Science tells us that nature abhors a vacuum and will always rush to fill it. Perhaps that's why as soon as the eternal Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi head-to-head withered away when CR7 left Spain, Sergio Ramos stepped up to the plate?Right now we are witnessing a kind of dead-ball shootout between someone who's developing into one of the greatest-ever free-kick takers and Ramos, who's suddenly become an assassin from the penalty spot.Messi is a metronome. The vogue phrase these days...

Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi's talent after another hat trick. Alejandro Moreno says Slavia Prague's lack of quality is the only reason Barcelona earned a point Tuesday. Janusz Michallik questions whether Ernesto Valverde has much time left at Barcelona after their loss vs. Levante. Steve Nicol feels Gerard Pique shouldn't stick his nose in Barca's transfer business involving Neymar. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Erling Haaland but sources have told ESPN FC that they consider the €100 million price tag for the FC Salzburg striker to be excessive.The Spanish champions, along with a significant number of Europe's biggest clubs, have been impressed by Haaland's performances this season, especially in the Champions League.- ESPN La Liga fantasy: Sign up now!- When does the transfer window reopen?He scored his fifth hat trick of the season at the weekend against...

Don Hutchison has said Diego Maradona is his GOAT, but Lionel Messi's continued 'genius' is changing his mind.

Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi's talent after another hat trick. Alejandro Moreno says Slavia Prague's lack of quality is the only reason Barcelona earned a point Tuesday. Janusz Michallik questions whether Ernesto Valverde has much time left at Barcelona after their loss vs. Levante. After Real Madrid's 4-0 win at Eibar, Shaka Hislop believes they are working their way back to their best. Barcelona and Real Madrid could meet in the final of the revamped Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia in January after the two sides were kept apart in Monday's draw.Madrid will play Valencia in one semifinal on Jan. 8 with Barca facing Atletico Madrid in the other match one day later. The final will then be contested on Jan. 12.- ESPN La Liga fantasy: Sign up now!- When does the transfer window reopen?The Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] had earlier announced that the competition will be held...

Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi's talent after another hat trick. Alejandro Moreno says Slavia Prague's lack of quality is the only reason Barcelona earned a point Tuesday. Janusz Michallik questions whether Ernesto Valverde has much time left at Barcelona after their loss vs. Levante. Steve Nicol feels Gerard Pique shouldn't stick his nose in Barca's transfer business involving Neymar. Barcelona are worried about the number of muscle injuries they are suffering this season after losing full-back Nelson Semedo to a calf problem for five weeks, sources have told ESPN FC.Since the season began in August, manager Ernesto Valverde's side have endured 17 injuries, with 15 of them muscle related. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele have all been affected.Semedo was taken off after just 20 minutes during Saturday's 4-1 win over Celta Vigo with a pulled calf muscle. The...

Shaka Hislop says there are no superlatives left to describe Lionel Messi's talent after another hat trick. Celta Vigo coach Oscar Garcia said Lionel Messi is uncontrollable after the Barcelona forward's 34th La Liga hat trick spoiled his return to management.Garcia replaced Fran Escriba as Celta coach earlier this week but was helpless on the touchline as three Messi set-piece goals helped Barca to a 4-1 win.Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before scoring two free kicks as Ernesto Valverde's side returned to winning ways following defeat by Levante and a draw with Slavia Prague."With...