What if Lionel Messi decides to quit Barcelona? Here’s how the world around him will look or react to…

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Footballing world’s answer to the Oscars, Ballon D’Or has released its shortlist of contenders ahead of December’s lavish gala which will be organised by FIFA.

The 23-man list is spearheaded by none other than the reigning winner, Cristiano Ronaldo who played a big part in Real Madrid’s décima last season as well as winning the Spanish League cup.

Moreover, club mate and former Tottenham Hotspurs winger Gareth Bale is the only British player included in the list, as well as archrival Lionel Messi, while five Premier League players find themselves on the elite list with the names of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Angel Di Maria and Yaya Toure also making the cut.

Even as the likes of Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry take the headline, much of the debate was spent on the omission of Luis Suarez in the list. Not only the Uruguayan but a host of other noted footballers who were ignored from the elite panel of skilled footballers.

Luis Suarez
The controversial striker who had scored 31 goals in 33 League appearances for Liverpool last season has been ignored by FIFA in the race of the Ballon D’Or this year. The current Barcelona forward was an inspiration behind Liverpool’s emergence to fight for the top spot but has FIFA deleted the Uruguay striker for the ‘bite incident’ at the World Cup?

Aaron Ramsey
The Welsh wizard from Arsenal football club – Aaron Ramsey was another absentee from the list of the Ballon D’Or nominees. The Gunners’ midfield maestro was blowing away the EPL last season with some breathtaking goals and assists until an unfortunate injury during a game at West Ham. ‘Rambo’ scored the winner at the FA Cup final this year that ended Arsenal 9-year trophy hunt as well.

Arturo Vidal
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal is another such player that is not on the list of the prestigious trophy. The Juventus player is rock solid in midfield and his eye catching displays earned him a transfer target from Manchester United.

Koke
Atletico Madrid surprised one and all last season with their triumph in the Spanish League as well as earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League Final. One such player that flourished is none other than Koke who is also a regular in the Spanish national side. Adding Andres Iniesta over Koke was a bit of partiality from the FIFA board, wasn’t it?

Mats Hummels
One of the stars in the World Cup in Brazil was German defender Mats Hummels. The Borussia Dortmund centreback was an influential figure in the heart of defence in their bid to win the major tourney and his eye catching performance attracted suitors in the form of Arsenal and Manchester United amongst many.

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In the wake of a disappointing draw with Hull City on Saturday, EPL club Arsenal travel to Belgium to take on the Belgian Champions Anderlecht in their Group D champions League match.

The 2-2 draw on Saturday left many fans depressed and worried for the lack of ambition in the club. But manager Arsene Wenger will look to put all the bad omen behind as the Gunners face a ‘do or die’ moment in Brussels with a must win situation at their hands. ‘Birthday boy’ Arsene has some good news on the injury front with Welsh wizard, Aaron Ramsey, who came off the bench on Saturday, returns to the starting line-up whereas Theo Walcott has returned to full training after a serious injury left him out of action for 9 months.

But the Gunners are still short of numbers as the long list of injuries continued to pile with summer signing David Ospina the latest to join the treatment table. With Wojciech Szczęsny suspended, 22-year-old Emiliano Martinez, will be keeping the posts as rookie stopper makes his Champions League bow. Key defender Laurent Koscielny is still a doubt for the Gunners who are also without the services of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby. English defender Calum Chambers is available after serving a domestic ban.

Arsenal will be boosted by the fact that Anderlecht have not won in eight Champions League games and Arsene’s men will be looking shoot down the Belgians if they are to finish in the top two slots of the group

Arsenal go into this as ‘favourites’ but there are problems at the back and the central midfield area that could hamper the Gunners’ chances in the upcoming fixtures of the tournament. Even though Arsenal are not upto the standards of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona or a Chelsea; this tie is fairly poised in the London side’s favour with the quality in the squad.

Scoreline – 3-1 to the Arsenal

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Once touted as a giant between the posts, nowadays Iker Casillas spends time reading to high end criticism in the papers. Pressure is mounting on the Spanish and Real Madrid who saw yet another blunder go by when his error helped Slovakia claim a shock 2-1 win in Euro 2016 qualifying on Thursday.

