Messi, Pjanic or Neymar? Top 15 free-kick scorers of last five years

The Barcelona and Juventus stars bring an extra dimension to their teams' play with a stunning talent for converting even the most difficult attempts

It is a testament to Lionel Messi's ability with the dead ball that any free-kick on the edge of the opposition area has Barcelona fans on the edge of their seats ready to celebrate.

The Argentine is one of the world's top exponents of one of football's trickiest arts, and just seems to be getting better in that respect, as he showed with two stunning efforts to down Espanyol in a one-sided derby victory for the Catalans last weekend.

It was the second time the Blaugrana captain netted two in the same game (He also scored double in 2015 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla) and took his overall Liga tally to 19 since 2013-14.

However, Messi, who honed his technique under the legendary Diego Maradona, is far from the only dead-ball specialist in the game right now.

Indeed, Juventus alone have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to free-kick takers, with Cristiano Ronaldo's summer arrival at the club having only added to their remarkably long list of option

 

The Portuguese now battles for the ball with Miralem Pjanic and Paulo Dybala every time the Bianconeri earn a free in a dangerous position.

In fact, Serie A has no lack of talent from dead-ball situations. Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu too is every bit a match for Pjanic, and is currently tied with Juve's Bosnian maestro for free-kick goals over the last five seasons in Europe's 'Big Five' leagues.

A little further down the list we find Neymar, who, it is somewhat surprising to learn, has only punished six fouls in La Liga and Ligue 1 since arriving in Europe from Santos in 2013.

Although, as an interesting aside, it seems the Brazilian saves his best efforts for Europe: no player, not even Messi, can match his sparkling Champions League record of five free-kick goals from just 17 attempts.

And fans of hulking defenders who are also adept at smashing in from long range are well-represented by Aleksandr Kolarov. The former Manchester City man, now at Roma, has managed no less than eight, giving him a place in the top 10.

Even Andrea Pirlo features, despite leaving Juventus for MLS at the end of the 2014-15 season.

But the numbers do not lie: Messi's reputation as the best in the business is fully earned.

Modric wins Ballon d'Or 2018 to end Ronaldo & Messi 10-years duopoly

Modric wins Ballon d'Or 2018 to end Ronaldo & Messi 10-year 

duopoly

Luka Modric wins Ballon d'Or 2018 to end Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's 10-year duopoly. 

The Real Madrid midfielder won the ultimate award, outshining his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Juventus.

Ronaldo ranks second, followed by Antoine Griezmann who led France to World Cup trophy. 

Another 5-time winner Lionel Messi sits only at 5th, behind PSG star Kylianm Mbappe.

Modric has made a perfect performance in the past year. He led Real Madrid to win the 3rd straight Champions League Championship and guided Croatia to the final in 2018 World Cup. 

The Croatian being crowned the FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year has significantly changed the football landscape, becoming the first non-Messi or Ronaldo player since Kaka in 2007 to lift such an award. Besides, Modric was chosen in FIFA/FIFPro World XI, and won FIFA Golden Ball and UEFA Best Player

Ballon d'Or result LEAKED with a blurry photo - guess who the winner is!

The result of Ballon d'Or award might have been leaked - and it might not be a surprise

A blurry photo of the full list of Ballon d'Or award from Twitter has gone rival on the Internet.

According to the list, Modric won with 753 points, followed by current Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo on 476.

Antoine Griezmann came third on 414 points, then Kylian Mbappé on 347 with Lionel Messi only fifth on 280 points.

The top 10 is completed by Mohamed Salah (188), Raphael Varane (121), Eden Hazard (119), Kevin de Bruyne (29) and Harry Kane (25).

Cameroon won't host CAN 19

Cameroon stripped of hosting rights to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Cameroon have been stripped of hosting next year's Africa Cup of Nations, says the Confederation of African Football.                  

African football's governing body (Caf) says it is because of delays in the progress of Cameroon's preparation for the tournament, due to start in June.

Officials made the decision at a meeting on Friday in Accra, Ghana, that lasted more than 10 hours.

Caf president Ahmad Ahmad says it will work to "determine a new organising country by the end of the year".

