Lionel Messi is only ensured to stay with Barcelona if the presidential elections are won by Joan Laporta, says the favourite for Sunday's vote.
Laporta is bidding to return to the top job at Camp Nou following a successful tenure between 2003 and 2010, which began with the signing of Ronaldinho and concluded amid Pep Guardiola's glorious era in charge.
The emergence of Messi as world football's pre-eminent superstar also happened during that period and Laporta feels his established relationship can help to patch things up between the club and their record goalscorer.
Messi sought to leave Barca after the end of last season and is yet to announce his intentions for when his contract expires in June, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain each linked to the 33-year-old.
Laporta was speaking at a debate alongside fellow candidates Victor Font and Toni Freixa on Tuesday.
Font believes his pledge to bring in Xavi as Barca coach would be persuasive for Messi, who he has earmarked for "a life contract", but Laporta primarily turned his attention towards Freixa, who worked under the presidencies of Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu when cracks in the relationship with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner started to appear.
"We will not be able to compete in money with other offers that [Messi] has," Laporta said.
"What he wants is to win again. I have a great relationship with Leo and he will value the proposal I make.
"I am the only one who can ensure his continuity. If I don't win, I'm sure Leo won't continue at Barca.
"He was not very happy with Freixa's time, when they let him see that he was expendable.
"My relationship with the Messi family has always been excellent."
Bartomeu's tenure, which ended in resignation last October after the Messi crisis was partially averted, was cast in an unsavoury light once more on Monday.
The former president was among four men arrested in relation to a raid on Barcelona's club offices by Catalan police, who are investigating possible economic crimes under Bartomeu's administration – reportedly in relation to the "Barcagate" scandal where a third party was allegedly paid to smear club greats including Messi and Guardiola.
The 58-year-old was provisionally released on Tuesday after spending a night in jail, appearing before a judge and exercising his right not to testify to charges of unfair administration and corruption in business.
Freixa expressed "sadness" and "surprise" that such matters should come to a head in election week, although Font went on the attack.
"[Bartomeu's arrest shows] the need and urgency to turn the page and build a new club model to prevent these things from happening," he said.
"We are talking about the possibility that a former president has used money from the entity to attack players and people around Barcelona, including myself."
Laporta, arguably granted such a luxury by his strong position in the polls, opted to remain above the fray on the matter.
“We cannot prejudge or take advantage of this situation for our own benefit," he said.
"You have to let the process evolve. If responsibilities have to be clarified, we will do it."
Ronald Koeman implored his Barcelona side to focus on the football after admitting the events of the past couple of days are "not good for the club's image".
On Monday, Los Mossos d'Esquadra carried out several searches of the club's premises, prompting Barca to say have "offered up their full collaboration to the legal and police authorities to help make clear facts which are subject to investigation."
According to Spanish news agency EFE, former Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu was taken into custody as part of the probe carried out by the economic crimes department of the Catalan police. EFE said on Tuesday Bartomeu has been provisionally released under charges of unfair administration and corruption of business.
The investigation is thought to centre around the "Barcagate" scandal, in which it was alleged social media company 13 Ventures were paid by Barcelona to smear club greats such as Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Gerard Pique and ex-president Joan Laporta during Bartomeu's leadership.
In July 2020, Barca's offices were searched by Los Mossos in relation to those claims, although the club hired Price Waterhouse Coopers to investigate the matter and the global auditing firm found in their favour.
Addressing the chaotic events at a pre-match news conference for Barca's second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Sevilla, head coach Koeman said: "It's not good for the club's image.
"We have to wait and see what happens. I wasn't here, I don't know what happened. We can't do anything, we must focus on football."
Bartomeu stepped down as Barca president in October ahead of a vote of no confidence in his leadership, a move that followed a close season of turmoil in which Messi attempted to leave Camp Nou.
Elections to choose his successor are scheduled to take place on Sunday amid another turbulent episode at Barca, with Laporta the favourite to return for a second stint in charge.
It has long-been suggested that a new regime will look to install club legend Xavi as head coach, rumours Koeman says he has no time to focus on.
