After the end of the second season, Jordi Alba’s illustrious career with Barcelona will come to an end when the LaLiga giants announced they had reached an agreement to terminate his contract.
Since making his official debut against Real Sociedad in 2012, the 34-year-old has made 458 appearances for the club and won 19 major championships. His current contract was set to expire at the end of 2023–2024.
Barcelona said in a statement: “FC Barcelona would like to publicly express its gratitude to Alba for his professionalism, commitment and dedication, and his ever-positive and friendly relationship with all members of the Barca family, and wishes him every fortune in the future.
Andreas Christensen has been praised as a true Chelsea supporter after his contribution helped maintain a record held by his former club during Barcelona’s defeat to Real Valladolid.
In the match, Christensen displayed his skills by expertly redirecting a cross into his own net with a header, giving Valladolid the lead.
Despite Barca falling behind 3-0, Robert Lewandowski managed to score a consolation goal.
This notable incident highlighted Christensen’s dedication to his former club, Chelsea, earning him recognition as a true fan for inadvertently assisting in preserving a record associated with the club.
According to Daily Star, Barcelona had already matched Chelsea’s record of 25 clean sheets set in the 2004/05 season and were eyeing the least goals conceded of 15 set in the same season under José Mourinho.
Chelsea fans troll Christensen
According to The Athletic, a verbal agreement was reached between Christensen and Chelsea over a new contract, but the Dane walked out of negotiations and joined theLa Liga outfit on a free transfer.
The Blues fans seem not to have forgotten the incident and trolled the player for his own goal, which was Barca’s 16th goal conceded this season.
One wrote:
”Christensen puts the ball in the BACK of his own net. Chelsea 15 goals record is safe.”
Another wrote:
”Agent Christensen helping Chelsea maintain their goal conceded record. Even though he plays for Barcelona now, he still has Chelsea at heart.”
The third wrote:
”Christensen scoring an own goal so that Barcelona won’t defeat Chelsea’s fewest goal record is another win for Chelsea this season. That means Jose Mourinho’s record for fewest goals conceded in a single Premier League campaign still stands.”
Another added:
”Yes!!!!! Always knew Christensen was proper chels!!! That own goal means Chelsea’s 15 GA record stands for yet another year!!”
Christensen rejects wage cut
Sports Brief reported that Christensen rejected Barcelona’s wage cut offer, which was aimed to fund the return of Lionel Messi to Camp Nou.
The offer was made to Andreas and fellow summer signing Franck Kessie, but both rejected it. They felt it was unwarranted to have such offers less than a year into their time at the club.
Mateo, the youngest son ofCristiano Ronaldo, has caused a significant stir on social media due to his choice of shirt, as seen in widely circulated footage.
Ronaldo, known for his illustrious career with Real Madrid, Barcelona’s fierce rivals, spent nine successful seasons with the Madrid club.
Therefore, it came as a major surprise, especially to fans of Los Blancos, when they observed the five-year-old happily dancing and singing while wearing the Barcelona kit.
The unexpected sight of Mateo in the Catalan colors has sparked widespread discussion and captured the attention of online platforms.
In a video posted by Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo’s partner, seen by Sports Brief, Mateo, who wore Barcelona’s home kit, was filmed together with his siblings Alana Martina and Eva singing and vibing to a choreographed dance.
The video has since sparked mixed reactions on social media, considering Mateo’s dad’s long-standing rivalry with Barca, who recently won their 27th La Liga crown, per Besoccer.
During Ronaldo’s stint with Real Madrid, the 38-year-old reached hallowed heights with the Spanish giants, scoring a staggering 451 goals in 438 games, including an impressive 20 goals in 34 matches against the Blaugrana, Transfermarkt reports.
Cristiano currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, where he has notched 13 goals in 14 matches as the Knights of Nahd chase their first league crown in four years.
Ronaldo was linked with a potential transfer to Bayern last summer, following his departure from Manchester United in November last year, but ultimately chose to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he now commands a staggering annual salary of £173 million.
But businessman Marcus Schon is bent on bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to Europe. The German millionaire reportedly reached out to Bayern Munich’s CEO Oliver Kahn via email, expressing his interest in financially supporting a potential transfer.
Ronaldinho, the Brazilian legend, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history and has a taste for extravagant and luxurious cars.
Throughout his remarkable career spanning over two decades, he represented top clubs such as Barcelona, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronaldinho’s success on the field brought him substantial earnings from both his salaries and lucrative sponsorship deals, allowing him to live a luxurious lifestyle.
Former Brazilian football star, Ronaldinho
Unfortunately, he has faced financial difficulties in recent years.
In 2018, he was fined a significant amount after a charity organization associated with his name alleged that he had failed to fulfill his financial obligations.
It is believed that the matter saw him lose a number of his assets, including a fleet of his cars, which was seized.
Be that as it may, The Sun reports that Ronaldinho still boasts an incredible collection of expensive cars in his yard.
Sports Brief takes a look at some of the cars that the Barcelona legend owns.
1. Bugatti Veyron – £1.6million
The Bugatti Veyron is the most expensive car in Ronaldinho’s collection.
Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, the 43-year-old is also among the few footballers who own the supercar.
It is believed the ride set Ronaldinho back an eyewatering £1.6million to secure it.
SunSport reports that the car boasts a 6.75-litre twin turbo V12 engine, meaning the massive ride is still capable of hitting 62mph in five seconds with a top speed of 155mph.
3. Lamborghini Aventador, £271,146
A car collection is never complete without a Lamborghini Aventador,
As for Ronaldinho, he preferred his in yellow, just like the iconic Brazilian national football colours.
The ex-footie star is believed to have splashed a massive £271,146 to purchase the set of wheels.
4. Ferrari 458, from £155,263
A Ferrari 458 is the other car that Ronaldinho has previously been spotted with.
Mesut Ozil, Louis Saha andMario Balotelli are among the top footballers who have owned this specific model.
5. Aston Martin Rapide AMR, £129,992
Back in 2019, Ronaldinho reportedly became the first person to buy a car at the Riyadh’s Motor Show.
The former footballer was initially said to have splashed almost £130,000 to acquire the ride.
However, it later emerged that the ex-Brazilian star had been gifted the car by the Sheikhs who organised the event.
Ronaldinho makes football comeback
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Brazil football legend, Ronaldinho has made a stunning return to football.
The former Barcelona star called time on his illustrious football career in 2015 after a brief stint in his homeland with Fluminense.
However, at 42, the football icon was back to doing what he does best as he featured in a recent football match.
The ex-Brazil international was in action for Porcinos FC in a seven-a-side King’s League which is run by fellow Barca legend, Gerard Pique.
When asked to choose between Argentine superstarLionel Messi and Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, Bojan Krkic has given his preference towards Messi.
Bojan had the opportunity to play alongside both football icons during his four-season stint at Barcelona after graduating from the club’s La Masia academy.
As per PSG Talk, the 32-year-old has picked Messi as the better player of the two Barcelona legends due to his prolonged success and continued dominance in the sport, having won the Ballon d’Or award seven times.
“It’s difficult to say this; I don’t think so. Probably it’s Messi because Messi is playing fantastic football for over 20 years which is something unbelievable.”
He added: “But Ronaldinho played probably two or three years at the top level, but for those two or three years, he was unstoppable.”
Messi won all there is to win at club level with Barcelona, claiming 35 trophies including four Champions League titles, 10 La Liga victories, and seven Copa del Rey crowns.
Meanwhile, Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, and one Champions League with the Catalans.
Ronaldinho was something different
Meanwhile, Krkic also admitted he was starstruck playing alongside Ronaldinho and described the Brazilian legend as ‘something different’, Talk Sport reports.
Thenow-retired Barcelona man described his ex-teammate as the most special person he played with during an interview with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent.
Before leaving La Liga giants in 2011, Krkic made 162 appearances for the Catalan club, scoring 41 goals.
Guardiola makes plea to Messi
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi faces a decisive month, ahead of his rumoured departure from Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires in the summer.
He joined the Parisians in 2021 after 21 successful years in Barcelona, as a result of the Spanish club being unable to register him due to their financial limitations.
Pep Guardiola’s message to Messi suggested he believes the veteran should choose Camp Nou, despite Al-Hilal offering him £552 million per season to join them.
The young Spanish defensive midfielder made his National team debut in 2005 and has since made 719 first team matches.
After 18 years at the Camp Nou, Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets has revealed he would leave the team at the end of the current campaign.
The young Spanish defensive midfielder made his National team debut in 2005 and has since made 719 first team matches.
The 34-year-old made the following statement on the Blaugrana website: “It has been an honour and a source of pride to have been able to wear this badge but everything must come to an end.
“It has [not] been an easy decision but the time has come.”
Busquets’ final act for the club is set to be lifting his ninth LaLiga title, with Barca currently 13 points clear with five games to play.
A true legend of the LaLiga giants, Busquets was also at the heart of three Champions League triumphs.
He formed an iconic midfield partnership with current boss Xavi and Andres Iniesta, with the trio particularly thriving duringPep Guardiola’s reign in Catalonia.
