Getty Images Barcelona’s recent form has been pretty. Pretty ugly. The club lost to AC Milan, then fell to Real Madrid twice in a row. While the Spanish giants did manage to get past Sevilla and Granada that’s like saying, well, I don’t know exactly. But it’s like saying something not all that impressive.
You know who is also not impressed? McKayla Maroney. Still. Oh, and for our purposes here, Lionel Messi.
“It’s obvious that we need to give a bit more,” the Argentine talisman said during some promotional event. He would like to start winning again because losing is not any fun.
The team sits 11 points clear of Madrid in La Liga with pretty terrible Deportivo La Coruna coming to Camp Nou this weekend, so they don’t have to worry too much about the Spanish league title, at least not yet. But still when you’re Barca it’s more about the quality of the play than the victories. And Messi isn’t happy.
“We know what the problems were in the defeats, it’s something we have talked about in the dressing room and it has to stay there,” he offered. Translation: Yes, I know. I’m pissed, too. Please stop asking about it now or I will have Pique come out here and start singing Shakira.
Messi is confident his club can rectify the situation, and do so quickly: “We have been losing recently and we know what we have to do to change.”
We don’t have any doubts it will happen. But these are some strong-ish words from Messi. Is this a new-look for the playmaker? Messi the leader, Messi the outspoken? Or is it just Messi the world-famous player who was at a promotional event and who was forced to speak to the press and whose answers were blown out of proportion? Perhaps a little of both?
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Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo
May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT
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Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.
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Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples
May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT
Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.
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It’s piling on for Reign FC, who may permanently lose Megan Rapinoe to Lyon
May 22, 2013, 10:14 PM EDT
The hits just keep on coming for the NWSL’s hard-luck team.
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U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round draw: What it means for your MLS team
May 22, 2013, 9:20 PM EDT
The U.S. Open Cup draws sometimes need a decoder ring to decipher. Here’s a quick-and-dirty look at the MLS teams’ futures.
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With PSG willing to match Wayne Rooney’s wages, Manchester United has somebody to bail them out
May 22, 2013, 8:17 PM EDT
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If PSG’s willing to take Rooney’s wages of their hands, Manchester United can justify moving on.
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Crimes and misdemeanors: Congratulations, Bobby Boswell – you’re this week’s winner
May 22, 2013, 7:32 PM EDT
Houston’s defensive leader sees his banned doubled by the Disciplinary Committee.
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Sauerbrunn, Quon, and why its still too early to see NWSL’s influence on Sermanni’s choices
May 22, 2013, 6:47 PM EDT
Tom Sermanni has brought new talent into the national team, but it’s too early to know the extent to which the U.S.’s roster will see new faces.
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José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo pick up meaningless two-match bans
May 22, 2013, 6:02 PM EDT
Cristiano Ronaldo will serve a two-match ban. José Mourinho will skirt it.
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Michele Beadle and friends take a look at what NYCFC means to the New York sports scene.
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We tend to beat up the Chivas organization for its off-the-wall strategic approaches and front-office instability, but what exactly is wrong with the team on the field?
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Looking at the United States’ roster ahead of their Canada rematch
May 22, 2013, 4:03 PM EDT
Yesterday’s announcement included few surprises ahead of the U.S.’s June 2 match at BMO Field.
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Well, what took them so long to get into the party?
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How Tony Pulis removal at Stoke City may affect U.S. internationals Cameron, Shea and Edu
May 22, 2013, 2:40 PM EDT
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Looks like a mixed bag for the American trio:
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As the towering English forward weighs up his options, should he return to Liverpool, sign for West Ham or go elsewhere?
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Mario Götze to miss Champions League final against future club Bayern
May 22, 2013, 1:40 PM EDT
Reuters
With Dortmund’s main attacker threat out injured, can Dortmund still lift the Champions League trophy?
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AP
Can the Yankees provide a viable option for New York City FC to play in? Of course they can. Maybe.
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They have owners and an employee, but now comes the hardest part for MLS expansion club NYCFC. The challenges ahead are daunting:
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The one accolade no EPL player wants on their soccer resume…
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Claudio Reyna announced as New York City FC Director of Football
May 22, 2013, 11:05 AM EDT
New York City FC announces Reyna as first employee, a good first move, right?
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Reuters
Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Red Bull Arena… which venue could work best as a temporary home for New York City FC?
