CELEBRITY

Barca president hurts Messi

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2021

Lionel Messi has hit out at Barcelona president Joan Laporta for hoping that he would ‘stay and play for free’ in order to help the Catalan club in the middle of their financial crisis.

The club could not afford to keep hold of their greatest ever player amid their unprecedented financial woes, with the club racking up more than £1billion in debt and recording a £409million loss for last season.

While Messi agreed to a 50 per cent wage cut, the club were still not able to find a way to keep him which resulted in the Argentine ending his 18-year affliation with the club to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free.

Laporta went on to sensationally admit in an interview last month that he had hoped Messi would stay and play for nothing – a suggestion that has ‘hurt’ the 34-year-old.

Speaking about his departure, Messi told Spanish newspaper Sport: ‘The truth is that, as I explained when I left, I did everything possible to stay.

‘I was never asked to play for free. I was asked to pay my salary with fifty percent. I did that without any problem. That’s how I wanted to help Barcelona. It was my and my family’s desire to stay in Barcelona. The president’s words were really not okay. They hurt me.

‘It felt like Laporta took the ball from me but then didn’t know what to do with it. He just didn’t have to say those things. Now people may think I’ve caused doubt. I don’t deserve that.’

Messi went on to reveal that he hasn’t spoken to Laporta since he left the Nou Camp – but revealed that he would return to the club as technical director at some point in the future.

‘I’ve always said I’d like to come back and help the club in any way I could,’ Messi added. ‘I want to be useful, to help. So that it goes well with Barcelona.

‘I think it would be nice to be technical director, but I’m not sure if I can get that role and if I can get it at Barca. But if there’s an opportunity, I’m definitely open to it.

‘I love Barcelona, really hope the club gets healthy again and continues to be one of the best in the world.’

Messi has struggled to settle into his new life in Paris, with the forward still waiting to score his first Ligue 1 goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

While he has broken his duck in the Champions League, his performances domestically have seen him come under criticism in recent weeks.

The forward explained that life is a lot different since moving to the French capital, where he has now been for two months.

Messi’s struggles in Ligue 1 continued last week when he was subbed off at half-time during their 2-1 win over Lille on Friday, with Pochettino confirming his compatriot had picked up a muscle injury but his withdrawal was just a ‘precaution’.

-Daily Mail

CELEBRITY

Ronaldo reaches one billion followers on social media

Published

7 days ago

September 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.

Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.

“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.

“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.

The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.

Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel

Published

4 weeks ago

August 21, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Portugal v France - Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany - July 5, 2024 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after taking a penalty during the penalty shootout REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File photo

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.

The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.

A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.

Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.

-Reuters

CELEBRITY

Lionel Messi set to hang boots

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Messi Sets Record Straight Over Hong Kong Absence -

Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.

Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.

“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.

“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.

Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

-Reuters