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Weekly News 26 9 11
Weekly Soccer News, September 26, 2011
Messi: I want to continue breaking records
Lionel Messi has insisted that he wants to continue breaking longstanding records at Barcelona after his 12th hat-trick for the Catalan club helped them demolish Atletico Madrid.
Messi’s magnificent three-goal haul, his third against Atletico, took him to within two strikes of Hungary's Laszlo Kubala, who scored 194 goals for Barca in the 1950s – and that aged just 24.
All-time number one Cesar Rodriguez scored a club record 235 goals between 1939 and 1955.
"I'm pretty calm about it. I just take it a game at a time, but obviously I'm very excited about becoming top scorer," Messi told fcbarcelona.com. "Many years have gone by and it's still the same player (Kubala). Hopefully I can beat his stats. I want to continue breaking records here."
The Spanish champions have already plundered 22 goals in five La Liga games this season
Reyes: La Liga is better than the Premier League
Jose Antonio Reyes has claimed that Spain’s La Liga remains the best domestic league in the world despite the dominance of leading clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Spanish World Cup winner collected a Premier League championship medal during his spell in the English capital with Arsenal and also won a La Liga medal with Real in 2007.
The 28-year-old has since settled at Atletico despite a rocky beginning to his career at the Vicente Calderon, but said that there was little debate in his mind when it came to selecting the best league in the world.
Reyes told the official Fifa website: “The Spanish league, without a doubt. The English league’s good to play in because the game’s played at pace and rarely stops, and referees only blow for obvious fouls, but there’s more quality and possession football in the Spanish league."
Owen: England recall unlikely
Michael Owen has admitted that an England recall ahead of the national team’s match against Montenegro on October 7 is extremely unlikely.
Backed by Sir Alex Ferguson to re-enter Fabio Capello’s thoughts after scoring twice in Manchester United’s Carling Cup victory over Leeds United last week, Owen revealed he would relish the chance to rejoin the England fold.
Despite scoring 40 international goals in 89 games, he has featured just once under Capello.
But the 31-year-old, who missed the weekend’s Premier League draw at Stoke City, is in line for another starting position in the Champions League tie against Basle on Tuesday because of Wayne Rooney’s hamstring strain.
Owen, 31, told The Observer in England: "I would never turn my back on [an England recall], but obviously there's a scar there that still hurts a bit. But I don't get upset now when I'm not in the squad, like I used to. If I got a call-up I'd be there within five minutes."
Cole makes excellent start in France
Another experienced player currently in the international wilderness is Joe Cole, but his claims have also been reignited by an excellent start in Ligue 1 for new club Lille.
Cole joined the French champions on a season-long loan deal during the summer transfer window, and he has hit the ground running after an injury-affected season on Merseyside.
The former West Ham United and Chelsea midfielder scored Lille’s goal in their 1-1 draw at home against Lorient on Saturday, after which manager Rudi Garcia was full of praise.
"The goal by Joe Cole was international class and it should have sufficed for us to win the game. So much good play, so much effort, and all for just one point," he said.
Helsingborgs clinch crown in Sweden
Helsingborgs have secured an unassailable lead in Sweden’s Allsvenskan after establishing a 10-point lead over AIK with a 3-1 win at GAIS.
AIK could only draw 1-1 against Malmo after Math Ranegie grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser.
Helsingborgs goalkeeper Par Hansson said afterwards: "This is the first and last time I will do it, but today I address a big thanks to Malmo."
Compiled by Marc Fox
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