The Barcelona superstar could have an award named in his honour to commemorate the best player in the league

Lionel Messi is “the best in football history” and La Liga president Javier Tebas is open to naming a trophy for the competition’s best player in his honour.

Barcelona superstar Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is LaLiga’s all-time leading goalscorer on 390 and has lifted the title on nine occasions.

The Spanish top-flight’s end-of-season awards have not been handed out since the 2015-16 campaign due to a desire to reformat, and Tebas would be keen to show recognition for the 31-year-old in the same way daily sports newspaper Marca have named accolades after Telmo Zarra, Rafael ‘Pichichi’ Moreno and Ricardo Zamora.

Asked about dedicating a trophy to Messi, Tebas told Omnisport: “I like that idea, we would have to think about.

“I think Messi will be the best in football history, he already is.

“Some people talk about Neymar but he is already 26 years old and as far as I remember Messi started to play for Barcelona as a youngster and he surprises us every year he seems not to have limits and he plays at a maximum level.

“He is the best and I think it’s a great idea to create a trophy for the best player every season named [after] Leo Messi.

“If it is Zarra for the best scorer…I think it’s a great idea.”

Messi was injured and on the sidelines as Barca thumped Real Madrid 5-1 in an astonishing Clasico at the weekend.

Ernesto Valverde, though, insists that they still miss arguably the finest player in their history.

“For us, since last week when he got injured, we were probably thinking how we would respond on the pitch,” he told a news conference.

“There’s only one answer, you have to respond as a team and that’s what we’ve done. The result could’ve been different but that’s the only answer we can give you.

“We’re delighted for the team but obviously the sooner he’s back the better for us because we miss him. We want him back tomorrow.”

The Spurs boss said he would take the blame for Tottenham’s draw against PSV ahead of his goalkeeper

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Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was unwilling to blame goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after his team gave up a lead in a 2-2 draw at PSV on Wednesday.

Harry Kane had given Spurs the lead in Eindhoven after Lucas Moura cancelled out Hirving Lozano’s opener in the Group B clash.

But Lloris’ 79th-minute red card gave PSV a chance, and the hosts capitalised through Luuk de Jong’s equaliser.

However, Pochettino said there was no reason to blame Lloris, who brought down Lozano with a rash sliding challenge outside the area.

“I’m not going to blame any player. If someone wants to blame a person, it’s myself to blame because I am responsible for the team. We didn’t win,” he told a news conference.

“If someone wants to blame someone blame me, not the players. The players are there to play and perform in the best way. Sometimes it’s difficult.

“The problem is when you are so, so good, when you play much better, dominate the game and create the best chances and if you can’t kill the game, the game is always open and with some action you can concede a goal or a chance like we conceded, an accident for Hugo and the decision didn’t help us.

“Of course you draw and it puts our qualification for the next stage of the Champions League in a difficult situation.”

Spurs have just one point from three games in Group B, sitting well behind Barcelona (nine) and Inter (six).

Asked if Lloris had apologised for his error, Pochettino said it was unnecessary for the shot-stopper to do so.

“No, no, no, no. One day when I was very young one manager said to me you don’t need to apologise after I made a big mistake, because only the player on the pitch can make a mistake,” he said.

“If I am sitting here, sitting in the dugout, it’s difficult to make a mistake. Football is about making mistakes.

“But in that case it wasn’t a mistake, it was an action that happens a lot in football and is a sending-off.

“Hugo doesn’t need to apologise to myself or the team. It is an action that happens often and sometimes football is like this.”

The former Bordeaux star marked his Champions League debut by scoring his first goal for the club as Barca were held at San Siro

Malcom insisted he wanted to make history with Barcelona after scoring his first goal for the club in the 1-1 Champions League draw against Inter.

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The 21-year-old has made just one start in all competitions since arriving in a reported €40million (£36.5m/$48m) deal from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the close-season, and his cameo appearance at San Siro was just his fourth for Barca, and first in the Champions League.

Malcom left his mark, however, scoring two minutes after replacing Ousmane Dembele, another young winger who has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth.

Mauro Icardi’s equaliser four minutes later ultimately cancelled out Malcom’s effort, but the Brazilian is now hopeful of building on his maiden goal, and reiterated his desire to force his way into Ernesto Valverde’s plans.

“Barcelona was a dream I had as a child,” Malcom said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“To debut in the Champions League and score a goal, I will celebrate with the family. My dream at Barca is starting, my dream is to make history and do great things. 

“I have to thank the group for giving me confidence. I want to play more. Every day I train to be able to show that I have the quality to be in this group.”

Barca’s point proved enough to guarantee their progression from Group B, with Inter or Tottenham likely to take second place.

