19 things we loved this weekend: Messi, Firmino, Milner, McGree & more

Planet Football • 30 Apr 2018

In a weekend where much was decided as the regular league football season draws to a close, Arsenal, Liverpool, Celtic and Barcelona players all caught our eye.

Arsene Wenger was commemorated by old adversary Sir Alex Ferguson as his Arsenal side were defeated away from home once more, while Lionel Messi moved back in front of Mohamed Salah in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

There was also the undisputed goal of the season in Australia, some typical late-season light-heartedness in the Eredivisie and a manager celebrating his side’s penalty – which didn’t go in – in Turkey.

Riley McGree

In case you somehow haven’t seen the 2018 Puskas Award-winner in waiting.

😲 "OH MY GOODNESS! OH MY GOODNESS!" 😲

Stunning scorpion kick while on the run by Riley McGree!!!

One of the most amazing goals you will EVER, EVER see 🔥 pic.twitter.com/stUKyi2Cs3

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2018

Lionel Messi

The King got a hat-trick on Sunday, becoming the first player ever to score 30 goals in seven different La Liga seasons. GOAT.

Navarone Foor

A referee getting yellow carded, always a classic.

Timeless, harmless, end-of-season-feel banter in the Eredivisie pic.twitter.com/PJvjWqNLTB

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) April 29, 2018

Hector Bellerin

The best touch in Premier League history?

Pep Guardiola

We wouldn’t put it past City to spend £1billion in the summer, but yes we are aware this was a joke.

James Milner

We reckon his actual account might be even better than the parody. #willuseHendostoothpaste

Packing almost complete for Rome, just need to dig out my Italian phrase book and hot water bottle. What a find the LFC branded plug adapter was! #incrediblescenes #essentials #willuseHendostoothpaste pic.twitter.com/UIIS5ejOs5

— James Milner (@JamesMilner) April 29, 2018

Gerard Pique

Absolutely no need. But still mint.

Pique😭 pic.twitter.com/g35OyYxpxF

— Owen (@JesussEsque) April 29, 2018

Cenk Tosun

A wonderfully random stat.

4 – No @Everton player has scored more away league goals than Cenk Tosun this season (4, level with Wayne Rooney), despite this just being the Turkish player's seventh appearance on the road. Delight. pic.twitter.com/PKvqsmhKTX

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 28, 2018

Faith Terim

If you’re going to turn your back as your team takes a penalty (which, let’s face it, is weird anyway), don’t celebrate before you know the outcome.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA pic.twitter.com/2TXpHDM3M4

— İllegal Gol (@illegoal) April 29, 2018

Stoke’s enforced substitution

Go on, see if you’re better than Dr. Blue Gloves.

Stoke’s finger-rotating "definite substitution needed" gesture technique: ranked
3) Dr White Gloves
2) Erik Pieters
1) Dr Blue Gloves pic.twitter.com/Og3Nef7cVN

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) April 28, 2018

Mikael Lustig

Just won the league against your bitter rivals? Ah yeah, let’s nick a hat off a copper’s head.

Lustig is something else 👮‍♂️ 😂👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/I5dMWtcUO7

— Mark (@Maarko98) April 29, 2018

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Nutmegging the chief nutmegger. Impressive.

I see you, @rubey_lcheek #PrayForMahrez pic.twitter.com/sodTd1bzp3

— amadí (@amadoit__) April 29, 2018

Martin Skrtel

In true Terry Butcher style, Skrtel didn’t want to stop playing just because of a little cut to the head. Still, it’s no Stuart Pearce saying “I’ll run it off” when he broke his leg.

Last night, Martin Skrtel sustained a serious head injury and received five stitches and then refused to be subbed off.

After the game he went to hospital to get a further five stitches.

Absolute warrior 💪 pic.twitter.com/b0yxqjKeOh

— Rousing The Kop (@RousingTheKop) April 29, 2018

Lukas Nmecha

The 19-year-old England youth international was handed his Premier League debut for Manchester City on Sunday, after topping the scoring charts in the under-23 competition.

READ: The top 10 Premier League 2 scorers: Nmecha, Wilson, Nelson & Sterling

Lucy Bronze

What a way to knock your former club out of the Champions League semi-final.

.@OL 1-0 @ManCityWomen
Superbe but de @LucyBronze
(17e mn)#TeamOL pic.twitter.com/h7XHNNVBSO

— OL_Plus (@OL_Plus) April 29, 2018

Roberto Firmino

The first ever no-look contract signing?

❌👀

🤝 Roberto Firmino agrees terms on new long-term #LFC deal: https://t.co/rvxJ30Ochp pic.twitter.com/sUsuABAkrx

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 29, 2018

Greg Cunningham

A fantastic block from the Preston full-back.

Darren Moore

Let’s be honest, we all *really* want West Brom to pull off the unthinkable, don’t we?

2 – Darren Moore has won more Premier League matches in four games in charge at West Bromwich Albion than Alan Pardew did in 18 for the Baggies. Hope.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 28, 2018