‘As long as I’m president of Barca, everything will be done that is possible and even impossible so that Messi stays at the club,’ said Rosell at an event to present a partnership with American electronics giant Intel.
‘It is extremely difficult, not to say impossible, that Messi will leave the club.’ Four-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi is currently injured and out of action until January. He is under contract until 2018, which will take him almost up to his 31st birthday.
But speculation about Messi’s future was sparked on Tuesday by Barca’s economic vice-president Javier Faus’s assertion that they did not need to renegotiate his contract. ‘Why? His contract was only renegotiated six months ago,’ said Faus.
Ronaldo beats Messi for World Soccer magazine award
LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been named World Soccer magazine’s player of the year for the second time, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich, it said on Thursday.
The award, decided by a panel of journalists and pundits from round the world, recognised his stunning form for Real Madrid as well as his role in leading Portugal to the World Cup finals in Brazil next year. He last won it in 2008. Jupp Heynckes and Bayern Munich, who completed the treble of German League, German Cup and Champions League last season, won the manager and team of the year prizes.
Mertesacker doesn’t fear big guns cl rd 16
LONDON: Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker insists his side have nothing to fear if they are drawn against one of Europe’s superpowers in the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger’s team will face either Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Paris Saint Germain when the last 16 draw is made in Switzerland on Monday.
However, Germany centre-back Mertesacker sees no reason why Arsenal cannot raise their own performance levels once more, as they did with superb away wins over both Bayern last season and at Dortmund earlier this term.
‘We got Bayern Munich last year and nearly went through. If you want to achieve something in the Champions League, you have to take every opponent seriously and I think it is better for us when we have a good lot, when there is a draw that we can concentrate on,’ Mertesacker said.
‘When you look at the teams that finished top, if you pick one out, for me, I don’t mind.
‘You never know what can happen with a good draw and a serious opponent, you can get so much out of a defeat or a disappointment. ‘I hope that we learn a lot from Naples and we are aware of the next opponent. We will give our best and hope good result.’
‘It is extremely difficult, not to say impossible, that Messi will leave the club.’ Four-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi is currently injured and out of action until January. He is under contract until 2018, which will take him almost up to his 31st birthday.
But speculation about Messi’s future was sparked on Tuesday by Barca’s economic vice-president Javier Faus’s assertion that they did not need to renegotiate his contract. ‘Why? His contract was only renegotiated six months ago,’ said Faus.
Ronaldo beats Messi for World Soccer magazine award
LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been named World Soccer magazine’s player of the year for the second time, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich, it said on Thursday.
The award, decided by a panel of journalists and pundits from round the world, recognised his stunning form for Real Madrid as well as his role in leading Portugal to the World Cup finals in Brazil next year. He last won it in 2008. Jupp Heynckes and Bayern Munich, who completed the treble of German League, German Cup and Champions League last season, won the manager and team of the year prizes.
Mertesacker doesn’t fear big guns cl rd 16
LONDON: Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker insists his side have nothing to fear if they are drawn against one of Europe’s superpowers in the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger’s team will face either Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Paris Saint Germain when the last 16 draw is made in Switzerland on Monday.
However, Germany centre-back Mertesacker sees no reason why Arsenal cannot raise their own performance levels once more, as they did with superb away wins over both Bayern last season and at Dortmund earlier this term.
‘We got Bayern Munich last year and nearly went through. If you want to achieve something in the Champions League, you have to take every opponent seriously and I think it is better for us when we have a good lot, when there is a draw that we can concentrate on,’ Mertesacker said.
‘When you look at the teams that finished top, if you pick one out, for me, I don’t mind.
‘You never know what can happen with a good draw and a serious opponent, you can get so much out of a defeat or a disappointment. ‘I hope that we learn a lot from Naples and we are aware of the next opponent. We will give our best and hope good result.’