Backheel Breakfast: Lionel Messi backs La Liga players strike

Spanish footballers threaten to strike on a yearly basis, sometimes multiple times in a year. This never leads to games getting cancelled. Instead, the mere threat leads to a conversation, and that conversation is productive enough that the players agree to play that week. There’s another strike being threatened -- this time over a new Spanish football TV rights law -- and the players will probably play.

But still, Lionel Messi has spoken out about it, saying that he will participate if a strike happens. The La Liga players union is annoyed that they weren’t included in discussions about the new TV revenue distribution deal and that it doesn’t guarantee a percentage of TV revenue will go to players.

Inevitably, the players will threaten to strike. They’ll talk to the proper authorities. They’ll sort it out and play the final week of the season. This is why Messi speaks up -- he knows that if him and his Barca teammates are part of the strike, a deal will get done.

Paul Pogba has reportedly turned down an offer from Juventus to triple his wages. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Regarding his injury, Pogba is back in training and expects to play the second leg against Madrid. (AS)

Thomas Vermaelen is in Barcelona’s 18-man squad to face Bayern. (Barcelona)

Daniel Sturridge had season-ending hip surgery in America. (Telegraph)

A player contracted to Newcastle said it’s a good thing if they get relegated. (Guardian)

Diego Simeone says he’ll coach Lazio someday. (Football Italia)

Michael Cox on Pep’s Barca vs. Pep’s Bayern (ESPN FC)

Samuel Marsden on Luis Enrique’s successful, but stressful return to Barcelona. (Soccer Gods)

Jörg Seidel on Stefan Ilsanker, an odd statistical marvel. (Goal Impact)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

There’s a weird rumor that Jose Mourinho is going to blow up Chelsea and splurge on new talent. (Mirror)

Manchester United could keep Falcao ... if David De Gea signs a new deal?!? (Manchester Evening News)

Arsenal are going on a Ligue 1 raid. (Metro)

Juventus out-muscled Madrid in a 2-1 win.

Dom Kinnear won in his return to Houston. (MLS)

Tigres became the first team to make the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. You can find highlights of both Copa Lib games here. (FootballManiaChannel)

Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (2:45 p.m.) - Almost no one is expecting a Bayern win. They just need an away goal to make this interesting.

Guarani vs. Corinthians (6:45 p.m.) - The first of a three-game Copa Lib slate. Expect Corinthians to get a draw or win to set up an easy second leg.

Sao Paulo vs. Cruzeiro (9 p.m.) - One of two all-Brazil ties, probably the better one. The winner of this might be the favorite to win the tournament.

Atletico Mineiro vs. Internacional (9 p.m.) - That’s not to say these two are slouches, but watch the other game.

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy (9:30 p.m.) - These teams have both been disappointing in a loaded west. RSL need the win more.