New Arsenal signing Lukas Podolski had a weekend he will not forget in a hurry…
Bringing you the top five football stories and videos from around the world – often quirky, even tragic, and always dramatic – from the global game.
A new HITC Sport feature; Every Tuesday and Friday at 1pm.
1) Podolski farewell goes with a bang
New Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski’s farewell to his German club Koln didn’t exactly go as planned. The club were relegated from the Bundesliga despite his best efforts, and fans vented their displeasure. Not by booing, but by setting off smoke bombs which engulfed the pitch. The game had to be abandoned a few minutes early, and Podolski was ushered from the pitch for his own safety, prevented from saying a proper goodbye to the club’s fans.
2) Lionel Messi sets new football record
The achievements of Lionel Messi simply cannot and will not be ignored. He scored all four goals in Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Espanyol, taking his tally to an incredible 72 for the season. In this day and age of professionalism from defenders, such feats should not be possible, but every generation there is a player who is that much superior to his peers. The debate over whether he is the best footballer ever will rage on, and this will go a huge way in favour of a yes towards that particular argument. Don’t miss out on watching Messi’s finest moments below.
3) Nicolas Blandi hits incredible overhead kick for Boca Juniors… crushed in celebrations
The Copa Libertadores is South America’s Champions League, and it is every bit as dramatic. Last week Argentine giants Boca Juniors salvaged a 2-2 draw with Chilean club Atletico Rafaela thanks to a wondrous goal. Striker Nicolas Blandi was the goalscorer, a spectacular bicycle kick from a corner in the final minute. The fans went wild and so did his teammates. Blandi’s hand appeared to be crushed in the celebrations, but when he looks back at the goal he will know it was worth it. The video starts with the celebrations and the goal is replayed halfway through, it is well worth waiting for.
4) Marco Di Vaio bows out of Bologna
Marco di Vaio is an Italian striker who has scored more than 140 goals in Serie A. He played his final home game for club side Bologna this weekend, and his time playing in Italy is about to come to an end. Now 35, he has been playing at the top level since 1993, for clubs including Lazio, Parma, Juventus and Genoa, also playing abroad with Monaco and Valencia. He wasn’t able to cap his final home game against Napoli with a goal, but the club ran out 2-0 winners and he was given an adoring reception from his fans. He may never have found success with the Azzurri, but he remains one of the most enduring Italian strikers of his generation- scoring a winner over Inter Milan earlier this year, and now looks set for a move to Canadian side Montreal.
5) Nigerian striker Yekini dies at 48
Rashidi Yekini, the man famed for shaking the net with joy after scoring for Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup has died aged 48. Yekini went onto play at World Cup 1998 and was voted African Footballer of the Year in 1993. The cause of his death is yet to be officially revealed, but he had been reported as fallen ill last year. His career in Europe included spells in Portugal and Greece, but it will be scoring Nigeria’s first ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria which he will be best remembered for.
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image: © prettyfriendship
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