Lionel Messi smashed through the 300-goal mark with a brace as Barcelona crushed Rayo Vallecano 5-0 in Madrid to go three points clear at the top of La Liga. David Villa, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas got the other goals yesterday to put the pressure back onto second-placed Atletico Madrid who entertain Osasuna on Sunday. Messi's goals were the 300th and 301st of his career, a total made up of 270 for Barca and 31 for Argentina in only 419 matches. They also took him to 13 in the league this season and 73 in all competitions in 2012. That's just two behind Pele's 75 for Santos and Brazil in 1959, and only 12 shy of Gerd Mueller's all-time best calendar year record of 85 goals for Bayern Munich and West Germany in 1972. Rayo started brightly and had claims for a penalty turned down on eight minutes when Fabregas appeared to hold back Leo Baptistao. Rayo were pressuring the Catalans and it took until the 19th minute for Barca to have their first shot when Messi drove wide. However, a minute later, Barcelona were ahead. The chance came from nothing when Fabregas picked up a loose ball and played in Villa with a probing pass that the Spanish national team's all-time top scorer finished first time with his right foot. Fabregas was the supplier again for Villa seven minutes later, but this time his shot was saved by Ruben Martinez in the Rayo goal. Two minutes later, Ruben advanced quickly to block a Fabregas effort after Messi had found the ex-Arsenal man in space. Messi went close with a curled free-kick and as a hard fought first-half drew to a close Andrija Delibasic forced Victor Valdes into a save at the other end. Within two minutes of the restart, Messi had doubled the lead. Pedro Rodriguez found Martin Montoya in an advanced wide position and the right-back pulled the ball back for the little Argentine who steered it first time into the top right corner of the net. Javi Fuego then hit a rasping left footed drive that Valdes pushed wide and Jordi Amat tried his luck from distance as the home side looked for a quick way back into the match. Valdes was earning his wages as he next got down well to stop another drive from Fuego. Barcelona were quick to sense the danger and began to close down the game with a more measured approach that restricted Rayo's attacking forays. Xavi and Fabregas then added two more in two minutes with 10 minutes remaining. With two minutes left, Messi raced onto a Fabregas pass to get his second and his side's fifth. Earlier in-form Malaga were held to a 0-0 draw at struggling Espanyol. The Andalusian side rested Joaquin Sanchez and Javier Saviola after wins over Valladolid and AC Milan in the last seven days, but in a game of very few chances they could not find a way past Espanyol who moved off the bottom of the table. The point means Malaga will remain in third position as Real Madrid, who play Mallorca on Sunday, are four points behind on 14 points. Betis move into fourth on 16 points after a 1-0 home win over Valencia thanks to an early Salva Sevilla goal. Despite a string of chances for Spain striker Roberto Soldado, the away side left empty handed and have only one point to show from five away trips this season. Deportivo La Coruna earned a much needed point with a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo in the Galician derby to bring to an end a run of four defeats. Juan Dominguez equalised for Deportivo after Mario Bermejo had opened the scoring, both in the first period. Celta defender Gustavo Cabral was red-carded just after the interval. Source: Indian Express
Lionel Messi breaks 300-goal barrier as Barcelona hit five
When in Rome
My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it What character do you play in To Rome with Love? My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it. She is convinced she is helping people, and is really necessary for society. How would you describe the film? To Rome with Love is described as “a story about a number of people in Italy, some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors, and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into. How was it working with Woody Allen again? How did he approach you with the film? It was easier this time because I knew Woody, so I wasn’t so nervous because of all the stories you hear about him. He is peculiar and unique and different, but it is really a blessing to spend time with him, He is one of the funniest people in the world. Everyday he does something that surprises you, and that you will remember forever. What do you have to say of him as a director? Allen’s known for only giving his actors the basic info on the story and then just letting them run with it. He gives all this freedom, which is very liberating. He lets actors add their own flavour to the character. As I said, he is peculiar; you just ask him something and expect some answers that you could never think of. Mostly he avoids talking to his actors on the sets. How would you compare this outing with your earlier Vicky Cristina Barcelona? Maria Elena is a mad character more often seen in easy dresses, bare foot and fringed huge bags, more of a bohemian style. She is a restless character and has to create some chaos wherever she is. Whereas Anna is a well dressed, tucked in from head to toe, who thinks she is helping the society through prostitution. Anna is street smart, whereas Maria was mad and innocent. How do you normally approach your characters? I read my character with a neutral mind and try to think and visualise how the character could be better portrayed. What are the kind of scripts that catch your attention almost immediately? Scripts that have some meat or a role that convinces me. Would you say Hollywood films are now gaining precedence over European cinema comprising, French, Spanish, Italian, among others? And if it is, is it co-opting the local stories? I guess both are going hand in hand. English speaking people have now gone beyond Hollywood and the French, Spanish, Italians are taking interest in Hollywood. Is it difficult traversing Europe and America juggling your professional assignments? No,I always did one thing at a time and now I have different priorities so now may be just one or two movies a year will reduce the amount of travelling. What’s coming up next? My upcoming films are The Counselor (2013), I’m So Excited (2013), Twice Born (2012) are going to be released. Have you worked in any of Hollywood’s magnificent animation films? What is your opinion of them? I have not yet worked in magnificent animation films but am looking forward to it, if I get an opportunity. Well, it’s really fun working in such projects, as maximum people like animated films especially children. It’s getting recognition because it’s entertainment for whole family so it’s really wonderful to be associated with it. Source: Screen India
Brazilian boy with no feet to train at Barcelona
Muniz appeared on the hit Brazilian show TV Globo, where officials for Barcelona saw his story. He then showed off his skills at a training session in Saquarema.
Gabriel Muniz is impressing soccer fans all around the world with his inspiring story. Despite not having feet, the boy is one of the best soccer players in his school. That is just how this little kid rolls, according to his mom. He started walking before he was one. We would go after him, expecting him to keep falling, but he never fell. Muniz continues to exceed expectations, not willing to consider himself with a handicap. He even
An 11-year-old Brazilian boy has earned a place at the Barcelona football team's summer training camp - despite being born without feet.
has ankle prosthetics, but the report states he ditches those to play soccer, even against older kids. By then, Catalan officials were so moved that they offered him an invitation to travel to Barcelona's September academy. There he will get a chance to see all the players he would consider putting on a dream team of sorts. Here is the wonderful side Muniz would pick if he were the Catalan manager: Me, Messi, Dani Alves, Villa, Iniesta, Xavi, Victor Valdez, Adriano, Puyol, Pique, Mascherano and Sanchez. Source: Sam Daily Times
