Sports

Barcelona should consider resting Messi for Sevilla clash: Rivaldo said.

Rivaldo has counselled Barcelona to start taking care of Lionel Messi – even if it means that the Argentina star needs to spend some time on the bench.Lionel Messi completed his first 90 minutes of the season for Barcelona in midweek when he helped them battle back to beat Inter in the Champions League but former Barca striker Rivaldo says the Argentine must not be rushed.

The 32-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign with a foot injury restricting him to only two starts a major factor in the club’s slow start which has left them fourth in La Liga.

Manager Ernesto Valverde knows how vital Messi is to Barca’s prospects and it would be a tough call to leave him on the bench, but Rivaldo says he must not be rushed back.

Lionel Messi is still recovering from injury and finding his rhythm, Rivaldo, speaking in his role as an ambassador for bookmakers Betfair, said on Friday.

But I was happy to see him playing for 90 minutes and sacrificing himself for the team, even if it was obvious that he’s not 100% fit.

Barcelona face sixth-placed Sevilla on Sunday with both teams level on 13 points from seven games and while Messi is more than likely to feature in only his third La Liga game of the season, Rivaldo urges caution.

Messi’s importance in this win against Inter only reinforces my view that he has to be more protected in this phase of his career, former Barca favourite and FIFA World Player of the Year Rivaldo said.He must be allowed to fully recover so that he can stop feeling any pain and lose any fear of fighting for each ball. He must be allowed to recover his joy on the pitch, as he is very important for Barcelona, especially when on his best form.Rivaldo says the clash with Sevilla could be too early.

Of course Messi wants to play,but it could be time to reflect with the medical staff and check if playing too much time after coming back from an injury could be risky for his recovery, he said.

It’s an important match against Sevilla but there is a lot of the league season to play yet, so perhaps protecting the player could reap rewards later, as it would allow Messi to have some more days to recover from his midweek efforts.

Sports

UEFA with official press release for the founders of the Super League, Juve, Real and Barca

UEFA has decided to terminate disciplinary proceedings against Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona “until further notice”.

Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only three clubs that have not yet withdrawn from the Super League.

UEFA has threatened to exclude them from the Champions League, but such a thing is claimed that it will not happen, not for now.

A disciplinary procedure has been opened for the founding clubs of the Super League, but UEFA a few moments ago issued an official statement announcing:

“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid for a violation of the legal framework of UEFA in relation to the so-called ‘Super League’ project, the UEFA Appeals body has decided to terminate the proceedings until another announcement “, it is said in the announcement of UEFA.

Sports

Douglas Costa will complete the transfer to Gremio within 48 hours

Douglas Costa is expected to complete his move to Gremio within 48 hours, said the vice-president of the Brazilian club.

The 30-year-old joined Bayern Munich on loan from Juventus this October, but the Bavarians had informed the Serie A giants that they would not buy the player.

The Brazilian is now expected to return to his former club Gremio on a free transfer.

“Negotiations are underway. Juventus have officially authorized us to make a deal with the player,” Gremio vice-president Marcos Herrmann told Globo Esporte.

“We are waiting for the documentation, which should arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, and there is enough time to register the player before the deadline. We are optimistic.”

Douglas Costa’s contract with Juventus expires in 2022, but the Bianconeri will end the deal with the Brazilian winger a year ago.