of the La Liga club. The project is targeted at kids between 3 and 5 years old
who could then go on to play in the La Masia youth teams.

This
interesting development is coming less than a week after the Argentine revealed
in an interview that the lad isn’t so much interested in football.  “I don’t buy him many balls or
force him to play with them because he doesn’t like them that much. Let’s see
if he gets hooked.”
He said.

Messi on his blonde hair, 'A lot had gone on'

To most of us who never stopped wondering what prompted Argentine football great, Lionel Messi’s decision to go blonde, well, the 29 year-old has finally opened up on why he opted for the new, a little bizarre look. And it had absolutely nothing to do with Neymar, as many had speculated.
“I made a change to start from zero. A lot had gone on, things had happened, and I said to myself: “I have to break this and start again.” The Barcelona player told Argentine actor, Mingo.

Messi announces return to Argentina national team

Two months after quitting Argentina’s national team following their loss in this summer’s Copa America final, Lionel Messi has announced his return to the squad. The 29-year-old has been included in the Albiceleste‘s 18-man squad to face Uruguay and Venezuela in the World Cup qualifiers coming up in September. He rescinded his decision after he met the team’s new coach this week. 

In a statement he released on Friday, the Barcelona playmaker said, “I see that there are a lot of problems in Argentina football and I don’t want to create more. I don’t want to cause harm, on the contrary, my goal was to help in any way I could.”

“There are many things that need to be fixed in Argentine football. But I prefer to help from inside rather than stand on the outside and Criticize. A lot of things ran through my head on the day of the [Copa America] final. And I seriously considered leaving the team. But I love my shirt and my country too much.

“I want to thank all the fans who wanted me to keep playing for Argentina. I hope we can give them joy very soon.” Messi, who is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals in 113 said.

New Argentina coach meets with Messi but Maradona thinks he won't rescind retirement decision.

Photo published for Sacchi says Messi no Maradona
While the
football world is prevailing on Lionel Messi to rescind his decision to retire
from the Argentina National team, fellow compatriot, Diego Maradona doesn’t see
that happening. The phenomenal striker announced his retirement from international duty in June 2016 after missing a crucial penalty causing his country to lose to Chile in
the Copa America; their third major final defeat in many years.
Former Sao Paulo manager Edgardo Bauza, who replaced Gerardo Martino as
the country’s head coach met with the football star in Spain to discuss his
future but details on what went down is yet to gain traction.
The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner openly criticised the Argentina Football
Federation days after calling time on his international career and Maradona
thinks the governing body has made matters worse.
The former captain told Radio La Red “I think Messi is going to say no
to Bauza. This is my thinking. Maybe I’m wrong.”
He continued, “We are very bad. We run the risk of not
going to Qatar. I’ve never seen such weak leadership.
What
happened with Messi exposes what’s been going on for a lifetime.  How is
it that the families of the [AFA] leaders are more comfortable than the
players?”

Barcelona Vice-President hits out at UEFA over Messi and Suarez award snub

Barcelona
Vice-President, Jordi Mestre has expressed his disappointment at UEFA for
snubbing two of the club’s key players, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the
2016 European Player of the Year award list. The duo who played key roles in
the Blaugrana’s La Liga an Copa del Rey victories last season were placed
fourth and fifth in the poll. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Antoine
Griezmann emerged the top three nominees.
Mestre in an
interview on TV3 described the omission as scandalous: “It doesn’t seem the right
decision to me at all. I don’t know what criteria UEFA applied, with all
respect to the chosen winners, but I disagree [with the choices]. That our
players aren’t there, such as Suarez or Messi, is scandalous. The club are very
disappointed and angry.”
He said.

Inside Lionel Messi's new restaurant

To start with, Lionel Messi has a blonde new hairstyle….and the world keeps wondering what is going on in his life.

To the main news.
Lionel Messi has unveiled a new restaurant in Barcelona

The eatery contains a number of tasty meals and drinks

Remember the Lionel Messi restaurant, the Bellavista del Jardin del Norte i talked about here? It is now open for business. And we managed to get sneak peek pictures from theSun.co.uk

