We have also been sending each other messages lately - Laporta on Messi.

Amid some interest from Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi might well be on his way back to FC Barcelona, if Barca president, Joan Laporta's words are anything to go by.

Messi is allegedly on his way out of Paris-Saint German, where he has not had the best of times at all.

Messi has appeared 36 times for PSG this season, in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, scoring 19 goals, with 15 assists added on his name.

While Saudi Arabia is alleged to be the next destination for the world cup winner, his former club, Barca, are also in the mix for his signature.

Barca were crowned La Liga champions in the weekend after their emphatic 4-2 win over Espanyol.

They look like a team that is on its way back to its former glory, having also won the Spanish Super Cup.

Having Messi back, without a doubt, would lift Barca higher up a notch.

Speaking to Catalan regional public television station TV3, Laporta has hinted that Messi's Barca return might be true.

"I have spoken to Leo to somehow redirect a situation that occurred, in which I had to put the club ahead of everything, even him, who is the best player in the world," Laporta told Catalan regional public television station TV3 as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/barcelona-will-do-everything-possible-to-sign-lionel-messi-laporta

"The truth is that it was a very affectionate conversation, very pleasant, and we have also been sending each other messages lately -- I congratulated him on the World Cup."

ALSO READ:
https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/xavi-and-busquets-react-to-barcas-la.html?m=1

Affectionate conversations, sending each other messages, what could be next? A press conference to announce the prodigal son's return in the summer?

Wait and see, we shall. 

Xavi and Busquets react to Barca's La Liga title win.

FC Barcelona won their 27th La Liga title with four matches to spare when they beat Espanyol 4-2 at the Cornella-EL Prat Stadium on Sunday.

The title win means Barca have completed a double this season having also won the Spanish Super Cup.

Barca boss, Xavi Hernandez, who has had to endure some tough times with doubts over his abilities as a Barca coach following disastrous campaigns in Europe, said he has a feeling that winning the title is a job well done.

"I have the feeling that it is a job well done. We started in July and we have put in an extraordinary league campaign. It's really important for the stability of the project and it confirms that we are going about things the right way." Xavi told www.fcbarcelona.com

"It's not Xavi's league, it's Barça's league title, a Barça that is growing and developing. I am delighted for the players, for the staff and for the board...I feel really proud to coach these players." 

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/sundowns-ladies-back-where-they-belong.html?m=1

Outgoing Barca midfielder, Sergio Busquets, who has enjoyed monumental success with the club, said the current team should be the basis for a winning side.

“This should be the basis for a winning team; we have come from three season winning hardly anything." 

"I wanted to leave with trophies. We won the Super Cup but winning an important title, like the league, it's an objective that we had. I have really enjoyed it the last few days." 

Sundowns Ladies back where they belong.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies beat University of Western Cape 3-0 in a highly anticipated Hollywoodbets Super League match played at Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Morifi Chuene, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, and new signing, Refilwe Tholakele were enough to see Sundowns Ladies move to the summit of the log with a point ahead of UWC.

Banyana ba style coach, Jerry Tshabalala, said the thorough preparations for the match paid off as his girls managed to put on an exceptional display.

"The girls delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing their immense talent and skill on the field of play. Our thorough preparations paid off, as we demonstrated our status as one of the top teams in Africa. We dominated tactically in every aspect of the game, from defense to offense. I must commend Tholakele for displaying her exceptional finishing and class in her debut match with our team. Her contribution was truly remarkable," Tshabalala told Mamelodi Sundowns website.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/dzvukamanja-has-won-riveiros-heart.html?m=1

It wasn't only a sweet victory for Downs Ladies, but a dream debut for Botswana International, Refilwe Tholakele, who scored her first goal for Sundowns Ladies late in the game.

Tholakele says scoring on debut has helped her settle her nerves, boosting her confidence for the coming games.

"The game was undoubtedly filled with pressure, and I want to express my gratitude to my teammates and coaches for their unwavering support throughout my first match. Scoring that goal was crucial in helping me settle my nerves, and it has given me a boost of confidence for the upcoming games. I am already excited and eagerly anticipating our next match," said Tholakele.

Sundowns Ladies will face University of Johannesburg in another tough encounter next week.

Dzvukamanja has won Riveiro's heart.

Terrence Dzvukamanja has risen from the verge of obscurity and turned himself into a regular goalscorer for Orlando Pirates, leaving his coach, Jose Riveiro smitten with his exploits.

Dzvukamanja has scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Pirates across all competitions, with one assist added to his name.

