Lionel Messi my favourite Champions League memory - Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott has explained why Lionel Messi features in his abiding Champions League memory

Walcott scored as the Gunners came back from a 2-0 down against the Catalian giants in 2010 to draw the first Leg of their quater final at the Emirates.

Messi brilliancy ensured Arsenal exited the competition.

However, Walcott has fond memories of that tie.

"That [home leg] was a great night and a great performance,” he told the Arsenal Magazine. 

“I also remember something which happened before the return leg in Spain.

“I was doing the press conference at the Nou Camp the night before the game and I saw Lionel Messi at the top of the stairs. I was chatting to him, then the boss came up to me afterwards and joked, 'Theo, why didn’t you push him down the stairs?!’

“That has never left me, I thought it was brilliant, really funny from the boss.

“I think he scored four goals the next day as well. It’s things like that that are great memories, because people don’t see that side of it.

“That home game against Barcelona was definitely something special though."

Lionel Messi wins goal of the season

The UEFA Best Player in Europe wasn't the only award that Lionel Messi got on Thursday.

Before the Champions League group stage draw and the ceremony that named the Argentine superstar as the best performer of last season, the Barcelona genius was also awarded "Champions League Goal of the Season" for his unforgettable score against Bayern Munich in the first leg of last season's semifinal.

Late in the second half, after Leo himself found the opening goal, Barça started to dominate the game, and after a nice exchange of passes, Ivan Rakitic played a beautiful through ball to Messi, who went into a one-on-one duel with center-back Jerome Boateng. The number 10 made a spectacular move that literally made the German defender fall to the ground, and to complete the masterpiece, he gracefully chipped the ball over Manuel Neuer to score his second of the game.

In case you have forgotten, or just want to see for the thousandth time like myself, here is the award-winning spectacle by the world's greatest footballer.

FRIDAY SOCCER PREDICTION

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
19.00 19.00 17.30 17.30	Paris                         vs    brest  Dijon                          vs   creteil heidenheim               vs   kaserlautern frieburg                   vs   sandhausen	2-3   2-3   2-3   2-3	2.20 2.15 2.10 2.15

                            Total odds  21.36

Rooney hat-trick fires Manchester United to champions league group stage

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney ended a 10-game scoring drought by grabbing a hat trick in Manchester United 4-0 win at bruge that progressed Van Gaal's side into the champions league group stage on Wednesday.

Rooney's confidence grew after putting his side on top in the 20th minute with a lobbed finish over the diving goalkeeper. The Skipper added more goals in the 49th and 57th minutes as Bruges' defense was repeatedly opened up.

Rooney waste a great chance for his fourth goal before Ander Herrera wrapped up the win in the 63rd minute. Javier Hernandez missed a penalty in the 81st to make it almost 5-0 after being handed the chance by Rooney, United penalty taker.

"It was a big disappointment last year not to challenge in (the Champions League)," Rooney said. "It was vital we went through any way we could.

Rooney scoring form was the biggest concern for Manchester United as they approached the season although he insisted it was only a matter of time before he got back to his scoring form.

Manchester United won 7-1 on aggregate and returned to Europe's premier competition after a one-year absence.

WEDNESDAY SOCCER PREDICTION

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
19.45 17.00 19.45 19.45	CSKA MOSCOW         vs    SPORTING CP  BRAGA B                   vs   AVES  Apoel                        vs   fc astana BRUGGE                      vs   MANCHESTER UTD	1   X   x   2	2.20 3.25 3.30 1.91	WON LOSS WON WON

                            Total odds  45.06

Liverpool in shock as midfield star agrees surprise deal to join ex Man U boss

Asier Illarramendi will leave Real madrid to join former united boss David Moyes at Real Sociedad, according to reports.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Spanish Midfielder for a £15million deal.

The 25-year-old left his boyhood club for the Bernabeu in a deal worth around £23m in 2013. He has made 59 appearances but appears to be out of favour with new manager Rafa Benitez.

And Real Sociedad boss Moyes could be ready to set up emotional reunion, while doing this old club United a favour at the same time.

Moyes was a resounding flop at old trafford but might well have a dealth a blow to one of premier league side concluding a deal.

TUESDAY SOCCER PREDICTION

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
19.45 19.45 19.00 18.30	MACCABI TEL AVIV vs    BASEL  MALMO                       vs   CELTIC TOUR                            vs   SOCHAUX CHIPPAS                      vs   PRETORIA	2   X   X   X	2.20 3.70 3.23 3.20

                            Total odds  84.1

Manchester United set to lure Barcelona star with £240m bid

Manchester united are considering £240m package deal to lure Neymar away from Barcelona

According to The Sun who claims that united boss are ready to break the bank for the brazillian.

