The Best and Worst of 2016's April Fools' Day Football Stories

It's that time of year again.

Football clubs and media outlets alike got mischievous on Friday for the sometimes-amusing-sometimes-not tradition of April Fools' Day.

To save you the trouble, we've made note of some of the more interesting football-related fables to have tested the public's gullibility on this special day.

Lionel Messi Signs for Real Madrid (Goal)

CURTO DE LA TORRE/Getty Images

An obvious one, maybe, but the timing couldn't have been better.

Barcelona host archrivals Real Madrid on Saturday in the latest highly anticipated Clasico.

Prior to that crunch fixture, Goal.com attempted to terrify Barca fans and delight their Real counterparts by claiming that the Catalan's star man, Lionel Messi, had agreed to join their greatest enemies in a €500 million deal.

"With financial fair play, Barcelona could not give me what I wanted and deserved," said Messi, according to Goal's made-up quotes. "I recommended they fund my contract by selling the Camp Nou, but for some reason they valued the club more than me."

Yeah, probably not going to happen.

[h/t Goal]

Jurgen Klopp Wants David Moyes as Liverpool Assistant (Empire of the Kop)

Handout/Getty Images

As a former manager of both Everton and Manchester United, David Moyes' relationship with Liverpool Football Club isn't all that positive. 

It therefore came as a surprise when Empire of the Kop claimed that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wanted to appoint the Scot as his assistant.

"I want us to play a blander, duller style of football in 2016/17 and David will be perfect for that," read Klopp's completely fictional explanation. 

Yeah, that would do it.

[h/t Empire of the Kop]

Rio Ferdinand Replaces Louis van Gaal as Manchester United Boss (Rio Ferdinand)

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Manchester United fans may not have been too upset when Rio Ferdinand claimed on Twitter that he had signed a deal to take over as manager at Old Trafford in the summer.

"

New Chapter.. Contract signed.. Looking forward to going into management in June. Big summer ahead! pic.twitter.com/IxBiDNLMIO

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 1, 2016"

The defender's former club have struggled this season under manager Louis van Gaal, leading supporters to demand a change at the helm.

But instead of Jose Mourinho, Ferdinand suggested it was he whom the United hierarchy had turned to for help, despite his lack of managerial experience.

One day, perhaps, Rio, one day...

[Twitter]

West Ham United to Be Sponsored by Ann Summers at Olympic Stadium (London24)

Ian Walton/Getty Images

West Ham United are set to end their long association with the Boleyn Ground at the end of the season when they move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Ahead of the big move, London24 reported that the club have agreed a deal with Ann Summers that will see the lingerie and sex toy company sponsor the venue.

The Ann Summers Stadium...doesn't sound all that intimidating, does it?

But before Hammers fans get their knickers in a twist, it's worth pointing out that the story is, of course, completely made up.

[h/t London24]

Football Manager 2017 to Introduce New Custom Mascot Feature (Mirror)

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Fans of the popular video game franchise Football Manager may have been surprised to read in the Mirror on Friday that next year's edition will introduce the ability to design your own mascot.

The latest version of the game was the first to give players the chance to recreate their own likeness with a "Manager on the Touchline" feature, and they appear keen to take that to another level with "Mascot on the Touchline."

So if you're not a big fan of Arsenal's Gunnersaurus or AFC Wimbledon's Haydon the Womble, this may be the news you've been waiting for.

But it's a shame because it's not actually happening.

[h/t Mirror]

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Record Charity Single (FREEBETS)

OLIVIER MORIN/Getty Images

The build-up to Saturday's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid was temporarily overshadowed on Friday by freebets.co.uk's earth-shattering report that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were about to join forces to record a charity single for UNICEF.

The duo are widely considered the two best players in the world, and though their rivalry is sometimes exaggerated in the press, they're hardly considered the next John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Ronaldo, the story claims, is particularly keen, with John O'Shea adding voice to rumours the Portuguese is a regular karaoke-goer:

"Cristiano’s mad for Oasis, you could always hear Life Forever blaring out of his headphones before the big match, it helps get him in the mood," Ronaldo's former Manchester United team-mate supposedly told freebets.co.uk.

True or not, this is something we'd love to see happen.

[h/t freebets.co.uk]

Jose Mourinho Takes Job as Nigeria Coach (Goal)

JUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images

Goal had another go at the April Fools' hype when they claimed Jose Mourinho had agreed to take charge of the Nigerian national team.

The Portuguese was sacked by Chelsea in December and was widely expected to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United in the summer, but the report suggested he has instead opted to take on the challenge of resurrecting the fallen Super Eagles.

Maybe it was the chance to work with John Obi Mikel again?

[h/t Goal]

Southampton Unveil New New Club Crest (Southampton)

Screenshot: Twitter/@SouthamptonFC

Southampton got in on the April Fools' Day hype on Friday when they revealed fabricated designs for a new club crest.

With the south coast club alternatively known as the Saints, the supposedly new badge is broadly similar to the current design, but includes a smiling face with a halo.

Subtle, but snazzy. I like it.

[Twitter]

Simon Mignolet and Lucas Leiva Pranked by Annoying Taxi Driver (Liverpool)

Liverpool decided to target their own players with their April Fools' prank.

With Jon Flanagan in on the joke, Simon Mignolet and Lucas Leiva were shepherded into a taxi for what they believed was a legitimate Vauxhall photo shoot.

Instead, the trio were joined in the car by the "world's most annoying chauffeur," for a journey full of stupid questions and Tina Turner impressions.

While Lucas appeared to enjoy the driver's eccentric nature, Mignolet didn't seem so amused.

The prank continued until the players took their chance to make a run for it, at which Flanagan emerged to reveal to his team-mates that they'd been had.

[YouTube]

Barcelona and Real Madrid to Launch Cricket Teams and Play 'Cricketos' (AS)

PAU BARRENA/Getty Images

Barcelona and Real Madrid's sensational plans to venture into cricket were revealed by AS on Friday.

The report explained how the game's huge global fanbase and low profile in Spain had prompted the two clubs to launch their own cricket teams.

They'd then compete in two "Cricketos" at the Camp Nou and Bernabeu this summer, with the aim of replicating the popularity of El Clasico.

Unfortunately, it was, of course, one big joke, and we're unlikely to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo competing on the cricket field anytime soon.

[h/t AS]