Andrew Watson: The 'most influential' black footballer for decades lost to history

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  By Andrew Aloia BBC Sport Last updated on 11 October 2021 11 October 2021 . From the section Football Watson was a trailblazer who helped transform how football was played There are two murals of black footballers facing one another across an alleyway in Glasgow. One helped shape football as we know it, the other is Pele. Andrew Watson captained Scotland to a 6-1 win over England on his debut in 1881. He was a pioneer, the world's first black international, but for more than a century the significance of his achievements went unrecognised. Research conducted over the past three decades has left us with some biographical details: a man descended of slaves and of those who enslaved them, born in Guyana, raised to become an English gentleman and famed as one of Scottish football's first icons. And yet today, 100 years on from his death aged 64, Watson remains something of an enigma, the picture built around him a fractured one. His grainy, faded, sepia image evokes many differen

OPINION ‘It’s disrespectful, I wouldn’t have it’ – Rio Ferdinand not happy at seeing Lionel Messi lie down behind free-kick wall against Man City but PSG star scored goal that wowed Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino

 Michael Benson

Rio Ferdinand was stunned to see Lionel Messi take up his position on the floor behind Paris Saint-Germain’s wall to defend a free-kick against Man City.

Messi scored a sensational goal – his first for his the French side since his move – as Pep Guardiola’s men were beaten 2-0 in their second group stage game of the campaign.

Messi was on the ground for a free kick

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Messi was on the ground for a free kick

The Argentine legend’s goal was of course the main talking point.

However, approaching full-time, fans and pundits picked up on the fact that Messi took up a position on the floor to prevent Man City from attempting a low shot with a late free kick.

Rio Ferdinand reacted on BT Sport: “The moment Mauricio Pochettino asked him to do that at the training ground, someone should’ve gone in there and said, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no.’

“This doesn’t happen to Leo Messi.

Kylian Mbappe did the same as Messi

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Kylian Mbappe did the same as Messi

“No, no, no, no. You can’t.

“It’s disrespectful, I wouldn’t have it.

“If I was in that team, I’d have to say, ‘Listen, I’ll lay down for you.’

“Sorry, I couldn’t have him laying down like that. I can’t see it.

“He don’t get his kit dirty, that’s not what Messi does.”

Messi opened his PSG account in style against Premier League champions Man City

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Messi opened his PSG account in style against Premier League champions Man City

Earlier in the match, Kylian Mbappe took up the same position, proving PSG’s superstars are not afraid to do their part defending for the team.

On Messi’s brilliant goal, both Pochettino and Guardiola were hugely impressed.

“The goal was fantastic,” Guardiola said. “We know it’s impossible to control Leo during the whole 90 minutes but he was not much in touch with the ball.

“We know quite well when he can run and get close to the box he is unstoppable. We knew it already, we spoke about that, we cannot control them for 90 minutes, these huge talents.”

Pochettino said afterwards the goal made him stop his usual calm demeanour.

“Usually I don’t celebrate goals, but today I did,” he said.

“I’ve spent 20 years watching him score goals from the other side of the opposite pavement and it’s the first time he scores for a team I manage so I had to celebrate.”

Messi, though, was just happy he finally got on the score sheet.

“It’s true that I was getting desperate to score my first goal,” he told Canal Plus afterwards.

“I hadn’t played much recently and I had only played once here at home but I am settling into the team little by little.

“The more us forwards play together, the better our relationship will be. We all need to grow together and improve and keep giving our best.”

PSG’s superstars delivered their first big performance together

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PSG’s superstars delivered their first big performance together

A day later it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s turn to shine, scoring the winner for Manchester United against Villarreal and Ferdinand revealed the two had been in touch.

“He text me tonight saying ‘I didn’t’ play well but I knew I’d score’,” he said.

“That’s the belief that he has. The other players are feeding off it. It’s a great place to be.

“United’s performance today wasn’t great, it wasn’t at the level Ole wants it to be. But when you need a goal, a moment to galvanise the squad, the stadium, the fan base, Cristiano Ronaldo steps up.”

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