Barcelona’s financial woes persist as they encounter hurdles in registering Hansi Flick and his coaching staff with La Liga.
Despite Flick’s recent appointment as the club’s new manager, paperwork delays highlight the severity of Barcelona’s financial struggles.
The situation echoes past instances where the club faced challenges in registering players due to financial constraints.
To address the crisis, Barcelona previously sold a portion of ‘Barca Studios’ to investors, but the anticipated payments from these deals are yet to materialize fully.
Moreover, the club must navigate wage bill reductions to comply with La Liga regulations, further complicating their financial predicament.
Xavi’s departure and Flick’s arrival mark a transition fraught with challenges, as Barcelona grapples with balancing fiscal responsibility andon-field competitiveness.
The former Bayern Munich boss inked a two-year contract with the Catalan club, solidifying his role in leading the team until 2026.
Flick finalized the deal at Barcelona’s club offices on Wednesday after engaging in several rounds of discussions with sporting director Deco and club president Joan Laporta.
According to BBC Sport, Barcelona began talks with Flick “at least two months ago,” and an agreement had been in place for some time.
This timeline indicates that the Blaugrana were already in contact with Flick when they convinced Xavi to extend his tenure at the club until 2025 in late April.
Barca have released an official statement confirming Flick’s appointment, which reads: “FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026.
The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta; first vice president responsible for the sporting area, Rafa Yuste and the Club’s sporting director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco.
By bringing Hansi Flick as coach, FC Barcelona have chosen a man well known for his teams’ high pressing, intense and daring style of play which has brought him great success at club level and international level, winning pretty much all there is to win in the world of football.”
After achieving a historic treble with Bayern Munich in 2020, securing the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League titles, Hansi Flick’s subsequent tenure with the German national team fell short of expectations.
Their disappointing exit from the group stages of the 2022 World Cup marked a low point in Flick’s coaching career.
Now, tasked with revitalizing Barcelona, Flick has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing a “new structure” at the club.
His mandate includes steering Barcelona towardschallenging Real Madrid for supremacy both in Spain and Europe.
Flick is set to engage in discussions with Deco regarding potential new signings, aiming to assemble a formidable squad capable of reclaiming Barcelona’s position at the pinnacle of football.
The German manager is set to replace Xavi Hernández, who managed his final game against Sevilla on Sunday.
Flick, 59, has been out of a job since being dismissed as Germany’s national team coach last September.
He arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday with his agent, Pini Zahavi, to finalize the details of his new position.
According to sources from ESPN, Flick will sign a two-year contract, which will be officially announced once Xavi’s departure is confirmed.
Barça president Joan Laporta has long admired Flick, having initially considered him to replace Ronald Koeman in 2021.
However, Flick was then committed to taking over the German national team after his tenure with Bayern Munich.
Negotiations between Barcelona and Flick resumed earlier this year when Xavi announced in January his intention to step down in
the summer. Flick’s prospects of securing the position seemed dim in April when Barça stated that Xavi would see out his contract, which lasted until 2025.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn last week when Laporta decided to part ways with Xavi and seek a new coach.
Flick, who served as Joachim Low’s assistant with the German national team, achieved significant success at Bayern Munich, including winning the treble in 2020.
His tenure with the Germany national team was less successful, leading to his dismissal in 2023 following poor results and a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.
In other news, defender Héctor Fort has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2026.
Following his final game as Barcelona coach, a 2-1 victory overSevilla on Sunday, Xavi Hernández expressed that he feels his contributions have been underappreciated and warned that his successor will face significant challenges.
Barcelona secured the win with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López, while Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Sevilla.
This match concluded Barça’s LaLiga season with a three-point finish, coming just two days after the club announced Xavi’s dismissal at the season’s end.
“I don’t think the work we have done has been sufficiently valued considering the adverse situation we came into,” Xavi told DAZN after beating Sevilla.
“Barça were ninth in the table when we arrived at the end of 2021. We finished second. Then, in the first full season [in charge], we won two trophies [LaLiga and the Spanish Supercopa].
“This year has not been at the level required, but it’s come down to details in several key games. It’s a shame. I am sad, but this is the job of a coach.”
ESPN has revealed that Hansi Flick will replace Xavi, with the Germán coach’s appointment expected to be announced in the coming days.
“They have to know it is a difficult situation, because Barcelona is a difficult club, but also because of the adverse financial situation, above all [LaLiga’s] financial fair play rules,” Xavi said when asked if he had any advice for his successor.
“It won’t be easy at all. They will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job. The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not [previously].
“I have been looked at through a magnifying glass and a certain level of expectations were generated, because I was part of Barça’s best-ever era, which has played against me.”
Xavi initially announced in January that he would step down this summer, but he changed his mind in April. However, he was dismissed in a meeting with club president Joan Laporta on Friday.
Despite his earlier doubts, Xavi maintained that he wanted to stay in the role and declined to disclose the reasons for his dismissal. “It’s not for me to explain the motives, the president has to do that,” Xavi continued. “I just have to accept and respect them. The decision is made and there is no looking back. The club is above any person. I wanted to stay on.
I get [the decision], I respect it, but it is a shame. The feelings are contradictory because the work has been positive despite not winning trophies this season. I thought we were on a good path and I still think that.
“But this is football, decisions have to be made. I am happy, proud and satisfied with what we have done: 2.5 years and two trophies in the adverse, difficult situation the club is in, that’s the reality.
“I have not been able to work with calm. We asked for stability one month ago when we decided to stay. We thought by staying on we had achieved that and we were hungry to work hard, but this is the life of a manager.”
Xavi said he is “open” to anything in the future regarding the next step in his career, but that in the short-term he needs to “rest and be with my family.”
The former midfielder, who played over 700 matches for Barcelona, took over from Ronald Koeman in 2021, guiding the team from ninth place to second in his first season. He secured Barcelona’s first LaLiga title since 2019 last season.
However, this year the team did not maintain that momentum, finishing second in the league and ending the season without any trophies after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
Xavi Hernández had ambitious plans forBarcelona,intending to move on Robert Lewandowski, João Félix, João Cancelo, and Vitor Roque if he remained as coach, sources revealed to ESPN.
Xavi was dismissed by Barça last week, with his final match being a 2-1 victory over Sevilla, leaving the Catalan side second in LaLiga and without a trophy this season. Prior to his departure, Xavi had radical plans to revamp the squad, particularly in attack.
The coach aimed to rejuvenate the team by offloading top scorer Lewandowski, loanees Félix and Cancelo, and January signing Roque.
Lewandowski, 35, has two years remaining on his four-year contract, though the final year depends on his game time next season.
The Polish striker, who has netted 59 goals in 95 appearances since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022, expressed his desire to stay at the club last week. He is represented by Pini Zahavi, who also represents German coach Hansi Flick,
Xavi’s expected successor according to ESPN sources. Flick previously worked with Lewandowski at Bayern, leading the team to a treble in 2019-20.
Jorge Mendes, another influential agent at Barça, represents Félix and Cancelo, both of whom spent this season on loan at the LaLiga club.
Félix is set to return to Atlético Madrid and Cancelo to Manchester City, although they might return to Barcelona this summer.
However, sources told ESPN that Xavi was not eager to re-sign either player.
Félix, who started his loan spell strongly, finished the season out of the squad, scoring 10 goals in 44 appearances.
Cancelo was a regular under Xavi when available, but sources indicated that the coach was content for the Portugal international to return to City.
Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores has criticizedBarcelona for their treatmentof club “legends” like Xavi, Ronald Koeman, and Lionel Messi.
Barcelona announced Xavi’s dismissal on Friday, despite previously urging him to remain in his position, marking the latest twist in an embarrassing saga for the Catalan giants.
Xavi, who became a club legend by winning La Liga eight times and the Champions League four times as a player, also led the team to a La Liga title in 2022/23 and a second-place finish this season as a manager.
Koeman experienced a similar fate to Xavi. As Barcelona’s highest-scoring defender ever, the Dutchman won the Copa del Rey and secured a third-place finish in La Liga, only to be dismissed at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Messi’s departure was equally poignant, as he left in tears to join Inter Miami in the United States.
Sanchez Flores told reporters: “I shouldn’t say this… but how badly Barcelona treats its legends. What a bad streak. It’s probably a bad streak, but what a bad streak. What a bad streak.
“With Koeman, with Messi, with Xavi now, how bad. I wish clubs treated their legends well, fantastically well. That would be fantastic. That is a legacy of connection from the managers to the fans. This connects a lot. Treating legends well.”
Barcelona areset to name former Germany manager Hansi Flick as Xavi’s successor. The official announcement is anticipated next week.
Barcelona have welcomed the news that allegations of bribery and payments to the referees’ committee will no longer be included in the ‘Negreira case‘.
The Catalan club had been accused of attempting to influence refereeing decisions after it was revealed that payments were made over several years to Jose María Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
Barcelona has consistently denied these allegations, but a judge had initially ruled that the club would face bribery charges.
However, The Barcelona High Court has now overturned this decision, with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office already opposing an investigation into alleged bribery by individuals who did not have the necessary public official status to commit such an offence.
A statement issued by the Liga giants on the club’s official website reads: “FCB is satisfied with today’s ruling by the Barcelona High Court insofar as it confirms the approach defended by the Club and rules out the hypothesis of the alleged crime of bribery.
We maintain our conviction that through the courts we will be able to definitively clarify the facts that are the subject of the complaint and prove the Club’s absolute innocence.”
In Catalunya, it is asserted that the payments in question were for technical and scouting reports on referees and players. Club president Joan Laporta has previously provided documentation to support this claim.
Despite presenting this evidence earlier, the Blaugrana have only now been officially cleared of the allegations.
FC Barcelona has officially announced the dismissal of head coach Xavi Hernandez in a statement released on Friday afternoon in Spain.
Xavi had previously announced in January that he would be stepping down from the high-pressure head coach role on June 30.
However, in April, he reversed this decision following a meeting with Laporta, and it was announced that he had agreed to see out his contract, which expires on the same date in 2025.
Last week, Xavi reportedly angered the board with negative comments about how the club’s economic challenges affect its ability to compete with bitter rivals Real Madrid.
“The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi Hernández that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season,” the statement began.
“The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luís de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi’s assistants, Òscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.
”FC Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.
“Xavi Hernández will lead his last game as first team coach this Sunday in Seville.
“In the coming days, FC Barcelona will inform about the new structure of the first team,” the statement concluded.
The development is the latest of a series of twist and turns related to who mans the Blaugrana dugout.
Hansi Flick is set to become new Barça head coach soon, according to reports.
Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales allegedly attempted to allocate UEFA funds to Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique during the COVID pandemic.
According to The Objective, Rubiales engaged in video conferences with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Barcelona stars Messi and Pique over a three-month period to explore the possibility of using broadcasting rights revenue from UEFA matches to assist players facing financial hardships due to the pandemic.
It was suggested that four percent of these rights could be diverted to aid players who had undergone pay cuts as a result of the pandemic.
Messi reportedly emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality during the discussions, fearing potential backlash if details were to emerge.
The global lockdown measures implemented during the pandemic led to the suspension of football activities and resulted in many players accepting salary reductions.
At the time, Messi confirmed that Barcelona players would take a 70% pay cut to support the club in mitigating financial losses caused by the pandemic.
The Objective further reveals that leaked messages and audio recordings indicate Rubiales proposed redirecting funds to players who had experienced salary cuts directly to Ceferin.
Subsequently, the four individuals engaged in a four-hour video call to deliberate on the matter and continued to exchange messages thereafter.
As reported by AS, Rubiales allegedly told Ceferin: “I say it is important for us to have Messi and the rest with us. There is no need to spend money. We just change where the funds go.”
Rubiales also suggested Pique and Messi send a signed Barcelona shirt to Ceferin “as a token of gratitude”.
The discussions between Rubiales and the Barcelona players occurred between April and May of 2020, coinciding with the Catalan club’s resumption of La Liga action in June.
Despite their return to the field, Barcelona faced significant financial challenges, as evidenced by their announcement of a €97 million (£88m/$114m) loss at the end of the financial year due to the impact of COVID.
Ultimately, Messi departed the club a year later to join PSG, as Barcelona was unableto afford a new contract for the superstar.
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowskihas confirmed he will stay with the LaLiga club next season and is optimistic about winning “many titles” in the future.
Lewandowski, who transferred from Bayern Munich to Barça in 2022, has netted 58 goals in 94 appearances across all competitions since joining.
His contributions were pivotal in securing the team’s first league title since 2019 and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2022-23 season.
Even though Barcelona did not win any trophies this season, Lewandowski is eager to continue with the club and believes they can achieve significant success in the upcoming season.
“Of course, for me it is super clear. I want to win many titles with Barcelona and I am sure that next season we will be even stronger and we will also win titles,” Lewandowski told Mundo Deportivo when asked about rumours of a potential exit from the Catalan club.
“I always want the best, not just for me, but for my teammates and I am sure that this team will win titles next season because I see what we do each day.
For me that is what matters because this a club that I hold close to my heart and I want to give a lot for the team and the club.”
Barcelona’s season has been overshadowed by uncertainty regarding coach Xavi Hernández and the club’s financial difficulties, leading to speculation that they may need to sell players to alleviate their issues.
Among those rumored to be on the transfer list is Robert Lewandowski, the 2021 Ballon d’Or runner-up.
However, the 35-year-old striker has expressed his desire to remain with the team.
Barcelona will face Sevilla in their final game of the season on Sunday. Following this match, President Joan Laporta is scheduled to meet with Xavi to discuss the coach’s future at the club.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has spent the past 18 months recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and undergoing keyhole surgery on her knee.
Now fully fit, Putellas has been persuaded by Barcelona’s proposal, with the club confirming her contract extension on Tuesday.
Despite receiving lucrative offers from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Putellas has always intended to remain at Barcelona.
However, before committing to a new contract, she sought assurances about the club’s future direction and her role within the team, according to The Athletic.
In December, Barcelona offered Putellas a contract that would make her the highest-paid player in the squad, effectively doubling her salary.
However, her decision to join the Spanish national team camp in February, against the medical team’s advice, did not sit well with the club.
Despite the initial tension caused by her national team call-up, both parties managed to reach an understanding and have now resolved their differences.
Putellas has the potential to end the current season by securing a treble.
The Catalan club has already won the Liga F and Copa de la Reina trophies, with a UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Lyon still to come.
Barcelona are considering moves for Guido Rodríguez and Xavi Simons, but final decisions on any signings depend on their summer budget, sources have told ESPN.
Rodríguez, 30, will be available as a free agent this summer after his contract with Real Betis expires.
Barça are eager to strengthen their midfield, with coach Xavi Hernández attributing this season’s struggles to a lack of balance in the middle of the pitch.