The tournament is set to be the first held in June and July and will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

Ahmad said last year that Cameroon still needed "to convince Caf of its ability" to host the event, with the country playing down fears sanctions would be imposed if preparations were deemed to be behind schedule.

But in August the chairman of Caf's Nations Cup organising committee, Amaju Pinnick, said "nobody is going to take it away from Cameroon".

Morocco have been touted as potential hosts, having stepped in to hold this year's African Nations Championship after Kenya were deemed not ready.

Ronaldo, Mbappe & Griezmann are finalists in Globe Soccer Awards

In what will be the tenth edition of Dubai's Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have been nominated for the best player prize

The winner will be announced at a ceremony on January 3, 2019, in association with the 13th Dubai International Sports Conference, organised by Dubai Sports Council.

Globe Soccer's chief executive, Tommaso Bendoni, made the announcement.

"The 10th anniversary of the Globe Soccer Awards is a special milestone," he said.

"We are delighted to present Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann as the finalists in the best player category."

The ex-Real Madrid forward, who won the Champions League last season, is a four-time winner of the award and has been shortlisted on eight occasions, and will be looking to win for the third consecutive year.

However, he will be competing with two World Cup winners in the Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid stars.

Ronaldo advises Juventus board to sign Asensio

According to Rai Sport, the Serie A giants have made a prelim.
inary inquiry and Cristiano Ronaldo has given the thumbs up on his former teammate.

Juventus are considering a move for Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio and Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly advised the Old Lady’s board to pursue the possibility, according to Rai Sport.

Asensio has fallen slightly out of favour under Santiago Solari at the Bernabéu, starting three of the new coach’s five games in charge, including the Copa del Rey trip to Melilla.

Asensio out of sorts at Real Madrid

The Spain international has also not been performing to his own high standards, managing just one league goal and a strike in the 4-0 rout of the Segunda B outfit in the cup, along with three assists in all competitions

Originally placed to assume the mantle vacated by Ronaldo on the left of Madrid’s attack, Asensio could now be set for a move to Serie A to join forces with his former teammate as Juve look to increase their squad’s firepower in the hunt for a long-awaited Champions League triumph.

''Ronaldo deserve ballon d'Or '' said juve's manager Allegri.

Allegri: Ronaldo deserves Ballon d’Or, Pjanic has 'no flaws' & Perin starts

Juventus boss Max Allegri says Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d’Or, Miralem Pjanic has ‘no flaws’ and Mattia Perin will start against SPAL.

The match kicks off on Saturday at 17:00 GMT – click here for a preview.

“SPAL play good football and constantly look to build,” Allegri said at a Press conference.

“They’ve already won in Rome away, playing well there, and also won at Bologna.

“They’ve picked up some great results away from home, they’re physical and aggressive, and they recover many balls.

“We must be sincere in our approach, managing the game well, knowing they’re one of most difficult smaller sides to face because they can make you payü

Ronaldo’s fine. I don’t know anything about this Ballon d’Or thing, even if he deserves it. Dybala? His goal for Argentina will have given him confidence.

“He came back on Thursday and did some light work, but tomorrow he could start from the bench.

“Ronaldo and Mandzukic will play. They have a good chemistry, like everyone behind them.

“Paulo and Ronaldo have played less together, but they’ll refine their understanding in time.

“With those three up top, we can express ourselves well. We’re on track to arrive in March in excellent condition.

“Khedira is out, Emre is recovering and in a couple of weeks he’ll be available. Matuidi will be back today from the three days of rest I gave him.

“We’ll go with what we have, but we’re not in a state of emergency. The team are fine physically and mentally.                                    

Pjanic has ironed out all the flaws from his game and is now a top player. He has vision, plays nice geometries and had a great game in Milan, showing his range of passing.

“He also won back balls, which let us counterattack. I sometimes take him off so he can recover, plus I have Bentancur who’s growing quickly.

Perin will play tomorrow. Chiellini? He’s got better with age, but I have to manage him as we play three games a week.

“We’ll see what he’s like today. If he doesn’t play then we also have Rugani and Benatia. Juventus have five of the best defenders in the world.

“Rugani played at Empoli and had a good game. Benatia the same in Milan. I needed someone like him in that match.

“Maybe tomorrow Rugani will play, but if I choose someone then it’s because I think that player is suitable for that game. They’re all exceptional.”