The Argentine struck three times against Rayo Vallecano to
take his season tally to 41 as the Catalan giants ran riot in the Nou
Camp
Record breaker: Messi bagged three more goals against RayoLionel Messi has broken the record for the number of hat-tricks for a single club in Spanish football.
He struck three times as Barcelona demolished Rayo Vallecano 6-1 in the Nou Camp, which took his number of trebles to 32 - one more than Zarra managed for Athletic Bilbao.
It also took him to 24 hat-tricks in La Liga - more than any other player has managed in Spain's top flight.
The goals took him to 41 for the season, and 30 in La Liga, which draws him level with great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
David Ramos
Double trouble: Messi combined brilliantly with Luis Suarez
And as if those numbers aren't enough - he is also the first person to score 40 goals in SIX different Spanish seasons.
Luis Suarez scored twice for Barca with Gerard Pique adding another in the rout.
The result takes them to the top of La Liga, after Real Madrid's surprise defeat to Bilbao yesterday.
The Germany midfielder has shot up LvG's wanted list after his No. 1 target broke down again
Knows his Lars from his elbow: Bender is now a top United objective
Lars Bender is now a target for Louis van Gaal, writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People, after Kevin Strootman’s latest injury setback.
Germany
star Bender is on the Manchester United radar following a recurrence
of knee problems for Roma’s Dutch midfielder Strootman.
But Old Trafford’s Van Gaal will have to go head-to-head with Arsenal
, as boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-term fan of Bender and United’s
move will be a serious blow to the London club in their hunt for a
defensive midfielder.
United’s chief scout Jim Lawlor was at
last week’s Champions League clash between Bender’s Bayer Leverkusen and
Atletico Madrid. And United again had their top spies at the game with
Freiburg.
Former PSV midfielder Strootman, 25, is a long-standing
target of Van Gaal’s but has been sidelined since last March after
rupturing ligaments in his left knee.
Stroot of contention: Kevin was Van Gaal's priority, but can't get fit
Last month he broke down again – and although he has said he remains on course to begin playing again in the summer – United are looking for insurance.
Leverkusen are able to sell Bender this summer as they have cover themselves in the shape of Christoph Kramer.
They
loaned Kramer to Borussia Moenchengladbach this season and will take
him back, leaving them free to sell 25-year-old Bender.
One Ukrainian actress went to extreme lengths to prove that
she is the greatest Lionel Messi fan and the results are quite horrific
Actress Nataliya Kozhenova has hit the headlines in her native Ukraine for being that person to get Lionel Messi tattooed across her chest.
We conducted an in depth investigation to find out some information
about Nataliya - a quick Google search - to find IMBb credit her for one
film, 2013's Super Model.
Two years on an the actress
has unfortunately been unable to add to her acknowledge film lists and
has decided to become famous for a different, weirder reason.
You know by now that Row Zed love a good fan tattoo. We've had that Spurs supporter with a head tattoo, then you gave us the full back print and of course we've got Zlatan.
Even
with that in mind we have a very, very strong feeling that Nataliya is
going to regret her latest addition and to be honest, it's not even a
recent picture of him.
What do you think Iker?
Social media went into meltdown during last summer's showpiece event
when a photograph of Vanessa Huppenkothen wearing her nation's football
shirt went viral across Twitter.
And now FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is apparently dating the
football presenter, just months after breaking up with Irina Shayk.
According to reports in Spain, the pair fell for each other when Vanessa recently visited the country on business.
Ronaldo, 30, split with Shayk in January after five years together,
after which he said: "After dating for five years, my relationship with
Irina Shayk has come to an end.
"We believed it would be best for both of us to take this step now. I wish Irina the greatest happiness."
Arsenal recalled Coquelin from his loan at Charlton earlier this season, and the Frenchman hasn't looked back, playing the role of the defensive midfield enforcer that the Gunners had been crying out for.
With the vast array of attacking talent for the Emirates outfit, Coquelin acknowledges that his role is an important one.
