All Hail Lionel Messi.........

[carmine]

Another record for the little genius. He is now the leading goalscorer of all time in La Liga.

http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2109090/barcelonas-lionel-messi-breaks-la-liga-goalscoring-record-vs-sevilla

Ha ! You beat me to it Salty !

The rumors of his demise have been greatly exxagerated.

I think the fact that a player of his genius is currently only the second best player in the world (and has been for quite a while now) is somewhat of a surprise but that hardly makes him a player in decline.

Fact is Barcelona have regressed slightly in the last couple of seasons and perhaps the form of Messi with it.

Then take a look at the midfield Ronaldo has the joy of playing in.

[jellydog]

Another record for the little genius. He is now the leading goalscorer of all time in La Liga.

http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/2109090/barcelonas-lionel-messi-breaks-la-liga-goalscoring-record-vs-sevilla

Ha ! You beat me to it Salty !

The rumors of his demise have been greatly exxagerated.

I think the fact that a player of his genius is currently only the second best player in the world (and has been for quite a while now) is somewhat of a surprise but that hardly makes him a player in decline.

Fact is Barcelona have regressed slightly in the last couple of seasons and perhaps the form of Messi with it.

Then take a look at the midfield Ronaldo has the joy of playing in.

Its amazing that Barca have been as successful as they have been the past three years given the club's management. I've been following that a bit. Unfortunately, Barca's management now falls squarely into the same hellish hole with Real Madrid. Just as bent and venal, though likely not as smart. Hence Messi's comments recently about moving on being an option.

Their midfield has little physical strength and the back is inconsistent. Even at his advanced age Xavi is still their best midfielder which tells you something.

[salty]

Real Madrid are being very gracious about it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2279443-real-madrid-tv-hails-ronaldo-as-la-ligas-best-ever-goalscorer-messi-only-third?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&u

[jellydog]

Real Madrid are being very gracious about it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2279443-real-madrid-tv-hails-ronaldo-as-la-ligas-best-ever-goalscorer-messi-only-third?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&u

Hilarious, they are still bigger turdcutters than Barca.

But so much of this type of coverage is just bait to get fans to read the mess, argue, read, and argue some more. Increases circulation for the media, blah, blah, blah.

[champers]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

[jellydog]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

Tax evasion is a huge issue now in Spain. Government officials, big time businessmen, celebs of one sort or another, all being investigated and charged.

Messi would be a phenomenon in England or wherever.

[salty]

And now not surprisingly he is the leading goalscorer on the CL for at least 1 night. A hat trick tonight in Nicosia against Apoel. He is on 74 and has surpassed Raul who jointly led with him on 71

at start of play.

[carmine]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

Ive no sympathy whatsoever for anyone earning the sort of money these guys do and not keeping their tax affairs in order. Oh to have such a problem!

Why not lay the blame on him? Because he's a nice guy? Because he didn't know? Nonsense, he pays the penalty like anyone else.

Can't go along with the conspiracy theories either. Too far fetched.

You defense of him seems to be based around him being really good at playing football and not liked by Barcelona's rivals!! Bit flimsy don't you think?

[StevieH]

maradona had his problems with tax too. suspect it's 'advisors' taking them to the cleaners rather than anything actually malicious on the part of the player himself. can't imagine messi sits down with a calculator and an excel sheet and does his own tax returns to be honest.

but yeah, no excuse like. you can afford a good trustworthy accountant when you earn what he does.

[jellydog]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

Ive no sympathy whatsoever for anyone earning the sort of money these guys do and not keeping their tax affairs in order. Oh to have such a problem!

Why not lay the blame on him? Because he's a nice guy? Because he didn't know? Nonsense, he pays the penalty like anyone else.

Can't go along with the conspiracy theories either. Too far fetched.

You defense of him seems to be based around him being really good at playing football and not liked by Barcelona's rivals!! Bit flimsy don't you think?

The tax evasion charges involving Messi date back to when he was about 15 years old. His financial affairs were handled by his father and whatever financial pros his father was working with.

[champers]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

Ive no sympathy whatsoever for anyone earning the sort of money these guys do and not keeping their tax affairs in order. Oh to have such a problem!

Why not lay the blame on him? Because he's a nice guy? Because he didn't know? Nonsense, he pays the penalty like anyone else.

Can't go along with the conspiracy theories either. Too far fetched.

You defense of him seems to be based around him being really good at playing football and not liked by Barcelona's rivals!! Bit flimsy don't you think?

Bit flimsy, maybe, and a bit of a coincidence too, maybe. When I see RM players tax affairs being investigated, I'll ditch the theory. I'd be gobsmacked if it transpires he has any direct involvement. May push him out of Spain.

[carmine]

Without wishing to be a conspiracy theorist, you can't help wondering where the tax evasion accusations are coming from. RM supporters in high places? Is he the only footballer with dodgy tax affairs? I don't lay any blame on him; not one jot. Would he be a sensation in England, or would he sink closer to the level everyone else is at?Only one player in England is even remotely in the same stratosphere as him. Aguerro.

Ive no sympathy whatsoever for anyone earning the sort of money these guys do and not keeping their tax affairs in order. Oh to have such a problem!

Why not lay the blame on him? Because he's a nice guy? Because he didn't know? Nonsense, he pays the penalty like anyone else.

Can't go along with the conspiracy theories either. Too far fetched.

You defense of him seems to be based around him being really good at playing football and not liked by Barcelona's rivals!! Bit flimsy don't you think?

Bit flimsy, maybe, and a bit of a coincidence too, maybe. When I see RM players tax affairs being investigated, I'll ditch the theory. I'd be gobsmacked if it transpires he has any direct involvement. May push him out of Spain.

