The World Wildlife Fund wants Messi to wear a Real Madrid jersey for a day

If I supported Real Madrid, I'd be pumping up my bike tires as I type this. In an effort to spread awareness for Earth Hour, which is an hour of "uniting people to protect the planet", the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has celebrities teaming up with the organization to help spread awareness of Earth Hour and promote sustainable habits.

Rocking Dolce & Gabbana, Leo is looking anything but "Messi" in this month's Esquire Greece.

Yep, it's Friday alright.

Messi and Tevez beating Maradona in Soccer Tennis

It doesn't exactly solve the "Who's better?" debate, but it's certainly a nice Friday Flashback. There's nothing like seeing El Diego put the old boots on and duel with the best. With Enzo as his partner, Maradona took on Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.

Image via lavozlibre.com.

Tattooist Leo Millares (above left) is a man who spends too much time with his hands on footballer flesh for our liking. His latest work, posted on Twitter before the ink had even dried, is a set of replica pooch prints on the tummies of Guti and his lady love Romina Belluscio.

Barca beat Real Betis as midfield maestro Xavi making his 400th appearance for the Catalunyans scored the opening goal. Leo Messi fresh of his third Ballon D'Or scored two. Betis made it a game but Barca's victory means they are within five points of league leaders Real Madrid. Keeping fingers crossed.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona defeated Bnei Sakhnin to open up commanding lead in the Israeli Premier League while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya played to a draw against Hapoel Acre.

El lugar de Lionel Messi en la cima del mundo futbolístico fue confirmado el pasado lunes al obtener su tercer Ballon d'Or de manera consecutiva. Pero él no lo logró solo. Para celebrar su victoria, Leo agradeció a todos aquellos que lo han apoyado en su carrera, desde sus compañeros de equipo y familia hasta los aficionados que ayudan a hacer del futbol el deporte mas bello de todos.

By Chris Wright

It's competition time here again on Pies folks, and this prize is going to take some beating!

As you'll be aware, Lionel Messi nabbed his third-straight Ballon d'Or gong earlier this week, and to celebrate Adidas have produced a very special pair of boots for him to wear during Barcelona's La Liga tie against Real Betis on Sunday.

Lionel Messi won his third Ballon D'Or this week. To celebrate he will be donning a very special pair of boots for Barcelona's match against Real Betis this weekend. The customised adizero F50 boots have been produced in a celebratory gold colourway and feature the flag of Argentina, the years of Leo's Ballon d'Or successes [.

El argentino entro al olimpo de los Dioses del fútbol mundial, tres balones de oro en forma consecutiva.
En este vídeo agradece a sus fans con estas palabras:

Ganar el FIFA World Player es sin duda un gran honor.
Y lo más grande de recibir un premio así
es compartirlo con todos ustedes.

El argentino entro al olimpo de los Dioses del fútbol mundial, tres balones de oro en forma consecutiva.
En este vídeo agradece a sus fans con estas palabras:

Ganar el FIFA World Player es sin duda un gran honor.
Y lo más grande de recibir un premio así
es compartirlo con todos ustedes.

Leo. The Best. 3x.

24 years old. An ego that is pushed far beneath an incomparable will to win. 5 feet, 6 inches of skill and athleticism. The players, the media, and the coaches have spoken. Lionel Messi is, for the third time, the FIFA World Player of the Year. With so many years left in his career, it's mystifying.

Yesterday, Tweed Thornton and I had the opportunity to speak with Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas. It was an excellent chance to ask some questions that we had been wondering about and had been hearing from other Chicago Fire fans. It was also a chance to get to know the man who will be starting his first full season as head coach in March.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona maintained their firm grip on first place in the Israeli Premier League while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya suffered a disappointing defeat to Beitar Jerusalem.

Gazzetta dello Sport Tevez comes to the table Galliani dines with the Argentine in Rio and has a yes Then he makes an ‘original' offer to the English But Inter try the overtake and offer more to City United think about Wes again, Leo on Maicon Ferguson is ready to offer 30 million for Sneijder. And PSG are interested in the Brazilian De Rossi, Roma's true rival is Mancini Vazquez to Palermo, he.

After reviewing the losses I decided to lump the remaining defenders together. Seattle Sounders FC returns two fullbacks, three centerbacks and Zach Scott man-marker. These ratings add clarity in the various authors' opinions about why Seattle is reinventing it's fullback positions signing Adam Johansson, pursuing Christian Sivebaek and possibly adding more wide defensive talent either through a young international or draftee.

Two days after the Comets fought back to defeat the Wichita Wings in a close game at the Independence Events Center, the Comets found themselves having to do it again against the Wings, this time in Wichita. Unfortunately the result wasn't the same as the Wings pulled off a 12-10 win over the Comets to get their first win in the series.

Bryan Gerzicich and surprising league leaders Kiryat Shmona cruised to a win over Hapoel Petah Tikva while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya snuck by Maccabi Petah Tikva to end their losing skid.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona will aim to keep a firm grip on first place in the Israeli Premier League when they host Hapoel Petah Tikva while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya visit Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Bryan Gerzicich and league leading Kiryat Shmona travel to Sar-Tov Stadium on Saturday to try avenge their only loss of the season as they take on fellow American Leo Krupnik and ninth place Maccabi Netanya.

Images via tumblr. Cheers to Kat for the tip!

... Olalla Dominguez giving Justin Bieber some serious side-eye?

Yes, Kickettes, it flippin' well is. As most of you are probably aware, the Bieb-u-lator was at Stamford Bridge the other day for a kickabout with Frank Lampard and Olalla's hubby Fernando Torres.