"I'm not worried about Xavi. I have a contract," he added.
"When we know who the president is, we will have to speak and [he will] show me his way. This week only plays tomorrow's game."
For Koeman the immediate focus is on attempting to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Sevilla, a team they defeated by the same scoreline in LaLiga on Sunday.
"We know we have a bad result to come back from, but I think we have a chance. The team is very hungry," he said.
"The team has focused on doing good things. We have to ask for more effectiveness and a clean sheet, which will be vital.
"All clubs go through difficult times. A lot has happened to us this season. We are fighting to win things. In the end what counts is the field, the games, being with the group.
"This is the best place for me, until the last day I will try to do my best for Barca. How long will I be here, it doesn't influence me."
Pedri offered Koeman a pre-match boost by resuming training following the leg injury he sustained during the weekend meeting with Sevilla, but defender Ronald Araujo remains a doubt after a setback when returning from an ankle problem during the same match.
Central Coast Mariners moved four points clear at the A-League summit with a 2-1 victory over Perth Glory.
Matt Simon and Marco Urena were on target at HBF Park, where Bruno Fornaroli scored for the hosts, as the Mariners won for only the second time in their previous 26 league matches outside of New South Wales.
Alen Stajcic's side now boast seven wins from 10 games, with Macarthur, who the Mariners face next Monday, their nearest rivals.
Simon kept his cool to control with his chest and slot home the opener after just six minutes, with Urena heading in his first A-League goal before the break.
Fornaroli's close-range header from substitute Andy Keogh's cross in the 65th minute set up a tense finish but the Mariners held firm.
In Tuesday's other game, Jamie Maclaren's double led Melbourne City to a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Maclaren, last season's top scorer, took his tally for the campaign to seven in eight league games with a strike in each half, the second coming from the spot.
City have now won back-to-back games after four consecutive losses.
Johnny Sexton will continue to strut his stuff for Ireland and Leinster after signing a one-year contract extension to the end of the 2021-22 season.
The 35-year-old laid to rest speculation over his immediate future as he agreed a longer deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on Tuesday.
Sexton, the 2018 World Player of the Year, is Ireland's captain and talisman, with the fly-half in no rush to hang up his boots.
"I am really enjoying my rugby and I want to keep learning and adding value to both the Ireland and Leinster environments," he said.
"I am enjoying the challenge of captaincy and the added responsibility that it brings. My appetite for success is the same as it ever was and the ambitions of both the Ireland and Leinster squads match my own."
Sexton's impressive list of honours includes three Six Nations titles with his country, for whom he was won 97 caps, and four European Cups with Leinster.
Ireland's 2021 Six Nations campaign started with back-to-back loss against Wales and France before Saturday's thrashing of Italy.
Didier Drogba has a target on his back as Chelsea youngster Armando Broja seeks to surpass his celebrated achievements.
Broja is enjoying a productive loan spell at Vitesse in the Eredivisie, with nine goals in 20 league outings making him the top-scoring teenager in Europe's top 10 leagues - the top flights in the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Belgium and Greece in addition to the established big five under UEFA's country coefficients.
The 19-year-old made his Chelsea debut last March, coming off the bench in a 4-0 win over Everton.
He hopes it will prove to be the start of a memorable career at Stamford Bridge, with hotshot Drogba the man he is aiming to eclipse.
"Nine goals and two assists is good but I am never satisfied," the Albania international told Goal. "I want to get more goals and assists to keep tallying them up.
"I have played over 1,000 minutes and I have 11 goal contributions. It is not bad but I want more goals and assists. I want to do more."
Broja explained how seeing the likes of Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard as he was coming up through the youth system at Chelsea provided inspiration.
And it is the Ivorian forward whose footsteps he wants to follow, with Drogba having scored 104 Premier League goals for the club, putting him second behind Lampard (147).
He said: "I was like: 'Wow! That's Frank Lampard, Drogba or John Terry right in front of me' when I would see them around.
"I loved to take pictures with them because I wanted to be them. I wanted to be in their shoes at the top level.
