With a magical Messi, Barcelona won the first semifinal of the Champions League

The team led by Joseph Guardiola defeated Real Madrid by 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Lionel Messi scored the goals for the great victory of his team.

The whole “Merengue” had a difficult afternoon in the capital of Spain as they suffered a heavy defeat local in the European Champions League, and the expulsion of defender Pepe and José Mourinho DT.

Messi led Barça to victory with two goals and a wonderful game. Now, they can only hope that their efforts will bear fruit next Tuesday, in the second leg.

Whoever wins this “derby” key shall play Manchester United or Schalke 04. Thus, the 2009 final could be repeated as the English side won 2-0 in the first leg.

Messi Scores 50th Goal of the Season

Villa slid in the opener from close range before half-time, his first goal since February, while Messi came off the bench to finish inside the box and continue an astonishing season of football for the Argentine. The win re-extends the gap at the top of La Liga to eight points. Earlier Real Madrid had hammered Valencia 6-3 at the Mestalla in a statement of intent on the title race, but Barca responded with enough to edge closer to retaining their crown.

There was a buoyant atmosphere inside the Catalan cathedral despite the sapping midweek Copa del Rey final loss to Real Madrid. With the third Clasico of this historic quadruple coming up on Wednesday, the Champions League semi-final first leg in the Bernabeu, Pep Guardiola rested stars Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. And the lack of star quality showed, with Barca struggling to break down their opponents and not dominating possession to the level now expected of them.
Striker David Villa summarized, stating “It was a complicated game but 3 more points. We were a bit tired from Wednesday’s game. The goal? Of course it’s nice but main thing is of course that the team wins. Now we rest a bit and then we’ll be trying to reach the final of the Champions League.”

Magical Messi Beats Madrid

Two Lionel Messi late goals, the second of which an amazing solo effort, at the Santiago Bernabeu in a heated Champions League semifinal between Barcelona and Real Madrid to give the Catalans a vital away goal before the second leg next week.

In what panned out as more of a riot than a football spectacle, both teams had players sent off while Real coach Jose Mourinho was banished to the stands. The first half ended goalless, but a melee between the players after half time, just outside the tunnel had Barca’s substitute goalkeeper Josep Pinto seeing red for his role in the clash. After the restart, Pepe went into a challenge against Dani Alves with his studs up and though replays suggested he didn’t intend malice, he was given a straight red card. In his protests, Mourinho, who sarcastically winked and the fourth official and seemed to say “well done, well done”, was banished from the technical area and into the stands.
The game was at risk of being remembered for tackles and play acting. However, at the late stages, there was some football to savour. Ibrahim Afellay, who came on for the injured Pedro, used his pace to skip past Marcelo down the right before delivering a cross at the near post for Messi to touch in from close range. It was the crucial away goal they had wanted.
It wasn’t over though. There was still time for some Messi magic. If his first goal had been a poacher’s goal, the second was a conjurer’s. As only he can do, Messi raced at the Madrid rearguard in typical fashion, skipping past Arbeloa and Albiol and into the box, where he calmly slotted it past Casillas. Madrid were left flabbergasted. Real have given themselves a lot to do in the second leg if they are to get to the final, and it remains to be seen what Mourinho will do. At the moment though, Barca are definitely the favourites to go all the way to Wembley.

Jorge Messi and Sergio Batista Reflect On Clasico

Lionel Messi’s father has criticized the approach of Jose Mourinho following Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Argentina national team coach Sergio Batista believes that Lionel Messi is on course to establishing himself as the greatest footballer ever
After the match, Mourinho complained about the referee’s decision to send Pepe off in the early minutes of the second half for his challenge on Daniel Alves and claimed that it was a “scandal” at the Bernabeu. The father of Lionel Messi, Jorge, has now given his take on the matter and says that Mourinho was wrong to vent in the manner he did after the clash.
“It was bad, very bad,” said Jorge Messi, according to Goal.com Spain. “I can understand that the game was heated. “I cannot tell if it was right to show him [Pepe] the red card or not but I agree that it was the turning point. But until then, Madrid played badly. “Mourinho’s approach was very conservative,” he added.
Jorge was delighted to watch his son Lionel score both the goals, the second one of the finest strikes in a Clasico. “I told him [Lionel] that they would win 2-0 and that he would score both the goals,” enthused Jorge, who then jokingly added: “Paul the Octopus is useless, you have to listen to me.”
Messi’s national team coach Batista was at the game last night and was left mesmerised with what he saw.
“We saw the Messi we all know and love,” said Batista, according to Reuters. “He’s on his way to becoming the best player in history. Given what we already know and because he surpasses himself day by day, he’s already the best in the world. I left the stadium telling myself, ‘Thank God players like Xavi and Messi exist’. They give you goose bumps, they thrill anyone.”

Barcelona Stars Come Out For Shopping in a Boutique

Barcelona’s star forward stepped out for a spot of Italian boutique shopping on Sunday, 20th March. He and his posse received preferential treatment in the Dolce & Gabbana store, but only left with a tiny bag as a token of his well-spent time.

Cheryl Cole – Lionel Messi Love Gossip Rumors

Lionel Messi became Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor in five different categories: the Ballon d’Or, the FIFPro, the FIFA Player of the Year, and the UEFA Club Forward & Player of the year tiles among other awards.

In short, one will tell you that Messi has arguably conquered Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch. Now what else is needed to wipe away the Portuguese’s name from the public’s mind?

The Argentine superstar might feel that he’s already done enough on the football stage to gain more respect and applauds than Cristiano Ronaldo.
On a personal level, however, Lionel Messi is way behind the world’s most expensive player. He is yet to rival Cristiano Ronaldo as a womanizer.

But, making noise in the media with Cheryl Cole and the Tango dance dream could start off a fresh competition against the six packed former Nuria Bermudez, Maria Sharapova, Nereida Gallardo, and Letizia Felipe lover, Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi Joined Newell's Old Boys

Lionel Messi

However, despite this, Messi can cover these shortcomings with his talent. When I joined the junior team of renowned Argentine club Newell's Old Boys, Messi is unbeatable in the field. Never in a game he easily passed two big opposing players (ideal posture). His opponent is bigger, the first, easily skipped. Fight them, trying to intercept by using a larger body. But, with a little trick of the foot, Messi with the ball can pass smoothly is that instead dropped his opponent.