"With every player we have got going forward, you need a man with a defensive mind as well.
"If I can give the team a good balance - because we have got quite a few players going forward - hopefully we can get back to keeping clean sheets soon."
Those two results mean top of the Championship Boro have shown they can match anyone in the FA Cup fifth round - even Arsene Wenger's Gunners at their Emirates HQ in north London.
Boro boss Karanka said: "I think Liverpool could have been a surprise, Man City was a surprise, but now everybody knows Middlesbrough.
"We played very well against City - very defensive, but very good - we are top of the table now so for them it is not going to be a surprise. It is going to be difficult, very difficult."
Jack the lad: Wilshere with Archie and his brother Leyton
Nine-year-old Archie Hill, who suffers from life-limiting muscle wasting diseaseDuchenne muscular dystrophy, was spotted by the Gunners star during a television interview the Hill family did last month.
Wilshere, 23, was impressed with how Archie had written to Prime Minister David Cameron asking for some help in his fight against the debilitating illness.
Archie's mum, Louisa, said: "We were absolutely staggered when the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign called us to say Jack had been in touch about meeting Archie. We have had to keep the secret for weeks!
“Meeting Jack was absolutely amazing. He spent hours with the boys, in the garden, on the computer and chatting away.
However, the 24-year-old was given a pick-me-up this week after receiving the gong from the Championship Bees, despite playing just 28 games!
Szczesny was handed his league debut by Brentford against Walsall back in November 2009 and his form for the west Londoners paved the way to the Gunners first team.
Spot on: Szczesny saves a penalty against Wycombe back in 2009
His exploits haven't been forgotten by the Griffin Park faithful either after he topped a week-long Twitter poll to mark 10 years of the Football League Awards.
Each club selects up to four players to go be put forward to the judges, which will be whittled down to find a ‘Team of the Decade’.
The Roma midfielder has been linked with a move to Anfield, and the Reds manager was snapped in the Vatican after a swift departure following the Spurs game
Target: Could Pjanic be on his way to Anfield?
Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers swift exit after the 3-2 win over Tottenham on Tuesday appears to have been to visit Rome.
The Ulsterman did not attend the post-match Press conference, handing over media duties to assistant Colin Pascoe.
When the Reds number two was asked about his boss’ whereabouts he said: “He had to shoot off after the game sharpish as he had a meeting in Europe, report the Liverpool Echo.
“It’s a club matter and it’s none of your business.”
However, a photograph has now emerged online of Rodgers, wearing dark sunglasses, posing with a fan outside the Vatican with speculation suggesting that he might have been in the Italian capital to do some groundwork on trying to signRoma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.
The Bosnian international has 56 caps and turns 25 in April.
Pjanic was raised in Luxembourg after his family moved there when he was an infant ahead of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and he represented them at Under-17s and Under-19s level before reverting to his country of birth.
He started his career in France, joining Metz’s youth academy aged 14 and moved to Lyon when he was 18.
Pjanic spent three seasons at the Stade de Gerland before joining Roma in an 11 million euros deal in 2011.
Described as an ‘old-fashioned playmaker’ with huge technical qualities, he is known for his passing, dribbling, creativity, vision, and free-kick ability.
Today, it seems, we're all cursed. It's Friday 13th, so something is supposed to go wrong. But some footballers feel like that all the time and try there best to stop it
We don't particularly believe in all this nonsense, but there are certain footballers who are so superstitious they will be scared to get out of bed this morning.
Whether it's crossing their heart when entering the pitch, coming out of the tunnel last or even getting your hair cut before every game, some footballers can be absolutely obsessive.
A common theme throughout professional sport are the strange, wonderful and weird rituals that NEED to be carried out in order to win.
Goalkeepers are a strange bunch sometimes. Former England number one James has always been very vocal about his pre-match routine, it included things like waiting for urinals to be empty, not speaking to anybody and sometimes even spitting on the wall.