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The Wales international and Vinicius Junior have been encouraged to show their quality at Real Madrid by the club’s new interim boss

Santiago Solari has urged Gareth Bale to make the most of his time in the “spotlight” and show his quality consistently for Real Madrid.

So often the understudy to Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portugal star’s time at the club, it was hoped Bale would become the leading figure of the Madrid attack following Ronaldo’s move to Juventus.

However, a return of four goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, coupled with a disappointing display in last Sunday’s 5-1 Clasico thrashing, has led to increased scrutiny of Bale’s credentials to take up Ronaldo’s mantle.

Despite this, Solari still hopes to see the Wales international take his chance to shine for Madrid on a regular basis.

“He has the spotlight. I hope he shows us his huge talent,” he told a news conference. “We want to enjoy him every day; he’s a fantastic player.”

When asked whether a softer or more strict approach towards Bale and his other players was required, Solari replied: “I don’t believe in characteristics like that. There is time for everything. You like to put people in boxes, pigeonhole them… everyone has their own style.

“I want to show you the values of Real Madrid: ambition, the desire to attack, to go for goal, sacrifice, not giving up… values that we know this club instills.”

Solari secured a 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Melilla on Wednesday in his first match since taking over as interim head coach following Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal.

Vinicius Junior impressed in that victory and has been tipped to play in Saturday’s La Liga clash with Real Valladolid.

And Solari, who is set to stay on in his first-team role this weekend as a full-time appointment is yet to be made, suggested he is willing to give several youngsters a chance to impress.

“He [Vinicius] is one more member of the squad and everyone has to be there to be a first-team choice,” said Solari, who has been Madrid’s Castilla boss since 2016. “They’re all good and each one can offer their own contribution.

“For me, it’s simple: time and playing. He needs to play to build experience and with experience he’ll become a better footballer. We all see the talent he has.

“The ‘B’ at this club is the Castilla, and the ‘A’ is Real Madrid. There are never indispensable players because you have injuries, losses of form…

“There are players here who have survived many battles and won them, but there are also young footballers with a lot of talent.”

The Columbus Crew coach and former U.S. national team defender will take charge as U.S. coach after the 13-month search for a new man in charge

U.S. Soccer has officially announced the hiring of Gregg Berhalter as the new head coach of the U.S. national team, confirming the long-anticipated appointment on Sunday.

Berhalter’s appointment was formally ratified by the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors on Saturday  by a unanimous vote. He will be officially introduced during a press conference with Earnie Stewart, U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro and U.S. Soccer CEO/Secretary General Dan Flynn on Tuesday in New York.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Berhalter said in a statement provided by U.S. Soccer. “Having played for the National Team I know what it means to represent our country. I believe in our players and our program, and together we will work to build something special and develop a team that will make our supporters proud.”

The 45-year-old will formally begin work as U.S. coach in January when the national team convenes for its annual winter training camp. Berhalter’s debut will come in late January against an opponent that has yet to be determined. That will be followed by a friendly against Costa Rica on February 2, in San Jose, California.

Berhalter’s hiring ends a 13-month saga that saw the USMNT go without a full-time head coach since Bruce Arena stepped down following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Nine of those months went by before Stewart formally began the search after being hired as USMNT general manager. During those nine months, and then the additional four months the search took place, Dave Sarachan served as caretaker coach, leading the team through a dozen matches and compiling a 3-5-4 record.

Stewart’s search included putting together an initial list of 33 candidates, which he eventually whittled down to 11 leading contenders. Stewart spoke to all 11 of those contenders before settling on a final two, after which he decided Berhalter was the best man for the job.

“After a very thorough process, I am absolutely convinced Gregg is the right man to lead the National Team program moving forward,” Stewart said. “He ticks all the boxes with his background as a person, a successful coach and an accomplished former international player.

“His willingness, work ethic and ideas about developing this player pool and influencing these players in and outside of camp and the thought process he has about that — constantly seeking new things — set him apart.”

Berhalter’s managerial career began in 2012, with Swedish club Hammarby. He spent two seasons in Sweden before being fired.

He joined the Columbus Crew in 2014, spending five seasons as head coach and sporting director, helping lead the team to the playoffs in four of those five seasons, including a run to the 2015 MLS Cup final.

During his time in Columbus, Berhalter’s Crew teams developed a reputation for playing attractive, possession-based soccer, and the club enjoyed success despite having one of the lowest payrolls in MLS. 

As a player, Berhalter spent much of his career in Europe, with stints in England and the Netherlands before a seven-year run in Germany. He eventually returned to the United States, spending three seasons with the LA Galaxy.

The last of those seasons, in 2011, saw Berhalter serve as a player-assistant coach on a Galaxy team that won the MLS Cup final. 

