MADRID (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to take his season’s tally to 22 goals as Barcelona returned to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga with a 3-0 home victory over 10-man Valencia on Sunday. Argentine Messi showed why he is regarded as the world’s best player with three terrific individual second-half [...]

MADRID (AFP) – Sevilla warmed up for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow with a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, failing to make up ground on third-placed Valencia. Sevilla trail Valencia, who face Barcelona on Sunday, by three points after being pegged back by Depor, two points behind in [...]

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has looked to play down rumors of rifts within los Merengues’ dressing room in his pre-match press conference. The Chilean trainer has left out Kaka from his 18-man squad to face Real Valladolid on Sunday, with the official line stating that he has picked up a thigh injury. Other observers [...]