Every time Mutu took to the field he forced himself to wear his underpants inside out, once saying “curses cannot touch me because I wear my underwear inside out.”
Getty
Laurent Blanc
Some people go just go bald, some people shave their head out of personal preference. Either way, it will never stop people touching it... or even kissing it.
The Spanish striker says that he has never seriously injured an opposition player, as he gets ready to return from his three-match ban
Fair play: Costa says he has never seriously injured an opponent
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has defended his robust style of play, saying he is a 'strong but noble' player.
The Spain striker has recently come under fire for his bulldozing style of play, recently landed a three-match ban for a stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can.
However, the 26-year-old insists he doesn't have a nasty streak to his style of play, and that English football dictates a more physical approach.
"My challenges on the ball are strong but noble at the same time," he told SportMagazine.
"If you check my records, you will find out that I’ve never caused a bad injury to any player. The bottom line is that sometimes the little things I do on the pitch provoke exaggerated reactions.
"But if you rewind a bit and go through what they did to me, you may have another point of view. I consider myself a player who fights and gives everything on the pitch. Those who know me and appreciate those values understand what I say.”
Sky Sports/Ruckas Pictures
Stamping his authority: Costa insists he doesn't have a nasty streak to his game
The 26-year-old also revealed how his Champions League heartbreak with Atletico Madrid has made his more determined to become a European champion at Stamford Bridge.
Costa was part of the Aleti side that conceded a last minute equaliser to Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid in the final last year, before going on to lose in stoppage time to their city rivals.
The Spanish international is determined to use the experience to help the Blueslaunch a bid to conquer Europe once again, starting with their upcoming last 16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
“I am going to be honest: I want to be a champion with Chelsea, either a Premier League champion or a Champions League winner.
"I presume that winning the Champions League must be an amazing experience. I reached the final of this beautiful tournament once, but I couldn’t win it.
Costa is likely to make his comeback from suspension in the French capital against PSG next Tuesday.
The Spurs striker hit five goals in the calendar month, while the Dutch boss oversaw a 100% record four Southampton to kick off 2015
Kane is able: The Spurs striker hit five goals in January
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been crowned Premier League player of the month for January, with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman winning the managerial prize.
Kane continued his impressive form from the start of the season with five more strikes in the first month of 2015, including a brace in Spurs' 5-3 win over Chelsea at White Hart Lane.
Southampton had a 100% league record in January, taking three points from Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle, consolidating their position in the Premier League's top four.
The Spurs hitman overcame Emre Can, Oscar, Santi Cazorla and Dwight Gayle to the gong, while Koeman beat off competition from Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino and Mark Hughes.
On receiving the award, the Dutchman said: "It's a reward for the manager but it's for the rest of the team as well. We are doing this together.
Dutch courage: Koeman with his award
"The win against Arsenal gave the players . It was then an unbelievable feeling to win at Old Trafford.
"Then to keep the spirit to win against Newcastle as well was great. It was a tough week but the players were fantastic."
Hodgson said: “Yes, he’s ready for England, in the sense that you have to qualify that by what you mean 'international'. Is he worth a place in the squad now? Of course he is.
“If the question's 'Is he worthy of a place like Wayne Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge, whoever', well, that’s something he’ll have to prove. But unless I give him a chance in the squad he’ll never get a chance to prove that."
Mamadou Sakho couldn't help but entertain his fellow volunteers by impersonating manager Brendan Rodgers while helping a local Liverpool charity
If
Mamadou Sakho's recent form in a red shirt isn't enough to win over the Liverpool fans, then volunteering at a small local charity should just about do the trick.
The French international turned up for an hour's hard graft with Liverpool charity An Hour for Others, doing a spot of DIY with locals. Sakho has always held charitable organisations close to his heart - his own charity, AMSAK, helps underprivileged kids in Africa, France and the UK.
Sakho told the Liverpool Echo: ”I came to support An Hour for Others because we share the same values, and they are doing a great job. On 27 February, AMSAK gave a shirt for the fundraisers, and we are happy to support this charity.”
