Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[nmc]

Haha, reminds me of a Guardian article from 2011.

On Wednesday night Sid Lowe wrote a piece for this paper detailing the not inconsiderable virtues of Sergio Agüero. Within half an hour of its publication online, the magic words had appeared in the comments section: "Can't wait for Agüero to face Blackburn on an unlikely rescheduled Tuesday night at the Etihad. Lots of wind and rain."

 

[BlueDejong]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/10572797/Barcelona-paid-34m-signing-bonus-to-company-owned-by-Neymar-parents-in-Brazilians-transfer.html

Barcelona paid £34m 'signing bonus' to company owned by Neymar parents in Brazilian's transfer
Spanish champions reveal details of forward's move and promise to 'defend their honour' as saga underlines problems of third-party ownership

Barcelona have admitted a company owned by Neymar’s parents received more than 70 per cent of the near £50 million transfer fee that brought the player to the Nou Camp.
The Spanish champions bowed to pressure to divulge details of who made money out of the Brazil star’s move from Santos last summer after Spanish prosecutors asked a Madrid judge to investigate alleged irregularities in the deal.
The case was brought by Barca member Jordi Cases, an opponent of club president Sandro Rosell, who he also accused of failing to disclose the true cost of signing Neymar.
Cases and other observers claim the eventual outlay could rise from £48.6  million to more than £63 million, while it has been alleged £34 million of the fee paid for Neymar went to the player and his family as a “signing bonus”.
Barca have now acknowledged that figure was the amount paid to a company called N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd, which is owned by the 21-year-old’s parents.

The revelation could result in further legal action being taken against the club by a separate player investment fund, DIS Esporte, which acquired 40 per cent of Neymar’s transfer rights while he was at Santos.
The Sao Paulo-based firm received £5.8 million from the Barca deal – 40 per cent of what remained after N&N was paid £34 million – and is seeking to obtain documents about the move from the Catalan club amid rumours there are two different versions, one of them described as “simulated”.
The allegations were enough for prosecutors to ask Fifa and Santos for any documentation they held on the transfer.
Barca, who had said upon signing Neymar that the precise percentages paid to various stakeholders was “confidential”, reacted angrily to the lawsuit brought by Cases, demanding it be “thrown out of court” and categorically denying they had broken any laws.
Revealing they had submitted an affidavit to the court, they added in a statement: “The club provides a detailed argument as to why the lawsuit should be dismissed.
“Firstly because of the real motivation of the plaintiff, which is to use the legal system to attempt to discredit the club and its president.
“Secondly, the affidavit explains that the payment of €40 million [£34  million] to N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd as part of the payment for the player is included in the €57.1 million [£48.6 million] total, which the club has indicated from the first moment.
“Thirdly, the club refutes the arguments of the Finance Ministry of Jan 10, 2014, because, on the one hand, no contract simulation or mutation existed between the agreements made between the player and the N&N company in November 2011 and that signed on June 3, 2014, in order to definitely sign the player for the club.
“Finally, the club’s affidavit asks for the action to be thrown out, as it is not pertinent, necessary or corresponding to the appropriate procedural occasion.”
The club’s statement followed another last week in which they expressed their “indignation” over the investigation into Neymar’s transfer, accusing Madrid prosecutors of showing no interest in their own position.
The club also strongly hinted that arch rivals Real Madrid had attempted to sign Neymar on similar terms.
“Our rivals were prepared to do the same operation, with much more money, but due to the ability and skill of its negotiating team, FC Barcelona were able to get in first,” they said.
“The complexity of the contract, which the prosecutor calls ‘contract simulation’, has never been in itself illegal and we believe that the prosecutor’s belief that it is, is a mistake.
“Given the seriousness of this situation and although we believe in the good working of justice, we intend to act decisively to defend the honour of FCB and its president.”
The Neymar saga is the latest to expose the pitfalls of players being owned by third parties, a practice banned in England but almost actively encouraged in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. Uefa wants it outlawed worldwide.
Brazilian football journalist Mauricio Savarese said: “It’s a very big problem for Brazilian football now and many clubs are worried about the power these ‘owners’ have over players.”
Neymar’s signing has proved an inspired one for Barca, with the forward scoring nine goals and setting up 10 more in La Liga and the Champions League this season to fill the void left by the injured Lionel Messi.
Messi is himself embroiled in legal difficulties in Spain, with his father appearing in court in September to give evidence to a judge after prosecutors accused the pair of evading €4.2 million (£3.5 million) in taxes, something they deny.

