Marking Lionel Messi is like marking the smoke monster in Lost, even on a good day. When La Pulga is feeling particularly motivated, as he has been so far this season, it's like if the smoke monster could also teleport and shoot lasers.
Eibar found that out the hard way, finding themselves on the wrong side of a 6-1 demolition by Barcelona, four of which came from Messi.
Amid strong interest from clubs in Major League Soccer, it was with a view towards the 2018 World Cup that Andres Guardado decided to join Real Betis and continue pushing himself at the highest level in La Liga. After three starts for the Seville-based club, it’s apparent that the 30-year-old made the right decision. This is obviously his level.
USMNT and Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic has been named to the shortlist for the 2017 Golden Boy, the award handed to the top under 21 talent playing in Europe. Previous winners of the award include Paul Pogba (2013), Sergio Aguero (2007) and Lionel Messi (2005). This is Pulisic’s first appearance on the shortlist after enjoying a season of more prominent and consistent performances for both club and country.
Gareth Bale has done it again. Perhaps best known for his stunning sprint against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final (one that had Usain Bolt saying: “It’s a goal any sprinter in the world would like to score one day. He’s the fastest footballer in the world at the moment.”), Bale has scored another scorching effort for Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo's five-game ban for shoving a referee during the Spanish Super Cup has ended. This is good news for Madrid fans because, barring a promising win over Real Sociedad this weekend, they have not been the fire-breathing galactico dragon we all thought we were going to see.
Consecutive draws against Valencia and Levante put Madrid four points down from Barcelona, but now that the second-best player in the world is returning from suspension, Madrid will no longer have to rely on the heroics of Borja Mayoral to win games.
Barcelona continue to set the pace at the top of La Liga following a spirited, come from behind victory at Getafe on Saturday. A wonder goal from Gaku Shibasaki gave Azulones a shock lead, but second half strikes from Denis Suarez and Paulinho maintained Barcelona’s perfect start to the season after four matches.
Isco, the best player in the world on current form according to The18's Connor Fleming, has agreed to a new contract at Real Madrid that runs through the 2021-2022 season.
Here's Real Madrid's official statement:
Gareth Bale has finally admitted what we’ve long known. In a recent interview the Wales and Real Madrid winger said his greatest flaw is that he is lazy.
Yep, just like you and me, Bale would rather sit on a couch watching Rick and Morty while eating Cheetos than score goals. And we have proof.