Spain

You Should Feel Sorry For These Poor Fools Who Were Destroyed By Lionel Messi Last Season

There’s something beautiful about watching Lionel Messi in action. It’s poetic, balletic and scintillating. The anticipation when he receives the ball brings butterflies to the stomach. The way he effortlessly skips by defenders and zips in shots from long range makes the heart sing. How he deftly controls a sharp pass with the outside of his left boot before depositing a shot into the lower corner tingles the senses like a romantic first kiss. 

But mostly, we just love seeing Messi embarrassing the sorry fools who try to stop him week after week.

The Top 5 Team Goals From Barca’s Academy Prove La Masia’s Still Got It

Barcelona have slowly begun entering the catch-22 phase initiated by the golden era of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. Basically, it goes like this: La Masia will never again produce a group of players like that one. They turned Barcelona into a global sporting institution synonymous with the quality of being elite.

Lionel Messi Renews Barca Deal Until 2021 With Reported €300 Million Release Clause

Lionel Messi joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy at the age of 13, and his latest contract extension with the club will see him remain there until he’s 34. According to FC Barcelona, Messi has agreed to an extension through June 30, 2021, and the Argentinean will officially sign the deal in the coming weeks, when he returns to the club for preseason training.

Germany’s C-Team Wins U-21 Euros Courtesy Of Outrageous Looping Header

While Germany’s A-team takes a much-needed breather before next summer’s World Cup finals, Germany’s B-team have advanced to the final of the Confederations Cup and Germany’s C-team have just captured the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. One can only imagine what it’s like to support the German national team.

The much-heralded attacking talents of Spain, spearheaded by Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio and Atletico’s Saúl, could only manage a single shot on target against Germany in the final. 

David Villa Meets Minnesota United, Incinerates Minnesota United

Minnesota United ventured to Yankee Stadium on Thursday and, as has been the case on their travels all season, got thumped. Christian Ramirez capitalized on an error from New York City FC goalkeeper Erik Johanen to give Minnesota an early lead, but goals from Alexander Callens, Jack Harrison and a lovely individual effort from David Villa put NYCFC ahead for good with just over an hour gone.

Saul Niguez Is More Accurate Than Ronaldo, Tougher Than Vidal And Prettier Than Giroud

Spain’s team competing at the UEFA U-21 Euros is ridiculously talented, as we’ve laid out before. 

Saúl Ñíguez is making a case to be the best of the lot.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder notched a brilliant hat trick to send Spain past 10-man Italy 3-1 in the semifinals to set up a date with Germany in the final on Friday.

Poor Gianluigi Donnarumma didn’t have a chance. 

The Best (And Worst) Soccer Fans

With the Russia World Cup less than a year away, we here at The18 asked ourselves who are the best (and worst) fans in the world.

We’ve compiled a list below of superlatives to break down what makes each country’s fans unique, for better or worse.

Note: We limited results to nations that are or have been regular World Cup qualifiers. Scroll to the bottom for the best and worst fans.

Spain’s U-21 Side Is Destroying The Rest Of Europe Right Now

Spain will approach the 2018 World Cup as a nation largely in transition. Nobody’s ready to write off the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas, but this could well be the last World Cup for all of them.

Barcelona Sign Brazilian International Lucas Lima On A Free Transfer

It’s not every day that you manage to sign one of Brazil’s most talented attacking players on a free transfer, but that’s exactly what Barcelona have achieved with Lucas Lima.

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