The Spain international was handed the captaincy when Lionel Messi left in 2021 and has made 39 appearances in all competitions this term.
Initial reports suggest a move to Saudi Arabia or MLS could be in the offing for the 2010 World Cup winner.
Romelu Lukaku has shared a touching memory he has with former footballer Thierry Henry. Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, Henry won numerous trophies during his playing days with Arsenal and Barcelona.
After retiring from the game, Henry tried his hand at management, but his spells with Monaco and Montreal Impact did not yield the desired results.
However, he found success as Roberto Martinez’s assistant in the Belgian national team set-up, where they dominated FIFA rankings for a long period of time and reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
It was during his time with the Belgian national team that Henry built a close relationship with Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku and Thierry Henry have a close bond that goes beyond their love for football. The two met during Henry’s stint as Roberto Martinez’s assistant in the Belgian national team set-up. As part of his role, Henry was responsible for training the team’s strikers, and Lukaku was one of the beneficiaries of his vast experience.
Romelo Lukaku and Henry
As Martinez’s assistant, one of Henry’s responsibilities was to train the team’s strikers, given his wealth of experience, having won the World Cup with France during his playing days.
In a past video interview with Henry, Lukaku reminisced about what it was like to train alongside the French legend.
He revealed that Henry used to participate in the training drills and, despite his age, still displayed his impressive skill and class on the pitch.
Lukaku’s admiration for Henry is evident, and his recounting of their shared experiences is a testament to the bond they formed during their time together on the Belgian national team.
The Belgian striker’s comments also shed light on the importance of having experienced and knowledgeable coaches who can provide valuable insights and guidance to players.
Henry’s experience as a player undoubtedly played a crucial role in his success as Martinez’s assistant, and Lukaku’s account of their training sessions together highlights the benefits of having a former player as a coach.
The Belgian national team’s success during Henry’s time as assistant coach speaks for itself, and his impact on the team and its players cannot be understated.
“I think, in the national team when you were there, I think for us, the strikers, we had maybe the best time we could have ever had because the competition was there.”
The 29-year-old shed light on how Henry once embarrassed an unnamed player, causing him to leave the pitch.
“I remember when my brother came and he was like, ‘you did this skill in training’, but I’m not going to say any names, but the player left the pitch,”Lukaku said, as quoted bytheMirror.
The Red Devils did not have a very promising World Cup campaign after they exited in the group stage.
Martinez resigned immediately afterwards and ended up taking the Portugal job. Henry also left after the appointment of Domenico Tedesco as new coach, per AP News.
So close was the relationship between the striker and the former player, Lukaku wanted Henry to succeed Martinez as manager on a full-time basis.
It was previously reported on the forward saying the Frenchman had the distinction of having won everything and had many players’ respect the respect of many players.
Despite Lukaku’s hopes for Henry to succeed Martinez, the Belgian Football Association opted to go with Tedesco instead. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Henry, but his legacy as one of the greatest strikers of his generation is secure.
Before Tedesco’s appointment as Belgium’s new head coach, many names had been floated, including Manchester City legend, Vincent Kompany.
Lamine Yamal, a 15-year-old winger, has became the youngest player in Barcelona history as they defeated Real Betis with 10 men to extend their lead atop the La Liga standings to 11 points.
The academy product, who turns 16 in July, was brought on in the 84th minute to replace Gavi.
At 15 years and 290 days, Yamal is the fifth-youngest player to appear in the competition.
Goals from Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and a Guido Rodríguez own goal secured the win.
‘Dreams of Messi & Barcelona clash with reality’ – Balague
Mallorca youngster Luka Romero is the youngest player to feature in La Liga when he came on against Real Madrid in 2020, aged 15 years and 219 days.
Yamal, who Barca boss Xavi Hernandez called “fearless”, was included in the squad for the first time against Atletico Madrid last Sunday.
Betis winger Joaquin, 41, who also featured at the Nou Camp on Saturday, had already made 215 La Liga appearances when Yamal was born.
Barca took the lead when Christensen got on the end of Raphinha’s inswinging cross to head home his first goal for the club from six yards out.
Betis substitute Edgar Gonzalez, who had been brought on for the injured Luiz Felipe, was sent off in the 33rd minute after collecting two yellow cards in quick succession.
Lewandowski scored from a Jules Kounde cross three minutes later to increase the hosts’ lead.
Raphinha added a third before half-time, following a lengthy video assistant referee check after the goal was initially ruled out for offside.
Then in the 82nd minute, Ansu Fati’s cross was turned into his own net by Betis defender Rodríguez to seal the result.
Barcelona lost to Rayo Vallecano 2-1, missing the opportunity to extend their lead over the competition’s field to 14 points, and Xavi felt there were “no excuses” for the result.
Barca seemed poised to end their four-year league title drought in the upcoming weeks, and Real Madrid’s 4-2 loss to Girona on Tuesday offered them the chance to edge farther ahead.
Nonetheless, Rayo won the match rightfully thanks to goals from Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia, with Robert Lewandowski’s late volley serving only as a small consolation.
Barca have only lost three league games all season, but the Blaugrana have now taken just five points from the last 12 available to them in LaLiga, leaving Xavi to rue a missed opportunity.
“We didn’t have a good game, we weren’t comfortable. They were very intense and aggressive and they didn’t let us play,” Xavi said.
“We lacked understanding of the game, we abused long passes. There are no excuses, Rayo deserved to win.
“We tried with courage until the end, but they deserved the victory. We have a margin and there is one less game left.
“This defeat weighs us down and annoys us. Today we failed and we are leaving annoyed because it was a very good opportunity.”
Having lost on their last league trip to Rayo in October 2021, Barca have now suffered back-to-back defeats in Vallecas for just the second time in their history, also doing so in December 2002.
Defender Ronald Araujo believed the hosts warranted their win, saying: “Rayo deserved the victory. They played well.
“In the first half we weren’t up to it, but we still have a good points advantage. Now we have two home games that we have to win.”
Barca welcome Real Betis to Camp Nou in their next game on Saturday, holding an 11-point lead over Madrid at the top of LaLiga and requiring a maximum of 11 more points to clinch the title
Due to an injury, Barcelona’s England defender Lucy Bronze will miss the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Chelsea.
On Saturday’s first leg, which Barca won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Caroline Graham Hansen, the 31-year-old hobbled off the pitch during the second half.
After having an arthroscopy on her right knee, Bronze will not be able to play in the return match at the Camp Nou on Thursday, the Catalan club has now stated in a statement on Twitter.
Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with both Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson set to miss this summer’s World Cup.
However, after Saturday’s game Barca manager Jonatan Giraldez provided an upbeat assessment of Bronze’s injury.
He said: “She felt something in her knee in the beginning.
“But in the end right now she’s fine. At the moment we made the substitution the feeling was bad, but right now the feeling she has is good.”
Bronze posted on Instagram that she was “in good spirits” following her operation.
She wrote: “In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. It’s never easy being sidelined, but I’m as focused as ever to work hard and return to full fitness, hopefully as soon as possible.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your kind messages already! I couldn’t ask for better support, so thank you.
“The hard work has already started already can’t wait to be back on the pitch with this team. See you all very soon.”
Lionel Messi has previously hinted that a return to Barcelona may be in the works after being seen in Spain socialising with former teammates.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer, and Barcelona is eager to reunite with him and is one of the favourites to sign him.
Messi reportedly had supper with his former Barcelona colleagues Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on Monday night before being photographed exiting a restaurant in Spain, according to Football Espana.
The PSG forward was mobbed by reporters and some of his many fans, who were all eager to take selfies and get the Argentine superstar’s signature as he left the restaurant.
It is the second time Messi has returned to Barcelona in two months, fuelling speculation that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might return to Camp Nou next season.
Defender welcomes Messi’s return
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano defender, Ivan Balliu has welcomed the possibility of Messi returning to Barcelona in the summer, Barca Universal reports.
Balliu, who started his football career at the Catalans’ academy, said the veteran’s arrival would be welcomed and would will help La Liga grow furtherbeyond its current status.
Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona after two years away, following his move to PSG in 2021 after his heartbreaking exit from Camp Nou.
Ancelotti unbothered by Messi’s return
Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Carlo Ancelotti having no issues with Messi returning to Barcelona after he was asked about the Argentine’s possible return to Camp Nou.
The veteran’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer and reports indicate both parties do not seem interested in renewing the deal beyond the current season.
Messi is considered a cult hero at Barcelona and the club’s fans have been highly anticipating his return to the team, where he spent 17 seasons before joining PSG in 2021.
Barcelona has finally obtained financing for the renovation of Camp Nou and the neighborhood.
The club first announced restoration plans in 2014, but since then, a number of issues have prevented even a small portion of the work from being completed.
But now that the season is over, the project appears poised to go up fast after Barca announced on Monday that 20 investors have contributed €1.45 billion.
Barca assured concerned fans that “club assets were not used as a guarantee and a mortgage wasn’t taken out on the stadium”, with repayments set to be made in instalments paid at five, seven, nine, 20, and 24 years “with a flexible structure”.
