The Offside Daily – Lionel Messi North Korean bound? Arsenal legend too small for Star Wars and Liverpool striker under fire

10 of the biggest football stories of the day:

1. Mario Balotelli has apologised for a instagram picture appearing to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

2. Steven Gerrard is ‘still good enough’ for Liverpool according to former player John Barnes.

3. Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is set to miss tonight’s game against Sunderland.

4. A Rangers fan group has urged supporters to boycott buying club merchandise and also to boycott Mike Ashley’s shop Sports Direct.

5. Manuel Neuer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on the final shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

6. Men in Black, meet Britain’s only Goth football team. (Mirror)

7. A North Korean football official has pleaded for Lionel Messi to visit a new football academy in the country. (Super Sport)

8. Barcelona are to sport horizontal stripes next season for the first time in their 115 year history. (Guardian)

9. Arsenal legend Ian Wright was rejected from starring in the new Star Wars film for being too small. (Metro)

10. The 2015 Napoli calendar is HILARIOUS, check it out here. (Telegraph)

Today’s Offside Daily is brought to you by Stuart Dick

You can find all of Stuart’s Offside Daily contributions here.

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