"Now I am approaching the age they were when they were playing, I want to try and surpass Drogba. It might not be easy, but that's my mentality and how I am feeling."
Broja's next chance to impress is in Tuesday's KNVB Beker semi-final against VVV-Venlo and, should he help his side into the final, he will doubtless want to emulate Drogba's exploits in showpiece matches.
Drogba scored nine goals in 10 finals for Chelsea, while in 2007 he became the first player to net the decisive effort in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals in the same season.
The powerful forward also made his presence felt on the European stage, scoring a club-record 36 Champions League goal to underline the scale of the challenge Broja has set himself.
Reigning Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has signed a contract extension to stay at UAE Team Emirates until 2026.
The 22-year-old, then 21, became the youngest Tour winner in 116 years with a thrilling triumph in September, overhauling fellow Slovenian Primoz Roglic in the individual time trial in the penultimate day of the race.
And Pogacar will continue to ride for UAE Team Emirates after committing his future to the outfit.
The deal was announced after Pogacar claimed his first victory of the season at the UAE Tour.
"I feel at home in this team – there is a special atmosphere between the management, riders and staff and it's a good environment to be in," he said.
"The team shows a lot of trust and confidence in me, which I am thankful for, and I work hard to show that when I'm racing alongside my team-mates.
"I hope we can have many more successful seasons together in the years ahead."
Reigning Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has signed a contract extension to stay at UAE Team Emirates until 2026.
The 22-year-old, then 21, became the youngest Tour winner in 116 years with a thrilling triumph in September, overhauling fellow Slovenian Primoz Roglic in the individual time trial in the penultimate day of the race.
And Pogacar will continue to ride for UAE Team Emirates after committing his future to the outfit.
The deal was announced after Pogacar claimed his first victory of the season at the UAE Tour.
"I feel at home in this team – there is a special atmosphere between the management, riders and staff and it's a good environment to be in," he said.
"The team shows a lot of trust and confidence in me, which I am thankful for, and I work hard to show that when I'm racing alongside my team-mates.
"I hope we can have many more successful seasons together in the years ahead."
Joel Embiid felt he "dominated" Myles Turner once more as he boosted his Defensive Player of the Year hopes in the Philadelphia 76ers' win against the Indiana Pacers.
Embiid posted 24 points, five assists and 13 rebounds – all on the defensive end – as the Sixers raced to a 130-114 victory, improving to 23-12 at the top of the East.
It was a fourth defeat in a row for the Pacers and a punishing night for center Turner, who had promised to "step up to the challenge" of taking on MVP contender Embiid.
Turner is now 4-7 against Embiid in their career regular-season matchups, only once surpassing 11 points – his contribution on Monday – across those 11 games (25 points in March 2018).
By contrast, Embiid has averaged 28 points against the Pacers and enjoyed two of his 12 career 40-point games in meetings with Turner.
"He's a great player and I have a lot of respect for him," Embiid said of Turner, who joined the NBA the year before him.
"I say this respectfully: that's a matchup that I have dominated since I got to the league."
While Embiid looks to be going toe-to-toe with LeBron James for the MVP award, he says a DPOY challenge is also on the cards.
Rudy Gobert is widely considered the leading candidate for the outstanding Utah Jazz, topping the charts for defensive rebounds with 9.9 per game, Turner has been mooted as an alternative.
He has a sublime 3.4 blocks per game – well clear of second-placed Gobert's 2.8 – but could not live with Embiid, who averages 9.2 defensive rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals.
"[Turner] is a great defender," Embiid said. "He leads the league in blocks, he should be up there for Defensive Player of the Year, and that's also one of my goals.
"In those types of matchups, that's where you've got to take advantage. Especially if I have my eyes set on being the Defensive Player of the Year."
James Harden produced a triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets survived in overtime to claim a 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs on the road.
The Nets led by 10 points late in the game, but the Spurs forced overtime after the returning Kyrie Irving missed a lay-up and guard Dejounte Murray scored after falling to his knees on the transition.
But Brooklyn steadied the ship in overtime, with Harden finishing with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 15 assists, with good support from Irving (27 points) and Bruce Brown Jr. (23 points).
