17 things we loved this weekend: Messi, Rooney, Bellingham, Havertz and more

Planet Football • 06 Sep 2021

Premier League football may have had a week off due to the international break, but there was still plenty of exciting action around the world.

England returned to Wembley for the first time since their Euro 2020 heartbreak, while Brazil’s clash with Argentina was abandoned five minutes after kick off.

We’ve rounded up the best of the action on and off the field.

Lionel Messi

Before the chaos at Brazil v Argentina, Messi showcased his stunning free-kicks.

Lionel Messi practising free-kicks before it all went crazy 🎯

𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.pic.twitter.com/UleFUe88KW

— Goal (@goal) September 5, 2021

Everson

South American goalkeepers really do love finding the back of the net.

Goalkeepers are made different in Brazil! 🇧🇷😂

Playing at centre back in their impromptu training session, Atlético Mineiro's Everson has smashed one in from distance! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HA2SqqwhSu

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) September 5, 2021

Wayne Rooney

The Manchester United legend showed his class during Soccer Aid training.

The touch 👌@WayneRooney's still got it 😍 pic.twitter.com/rgvQEZrTtD

— utdreport (@utdreport) September 3, 2021

Henry Kessler

Things you ~~hate~~ love to see.

Some top tier timewasting from Henry Kessler of New England Revolution in MLS last night. pic.twitter.com/AwCyADZhY5

— GoalScorer Challenge ⚽️ (@GoalscorerC) September 4, 2021

Gareth Bale

After going nearly two years without an international goal, Bale was Wales’ hero against Belarus.

Scenes! 🤯

Wales have come from behind to beat Belarus for a huge 3 points in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup – Gareth Bale with the hat-trick! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🔥 pic.twitter.com/TqHJwurQ9p

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 5, 2021

Jude Bellingham

Bellingham makes this look far too easy.

Jude Bellingham stop that. 🥶🥶🥶

📹 – @itvfootball pic.twitter.com/U1Bjl2v5aJ

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 5, 2021

Bukayo Saka

A heartwarming return to Wembley.

England fans singing 'Happy Birthday' to Bukayo Saka at full-time ❤️ 🎶 pic.twitter.com/v8Up9Yl6J1

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 6, 2021

Jesse Lingard

Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing is proving infectious.

Siuuuuuuu! 👀🔴@JesseLingard x @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/ZeIuyIk6jS

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 5, 2021

Shane Ferguson

Worthy of the classic Alan Partridge reference.

𝙃𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚! 🤯

Shane Ferguson hit this absolute SCREAMER in Northern Ireland's win over Estonia! 🔥pic.twitter.com/B5lTvnipCT

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) September 5, 2021

Bryan Gil

Tottenham have a really exciting talent on their hands.

Bryan Gil will be adored by the #Spurs fans very quickly… #THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/bBfAul8OFw

— That Tottenham Feed (@Tottenham_Feed) September 3, 2021

Timo Werner

A filthy backheel assist from the Chelsea forward.

Kai Havertz

What a strike.

Mykola Shaparenko

The Ukraine fan in our office enjoyed this one.

Mykola Shaparenko scores his first international goal for Ukraine with a thunderbolt against world champions France ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ggIGTw9zFm

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 4, 2021

Memphis Depay

A moment to make a thousand dads declare the game’s gone.

This young fan got a selfie with Memphis Depay 🔥📸 pic.twitter.com/J2fO6AMzH4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 5, 2021

Josh King

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

Josh King definitely won't want to see this miss for Norway again 😬pic.twitter.com/ysozQetcX2

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 5, 2021

Lee Mack

Look at his face. Just look at his face.

What a moment! Lee Mack 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 scores at Soccer Aid for @UNICEF_uk!

And the celebration was well worth the wait 😂 Any words, @RobBrydon?@ITV @WeAreSTV pic.twitter.com/Z6dkJhBVm5

— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) September 4, 2021