 

[CitizenTID]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/10572797/Barcelona-paid-34m-signing-bonus-to-company-owned-by-Neymar-parents-in-Brazilians-transfer.html

Barcelona paid £34m 'signing bonus' to company owned by Neymar parents in Brazilian's transfer
Spanish champions reveal details of forward's move and promise to 'defend their honour' as saga underlines problems of third-party ownership

Barcelona have admitted a company owned by Neymar’s parents received more than 70 per cent of the near £50 million transfer fee that brought the player to the Nou Camp.
The Spanish champions bowed to pressure to divulge details of who made money out of the Brazil star’s move from Santos last summer after Spanish prosecutors asked a Madrid judge to investigate alleged irregularities in the deal.
The case was brought by Barca member Jordi Cases, an opponent of club president Sandro Rosell, who he also accused of failing to disclose the true cost of signing Neymar.
Cases and other observers claim the eventual outlay could rise from £48.6  million to more than £63 million, while it has been alleged £34 million of the fee paid for Neymar went to the player and his family as a “signing bonus”.
Barca have now acknowledged that figure was the amount paid to a company called N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd, which is owned by the 21-year-old’s parents.

The revelation could result in further legal action being taken against the club by a separate player investment fund, DIS Esporte, which acquired 40 per cent of Neymar’s transfer rights while he was at Santos.
The Sao Paulo-based firm received £5.8 million from the Barca deal – 40 per cent of what remained after N&N was paid £34 million – and is seeking to obtain documents about the move from the Catalan club amid rumours there are two different versions, one of them described as “simulated”.
The allegations were enough for prosecutors to ask Fifa and Santos for any documentation they held on the transfer.
Barca, who had said upon signing Neymar that the precise percentages paid to various stakeholders was “confidential”, reacted angrily to the lawsuit brought by Cases, demanding it be “thrown out of court” and categorically denying they had broken any laws.
Revealing they had submitted an affidavit to the court, they added in a statement: “The club provides a detailed argument as to why the lawsuit should be dismissed.
“Firstly because of the real motivation of the plaintiff, which is to use the legal system to attempt to discredit the club and its president.
“Secondly, the affidavit explains that the payment of €40 million [£34  million] to N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd as part of the payment for the player is included in the €57.1 million [£48.6 million] total, which the club has indicated from the first moment.
“Thirdly, the club refutes the arguments of the Finance Ministry of Jan 10, 2014, because, on the one hand, no contract simulation or mutation existed between the agreements made between the player and the N&N company in November 2011 and that signed on June 3, 2014, in order to definitely sign the player for the club.
“Finally, the club’s affidavit asks for the action to be thrown out, as it is not pertinent, necessary or corresponding to the appropriate procedural occasion.”
The club’s statement followed another last week in which they expressed their “indignation” over the investigation into Neymar’s transfer, accusing Madrid prosecutors of showing no interest in their own position.
The club also strongly hinted that arch rivals Real Madrid had attempted to sign Neymar on similar terms.
“Our rivals were prepared to do the same operation, with much more money, but due to the ability and skill of its negotiating team, FC Barcelona were able to get in first,” they said.
“The complexity of the contract, which the prosecutor calls ‘contract simulation’, has never been in itself illegal and we believe that the prosecutor’s belief that it is, is a mistake.
“Given the seriousness of this situation and although we believe in the good working of justice, we intend to act decisively to defend the honour of FCB and its president.”
The Neymar saga is the latest to expose the pitfalls of players being owned by third parties, a practice banned in England but almost actively encouraged in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. Uefa wants it outlawed worldwide.
Brazilian football journalist Mauricio Savarese said: “It’s a very big problem for Brazilian football now and many clubs are worried about the power these ‘owners’ have over players.”
Neymar’s signing has proved an inspired one for Barca, with the forward scoring nine goals and setting up 10 more in La Liga and the Champions League this season to fill the void left by the injured Lionel Messi.
Messi is himself embroiled in legal difficulties in Spain, with his father appearing in court in September to give evidence to a judge after prosecutors accused the pair of evading €4.2 million (£3.5 million) in taxes, something they deny.

Well I'm glad we weren't really in for him now!