Xavi’s priority is to add a defensive midfielder in addition to Rodríguez.
There is also interest in Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi, although both would require a significant fee.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has also been linked.
Simons, 21, has spent this season on loan at RB Leipzig and is set to return toParis Saint-Germainthis summer.
However, the Netherlands international, an attacking midfielder who came through Barça’s academy before moving to PSG in 2019, could be available for another loan spell next season.
Barcelona manager Xavi grew visibly frustrated during a press conference on Sunday, urging reporters to refrain from probing about the club’s transfer plans.
Currently, the Blaugrana are locked in a battle to secure even a second-place finish in La Liga this season. They trail behind Catalan rivals Girona by two points, though Barcelona have played one game fewer.
A victory over Real Sociedad on Monday evening could potentially see them reclaim control of second position.
However, inquiries regarding how a third-place finish might influence Barcelona’s transfer strategy dominated Xavi’s latest press conference. Despite his efforts to address the questions, the persistent probing eventually led him to lose his composure.
“I understand that right now it’s being written that some [players] are transferable or non-transferable, but right now there are no transferables as long as La Liga continues,” Xavi began.
“I don’t think planning depends on [finishing second]. For us, it is important to finish second. But the plan is not going to change. The relief is to win ourselves and the four games we have left.”
Asked whether he had made a decision on the future of Ansu Fati, who will return from his disappointing loan with Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, Xavi said: “Stop asking me about planning because I won’t say any names.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2DCig33zs
Barcelona appears to be on the verge of securing their first signing of the summer with Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez, a long-standing target set to join on a free transfer as his contract expires.
While the club harbors ambitious aspirations, officials have stressed that formal plans will only materialize once Barcelona’s financial situation becomes clearer.
Vice-president Rafa Yuste emphasized the importance of meeting La Liga’s 1:1 formula, ensuring they have the financial strength to spend €1 for every €1 raised, before delving into transfer discussions.
The future of Ansu Fati is poised to spark genuine debate as he readies himself to return to Camp Nou. The 21-year-old embarked on a loan spell with Brighton last summer in a bid to regain fitness and form.
However, his playing time has been limited, starting just three times in the Premier League and tallying four goals from 25 appearances across all competitions.
Additionally, talks are imminent regarding Vitor Roque, whose agent has expressed intentions of seeking a permanent move away from Barcelona if assurances of increased playing time next season cannot be guaranteed.
Barcelona is focusing on securing a defensive pivot before pursuing the signing of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, according to reports from Sport.
The club has identified the need for explosiveness on the left wing, with 21-year-old Williams being their preferred choice among players within their reach.
While Barcelona considers a transfer fee of just over €50 million to be reasonable, they acknowledge Athletic’s renewal of Williams’ contract in December as a logical step.
Williams’ profile, age, price, explosiveness, familiarity with LaLiga, and linguistic abilities make him a top priority for Barcelona.
The only concern is his potential lack of creativity in static situations, although alternatives like Luis Díaz are deemed unaffordable.
Once Barcelona secures a defensive pivot, potentially targeting Joshua Kimmich or Martín Zubimendi, they could adopt a classic 4-3-3 formation with Williams on one wing and Lamine Yamal on the other.
Meanwhile, Manchester United officials have acknowledged that Old Trafford struggled to withstand unprecedented rainfall following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Sources indicate that this incident underscores the necessity for stadium development, aligning with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitions.
Ratcliffe, present at the game, prefers building a new stadium near Old Trafford, with discussions also exploring the redevelopment of the existing facility.
United’s commitment to stadium improvements is evident from the establishment of a taskforce in March, led by figures like Lord Sebastian Coe and former captain Gary Neville.
Before the Arsenal match, Ratcliffe engaged in discussions with key stakeholders, highlighting the importance of enhancing the stadium infrastructure.
Barcelona has announcedthat 17-year-old defender Pau Cubarsí has extended his contract until 2027, with a staggering release clause of €500 million ($536 million).
The decision comes after Cubarsí’s rapid rise in the first team, prompting the club to secure his services with a new deal.
Initially signing his first professional contract with Barça just last year, Cubarsí’s impressive performances in 2024 attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, who were eyeing his previous release clause of around €10 million ($10 million).
However, sources close to the club remained confident that Cubarsí would stay, given his significant role within the squad.
Cubarsí made his debut for the first team at the age of 16 in January and has since become a regular starter alongside Ronald Araújo in central defence.
His emergence has pushed experienced players like Iñigo Martínez and Andreas Christensen into different roles within the team.
With 20 appearances across all competitions, Cubarsí’s standout performance came in the Champions League round-of-16 win against Napoli in March, where he was awarded the MVP.
Sources close to the coaching staff have praised his maturity and composure, particularly in possession, since his debut.
His impressive displays have also earned him two caps for the Spanish national team, and he is expected to feature in the upcoming European Championship in Germany this summer.
Cubarsí’s journey with Barcelona began in 2018 when he joined the club as an 11-year-old after spending four years at Girona.
Progressing through the ranks of La Masia, he made his debut for Barça Atlétic earlier this season before earning a regular spot in first-team training.
Under Xavi’s management, Cubarsí is one of several young talents to have broken through this season, alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal (16), Hector Fort (17), and Marc Guiu (18),showcasing the club’s commitment to nurturing its youth talent.
The auction for the napkin that famously kickstarted Lionel Messi’s career at Barcelona when he was just 13 years old has commenced this week, with an estimated price range of £300,000–£500,000 ($374,700–$624,500).
Current bidding for the item has reached £220,000, and the auction, hosted by the British auction house Bonhams, will remain open until May 17.
Originally scheduled for March, the auction was delayed due to a dispute over the ownership of the napkin, which has been in the possession of Horacio Gaggioli, an Argentine agent, for the past two decades.
Josep Minguella, another adviser involved in Messi’s transfer to Barcelona, has also laid claim to the napkin after news broke of its auction earlier this year.
Gaggioli disputed this, while Bonhams told ESPN there were “no problems” regarding the sale of the napkin,which is listed on their website as “property of Horacio Gaggioli.”
Minguella has yet to respond to ESPN’s request for comment. The story dates back to 2000 when Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, began to express doubts about Barcelona’s commitment to his son’s development. At that time, Carles Rexach, the club’s director of football, hastily arranged an agreement on a napkin.
This impromptu contract was signed by Rexach, Minguella, who played a role in bringing Messi to Barcelona from South America, and Gaggioli, who facilitated the deal. It served as a promise for Messi’s first professional contract.
Since then, the napkin has been kept by Gaggioli in a secure vault in Andorra, a principality located north of Barcelona between Spain and France. Attempts to negotiate its inclusion in Barcelona’s museum at the Camp Nou stadium have fallen through in the past.
The agreement on the napkin was made on December 14, 2000, at a tennis club in Barcelona after Rexach received an urgent call from Jorge Messi, threatening to take his son back to Argentina.
“That was when, thinking on my feet, I decided everything,” Rexach told ESPN in 2020 to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing.
“Why a napkin? Because it was the only thing I had available to hand. I saw the only way to relax Jorge was signing something, giving him some proof, so I asked for a napkin from the waiter.
“I wrote: ‘In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000 and in the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.’
“I told Jorge that my signature was there and that there were witnesses, that with my name I would take direct responsibility, that there was nothing else to talk about and to bepatient for a few days because Leo could already consider himself a Barca player.”