I not for a moment suggesting he is involved. Merely stating my opinion of what should happen to him or any other player if they are aught out.

Does anyone know how the Barca transfer saga was resolved with regards to his fathers interests?

Incidentally, hasn't Maradona still got a massive unpaid tax bill in Italy? They can sing for that!

[StevieH]

quite good:

[salty]

Watched Barca yesterday. Another hat trick for the little genius putting him one ahead of CR7 and the greatest number in the history of La Liga. First a tap in but showed his awareness speed of thought and movement. 2nd a penalty. His first effort was saved but the goalie was well off the line so a retake which he buried. The 3rd was a thing of beauty. Lightning reflex which enabled him to beat 2 defenders in a miniscule space round the keeper and roll in from a tight angle. The only thing making him human is he is iffy on penalties.

Barca now a point ahead after RM lost at Bilbao on Saturday. El Classico in 2 weeks.

[Sparkles]

Keeping to his football rather than accounting ability ,the little guy is a genius.His reading of the game allows for a lot of tap ins by being in the right place at the right time.

Coaches of young kids learning the game could do a lot worse that give them a Messi highlights video.His movement off the ball is sublime.

[StevieH]

i'm not sure how much you can teach kids that stuff sparkles, think genius is just given. his movement off the ball is allied to the touch of an angel and the most ridiculous balance at pace i've ever seen.

[jellydog]

His PKs have been worse and worse. Clearly has lost some confidence in that area. Also, his ability to knock in FKs has dropped off recently as well. He has always been either hot or cold with FKs.

Not that any of that makes much difference.

That third goal yesterday was a thing of beauty, and he makes it look absolutely effortless.

The day he hangs up his boots will be a sad, sad day.

[StevieH]

he's 27 mate. you've got six or seven years of this yet. enjoy it. i think he's now, over the course of a career, obviously the best player ever. world cup or no he's better consistently and over a career than pele, maradona, zidane, anyone. phenomenal.

[salty]

Messi's 1st goal for Barca 10 years ago May 1 2005

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2441720-remembering-lionel-messis-1st-goal-for-barcelona-10-years-on?utm_source=newsletter&

[jellydog]

More Messi magic today. That second goal was priceless. Poor Boateng will be seeing himself turned inside out forever.

[salty]

For a good portion of the 2nd half Bayern looked the more likely until Messi exploded. His first in the 77th minute was like his goal at Wembley in the 2011 final. The 2nd goal only he could score and for a finale set up Neymar for No 3 in a breakaway as Bayern were desperately looking for an away goal. The entire game had been an extravaganza of entertainment even without the killer blows in the last 15 minutes.

At 3-0 Barca red hot favorites to be in Berlin on June 6th.

[carmine]

Messi is pure genius. Best i've ever seen. Never thought i'd see a better player than Maradona!

[mrbojangles]

I think I will have to finally concede that Messi is better than Shaun Goater.

[carmine]

Messi was the star of the night followed by Guardiola and his ridiculous tactics. This manager has so much to prove despite the silverware. Humped by Madrid last season, given a scare by Porto and now looking certain to go out to Barca. Jump Heynckers built this team for him prior to him being allowed some top class additions and winning the Bundesliga with Bayern means little.

If he's been at Dortmund the past seven years instead of Klopp i wonder and doubt if his record would have been anything like as good.

[StevieH]

that front three. messi, neymar, suarez. ridiculous.

[StevieH]

just read that apparently messi has now won a trophy every 22 games for barcelona. haha.

[mrbojangles]

just read that apparently messi has now won a trophy every 22 games for barcelona. haha.

I know they are different generations but Pele was nowhere near as good as Messi is. Messi is about as perfect a footballer as it is humanly possible to be. I'd love to see him playing week-in, week-out in the prem, no matter what team got him.

[jellydog]

just read that apparently messi has now won a trophy every 22 games for barcelona. haha.

I know they are different generations but Pele was nowhere near as good as Messi is. Messi is about as perfect a footballer as it is humanly possible to be. I'd love to see him playing week-in, week-out in the prem, no matter what team got him.

Save for Chelsea. I'd spit the bit.

[StevieH]

just read that apparently messi has now won a trophy every 22 games for barcelona. haha.

I know they are different generations but Pele was nowhere near as good as Messi is. Messi is about as perfect a footballer as it is humanly possible to be. I'd love to see him playing week-in, week-out in the prem, no matter what team got him.

he's the best i've ever seen. and yeah, generations and that, different eras etc, but messi is beyond belief. just when you think he's peaked he goes higher. what a joy it must have been to be a barca socio the past ten years watching this lad week after week. and know what? he looks like he's having fun and loving every minute of it. which is what puts him apart from that vain portuguese lad.

[smokie36]

just read that apparently messi has now won a trophy every 22 games for barcelona. haha.

I know they are different generations but Pele was nowhere near as good as Messi is. Messi is about as perfect a footballer as it is humanly possible to be. I'd love to see him playing week-in, week-out in the prem, no matter what team got him.

he's the best i've ever seen. and yeah, generations and that, different eras etc, but messi is beyond belief. just when you think he's peaked he goes higher. what a joy it must have been to be a barca socio the past ten years watching this lad week after week. and know what? he looks like he's having fun and loving every minute of it. which is what puts him apart from that vain portuguese lad.

I loved watching Bale for the 18 months he performed for us....also players like Beckham at his best and Suarez....moments from many players really...Gerrard....Ginola....Zola....the Utd French <deleted>....so many more.

This season though has been very flat....hope next year is so much better in the Premiership.