Holders Spain had been looking to continue a renovation process after their failure at the World Cup finals in Brazil, where Casillas was below par. With a number of howlers rising alarmingly match after match, it’s time Iker took a break from the game.

Even though many fans back home in Spain are calling for Iker Casillas’ head, head coach Vincent Del Bosque still backs the beleaguered stopper. “Casillas had saved a good chance from Slovakia in the previous move,” he said. “I could not see clearly from the bench, but the ball seemed to move strangely in the air and Iker was deceived,” said the coach in a press conference after the Slovakia game.

But with many talented goalies waiting in the wings, here’s what Del Bosque could have on his plate instead of the ‘dismal’ Iker Casillas.

David de Gea
After a scintillating performance against Everton last Sunday, Manchester United stopper David de Gea needs a break at the top. The Spanish star made look USA star at the World Cup 2014, Tim Howard a second rated player. In a poll held by the famous Spanish newspaper Marca saw 86 per cent of fans vote for De Gea to be given a chance over Casillas.

Pepe Reina
Even though Reina is second in the list of stoppers amongst the Spanish squad, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper does deserve a chance in the starting eleven. The former Liverpool goalie might not have the same stature and class as Iker Casillas but Reina can be counted upon at during crunch games. Pepe Reina is a very handy keeper during corners and set-pieces and Del Bosque needs to have a look at the bench strength.

Kiko Casilla
Spain is not short on talented goalies and amongst those is Kiko Casilla. The Espanyol stopper might not come across a big personality as compared to his Barcelona and Real Madrid contingent but the 28-year old is talented enough to earn a Spanish cap for his country. Espanyol might not boast stars in the La Liga but Kiko can surely change the image in the coming years.

Adrian
The former Real Betis goalie who swapped for the riches of the English Premier League, Adrian is one of the names that Del Bosque can have a look at. The West Ham stopper started life in the EPL with a scratch but with time, Adrian has improved in the posts for Sam Allardyce’s team.

Andres Fernandez
After spells with Osasuna and Huesca (lower division), Andres Fernandez has moved on to Portuguese league giants, FC Porto. Andres played 115 games for the Spanish league side but has found a new lease of life in Portugal. Hardly any Spanish goalie travels across the borders to join a foreign league (exception – David de Gea) but Andres’ good performance for Porto can have earn him an international call-up.

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Arsenal Football Club have began their Champions League journey with a loss to German powerhouse, Borussia Dortmund but the North London team will be looking to add points in the tally when they take on Turkish opponents, Galatasaray in the Group D clash at the Emirates.

Arsenal was lucky to lose only 2-0 in Dortmund after being comprehensively outplayed by the Bundesliga outfit and already look strong favourites to top the group.

Even though the Gunners are playing at home, a win here would be a fitting reply to the critics who have doubted the Gunners’ capability of survival in the Champions League. But all is not merry in the Arsenal squad. Manager Arsene Wenger, who celebrates 18 years at the helm, has seen injuries mar the squad. Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Olivier Giroud are host of players been ruled out.

Creative midfielder, Jack Wilshere was also a doubt after taking a knock against Tottenham on Sunday but has recovered while, right back Mathieu Debuchy remains to be out for three months. But despite the array of injuries in the team, Wenger has options available with Mesut Ozil, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla to breathe down the opposition’s neck.

Galatasaray, who also began their Champions League journey with a dull draw against Anderlecht, have not been anywhere near as consistent. They have yet to beat an English opposition on away soil and have to rely on the likes of Wesley Sneijder and forward Burak Yilmaz to deliver the goods upfront. They also reached the first knockout round last season but have started the recent campaign in an ordinary fashion.

Arsenal will need to shrug off the pre-EPL result and start afresh against a valiant Turkish opponent in Galatasaray. The Gunners must fire in the goals if they are to progress further but the Turks can string in a surprise, if all goes well for them.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini; Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla, Welbeck.

Galatasaray: Muslera; Versel, Chedjou, Semih, Telles; Dzemaili, Melo, Selcuk; Sneijder; Burak, Pandev.

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