Real Madrid clinched the La Liga championship on Saturday, seizing the title as Barcelona stumbled to a 4-2 defeat against Girona following Carlo Ancelotti’s team’s triumph over Cadiz.
Madrid secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Cadiz, with Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, and Joselu all finding the back of the net.
This win positioned them to be crowned league champions if Barcelona failed to secure a win in their match against Girona.
Xavi’s squad initially appeared poised to thwart their rivals’ title celebrations as they twice took the lead in the game.
However, Girona rallied back on both occasions and ultimately secured a two-goal advantage to secure the victory.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 4, 2024
With Real Madrid holding a commanding 13-point lead at the summit of La Liga and only four games remaining, neither Girona nor Barcelona have any chance of surpassing them.
The capital club has suffered just one defeat in La Liga this season, with summer acquisition Jude Bellingham notably shining throughout the campaign, tallying 18 goals and four assists.
His late winner in the recent Clasico against Barcelona provided a significant boost for Madrid.
By dethroning Barcelona and claiming the Spanish League crown, Madrid has now amassed an impressive 36 titles in their history.
They can elevate this season’s achievements even further by clinching a victory in the Champions League.
Despite their triumph, Madrid remains focused and grounded, understanding that there is still much work ahead.
They face Bayern Munich in the second leg of theirChampions League semi-final, with the tie evenly poised at 2-2 from the first leg.
Therefore, their title celebrations will be tempered as they remain fully committed to their upcoming challenges.
On Thursday,Lionel Messi took a moment to pay tribute to his former coach, Tito Vilanova, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing.
The Argentine shared a heartfelt post on social media, remembering his coach and friend fondly.
Vilanova guided Messi and Barcelona to a memorable La Liga title victory in the 2012-2013 season, during which they set a new league record of 100 points.
Sadly, Vilanova had to step down from his role in 2013 due to a recurrence of gland cancer, and he passed away a year later.
Vilanova’s influence on Messi and his lasting impact on Barcelona will always be remembered, with reports suggesting that he played a pivotal role in convincing Messi to stay with the club amidst uncertainties about his future.
According to Marca’s 2019 report, Vilanova spent hours in conversationwith Messi duringhis final days, urging him to remain loyal to Barcelona.
Tito convinced Mesi to stay loyal to Barca 6 days to his demise
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reportedly made significant assurances to convince Xavi to remain as the club’s coach despite financial challenges.
Xavi initially announced his departure after Barcelona’s loss to Villarreal in January but has now decided to stay until at least 2025 after discussions with Laporta and the board.
According to Sport, the talks focused on addressing communication gaps between the coaching staff and administration. Both parties shared their expectations to build a better working relationship.
The club aims to strengthen the squad, especially in midfield and on the left side of attack.
Defensive reinforcements are also needed, with only Joao Cancelo currently available on loan from Manchester City.
Xavi sought assurances about the club’s plans for the transfer window and received positive feedback, despite financial constraints.
The success of planned signings depends on offloading surplus players to ease financial burdens. Barcelona is actively exploring player sales to create room for new acquisitions.
Laporta is also exploring renegotiating the club’s contract with Nike to secure a lucrative deal, aiming for the best sponsorship contract in the market. He hopes to finalize this agreement in the future.
Xavi’s decision to stay provides stability, though their focus is on the next season, given Real Madrid’s strong lead in La Liga. They aim to end the current campaign positively, starting with a match against Valencia on Monday.
Cancelo has been sidelined from City’s lineup since January 2023 due to a disagreement with Guardiola. Subsequently, he was loaned to Bayern Munich and then to Barcelona.
However, Cancelo has faced harsh criticism during his time at Barcelona, particularly for notable errors in matches against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga.
“We’ll see at the end of the season,” Guardiola told a press conference when asked whether Cancelo had a future at the club.
Cancelo has experienced three significant incidents during his time at City. Shortly after his arrival from Juventus in 2019, the Portuguese expressed frustration over Guardiola’s preference for Kyle Walker at right-back.
In 2020, Sporting director Txiki Begiristain intervened to encourage Cancelo’s greater engagement in training.
Then, in late 2022, Cancelo was reportedly distracted during team meetings, even listening to music on his headphones while Guardiola was speaking. Despite these challenges, Cancelo remains under contract at City until 2027, signing a lucrative deal in 2022 before being loaned out to Bayern.
His loan spell with Barcelona is set to conclude at the end of this season, but he has expressed a desire to stay at the Catalan club for two or three more years.
City will face Brighton on Thursday with the aim of regaining their position in the Premier League title race, especially after Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table.
City face Brighton on Thursday looking to reclaim their grip on the Premier League title race after Arsenal hammered Chelsea 5-0 to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Guardiola said: “I can’t think past Brighton, trying to figure out how they are. I know with Roberto how we need to find the weakness, it will be really tough, they’ll test us in ways we are not used to. We have to be strong – it might be the toughest game. not saying the others are not but the way they play is so difficult and we have to be ready.”
Xavi Hernández has opted to extend his tenure as Barcelona coach until the conclusion of his contract in 2025, as confirmed by a source to ESPN.
This decision marks a reversal of his previous announcement to step down at the end of the season, citing mental fatigue amidst disappointing results.
After a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, the former Spain international has committed to fulfilling his contractual obligations with the Catalan club. Xavi, who took over as Barça coach in 2021, guided the team to their first league title in four years last season and inked a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year.
Despite encountering challenges earlier in the season with defeats in various competitions, including a notable loss to Villarreal in January prompting his initial resignation announcement, Xavi’s leadership sparked a resurgence on the field.
Barça went on a 13-game unbeaten streak, prompting support from club officials for Xavi to stay on.
Although recent setbacks, including elimination from the Champions League and a defeat in El Clásico, have dimmed their title hopes, sources indicate that Barça remained steadfast in their desire for Xavi to continue.
Financial considerations and Xavi’s success in nurturing young talents further reinforced the club’s commitment to him.
While other candidates were considered as potential replacements, the Barcelona board ultimately reaffirmed their preference for Xavi during discussions on Wednesday.
A final agreement was reached later in the day following a meeting between Xavi and Laporta, solidifying his decision to remain at the helm of the club.
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchelis leaning towards a return to the Premier League this summer, despite interest from Barcelona, according to a source.
Tuchel, who is set to depart Bayern at the end of the season, has guided the team to the Champions League semifinals. Barcelona has identified him as a potential replacement for outgoing coach Xavi Hernandez.
However, Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea, prefers a job in England.
While he hasn’t ruled out Barcelona, Tuchel is concerned about the club’s stability and limited transfer funds. Barcelona is also considering Rafael Márquez and Hansi Flick.
Tuchel is open to discussions with Manchester United if Erik ten Hag departs.
Ten Hag’s future at United is uncertain following a string of disappointing results, including a dramatic FA Cup semifinal win over Coventry City.
United’s owners are reportedly considering Tuchel as a potential replacement.
Despite his success in Europe with Bayern, Tuchel’s domestic campaign has been underwhelming, leading to his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
Attempts to lureJulian Nagelsmann back to Bayern have been unsuccessful, as he recently extended his contract with the German national team.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called for a potential replay of Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid if it is confirmed that a VAR error resulted in Lamine Yamal’s disallowed goal at the Bernabéu.
Yamal’s shot, which occurred at 1-1 in the first half, was cleared off the line by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. However, without goal-line technology in LaLiga, VAR determined that the ball did not fully cross the line.