His goal scoring form has seen other forwards like Kermit Erasmus spending more time on the bench.

Riveiro says Dzvukamanja is an exceptional, smart player who has shown that he can score goals.

"Terrence is an experienced player, he proved himself in many teams that he has the capacity to score. It was a difficult beginning of the season for Terrence in terms of minutes and liability also to be selected in the season," said Riveiro as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/orlando-pirates-coach-on-striker-terrence-dzvukamanja-s-purple-patch

"In a team like this with the competition that they have in that position, it's difficult to get the chance. Once he started to get that continuity to complete weeks, to train and be available for selection, he showed that he's an exceptional player.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/ten-hag-sings-garnachos-praises.html?m=1

"He's a very smart player with a capacity to score goals like he showed in the recent games. We are all trying, not only myself to help every individual to perform their best and we would like to see Terrence scoring goals."

Ten Hag sings Garnacho's praises.

Alejandro Garnacho came back from a two months injury lay off to score Manchester United's second goal in their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday at Old Trafford.

And Man United boss, Erik Ten Hag, is impressed with the 18-year-old.

Ten Hag has highlighted Garnacho's maturity and his ability to dominate opponents with his skill as his biggest strength.

He has also challenged the youngster to fight for a place in the starting eleven.

"He came in and did almost everything good, and scored a great goal that will give him belief. It’s good for us for the rest of the season, that he’s back, and can have an impact," Ten Hag told www.manutd.com

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-sets-alejandro-garnacho-challenge-after-man-utd-2-wolves-0-on-13-may-2023

"One of the aspects of the biggest talent is that they are mature.

"First, they take responsibility then second, they are mature to bring in the skills and have belief that they can dominate opponents.

"Once again, he did it. He has had a big impact in many games: whether starting or coming on, he’s straight into the game and that’s so important for the squad.

"I’m happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully, he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position, because that is his next challenge."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/its-dream-come-true-guardiola.html?m=1

Ten Hag on where Garnacho needs to improve....

"Making decisions, being aware, scanning situations, when to go one-on-one, get behind, when to go for goal or make an extra pass.

"Decisions like that are what makes a good player a top player – that is the difference. But when you see it overall, he’s a huge talent and very brave.

"It shows that the pathway is open for young players at United. And if you work in the right way, work hard, we can guide you to get into the team. But, in the end, it’s about the player – he has to invest and have a plan to do it."

It's a dream come true - Guardiola.

Manchester City have an opportunity to a beautiful treble this season, with the English Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles up for grabs.

And the Cityzens boss, Pep Guardiola, says the situation they are in is a dream come true.

Man City put Everton to the sword on Sunday afternoon, beating them 3-0 at Goodison Park to earn their 11th straight win.

With Arsenal having lost to Brighton, City only needs three points to win the EPL title for the third time in a row.

"It’s a dream come true being here," Guardiola told amp.mancity. com. https://mancity.com/citytv/mens/pep-guardiola-post-everton-press-conference-63819686

"At the end we might not get the trophies and people will say they are not a good team or a failure or a disaster but it’s a dream come true.

"We are the only team in Europe fighting for all competitions, (there is the) FA Cup final with United but still it’s not over, the Premier League never ends, we know it for the past with Liverpool. This season is the same.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-have-to-live-with-emotion-arteta.html?m=1

"Arsenal I’m pretty sure will win the two games in hand but being in the semi-final at home with our people at the second leg to try to get to the UEFA Champions League final... it’s an extraordinary achievement."

We have to live with the emotion - Arteta.

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has apologized to the Gunners supporters after the club virtually handed the English Premier League title to Manchester City following their 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium. 

Arsenal had a second half from hell against Brighton, and Arteta has admitted it was nowhere near his team's normal performance standards.

"First of all we have to apologise. Last week we were really proud and we stood with our chest out after the performance against Newcastle, and today we have to apologise for what happened in that second half. That is nowhere near the level that we have to show as a team and as a club," Arteta told www.arsenal.com

"At first, it was extremely competitive and we expected that, there were a lot of interruptions in the game and we were a little thrown. We had some big opportunities after regaining the ball very high up the pitch, and then the second half was a different story. 

"We started to lose a lot of duels, and obviously the way we conceded the goals is just unacceptable that this level, and after that we had no answers to get back into the game.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/arsenal-hands-city-epl-title-after-3-0.html?m=1

Arteta says Arsenal will have to live with the painful emotion of losing the title right at the death.

"We have to live with the emotion that we have right now that we fell short and it wasn’t good enough. We’re going to have to use that to play the next game at a very different pace and quality."