Berhalter made 44 appearances for the USMNT and was part of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup teams. He played in two World Cup matches, starting in the team’s historic 2-0 round of 16 win against Mexico and was a starter in the 2002 quarter-final loss to Germany.

That match is remembered for Berhalter sending a shot toward goal that was blocked by what appeared to be a handball by German midfielder Torsten Frings. The penalty wasn’t awarded, and the Americans were eliminated 1-0.

The superstar scored twice against Heerenveen, though that was overshadowed by the stunning goal he set up with a cross

Worried that the injury that kept Hirving Lozano out of Mexico’s friendly matches against Argentina would hold back “El Chucky”? Worry no longer.

Lozano had an incredible performance for PSV against Heerenveen, scoring two goals, assisting another and getting a player sent off by drawing a hard foul in the 3-0 victory. His first goal ended up being a tap-in, when the 23-year-old showed up at the back post and found Steven Bergwijn’s cross had drifted across for him to finish. Later, Lozano intercepted a pass from the goalkeeper and was taken down from behind by Morten Thorsby. After consulting the video review system, the referee gave Thorsby a red card for stopping Lozano’s goal-scoring opportunity.

Later, Lozano finished off another PSV attacking move to put the cherry on top of a win. It all was overshadowed, however, by the stunning bicycle kick Luuk de Jong scored from a Lozano cross – a stunning goal the Dutchman will hope to repeat when PSV takes on Barcelona in the Champions League this week. Erick Gutierrez came into the contest in the 75th minute, replacing Lozano, who should be fresh for Wednesday’s matchup.

It was an unconventional position for Jesus Corona in Portugal, but the winger slotted in at right back and started the play that led to the first goal for Porto in a 2-0 cup victory over Belenenses. Hector Herrera played the full match in his normal midfield role.

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In Spain, Hector Moreno started again for Real Sociedad when it took on Celta de Vigo on Monday afternoon. Moreno has been in and out of the lineup but said last week he wasn’t going anywhere in the winter window.

“I haven’t thought about leaving at all,” he told Marca. “Obviously, there are situations that you have to go through, but you know you have to support and help the team however you’re asked. It’s normal that the people who play in my position also deserve to play. In soccer anything can happen, but my head is here because I’m really happy with La Real and in San Sebastian and my family is as well.”

Nestor Araujo is in Celta’s starting lineup as well after returning early from Mexico’s friendly matches last week after suffering a knock.

Neither Mexican was in the squad for Villarreal’s game against Real Betis with Miguel Layun and Andres Guardado perhaps seeing minutes in the Europa League later this week.

Raul Jimenez thought he had scored for Wolves, but goal-line technology showed his diving header was stopped just short of going over the whole line. Wolves fell to Huddersfield, 2-0. Elsewhere in England, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez came on for West Ham United in the 55th minute but could do nothing to stop Man City from delivering a 4-0 beatdown.

Guillermo Ochoa kept a clean sheet for Standard Liege in a 3-0 win over Eupen. In Turkey, Diego Reyes was an unused substitute for Fenerbahce’s 2-1 loss to Trabzonspor.

The ex-Red Devils striker admits Jose Mourinho needs more time in which to establish “stability” at Old Trafford and rebuild towards title challenges

Manchester United “have the same goals”, says Andy Cole, but the ability to challenge for the Premier League title has “gone away from them a little bit”.

The Red Devils captured the English top-flight crown on 13 occasions under Sir Alex Ferguson, with the last of those triumphs coming in the legendary Scot’s final season at the helm.

A humbling fall from grace has been endured at Old Trafford since then, with a runner-up finish under Jose Mourinho last term as close as they have come to restoring domestic dominance.

Even those efforts saw them finish well short of record-breaking neighbours Manchester City, with there clearly still plenty of work to done for a club that has stumbled backwards again in 2018-19.

Former Red Devils striker Cole told Sky Sports on the state of play heading into another Manchester derby on Sunday: “Manchester United still have the same goals. But we have got to be brutally honest, the league has changed again.

“Manchester United used to dominate, especially in the Premier League and won the FA Cup a few times.

“To a certain extent now it has gone away from them a little bit. Manchester City have invested heavily, changed manager, brought in a lot of good players and changed the way they play football.

“Last season they ran away with the league at a canter.”

Cole added on the challenges facing United: “It is a case of getting some stability now and finding the formula whereby they can challenge Manchester City over the next couple of years.

“Manchester City are only going to get better. Liverpool and Chelsea are also only going to get better so the league will become as tight as ever.”

United will face City this season sat nine points adrift of their old adversaries, but they did prove last season at the Etihad Stadium that they are more than a match for Pep Guardiola’s side – with Paul Pogba inspiring a dramatic 3-2 win.