“This operation once again confirms the club’s credibility regarding the Spotify Camp Nou project, the epicentre for Espai Barca,” a statement added.
“The project is essential when it comes to keeping Barcelona at the forefront of world sport, is one of the foundations for the club’s economic recovery and future viability and is a tool to enable continuation of the governance model, whereby the over 146,000 Club members are its owners.
“In the coming days the club will hold a press conference regarding the details of the operation.”
While Barca will play out the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign at Camp Nou, it had already been confirmed they are to move to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic for next season.
Barca reportedly hope to be back at Camp Nou in late 2024.
When a Spanish flag was taken down from Camp Nou advertising boards before their match against Atletico Madrid,Barcelona made headlines both on and off the pitch.
In a heavyweight match that took place on Catalan soil on Sunday, the Blaugrana welcomed the Rojiblancos.
The hosts won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres, but controversy was created off the pitch when a Spanish flag bearing the Atletico club symbol that had been put over second-tier advertising hoardings was forcibly taken down.
Barca have now responded to the actions of supporters and security staff, who took action against an away supporter in the home end, and revealed why they were left with no choice but to step in and move a fan who was never escorted out of the arena.
A statement from the Liga giants reads: “Yesterday at the stadium there was an episode in which a couple of Atletico Madrid supporters, located in the second tier, covered Spotify’s advertising with a Spanish flag with the team’s crest.
Faced with this situation, a private security intervention group was activated that went to the site to tell fans what the club’s internal regulations were, which does not allow hanging flags or other elements that cover the stadium’s advertising and that, therefore, it was necessary to withdraw.
“Before the private security service arrived at the scene, a local fan came down from a higher location and removed this flag, leaving it next to the aforementioned Atletico Madrid fan.
The intervention group spoke with the Atletico fan and explained the regulations and asked him if he had had problems with any local fans.
This follower, who had symptoms compatible with being under the influence of alcohol, stated that he did not have any, but that some local fans in the area had previously rebuked him.
The statement went on to say: “The fan told the security guards that he preferred to watch the game from another position, in a higher area of the same stand; he got up to relocate himself with his companion.
Private security accompanied him, and in no case did they forcibly relocate him or expel him, facts completely contrary to a certain story that was established in some media and social networks, accompanied by images.”
Barcelona’s explanation continued: “The person in charge of Integrity and Security of La Liga received precise information about the event, when he called the person in charge of Security of FC Barcelona to find out about the situation experienced in the second tier.
Additionally, the Atletico Madrid fan, accompanied by a woman – both Poles – voluntarily went to the Gol Nord to leave his team shirt and the flag he was wearing and returned with another piece of clothing to his original place, from where he ended up watching the game.
FC Barcelona reminds all fans that it is not allowed to cover the stadium’s advertising spaces with any sporting symbol, even if it is from the club itself, so it will intervene when a situation contrary to the norm occurs.”
IN TWO PHOTOS:GettyGetty Images
Barca’s victory over Atletico has left them 11 points clear of Clasico rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Liga table with eight games left to take in.
Considering that Lionel Messi’s contract withParis Saint-Germain expires this summer, a shocking return to Barcelona appears to be imminent.
According to reports, Lionel Messi arrived in Barcelona this weekend with his family and “14 luggage” in tow. Barcelona has been open about their efforts to re-sign the great Argentine this summer at the Nou Camp.
After the conclusion of the current campaign, his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires, and the Ligue 1 powerhouses appear to have given up on negotiations for a new one. Messi sobbed at a tearful farewell to Barcelona in 2021, the year he left the team he had joined for free at the age of 13.
He’s set to win his second Ligue 1 title with PSG as the French side sits nine points clear at top of the table with just six games remaining. But he looks set to depart the Parc des Princes stadium this summer in a sensational return to Barcelona.
Adding to the speculation of an impending return, transfer expert Gerard Romero claims Messi has arrived in Barcelona this weekend. It’s claimed the Argentina international made his trip on a ‘private flight’ and had his family with him while he was ‘hidden in terminal one’.
Messi is also said to have had ’14 suitcases’ with him, further suggesting he has prepared for a full-time return to Barcelona. The purpose of Messi’s visit is not made clear, but his arrival in Spain only adds to the speculation on his future.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted repeatedly over recent months that the club are trying to bring Messi back. “I have to find a way to improve Messi’s current relationship with Barcelona,” he said recently.
Lionel Messi will make a triumphant homecoming to Spain after spending two uncertain years at PSG, when he won the Ballon d’Or once and Ligue 1 hopefully twice.
While Messi joining the Catalans may not be the most lucrative move for the PSG forward, it might be a game-changer for them as they greatly increase their chances of securing unmatched sponsorship deals and strengthen their attacking strategy.
Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland are a massive draw to attract sponsorship deals. Yes, Lewandowski could be included in that list, but Barcelona’s current financial state needs someone of Messi’s stature.
If the Argentine signs the deal this summer, Barcelona would be guaranteed larger-than-life sponsorship deals.
Another areaLionel Messi can help with is Barca’s front half on the pitch. While Barcelona has been a force of nature this season when it comes to defending, according to their manager they still lack scoring goals and require someone to gel the front three perfectly.
We definitely know who he’s referring to.
Due to conflicts with Laliga’s financial fair play rules, Joan Laporta had to release Messi from Barca despite telling everyone that he’ll renew the Argentiine’s contract. This infamous time in Barcelona’s history led fans to turn against the higher management.
Laporta bringing back Lionel Messi would definitely improve that relationship.
Barca supporters understand that this is going to be decade-defining summer. Either they can win the race in signing Lionel Messi or let him go to Saudi Arabia or Inter Miami in the USA.
Barcelona has announced in a statement that they want to move on with their plans to play their 2023–24 season outside of Camp Nou, their customary home ground.
As Camp Nou, which can accommodate over 90,000 fans, is undergoing renovations, the Catalan giants will play their next two seasons at the Estadi Lluis Companys.
The first stage of construction for the club’s move to the Estadi Lluis Company for the coming season has reportedly been finished, the Barcelona club stated on Wednesday, April 19, according to Football Espana.
The La Liga leaders also revealed the grass has been replaced there and a new drainage system is being installed. Several facilities are also in line for improvement in the coming months.
Camp Nou which has been Barcelona’s home ground since 1957 is the stadium with the largest capacity in Spain and Europe, and the second largest in association football with a total capacity of 99,354.
Barcelona find another formula to make money
Meanwhile, Barcelona has been working for months on the sale of 24 percent of Barca Studios as they need tourgently raise €200million for their preparation of the 2023/24 season, Marca reports.
Last season the Catalan club activated a fourth lever when it raised a total of €100million after the sale of 25 percent to Orpheus Media, the company owned by Jaume Roures.
Barcelona are trying to make Lionel Messi’s return a reality but will need to present a viable financial plan to La Liga before the move can be sanctioned by the Spanish football body.
Barcelona confident of signing Lionel Messi
Earlier, it was reported that Barcelona are not just itching to sign Lionel Messi to improve their results on the pitch, but also intends to use his return to Camp Nou to boost the economic growth of the club.
The Catalan giants have been in a financial mess for a few years and had to activate up to six financial levers at the start of the season, to be able to fund the transfer of players.
At a press conference on Monday, Barcelona president Laporta defended his team against claims that they gave money to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the referee technical committee.
While prosecutors in Spain pursue accusations for alleged corruption, UEFA is looking into the Blaugrana.
Barca is charged with paying more than €7 million to a Negreira-owned company.
Laporta opted to turn the spotlight on Madrid when claiming his club have no case to answer, suggesting Real have “historically and currently” been favoured by arbitration decisions, attaching it to former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.
That led Los Blancos to respond with an extraordinary and lengthy video which was broadcast on social media and Real Madrid TV, detailing Barcelona’s links to Franco.
The video initially asked “which is the team of the regime?” in clear response to Laporta’s comments before compiling its case.
“The Camp Nou was inaugurated by Franco’s general minister, Jose Solis Ruiz,” the video stated.
The video also pointed out Barcelona’s success in comparison to Madrid during the initial Franco era, 1939 until his death in 1975, along with that his administration helped save the club from bankruptcy three times.
Sergi Roberto will likely miss some time owing to a hamstring issue, according to Barcelona.
After hurting his left leg 15 minutes into a scoreless LaLiga draw against Getafe, the versatile 31-year-old was replaced by Eric Garcia.
After a scan on Monday, Barca discovered that Sergi Roberto had injured his biceps femoral muscle.
The loss of the club stalwart comes before the leaders’ match on Sunday against Atletico Madrid, who are now in third position.
MEDICAL NEWS | Tests carried out this morning have shown that Sergi Roberto has a left hamstring injury. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/dk0pp0VioO
Barcelona’s main players Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, and Frenkie de Jong have resumed their training regimen as the Blaugrana inch closer to their first league championship in three years.
All three of Barcelona’s regulars have endured protracted absences.
Three players—Dembele in late January, Pedri in mid-February, and De Jong right before the month’s international break—all sustained injuries.
While all three are back on the training pitch, no official return date has been set.
