Kick Off: Messi praises 'impressive' Ronaldo as two GOATs lead UCL POTW nominees

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

TOP HEADLINES

'What he did against Atletico was impressive' - Messi praises Ronaldo

Lionel Messi was the star man with two goals and two assists as Barcelona dismantled Lyon on Wednesday evening, matching what he himself described as an impressive midweek performance from Cristiano Ronaldo.

UCL quarter-finalists confirmed: 4 EPL sides still in but German are all out

Eight teams have now secured their spots in the Champions League quarter-final as they continue to advance on the road to Madrid.

Ronaldo & Messi lead UCL Player of the Week nominees as Mane & Sane included

UEFA Champions League have officially revealed their Player of the Week nominees, as four brilliant stars Ronaldo, Messi, Mane, and Sane included.

Messi solo & Mane stunner highlight UCL Goal of the Week nominees

UEFA Champions League have officially revealed their Goal of the Week (return leg) nominees as goals from Tadic, Messi, Schone and Mane included.

MATCH REPORTS

Barcelona 5-1 Lyon: Messi involved in 4 goals to send Catalans into last 8

Lionel Messi was brilliant as Barcelona beat Lyon 5-1 to reach the Champions League's last eight for a record 12th successive season.

Bayern 1-3 Liverpool: Mane & Van Dijk finish off Klopp's tactical masterwork

Liverpool made it four Premier League clubs in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk's goals downed Bayern Munich.

GOATS

Messi accepts Ronaldo's challenge with 2 goals & 2 assists

Tuesday was Cristiano Ronaldo's night and Wednesday was Lionel Messi's night.

Ronaldo tops ESPN's World Fame 100 for 4th straight year, Messi 3rd, Neymar 4th

Cristiano Ronaldo is once again the biggest name in sports, according to an ESPN ranking list.

Messi joins Ronaldo in quarter-finals, but how do their records compare?

It was Lionel Messi's turn to take the Champions League spotlight on Wednesday night following Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning hat-trick for Juventus 24 hours earlier.

Ronaldo seen firing up Juventus team-mates in tunnel before Atletico Madrid win

Signing Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't mean you're acquiring only one of the greatest footballers on the planet – you're also getting one of the great leaders.

Ronaldo 'repeatedly told friends he'd net hat-trick against Atletico'

If it's one thing Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't lack on the football pitch, it's confidence.

THESE THINGS HAPPEN

Sensational Mane & Van Dijk set new Liverpool records in amazing win over Bayern

With his two strikes, Mane has become Liverpool's all-time leading away goal-scorer in the club's illustrious European history.

Kane, Rashford & Sterling lead England squad, Sancho & Declan Rice included

Gareth Southgate has named a 25-strong squad for England’s games with Czech Republic and Montenegro this month.

FULL version of the ultimate David Beckham statue prank

It's official. David Beckham has become the victim of the biggest prank in football history.

TRANSFER CENTER

OFFICIAL: Man City extend Bernardo Silva contract until 2025

Bernardo Silva is the latest Manchester City star to commit his long-term future by signing a three-year contract extension until 2025.

Man Utd ready to move for Sancho as they turn down Coutinho deal (Independent)

Manchester United 'have made Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho one of their main transfer targets for the summer but have turned down Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho.'

Man Utd given green light to sign Spurs defender Alderweireld for £26m (Mirror)

Tottenham are resigned to losing Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United in the summer for just £26million.

WHAT THEY SAY

Pique: Messi & CR7 don't win on their own, I hope to play as a centre-forward

Having scored his seventh goal of the 2018/19 season against Lyon on Wednesday night, Gerard Pique is clearly in great goalscoring form and he even joked about changing position.

Alba: I don't like Madrid to win any match, their exit was better for me

As well as being top of the LaLiga Santander table and into the final of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Jordi Alba feels they deserve more praise.

Ref expert: Barcelona shouldn't have had a penalty, Suarez stepped on Denayer

Barcelona scored the first goal of their Champions League tie against Lyon in the 18th minute of the second leg as Lionel Messi netted from the penalty spot, but refereeing expert Andujar Oliver doesn't believe Szymon Marciniak should have pointed to the spot.

'75% of the earth is covered by water, the other 25% is covered by Van Dijk'

Liverpool's 3-1 UCL win was quickly celebrated on social media by club owner John W. Henry. Henry highlighted the massive contribution from Van Dijk by posting a brilliant message.

'It was silly' - Klopp frustrated but not worried after Robertson suspended

The fullback will miss the first leg of the quarter-final round after earning a caution in stoppage time of Liverpool's win over Bayern Munich

Surely he was thinking about his people - Simeone reacts to Ronaldo celebration

Diego Simeone reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after Juventus beat Atletico

Maradona: Argentines are proud of Messi, but Ronaldo is an animal

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo showed just why he has won four of the last five Champions League on Tuesday night as he inspired the Old Lady to a 3-0 victory by scoring a hat-trick, which secured a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Barcelona basketball player angers fans with praise of Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Atletico Madrid earned praise from across Europe and across the world on Tuesday night, but comments from Chris Singleton of the Barcelona Lassa basketball team didn't sit well with some fans in Catalonia.

AF COLUMNS & ANALYSIS

WEEK IN PIC: Ronaldo makes 'ballsy celebration'; De Jong glides past Modric

Hi AFers! Welcome to our column - Week in Pic. In this column, let's review what happened in the football world last week in pictures.

On This Day: Gerrard scored hat-trick vs Everton; Gomez netted four for Bayern

Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (March 13rd) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, feel free to post them in the comment area and share them with AFers!

VIDEO OF THE DAY

The Reds are in town! Watch how Liverpool fans take over Munich

TODAY'S FIXTURES (CET)

UEFA Europa League

18:55   Dynamo Kyiv vs Chelsea

21:00   Arsenal vs Rennes

21:00   Inter vs Eintracht Frankfurt