Lionel Messi left a loved-up couple in Barcelona stunned when casually wandering past them on his way to a secret visit at the revamped Camp Nou. Few have been granted access inside that venue, with construction work not yet completed, but special treatment is afforded to an icon of the club. Messi has been back in Catalunya after leaving the United States for international duty.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente was bemused following the release of Lamine Yamal from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, stating that he had "never seen anything like it." Yamal was released from the Spain squad after he underwent invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic discomfort, with the Barcelona star set to be out for the next seven to 10 days.
Lionel Messi admits that he and wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. They bid an emotional farewell to Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for La Liga giants, no new contract could be agreed. The Messi family headed to Paris, before ending up in Miami, but they remain determined to retrace steps to Catalunya at some stage.
Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...
Robert Lewandowski is approaching a defining moment in his career, as the Barcelona striker’s contract expires in June 2026 and while his priority is to stay, the club has yet to make a decision on whether to offer him an extension. Saudi Arabia is not an attractive option, and if Barcelona close the door, retirement is now a genuine possibility for the legendary goalscorer.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been put on high alert after 16-year-old Hertha Berlin sensation Kennet Eichhorn's release clause was revealed. Eichhorn has created history in Germany after establishing himself in the first team and is expected to be on the radar of Europe's elite next summer.
The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) has expressed its “surprise and dismay” at seeing Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal undergo an “invasive procedure” that has led to his withdrawal from the latest La Roja squad. Yamal, who suffered an injury while on international duty in September, had been drafted back into Luis de la Fuente’s ranks for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey.
Rafael Louzan, the head of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), addressed Lamine Yamal's recent call-up to the national team amid the Barcelona superstar's fitness concerns. The RFEF chief swiftly dismissed any rumours of a rift between Spain boss Luis de la Fuente and Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, asserting that "there was no tension."
Lamine Yamal has reportedly made it clear to Barcelona bosses that he wants Robert Lewandowski to remain at the club beyond the end of the season. Despite fresh speculation regarding supposed interest in Erling Haaland and Harry Kane surfacing, teenage wonderkid Yamal is hoping to see a prolific Polish No.9 handed an extension to his expiring contract in Catalunya.
Levante striker Etta Eyong has taken La Liga by storm, scoring freely and drawing attention from Europe’s biggest clubs. But even a €30 million bid from CSKA Moscow couldn’t lure him away. With Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid circling, Levante are holding firm and are determined to keep the Cameroonian forward as coach Julian Cavero aims for La Liga survival this season.
GOAL brings you the latest on the British players who are thriving away from home, as several stars choose to make a living in Europe and even beyond. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Athletic Club star Nico Williams scored a magnificent goal to hand his side a slender win over Real Oviedo in La Liga. The goal has brought Williams back into the limelight, ending a long goal drought that resulted in him being questioned in the wake of the failed summer transfer to reigning Spanish champions Barcelona.
The weekend before an international break always feels significant. Pick up a positive result and the only thing a manager really has to worry about is players suffering injury while representing their countries. A defeat, though, results in two torturous weeks as the result is pored over in the press while the coach waits for the opportunity to make amends.
Liverpool have been warned that they could lose two key midfield stars amid transfer interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. After a trophy-winning campaign in the 2024-25 season, which saw them equal Manchester United's tally of 20 top-flight English titles, Arne Slot's side have endured a nightmare journey in the current season, having already lost six league matches.
Lionel Messi has sent an emotional message to Barcelona fans after making a secret return to Camp Nou. The Argentine superstar severed career-long ties with the Catalan giants in 2021, but has made no secret of his desire to retrace steps to familiar surroundings at some stage. He has been back in the city during a break from MLS duties with Inter Miami, allowing him to take in upgrades to the iconic stadium.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is pleased to 'put pressure' on their arch-rivals Real Madrid after a dominant win against Celta Vigo, featuring a strong yet explosive performance of Robert Lewandowski's hat-trick. However, Flick bemoans the "incredible" suspension of key Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who will miss the next fixture against Athletic Club after the international break.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are set to compete to secure a transfer for £26 million-rated ($34m) Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz. PSG were dealt a major blow in their recent Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich as star full-back Achraf Hakimi suffered a horror injury after a challenge from Luis Diaz, and he has now been ruled out of action for at least a couple of months.
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski was delighted to see his team reduce the deficit with table toppers Real Madrid after powering the Catalans to an emphatic 4-2 victory against Celta Vigo, while their rivals dropped points against Rayo Vallecano. The Poland international believes the international break will help Barca regain their lost form as they look to regain control of the league title race.
Marcus Rashford stole the spotlight once again as Barcelona defeated Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday, with the Manchester United loanee registering two assists to move joint-top of La Liga’s assist charts. The England international received yet another standing ovation at the Balaido from Barca fans as he continues to cement his place as one of Hansi Flick’s most influential players this season.
Levante star Karl Etta Eyong has revealed it would be a “dream” to play for Chelsea one day, even as Real Madrid and Barcelona monitor his rapid rise in La Liga. The 22-year-old striker, who has scored six goals this season, continues to attract major transfer interest across Europe — with Levante rejecting a €30 million bid amid growing speculation about his future.
Barcelona continued to play their role as La Liga’s entertainers as they beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday to move within three points of leaders Real Madrid. Celta were a constant threat on the counter, catching out the Blaugrana high line constantly, but the Barca attacking trifecta of Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal proved too strong for Os Celestes.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was targeted with 60 per cent of all racist attacks online in Spain, according to a staggering new study of the 2024-25 season. The Blaugrana forward reportedly received twice as much online abuse as Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, in a new publication which highlights the awful extent of the vitriol directed at La Liga's top players.
Real Madrid cult hero Ivan Zamorano has taken aim at Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal over his behaviour before and after the recent El Clasico, claiming the youngster lacks the requisite character to represent Los Blancos and pointed at the behaviour of another Barca legend as a shining example of how he should behave.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has ruled out triggering Marcus Rashford's buy option before next summer and he instead revealed an alternate plan for the January transfer window. Rashford, who joined the Catalan giants on a one-year loan deal after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, has made a bright start to his maiden campaign in La Liga.
Young striker Etta Eyong has revealed it would be 'a dream' to one day play for Chelsea. The Cameroonian forward is hot property on the European market after making a stunning start to life with Levante following his summer arrival from Villarreal. La Liga pair Real Madrid and Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Eyong, who is tipped to secure a move in January.
Julian Alvarez has addressed talk linking the striker with a move to Barcelona. Alvarez has been a revelation for Atletico Madrid since signing from Manchester City last summer. The Argentina international scored 17 league goals in his debut season in Madrid and has struck seven times ahead of Saturday's welcome of Levante, and his form for Atleti hasn't gone unnoticed.