However, it is possible that both De Jong and Pedri will feature in the Blaugrana’s clash with third-placed Atletico Madrid this weekend, according to AS.
The trio’s return comes at a welcome time for Xai’s side.
Barcelona are winless in their last three fixtures, and have now been held scoreless for nearly 400 minutes in all competitions.
The revelation that deputy midfielder Sergi Roberto will be out of up to six weeks only makes their need for reinforcements more pressing.
Pedri and De Jong seem on track to return for their club’s fixture on Saturday, while Dembele might need an extra week tosettle back into the side.
Blaugrana head Laporta has also asserted that Barca is the target of retaliation owing to their backing for the Super League plans that failed and sought to usurp UEFA’s authority.
Regarding Barca’s alleged wrongdoing, he continued, “Nothing is accidental. When Barca starts to emerge from a tunnel, this campaign starts. We have financially rescued Barça. As competitors, we are doing well.
I see a very good reason for trying to sportly undermine us here. We must therefore be more unified than ever.
Coincidentally, the campaign also goes off the rails when FCB refuses to sign the contract with CVC.
We do not yield to their desires. For Barca’s financial interests, we prefer other, much better alternatives. It is clear that this is not an accident.
Legal proceedings are underway, while Barca face the threat of sanctions from domestic and European governing bodies.
There have been suggestions that they could be barred from competing in the 2023-24 Champions League, but Laporta believes that the efforts of La Liga president Javier Tebas to tarnish Barca’s reputation will come to nothing.
Laporta has said: “If I have spoken of Tebas it has been because, as president of the LFP, he is behaving absolutely irresponsibly.
He says that Barca had recognised that these services did not exist and that is not the case.
Thanks to the compliance work, from 2014 to 2018. Mr. Tebas tried to get UEFA to participate in this public lynching.
“Initially, Mr. Ceferin made some statements, but now he is acting prudently. So far, Ceferin has not fallen into Mr. Tebas’s trap.
I think that throughout the history of football there have been real scandals. Here a false hypothesis is validated.
From the inputs I have, UEFA understands that this is in a judicial process. I understand that it will be pronounced when there is a trial. We will carry on as normal.”
Blaugrana supremo Laporta has also claimed that Barca are being targeted due to their support for the failed Super League plans that threatened to wrestle power away from UEFA.
He added on the allegations made against Barca: “Nothing is accidental. This campaign comes when Barca begins to come out of a tunnel. We have saved Barça financially. We are competing well too.
I see here a clear reason to try to destabilise us sportingly. That is why we have to be more united than ever.
“Coincidentally, the campaign also explodes when FCB does not sign the agreement with CVC. We do not bow to their interests.
This campaign also occurs when Barca is working for a new European competition format.
They are trying to get UEFA to join this public lynching. It is no coincidence. This campaign is gaining momentum just as FCB awards the Camp Nou works to an international company.
All these coincidences explain why. This added to what I have been explaining before.”
After Sergi Roberto suffered an injury during Sunday’s scoreless LaLiga tie between Barcelona and Getafe, Xavi lamented the condition of the Coliseum Alfonso Perez surface.
The struggling Blaugrana were kept in check at relegation-threatened Getafe after going three games without scoring.
Barcelona is still on track to win the championship, leading Real Madrid by 11 points with nine games remaining, but they were once again made to regret their lack of a competitive edge.
Sergi Roberto was replaced by Eric Garcia early on due to a hamstring injury and Xavi put that down to the playing surface.
The head coach said, according to Marca: “The state of the grass has affected us. Yesterday we trained with a dry field. I have been criticised a lot for the issue of the surface. Today the whole world has seen it.
“It is very difficult to play like this, it is bad for the show. The ball gets stuck, it’s bad even for Getafe. It’s essential that it be in good condition.”
Xavi added: “It’s no excuse and we have to recover our sensations.
“We take a point that makes it not bad at all because of how uncomfortable we have been.”
Regarding the injury, Xavi said: “Sergi noticed something in the hamstring. Let’s see tomorrow. Let it be for a short time, whether or not there is an injury.”
Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona has been welcomed by Ronald Koeman, who also thinks the Argentina great is still the best player in the world.
Before Messi made an emotional departure on a free transfer to French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, the former Barcelona manager was in charge during Messi’s final season with the Catalan club.
Barca sacked the Dutchman in October 2021 after a poor run of form with the 60-year-old now returning to manage the Netherlands national team following the retirement of Louis van Gaal after the World Cup in Qatar.
Koeman himself will not be returning to Barcelona any time soon, but he still holds out hopes that Messi will make a romantic return to the club, amid speculation such a move is in the works.
“Messi is the best player in the world and when he left it was difficult,” he said at the Koeman Cup, a charity golf and paddle event.
“The team that has him is going to be stronger. His departure from Barca was a very bad day.
“If I see Leo with another shirt it hurts me. It’s his home, where he needs to be. It was not good that the board did not give him the possibility to stay, but I am in favour of Messi being a Barca player.”
Since his sacking, Koeman’s successor Xavi has led Barcelona on an inspired league run this season with the side 13 points clear at the top of LaLiga with just 10 games remaining.
“With Xavi they have improved and will surely win the league,” Koeman said of the head coach.
“It’s a much-improved squad. A coach is good or bad depending on his players. For me, we have to celebrate this league in a big way because we are talking about several previous seasons that Barca has not won anything.
“Barca are there for their own quality and for their defence. It should be noted that they have only conceded nine goals. It is deserved and if the others have not been at this level, it is their problem.”
Following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Joao Mendes recently finalised a transfer to the Barca U19 team.
The 18-year-old has previously made appearances for Cruzeiro and Flamengo of Brazil as well as a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain.
At the MIC tournament across Catalonia, he made his debut wearing the No.7 shirt.
The left-footed forward was expected to live up to his father’s legendary status, however, a video circulating on social media shows the youngster struggling to make the impact that many had hoped he would.
The 29-second video clip features various snippets of Mendes’ performance where he tried to recreate some of his dad’s trickery, unsuccessfully attempted to get past opposition players and struggled to pick out teammates in the box.
And football fans on social media did not back after the footage of Mendes quickly gathered over 15 million views.
Social media reactions
@GHambolu tweeted: Not even an ounce of talent!? I’d be livid
@swayamsinhahaha posted: Didn’t even dribble past 1 man
@Tolu_Banks tweeted: Maybe Ronaldinho’s wife was cheating on him with Àntony
@iamsvdney tweeted: Neymar is ronaldinho’s son pls, idk who this is bruh.
@GI_Irvin tweeted: This one did not grow up in Brazil
@XUFFLER tweeted: Like father and definitely not like son.
How Ronaldinho fared at Barcelona
Ronaldinho had his best years as a footballer while playing for Barcelona. The 2002 World Cup champion won multiple La Liga championships and the UEFA Champions League in 2006, also scooping several coveted individual prizes, including the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year awards.
Ronaldinho’s son joins Barcelona
In related news, it was reported on Mendes joining Barcelona, the team his father played for in Spain.
The 17-year-old signed a contract to play football outside of his native Brazil with the Catalan giants’ U19 squad.
Mendes had played for the Cruzeiro team in Brazil before relocating to Spain to sign up for La Blaugrana.
InCarlo Ancelotti’s opinion, managing Barcelona is “not a possibility” because of his allegiance to Real Madrid, the “greatest club in the world,” which he has called.
While there are rumours that Ancelotti’s time at Real Madrid may be coming to an end and that Chelsea and Brazil are interested in the 63-year-old, he has won two Champions League titles and a LaLiga championship during his two stints with the club.
Ancelotti ruled out ever joining Madrid’s Clasico rivals, despite all the speculation about his incredibly successful management career’s future stop.
“For me, coaching Barcelona is impossible,” Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga meeting with Villarreal on Saturday.
“After 1,272 games [as a coach], I don’t have to prove anything.
“I wouldn’t change myself. You have to respect my personal history and that of the clubs.
“I won’t change myself for anyone because I feel very comfortable here, where the people love me a lot. It’s the best club in the world.
“I am loved and I feel secure, so there is no reason for me to change Real Madrid for Barcelona.”
Ancelotti’s side thumped Barca 4-0 in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at Camp Nou on Wednesday to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit and confirm their place in the final against Osasuna.
Yet, Madrid lag 12 points behind the Catalan giants in LaLiga and their hopes of retaining the title look all but over.
Ancelotti does not feel his side have been significantly worse than last season, and instead credited Barca for their improvement, saying: “We want to end the season well.
“We only have four less points in the league than this stage last year… Barcelona has many more. We want to continue fighting for the league until the end.”
Ancelotti’s potential Madrid exit at the end of the season may be one of several major departures at the club, with the contracts of veterans such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema set to expire at the conclusion of this campaign.
The Italian believes the trio will extend their stays, though he remains confident Madrid will continue to enjoy future success even if they do opt to leave.
“I believe they will stay, but the day they stop, something is going to change,” Ancelotti added. “[But] we have to look for the club’s future along a different line, not the way [they play] with Kroos and Modric.
“We have fantastic youngsters like [Aurelien] Tchouameni, [Federico] Valverde, [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Dani] Ceballos, who are going to start an era, different from the others, of course.”
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou to advance to the Copa del Rey final with a 4-1 overall victory, and Carlo Ancelotti thought they played the “ideal match.”
Eder Militao’s own goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Bernabeu, leaving Madrid with a difficult challenge as they travelled to the home of their Clasico adversaries, who currently lead Ancelotti’s team in LaLiga by 12 points.
But Vinicius Junior levelled the tie just before the break, before Karim Benzema fired in a second-half hat-trick to lead Madrid to a superb triumph and clinch their place in the final against Osasuna on May 6.
Ancelotti was delighted with his side’s second-leg heroics, telling reporters at his post-match news conference: “It was a complete game. When you win 4-0 here, it is in every way.
“We played a great game. The first goal changed the dynamics, we found more space in the transitions.
“[It was] a bit hard at first, but in the second half we did very well. We did not panic when they pressed and we knew how to take advantage of the spaces in transitions.
“We played the perfect match.”
This season,Benzema has failed to match the same vein of form that saw him win the Ballon d’Or in October, struggling with injuries and not enjoying the same scoring output.
But the striker has netted hat-tricks in back-to-back games since the international break, taking his goals tally for the season to 25 from 31 matches in all competitions.
Ancelotti believes the striker is somewhat back to his brilliant best, saying: “He has done a very good job in the [international] break, he has found optimum condition and his quality makes the difference, without a doubt.
“He has flicked the switch. He is still one of the best players in the world, without a doubt. If he’s fit, he’s one of the best.
“He can win another Ballon d’Or because he is one of the best forwards in the world.”
Barcelona has demanded the resignation of LaLiga president Javier Tebas after it was alleged that he provided false evidence against them.
According to a report from La Vanguardia published on Monday, Tebas provided prosecutors with documents that purported to implicate the club and two former presidents in the ongoing Negreira case.
It has been claimed Barcelona made payments in excess of €7million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira’s company – DASNIL 95 SL – for written reports and DVD assessments of referees for the club prior to games. The payments were allegedly made between 2001 and 2018, when Negreira was vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee.
According to the report, the documents issued by Tebas were part of another case, not linked to either of Barcelona’s former presidents and were decades old, something the LaLiga chief called “false” on social media.
However, Barca are keen for a deeper explanation from Tebas and want him to issue his resignation.
“Barcelona, as president Joan Laporta has said in recent weeks, feel the victim of a media lynching based on events that have never occurred: Barca have never bought referees,” a statement read.
“It is not the first time the president of LaLiga has used his media machinery to attack Barcelona but, aside from his usual nonsense, we could never have imagined he would have hoped to incriminate our club with false evidence.
“The news published by La Vanguardia is of such severity that it should alert all LaLiga clubs, as they are practices that should have no place in the functions attributed to the president of LaLiga. For this reason alone, but also out of dignity and respect for the presidency of LaLiga, Mr. Tebas should resign from his position.
“However, knowing his obsession with persecuting Barcelona and constantly showing his aversion and antipathy towards our club, we understand that he will persist in his behaviour of continuing to harm our club.”
Barcelona have demanded the resignation of LaLiga president Javier Tebas after it was claimed he produced fake evidence against them.
According to a story from La Vanguardia published on Monday, Tebas provided prosecutors with evidence that purported to implicate the club and two former presidents in the ongoing Negreira case.
According to allegations, Barcelona paid José Maria Enriquez Negreira’s company, DASNIL 95 SL, more than €7 million for written reports and DVD evaluations of referees for the team before games. When Negreira served as vice-president of the Spanish football refereeing committee between 2001 and 2018, the payments are said to have been made.
According to the report, the documents issued by Tebas were part of another case, not linked to either of Barcelona’s former presidents and were decades old, something the LaLiga chief called “false” on social media.
However, Barca are keen for a deeper explanation from Tebas and want him to issue his resignation.
“Barcelona, as president Joan Laporta has said in recent weeks, feel the victim of a media lynching based on events that have never occurred: Barca have never bought referees,” a statement read.
“It is not the first time the president of LaLiga has used his media machinery to attack Barcelona but, aside from his usual nonsense, we could never have imagined he would have hoped to incriminate our club with false evidence.
“The news published by La Vanguardia is of such severity that it should alert all LaLiga clubs, as they are practices that should have no place in the functions attributed to the president of LaLiga. For this reason alone, but also out of dignity and respect for the presidency of LaLiga, Mr. Tebas should resign from his position.
“However, knowing his obsession with persecuting Barcelona and constantly showing his aversion and antipathy towards our club, we understand that he will persist in his behaviour of continuing to harm our club.”
Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA, referred to the Barcelona refereeing scandal as one of the “most serious” cases he had ever seen.
A UEFA investigation into alleged payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Spanish refereeing committee, is ongoing against the LaLiga leaders.
The newspaper El Pais reported that Negreira’s company, DASNIL 95 SL, produced written reports and DVD assessments of referees for the club prior to games. It has been claimed that the total payments from Barcelona exceeded €7 million, spanning the years 2001 to 2018.
Barcelona maintain their innocence as prosecutors pursue charges against the Catalan side for alleged corruption, though LaLiga president Javier Tebas admitted the league is unable to sanction the club due to a statute of limitations in place.
However, Ceferin confirmed no such restrictions exist for UEFA and spoke about the significance of the allegations.
“The situation is extremely serious. It is so serious that, in my opinion, it is one of the most serious [situations] in football that I have ever seen,” he told Slovenian newspaper Ekipa.
“I cannot comment directly on this for two reasons. Firstly, because we have an independent disciplinary committee in charge of this. And secondly, because I have not dealt with this matter in detail.
“At the level of [LaLiga], of course, the matter is time-barred and can have no competitive consequences,but the proceedings are ongoing at the level of prosecutors. But as far as UEFA is concerned, there is nothing time-barred.”
Barcelona has been forewarned by Gerard Pique that pressuring Lionel Messi to return to Camp Nou might be “counterproductive.”
Messi, who joined Paris Saint-Germain after being forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to a financial crisis, is nearing the end of his two-year contract with the Ligue 1 powerhouse.
The World Cup winner’s future is uncertain because Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, is eager to entice him to the Major League Soccer, while Barca frequently seem interested in moving for their all-time leading goalscorer.
While PSG head coach Christophe Galtier revealed the club were planning discussions with the 35-year-old, Blaugrana vice-president Rafael Yuste admitted he would “love” to see the forward return to Camp Nou.
Pique, who announced his retirement from football earlier this season, won eight LaLiga titles alongside Messi at Barca, as well as three Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups.
But the former defender insists a potential reunion between his old club and team-mate must happen naturally.
“He knows Yuste and is a wonderful person who will always tell you what you want to hear,” Pique said during an interview with Gerardo Moreno.
“Forcing the situation, however, can be counterproductive.Things have to move naturally. If it has to be done, it will be done. When there is a desire on both sides, an operation in football can always succeed.”
According to the club’s vice president Rafael Yuste, Barcelona is in communication with Lionel Messi and would “love” for the Argentine star to make a long-awaited comeback to Camp Nou.
Messi, who joined Paris Saint-Germain after being forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to financial difficulties, is nearing the end of his two-year contract with the Ligue 1 powerhouse.
The World Cup winner has contributed 17 assists to his season’s total of 18 goals, but with PSG losing in the Champions League, questions have been raised about his future in the French city.
Inter Miami, controlled by David Beckham, is eager to get Messi to the MLS, but Barcelona has frequently been linked to a trade, and Yuste wouldn’t rule out a reunion on Friday.
“Of course we are in contact with Messi,” Yuste said on Friday. “Leo and his family know the affection I have for him, that we have them.
“I participated in the negotiations that did not come to fruition two years ago. I have that thorn stuck in me, and if we talk about La Masia, we talk about Leo.
“I would love for him to come back and I think the fans would too, because beautiful stories in life have to have a happy ending.
“We are in love with Messi and I think Messi is in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona.”
Any potential return for Messi may be dependent on Barca’s ability to cut their wage bill, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas claiming they must save €200million to meet the competition’s regulations for next season.
If the required savings can be made, Yuste believes a move for Messi is possible, adding: “Mateu [Alemany] and Jordi [Cruyff] have to present the viability and income plan to Tebas in two months.
“If all the conditions are given, we would explore that possibility. The president [Joan Laporta] was with Leo’s father recently and there is a good relationship.
“Of course, there is no attack plan because I do not want PSG to take it as that. If this happens, it will happen because destiny makes you go back to where you have to go back.
“If we could put all the conditions together and return Leo to Barcelona, it would be the perfect ending to a very happy story.”
After being forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to a financial crisis, Messi signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and is now nearing the end of it.
This season, the World Cup winner has tallied 18 goals and added 17 assists, but with PSG losing in the Champions League, questions have been raised about his future in the French capital.
While David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are keen to take Messi to MLS, Barcelona have often been linked with a move for their all-time leading goalscorer, and Yuste refused to rule out a reunion on Friday.
“Of course we are in contact with Messi,” Yuste said on Friday. “Leo and his family know the affection I have for him, that we have them.
“I participated in the negotiations that did not come to fruition two years ago. I have that thorn stuck in me, and if we talk about La Masia, we talk about Leo.
“I would love for him to come back and I think the fans would too, because beautiful stories in life have to have a happy ending.
“We are in love with Messi and I think Messi is in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona.”
Any potential return for Messi may be dependent on Barca’s ability to cut their wage bill, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas claiming they must save €200million to meet the competition’s regulations for next season.
If the required savings can be made, Yuste believes a move for Messi is possible, adding: “Mateu [Alemany] and Jordi [Cruyff] have to present the viability and income plan to Tebas in two months.
“If all the conditions are given, we would explore that possibility. The president [Joan Laporta] was with Leo’s father recently and there is a good relationship.
“Of course, there is no attack plan because I do not want PSG to take it as that. If this happens, it will happen because destiny makes you go back to where you have to go back.
As Barcelona inches closer to winning LaLiga, Xavi argued that now is not the time to discuss a potential reconciliation with Lionel Messi.
Barcelona currently holds a commanding 12-point lead in La Liga and a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal.
The club has already won the Supercopa de Espana, its first trophy since Messi left the team in 2021.
The possibility of a treble still exists for Xavi’s team, but with Messi entering the final stages of his PSG contract, there is an increasing demand for the World Cup champion of Argentina to return to Camp Nou.
Despite his understandable desire to bring his former teammate back to Barcelona, Xavi is more concerned with upcoming games than potential transfer activity.
“I think this is not the time to talk about Messi’s return. I talk to Leo often, I have a friendship, but this is not the time,” he told reporters ahead of facing Elche.
“Neither for his sake nor for that of the club. It is a subject that is being discussed, I have a lot of contact with him.
“Hopefully, we can see him again here, I would be the first one who would be made happy. He is the best player in history, but boy, it’s not the time.
“We are a month away from winning two titles, and it’s time to focus.
“It doesn’t depend on me, it depends much more on what Leo wants to do.He’s done everything in football, he’s won everything; it depends on his happiness.
100 – Messi 🇦🇷 alcanzó los 100 goles con @Argentina. Desde septiembre, Leo jugó 12 partidos con la Albiceleste y solo contra Polonia no pudo anotar, convirtiendo en los 11 restantes. Descomunal. pic.twitter.com/ABsrGzQCnU
“I have a great relationship with him, and if he has the decision that he wants to come back, we will listen to him and be delighted.
“We’re going to listen to fate. Let’s see what happens, there’s nothing yet. Let’s see the will he has.
“We do a disservice to Leo, the team, the club. We are one step away from achieving success in the post-Messi era that scared us so much. This is success.”
Pressed further onMessi and next season, Xavi again sought to shift the focus towards the push for further silverware in this campaign.
“We haven’t talked about next year with the board,” he said. “We are one step away from winning titles and you talk to me about signings next year. You are specialists in changing the subject.
“On Wednesday, we can go to the Copa final. Everything is to be won.
“Sometimes I do not understand you [the media]. All year round, the talk is to win titles, and now that we are one step away, we talk about players for next season. Let’s focus on Elche.”
Andre Onana claims Inter Milan deserve more respect in the Champions League after progressing from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Simone Inzaghi’s side finished second in Group C in UEFA’s top club competition, with a home win and an away draw against Xavi’s Blaugrana proving crucial to their group-stage progression.
Inter then negotiated a tough last-16 task against Porto, winning 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged affair, and face Benfica in the quarter-final.
The Nerazzurri could face either runaway Serie A leaders Napoli or AC Milan in the last four as Italian clubs dominate in Europe and Onana believes his side should get more credit.
The keeper told Mediaset: “We deserve more respect in Europe, given that we sent Barcelona to the Europa League and faced a complicated group.
“We have shown that we are a strong team. It doesn’t matter what will happen in the next round, we will face Benfica to win. I want to win everything.”
Amunike played for Barcelona and was a member of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations, making him one of the greatest Nigerian footballers in history during his prime.
Interestingly, Amunike’s outstanding performances for Zamalek and the national team earned him the title of African Best Footballer that same year.
Amunike reportedly stated that he prefers to lead the Super Eagles on his own rather than in a supporting role, according to a report on Complete Sports.
What Amunike said about coaching Nigeria “I’ve never coached the Super Eagles, I’ve only gone twice to assist someone but coaching Super Eagles on my own I have not.
“But of course Nigeria is my country and the national team we are all part of it and when the opportunity comes and Nigerians feel that we can add something to the national team of course it’s a welcome development.”
Meanwhile, Jose Peseiro is currently the coach of the Super Eagles and has been in charge since May 2022.
A lot of talk from fans wanting Peseiro gone. He has 3 months left on his contract, I think we should allow it to run. Then root and branch changes. Why not Sunday Oliseh NFF Technical Director, Emmanuel Amuneke SE coach and left to pick his back room staff and Finidi with CHAN? pic.twitter.com/rqodTYHpPs
Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how former Super Eagles star Emmanuel Amunike disclosed that winning the AFCON and Olympics with the Nigerian national team remains the best moments of his career.
Amunike years back was one of the best wingers in the world considering his speed and ability in scoring goals, which paved the way for him to play for Barcelona.
The former Zamalek star also played an important role in helping the Nigerian national team win the 1994 African Cup of Nations, netting the winning goal.
Since breaking into Barca’s first team, the 20-year-old has been a revelation, establishing himself as a key player for the LaLiga leaders.
Pedri won FIFA’s Golden Boyaward for the best young player in Europe in 2021 and quickly forced his way into the Spain team.
The young maestro is under contract with the Blaugrana until 2026 and has no plans to leave for the time being, though he has hinted that he may work abroad in the future.
When asked about the possibility of a switch to England, he is quoted as saying by Marca: “At the moment, no. I’m at Barca and hopefully I’ll stay here for many more years.
“I love LaLiga, but nothing should ever be ruled out.”
Pedri will miss Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland due to a hamstring injury, but is relishing a new era for the national team under Luis de la Fuente.
Having played under De la Fuente at Under-21 level and in the Tokyo Olympics, Pedri believes the new Spain head coach will be a success.
Pedri said: “He is a person who goes straight ahead, he likes to work on the things he believes in and I think we will do well.
“All the coaches who come try to have the ball and play, especially because of the style of footballers we have, and I think it will not change a lot.”
Mesut Ozil has revealed the vital decision that led to his signing for Real Madrid in 2010 despite a long-standing interest from rivals, Barcelona.
After a stellar career that included stints at Real Madrid and Arsenal, the 34-year-old German midfielder recently announced his retirement from football.
According to Football Espana, Ozil has now admitted that Jose Mourinho was the deciding factor in his decision to leave La Blaugrana and join Real Madrid in his biggest career move.
“He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps.
The visit in Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn’t bother to meet me.”
Ozil said Mourinho was undoubtedly the most important element of his choice. “After my visits, my decision was one hundred percent clear: I wanted to be a Madridista.”
Ozil would go on to make 159 appearances for Real Madrid, winning one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey before joining Arsenal in 2013.
Ozil cried after Madrid exit
Meanwhile, Ozil has revealed he had tears in his eyes when he boarded the flight from the airport in the Spanish capital following his departure from Real Madrid in 2013, Marca reports.
The German midfielder had fallen down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and after a conflict with president, Florentino Perez, decided to look for another team.
Ozil would later pen a lucrative deal to join English Premier League giants, Arsenal but not without regretting leaving Real Madrid where he was undoubtedly loved by the club’s fans.
The former Real Madrid star announced he would be hanging up his boots on March 22 after a successful 17 years in football at all levels. The 2014 World Cup winner played together with Essien during the Ghanaian’s brief loan spell at Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
UEFA, Europe’s governing body, wants to punish Barcelona by barring them from the Champions League for an indefinite period of time.
From 2001 to 2018, Barcelona is accused of making payments totaling more than €7 million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice president of the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees.
According to Forbes, if Barcelona is found guilty of the allegations, UEFA will request a multi-year ban from European competitions such as the Champions League.
UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have been appointed to conduct an investigation into Barcelona’s possible violation of UEFA’s legal framework in connection with the so-called ‘Caso Negreira.’
Barcelona through its president Joan Laporta has since denied the club broke any laws and insisted all payments were made legally for consultation services carried out by Negreira.
Barcelona worried about UEFA ban Meanwhile, officials at Barcelona are worried about being banned from UEFA competitions after the European football governing body opened an investigation into the club.
The Catalans believed they could be sanctioned by UEFA which automatically means a ban from the Champions League for at least one season if they are found guilty.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is unconcerned about the Spanish justice system or the prosecutor’s office, believing that no crimes were committed in the ‘Negreira case.
Barcelona could be relegated to second division
It was reported that Barcelona could be sent to the Spanish second division of Spanish football in the wake of the corruption charges the club faces over paying officials.
Spanish prosecutors have charged Barcelona with corruption over payments the club made to a former vice president of Spain’s referees’ Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
The Catalan giants had paid the company of Enrique Negreira £7.4m between 2001 and 2018, which has caused much resentment within La Liga teams.
Lionel Messi’s future has been a source of contention in recent months, with the Argentine superstar reportedly yet to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain despite having only a few months left on his current deal.
Barcelona has been pushing for a reunion with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who left the club in heartbreaking circumstances in 2021 after 17 seasons at Camp Nou.
According to the Daily Mirror, ex-Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that Messi is likely to return to Barcelona to finish his career.
“I think Leo Messi should retire at Barca. Barcelona is his home and he should finish his career there. My feeling is that there is a 50% chance that he will return.”
PSG are still hoping to convince the veteran to renew his contract at the club beyond 2023 while Saudi Arabia top club, Al-Hilal and MLS side, Inter Miami have also indicated their interest in signing the World Cup winner.
Messi gives Barcelona return conditions
Meanwhile, Messi reportedly wants a portion of the income Barcelona would get for the tribute being prepared for him – if he is to return to Camp Nou, Daily Post reports.
The 35-year-old was said to have given this as one of the conditions for making a sensational move back to the Catalan giants after he left in 2021 after 17 seasons.
In related coverage, Sports Brief reported that PSG could let Messi go at the end of the 2022/23 season when his contract with the Ligue 1 giants expires.
The club and the player have been in negotiations over a contract renewal but talks have since paused, with the club said to be reconsidering the deal.
PSG are unsure on whether they want to keep Messi at the end of the season and some in the club’s hierarchy believe the squad needs to change.
According to Barca Blaugranes, Iniesta briefly supported Los Blancos as a child because he was upset with La Blaugrana.
Why was Iniesta upset?
Iniesta grew up in the Spanish province of Albacete and was part of Albacete Balompié’s youth set-up before he joined Barcelona.
Iniesta grew up in the Spanish province of Albacete and played for Albacete Balompié before joining Barcelona.
As a member of the team, he was a loyal supporter of both Albacete and Barcelona.
That changed after the Catalans thrashed his team in La Liga, which caused him to dislike the team a bit. “It was one of those things you could have as a child.”
One day Barca scored seven goals against Albacete, and I got angry at Barca. There was some time where I was a bit confused with my own mind,” he said.
The game in question took place in 1992 in La Liga when Iniesta was only seven. Barcelona won the match 7-1 and the midfielder started telling people that he supported Madrid.
Iniesta is a Barcelona legend Five years later, Iniesta joined Barcelona and the rest is history.
He went on to play 674 games for the Spanish side and scored 57 goals and notched up 137 assists, according to Transfermarkt.
Iniesta won four UEFA Champions League trophies, nine La Liga titles and won the Spanish Cup six times with Barcelona.
Iniesta’s struggles with depression Sports Brief also reported that Barcelona icon, Iniesta wants everyone to realise that footballers are humans too.
The ex-Spanish international has opened up on how stars struggle despite making mega money from the sport.
Court documents indicate that,Barcelona paid €7.3m (£6.5m) to the company of Jose Mara Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee, from 2001 to 2018.
UEFA’s investigation could result in a Champions League ban.
Because of payments of millions of euros to a company linked to a Spanish refereeing official, Barcelona is facing a new legal threat from UEFA, including a possible Champions League ban.
On Thursday, the European Union’s governing body requested an investigation into the matter, which is already being investigated by Spanish prosecutors.
Since April 2007, Champions League regulations have allowed UEFA to ban teams from the competition for one season if they were involved in match fixing.
UEFA said on Thursday it asked disciplinary inspectors to “conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called Caso Negreira.”
Court documents show Barcelona paid €7.3m (£6.5m) from 2001 until 2018 to the company of Jose Mara Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee.
Prosecutors in Spain have formally accused Barcelona of corruption in sports, fraudulent management and falsification of business documents.
An investigating judge will decide if this will lead to charges.
The 20-year-old Pedri hasn’t played since tearing his hamstring against Manchester United on February 16 in the Europa League, but there was optimism that he would play against Real Madrid in LaLiga last weekend.
He started group training again on Thursday, but Friday’s session did not feel right, so Barca chose not to press the matter.
There is no set timetable for how long he will be out, but there is no urgency to have him back given that Barca leads LaLiga by 12 points after beating Madrid 2-1 on Sunday.
A source told ESPN that it could be “three to four weeks” before he returns, which rules him out of the Copa Clasico on April 5. Barca go into that fixture at Camp Nou with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
Pedri’s aim is to be back before the end of the season and to be able celebrate a potential first LaLiga title for Barca since 2019 — and his first as a player — on the pitch alongside his teammates.
The Spain international also has an eye on the Copa del Rey final in May, if Barca can get past Madrid in the semifinal, and the UEFA Nations League Final Four in June, with Luis de la Fuente’s side facing Italy in the semifinal.
Barca also have fitness doubts over Ousmane Dembele, Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong ahead of April’s Clasico.
Dembele has not played since injuring his thigh at the end of January but is expected to return at some point early next month.
Araujo and De Jong both ended Sunday’s win over Madrid with minor issues which have forced them to drop out of upcoming matches with Uruguay and the Netherlands respectively.
However, both hope to be ready to face Elche on April 1 after the international break, with Madrid due at Camp Nou four days later for the third Clasico in a month.
Barca won the previous two and have now won three in a row in all competitions — including theirSuper Cup victory in Saudi Arabia in January — for the first time since 2011-12.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s weekend trip to Spain to watch El Clasico may have been the deciding factor in his departure from Chelsea.
The striker, who signed with Chelsea in the summer, has had a difficult few months since Thomas Tuchel, the manager who signed him, was fired and replaced by Graham Potter.
He was still playing for the club because of a FIFA rule that states players are only allowed to represent two clubs during a given season.
Although a gap in the law that might have allowed him to sign with MLS teams was discovered, the Gabonese man decided against joining LA Galaxy in February.
Chelsea could terminate Aubameyang’s contract
As reported by Express, the former Arsenal striker’s omission from the UEFA Champions League squad summed up his disastrous time at Chelsea, and he is yet to feature.
His recent trip to Spain and his appearance in Barcelona’s dressing room has reportedly left the Chelsea’s bosses furious and willing to terminate his contract in the summer so he can move on a free transfer, as reported by Goal.
He has played 18 times for the London club scoring three goals, one in the league against Crystal Palace and two in the Champions League against his former club AC Milan, which helped the Blues progress out of the group stage.
Auba plays mini-game in Milan
The 33-year-old looks unbothered by his current situation at the club and seems to be enjoying his £260,000 per week salary happily away from the team. As Sports Brief reported, Auba was spotted playing five-aside in Milan while wearing his Chelsea kit.
He uploaded the video on his Instagram story. The move appeared to show his nonchalance, but it was reported to have been a sanctioned break by the club for the out-of-favour striker, and he has not featured in the team since then.
Salma Paralluelo scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona edged Roma 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League.
The 19-year-old curled a left-footed effort from outside the box to beat Camelia Ceasar after 34 minutes.
Barca’s breakthrough came after the Roma goalkeeper had frustrated them with a number of fine saves.
Despite pressing for a second, last season’s runners-up could not extend their advantage in the second half.
⏰ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧 ⏰
It's advantage Barcelona after a narrow win in Rome 🔵🔴#UWCL
At Camp Nou, a dramatic goal by Frank Kessie in the 92nd minute gave Barcelona the victory over Los Blancos, a heartbreaking loss for the eternal rivals.
Madrid Universal claims that the Real Madrid locker room is furious with the Barcelona players for their disrespectful actions both during and after their team’s El Clasico loss.
The Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who tangled with Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal during the pivotal game in Camp Nou, particularly infuriated Real Madrid.
Carvajal and Arnau Tenas also had to be separated by several members from both teams after the final whistle that left Real Madrid 12 points adrift of Barcelona in the race for the 2022/23 La Liga title.
Xavi reacts to El Clasico victory
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandes says the Catalans do not feel like champions yet following a 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday, Daily Post reports.
Barcelona moved 12 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings thanks to Frank Kessie 92nd minute winner which sent fans inside the Camp Nou into wild celebrations.
With 12 games left to play for the remainder of the season, Xavi has remained cautious as he has revealed there is still more work to be done in order for Barcelona to be crowned champions.
Real Madrid fans want Ancelotti sacked Earlier, Sports Brief reported Real Madrid fans are understandably angry following their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and they want Carlo Ancelotti sacked.
The defeat dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Los Blancos took the lead through a Ronald Araujo own goal but Barcelona pulled level when Sergi Roberto tucked home just before half-time.
Barcelona may have lost Pep Guardiola to greener pastures, but the team will always hold a special place in his heart. The manager of Manchester City is still a staunch supporter of the Catalan giants after having played for them and later coaching them.
In the audience before La Blaugrana’s match against Real Madrid in the El Clasico, Guardiola showed his support for the team.
The Spanish manager was spotted in the stands with Johann Cruyff’s wife before the game started. Widely considered as Barcelona’s greatest manager, Guardiola was no slouch as a player either.
