THE BATTLE OF PRESTIGE

 

Image Credit: Sportsworld.

The International Break is finally over, and our favourite clubs return to action today. However, everything is not okay within the Galacticos. The news of the internal rift is all over. Furthermore, the defeat in the derby still hurts a lot. Yes—the decision of the referee in that particular match was pathetic. But, due to this loss, we have slipped down to fourth position, with Barcelona already 6 points ahead of us.

The El Classico, which is scheduled to take place on October 25 in the Camp Nou, has the potential to derail our campaign like anything. After all, a defeat against Barcelona could push us 9 points behind them, and that too at the start of the season, which would be shameful. A defeat now would mean that the hope of the league title for this season will be gone, and Barcelona would become a champion for three successive years. Therefore, the players have to stand up now and play united for the badge and the team. It is no longer a game anymore. It has become a battle of pride. 

PLAY FOR THE BADGE

 

Image Credit: Chelsea Football Club.

The long international break is over, and the club football is back. However, as a Chelsea fan, the excitement to watch my team play is less, and the fear of how they will survive the Premier League is more. Since the 2022 season, Chelsea have struggled to perform at the big stage against the best of teams. Yes, we did win 3-0 against PSG in the Club World Cup Final, but overall our performance has been far from satisfactory. The 2021 Champions League winners are not even playing European football this season. Moreover, a win against big clubs seems to be a distant dream.

The appointment of Xabi Alonso as the Chelsea manager did give us some hope. The club got back to playing attacking football; however, a weak defence made sure that the benefits of scoring early goals got nullified. Presently the club is reeling at 10th position in the Premier League. To make matters interesting, we have got Liverpool in the Carabao Cup draw. Hence, it's going to be challenging one month before the next international break arrives.

Xabi needs to get his plans implemented right and the defence has to stand up. Lastly, the players have to play for the badge, or else there will be no coming back. We are Chelsea FC. It means more. 

MESSI MAGIC

 

Image Credit: Inter Miami CF.

Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of our generation. For the last 22 years he has delivered innumerable performances which have taken the entire footballing world by storm. The reason behind such awe is the fact that it's not just goals and assists, but the manner in which they have been done. The runs, the dribbles, and the free kicks all have turned into pieces of art whenever the ball has come to Messi. Things which no other footballer can even imagine or think about, Messi makes happen. His free-kick goal yesterday is just a small addition to his everlasting glory and prestige.

The Columbus Crew were facing Inter Miami in their backyard. Luckily they took an early lead as Josef Martinez converted the penalty in the 28th minute. However, 5 minutes later Inter Miami were awarded a free-kick. Everyone knew it would be Messi who would be taking the same. The real question was, will he be able to score? After all, the angle was tough, and the opposition defenders were all across the goalpost.

But this is when Messi scored one of the greatest free-kick goals ever seen. He hit the ball with accurate precision and power, with the ball making a lovely turn in the air and going past the keeper from the far post. The team went gaga, and the crowd went wild as the score was equalised.

Yes, we see goals being scored in a football match. But this was not just a goal but a classic work of art. Mind you, Messi has announced his retirement from international football and will be playing his last game for the national side next week. However, the performance he has been delivering every now and then makes us feel like we can see some Messi Magic more, please? It's just staggering.

Unfortunately, Inter Miami lost the match in the injury time, but this game will always be remembered for the Golazo of Lionel Messi.

To watch the free kick of Lionel Messi, Click Here.

ONE-SIDED AFFAIR

 

Image Credit: The Economic Times.

It was 2006 when I saw the FIFA World Cup Final for the very first time, and since then I have been following this tournament passionately. The final has always been a contest between the strongest sides competing against each other for the ultimate glory. However, the 2026 edition turned out to be an exception. The reason being that in this very final there was only one team playing to win. The other seemed like they were trying to hold the game for 120 minutes and take it to the dreadful penalty shootout.

The defending champions, Argentina, were nowhere closer to the Spaniards. Yes, they took the game to extra time, but it was almost certain that they were nowhere thinking of scoring a goal and were happy in keeping the scoreline 0-0. It is pertinent to note that in 120 minutes there were just 3 shots on behalf of Argentines, and out of which not even a single shot was on target. On the other hand, Spanish had a ball possession of 68%, in which they took 20 shots, out of which 11 were on target. To be honest, had it not been for Martinez's best day, the Spaniards would have easily scored 4 to 5 goals. Emi did make multiple great saves to keep his side in the game. Unfortunately, in the 106th minute, Ferran Torres was able to get past and score the only goal of the game.

14 minutes later, the referee blew the final whistle. Spain were the new champions of the world after 16 long years. Whereas the Argentines lost their crown. Yes, one would feel for Messi, who was the best player of his side and carried his team on his shoulders at an age of 39. But, on that particular day, Spanish played better than them and hence deserved to win.

To watch the Highlights of the Final, Click Here. 

THE FINAL DANCE

 

Image Credit: CNN.

In a surprising move, the Argentinian Football Association has named Lionel Messi in their 26-man squad for a friendly game against Benin in October. The Albiceleste are scheduled to play three games in the upcoming international break, their first outing since the World Cup final defeat. Interestingly, Messi, who announced his retirement from international football a couple of weeks ago, will also be featuring for one last time in the Argentinian shirt.

Moreover, the Federation has decided to extend the invitation to every player from the 2022 World Cup squad to attend the friendly against Benin. After all, the greatest Argentinian deserves the best farewell. To be honest, one can expect the friendly would be very much a carinival celebrating the legacy and legend of King Leo.

The match would mark Messi's 208th appearance for Albiceleste. Though Messi has won it all for his club and country, one would still desire that he would roll back the glory days and would breach the 125-goal mark in his final outing. 

A TRIBUTE TO KING LEO

Author - Aman Singh

Image Credit: BBC

In a lifetime, we fall in love only a very few times—whether it’s with a person, a profession, or a sport.

I’ll admit that from the very first day I watched you play, you made me fall in love with football—not just with watching it, but with playing it too.

And that love only kept growing as I watched you, day after day, not only for the way you played the game but also for the soft, selfless, and humble personality you carried off the field.

You didn’t just make me love football; you made me see the beauty of the game in a completely different way.

For that, I’ll always be grateful. ❤️⚽

JAM-KE-KHELO

          

Image Credit—Indian Super League.

As an Indian football fan, I grew up supporting clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid. However, deep down I used to feel it would have been so wonderful if my own province had a world-class football team. After all, how can one not love his birthplace and want it to succeed at every level? The dream did become a reality in 2017 when it was announced that Jamshedpur FC would be competing in the Indian Super League season. The happiness was on another level. My state has a club now, and we will be fighting not only in the top tier of Indian football but also for a place in the Asian Championships.

The club performed well on the domestic level but failed to capitalize in the crunch moments. Eventually, in 2022, after defying all odds, we became the champions of the shield and were in for the Asian race now. It felt that our moment had come. But no one knew that 4 years later the club would become a matter of the past.

Jamshedpur FC has been dissolved, with its ownership and sporting license transferred to Churchill Brothers FC. The financial burden took over the club, which made them sell their stakes. It is a known fact that Indian football is going through one of its darkest phases. The uncertainty and monetary losses have pushed clubs to the brink of closure. Though I never expected my club would be the first major victim because of Tata's ownership.

However, the unexpected has happened, and my club is gone. My players gave their best in the last outing wherein they went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup against mighty Mohun Bagan. Sadly we won't see them play again.