Barcelona's youth revolution is moving so fast that even their own veterans are struggling to keep up. Defender Pau Cubarsí has opened up about the surreal moment a starstruck Robert Lewandowski questioned his birth certificate, while also lifting the lid on the brutal banter inside the Camp Nou dressing room - from training ground humiliations by Lamine Yamal to a fast-food nickname earned after a nasty injury.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has received a massive boost ahead of Monday evening's La Liga clash against Girona at Montilivi. Influential winger Raphinha has been officially passed fit to return after missing the last three matches with an adductor injury. However, the news is not all positive, as Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a knee issue. The Blaugrana are looking to bounce back from a heavy Copa del Rey defeat and reclaim the top spot from Real Madrid.
Lionel Scaloni's plan to stop Lamine Yamal in La Finalissima has been revealed as Spain gear up to take on Argentina in Qatar. The European champions will take on the Copa America winners in Qatar next month in the pre-World Cup meeting in the national team equivalent of the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup. The game will see the Barcelona wonderkid come up against Lionel Messi for the first time.
Aymeric Laporte admits that “everyone is afraid” of Spain international team-mate Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona wonderkid having rivals running scared. At just 18 years of age, the teen sensation continues to see his stock soar. He has earned another comparison to Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi, with their dribbling ability considered to occupy a similar talent pool.
Roony Bardghji is finding out the hard way that life at the top of the European game can be as cruel as it is rewarding. The Swedish sensation, who arrived in Catalonia with a burgeoning reputation as one of the continent's most exciting young attackers, has once again drifted into the shadows at Barcelona. Despite a packed schedule that has seen the Blaugrana navigate a relentless run of fixtures across La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cups, Roony has found himself surplus to requirements in Hansi Flick's immediate tactical setup.
Barcelona's players shared their concerns with manager Hansi Flick about his tactics in the wake of their 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The result leaves the Blaugrana with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg of the tie at Camp Nou in March, and the players have called on the manager to make changes to his system.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was ridiculed by Diego Simeone during the Blaugrana’s disastrous Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid. Hansi Flick’s side, who sit top of the Liga table, found themselves four goals down by half-time in the first leg of an epic cup clash at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Simeone took great delight in reminding Yamal of the scoreline.
Barcelona were thumped 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, as Diego Simeone's side ran riot against a truly dismal Blaugrana side. Hansi Flick's high line was exposed routinely and ruthlessly throughout a night that the Metropolitano faithful could barely believe.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has issued a defiant message to Barcelona, ruling out a summer exit for star forward Julian Alvarez. The Argentine World Cup winner has emerged as a top target for the Catalan giants as they hunt for Robert Lewandowski’s long-term successor, but the capital club have made it clear that their record signing is not for sale under any circumstances.
Robert Lewandowski is facing a defining moment in his illustrious career as his Barcelona contract nears its expiration. The Polish striker has reportedly received offers from Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, among others, but is holding off on a decision until the club's presidential elections are concluded in March.
The Dikwena Tša Meetse skipper has likened his side's league woes to slumps in form and fortune, endured by some of the biggest clubs in world football, but is confident that if they continue to put in the hard work off the pitch, then the results on it will come.
Rene Meulensteen claims Marcus Rashford could still return to Manchester United despite his spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. The former coach insists the forward remains 'Red' at heart and suggests that the changing landscape at Old Trafford could open the door for a sensational homecoming, provided honest conversations are held between the player and the club.
The Metropolitano pitch has become a major talking point ahead of Atletico Madrid's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Barcelona. "Honestly, it's not in good condition," Koke admitted after Sunday's home defeat to Real Betis. "We slip, the turf comes up. Clearly, we have to play better, so it's not an excuse, but we're expected to perform at a high level and we need a pitch of that same quality to be able to do so."
Real Madrid and UEFA have announced that they have ended their legal dispute over the proposed Super League. The Spanish giants were the only club still signed up to the failed project, as Barcelona withdrew their support last week.
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has fuelled talk that the Catalan giants could move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez in the summer transfer window. Hansi Flick's side are expected to be in the market for a new No. 9 to replace Robert Lewandowski, and Alvarez has been mentioned as a transfer target. Araujo has given his verdict on the Argentina star and thinks he's one of the best around.
Ronald Araujo has revealed his struggle with mental health, admitting he played through depression and anxiety for over a year before reaching a breaking point. The Barcelona defender, who recently returned to action after a spiritual retreat, says he has "hit rock bottom" and come back stronger, urging others to seek professional help when the pressure becomes too much to handle alone.
Barcelona have been dealt a severe injury blow ahead of their crucial Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, with Marcus Rashford officially ruled out of the tie. The England international suffered a knock to his left knee during the weekend's La Liga victory over Mallorca and has failed to recover in time for the trip to the Spanish capital.
Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has launched a scathing attack on Joan Laporta, describing the broken relationship with Lionel Messi as "unforgivable" while promising a "three-pronged" offensive to bring the Inter Miami star back. The opposition leader claims to have knowledge that the Argentine legend would be open to a sensational return if the conditions were right.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he "doesn't have the genius" of fellow footballing greats such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario by former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello. The Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar is still going strong at the age of 41, and remains on track to score 1,000 career goals before he retires, but has been told he's still not one of the very best.
Neymar and Santos have sent signed No.10 shirts to Lionel Messi and his sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, highlighting the two stars' favoured shirt number. The duo starred together at Barcelona and later linked up again at French giants Paris Saint-Germain and they have remained good friends ever since. A social post from Santos praised both Messi and Neymar alongside all-time Brazil great Pele.
Lionel Messi had to “score all the time” at Barcelona or he “wasn’t happy”, a former team-mate of the Argentine GOAT has revealed. World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti worked with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at Camp Nou and got to witness up close the relentless drive that carries the very best in the business to the top of the global game.