AP There was Lionel Messi, sitting one goal away from tying Gerd Mueller’s all-time record of 85 in a calendar year. Emphasis on sitting. See, with Barcelona already qualified for the knockout round, coach Tito Vilanova chose to leave his star in the training area at the start of the match.
But the will of the people demanded Messi play, and Vilanova acquiesed, inserting his charge in at the 58th minute.
Disaster struck in the 85th minute after the forward crashed into Benfica goalkeeper Artur and went down clutching his left knee. He was taken off the field in a stretcher.
Luckily, early word is that he’s fine.
Messi: apparently the first impressions are that is nothing serious. But lets see what medical report says
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 5, 2012
Messi has a bruise on the outside of his left knee. He’ll undergo further tests to determine the exact extent of the injury. #FCBLive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 5, 2012
We hope that’s the case. A footballing world without Messi is no fun at all.
Happier times: Let’s watch Messi score five in a CL match earlier this year.
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AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
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Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
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USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
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Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
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Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
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Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
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Does Hughes deserve another shot at managing an EPL club after past failures?
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Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
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German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
AP
See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
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Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already that.
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Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
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With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
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Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
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Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
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Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?
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Would Cole be a good pickup for Major League Soccer sides looking to cement their playoff aspirations?
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Champions League Final infographic: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 8:31 AM EDT
Getty Images
The first-ever all-German UEFA Champions League final is one day away, take a look at our infographic to see which side has the edge.
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Christie Rampone and Sky Blue FC try to stay atop the NWSL Saturday in Overland Park.
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Manchester City rally downs Chelsea at the death in exciting US tour opener
May 23, 2013, 11:24 PM EDT
AP
Manchester City overcame a 3-goal deficit at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as Edin Dzeko bagged a brace to beat Chelsea 4-3.
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Yahoo! reports: Mourinho to sign 4-year deal with Chelsea, will be unveiled June 2
May 23, 2013, 11:03 PM EDT
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Just days after Jose Mourinho mutually parted ways with Real Madrid, he will be completing a deal to become Chelsea’s next manager, says Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports via Twitter.
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Reuters
Roberto Martinez has given himself more time to decide on his future at Wigan, and also gave them a wish list.
