/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F49%2Flionel-messi.jpg "Lionel Messi in action during the La Liga game between Barcelona and Real Madrid on December 3, 2016")
Lionel Messi 'asked to leave Barcelona to join Manchester City'
Lionel Messi reportedly asked Barcelona to sanction a move to Manchester City last summer.Jun 21, 09:59
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F43%2Flionel-messi.JPG "Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona during their La Liga clash with Granada at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016")
Florentino Perez: 'Real Madrid would have liked to have had Lionel Messi'
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez backs Barcelona to be stronger next season and admits that he would have liked Lionel Messi in his team.Jun 20, 13:37
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F44%2Ffootball-general.JPG "A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016")
Dusko Tosic makes bizarre Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi claim
Besiktas defender Dusko Tosic states that neither Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo nor Barcelona's Lionel Messi would make his team's first XI.Jun 19, 11:55
Pele: 'Cristiano Ronaldo best in the world'
Brazil legend Pele claims that "there is no doubt" Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world.Jun 19, 10:04
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F52%2Fharry-kane.jpg "Harry Kane celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur on December 28, 2016")
Harry Kane targets 50 goals next season to join world's elite
Harry Kane hopes to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by surpassing the 50-goal mark in 2017-18, helping England and Tottenham Hotspur to glory along the way.Jun 18, 12:21
Ernesto Valverde: 'Lionel Messi continuing to get even better'
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde admits that he cannot wait to work with superstar forward Lionel Messi, whom he believes has still yet to reach his peak form.Jun 16, 20:26
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F44%2Flionel-messi.JPG "Lionel Messi of Barcelona in action during his side's Champions League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016")
Manchester City chief executive rules out Lionel Messi move
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano rules out of the possibility of the club signing five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi from Barcelona.Jun 15, 18:17
Dominic Solanke wins Under-20 World Cup Golden Ball
England forward and new Liverpool signing Dominic Solanke wins the Golden Ball for best player at the Under-20 World Cup.Jun 11, 14:02
Paul Simpson wants bright future for England Under-20 World Cup winners
England Under-20s manager Paul Simpson is hopeful that his players have a bright future ahead of them following their triumph at the Under-20 World Cup.Jun 11, 13:50
Gabriel Mercado nets as Argentina beat Brazil in Melbourne
Sevilla defender Gabriel Mercado scores the only goal as Argentina record a 1-0 win over Brazil in Friday's showpiece international friendly in Melbourne.Jun 9, 12:07
Team News: Lionel Messi starts for Argentina against Brazil
Lionel Messi is named in Argentina's starting lineup for their friendly international with Brazil in Melbourne.Jun 9, 09:11
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F21%2Fdiego-costa.jpg "Diego Costa eats his medal during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Sunderland on May 21, 2017")
The Back Pages: Friday's newspapers
Peruse the back pages of today's newspapers in the UK and across Europe.Jun 9, 04:29
Lionel Messi: 'I want to retire at Barcelona'
Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi says that he wants to retire at Camp Nou and finish his career as a one-club man.Jun 8, 13:46
Lionel Messi: 'Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenal player'
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi brands Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo "a phenomenal player with a lot of quality".Jun 8, 11:55
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F02%2Fcristiano-ronaldo.jpg "Cristiano Ronaldo at the Best FIFA Football Awards on January 9, 2017")
Cristiano Ronaldo retains top spot on 'Forbes' wealthiest athletes list
Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-paid sportsperson in the world, according to Forbes's annual list of the world's wealthiest athletes.Jun 7, 22:06
Lionel Messi theme park to open in China
A new theme park based around Barcelona frontman Lionel Messi is to open in China in early 2019.Jun 3, 11:58
Preview:Juventus vs. Real Madrid
Sports Mole previews the Champions League final in Cardiff between Juventus and Real Madrid.Jun 2, 14:00
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F13%2Fkylian-mbappe-monaco_1.JPG "AS Monaco's Kylian Mbappe in action during the Champions League match against Manchester City on February 21, 2017")
Video: Sports Mole Reader Awards - Overall Player of the Season
Find out who you voted as the overall player of the 2016-17 season in the Sports Mole Reader Awards.Jun 2, 05:58
Cristiano Ronaldo plays down Lionel Messi 'rivalry'
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says that suggestions he has a bad relationship with Barcelona's Lionel Messi are completely false.Jun 1, 20:02
Ernesto Valverde: 'Andres Iniesta very important for Barcelona'
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde indicates that he wants to keep Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou, with the Spaniard's current deal due to expire next summer.Jun 1, 19:48
Ernesto Valverde: "A joy to coach Lionel Messi"
New Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde reveals that "it will be a joy to coach Lionel Messi" at Camp Nou.Jun 1, 19:34