Despite Barcelona’s appeals, Madrid ultimately secured a 3-2 victory, extending their lead to 11 points over Barça in the league standings with only six matches remaining.
“There were several debatable incidents in the match, but amongst all of them, there is one that is crucial and can change the result of the game,” Laporta said in a statement on Monday.
“I am referring to the ‘phantom goal’ by Lamine Yamal. As a club, we want to be sure about what happened. For that reason we will make an immediate request for a comprehensive collection of footage and audio from the incident.
“If once this documentation has been analysed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action.
“If it is confirmed that it was a legal goal, we will move ahead and request that the game be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error.”
Earlier this season, a match between Anderlecht and Genk in the top tier of Belgian football was replayed in its entirety due to a VAR error, which resulted in a misapplication of the laws of the game.
However, this incident involved encroachment before a penalty kick was taken, rather than a disputed goal.
Similarly, in Spain, a judge ruled last year that VAR failed to provide the referee with all available images of a goal awarded to Atlético Madrid in their 3-3 draw against Espanyol.
Despite the goal being allowed to stand, additional footage suggesting that the ball did not cross the line was not presented to the match official.
This decision had significant consequences for Espanyol, who were ultimately relegated from the league.
Laporta also said there were “various other incidents” during the game that Barça disagreed with and “could have been reviewed by VAR.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen expressed their dismay at the absence of goal-line technology in Spain, labelling it “embarrassing” following their team’s defeat.
Xavi further remarked that since the beginning of the season, particularly in their away match against Getafe, he has noticed a pattern of significant decisions going against Barcelona.
As their LaLiga title hopes dwindle, these sentiments underscore the frustration felt within the club.
Laporta took a similar view, adding: “We are forced into [this action] after having suffered various incidents on the pitch that have damaged us and others that have benefited our rival.
“Added together, those incidents reflect the difference in points that there is at the top of the table in La Liga.“
Laporta’s statement has been met with “astonishment” and “surprise” by Madrid, according to a source, who adds that Los Blancos believe the Barça president is just going on the attack to appease supporters.
Frenkie de Jong will be sidelined for the remainder of Barca’s season due to another ankle injury sustained during Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid,a source confirmed to ESPN.
The 26-year-old midfielder was substituted just before halftime following a challenge with Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.
De Jong’s absence means he will miss Barcelona’s final six games of the season.
However, sources indicated to ESPN that he is expected to recover in time for the European Championship in Germany this summer.
The Netherlands, with De Jong in their squad, will commence their tournament campaign against Poland on June 16, followed by matches against France and Austria in the group stage.
This marks the third instance this season that De Jong has encountered an ankle injury.
He missed 10 games between September and November after spraining his ankle against Celta Vigo and another four matches in March with a similar problem.
“The injuries have been a bit unlucky,” De Jong told ESPN before the Clásico on Friday.
“The first one, someone fell on my ankle, which left me with a syndesmosis thing, which is a tough injury and then I had an injury on the same ankle again [in March], which was a tough blow.”
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Barcelona’s defeat over the weekend widened the gap between them and La Liga leaders Madrid to 11 points, with only 11 games left in the season.
This loss came after their elimination from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week.
Having already been ousted from the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, Barcelona’s chances of securing any silverware this season seem slim.
They are poised to surrender the La Liga title they claimed last year to Madrid.
However, Barcelona’s focus now shifts to securing a second-place finish to ensure their participation in next season’s Super Cup. They currently hold a slender lead over Girona, who are just two points behind in third place.
Next on the agenda for Barcelona is a clash against Valencia on April 29, followed by fixtures against Girona, Real Sociedad, Almería, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla to close out the campaign.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is yet to finalise his decision on his future and is scheduled to meet with the club’s leadership in the coming days.
Sources close to the situation have informed ESPN about the ongoing efforts by the club to persuade Xavi to extend his tenure for the next season.
Xavi, aged 44, had announced his intention to step down at the end of the current season back in January. However, there has been increasing pressure in recent weeks for him to reconsider his decision.
President Joan Laporta, vice president Rafa Yuste, and sporting director Deco have all expressed their desire for Xavi to continue leading the team.
Despite facing the possibility of a trophy-less season after recent defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Barça’s stance remains unchanged.
The club values Xavi’s contributions since taking over in 2021 and is eager for him to stay on.
Plans are underway for a meeting either this week or the next, with Xavi’s camp understanding the club’s need to plan for the upcoming season.
Xavi may reconsider his decision if certain assurances are provided regarding squad planning and transfers for the 2024–25 season.
While Xavi has previously affirmed the correctness of his decision to step down, he remains open to hearing the club’s perspective.
During his tenure, Xavi led Barça to their first La Liga title since 2019 and has nurtured young talents from the academy.
Barça’s financial constraints have impacted their search for a replacement coach. Rafael Márquez, currently managing Barça’s B team, has emerged as a potential candidate due to his low-cost appeal and ties to the club.
Other options like Hansi Flick andThomas Tuchel are not ruled out,but their appointments would be more challenging given the club’s financial limitations.
Araújo, aged 25, is currently under contract with Barca until June 2026, and negotiations have been underway to extend his tenure.
However, amid reported interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, the Uruguayan international intends to assess his options at the season’s end.
“My new contract is on good course, but we’ll sit down for a proper talk once the season has ended,” Araujo said. “I am very happy to be in Barcelona, my family is happy, I am going to give everything until the end.”
Araújo opted not to address teammate Ilkay Gündogan’s critique of his red card against Paris Saint-Germain during Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal return leg.
Gündogan expressed frustration over Araújo’s 29th-minute dismissal, attributing it to their team’s defeat in the match.
Speaking at a charity event in Barcelona, Araújo responded: “I prefer to keep to myself what I think about Gündogan’s comments. I have certain values and theyhave to be respected.”
Ilkay Gündogan expressed frustration over individual errors as Barcelona exited the Champions League on Tuesday, admitting that the Spanish side handed the victory to Paris Saint-Germain “in the simplest way possible.”
Barcelona, leading 3-2 from the first leg in Paris, initially took a commanding 2-0 lead in the tie with Raphinha’s 12th-minute goal at the Olympic Stadium.
However, the momentum shifted drastically after Ronald Araújo received a red card for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola, leading to PSG’s 4-1 victory on the night and a 6-4 aggregate win, securing their spot in the semifinals against Borussia Dortmund.
“I am very disappointed because we were in such a good position, not just after the first leg, but scoring the first goal as well,” Gündogan told CBS. “Everything was in our hands and we just gave it away in the most simple manner. We just gave it to PSG and that is the most disappointing part.”
Barça coach Xavi Hernández was fuming with the decision to show a red card to Araujo, labelling the performance of the referee a “disaster” and saying it completely changed the game.
Gündogan said the decision did condition the outcome of the match but did not criticise the on-pitch ruling.
“If he fouled him, I guess it’s a red card,” the Germany international added. “I haven’t seen the replay. It’s difficult to say, in these crucial moments, you need to be sure to get the ball.
“If you don’t get it, and I don’t know if he did, you have to stay away. I prefer to concede a goal there or to leave the striker one on one, even though he played the ball quite far ahead, so I don’t know if he would reach the ball. But let the goalkeeper have a chance to save us or even concede a goal.
“To get a red card, to go a player down so early, it just kills the game.”
Ousmane Dembélé made a successful return to Barcelona, where he previously played, by scoring the equaliser. He rejoined PSG for €50 million ($53m) last summer. Following his goal, Vitinha capitalised on a defensive lapse, scoring from the edge of the box after being left unmarked at a corner, which gave the French champions the lead.
