Lionel Messi: Crisis, what crisis?

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has labelled talks of him in crisis as 'crazy' after silencing his critics with a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Mallorca.

Prior to the La Liga match on Saturday, the Argentinean has gone three consecutive matches without scoring, leading to talks over him suffering a dip in form.

His treble for the Catalan giants all but confirmed his place the the league's leading scorer with 13 goals and gave him a chance to hit back at this critics.

"It's crazy to say I was in crisis, just because I'd gone three games without scoring", the 24-year-old told the club's official website.

Messi also insisted that it doesn't matter if he scores, as long as the team win.

He added: " I'm not interested in how many goals I can score or not -what matters is that the team won".

Barcelona are currently second in the La Liga, a point behind leaders Real Madrid.

Ramos hopes to play Barca now

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes it now would be the right time for his side to play Barcelona.

The Los Blancos are currently a point above their bitter rivals in the La Liga, although they still trail surprise leaders Levante.

While Madrid have scored 19 goals in their last five games in all competitions, Barcelona, on the other hand, have not been in their full flow so far this season.

And Ramos wishes his side could play their rivals now.

"We are doing well and our football is on the right track. Now would be a good time to face Barcelona," Ramos told the 'Partido de las 12' programme on Cadena Cope.

"We are seeing the best from all of our players and the coach is getting the maximum level out of us.

"You can see that the team is very happy, but we have to maintain humility."

However, Ramos must wait till 11 December before he gets his wish when the two Spanish giants clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho's men are in action next against Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga, while Barcelona play Mallorca at Camp Nou.

Kaka delighted at Brazil recall

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has expressed his delight at being recalled to the Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies against Gabon and Egypt.

The 29-year-old has not been involved with the Selecao since their 2010 World Cup exit to Holland at the quarter-final stage.

However, having been recently named in coach Mano Menezes' squad for Brazil's upcoming matches, Kaka was quick to reveal his joy at his international recall.

"I'm very happy with the call to return to the Brazilian national team," Kaka revealed on his official Twitter account.

"After a long period away, the thrill of being back is great.

"I want to thank everybody who waited for this moment just like me."

Kaka has earned 82 caps for Brazil, notching up 27 goals in the process.

Silva: I'd reject Barca and Real

Manchester City star David Silva has reassured the club and its fans that he will reject Barcelona and Real Madrid if they come knocking on his door.


The Spanish midfielder has been in sensational form for the Eastlands club and is now widely regarded as one of the best players in the Barclays Premier League.


He was once again instrumental in City's 6-1 drubbing of bitter neighbours Manchester United last Sunday and was untouchable at Old Trafford.


His incredible form is believed to have attracted attention back from his homeland, where both Barcelona and Madrid are keeping a close watch.


But the 25-year-old has committed his future to City.


"City believed in me and I'm very well here," he was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper.


"Real Madrid and Barcelona are definitely two great clubs but I hope to stay in Manchester for many years."


Silva was signed from Valencia in the summer of 2010.

Villarreal's Rossi set for surgery, out 6 months

VILLARREAL: Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will undergo knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six months.
The Italy forward hurt his right knee during Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Real Madrid and MRI scans taken Thursday showed he needs immediate surgery.

Villarreal has just one win from 12 games in all competitions this season and is already without Brazil striker Nilmar, who is recovering from knee surgery.

Rossi had scored three goals this season for Villarreal, which is 18th in the relegation zone and winless in the Champions League after three games.

The American-born Rossi has scored six goals in 27 appearances for the Italian national team.

His agent Federico Pastorello is confident he will recover in time for next year's European Championship.

"I can tell the fans that he is calm and very driven to quickly recover," Pastorello told Italian station Radio Sportiva.

"His priority is Euro 2012, he wants to do it and he will do it.

"We've spoken several times. He's always been a very calm lad, he knows how to deal with difficult situation. It's a significant injury, but I repeat, he will know how to respond the best."

Rejuvenated Kaka is Real lucky charm

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo's 10 league goals may be the focus of Real Madrid's La Liga title challenge this season, but it's Brazilian superstar Kaka who is the team's lucky charm.

A rejuvenated Kaka has been a key player for Madrid in recent weeks, scoring in Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Villarreal as Jose Mourinho's team stretched their winning run to five league games.

Although Madrid trail surprise leaders Levante by one point, they are a point ahead of eternal rivalsBarcelona and playing with plenty of confidence.

With four goals this season, Kaka now has 20 in total in 65 games for Madrid.

But what is remarkable is that in all 17 matches in which he has scored Madrid have been victorious.

"Things are turning out well for me. I hadn't played 90 minutes for a long time. I feel well both physically and personally. I'm gradually growing more confident," said Kaka, who has also been recalled to the Brazil squad.

"It was a special match for me (against Villarreal) and also for Real Madrid. We continue to take points in a championship that will prove to be very difficult. We constantly grow stronger."

The Real Madrid side that travels to Real Sociedad on Saturday is packed full of players currently at the top of their game.

Ronaldo hit a hat-trick last weekend at Malaga while forwards Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain are constantly hitting the target in their own private competition for a place in Mourinho's starting line up.

The supply line provided by Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria is another reason why Madrid have been so clinical of late.

Sociedad have failed to win in five league games but will be expected to raise their game for what is always a highly-charged fixture in San Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Barcelona entertain Mallorca on Saturday looking to improve on recent disappointing performances by their own high standards.

After missing a late penalty against Sevilla last weekend, and failing to score in midweek at Granada, Lionel Messi has been singled out for criticism by some sections of the Spanish press.

But Cesc Fabregas backed his teammate.

"Leo is as happy and motivated as ever. He is a born winner and a fighter. To question Messi is unfair," said Fabregas.

"What he has done will never be seen again. He plays to win and score goals and I'm positive he will win the Ballon d'Or again this year."

After seven straight wins, unfashionable Levante lead La Liga ahead of Spain's two giants.

With 23 points from nine games, and only five goals conceded, the start made by the club with the lowest budget in the league has been the best by any team this century and the fourth best in the league's history.

Levante have a tricky away match at Osasuna on Sunday and striker Ruben Suarez insists that staying in the top flight is the club's aim.

"Being top of the league is no fluke, it comes from hard work," he said.

"But the objective has to be survival and the quicker the better. We will fight to finish as high as possible, but to aspire to anything else is deceiving ourselves."