 

[kippaxblue76]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/10572797/Barcelona-paid-34m-signing-bonus-to-company-owned-by-Neymar-parents-in-Brazilians-transfer.html

Barcelona paid £34m 'signing bonus' to company owned by Neymar parents in Brazilian's transfer
Spanish champions reveal details of forward's move and promise to 'defend their honour' as saga underlines problems of third-party ownership

Barcelona have admitted a company owned by Neymar’s parents received more than 70 per cent of the near £50 million transfer fee that brought the player to the Nou Camp.
The Spanish champions bowed to pressure to divulge details of who made money out of the Brazil star’s move from Santos last summer after Spanish prosecutors asked a Madrid judge to investigate alleged irregularities in the deal.
The case was brought by Barca member Jordi Cases, an opponent of club president Sandro Rosell, who he also accused of failing to disclose the true cost of signing Neymar.
Cases and other observers claim the eventual outlay could rise from £48.6  million to more than £63 million, while it has been alleged £34 million of the fee paid for Neymar went to the player and his family as a “signing bonus”.
Barca have now acknowledged that figure was the amount paid to a company called N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd, which is owned by the 21-year-old’s parents.

The revelation could result in further legal action being taken against the club by a separate player investment fund, DIS Esporte, which acquired 40 per cent of Neymar’s transfer rights while he was at Santos.
The Sao Paulo-based firm received £5.8 million from the Barca deal – 40 per cent of what remained after N&N was paid £34 million – and is seeking to obtain documents about the move from the Catalan club amid rumours there are two different versions, one of them described as “simulated”.
The allegations were enough for prosecutors to ask Fifa and Santos for any documentation they held on the transfer.
Barca, who had said upon signing Neymar that the precise percentages paid to various stakeholders was “confidential”, reacted angrily to the lawsuit brought by Cases, demanding it be “thrown out of court” and categorically denying they had broken any laws.
Revealing they had submitted an affidavit to the court, they added in a statement: “The club provides a detailed argument as to why the lawsuit should be dismissed.
“Firstly because of the real motivation of the plaintiff, which is to use the legal system to attempt to discredit the club and its president.
“Secondly, the affidavit explains that the payment of €40 million [£34  million] to N&N Consultoria Esportiva and Empresarial Ltd as part of the payment for the player is included in the €57.1 million [£48.6 million] total, which the club has indicated from the first moment.
“Thirdly, the club refutes the arguments of the Finance Ministry of Jan 10, 2014, because, on the one hand, no contract simulation or mutation existed between the agreements made between the player and the N&N company in November 2011 and that signed on June 3, 2014, in order to definitely sign the player for the club.
“Finally, the club’s affidavit asks for the action to be thrown out, as it is not pertinent, necessary or corresponding to the appropriate procedural occasion.”
The club’s statement followed another last week in which they expressed their “indignation” over the investigation into Neymar’s transfer, accusing Madrid prosecutors of showing no interest in their own position.
The club also strongly hinted that arch rivals Real Madrid had attempted to sign Neymar on similar terms.
“Our rivals were prepared to do the same operation, with much more money, but due to the ability and skill of its negotiating team, FC Barcelona were able to get in first,” they said.
“The complexity of the contract, which the prosecutor calls ‘contract simulation’, has never been in itself illegal and we believe that the prosecutor’s belief that it is, is a mistake.
“Given the seriousness of this situation and although we believe in the good working of justice, we intend to act decisively to defend the honour of FCB and its president.”
The Neymar saga is the latest to expose the pitfalls of players being owned by third parties, a practice banned in England but almost actively encouraged in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. Uefa wants it outlawed worldwide.
Brazilian football journalist Mauricio Savarese said: “It’s a very big problem for Brazilian football now and many clubs are worried about the power these ‘owners’ have over players.”
Neymar’s signing has proved an inspired one for Barca, with the forward scoring nine goals and setting up 10 more in La Liga and the Champions League this season to fill the void left by the injured Lionel Messi.
Messi is himself embroiled in legal difficulties in Spain, with his father appearing in court in September to give evidence to a judge after prosecutors accused the pair of evading €4.2 million (£3.5 million) in taxes, something they deny.

Well I'm glad we weren't really in for him now!

It was never going to happen.

 

[johnmc]

Any Messi songs about?

 

[hihosilva]

Any Messi songs about?

my old man's a dustman

 

[Samsdad]

Any Messi songs about?

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNRDLwqfnPk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNRDLwqfnPk</a>


Can we sing the chorus to Messi when he comes to the etihad ;-)

 

[BlueRockape]

I have been talking to a few Spanish lads and they are undesieded whether he will leave or not. They seem to think.

How much they can get for him to help take the club on as in buy new players

The result in the coming fixture.

And the pull of Zab and Kun

 

[Borriske]

The title of this thread always reminds of the first five seconds of this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruav0KvQOOg[/youtube]

 

[DalbeyINUK]

The title of this thread always reminds of the first five seconds of this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruav0KvQOOg[/youtube]

That's fantastic.