“Again, [another] mistake,” Gündogan added. “We have to step out there and don’t let him shoot. He was so free.
“It’s nothing we haven’t trained, the closest man has to step out. Someone has to step out. No one did — or did too late. Again, not necessary at all.”
Kylian Mbappé addedPSG’s third goal from the penalty spot and then sealed Luis Enrique’s side’s passage to the final four in the 89th minute after Gündoğan had hit the post and had a penalty appeal turned down.
“Decisive actions, crucial situations, they will either reward you or punish you,” Gündogan said. “Unfortunately for tonight they punished us.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández expressedfrustration over the decision to send off Ronald Araújo as his team faced elimination from the Champions League following a 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.
Xavi criticised Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs, labelling him a “disaster” and arguing that the red card shown to Araujo for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola in the 29th minute, with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, drastically impacted the quarterfinal outcome.
Despite taking the lead, PSG rallied with a Kylian Mbappé brace and goals from Ousmane Dembélé, making his return to Barcelona, and Vitinha, clinching a 6-4 aggregate victory and securing a semifinal clash against Borussia Dortmund.
“We are annoyed,” Xavi said. “The red card marked the tie. We were well organised, 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it’s too much to send [Araújo] off there.
“The referee was really bad. I told him he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don’t like speaking about referees but it has to be said. I don’t understand it.
“It’s not good going down to 10 players and from that point on, it’s another game. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything.”
Xavi faced further frustration when he was also sent off in the second half for protesting the decision not to award a penalty for a challenge by Marquinhos on Ilkay Gündogan.
Adding to Barça’s woes, goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente was also dismissed as the team lost their composure.
“That was an error by me; it was my fault,” added Xavi, accepting responsibility for his expulsion.
In Tuesday’s match, Barcelona, holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg, extended their advantage to two goals in the tie when Raphinha scored in the 12th minute following excellent teamwork with Lamine Yamal.
However, the game’s momentum shifted just before the half-hour mark when Araújo was shown a red card for allegedly bringing down Barcola just outside the box as he advanced towards goal.
Dembélé and Vitinha scored on either side of halftime to bring PSG level in the tie, with Mbappé putting them ahead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after a foul by João Cancelo on Dembélé. Despite opportunities for Barcelona to equalise on aggregate, Mbappé sealed the win for PSG with a goal on the counter-attack in the 89th minute.
“We had the chance to equalise with [Gündogan] hitting the post and could even have made it 2-0 before the red card with [Robert Lewandowski’s] shot, which went just over,” Xavi added.
“It’s just a shame that the hard work of an entire season ends because of one refereeing decision. I would have liked it to be 11 vs. 11 for the whole game. It’s an unnecessary red.” PSG coach Luis Enrique said he believed his side would have progressed to the semifinal even if Araújo had stayed on the pitch.
“I don’t speak about referees,” he said. “I have not seen it back; I just saw it live. In my time as a coach, I have never judged referees. I focus on what I can control.
“We started the game really well and the feeling when they score after a brilliant piece of play from Lamine Yamal is a bit like the first leg. We didn’t deserve to lose last week and we didn’t deserve to be behind tonight.
“But the faith and the belief of the players were exceptional. From there, we grew into the game. Obviously, the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.
“I honestly think without the red card, we still win, although I can’t prove that.”
Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique is confident that his team can bounce back from their first-leg defeat against Barcelona and secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite losing 3-2 to Barcelona in Paris last Wednesday, Enrique believes PSG are well-positioned to turn the tie around. PSG last reached the semi-finals three years ago.
“PSG have never come back to win after losing a first leg, but [Tuesday] is the day,” said Luis Enrique.
“We have a very united group of players, in which there are no egos.”
Enrique secured the Treble during the 2014-15 season, one of his three seasons as Barcelona manager.
During his tenure, Barcelona famously staged a remarkable comeback against PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2017, overturning a 4-0 first-leg defeat with a stunning 6-1 victory.
Barcelona, who have won the Champions League five times, are eager to reach the semi-finals for the first time in five years.
“We’re not a team that will sit on our lead; we want to take the ball off PSG and win the game,” said manager Xavi.
“It’s the Champions League; it’s Paris, and a game in which no one will be holding back.”
Barcelona will be without Andreas Christensen and Sergio Roberto who are both suspended.
Xavi expressed his dissatisfaction withOusmane Dembele‘s departure from Barcelona last summer, stating that it left a sour taste in his mouth.
Barcelona have the opportunity to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season, holding a 3-2 lead over Paris Saint-Germain from the first leg.
As they prepare to host the Ligue 1 giants at Montjuic Stadium on Tuesday, manager Xavi openly admitted his disapproval of Dembele’s exit from the club last summer.
The French international departed for his homeland ahead of the 2023–24 season after spending six years at Barcelona, following PSG triggering his €50.4 million (£43–55 million) release clause.
Despite Dembele’s goal in the first leg, his team suffered a defeat against the Catalan giants.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second leg, Xavi opened up on the winger’s departure as he said, “I felt bad about Ousmane because he was in an extraordinary moment here. I hold no grudges, and tomorrow I’ll greet him with all respect. I have a lot of affection for him.”
When further asked about the home fans jeering their former player, the manager added, “I don’t hold a grudge against him. Tomorrow I’ll greet him, as I did in Paris. With respect, I appreciate him. Let people show what they feel.”
Following their Champions League clash with PSG on Tuesday,the reigning Spanish champions will shift their focus to a crucial La Liga fixture against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.
La Liga has confirmed that Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo will each serve only a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards, allowing them to participate in the upcoming match against Real Madrid later this month.
Both players received controversial yellow cards in their previous fixture against Las Palmas, bringing their total bookings for the season to five and triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
There were allegations that Lewandowski and Cancelo intentionally received these cards to avoid suspension for the crucial match against Real Madrid following their upcoming game against Cadiz.
According to La Liga’s disciplinary rules, any player found guilty of such actions would face a doubled suspension.
However, after reviewing the evidence, league officials determined that there was insufficient proof to penalize either player for misconduct.
Consequently, both Lewandowski and Cancelo have been handed one-match bans.
Although they will miss the match against Cadiz, Lewandowski and Cancelo will be eligible to play against Real Madrid on April 21.
Xavi could reportedly make a shock U-turn as the Barcelona manager seeks specific “project guarantees” from Joan Laporta to stay on beyond the summer.
Xavi sent shockwaves through the club when he announced his decision to step down at the end of the season, citing the job as “cruel” while expressing concern over his mental well-being.
However, amidst an impressive 11-match unbeaten run, which includes progress to the Champions League quarterfinals, support for retaining Xavi has been gaining momentum in the upper echelons of the Catalan club.
Barca president Laporta, in an effort to retain the 44-year-old manager, has expressed his desire to persuade Xavi to continue leading the team.
Vice President Rafa Yuste echoed Laporta’s sentiments and emphasised that the club legend should continue given his understanding of the club’s objectives and his autonomy in making the final decision.
According to Sport, Xavi is seeking specific assurances from Laporta and the board regarding Barcelona’s long-term project. He wants a carefully curated transfer shortlist that considers the club’s financial constraints, rather than reaching out to potential targets without purpose.
Mundo Deportivo has reported that Laporta’s confidence in Xavi’s coaching abilities is grounded in his track record of developing young talents and fostering team cohesion.
