Football returned to Spain and Italy, two of the countries worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, this weekend after a three-month shu...
Football returned to Spain and Italy, two of the countries worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, this weekend after a three-month shutdown while the German season is approaching the finish line after setting the example for other leagues to follow.
Here’s a look at five talking points from this weekend’s action across the continent:
Different look, same Messi
More than three months had passed since Lionel Messi’s last appearance on a football field. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 33 in little over a week, but while he approaches veteran status, his post-lockdown look is more of a reminder of the young Messi.
The hair is longer and swept over to one side. Most strikingly the beard has gone, leaving the Argentine looking fresh-faced.
La Liga’s leading scorer looked sharp with the ball at his feet too, and scored the final goal of a 4-0 win away in Mallorca – after earlier strikes by Arturo Vidal, Martin Braithwaite and Jordi Alba – as Barcelona stayed two points clear of title rivals Real Madrid.
Hazard health again a concern
Real Madrid made a convincing first step in their renewed chase of Barcelona, sweeping Eibar aside 3-1 in their new training ground home at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
However, Eden Hazard, making his first start since February, gave Real fresh...