Zion Williamson scored 15 of his 26 points for the game in the third quarter as the New Orleans Pelicans toppled Western Conference leaders Utah Jazz 129-124.
The former number one pick's third quarter output was the second best of his career to date.
Doncic delights, Jokic goes big
Luka Doncic was one assist shy of a triple-double as he led the Dallas Mavericks to a 130-124 victory over the Orlando Magic, who have lost four in a row.
The in-form Slovenian All-Star finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Mavs, while Nikola Vucevic did his best for Orlando, with 29 points, 15 boards and eight assists.
Bojan Bogdanovic (31 points) was nailing three-pointers for fun for the Jazz, but the Pelicans' third quarter was the difference, piling on 40 points to 24.
Big Serbian Nikola Jokic posted 39 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls for the eighth straight time 118-112.
Joel Embiid put up 24 points as the Philadelphia 76ers got past the Indians Pacers 130-114.
No launch for Rockets
The Houston Rockets suffered their 12th consecutive defeat, going down 101-90 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The result leaves the Rockets heading towards the foot of the table with a 11-22 record, including nine defeats at home.
Downtown Trail Blazers
Carmelo Anthony posted a season-high 29 points which included six three-pointers in the Portland Trail Blazers' 123-111 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Anthony's six three-pointers helped the Trail Blazers set a new franchise record for most in one game, finishing with 24.
Monday's results
Philadelphia 76ers 130-114 Indiana Pacers
Dallas Mavericks 130-124 Orlando Magic
Denver Nuggets 118-112 Chicago Bulls
New Orleans Pelicans 129-124 Utah Jazz
Brooklyn Nets 124-113 San Antonio Spurs (OT)
Cleveland Cavaliers 101-90 Houston Rockets
Portland Trail Blazers 123-111 Charlotte Hornets
Playoffs contenders face off
There are three clashes between top contenders on Tuesday, led by the Los Angeles Lakers (24-11) and Phoenix Suns (22-11) meeting, along with the San Antonio Spurs-New York Knicks and Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Clippers clashes.
Zion Williamson's 15-point third quarter in Monday's shock win over the Utah Jazz was "incredible" according to New Orleans Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy, who again called on the referees to give him more protection.
The former number one draft pick was integral to the Pelicans' 129-124 victory over the Western Conference leaders, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists.
Utah pulled to within one point with 45 seconds to go before Williamson was ice cool with two free-throws.
The Pelicans got the jump in the third, when they outscored Utah 40-24 and opened up an 11-point buffer at the last change, led by Williamson with his second most prolific quarter in his NBA career to date.
"The third quarter was incredible," Van Gundy told reporters about 20-year-old Williamson post-game.
"They did a much better job on him in the fourth. In the third quarter he was overwhelming."
The Pelicans improved to a 15-19 record with the win to stay in the playoffs hunt and Williamson said it was all about their "want".
"We've found ourselves in situations like this all the time," Williamson told Fox post-game after trailing by five at half-time.
"It's a matter of want. Tonight we wanted it more. We came out with better energy in the third and got the win."
Meanwhile, Van Gundy once again lamented the lack of calls that Williamson was receiving from the officials, having made the same point after their loss to the Milwaukee Bucks recently.
"Some day he's going to start to get the calls he deserves to get," the Pelicans coach said.
"Any game he's not shooting 10 free-throws or more, I'm guaranteeing they're missing some calls."
Three-time grand slam winner Andy Murray revealed he deleted his social media apps after being inspired by The Social Dilemma documentary, rather than constant abuse he receives about retiring.
The 33-year-old claimed his first ATP Tour victory in six months on Monday, winning 2-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 over fellow wildcard Robin Haase in just under two and a half hours at the Rotterdam Open.
The past few years for Murray, who missed last month's Australian Open after testing positive to COVID-19, have seen him battle hip issues, before getting a metal cap inserted to strengthen the area.
Since then, the Scot been unable to reach the levels that previously saw him win major titles and be world number one, leading to constant calls for him to retire, particularly on social media.
