Barcelona beat Espanyol to win 27th LaLiga title

FC Barcelona claimed their 27th LaLiga title on Sunday after two first-half goals from Robert Lewandowski spurred them to a 4-2 defeat of city rivals Espanyol.

Barca moved to 85 points from 34 matches and extended their lead to an unassailable 14 points over second-placed Real Madrid.

They were the superior side against lowly Espanyol, who are second from bottom and fighting to avoid relegation and opened the scoring early with a close-range strike by Lewandowski.

Alejandro Balde, who put it on a plate for Lewandowski’s opening goal, scored Barca’s second with a tap-in from a Pedri cross in the 20th minute.

Lewandowski extended Barca’s lead five minutes before the break with another close-range finish from a Raphinha cross.

Defender Jules Kounde headed in Barca’s fourth in the 53rd minute before Javi Puado, and Joselu scored consolation goals for Espanyol.

Barcelona confirm talks to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint Germain

FC Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste has confirmed that the club has contacted Lionel Messi about a possible return to the club this summer. The Argentine superstar famously left Barca in tears in 2021.

He then joined Paris Saint Germain as a free agent and signed a two-year contract which expires on June 30.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s deal at the Parc des Princes came with the option of an additional year that Messi has thus far been reluctant to take up.

Mundo Deportivo has reported on Friday that PSG are willing to offer Messi “more money and more years” than just the additional “plus one”.

On Thursday, French sports outlet L’Equipe reported that Messi currently takes home €3.375 million ($3.7 million) a month from the Ligue 1 giants, which puts him third behind teammates Neymar in second and leader Kylian Mbappe.

Speaking earlier today in Spain, Yustewhile holding a press conference, confirmed his club’s interest in re-signing Messi.

“Leo [Messi] and his family know the affection I have for them. I participated in the negotiations that unfortunately did not lead to a successful conclusion,” Yuste began, reminiscing about the Argentine’s exit.

“I have the thorn in my side that Leo could not continue in our club. If we are talking about La Masia and grassroots football, we are talking about Messi.

“Of course I would love for him to come back, for what it could represent at a sporting, social and economic level. We are in contact with them, yes,” Yuste confirmed.

Mikel Arteta insists he’s going nowhere amid links to former club Barcelona

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has distanced himself from latest speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.

Arteta was a Barcelona youth player, but started his coaching career in great fashion guiding Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League in 2022-23.

New reports in Spain are stating that Barcelona are interested in hiring Arteta to take over from embattled coach, Xavi.

However, when asked about the links at his press conference ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash with FC Zurich, the Arsenal boss reiterated how happy he is in north London.

“I’m extremely happy,” he said. “I’m proud to be where I am.”Arteta also praised the work of Xavi, who has been in charge at the Camp Nou since November 2021.

“I think Barcelona now they are in a really good path,” Arteta said. “They have a phenomenal coach, a coach that has been an absolute legend in that club and has lifted the whole place and you have to be very respectful of that.”

Arteta came through at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, but left to join Paris Saint-Germain without having played a game for the first team.

Frenkie de Jong’s comments to Barcelona teammates provide fresh blow to Manchester United pursuit despite transfer agreement

Frenkie de Jong has cast fresh doubt over a move to Manchester United by telling Barcelona teammates there is no chance he will leave.

United looked to have finally made the breakthrough in their long-standing pursuit of the Dutch midfielder when the two clubs agreed a deal worth up to £72million earlier this week.

But it appears that De Jong still has some lingering doubts over a move to Old Trafford with the 25-year-old believed to be settled in Catalonia.

Reports have also surfaced that the midfielder has instructed his agent to inform United CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough to turn their attention elsewhere.

Despite De Jong’s reluctance to leave the Nou Camp, Barca have their sights set on his departure to enable the club to register their new signings and comply with financial fair play.

Barcelona officials met with De Jong on Thursday to inform him of the club’s position and the need for him to accept United’s proposal to help ease the financial burden.

But De Jong is standing his ground and remaining defiant with Spanish newspaper Sport reporting the Dutchman told his team-mates: “It is impossible for me to leave. How am I going to leave Barca?”

It appears that even the lure of working with his former boss at Ajax Erik ten Hag is not enough for the midfielder to uproot and move to the north west of England.

A reunion for De Jong and Ten Hag is on the cards but the midfielder appears reluctant to move to Manchester United
De Jong joined Barcelona in 2019 but now the Catalan giants need to offload the Dutchman to balance the clubs finances

De Jong and his girlfriend recently bought a house and enjoy life in Barcelona while the midfielder still feels he can contribute to the Catalan giants on the pitch.

It appears that the saga will continue to rumble on with the club and player on different pages relating to his future.

United may have to show a little more patience if they are to finally land their target.

Barcelona ‘to prioritise Frenkie de Jong sale after agreeing Raphinha fee’

Barcelona are reportedly set to prioritise selling Frenkie de Jong this summer after agreeing a transfer with Leeds United for Raphinha.

The Catalan giants have been pursuing the Brazilian throughout the transfer window, competing with Chelsea for his signature, with the Blues agreeing a fee with Leeds for the winger.

While Barcelona initially failed to make a suitable offer, they decided to match Chelsea’s offer of £60m up front with a further £5m in add-ons.

The bid should open the door for a move to Camp Nou for Raphinha who regards Barcelona as his preferred destination.

While Raphinha could be on his way in, according to the Mirror, Barcelona will turn their focus to offloading Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with the player he once managed at Ajax, although De Jong has expressed a desire to remain at Camp Nou.

The midfielder is also owed £17m in unpaid wages, which is proving to be a stumbling block in a potential transfer, although Barcelona are confident that they can come to an agreement with De Jong over the matter.

De Jong, who has four years remaining on his current contract, has made 130 appearances for Barcelona.

‘We don’t deserve to leave so soon’ – Griezmann reveals Barca regret after Champions League exit to PSG

The Blaugrana were extremely wasteful in the last 16 as their hopes of qualifying for the quarter finals evaporated

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann has revealed the regret in Barcelona’s dressing room after their inability to cash in on first-half chances doomed them to a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16.

The forward said the team deserved better following its “big” second-leg performance that ended 1-1 despite the Catalans owning 72 per cent of possession and putting 10 shots on target.

In addition to an array of opportunities from open play, including one that saw Sergino Dest have an effort tipped on to the post, Lionel Messi had a spot kick blocked by Keylor Navas.

“We don’t deserve to leave so soon in Champions League, neither do the fans, but that’s the way it is,”

“They didn’t know how to defend,” the attacker added to RMC Sport. “There is this incredible goal from Leo and then the penalty. But Navas was amazing.

“We played a big game, especially in the first half.

“We can have regrets about going there. It’s a shame but that’s how it is, this is football, this is the Champions League.

“We have [Messi], we have possession, we knew we were going to have chances but we didn’t know how to put them [away]. There is still a long way to go to finish the season.”

Griezmann also commented on his inconsistent playing time of late at Barcelona, dismissing speculation he’s unhappy.

“Sometimes I am on the bench, sometimes I play 90 minutes,” he said. “I am at the service of the team. I’m trying to have fun and prepare well for the end of the season including the Euros because we have a big competition ahead of us with the national team.”

Osasuna 0— 2 Barcelona

Eighteen-year-old Ilaix Moriba scored his first goal for Barcelona to help them overcome Osasuna and move back to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lionel Messi set Jordi Alba up for the opener, while Barca’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved well from Kike Barja and Ruben Garcia before the break.

Moriba ensured victory with an excellent finish from outside the area.

Barcelona’s crucial presidential election takes place on Sunday.

Barca, a club grappling with financial problems while also attempting to keep six-time Ballon d’Or award winner Messi, will elect a new president on Sunday from three candidates – Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa.

Victory was Barcelona’s second since the club’s Nou Camp offices were raided on Monday and former president Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested in a probe related to allegations of improper management and business corruption.

Osasuna, a side 11 places adrift of Barca, were first to threaten, with Ter Stegen at full stretch to push Barja’s effort wide.

A brilliantly threaded pass from Messi and fierce finish from Alba into the roof of the net put Barca ahead, but it was Ter Stegen who ensured they maintained that lead after foiling Garcia.

Osasuna worked hard to limit Barca after the break, but they failed to find an equaliser before substitute Moriba opened his Barca account with a fine curled finish.

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who were 10 points clear of Barca at the end of January, host third-placed city rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto tests positive for coronavirus

The Spain international will be forced to spend the next 10 days in quarantine after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto has tested positive for coronavirus, the club have confirmed on Wednesday.

Roberto had been enjoying a prominent role in Ronald Koeman’s squad before being forced off the pitch with a thigh injury during Barca’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on November 21.

The 28-year-old is not expected to return to action until the new year, but has been dealt a setback in his recovery after contracting Covid-19.

Barca revealed that Roberto posted a positive test following their latest round of medical checks, with the defender now set to remain in quarantine for the next 10 days.

“After the PCR tests carried out this Tuesday, the first-team player Sergi Roberto has tested positive for Covid-19,” a statement on the club’s official website reads.

“The footballer is in good health and is isolated at home as he continues his recovery from the injury that he suffered on November 21.

“The club has informed the relevant sports and health authorities. In addition, all the people who had contact with the player have been traced to carry out the corresponding PCR tests.

“It should be remembered that Roberto suffered a tear in the rectus femoris in his right thigh at the end of the Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona game, an injury for which he will be away from the pitch for approximately two months.”

Roberto missed Barca’s 4-0 victory away at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League last Tuesday, before also sitting out their home win over Osasuna by the same scoreline five days later.

The Spain international will be unavailable when Koeman takes his side to Hungary to take on Ferencvaros in midweek, and looks set to miss the entire festive period as he bids to rid himself of coronavirus before getting back to his rehabilitation programme at Camp Nou.

Barca can secure top spot in Group G if they beat Ferencvaros, having already booked their place in the round of 16, before their focus shifts back to La Liga.

The Blaugrana are due to take in a trip to Cadiz this weekend, which they must win to stay in touch with early pacesetters Real Sociedad and Atletico.

‘Messi is the Harry Potter of football’ – Vieri says he will throw his TV away when Barcelona star retires

The Italian legend described the Blaugrana icon as a magician after Barca’s win against the Old Lady

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the Harry Potter of football, according to Christian Vieri.

Messi assisted Ousmane Dembele’s deflected opener and converted a late penalty as Barcelona recorded a 2-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner made a game-high five key passes and 65 passes in the opposition half as Barca improved to six points in Group G.

Vieri, who won Serie A with Juve in 1996-97 and was a 49-time Italy international, lauded Messi’s contribution in Turin.

“An amazing Barcelona, there was no game. They could’ve scored six, seven goals easy. They played fantastic,” he told CBS Sports.

“Messi is a magician, he’s the Harry Potter of soccer and when he stops playing, I’m throwing my TVs away. I’m not going to work no more on TV, I’m going to watch Netflix, that’s it, because when he stops there’s nothing else to watch.”

Since Messi’s first Champions League campaign in 2004-05, only Cristiano Ronaldo (38) has provided more assists in the competition than his 35.

The Argentina international helped Barca dominate as Juve – who had Merih Demiral sent off in the 85th minute – failed to record a shot on target in a Champions League home game for the first time since 2003-04 – when Opta have such data available.

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata incredibly had three goals ruled out for offside during the encounter.

Vieri was impressed by Barcelona’s performance, saying: “It’s just another football, another game.

“I don’t know how they lost against Real Madrid, but if you see them [against Juventus] you’re going to say they can’t lose against anyone this year, it’s impossible the way they played.

“Every game is different but the Barcelona I saw and everyone saw it’s just incredible. When you’ve got a number 10 like that, it’s just crazy.

“It’s a pity there are no fans here because the fans should be seeing a team like this.”

Sitting 12th in the La Liga table, Barcelona visit Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

‘Barcelona players must adapt to Messi’ – Team mates must change to accommodate all-time great, says De Jong

The Argentine attacker is without a goal from open play in 2020-21 but the Dutch midfielder insists he is still the world’s best player.

Lionel Messi remains the best footballer in the world and it is down to his Barcelona team-mates to play to the forward’s strengths, according to midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has yet to fully adapt to new boss Ronald Koeman’s 4-2-3-1 system, failing to score from open play in six matches this season.

He has also created just one chance in La Liga this term, with young academy product Ansu Fati – five goals and one assist in all competitions – stealing the limelight, but De Jong, who has thrived in a deeper midfield role under Koeman, insists it is down to the others in Barca’s squad to ensure Messi is in the right positions to work his magic.

“When you have Messi in your team, of course you have the best player in the world in your team,” he told UEFA.com

“You try to get him into the best positions to make a difference and I think we need to adapt to him. When he is receiving the ball in a position where he can make the difference, he will make it for you, always.”

#ElClásico history at Camp Nou
2007 Leo #Messi
2020 @ANSUFATI pic.twitter.com/GhgCUYjXWo— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2020

De Jong struggled at times in his debut campaign at Camp Nou, but has been shifted into his favoured position by Koeman alongside Sergio Busquets.

The Netherlands international is averaging more successful dribbles this season (2.45) compared to the 2019-20 campaign (1.95) and, while he is touching the ball less often – down from 81.43 per game to 77.73 – he is happy with the tactical tweak.

“I think in my nature as a player, I want to receive the ball early in the play and to set up the play,” he said. “I think that’s more my style of play than waiting for the ball and receiving it up front, and touching the ball less. 

“I think I feel more comfortable in the pivot position than high up front, but I can also play high up front. It doesn’t matter for me so much but, if I had to choose, I would rather play as a double pivot than, for example, as a ‘mediapunta’ (false nine).”

Wonderkid Moukoko should be Messi’s successor at Barcelona, claims Eto’o

The Cameroon superstar has urged his former employers to sign the Borussia Dortmund sensation

Barcelona should target Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi, according to Samuel Eto’o.

The 15-year-old has been included in BVB’s Champions League squad this season, even though he isn’t eligible to feature in Europe’s premier club competition until he turns 16 on November 20.

Despite not yet making his senior debut for Dortmund, Moukoko is the player Barca should be targeting as they look for a long-term successor to 33-year-old Messi according to the Argentine’s former teammate Eto’o, who was twice a Champions League winner during five years at Camp Nou.

“[There’s] a young player who plays for Dortmund called Youssoufa Moukoko,” Eto’o told Goal when asked who he’d love to see as Barcelona’s next big signing. “[He’s] 15 years of age, and he’s the next top player, for me, after Messi.

“As Messi gets older, we could prepare the future of Barcelona very well.”

Eto’o believes that Moukoko could form a dream post-Messi front three alongside France duo Antoine Griezmann and current Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe, who is another player he’d love to see move to the Camp Nou.

“With Antoine and Youssoufa [up front together], that team would go forward very well,” Eto’o concluded. “[I’d like to see] Kylian Mbappe at Barcelona also.”

Messi appeared close to an exit from Barcelona at one point this summer, having handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season, which saw the Catalan heavyweights humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner ultimately opted to remain at the Camp Nou this term, despite reservations about the direction the club are heading in under Ronald Koeman.

Barca, who begin their Champions League campaign against Ferencvaros on Wednesday, are currently ninth in La Liga after four matches, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

German-Cameroonian forward Moukoko, who was ranked 44th in Goal’s NxGn 2020 list celebrating the 50 best wonderkids in football, is the youngest player to play and score in the Uefa Youth League.

He has already represented Germany at U-20 level, and has scored an eye-watering 134 goals in 86 appearances for Dortmund between U-17 and U-19 levels.

Before Messi and Cruyff, there was Kubala, Kocsis and Czibor: How Ferencvaros made Barcelona great

In Laszlo Kubala, Sandor Kocsis and Zoltan Czibor, the Hungarian side brought through three of the Catalans’ greatest-ever players

When Barcelona play Ferencvaros at Camp Nou on Tuesday, you could be forgiven for thinking the visitors are just another group-stage minnow ready for a Champions League thrashing.

As perennial first seeds, Barca are drawn against their fair share of fallen giants, former greats of the game whose glory days are behind them.

But ‘FTC’ are a proud club, and a historic one. Thirty-one times champions of Hungary since their foundation in 1899, the Green Eagles have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, and have qualified for the group stage for the first time since 1995. Plenty at Barcelona will be glad to see them back.

The Catalans hold a historic link with FTC as the Budapest club was the finishing school of a man who, long before Lionel Messi or Johan Cruyff, might have been Barcelona’s greatest ever player: Laszlo Kubala. 

Strong, quick-thinking and technically gifted, Kubala was a footballing prodigy, playing for FTC at just 15 and for Hungary at 17. He moved between Hungary and the former Czechoslovakia as a youngster and played for both but, as post-war Hungary came under the control of a Stalinist dictatorship, he made the dangerous decision to leave.

Kubala was 21, disguised as a Russian soldier in a military truck when he fled the country in January 1949. Expecting to be stopped or shot on sight, he and some companions finished the journey on foot, tramping across the mountains into Austria through knee-high snow. From there he went to Italy and briefly played for Pro Patria in Lombardy but, banned from football by FIFA due to his defection, they were forced to release him.

He moved on to Rome and set up a club called Hungaria, a team of political refugees who, in 1950, went on a fundraising tour of Spain. They played Real Madrid, Espanyol and the Spanish national team. Kubala’s performances, and stunning goals, made him an instant celebrity.

Madrid chairman Santiago Bernabeu was desperate to sign him but it was Barca who got their man, though the circumstances of how they managed it are murky. However it happened, Kubala was a Barcelona player, and would soon become synonymous with the club.

The Catalans weren’t paupers when Kubala arrived, far from it. But they weren’t the superclub they are today.

They had won the inaugural La Liga in 1928-29, but went 16 years before winning it again under the progressive coach Josep Samitier, who was still in charge when Kubala arrived. Still unable to play due to his FIFA ban, he was restricted to friendly appearances only, but fans came from miles around to see him.

A blonde, barrel-chested refugee from beyond the Iron Curtain, Kubala was adored in Barcelona and he fell in love with the city – particularly its nightlife. A typical morning saw Kubala blinking into the Catalan sunshine with a coffee laced with aspirin, rousing himself from the night’s exploits with a shower and a nap before rocking up to training with an endearing smile and playing football like nobody had seen before.

He pioneered new ways of scoring free-kicks and penalties and his combination of physical power and electrifying skill made him near-impossible to knock off the ball. An intoxicating blur of drag-backs, stepovers, changes of pace and dead-eyed passing and finishing, he looked like a player sent from the future.

“You couldn’t knock him over with a cannonball,” Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano said. Indeed, it was Kubala’s superhuman performances that helped convince Real Madrid they needed a star of their own, controversially beating Barca to Di Stefano’s signature in 1953.

The league title was out of reach by the time Kubala was cleared to play midway through 1950-51 but he inspired a Copa del Generalisimo win with six goals in seven games, and it was merely a glimpse of what was to come.

In his first full season, he was the star in Barcelona’s historic ‘Year of the Five Cups’; at one point scoring seven goals in a game against Sporting Gijon – a La Liga record which stands to this day. Fans flooded the stands at Les Corts, Barca’s old stadium, and it became clear a new, larger one was needed. Camp Nou was born.

“Kubala was the foundation stone upon which the growth of support for football in Catalonia was built,” manager Samitier said in Fear and Loathing in La Liga. “With him and later Di Stefano [at Madrid], football became opera.”

After the five cups, disaster struck. Kubala was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was sent to a remote village in the mountains to recover but with their star man missing, Barca floundered and tumbled down the table, unsure whether he would ever play again.

Desperate to fill the void left by his absence, they scouted Di Stefano but Kubala made a miraculous recovery. He had lost weight and hadn’t played in months, but his return inspired Barcelona. They won eight games in a row, rising from fifth in the table to win back-to-back titles for only the second time in their history.

Di Stefano’s arrival at Madrid the following summer put the brakes on Barca’s charge. The capital club flexed their muscles amid accusations of Francoist favouritism, winning the title four out of the next five years.

Meanwhile back at home, Ferencvaros and Hungary had been busy. FTC won the Hungarian title in 1949 with two more talented young forwards playing key roles.

Sandor Kocsis and Zoltan Czibor might have gone on to even greater things at Ferencvaros, but Hungarian football at the time was undergoing a revolution. Clubs were nationalised and Gustav Sebes, coach of the national team, used it to his advantage.

A small club, Kispesti AC, became the club of the military, renamed Budapesti Honved. Sebes’ best players were conscripted into the army team, Kocsis and Czibor among them.

Playing together at club and international level, Honved essentially became Hungary’s Aranycsapat, or Golden Team – renowned worldwide as the Mighty Magyars. They won Olympic Gold, famously thrashed England at Wembley and reached the 1954 World Cup final, where they were overwhelming favourites to win their first title.

They collapsed. Hungary threw away a 2-0 lead in the final as West Germany pulled off the ‘Miracle of Bern’. Czibor scored in the final and Kocsis top-scored with 11 in the tournament, but it wasn’t enough.

Hungary had come within touching distance of the summit but would never reach such heights again. The concentration of talent at Honved hastened the decline of the country’s once-great domestic game, and with it the national team.

Hungarian football was a sinking ship which stars like Kocsis and Czibor were well advised to disembark, and Kubala was compelling proof of the glittering lifestyle that awaited them elsewhere.

Honved were playing away at Athletic Club in the European Cup when the Hungarian Uprising began in 1956. Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the revolution and Honved opted not to return, in some cases hiring people-smugglers to help players’ families over the border.

Czibor went to Rome and Kocsis to Zurich but in 1958, Kubala convinced the pair to join him in Barcelona, while star player Ferenc Puskas linked up with Di Stefano in Madrid.

By then, Kubala himself was out of favour. His antics off the pitch endeared him to most but not to new manager Helenio Herrera, who thought he had too much power at the club and didn’t appreciate his hedonistic lifestyle.

Kubala was out but Czibor and Kocsis were in. Czibor was a whippet-quick goalscoring winger, Kocsis a devastating finisher and one of the most renowned headers of a ball ever to play the game, and they combined to devastating effect.

Herrera’s squad won the league at a canter in 1958-59, beating Madrid 4-0 at home and knocking them out of the Copa del Generalisimo, which Barca won. Madrid dominated the early years of the European Cup at the time but Barca were top dogs domestically. 

Puskas explained: “While we were winning the European Cup in 1959 and 1960, Barcelona were winning the league twice on the run. They had a great team and seemed to be able to ‘do’ us any time they wanted. The Hungarian lads took the p*ss mercilessly… even phoning me up to rub it in.”

Kubala eventually outlasted coach Herrera and returned to the side to play with Czibor and Kocsis. In 1961, they reached the European Cup final for the first time and went to it with a sense of destiny, having become the first team ever to knock Madrid out of the competition.

The final was in Bern, the Wankdorf Stadium – scene of Czibor and Kocsis’ World Cup nightmare seven years previous. The pair of them changed in the corridor, refusing to go back into the same dressing room, and lined up against a Benfica side led by another Hungarian, Bela Guttmann.

Kocsis opened the scoring with an early header. Czibor scored one of the great European Cup final goals, a stunning left-footed half-volley from range. Again, it wasn’t enough. Barcelona hit the woodwork four times and Benfica won 3-2. 

It was a familiar defeat for Czibor and Kocsis and a familiar feeling of decay which followed. Barca, like Hungary, had missed their chance, and didn’t reach another European Cup final for 25 years. Kubala was crushed and left soon after. 

In 357 games, he had scored 281 goals, won four league titles and redefined what was possible on a football pitch. Such was his popularity, at a testimonial match held in his honour, friendly rivals Di Stefano and Puskas donned the Blaugrana as Camp Nou saluted its first true icon.

Barcelona’s inability to cap their domestic success with a European crown meant their teams of the 1950s aren’t now as revered as they might have been but in Catalonia, Kubala has never been forgotten.

His statue stands outside Camp Nou as a reminder of an icon of days past; an icon who not only changed the course of football matches, but perhaps of Spanish football as a whole.

How ‘super-agent’ Jorge Mendes is extending his power over Barcelona

The powerful intermediary has played an integral role in many of the Camp Nou side’s latest deals and will be key in renewing Ansu Fati’s contract

Jorge Mendes has dealt his way back into a position of influence at Barcelona in recent months. The prominent Portuguese agent, who had previously fallen out of favour at Camp Nou, has managed to take on a key role in many of the club’s recent moves, becoming something of a strategic ally.

As well as Ruben Dias’ big money move from Benfica to Manchester City, Everton‘s purchase of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid and Diogo Jota’s switch to Liverpool, the 54-year-old’s tentacles spread to Barcelona as Nelson Semedo joined Wolves, Jean-Clair Todibo made a deadline day loan to Benfica and Francisco Trincao moved to Catalunya. He is also a pivotal figure in deciding the future of Barca’s rising star Ansu Fati.

It was Mendes who was trusted to handle negotiations for Rodrigo Moreno in January, due to his close relationship with Valencia chief Peter Lim. Barcelona soon dropped their interest in the striker, however, and he eventually joined Leeds in the summer.

He had more success when it came to getting Semedo off the Catalan team’s hands, using his influence at Wolves to orchestrate a deal for a hefty £28 million ($37m) fee, which could rise to £37m ($47m) with bonuses. Barca’s recent financial troubles and need to sell players have become common knowledge and without the substantial price they got for Semedo, they may never have been able to sign Sergino Dest from Ajax.

Mendes took charge of arranging a move for centre-back Todibo after a late move to Fulham fell through. He offered the 20-year-old to Benfica and the Portuguese giants agreed to pay €2m to take him on loan with an option to buy him outright for €20m (£18m/$24m) next summer. Mendes grabbed the reins as something of a favour to last season’s La Liga runners-up, helping to bolster his reputation among the club’s board.

But as an astute businessman, Mendes has made sure to earn himself a decent pay packet along the way. Even though Mendes is not 20-year-old Trincao’s agent, his company Gestifute took on a role as an intermediary as the winger made the move to Camp Nou from Portuguese side Braga for €31m (£26m/$34m). Mendes pocketed around 22 per cent of the transfer fee in that deal, which was announced in January.

Barca are expected to offer 17-year-old winger Fati a significant pay rise and increase his release clause from €170m (£153m/$200m) to €400m (£361m/$470m). As the Spain international’s agent, Mendes will take on a central role in extending his contract, which currently runs until 2022.

After a profitable summer transfer window, Mendes’ stock at Barca is on the rise and it may not have peaked just yet.

When is the next El Clasico? The dates of Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2020-21 fixtures

Goal brings you all the information about this season’s Clasico games, such as when they are, where and how to watch

The 2020-21 La Liga season has ushered in a new era for Barcelona, in the wake of talisman Lionel Messi informing his club that he wants to leave .

The Catalan side has been undergoing some hardship in recent seasons, with a failure to pick up a single title in the 2019-20 season amid their hugely embarrassing exit at the hands of Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Real Madrid will be defending their La Liga title under Zinedine Zidane, and Spain‘s showpiece fixture promises to be one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in football.

Goal has what you need to know about when the Clasico will take place this season and more.

When is the next Clasico?

The next Clasico will be held on October 24 at Camp Nou, with kick-off at 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET. The return fixture will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 11, 2021.

New Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman will oversee the Blaugrana following the dismissal of Quique Setien.

Setien was dismissed following Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 Champions League destruction to Bayern Munich.

Last season’s El Clasico in La Liga saw a draw between the two at Barcelona, with Real Madrid registering a 2-0 victory in the return leg in March.

Real Madrid were crowned winners of La Liga for the 34th time in 2020.

How to watch El Clasico

In the UK, La Liga matches will be available to watch and stream on La Liga TV, while Premier Sports and FreeSports also have rights for some games.

In the US, La Liga games will be broadcast on the beIN Sports network, which has both English language and Spanish language channels, as well as an online streaming service, beIN Sports Connect.

‘I was mediocre’ – Barcelona ace De Jong accepts Koeman criticism of performance against Sevilla

The young midfielder was given a slap on the wrist by his coach after a disappointing outing in La Liga last weekend

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has accepted criticism from head coach Ronald Koeman for his performance against Sevilla, admitting he was “mediocre”.

The Catalans dropped their first points of the season at home against the Andalusians last weekend in a 1-1 draw.

While Sevilla instigated a high pressing game that complicated life for the Camp Nou side, it was De Jong who bore the brunt of the criticism publicly from Koeman in the aftermath.

“He lost too many balls and has not been fine like his other team-mates,” the new Barca coach said in the post-match press conference.

It was a critique that midfielder De Jong admits was true ahead of the Netherlands‘ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday.

“I didn’t play at the top level against Sevilla,” he admitted to the media. “I was only mediocre. How is my form? We’ll see, but I feel good.”

He warned his international team-mates to expect a tricky encounter away from home before a clash with Italy on Wednesday.

“We have to be realistic and not expect the Netherlands to dominate and win every game,” he said. “We want to aspire to that.

“I think we have many players who are already world class and are already first rate. We have other talented young players who can grow with the squad.

“We are a very good team but when you see some details you realise that there are still aspects in which we have to grow. We need to improve tactically and in our understanding.

“We want to show Bosnia that there is still magic with us.”

The 23-year-old is in line for his 18th international cap, having made the breakthrough under Koeman in 2018 when he was still with Ajax. A year later, he made his big move to Barcelona after impressing in the Champions League, in which he helped the Amsterdam outfit to the semi-finals only to be undone at the last by Tottenham.

His first season with the Camp Nou side saw him feature on 42 occasions in all competitions and score two goals. He has played every minute of Barca’s three competitive fixtures at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Lionel Messi: Manchester City have ‘financial strength’ to sign Barcelona forward

Manchester City have the financial strength to sign Lionel Messi next summer if the Barcelona forward still wishes to leave, says the Premier League club’s chief operating officer.

Messi had sought to leave Barcelona for free at the end of last season and he favoured a reunion with his former head coach Pep Guardiola in Manchester.

But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner got into a bitter contract dispute with the club he joined as a teenager from his native Argentina and, ultimately, had no choice but to stay in Barcelona.

City missed out but, according to chief operating officer Omar Berrada, the club will be ready to pounce should Messi allow his contract with Barcelona to expire next summer.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “He’s the best player in the world, he’s the best player of his generation. I think any club in the world would like to explore the possibility of him joining their team. Sponsored Links

“He’s probably an exception to potential investments that we’d do… but our planning has been done with this current squad and it is being considered with the current opportunities that we have.

“For every single position we have to be prepared because there can be so many things that can happen but, at the same time, I think we have the financial strength and system ability to make that investment when required.”

New numbers for Puig, Araujo & Braithwaite as Barcelona confirm 2020-21 squad

Barcelona have confirmed their squad for 2020-21 and there’s some new numbers for Riqui Puig, Ronald Araujo and Martin Braithwaite.

Despite all the talk over his future Puig has now been officially promoted to the first-team and will swap his No. 28 for the No. 12.

Araujo is also now a part of the senior squad and takes over Ivan Rakitic’s No.4, while Martin Braithwaite is Barcelona’s No. 9 following Luis Suarez’s departure

Midfielder Matheus Fernandes, who still hasn’t been officially presented at the club, has taken over Braithwaite’s old No. 19 shirt and is also in the squad.

Eric Garcia: Barcelona have bid for Manchester City defender rejected

Eric Garcia will remain at Manchester City after Barcelona had a £15.4m plus add-ons rejected by Manchester City with just hours of the transfer window to go.

Man City wanted closer to £20m for the central defender, who has entered the final year of his contract, with the player now set to see out his contract at the Etihad.

The Spanish international will now become a free agent next summer and should he move to the Nou Camp it will see a return to the club having been part of the La Masia academy between 2008 and 2017.

Garcia made his first top-flight appearance last season and would go on to feature 13 times throughout the campaign and last featured in the 5-2 defeat to Leicester City.

However, he was left out of City’s squad squad for the 1-1 draw at Leeds on Saturday with Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman previously confirming his club’s desire to sign the 19-year-old centre-back.

Barcelona announce losses of £88m due to coronavirus impact

Barcelona made an after-tax loss of 97m euros (£88m) due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the club have announced.

Figures for the 2019-20 season show revenue fell by 135m euros (£122.5m) to 855m euros (£777m), well below the recording-breaking forecast of one billion euros (£909m) which Barcelona claim would have seen them post a 2m euro (£1.8m) profit.

Barca managed to save 74m euros (£67m) in salaries thanks to a reduction agreement with players and coaching staff but are already predicting a 199m euro (£181m) drop in revenue for the 2020-21 season.

“The club suffered financially from the consequences of games being played behind closed doors, as well as the total cancellation of the basketball Euro League, and hence there was a considerable loss of income,” said the club’s financial report.

“The lack of tourists and visitors to the city of Barcelona due to the reductions and limitations applied to international tourism also meant far fewer visitors to Barca’s premises, meaning major losses in terms of such areas as visitors to the Camp Nou Experience and the sale of products in official stores.”

Net debt on June 30 was 488m euros (£443m), but, with investment in the Espai Barca project to redevelop the Nou Camp standing at 109m euros (£99m), the club’s adjusted debt is 379m euros (£344m).

The report also revealed the club spent 1.68billion euros (£1.5billion) on transfers over the last decade, recouping 944m euros (£858m) for a net spend on signings of 738m euros (£671m) over 10 years.

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