Marc Guehi is reportedly being pursued by five Champions League clubs this winter, with the Crystal Palace captain eligible for pre-contract talks with foreign outfits from January 1. The 25-year-old has already informed Palace that he will not sign a new deal, paving the way for a summer exit after being linked with Liverpool last summer.
Hansi Flick has praised former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, calling him one of the best players of the last decade. The German coach added that he has always enjoyed watching Messi play. When asked about the possibility of Messi returning to the club, Flick gave a cheeky reply, noting that his own contract with Barcelona ends before Messi’s contract with Inter Miami, insisting that the decision is not in his hands.
Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has warned emerging superstar Lamine Yamal about the inevitable "downsides" of football stardom, such as injuries and pressure. While praising the teenage winger as a "truly special player," Rakitic emphasised the importance of Yamal following his own path rather than being compared to club legends.
Barcelona’s long-awaited Camp Nou return has been anything but calm. Hansi Flick welcomes the timely comebacks of Raphinha and goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but the uncertainty around Marcus Rashford's illness, and Frenkie de Jong's suspension casts a shadow over a crucial weekend. With Pedri still monitored closely, Barca step into their homecoming fighting fitness as much as form.
Former Germany defender Jerome Boateng has started training with Hansi Flick and Barcelona as he aims to to complete practical requirements for his coaching license. The recently-retired player saw a planned internship at former club Bayern Munich cancelled following vocal fan protests regarding his conviction for domestic assault.
Former Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has expressed his admiration for international team-mate Luka Modric, stating that AC Milan are not aware of how lucky are to have the Real Madrid legend in their squad. Rakitic described Modric as a "unique, special" player whose approach to football is "admirable," urging football fans universally to appreciate the 40-year-old's enduring quality.
Barcelona enter a decisive moment in their season with uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford, who left training for the second consecutive day due to a severe flu, casting doubt over his availability for the highly-anticipated return to Camp Nou against Athletic Bilbao. As Hansi Flick’s side prepares for their long-awaited homecoming, crucial injury boosts and a renewed push for confidence shape the narrative ahead of a demanding run.
Barcelona have reiterated their stance on a loan transfer for Lionel Messi, with club president Joan Laporta saying such a deal is "not realistic". He has also suggested that those clinging to the dream of seeing the Argentine GOAT return to Catalunya in a playing capacity "live in the past", with La Liga's champions having moved on from their most iconic No.10.
Hansi Flick admits his Barcelona team are lacking in the confidence required to challenge for all titles this season, but remains convinced “everything will be fine” as key players - Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Joan Garcia, and Raphinha - are nearing returns from various injuries. With nine games coming up in the next four weeks, the revival of his squad could not come at a better time.
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has declared his ambition to win "everything," including the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or, after receiving the Di Stéfano Award for the best player of the 2024-25 season by Marca. The 18-year-old star, who recently returned to partial training after a pubalgia issue, also expressed his excitement for Barcelona's historic return to Camp Nou against Athletic Club.
Barcelona's famed La Masia academy has long been the envy of every other top club in Europe, and for good reason. It has forged dozens of legends over the last 46 years, from Pep Guardiola and Albert Ferrer, to Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and a certain Lionel Messi. Every generation produces multiple superstars, with Lamine Yamal leading the current crop after bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old.
Barcelona’s long-awaited return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou will feature a secret ceremonial kick-off and multiple performances for the reopening against Athletic Club. With 45,000 fans expected, Barca promise surprises as the stadium comes back to life after 909 days away.
Lionel Messi will forever be held in the highest regard at Barcelona, but that does not mean that the Liga giants will be changing the branding of their stadium in order to pay homage to the Argentine icon. Messi, who is currently in MLS with Inter Miami, has admitted that he intends to return to Catalunya at some stage. There are, however, no plans for Camp Nou to take his name.
Karl Etta Eyong has been backed for a potential transfer to Barcelona, with the Cameroonian coach Marc Brys praising the Levante striker’s qualities. Viewed as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski, Eyong has impressed in La Liga and is now attracting interest from top European clubs.
Lamine Yamal is racing against time as Barcelona build a detailed recovery plan to get him ready for the upcoming Champions League showdown against Chelsea. The 18-year-old has been sidelined by a painful pubalgia issue, forcing him out of Spain duty and limiting his training load. Barca insist they won’t rush him, but optimism is growing after he partially returned to group training this week.
Jordi Alba has rubbished comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, claiming that Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer “has no rival”. Teenage wonderkid Yamal has been thrust into an obvious debate ever since he stepped out of the La Masia academy system. He has become a global superstar in his own right, but there will never be another Messi.
Thibaut Courtois admits that Lamine Yamal “lit a bit of a fire” under the latest Clasico clash between arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Said contest took place at Santiago Bernabeu on October 26. Ugly scenes unfolded at the end of a 2-1 victory for the hosts, with teenage wonderkid Yamal attracting plenty of attention during the post-match skirmishes.
Lionel Messi has sent another “we’ll be back” message to Barcelona after being crowned the “most beloved player” in the club’s history. The Argentine superstar has been awarded that honour following a supporter vote. He feels proud to have received such a title, given the calibre of talent that he was up against, and remains determined to head back to Catalunya at some stage.
Chelsea could hand Lauren James her first start of the season when they face Barcelona in their Women’s Champions League clash, though Sam Kerr will remain unavailable despite her return to action earlier in the campaign. James, who has been slowly building back towards match readiness after an ankle injury, has been named in contention for Thursday night’s heavyweight contest.
Barcelona reportedly asked star striker Robert Lewandowski to "stop scoring goals" at the end of his first season with Barcelona for a bizarre reason. A newly published biography has thrown the Blaugrana back under the microscope, revealing an extraordinary episode that took place behind the scenes during the closing stretch of the 2022-23 La Liga season.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has hit out at Real Madrid for hosting an NFL game at the Santiago Bernabeu, accusing the club of hypocrisy after leading the protest against Barcelona’s proposed league fixture against Villarreal in Miami. Tebas said Madrid fought the idea 'as a crusade of integrity," yet welcomed the NFL to their iconic stadium.
Real Madrid’s teen sensation Franco Mastantuono has weighed into the GOAT debate and risked the wrath of the Bernabeu faithful by claiming former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi deserves that title, not Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi and Ronaldo have traded titles and accolades at the world’s biggest clubs and at international tournaments for years, but Mastantuono believes his Argentina colleague has the edge as the finest player in history.
It’s exactly twenty years since Ronaldinho's masterclass in El Clasico, where his two stunning solo goals helped Barcelona to a memorable 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian superstar's performance was so impressive that he even received a standing ovation from the Real Madrid faithful. Now, Marcus Rashford is leading the promotional material for the release of Barca's 2025-26 fourth kit to celebrate that momentous victory.
Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has promised that the first thing he will do if he defeats current incumbent Joan Laporta is to call Lionel Messi. The Argentine recently returned to the under-construction Camp Nou, fuelling speculation about a possible move back to the club. Font added that he would like Messi back at Barcelona in any capacity.
Barcelona have received a major lift in their season after UEFA approved their request to return to Camp Nou for the Champions League. The iconic stadium has been closed for major refurbishment since 2023, forcing the team to play at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. The original return target was late 2024, but construction delays pushed the schedule back several times.
Franco Mastantuono has admitted that Lamine Yamal is currently winning the battle of the Clasico teenagers, but warns he is still developing following his arrival from River Plate in the summer. The Argentine has now spoken openly about his struggles with the pubalgia injury that has disrupted him in recent weeks and has also been troubling Barcelona’s Yamal.
Barcelona
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