Juventus’ Dybala doesn’t rule out Barcelona move
BARCELONA: Paulo Dybala has refused to rule out joining Lionel Messi at Barcelona but insists he is happy at Juventus.
When asked if he could become Messi’s team-mate in future, Dybala told a news conference: “He’s already my teammate for Argentina but I’m really good at Juventus, although I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I’m very happy to wear an important shirt like the number 10.
“Nobody said anything to me [about a Barca bid]. The club never came to me to say there was an offer on the table.
“The only thing the club said to me is that they want me to be part of this project for a long time, and I’m happy about that. As long as the club and the president [Andrea Agnelli] want me at Juve, that’s where I’ll be.”
ASENSIO REVEALS ZIDANE’S PRAISE
MADRID: Real Madrid star Marco Asensio revealed coach Zinedine Zidane had told him his left foot was the best he had seen since Lionel Messi. Asensio said the Frenchman had compared him to Barcelona maestro Messi, who is arguably the best player in the world.
“Zidane told me that since Messi, he had never seen a left foot like mine,” he told COPE.
“I was a little impressed, because Messi is a piece of a footballer.”
LIVERPOOL TO APPEAL LENGTH OF MANE’S BAN
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will appeal the length of Sadio Mane’s threematch ban after he was sent off during last Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Manchester City, according to multiple British media reports. The Senegal forward incurred a direct red card for a high challenge on City goalkeeper Ederson in the 37th minute and is set to miss Saturday’s league game against Burnley and two upcoming games at Leicester City, one in the league and one in the League Cup. Liverpool will not appeal the former Southampton man’s dismissal, but believe a three-match suspension is too harsh for the incident. If the appeal is successful, the ban could be reduced by one or two games.