Diego Simeone has lavished praise on "incredible" Raphinha and expressed his surprise at the Barcelona star missing out on the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian winger was once again decisive on Tuesday night as the Blaugrana overturned an early deficit to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Camp Nou and tighten their grip at the top of La Liga.
USMNT star Johnny Cardoso was hit by another injury blow, which forced him out of Atletico Madrid's clash with Barcelona after just 14 minutes on Tuesday. The midfielder was named in the starting XI for the huge clash at Camp Nou but came off early on in the game after picking up another injury issue in a collision with Barcelona star Dani Olmo, and was replaced by Koke.
Barcelonaâs 3-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night was marred with concern as Dani Olmo suffered a painful shoulder injury while scoring the second goal. Having finished a sweeping team move with an exquisite left-footed strike from the edge of the box, Olmo lost his balance mid-shot and crashed awkwardly onto his left shoulder.
Not since David and Victoria Beckham began their relationship in the late 1990s had there been a football couple as high profile as Gerard Pique and Shakira when they got together in 2010. Defender Pique was a key cog in Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side of the late noughties and early 2010s, while Shakira had been a global pop sensation since the release of hit single 'Hips Don't Lie' in 2005. This was the kind of story the tabloids thrive off - and even more so when it goes badly wrong.
Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Camp Nou on Tuesday evening, as they came from behind, and shrugged off a missed Robert Lewandowski penalty, to record a vital three points. Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres all found the net, after Alex Baena had fired Atletico into an early lead.
A former Barcelona midfielder has urged Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to join the Catalan giants amid positional restrictions under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. The Portugal international has been deployed in a restricted role at the centre of the park alongside Casemiro in Amorim's starting lineup this season, instead of playing a part in a more attacking area of the pitch.
Lamine Yamal has been told that relentless comparisons with Lionel Messi are ânot helpingâ his development, with âunnecessary pressureâ being lumped onto the teenagerâs shoulders. The Barcelona wonderkid has cleared every hurdle put in front of him so far, but he is only 18 years of age and could do without being asked to follow in the footsteps of an all-time great.
Captain Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave by Barcelona following a request for a period of absence. The Uruguay international's representatives held discussions with club sporting director Deco on Monday after the defender was not part of the matchday squad for Saturday's 3-1 La Liga victory over Alaves at Spotify Camp Nou.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says he âassumesâ Harry Kane will see out the remainder of his contract with the club, despite having the option to trigger an early exit in January. The England captain continues to be linked with La Liga giants Barcelona after revealing he is yet to open talks over an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2027.
Lamine Yamal has grown accustomed to seeing his every move dissected in minute detail, on and off the pitch, with the Barcelona wonderkid claiming to enjoy the level of celebrity that he now boasts. The teen sensation has no desire to shy away from the limelight, despite attracting some unwanted attention, and is revelling in his role as a global sporting superstar.
Lamine Yamal maintains that he is not looking to be another Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona wonderkid tiring of constant comparisons to the Argentine GOAT. That discussion was inevitable, given that both stepped out of the fabled La Masia academy system, but a teenage superstar of the present remains determined to âfollow his own pathâ and create a new legacy.
The latest weekend of matches around Europe brought with it top-of-the-table clashes, dramatic late goals and even fan rebellions as clubs around the continent look to get themselves into form ahead of the long winter to come. La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all have new leaders following the most recent round of matches, with some title races looking likely to be nail-biters all the way through to May.
Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has shared his theory on why Marcus Rashford "suffered" at Manchester United. The former Chelsea and Porto midfielder suggested the United loanee is enjoying playing without the pressure of performing for his boyhood club, since he made a loan switch at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 27-year-old has scored six goals in 18 appearances for La Blaugrana so far.
Hansi Flick was seen being comforted by Raphinha as the Barcelona boss looked close to tears after a 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday night. The German manager was overwhelmed by emotions at the end of the match, and the Brazilian offered his support to the German coach. The results puts the Catalan giants on top of the table in Spain ahead of Real Madrid's fixture against Girona.
Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl issued a cryptic update on Harry Kaneâs future, saying the striker âknows exactly what he wantsâ amid speculation linking him with a big-money move to Spanish giants Barcelona. The England captain has been in remarkable goalscoring form for the Bundesliga heavyweights, who are hoping to keep him beyond 2027.
Former Barcelona star Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed how Lionel Messi "had the power" to block his shock transfer to the Catalan club. The Blaugrana signed the striker from Sassuolo in January 2019, initially on loan with an âŹ8 million option to buy. Now, speaking on the YouTube podcast Unscripted, Boateng has revealed that the transfer only went ahead after Messi gave his blessing.
Lamine Yamal scored one and set up another as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Alaves 3-1 to rise to the top of La Liga on Saturday afternoon. Hansi Flickâs side bounced back from their Champions League defeat against Chelsea in midweek with a tight victory which saw them claim top spot ahead of Real Madridâs trip to Girona on Sunday evening.
Sergio Aguero has claimed Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona before the end of his playing career. A former teammate of the eight-time Ballon d'Or at international level, Aguero also said he hopes Messi could "play forever" and that he backs the GOAT to have an impact for defending champions Argentina at next summer's World Cup in North America.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique lavished praise on "world class" Vitinha as the Portuguese midfielder delivered one of the standout Champions League performances of the season in their 5-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Parisians twice fell behind at the Parc des Princes, but Vitinhaâs exceptional hat-trick dragged the reigning European champions over the line in a match that exploded in the second half.
Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the progress of Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, who is often compared to Barcelona's Pedri for his style in the middle of the park. La Liga giants Real Madrid are also keen on the 20-year-old, with a transfer battle expected to heat up for the Spaniard heading into the winter and summer windows.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit out at Florentino Perez after the Real Madrid chief reignited accusations over the Negreira case during his latest assembly speech. Perez linked Barcaâs historic success to payments made to the former refereeing vice-president, prompting a fierce response as Laporta accused Madrid of âobsessionâ and weekly attempts to influence referees in a fiery escalation of the long-running rivalry.
Wojciech Szczesny has lifted the lid on an emotional San Siro moment, revealing how he consoled young Barcelona defender Gerard Martin after last seasonâs Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter. The veteran goalkeeper opened up about the tearful exchange, his unexpected Barca comeback, and the physical toll of his career in a candid new interview.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has defended Lamine Yamal following a difficult Champions League performance against Chelsea, while also challenging the teenage forward to "step up" and prove his quality. Flick acknowledged the difficulty of facing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, whom he described as "one of the best in the world," but insisted that Yamal needs to lead the team's recovery from their 3-0 defeat.
Alexia Putellas has opened up about her contract situation with Barcelona, acknowledging ongoing talks while refusing to rule out a future away from the club. As Paris Saint-Germain intensify their pursuit and Barca navigate financial limitations, the Spain captainâs comments come at a crucial moment for both her career and the Catalan sideâs long-term project.
Serhou Guirassyâs future at Borussia Dortmund has taken a decisive turn as new details reveal his release clause will drop to around âŹ50 million in summer 2026, down from the âŹ75m figure once reported. With Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and other elite clubs granted exclusive access to the clause, interest is intensifying as Dortmund prepare for potential replacements.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he once broke the club's âbody fat recordâ, admitting he has always loved food and struggled to stay within strict limits at the elite level. The veteran says Robert Lewandowski jokingly mocked him over his physique, adding to a brutally honest reflection on his fitness, longevity and the pain he's endured throughout his career.