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Pic shows: Restaurant Bellavista del Jardín del Norte The Messi family restaurant - featuring the best player in the world’s favourite dish - has just opened its doors. Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, 29, and his two brothers Rodrigo and Marisol have unveiled the ‘El Bellavista del Jardin del Norte’ in the Spanish city of Barcelona. For just 10.50 EUR (8.77 GBP), customers can taste Leo’s treasured Milanesa napolitiana a caballo - breaded veal accompanied by cheese and tomato sauce, a dish with strong influences from Italian cuisine. The locale is owned by the footballer’s brother Rodrigo and can be found at number 86 on Enric Granados Street close to the centre of the Spanish city. It has a 1,000-square-metre (10,764-square-foot) garden and is the result of a collaboration between the Messis and the Iglesias brothers – well known restaurateurs in the area. According to local reports, the restaurant is an homage to life in Rosario – where Leo Messi grew up and first started playing football before going to train at Barcelona at the age of 13. The eatery aims to become an important space in the neighbourhood and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with several snacks, and a variety of alcohol including vermouths on the menu. (ends)

Source

Messi :Barcelona release statement on tax fraud verdict

FC Barcelona in a statement issued today pledged to support Lionel Messi regarding the tax evasion verdict passed on the striker today. The Argentine and his father were found guilty and bagged 21-month jail terms each and were also asked to pay fine for defrauding Spanish authorities to the tune of  €4million. 
//
“FC Barcelona gives all its support to Leo Messi and his father with relation to the sentence for tax evasion handed out by the Provincial Court in Barcelona today,” a club statement read.
//
“The club, in agreement with the Government prosecution service, considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish Tax Office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case. “FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposal of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defence of his honesty and his legal interests.”

//

Lionel Messi gets 21-month jail term

Barcelona stand by Messi after tax fraud ruling
Soccer star, Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax evasion and also fined $2.3 million. For more than a year now the world best footballer and his father, Jorge Messi had been enmeshed in a €4.1 million tax fraud allegations levelled against him by Spanish authorities. 
//
The 29 year-old was at the Eighth Court of Barcelona last month to testify in the case . He vehemently denied knowledge of fraudulent activities, maintaining that all he did was to sign and entrust documents of deals with his father and lawyers and focus on his career. 
 “I never asked my dad about these things. The truth is that, as I said before, I trusted him and the lawyers. I didn’t know anything about it, I just played football. I didn’t know I was a member and manager of this company, I signed it because he [Jorge Messi] said so and I trusted him and the lawyers. All I knew was that I was signing a deal with sponsors to do adverts, photo shoots and things like that.
//
The State Attorney felt unconvinced with his defence in the tax evasion charges levelled against him and his father by Spanish authorities. He said he had zero credibility and was even compared to a ‘capo’  heading a criminal structure. 
At one point, Jorge Messi recognizes that he tells his son they will be needing (financial) advice. And then they speak no more about it? That has zero credibility. Messi knew more than he is making out. I don’t want to compare Messi to a Mafioso, but it’s as if he was the boss of a criminal structure.’
However, because he doesn’t have a criminal record and his sentence was less than two years, he won’t serve jail time as long as he doesn’t break the law again.

//

His father also got a 21-month jail sentence and a $1.7 million for tax fraud, though like his son he won’t serve time as he also hasn’t committed an offence before. 

Photos : Thousands defy rain to attend rally urging Messi to return to national team 



The torrential rains that poured down on Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina on Saturday, July 2nd did not deter more than 100,000 of the soccer legend, Lionel Messi’s fans, who rallied to convince the Barcelona talisman to continue playing for Argentina.

Messi is yet to respond to the barrage of pleas triggered after the 29 year-old announced his retirement following his side’s painful Copa America final loss to Chile.

Those who criticise Messi have never kicked a ball – Maradona

Argentina legend, Diego Maradona has urged his compatriots to allow Lionel Messi enjoy his holiday. Shortly after Argentina lost to Chile at the Copa America final, the Barcelona player announced his retirement from international football, a decision that has left many shocked and pained till date. Appeals to have him reconsider his retirement are still ongoing especially in his country but the 29-year-old is yet to broach the topic again. 

Maradona who also urged the striker to rescind his decision said in an interview with La Red on Wednesday said the world’s best footballer’s decision should be respected.

Messi is telling us to stop busting his balls. With this Messi has told us ‘I am going on holidays, leave me alone and when you call me, I’ll think about it. I don’t want to talk about this anymore’. I think it’s great.
“These days everyone is a coach, everyone is a penalty-taker. No, it’s not like this. I see that people are meeting to talk about the subject, and I hear people who in their life have kicked one f**king ball and now they dare talk about football.

“Now when I see people talk about it, I change [the channel]. That’s it, it’s happened. We can’t go back. We have to construct a unified idea with Messi, but if he says no then we still have to put out a team on the pitch.
Open chat