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Messi admits failed Barcelona exit affected his form this season

Disappointment over an unsuccessful attempt to leave Barcelona last summer had a negative effect on Lionel Messi coming into the new season, the Argentine superstar admitted.

“Everything that happened before the summer, how the season ended, then the burofax and everything else … I dragged everything into the start of the season a bit,” Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta, as translated by Reuters.

“The truth is right now I’m feeling fine but in the summer I had a very bad time.”

Messi – who equaled Pele’s scoring record with a single club by getting his 643rd for Barca over the weekend – sent shockwaves through the football world when it emerged in August that he wanted to engineer a move away from the Camp Nou.

He eventually agreed to stay for the 2020-21 campaign in order to avoid a legal battle after outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu blocked his departure.

But after ending last season with over 30 goals, Messi experienced a dip in form this term, scoring just nine goals in all competitions without providing a single assist in La Liga.

With his contract set to expire next summer, Messi will be free to negotiate with other teams in January.

Barcelona have also struggled this season and sit eight points back of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

NFL

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Tyreek Hill Pass From Patrick Mahomes for 5 Yrds, H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Winchester, Holder-T.Townsend.

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Travis Kelce Pass From Patrick Mahomes for 1 Yard Harrison Butker Made Ex. Pt

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Taysom Hill 1 Yard Rush, W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-Z.Wood, Holder-T.Morstead.

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Thomas Morstead 51 Yrd Punt, Demarcus Robinson -13 Yrd Punt Return, Demarcus Robinson Fumble

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Latavius Murray Pass From Drew Brees for 24 Yrds, TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. D.Brees pass to T.Hill is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.

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Mecole Hardman Pass From Patrick Mahomes for 5 Yrds, H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Winchester, Holder-T.Townsend.

9 plays, 75 yards, 4:53

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Soccer

Watch: AC Milan's Leao scores fastest-ever goal in top 5 leagues

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AC Milan forward Rafael Leao scored the quickest goal ever recorded in the top five European leagues on Sunday, ripping through Sassuolo’s defense in just six seconds of play.

Leao’s goal broke the previous Serie A record, set by Piacenza’s Paolo Poggi in December 2001 at eight seconds, and surpassed every other in the top divisions.

No other player in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, or Ligue 1 has netted inside the first seven seconds of a match.

Joseba Llorente’s goal against Espanyol in January 2008 – struck after just 7.3 seconds – had stood as the quickest in the top five leagues.

Leao started in place of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the clash between two of Serie A’s in-form sides. It was the 21-year-old’s third goal of the season and fourth in all competitions.

Milan, who went on to beat Sassuolo 2-1, maintain first place in the Italian top flight with 31 points from 13 matches.

NFL

Patriots RB Harris out vs. Fins; Michel to get start

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots ruled top running back Damien Harris out for Sunday’s road game against the Miami Dolphins because of an ankle injury.

Harris leads the team with 691 rushing yards on 137 attempts, with two touchdowns.

He had injured his back in the fourth quarter of a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but ultimately was deemed healthy earlier this week and wasn’t on the injury report Wednesday when the Patriots held their initial practice to prepare for the Dolphins.

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Harris, however, was added to the injury report the next day because of his ankle, opening the door for former No. 1 back Sony Michel to elevate back to the top spot.

Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said on Dec. 11 that Michel would be ready if the opportunity presented itself.

“He’s a real team player. He knows Damien is really playing well, and Sony is sort of waiting for an opportunity to show what he can do,” Fears said at the time. “He always practices hard and is the kind of guy you love having around and can depend on. I’m very fortunate. No matter who goes down, I know I have great players who can step in and keep us on track.”

The Patriots (6-7) are clinging to long-shot playoff hopes, with ESPN’s Football Power Index giving them a 3% chance to qualify.

They will need to win their remaining three games — at Miami, and then at home against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills and then the winless New York Jets — to give themselves a chance.

The Patriots also ruled out top kickoff returner Donte Moncrief (thigh) for Sunday’s game.

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Soccer