Xavi’s rapport with both emerging prospects and experienced players is highly valued by the club’s executives.
Furthermore, Laporta envisions a collaborative partnership between Xavi and sporting director Deco, leveraging their mutual understanding and strategic alignment to drive the club forward.
Xavi’s contract with Barcelona extends until 2025, and Laporta expects him to fulfill it. There is also an option to extend it by another year, which the club may consider if positive results continue.
A victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League would advance them to the semi-finals and strengthen the calls for Xavi to remain at the helm.
Barcelona is reportedly eyeing a move for Erling Haaland from Manchester City in 2025, aiming to convince their current manager, Xavi, to extend his stay at Camp Nou.
Despite Xavi’s initial plan to step down at the end of the 2023-24 season, Barca’s recent success in reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and closing the gap on Real Madrid in the Liga title race has sparked speculation that he may reconsider.
To persuade Xavi to stay, Barcelona is planning ambitious signings in the transfer market.
Mundo Deportivo reports that they have set their sights on Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker, for the summer of 2025.
While Haaland has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past, Barcelona is confident they can compete for his signature.
Although Haaland is under contract with Manchester City until 2027, his deal reportedly includes exit clauses.
Barcelona sees Haaland as a suitable long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to depart soon, given his age of 36 in August.
Securing Haaland’s services would not only bolsterBarcelona’s attacking prowess but also provide Xavi with a promising addition to his squad, potentially influencing his decision to remain in his coaching role.
Alves, who spent approximately 10 minutes in court without addressing the media present outside, had been released from prison earlier in the week after posting the required €1 million ($1.08 million) bail while awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a rape conviction.
Dressed in a brown jacket over white shirt, pants, and shoes, Alves exited the courthouse and proceeded to a waiting car nearby.
He is mandated to appear in court every Friday, as well as any other time when ordered.
Last month, Alves was convicted of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
Bayern Munich is reportedly considering a €100 million offer for Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo, as per Marca.
While several clubs are interested in acquiring the centre-back, Barcelona is keen on retaining the Uruguay international.
They have even presented him with a contract extension until 2029, given that his current deal expires in 2026.
However, Araújo has yet to respond to their proposal, surprising the club. Despite Barcelona’s optimism about reaching an agreement, they cannot be certain, especially with Bayern’s potential bid looming.
Barcelona’s immediate focus is on two crucial upcoming matches: the Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain and a decisive Clasico against Madrid.
Negotiations with Araújo will not occur during this period, but there are concerns about whether Bayern’s interest will influence the defender’s decision.
According to reports from Marca, Paris Saint-Germain had made a substantial bid for the 16-year-old, which was nearing the world-record fee of €222 million they paid for Neymar in 2017.
“We have received offers for players like Lamine Yamal, for €200m, and we have said no,” Laporta said. “Because we trust the boy, because he is the future of the team.
“Because we trust in the boy, in his sporting potential, and we don’t have the need, on the contrary. We are in a process of economic recovery and we are already seeing the end of the tunnel.”
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been handed a two-match suspension by the Competitions Committee following his red card during their 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
SPORT confirmed the news via @Barca_Buzz on X.
Xavi’s expulsion occurred during the first half of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano due to his protests and complaints about the referee’s decisions.
Despite fears of a three-match ban due to his previous disciplinary issues, Xavi received a two-match suspension, allowing him to be on the sidelines for the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid in April.
Along with the suspension, Xavi has been fined €600 (£514/$655), and the club will also need to pay a penalty of €700 (£600/$764).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWq5Pmdo0Og
Barca Noticias reports that Xavi has accumulated 24 yellow cards in La Liga over his three-year tenure as Barcelona manager, averaging one yellow card every 5.5 league games.
This rate is significantly higher than his frequency of receiving yellow cards as a player, where he averaged one yellow card every 13 games throughout his 928-match career.
Xavi’s suspension means he will miss Barcelona’s upcoming matches against Las Palmas at Montjuic and Cadiz away, before returning to the touchline for the Clasico against Real Madrid on April 21.
However, he will still oversee Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on April 10.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has identified several midfield targets for the upcoming summer transfer window, as reported by Diario Sport.
With Sergio Busquets’ departure to Inter Miami last year creating a void in the defensive midfield position, Barça are keen to strengthen in that area.
Despite Oriol Romeu’s arrival as a replacement at the start of the season, his recent lack of playing time has prompted the need for a new signing.
Amadou Onana of Everton, Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich, Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord, and Aleix García of Girona are all on Deco’s radar.
Onana has been a long-term target for Barça, but the financial aspects of signing him may be challenging.
Kimmich, who could potentially leave Bayern Munich this summer, is also being considered, while Wieffer has caught the eye with his performances.
Deco received a positive report on Wieffer from former Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
García, with a release clause of around €20 million, is another option being evaluated by Barcelona.
Despite the club’s financial difficulties, they are planning for a busysummer transfer window.
Barcelona may entertain the idea of allowing Ronald Araújo to depart if they receive an offer nearing €100m for the talented center-back, according to sources close to the situation.
Bayern Munich had shown interest in Araújo in January, and Barcelona anticipates the German club to return with a bid during the upcoming transfer window.
Additionally, a significant Premier League club is keeping tabs on the situation and is prepared to make a move should Barcelona signal their willingness to negotiate.
Araújo, aged 25, extended his contract with Barcelona in 2022, committing until 2026 with an astounding €1bn release clause, demonstrating the club’s belief in his long-term importance.
While Araújo remains a regular starter forBarcelona, the club acknowledges the necessity of generating funds this summer, with Araújo being among the players with the highest market value in the squad.
Barcelona’s chances of signing Joshua Kimmich have been dealt a blow, as Bayern Munich is set to open discussions with the 29-year-old about extending his contract, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.
Kimmich has long been a target for Barcelona, but their financial difficulties have hindered their pursuit.
Despite this, there were rumours of a potential departure for Kimmich, especially after he voiced frustrations with Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, and with Bayern’s season not going as expected, with the team likely to finish second in the league.
However, Bayern’s new sports manager, Max Eberl, is optimistic that the situation between Kimmich and the club will improve now that Tuchel’s departure has been confirmed at the end of the season.
Kimmich, whose contract runs until 2025, has also been linked with moves to Manchester City and Manchester United.
João Cancelo has expressed his desire to continue his tenure at Barcelona even after the conclusion of his loan spell this season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently had a meeting with super-agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Cancelo along with his Portugal teammate and fellow loanee at Barça, João Félix.
Both Cancelo and Félix are currently on loan from Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, respectively.
Laporta has previously indicated the club’s interest in making their loan deals permanent.
However, given the financial constraints at the Catalan club, they may need to explore creative solutions to retain the services of both players for the upcoming season.
During the presentation of Ronald Araújo’s new documentary, Cancelo was asked by reporters if he hoped to stay at Camp Nou next season.
He promptly replied with a resounding “yes” before departing from the event.
Barcelona is eyeing AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala as a potential transfer target, as reported by Diario Sport.
The 30-year-old forward has been in stellar form this season, notching up 13 goals and seven assists in 26 appearances across various competitions.
Despite his success at Roma, Dybala has reportedly been offered to Barcelona.
Dybala, who has a release clause of €12 million for clubs outside Italy, is interested in a move to Spain, although there have been offers from the Premier League as well.
Barcelona has long admired Dybala, and his relatively affordable release clause, along with his more modest wages compared to his time at Juventus, make him an appealing prospect.
