We already know that Lionel Messi's ball control is second to none.
Apparently the folks at Masterclass.com have hired him to teach Real Betis how it's done. During Barcelona's 5-0 thrashing of Betis on Sunday, Messi dribbled at one point past so many Real Betis players that the even the Betis fans started applauding. This must feel really, really good if you're a Betis player. We're just guessing.
Ronaldinho retired this week. Maybe you’ve heard. We’ve mentioned it a few times. But it’s worth revisiting once more because the Brazilian was one of the most creative footballers to ever play the game. He was, in essence, the Nintendo Labo of soccer.
Barcelona perdió ayer. Sucedió y fue extraño porque no sucede muy a menudo. Pero algunas cosas sucedieron que sí suceden a menudo. Una de esas cosas fue Sergio Busquets arruinando vidas con toda la calma del mundo.
The Barcelona Derby doesn’t exactly set pulses racing outside of Catalonia as FC Barcelona’s dominance over RCD Espanyol has been pretty thorough dating back to 1928. In 206 league matches, Barcelona have won 120 and drawn 42, leaving Espanyol with only 44 victories.
But Wednesday’s Barcelona Derby was played in the Copa del Rey — where the magic happens. The first leg of their quarterfinal matchup at RCDE Stadium saw Barca field a strong starting XI, including Lionel Messi (the all-time leading scorer in the Barcelona Derby with 20 goals), Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique.
When he was in his prime, there were few sights as fun to watch as Ronaldinho with a soccer ball at his feet. He combined dazzling skill with unpredictability and pure joy to form something that was basically the platonic ideal of what a footballer could be. He was flawed, sure, but even his flaws were fun.
Ronaldinho is officially retired now, and to commemorate the occasion La Liga posted a video showing some of Ronaldinho's highlights from his time in Spain. Good God, that man could play soccer.
Aged just 16 years, five months and two days (for comparison’s sake, Lionel Messi was 17 years, three months and 22 days), teenage Catalan phenom Claudia Pina made her league debut for FC Barcelona Femeni Sunday in the club’s 2-0 victory over Zaragoza.
Pina has been a revelation for Barcelona throughout her La Masia rise, and her exploits for Spain at the U-17 level have been remarkable, to say the least.
Is this what Europeans think of the United States’ favorite sport? Andres Iniesta starred in a recent commercial in which he donned the shoulder pads and masked helmet of an American football player in a ploy to, um, get viewers to trade stocks? Or something? Not really sure. But the ad’s portrayal of Iniesta’s new sport is an interesting glimpse into how Europeans must view American football.
This is the end of an era. Ronaldinho, the last remaining active player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to have won the Ballon d'Or, one of the most joyous and fun footballers of all time, has officially hung up his cleats.
Dinho hasn't actually played competitive football since 2015, but his retirement rules out any chance of a return. Unless, of course, he returns.