Barcelona ha arrollado al Santos brasileño por 4-0 y se ha coronado campeón del mundo en Japón en una final en la que el equipo de Pep Guardiola ofreció un nuevo recital y logró su segundo título del Mundial de Clubes.Tras el golpe de autoridad azulgrana, no sería justo destacar solo la figura de Messi, descomunal durante todo el encuentro, ya que fue el equipo entero, valiente, voluntarioso y brillante, el que realizó un partido perfecto.

The score was a lot closer than the scoreline appeared, but the Comets saw their 4 game winning streak snapped last night in Baltimore as the Comets fell to the Blast 17-9. Playing without captain Byron Alvarez and defender Bryan Harris, the task was already a big ask for the Comets. Some defensive mistakes once again cost the Comets early as Shaun David capitalized on a poor back pass to Danny Waltman a little over a minute into the game.

By Chris Wright

FIFA have announced their three-man Ballon d'Or shortlist this morning, and it's crushingly predictable fare: Lionel Messi (the 5th time he's made the 'final three' in five years), Xavi (3rd time in 3 years) and Cristiano Ronaldo (4th time in five years).

The official FIFA website says 925 days to kickoff. This means 925 days of people requesting Pele's opinion. Opinions on such things as Lionel Messi and football and Lionel Messi and Brazil's hosting capabilities and Lionel Messi and quantum mechanics and Lionel Messi.

Posed Leo v Neymar (the Brazilian attacker playing at Santos), Pele offered his thoughts.

Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya played to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Bnei Sakhnin while Ryan Adeleye and Hapoel Be'er Sheva were defeated yet again in loss

The Comets fell to the Wave Sunday afternoon. Leading 6-5 going into the 4th quarter, the Comets were unable to hold off the experienced Milwaukee wave and fell to a final 11-6 loss. The absence of Leo Gibson who was scratched right before the game was costly. Byron Alvarez scored 2 or the Comets 3 goals in the game.

Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya cruised to a comfortable 6-2 win while Ryan Adeleye and Hapoel Be'er Sheva only managed a draw at home against Maccabi Petah Tikva.

The Missouri Comets lost their first game of the season tonight at home against the Baltimore Blast 10-8 in overtime. The Blast started the game off getting the first goal, 2:16 into the game. After a wall pass, there was a bit of a scramble in the box. In the end, Max Ferdinand touched the ball to Pfah Myers who was able to poke the ball past Danny Waltman and into the net to give the Blast the early lead.

Bryan Gerzicich and Kiryat Shmona could move into second place when they take on Bnei Yehuda while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya hope to get on the winning track against Rishon.

From the Comets
The Comets once again faced an expansion team making their home debut. Once again, they relished playing the role of spoiler as they control play from the start and go home with a 13-4 win. Ryan Junge led the team with 5 points on two goals, Vahid Assadpour chipped in two of his own, Leo Gibson and newly signed Cristiano each had one as well.

O-GENKI-DESKA, TOMODACHI?!! ("What's Up homies?!") International footballing superstar, Lionel Messi has officially won the whole of Japan over with his awkward 'Spanese' greetings to all football fans in the region. Ok, he didn't exactly say that, but who cares?

Leo scores 202 goals for Barcelona. Incedible.

Pelé, in a recent interview, called Lionel Messi the best of the current generation, but saved the ultimate all-time-best plaudits for himself, referring to himself in the third person throughout (naturally). The royal we, we were amused.

Messi has been incredible for Barcelona.

By Chris Wright

Lionel Messi broke the 200-goal barrier for Barcelona with a hat-trick against Viktoria Plzen (he's actually up to 202), so it was only fitting that the Gods should have a peek through the clouds just to see what all the hubbub was about...

The PA get a big +1 for their creative use of the crop tool.

The transactions have mimicked the play on the field - fast and furious as MISL teams finalize rosters, unveil uniforms, and prepare for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.
Here is a recap of all the happenings so far this week around MISL:
MISL Comets Season Preview: Read Here
Baltimore Blast add Three
Baltimore Blast President and General Manager Kevin Healey announced today that forward Adriano Dos Santos will return to the Blast this season and that the team has signed defender Mike Deasel and midfielder JT Noone, pictured, pending league approval.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona won their fourth straight to claim third place in Israel Premier League while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya fell to fourth after a disappointing draw.

Bryan Gerzicich and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona will look to move into the top three when they visit Ryan Adeleye and Hapoel Be'er Sheva while Leo Krupnik and Maccabi Netanya host Hapoel Petah Tikva.

It's almost that time again, folks. Another team is going to enter the hallowed land of MLS and in doing so they're going to take some of our stuff. And don't kid yourselves. Unless the Seattle Sounders and the incoming Montreal Impact work out some sort of deal, we're going to lose a player. Seattle's a tremendously successful and deep franchise and the list of players that have played significant minutes in big games this season is much more than 11 deep, which is all we get to protect.

Leo and "Playstation Messi" mode against FC Viktoria Plzen

Sometimes you have to shake your head and laugh. It's pure entertainment. It shouldn't look that easy. Little Lionel, not even halfway through his career, continues to be an absolute anomaly.

Pelé enviará videos a Messi.
Messi dijo que Diego es el mejor de la historia y Pelé no se quedó callado. El brasileño contó que le enviará el documental Pelé Eterno a Lionel para que vea quién es el más grande. "Ya lo hice con Maradona", tiró O Rei.
"Maradona es el mejor de la historia, sin dudas.