However, signing Dybala could potentially impact the future of João Félix, who is currently on loan at Barcelona from Atlético Madrid.
In addition to Barcelona’s interest, West Ham United has also shown interest in Dybala, while Atletico Madrid has been informed of the situation but has yet to make a final decision.
Reports suggest thatRoma is eager to extend Dybala’s contract, and while he is open to their offer, his preference would be to join Barcelona if they pursue him.
Spanish giants Barcelona have turned their attention to 17-year-old Ghanaian left-back David Oduro, showcasing the club’s commitment to scouting talent worldwide.
The young player’s standout performances for Accra Lions have caught Barcelona’s eye, leading to an invitation for a trial at the prestigious La Masia academy.
Barcelona’s focus on nurturing promising talents from different footballing backgrounds is evident in this move.
Oduro’s journey with Barcelona began with rigorous fitness tests at La Masia, followed by training sessions alongside the club’s emerging stars.
The coaching staff at Barcelona have been impressed by Oduro’s technical skills and defensive prowess, recognizing his potential.
This trial opportunity marks a significant step for David Oduro as he prepares for a potential move to Europe.
Amid reported interest from other European clubs likeChelsea and Real Sociedad, Barcelona’s proactive approach highlights their strong interest in securing the services of the talented Ghanaian left-back.
Barcelona’s medical team conducted tests on Frenkie de Jong and Pedri Gonzalez on Monday morning, following their injuries during the La Liga match against Athletic at San Mamés.
The results revealed that de Jong has a sprained external lateral ligament in his right ankle, while Pedri has an injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh.
Both players underwent examinations shortly after arriving at the ‘Cules’ training complex.
“De Jong suffers a sprain in the external lateral ligament of the right ankle” and “Pedri has an injury to the rectus femoris of the right thigh” are the words used by the Catalan giants in their statement, published on their social networks.
It is also added that “both are out and their recovery will determine their availability,” so there is no specific or official deadline for Xavi Hernandez to call them up again.
Despite this, it’s been acknowledged that the Dutch player will likely be sidelined for approximately a month. However, precise estimations are challenging due to the lack of specific details provided by the ‘Cule’ club regarding the severity of his sprain.
What’s clear is that he won’t be participating in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli.
Similarly, caution must be exercised with his teammate, who has a history of multiple injuries this season. Remarkably, this marks his eighth injury within a span of two and a half years.
Xavi announced in January that he would be stepping down as Barcelona’s head coach at the end of the season due to a series of disappointing results.
Deco refuted recent rumours suggesting that Barcelona had initiated the search for a new manager and had already compiled a short list of potential candidates.
“We don’t talk about that because we are not looking for a coach, it is not the time,” Deco told Catalunya Radio. “The season is not over. There is a lot we have ahead of us.”
Since Xavi’s announcement, Barça have gone on a six-game unbeaten run and when asked if the club would consider keeping Xavi if he reconsidered his decision, Deco said: “If something changes, I won’t say we can’t bring it up. We have nothing against him. It’s not a decision that was taken by the club or the sports management. At the moment, there is no such possibility. If it happens, we will discuss it.”
Deco further explained that Barcelona must first finalise their plans for the 2024–25 campaign before considering a replacement for Xavi.
“First of all, we have to consider what project we want, knowing exactly what we can do and what players we [will] have,” he said. “The majority of players want to remain here.There are not many high-level coaches available on the market. The majority [of coaches] have a contract, there will be many movements, and when the time comes, we will make the right decision. It’s not the time.”
Barcelona has reportedly narrowed down their search for a new coach to just four candidates: Roberto De Zerbi, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Nagelsmann, according to Sport.
Since January, sporting director Deco has been diligently assessing potential options, following the announcement by current manager Xavi Hernández that he will step down at the end of the season.
Working closely with President Joan Laporta, Deco aims to finalise the decision on Xavi’s successor within the next month.
While De Zerbi has received positive feedback and expressed interest in the role, his €15m release clause poses a challenge in negotiations with Premier League outfit Brighton.
On the other hand, the trio of Flick, Tuchel, and Nagelsmann are deemed more accessible.
Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, is currently available, while Tuchel’s tenure atBayern concludes in the summer, and Nagelsmann’s contract with Germany expires after the upcoming European Championships.
Barcelona is monitoring the progress of young Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono according to Sport, .
At just 16 years old, Mastantuono has already made eight appearances for River Plate this season. He made headlines by becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a Superclásico when he came off the bench in the recent draw against Boca Juniors.
Known for his versatility, Mastantuono can play out wide or in a more attacking central midfield role. His rapid rise has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Barcelona is one of the clubs keeping a close watch on Mastantuono, especially after missing out on his teammate Claudio Echeverri, who has already agreed to join Manchester City from River.
Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto has reportedly turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia in favour of joining Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer (MLS).
According to Mundo Deportivo, Roberto declined a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian second division side Al-Qadisiyah, despite their ambitions of promotion to the Saudi Pro League next season.
Personal reasons were cited for his decision to reject the move.
Roberto’s current contract with Barcelona expires in the summer, and with manager Xavi leaving the club at the end of the season, the likelihood of a contract renewal appears slim.
Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer club, is reportedly interested in acquiring Roberto’s services, following their signings of former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez alongside Messi.
Multiple reports indicate Roberto’s desire to join MLS in the future.
TheBarcelona skipper is scheduled to appear in the next La Liga fixture on Sunday, as Xavi’s side prepares to face Athletic Club.
On February 22, 2022, Alves was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for raping a 23-year-old woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay €9,000 (£7,700) for the physical damage caused to the victim.
Alves, who denied any wrongdoing, intends to appeal the verdict, as stated by his lawyer, Inés Guardiola.
In response to Alves’s sentence, Barcelona has removed him from their official list of club legends, which includes 102 players, including club founder Joan Gamper and Lionel Messi.
Notably, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique were the most recent players to be inducted, with Alves’s name no longer appearing on the club’s official website.
Despite his recent legal troubles, Alves enjoyed a distinguished career, making 408 appearances for Barcelona across two spells and winning six league titles and three Champions League trophies, among numerous other honours.
He also had successful stints with Sevilla, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, and earned 126 caps for Brazil at the international level.
Alves was playing for Mexican club PUMAS when he was arrested in January 2023, leading to the immediate termination of his contract.
During the trial, the prosecution sought a nine-year jail term for Alves, while the victim’s legal team demanded 12 years.
Al Ittihad is reportedly interested in securing a deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, according to Matteo Moretto.
While there has been no direct contact between the Saudi Pro League club and Barcelona, discussions have taken place with Ter Stegen’s representatives as Nadi Al-Sha’ab considers a potential move in the summer transfer window.
Despite serving as the vice captain at Barcelona, the 31-year-old goalkeeper may be open to leaving the club if a suitable offer arises from Saudi Arabia, although he is currently content with the defending Spanish champions.
Al Ittihad’s sporting director, Ramon Planes, who previously held a position at Barcelona from 2018 to 2021, is believed to be a key factor driving the club’s interest in Ter Stegen.
Despite the German international’s significant tenure at Camp Nou, his age and the allure of a lucrative offer may signal the conclusion of his decade-long association with Barcelona.
The Blaugrana are under pressure to offload several players to ensure compliance with LaLiga Financial Fair Play regulations and to achieve financial stability.
Players like Frenkie de Jong, Jules Koundé, and Raphinha have all been linked with moves away from the club this summer, with Ter Stegen now added to the list of potential departures.