"Actually, I deleted it, I don't have Twitter on my phone and I deleted Instagram last week, not because of that [the retirement comments]," Murray said.
"You see those things on Instagram and social media if you're on it, obviously and if you have the app on your phone but I'd watched a while ago that Social Dilemma movie.
"I thought it was brilliant and then actually, a couple of days after my match last week I watched an interview with all the people that were responsible for making that and I was like, 'Yeah, I’m done'. I deleted that off my phone but yes, it's tough."
Murray admitted his return from his injury battles had been physically taxing, while the mental toll had not been easy to handle either.
However, he felt he performed well enough to offer him no genuine reason to want to retire from the Tour.
"Since I came back and started playing with the metal hip, I’ve beaten some pretty good players," he said.
"I beat Stan [Wawrinka], I beat [Matteo] Berrettini, I beat [Alex] Zverev. I served for the match against [Fabio] Fognini. These are top players that I was playing against and competing well against and physically now I'm in a better place than I was then.
"I've put in a lot of good physical work since then so why should I stop because I lost a match last week against someone [Egor Gerasimov] that people would expect me to win against.
"Everyone out there can play and because I'm not on the top of my game just now, and once I get there I believe I'll win matches more competitively.
"Why should I stop? Tell me a good reason for why I should stop playing. I can still compete with the best players in the world with one hip. I think that's quite amusing really."
All Blacks half-back Aaron Smith has committed to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) until the 2023 World Cup in France after signing a new contract.
NZR confirmed on Tuesday that the 32-year-old, who has 97 caps for the All Blacks, had penned a new deal securing his future with Super Rugby side Highlanders and provincially with Manawatu.
Palmerston North-born Smith is New Zealand's most capped half-back and remains a key member of the All Blacks side who finished third at the 2019 World Cup.
"One thing that hasn't changed is my love for the Highlanders, the All Blacks and Manawatu," Smith said.
"The decision to stay is based on a number of things, but I'm very keen to see the Highlanders do well, we have a good environment here and some great, young players, so I think the next few years will be exciting for us and it'll be great to be part of it.
"Dunedin has been good to me. My wife Teagan and I have a home and a business here and our son Luka was born here.
"I felt that committing to the Highlanders for another few years in some small way says thanks for all the support we have enjoyed over the years."
All Blacks coach Ian Foster added that Smith's influence on the side could not be underestimated.
"He is so instrumental in the way we play the game and is such a vital cog for us, both on and off the field, so this is fantastic news," Foster said.
"We're delighted that Aaron, Teagan and his family have decided to commit to New Zealand and congratulate them on the decision."
It is anticipated Smith will bring up his 100th New Zealand cap this year, while he is two caps away from equalling the record for most appearances for the Highlanders.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is hopeful his leading marksman Karim Benzema will be available to return from injury in Sunday's huge LaLiga derby against leaders Atletico Madrid.
Benzema is Madrid's top-scorer this season with 17 goals in all competitions but has missed their past three games due to an unspecified knock.
The France international's finishing touch was missed in Monday's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, which leaves third-placed Los Blancos five points behind Atletico having played a game more.
"We hope he can be with us, but we have to wait and see because he still hasn't trained with the team," Zidane said.
"We'll assess the situation tomorrow. He's OK. Karim's injury is much better and we'll take a look at him."
In Benzema's absence, Madrid have collected two 1-0 wins plus the 1-1 draw with Sociedad, so his attacking prowess has been missed.
Highly rated 20-year-old Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior came off the bench to rescue a point for Zidane's side against Sociedad, scoring in the 89th minute for his third league goal of the campaign.
"I’m pleased he got the goal," Zidane said.
"We picked up a point and now we have to move on. It's the result of his hard work and effort. That's what we all have to keep doing."
Zidane remains bullish about Madrid's title hopes, with Atletico having stumbled in recent matches, collecting eight points from a possible 15, while they were also beaten by Chelsea in the Champions League last week.
Barcelona moved past Madrid into second with their 2-0 win at Sevilla on Saturday.
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