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To Barcelona fans, Lionel Messi is a god, and unquestionably the greatest player in the history of soccer. To Argentina fans, he's a really dang good player who's failed to live up to Diego Maradona's standards. Even though Maradona had to cheat to win a quarterfinal at home, but whatever. That's not the point. The point is Messi has haters and he's really sick of them.
"I get annoyed when they tell us put in more effort, you don't feel the shirt," Messi said in an interview with TyC Sports. "We were lucky enough to get to the final of the World Cup and the Copa America and it seems like we didn't do anything. We got to two finals, for f--k's sake."
Messi went on to say that he now refuses to sing the national anthem on purpose because of one time when he got criticized for not singing it. Barca fans seem way more fun than Argentina fans.
Goal of the day
Antoine Griezmann's sick winner against Athletic. (r/soccer)
In the news
The Champions League draw was made Monday. Here are all the ties.
And here's how the Euro 2016 group stage draw worked out.
Here's the Europa League draw. Man United have to play some Danish stats nerds. (Guardian)
Mario Balotelli: "I'm looking forward to the Euros." Italy's coach: "lol, like, watching them on your couch?" (Football Italia)
A bunch of people are mad online about Jürgen Klopp celebrating a draw against West Brom like he won the title. (BBC)
Dortmund's Julian Weigl set a Bundesliga record with ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DANG NINE TOUCHES in one game. (Bundesliga)
What the heck, Arsenal and Tottenham had their Christmas parties in the same club at the same time and didn't even fight? #againstmodernfootball (Telegraph)
Dejan Lovren can't even get a scan on his injured knee yet because it's swollen so badly. So, uh, bad sign. (Mirror)
Fun with silly rumors: Juve and PSG might just hold a Pogba-Verratti swap meet. (ESPN FC)
You should be reading
Barney Ronay wonders how Manchester United became so crap. (Guardian)
James Yorke is a lovely person/huge troll and argues that it's going to get worse for United. (Stats Bomb)
Now that we're done laughing at United, read Ian King on how screwed Kingstonian FC are. (Two Hundred Percent)
What happened this weekend
Here's a recap of Saturday's EPL action, including United's loss to Bournemouth.
Barca went and screwed up... (Barca Blaugranes)
...but gained points on Real Madrid, who screwed up worse. (Managing Madrid)
Spurs managed to throw away three points from a winning position. (Coming Home Newcastle)
Inter Milan are top of Serie A after wrecking Udinese. (Inter Offside)
But heeeeeeere comes Juventus! (Black and White and Read All Over)
What to watch on Thursday (click for listings, all times ET)
Serie A: Lazio vs. Sampdoria (2:45 p.m.) -- Two really disappointing teams in full rescue their season modes.
EPL: Leicester vs. Chelsea (3 p.m.) -- This will be the most lit, definitely ditch work or class to watch it.
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