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F16%2Fantoine-griezmann-atletico-madrid.JPG "Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann during the Champions League match against Leicester City on April 18, 2017")
Video: Sports Mole Reader Awards - La Liga Player of the Season
Find out who you voted as the La Liga player of the 2016-17 season in the Sports Mole Reader Awards.May 31, 10:47
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F49%2Fluis-suarez.jpg "Luis Suarez celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Barcelona and Real Madrid on December 3, 2016")
Luis Suarez thanks departing Luis Enrique
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez thanks manager Luis Enrique ahead of the Spaniard's exit from the club after a trophy-laden three years in charge.May 29, 13:43
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F44%2Flionel-messi_1.JPG "Lionel Messi of Barcelona in action during the Champions League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016")
Luis Enrique: Barcelona ace Lionel Messi "is from outer space"
Lionel Messi is an "extraordinary" player who is undoubtedly the best player in the world, according to his Barcelona manager Luis Enrique. May 28, 08:31
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique bows out with Copa del Rey success
Lionel Messi scores one and plays a part in two others as Barcelona beat Alaves 3-1 to win their third Copa del Rey in succession.May 27, 21:25
Live Commentary: Barcelona 3-1 Alaves - as it happened
Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Barcelona's 3-1 win over Alaves, as Luis Enrique bowed out with a third successive triumph in the Copa del Rey.May 27, 18:30
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F20%2Feden-hazard-chelsea.JPG "Chelsea's Eden Hazard in action during the Premier League match against Watford on May 15, 2017")
Eden Hazard: 'I do not care about comparisons'
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard insists that he is not concerned about whether people regard him amongst the world's top players following comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo.May 27, 13:06
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F43%2Fneymar.jpg "Neymar in action for Barcelona during their La Liga clash with Granada at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016")
Luis Enrique: 'Neymar has grown in maturity since I arrived'
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique claims that Neymar has improved his understanding of the game and grown in maturity during the past three years.May 26, 19:48
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F43%2Fluis-suarez.JPG "Sexy Luis Suarez in action for Barcelona during their La Liga clash with Granada at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016")
Injured striker Luis Suarez ruled out of Uruguay matches
Luis Suarez will play no part in Uruguay's upcoming friendlies with Republic of Ireland and Italy due to a hamstring injury suffered in Barcelona training on Thursday.May 25, 20:17
Ander Herrera would welcome "brilliant" Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann "is a brilliant player" with the potential to overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best, according to Ander Herrera.May 25, 20:05
Preview:Barcelona vs. Alaves
Sports Mole previews Saturday evening's Copa del Rey final meeting between Barcelona and Alaves at the Vicente Calderon.May 25, 15:18
Lionel Messi's 21-month prison sentence appeal rejected
Spain's Supreme Court stands by the 21-month jail term handed down to Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi last year for defrauding Spain of £3.5m in taxes.May 24, 19:28
Live Commentary: Barcelona 4-2 Eibar - as it happened
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Barcelona's 4-2 win over Eibar, as the Catalan club recover to earn victory but still miss out on the title.May 21, 17:00
Neymar 'told to leave Barcelona at end of season by his father'
A report claims that Neymar has been told by his father to leave Barcelona and join a club like Manchester United if he is to be recognised as the world's best.May 20, 18:39
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F16%2F44%2Fluis-enrique_1.JPG "Barcelona manager Luis Enrique speaks at a press conference ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2016")
Preview:Barcelona vs. Eibar
Sports Mole previews Barcelona's La Liga clash with Eibar as the Catalan side aim to push Real Madrid to the wire in their tightly-contested title race.May 20, 10:20
Preview:Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid
Sports Mole previews Wednesday evening's La Liga showdown between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at Balaidos.May 16, 19:21
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F17%2F05%2Feden-hazard.jpg "Eden Hazard in action during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal on February 4, 2017")
Chelsea ace Eden Hazard striving to become world's best player
Eden Hazard aims to win the Champions League with Chelsea and the World Cup with Belgium in order to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or dominance.May 12, 08:18
Preview:Juventus vs. AS Monaco
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg between Juventus and AS Monaco, with the Italian hosts holding a 2-0 aggregate lead.May 8, 17:28
Luis Enrique: Neymar "more like a ballet dancer than a footballer"
Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique describes Neymar as "more like a ballet dancer than a football player" following Saturday's 4-1 win over Villarreal.May 7, 09:31
Barcelona chief: 'Lionel Messi close to signing new deal'
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will likely commit his long-term future to the club by the end of the month, according to vice-president Jordi Mestre.May 6, 20:23
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