International Football
LUCKY CHARM ENABLED LIONEL MESSI SCORE AGAINST NIGERIA AT WORLD CUP!
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Spanish publication, Tribuna, has revealed the reason why Argentina’s Lionel Messi was able to score against Nigeria at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Prior to the March 26, 2018 match, Messi had fired blank in the preceding two matches against Iceland and Croatia. In fact, in the match with Iceland, the iconic footballer missed a penalty kick!
The match with Nigeria was more than ordinary to Messi who had told the world that he was quitting international matches if Argentina failed at the World Cup.
Despite his prowess and laurels, Messi had not won any trophy playing for the national side. If the team failed to beat Nigeria in Russia, Argentina could have crashed out of the tournament at the group stage.
According to Tribuna, Messi was presented with a red lucky ribbon from journalist Rama Pantarotto after missing a penalty in Argentina’s 1-1 draw against Iceland during the World Cup in Russia.
“Wearing the journalist’s mother’s lucky charm, the 31-year-old scored in against Nigeria.The Barca star wore the lucky charm against the Nigerian Eagles as he revealed to Pantarotto after the game.”
Sports Village Square recalls that a Black Magic was reported to have aided Lionels Messi and the rest of La Albiceleste in their qualification for Russia 2018.
In October 2017, Argentina did the unthinkable picking a World Cup ticket at the brink of either losing out or at best having to go through a play-off to qualify. How did it happen?
According to Washington Post which quoted two Argentine publications, TyC Sports and La Clarin, a sorcerer called Manuel was flown to Ecuador to cast magic wands that will aid Argentina beat their hosts.
It was claimed that the man with a shoulder-length mullet flew to Ecuador to “bring good energy” to the team, which had floundered badly in the World Cup qualifiers and was in danger of being eliminated from making the tournament for the first time since 1970.
RELATED STORY: https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2017/10/11/witch-doctor-aids-messi-inspired-argentina-pick-world-cup-ticket/
According to Spanish publication, Tribuna, Messi during the week proved himself a true leader by giving the ribbon (charm he used in the match with Nigeria) to struggling Phillipe Coutinho prior to Sevilla demolition where the Brazilian scored a brace.
Phillipe Coutinho was spotted wearing Messi’s lucky ribbon against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal as the Brazilian scored the opener in the 13th minute of the clash. It was a special moment as Leo who won the penalty handed the 26-year-old an opportunity to open the score and change the tie.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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