The report explained that United will pay Neymar £130m buoyant clause which will then rise to a staggering £165m tax add-ons, making the 23-year-old the most expensive player ever.

Then Red Devils are prepared to offer the barcelona star a five-year contract worth a whopping £75m

The reports are unconfirmed and it remains to be seen if united will consider offering that staggering amount.

Meanwhile, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has come out to state that Neymar is happy in Spain.

He said: 'Neymar feels great at Barcelona'

'We will have renewal talks later, we want him to stay for years and even retire here'.

FIFA is not corrupt - Sepp Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has refuted the claim following the allegation of Corruption in FIFA organisation.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the organisation is not corrupt and that he protected the sport's governing body by stepping down from his position.

Sepp Blatter has served as FIFA president since 1998, but his tenure has been marred by repeated allegations of corruption prior to the arrests of FIFA officialS.

The Swiss was re-elected president, but announced his intention to relinquish his mandate as president in June 2 less than a week after nine FIFA officials were indicted on charges on racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

Sepp Blatter,s replacement will be elected at an Extraordinary Congress in Febuary and the current incumbent was unambiguous in his response to suggestion that FIFA have been tarnished due to recent allegation.

"That's not true, this has been created. The institution is not corrupt – there is no corruption in football," he told BBC Sport.

"There is corruption with individuals, there is not a general organised corruption.

"It is with people, the institution FIFA is not corrupt. It's not the institution, that's why I can't understand why the world's media say FIFA is corrupt."

Blatter also explained his reason for stepping down, adding 'i did it because i wanted to protect FIFA'

"I can protect myself. I am strong enough.

"I know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and I know I'm an honest man. I am clean. I am not a worried man."

Benzema rubbishes talk on Arsenal transfer rumour

Arsenal suffer £50m knockout blow as French ace Karim Benzema rubbishes Emirates deal Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has rubbished any chance of signing for Arsenal this summer.

The French international has been linked with a staggering £50m Gunners move throughout the summer, fuelled by claims he was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

However, Benzema took to Twitter to break Arsenal hearts by rubbishing the speculation, he wrote: "For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!"

Rafa Benitez, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, has set the Frenchman a target of 25 goals for the season, something he has not achieved since 2011-12 when he netted 31.

“For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!”

Karim Benzema

In a recent press conference, Benitez said: "I have said many times that I am convinced Benzema is a great forward.

"That's why I set him a target of 25 goals to motivate him and so he can express himself.

"So we have a lot of attacking options and that's why right now we are not looking for a striker."  

Nasarawa United ends Kano Pillar's 12 years home invisibility

Nigeria premier league side Kano Pillars ended their twelve years home invisibility by a stunning 2-1 defeat from Nasarawa United on Sunday. 

The defeat was Pillars' first in 202 matches at their Sani Abacha stadium, some 4,446 days since they lost by the same scoreline against Julius Berger FC on on 21th June, 2003.

Just to rub salt into the injury, both of Nasarawa's goals were scored by ex-Pillars players, Manir Ubale and Bature Yaro.

"If anything we should celebrate today for the record," Pillars tweeted despondently after the final whistle.

Sadly, in football as in life, all things must eventually pass -- even 12-year unbeaten records!

Pellegrini lauds record-breaking City

Manuel Pellegrini said the way his imperious Manchester City side performed at Everton gave him more satisfaction than equalling the club record for consecutive top-flight victories. according to soccerway

Second-half goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri stretched City's winning run to nine Premier League matches - matching a record set way back in September 1912.

City made an early statement of intent by beating champions Chelsea 3-0 last Sunday and seven days on were hugely impressive once again at Goodison Park, where they made it three wins out of three at the start of the Premier League season.

Pellegrini stated that seeing his side perform in such a manner to return to the top of the table was more satisfying than entering the record books.

The City boss told Sky Sports: "I think it was a very professional performance, we were playing against a very difficult team.

"Both in the first and second [half] we very confident and solid and had more chances to score than Everton. Again we scored more goals and got a clean sheet, we are playing very well.

"We have a good squad and it is important to have all the players involved. It also important to understand we are just starting the season, we have only played three games. 

"Before the game someone told me that we can equal a club record, but more importantly we are top of the table and the most important thing is to see the team play as well as we are doing.

"I repeat it is only three games and the season finishes in May."

Kevin De Bruyne is still being strongly linked with a move to City and Pellegrini is not ruling out doing more business in the transfer window.

"The transfer window finishes on August 31, so we will see what happens," said the Chilean.