Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

On Sunday, Lionel Messi dedicated his goal vs Osasuna to Diego Maradona. After scoring a typically brilliant "Messiesque" goal, Messi took off his shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys shirt with a No. 10 on the back in honor of Maradona. The goal he scored closely resembled that which Maradona scored for Newell's Old Boys on October 7, 1993 vs Emelec. Barcelona paid tribute to Maradona before the game kicked off, with a minute of silence and the laying of a Maradona shirt in the center-circle and in the directors' box. The first goal of the game was scored by Martin Braithwaithe, then Griezmann scored a superb volley and set up Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona's third. Messi then scored the last in style to seal a 4-0 victory for Barcelona over Osasuna - a much needed 3 points to boost their La Liga ranking.  

The world has just lost one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Soccer legend Diego Maradona died of a heart attack at the age of 60, today, November 25, 2020. He died at home, in Argentina. Argentina President Fernandez has called for three days of national mourning. In response to news of his death, Europe's soccer governing body - UEFA - has announced there will be a minute of silence for Maradona before its Champions League and Europa league games this week.  "He will go down in history as someone who set football alight and thrilled fans young and old with his brilliance and skill," UEFA President Čeferin said in a statement. Earlier this month, Maradona underwent successful surgery for a subdural hematoma (blood clot on the brain). Tributes have been flowing in from past and present soccer stars like Pele, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others. In a tweet, Pele said, I have lost a great friend and the world lost a legend. There is still much to be ...

Barcelona seem to be back to their winning ways barely a few hours after Josep maria Bartomeu resigned as president of the club. Barcelona were able to beat Juventus at Turin, thanks to a masterclass display from Messi and co. Messi assisted Ousmane Dembele's deflected opener with a stunning cross-field pass and sealed victory for Barcelona by converting a late penalty, which resulted in a 2-0 win over the Bianconeri in the Champions League on Wednesday. He also completed more take-ons (6) and created more chances (5) than any other player on the pitch. Barcelona top Group G with 6 points in two games played. Italian football legend Vieri was left dumbfounded by the Argentine's brilliance on the pitch and told CBS Sports:  "An amazing Barcelona, there was no game. They could've scored six, seven goals easy. They played fantastic. "Messi is a magician, he's the Harry Potter of soccer and when he stops playing, I'm throwing my TVs away. I'm not going...

Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona in their 5-1 win vs Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their first Champions League outing of the season. He scored his 116th Champions League goal - a first half penalty, becoming the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons. So far, Manchester United great Ryan Giggs is the only player to have scored in 16 Champions League seasons, though not in consecutive years. Messi also extended his record of teams scored against in the Champions League to 36. He has now scored 69 goals in the Champions League group stage - more than any other player. 17-year-old Ansu Fati also scored, becoming the first player under the age of 18 to score two Champions League goals after scoring Barcelona's second goal for the night.

Former Real Madrid ace Hugo Sanchez blames Messi's father, Jorge Messi, for Messi's failed Barcelona exit. Last week, Lionel Messi informed Barcelona of his decision to leave, sending shockwaves throughout the football world. Messi was desperate to leave with things not moving well at Barcelona.  Alas, Jorge who serves as Messi's agent and representative was unable to reach an agreement with Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, so Messi withdrew his request to leave.  Jorge coached Messi at his first club, Grandoli, in Rosario and has been in control of his son's off-field affairs for the past 20 years. On Friday, On Friday, Messi announced he would remain at Camp Nou because the financial demands made by the Barcelona board for a transfer to happen made his exit "impossible". Sanchez who scored 208 goals for Los Blancos during his career told ESPN:  "That untimely burofax only strengthened the image of the president of Barcelona and gave him time ...

Messi was once more sensational for Barcelona as they beat Napoli 3-1 in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 (4-2 on aggregate). Barcelona were already leading in the 10th minute at Camp Nou thanks to Clement Lenglet's header from an Ivan Rakitic corner. Messi then doubled the lead for Barcelona in style in the 23rd minute as he wriggled his way past three defenders, before bending a shot between a further two Napoli players, and into the far side of David Ospina's net. Messi scored another goal 7 minutes later, but it was ruled out by VAR. Luis Suarez scored Barcelona's third goal of the night - a penalty awarded after Kalidou Koulibaly felled Messi. This happened to be Suarez's 25th Champions League goal. Napoli scored their lone goal of the game at the end of the first half, through Lorenzo Insigne. Messi's performance for Barcelona earned him the Man of the Match (MOTM) award. Barcelona are set to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter...