All in the game

Compiled by MARY HANNIGAN

More than words for Messi

It’s probably not really wise for a columnist to declare “there are no words”, words being what tend to pay their bills, even if it’s quite often true when Lionel Messi is the subject.

But, that’s what Santi Nolla concluded after watching the little fella do his thing – once again – for Barcelona against Zaragoza (two goals, one assist) last week.

Yes, the Mundo Deportivo writer simply typed “Sobran las palabras” (literally: “words fail”) and left the rest of the column entirely empty.

Said it all, really.

Williams brought to book over Suarez

Aggro of the Week: Swansea City defender Ashley Williams’s comments about Liverpool’s Luis Suarez: “His manner and behaviour made me want to knock him out . . . utter contempt for us all . . . he’s streets ahead of any player I’ve truly disliked . . . He dived more than any other player I’ve played against — it was so bad I was genuinely shocked. Throughout the game, he just dived down and screamed at any given moment. A couple of times I’d hear the scream, see him writhing on the floor and for the life of me couldn’t see where the contact could have been.”

Naturally, ahead of yesterday’s meeting between the clubs, Brendan Rodgers was keen to smooth things over.

“I have spoken to Ash, and Ash has spoken with Luis, so there is no issue there,” he said. “When I saw it, I was surprised because Ash is a real good man with good intelligence and maturity . . . I spoke to him and got the full explanation of how it seemingly got out there. He was very quick to want to apologise for that.” How did the comments get out there? No mystery: they appear in Williams’ brand new book: My Premier League Diary.

Rafa's slim chance

Rafa Benitez, as you know, didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes at Stamford Bridge yesterday, but before that he wasn’t exactly showered with good luck messages from the wider world of football.

Doing the rounds on the internet, a video of Jose Mourinho (right) bumping in to his former Inter Milan player Maicon at Manchester City last week.

Maicon: “Your friend Benitez is going to Chelsea!”

Mourinho: “The fat one?”

You know, you’d almost feel sorry for the Benitez fella and wish him trophy-winning success this season. Okay, maybe not.