Cole said of the Red Devils’ mindset heading into the latest instalment of a long-running rivalry: “Everyone has got to fear them but you can’t fear them too much. Because if you are going to go into a match with that kind of attitude the game is going to be over before you play it.

“I know Manchester United will go into the game believing they can win it. A derby is a completely different game.”

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The Red Devils legend admits recent recruitment has not been good enough, with more funds required in order to close the gap on the title chasers

Manchester United “have to match the spending of City”, says Bryan Robson, with Jose Mourinho “three excellent additions” away from being competitive.

The Red Devils have continued to invest heavily over recent years, with big money splashed out on the likes of Paul Pogba, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku and Fred.

Mourinho has, however, claimed to have been handed a rebuilding project at Old Trafford, with more fresh faces required in order to bridge the gap in Premier League title races.

Robson agrees with that assessment, with the United legend conceding that more quality needs to be drafted in if arch-rivals City are to be chased down and more major silverware delivered.

He told the Daily Mail: “Manchester United have to really improve their recruitment.

“Though the gap between them and Manchester City seems large, I still believe two or three excellent additions will make them competitive.

“During my time in management it was always proved that if you buy average players you end up with an average team.

The club can still attract players but they will have to match the spending of City to give Jose Mourinho a better chance.

“They should allow him to identify who he wants and then go out and get them. Then it’s up to Jose to deliver a title-chasing squad and I still believe he is the man who can take them forward.”

United’s struggles for consistency with their current squad have them sat eighth in the English top-flight, with 12 points separating them from the summit and seven from the top four.

Robson believes Champions League football can be secured, with a challenge for the crown “never realistic”.

He added: “The World Cup took its toll on United’s start to the campaign but there have been signs of recovery up until Sunday [against City]. Now it’s a case of recharging and going again.

“United fans shouldn’t be too despondent. It’s a long, hard season and there’s plenty of twists to come.

“A league title was never realistic but, with a couple of additions, it is realistic to think they can make the top four and Champions League, then look to step up next season. City have set a high standard but it’s not insurmountable.”

United suffered a 3-1 derby defeat to City in their latest outing, with Mourinho’s men struggling to counter the loss of Paul Pogba to injury and ultimately paying the price for a slow start to a crunch clash.

“There are mitigating circumstances for United’s performance against City on Sunday,” said Robson.

“The squad didn’t get back from Turin until 3.30am on Thursday [following a Champions League clash with Juventus] and that saps your energy ahead of a derby game — plus they were without Paul Pogba. 

“He has plenty of critics but I’m not one of them. He’s a big-game player and the team sorely missed his dynamism across the park.”

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The pair meet for the first time in the Premier League and both will be hoping to bounce back form disappointing defeats last weekend

Cardiff City could climb out of the relegation zone with a victory against Brighton in the weekend’s early kick-off.

The Bluebirds are currently 19th in the table, with a meagre five points from their opening 11 games.

Brighton, on the other hand, sit 12th having won four Premier League matches so far this season, the last of which came two weeks ago against Wolves.

Chris Hughton’s men will be aiming to make it five when they travel to the Welsh capital, a result which could move them into the top half off the table.

In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, and it can be streamed online via the Sky Go app.

Joe Ralls returns from suspension at the perfect time, as Harry After misses Saturday’s game after picking up five yellow cards last week. Jazz Richards, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Kenneth Zohore misses out through injury.

Cardiff City XI: Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Cunnigham, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Murphy, Harris, Paterson

Alireza Jahanbakhsh misses the game with a hamstring injury, and has been replaced by Anthony Knockhaert. Davy Propper and Pascal Gross will not return to the side until after the international break.

Brighton XI: Ryan, Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockhaert, Kayal, Stephens, Izquierdo, March, Murray

The away side are slight favourites for this one and are priced at 11/5 by bet365. You could back Cardiff at 31/20, while a draw is 21/10.

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If Cardiff are to avoid the drop it’s game like these where they must start picking up three points.

Neil Warnock’s men have been victorious just once in the Premier League this season, when they beat Fulham 4-2 a few weeks ago.

Since then, they have suffered back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Leicester City, and with Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town winning their first games of the campaign last week the pressure has been ramped up on the Bluebirds.

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For the visitors, they are aiming to make it four wins from five ahead of the international break. Last week Brighton suffered a 3-1 defeat to an in-form Everton side and they will be hoping to bounce back at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Seagulls will again look to Glenn Murray to supply the goals for the side. Having netted six times so far this season he is one of the league’s top scorers – in fact, only three players (Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) have scored more than him in the Premier League in 2018-19.