Splash
While getting his hands dirty, one of his co-workers can be heard offering some advice to the imposing defender to which he replies "OK, coach."
Having established himself as one of the main characters in the Liverpool dressing room, Sakho then cheekily imitates Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, saying: “Mama - switch! Return the ball!”
Before completing his hour's work Sakho signs a shirt for the An Hour for Others team to auction off, with the message: 'Pour A.H.F.D, keep up the good work, Y.N.W.A, Sakho.'
Reds skipper could be missing for up to three weeks after picking up the problem during Tuesday night's 3-2 win over top-four rivals Tottenham at Anfield
Road to recovery: Steven Gerrard receives treatment to his hamstring injury
faces up to three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but the Liverpool captain is already on the road to recovery.
The former England star limped off during Tuesday’s win over Tottenham and could be ruled out until the beginning of March.
Gerrard is almost certain to miss Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Crystal Palace, while he is a doubt for both legs of a last-32 Europa League tie with Turkey's Besiktas and key Prem clashes with fellow European-spot challengers Southampton and Manchester City.
However, Gerrard gave the thumbs up in a picture he posted on social media on Wednesday night before following it up with one of him receiving treatment less than 24 hours later.
Ronaldo started the season scoring 23 goals in 17 games between August and November, but has failed to reproduce that same form since - scoring only an additional 13 in the last two months combined.
Messi on the other hand has been fantastic recently, but did have a slow start to the season. His spat with Luis Enrique cast doubts over his Camp Nou future, but that all seems to be behind him now.
So far, Messi has scored 23 goals in La Liga, 33 in all competitions, while Ronaldo has 28 goals in the league and 36 in all competitions.
Messi has made 22 league appearances this year, which is three more than Cristiano's tally of 19.
Since the start of 2015, the Argentine has scored 11 goals for his club, while the Portuguese has only managed to score four.
When we look at the assists column, Ronaldo has only one to his name since New Year, but Messi has seven - and that’s just less than half of his overall tally.
However, the Argentine has played in nine of Barcelona’s 10 matches, while his counterpart has only played 559 minutes in seven games for Real Madrid.
If we take these stats into account, we can clearly see that Lionel Messi is currently the better form player between the two, and it will be interesting to see how Ronaldo will respond to his latest dip.
The 24-year-old Belgian winger spoke of his happiness at the club and said how he appreciated the support he has received since joining the Blues – adding that his manager, Jose Mourinho, has made him a better player.
“I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,” he told Chelsea’s official website.
“Since I came here in 2012 I have always felt good and the club has been very supportive to me.
“The manager has helped me improve a lot, the fans have been fantastic and I have an amazing understanding with my team-mates.”
Jose Mourinho also had kind words for Hazard after the contract was signed, saying that he believes his winger can become one of the best footballers in the world.
“I am very happy that Eden has signed a new contract. It shows he believes in the club’s coaching staff and players to help him become the best player in the world,” said the Portuguese coach.
“He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic. He is still very young and he can become the best.”
Eden Hazard was voted Player of the Year by the club’s supporters last season and he has been in sublime form for Chelsea this term, finding the net on 13 occasions and assisting 12 goals in all competitions.
The 31-year-old is close to returning to the starting XI after his successful AFCON campaign, and his side will dearly welcome him back.
Toure boosts his side’s winning chances by a huge margin, in fact, Wednesday’s 4-1 over Stoke was Manchester City’s first league win without him.
However, they failed to come out victorious in six previous attempts with Toure missing, which calculates to a winning ratio of just 14 percent.
Meanwhile, the defending champions have won an impressive 78 percent of their games with the African star on the pitch.
Other players which increase the winning ratios of their respective clubs are Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia and Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
While United only won 16 percent of their games without Valencia, the Ecuador international raises the winning ratio to 63 percent.
Tottenham Hotspur failed to win any of their league games without their young sensation Harry Kane this season, while with him they have won 62 percent of their matches.
