Stress has been the cause of a recent trip to the hospital for Sepp Blatter, who will remain there for a few more days.
The outgoing FIFA president was reportedly hospitalized due to stress last Friday, and will not be cleared to leave until next week. Blatter reportedly suffered “a small breakdown”, according to the BBC, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Blatter’s spokesman, Klaus Stohlker, says that the FIFA president is currently “under a huge pressure” and had been told by doctors to rest.
“He is now, at this moment in hospital,” Stoehlker told AFP. “He is preparing to leave on Monday and will be back on the job on Tuesday.”
Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Wednesday morning:
EX-MEXICO COACH LAPUENTE SLAMS CURRENT GENERATION OF PLAYERS
Former Mexico coach Manuel Lapuente believes there is plenty to criticize when it comes to the current crop of Mexico players.
Lapuente slammed this generation of El Tri stars, stating that the group has failed to achieve anything on the international level. Lapuente, who managed Mexico from 1997-2000, led El Tri to the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 1999 Confederations Cup titles.
“This (generation) hasn’t done anything,” Lapuente told ESPN. “It didn’t do anything in the World Cup, or in recent tournaments like the Copa America in Chile or the Gold Cup.
“We’ll see what happens in the Confederations Cup and qualifying (for Russia 2018).”
Lapuente went on to state his support for new coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who will take charge for the first time against El Salvador on Friday.
“I hope he does well, is successful and shows and proves that this generation is the best,” Lapuente said. “(I hope he) proves it in the individual and collective (senses) — as a collective they haven’t done anything.”
ARGENTINA DOCTOR SAYS MESSI SHOULD MISS EL CLASSICO
Lionel Messi is in a race against time to return for El Classico, but an Argentinian doctor insists that the Barcelona star needs more time to recover.
Messi has been sidelined since Sept. 26 due to injury, and the club is currently hoping that the star forward can return for the Nov. 21 clash with Real Madrid. However, Argentina team doctor Homero de Agostino says returning on that date could prove to be costly for the forward.
“The risk of aggravating the injury if Messi plays the El Clasico is high,” the doctor told Cadena SER. “I don’t think that he can get in condition to play the Clasico. The coach cannot rely on a newly recovered player.”
QUICK KICKS
Laurent Blanc is reportedly in talks to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. (REPORT)
After departing Swansea, Michu has signed for Spanish fourth-division side Unión Popular de Langreo, who is coached by his brother. (REPORT)
Carlos Tevez has been ruled out of Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Brazil. (REPORT)
Mathieu Valbuena says he has no animosity towards Karim Benzema. (REPORT)
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What do you think of Blatter’s hospitalization? How does the current generation of Mexico players stack up to years past? Should Messi play in El Classico?
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