Lamine Yamal scored two brilliant goals and Raphinha equalled a long-standing Lionel Messi goalscoring record as Barcelona secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday. The emphatic win means the Catalan side have opened up a crucial three-point gap at the top of the LaLiga table following Real Madrid's shock defeat against Real Betis on Friday.
Raphinha has officially made history by becoming the first Brazilian player to be named as the permanent captain of Barcelona. Following the departures of key leadership figures, manager Hansi Flick and the first-team squad have chosen the in-form attacker to wear the armband and lead the reigning Spanish champions throughout the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
Marc Casado has completed a late summer loan move to Deportivo de A Coruna, but the midfielder has already caused a stir with his initial assessment of his new surroundings. The La Masia graduate, who found himself surplus to requirements under Hansi Flick, was caught on camera making a bold comparison between the newly-promoted side and his parent club.
Barcelona have reportedly unveiled their five-man leadership group for the 2026-27 campaign, marking a new era at the Catalan club. Hansi Flick has reshuffled the pack following notable summer departures, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal notably stepping into a formal captaincy role alongside the likes of Raphinha and Pedri.
Barcelona have been rocked by a late fitness scare as Lamine Yamal was reportedly a notable absentee from the club's final training session on Saturday. The 19-year-old winger is now a major doubt for the Blaugrana's upcoming La Liga trip to face Valencia at Mestalla.
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