Neymar score first hat trick in Champions League

Neymar finally showed the goal scoring touch he has been threatening with a hat-trick as Barcelona shrugged off their hot dip in form with a 6-1 win over Celtic at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to fasten top spot in Champions League Group H.

Gerard Pique stabbed home with seven minutes on the clock and, with Celtic expanded at the back, Pedro and Neymar both completed clinically before half-time.

Nelson Mandela with the FIFA World Cup Trophy

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela with the FIFA World Cup Trophy in South Africa at December 12, 2010

Ronaldo, Di Maria lead Real thump

Portugal forward Ronaldo followed up his hat-trick in the opening 6-1 drubbing of Galatasaray with another dazzling display and Di Maria also turned in a excellent performance in the absence of injured world record signing Gareth Bale.

Ronaldo's first goal came in the 21st minute when goalkeeper Johan Wiland failed to deal with Marcelo's floated cross and he nodded in from a tight angle.

World Cup 2014 Group Fixture

GROUP A - Brazil, Mexico, Croatia, Cameroon.
GROUP B - Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia.
GROUP C - Colombia, Greece, Japan, Ivory Coast. 
GROUP D - Italy, England, Uruguay, Costa Rica.
GROUP E - France, Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras.
GROUP F - Argentina, Nigeria, Bosnia, Iran. 
GROUP G - Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.
GROUP H - South Korea, Belgium, Russia, Algeria.

Messi out for three weeks

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been ruled out for up to three weeks by a thigh injury he suffered in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday.
The Argentine had put the Catalans in front with a sublime left-footed strike from 20 yards, but had to be replaced soon after and will now definitely miss Barca’s Champions League trip to Celtic in midweek as well as Saturday’s home game against Valladolid.
‘The tests carried out this morning have confirmed a small muscle injury in his right thigh,’ said a statement on the club’s website.
‘The approximated time out is two to three weeks, and therefore he will miss the meetings this week against Celtic and Valladolid.’

Messi-Neymar & Jr. Messi-Neymar

Messi & Neymar along with jr. Messi & Neymar Da Silva & Thioga smile in front of camera just before Barcelona vs. Sociedade match at Nou Camp.

Surprising Messi treble fires Barcelona

The Argentinian scored in both halves of the Group H fixture at the Camp Nou, to give Barcelona victory in the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

It marked an touching Champions League debut for coach Gerardo Martino, with victory coming just a few days after the death of his father.

After a brilliant opening, Messi broke the deadlock with fierce free-kick in the 22nd minute.

His second came 10 minutes after half-time with a cool finish from inside the area, before Gerard Pique put gloss on the scoreline with a header from Neymar’s cross and Messi finished his treble when he affected his shot before guiding an effort into the corner.

Messi backs Madrid 2020 Games bid

Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi has thrown his support behind Madrid’s bid for the right to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
With four days to go until International Olympic Committee members meeting in Buenos Aires choose between the Spanish capital, Istanbul and Tokyo, Messi said it would be positive to award Madrid the Games given the nation’s recent success in a number of high-profile sports.