As noted by the club’s website, he played 479 games for the side and scored 16 goals. He won six league titles as a player, four Spanish Super Cups, two Copa Del Rey trophies, two European Super Cups, and one European Cup.
Guardiola scouting Real Madrid?
Guardiola’s presence at Camp Nou may have been twofold. The former Barcelona manager could have also been there scouting Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid ahead of a potential clash.
Manchester City have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the Champions League. The winner of that game will face the winner of Real Madrid and Chelsea in the semi-final of the competition.
Barca move 12 points clear Barcelona snatched a 2-1 win over Real Madrid with Franck Kessie’s late goal Sunday to move 12 points clear at the top of La Liga, Sports Brief reported.
The victory dents Los Blancos’ ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans that much closer to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019. Carlo Ancelotti’s charges took the lead through a Ronald Araujo own goal, but Barca pulled level when Sergi Roberto tucked home just before half-time.
After losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga, Real Madrid supporters are understandably furious and want Carlo Ancelotti fired. Madrid’s hopes of retaining the title are dashed by the loss, and the Catalans are now in position to win the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Ronald Araujo’s own goal gave Los Blancos the lead, but Sergi Roberto’s tuck just before halftime gave Barcelona the equaliser. Both teams had chances to win the game. Marco Asensio scored for Madrid, but VAR disallowed the goal because it was offside. Then, in the 92nd minute, Alejandro Balde set up Kessie to score.
After the game, Madrid fans took to social media to criticise Ancelotti for losing his third El Clasico game in the trot. Social media reactions
@deftonesIuvr tweeted: real madrid has 2 weeks to sack ancelotti and bring tuchel if they’re a serious club @MartinKlaus__ tweeted:
Now La Liga is over for us… let’s sack ancelotti and move on.
@KhaledM79788508 tweeted: If Perez is serious he’d sack ancelotti and sign tuchel within 24 hours.
@thearmah_ posted: Perez go start dey draft Ancelotti sack letter from the Camp Nou embarrassment today
@Anassyn said: We need to sack Ancelotti because of Barca. Three straight win against him. Haba.
@AvfcTomYoung tweeted: Madrid are boring to watch now, the quicker they sack Ancelotti the better!
Pep watches El Clasico Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola showed his support for the Blaugrana as she was spotted in the stands ahead of their El Clasico encounter with Real Madrid.
Pep was spotted in the stands with Johann Cruyff’s wife before the game started. Widely considered as Barcelona’s greatest manager, Guardiola was no slouch as a player either. As noted by the club’s website, he played 479 games for the side and scored 16 goals.
Vincius consoles Araujo Sports Brief reported earlier that Vinicius Junior demonstrated a touching gesture towards Ronald Araujo during Real Madrid’s weekend top liner against fierce rivals FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The Madrid winger has been in blistering form for Los Blancos this campaign, almost invincible against any defender, but often struggles whenever he comes up with Araujo.
In their latest clash on Sunday, the Brazilian duo came face to face for the umpteenth time this season, and it was Vinicius who appeared to have won the battle of wills.
The latest group of fans to verbally abuse Vinicius Junior are the supporters of Barcelona. This season, opposing teams’ fans have frequently singled out the Real Madrid attacker, with some fan bases going further than others.
Even though the El Clasico is frequently a contentious contest, some Blaugrana fans escalated the situation with their chants. During their most recent El Clasico match, Barcelona supporters also yelled obscenities at the Brazilian, per reports.
Vinicius, die’ was a chant heard from the crowd during the game.
Last night chants of 'Vinicius, die' were heard at Camp Nou during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.pic.twitter.com/2VnSmVQ4ue
The Brazilian played a part in Real Madrid’s only goal of the game as his attempted cross was deflected into the back of the net by Ronaldo Araujo.
Vini was also involved in a few arguments with the referee over fouls during the game, something that has become a common occurrence this season. The Los Blancos star has accused La Liga’s referees of giving him yellow cards for fouls while letting fouls against him go unpunished.
Real Valladolid fans abuse Vini Real Madrid’sVinicius Junior has found himself at the centre of more racial abuse in La Liga. The Brazilian attacker has endured a difficult season in La Liga when it comes to racist fans, and that continued against Real Valladolid.
Madrid took on Valladolid as La Liga action returned after the World Cup break and secured a 2-0 win thanks to a Karim Benzema brace, Sports Brief reported. Vinícius calls for harsh punishments Vinícius Júnior wants harsh punishments for football racists.
The Real Madrid forward believes that those found guilty of racist abuse should learn a lesson the hard way. Vini Jr called for those individuals to be given lifetime bans from football games, Sports Brief reported.
Kumawood actor and media personality, Akrobeto, got many people bursting out in laughter as he tried to mention the names of players from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
On UTV’s Real News, the host of the show, Akrobeto, decided to disclose the purported lineup for the upcoming game between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
On the much-anticipated show, he tried his possible best to accurately mention the names of the players.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face off in a nip-and-tuck match in La Liga.
Below is a video of Akrobeto cracking ribs with his rendition of the pronunciation of the names of players of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Ghanaians react to the video of Akrobeto trying to mention the names of foreign players
Meanwhile, the video of Akrobeto trying to mention the names of foreign players who play for Barcelona and Madrid got many Ghanaians bursting out in laughter.
strongguy3296:
We all needed this after Christian Atsu’s funeral
hajiaamamaboafo:
Clap for wofa, Barcelona won in name mentioning It’s a win for us❤️❤️
khojo_ny:
Ose real madrik
laud_payton:
He did well.. close enough.
nanahemaabonsu:
An Elder plays for Madrid?
baby_yeah_ji:
I can’t breathe ooo
yungrexmullagh:
My ribs are breaking down
ampofowaa1:
Eeeeerrrrhhh how can we ever be sad in the country called Ghana …. So we can’t morn Atsu in peace today aaah … Wofa no go kill person ooo… )se Atinga
On Sunday, March 13, Barcelona and Athletico Bilbao played in La Liga, and the San Mames Barria was filled with hostile Athletico Bilbao supporters. The game was marred by Barcelona fans who chanted for the club to be demoted as a result of their refereeing scandal, despite the Catalans’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over their hosts.
The reaction of the Bilbao fans, according to Barcelona manager Xavi, saddened him after the game because, in his opinion, the Catalans are being judged even before they are found guilty.
“I was surprised at the hostile atmosphere towards Barca. It was sad to see. [Barca] are being judged before time, which I don’t think is good for society.
Everyone is free to [air their opinion], and I respect all opinions, whether I agree with them or not, but it made me sad.”
Barcelona has been charged by Spanish prosecutors for paying around €7million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira’s company between 2001 and 2018 while he was the vice president of Spain’s referees’ committee.
Laporta assures Barca fans of club’s innocence Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has assured the club’s fans worldwide that the Catalans are innocent of all allegations made against them, Vanguard reports. Laporta made the claim on Twitter following corruption allegations levelled against Barcelona over payments made to refereeing committees in Spain.
Barcelona’s ex-presidents, Sandro Rosell, and Josep Maria Bartomeu allegedly paid the former refereeing committee chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira over €2.9m between 2014 and 2018 which led to the accusations of sports corruption and unfair administration being made.
Supporters stage protest against Barcelona Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona are at the centre of allegations that they paid the former vice-president of the Referee’s Committee, and their fellow La Liga clubs are not happy about it.
Athletic Club Bilbao’s supporters were the latest to voice their unhappiness at the allegations and made their feelings known during their side’s clash with Barcelona.
At the half-hour mark, Bilbao fans threw fake money from the stands onto the pitch as a mark of protest against the Catalan club.
A late VAR decision allowed Barcelona to hold on to a narrow 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, as Raphinha continued his stellar play to reestablish the Blaugrana’s nine-point advantage atop the table.
A spectacular equalizer from Inaki Williams appeared to have given Barca a run for their money, but it was overturned for handball, and Xavi’s team just held on under heavy pressure.
Although having to endure adversity in the first half as well, the visitors capitalized on their survival when the in-form Raphinha scored right before the break.
Athletic had more late chances after Williams’ goal was disallowed, but their efforts were in vain as Barca defeated former coach Ernesto Valverde.’
The Blaugrana were fortunate to come through Athletic’s promising first-half spell.
Alex Berenguer prodded just off target after Jules Kounde misjudged the bounce of the ball and Marc-Andre ter Stegen came to the rescue a few minutes later, turning Williams’ strike around the post.
Raul Garcia’s diving header from the resulting corner hit the crossbar and Barca capitalised just before the break.
Sergio Busquets cleverly sidestepped a defender and found Raphinha in the right side of the box, with the Brazilian firing into the bottom-far corner.
A generally cagier second half came to life in the final 20 minutes.
After Berenguer hit the post, Williams had seemingly secured Athletic a point with an emphatic finish having been played through on goal, only for it to be wiped out for handball by Iker Muniain in the build-up.
Nico Williams then failed to convert a tap-in, and Yuri Berchiche saw his follow-up cleared off the line as Barca somehow escaped San Mames with the points.
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