The sons of Lionel Messi have signed up with PSG’s academy.
Messi made his debut for PSG on the weekend in victory at Reims, having left Barcelona earlier in the month.
Five-year-old Mateo and eight-year-old Thiago have also joined up with the youth section.
Messi will be hoping his youngest son, Ciro, 3, can follow in their footsteps down the line.
Mateo will turn out for the U7s, while Thiago will be with the U9s or U10s, reports L’Equipe.
Atletico Madrid signing Antoine Griezmann has posted a farewell to Barcelona.
Griezmann has returned to Atletico on-loan with the option to sign permanently.
He posted to social media: “Dear supporters,
“I say goodbye to you thanking you for your love.
“I gave everything for this jersey, I got involved in this great club and I am sad not to have been able to enjoy you more in the stands, but proud to have been one of yours.”
Antoine Griezmann has rejoined Atletico Madrid from FC Barcelona on loan, just two years after leaving the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid sold France striker Griezmann to Barca for 120 million euros (140 million dollars) in 2019, yet he has never managed to recapture his best form at Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier in August might have given Griezmann the opportunity to take centre stage.
But the 30-year-old received flak from the Barca fans as Ronald Koeman’s side —— inspired by Memphis Depay —— laboured to a win over Getafe last weekend.
Koeman defended Griezmann, saying: “I don’t like it when a Barca player is whistled. Someone who works like Antoine can never be criticised.
“All the attackers can have their days, but there are games where you can’t find the space. We haven’t created opportunities for him either.”
However, LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid —— who were linked with their former talisman last month —— have now brought Griezmann back to the Spanish capital.
Griezmann has signed on loan for 2021/2022, with the deal including the option for either club to extend it for a further year.
FC Barcelona also announced there is a compulsory permanent transfer clause.
While his exit will go towards easing Barca’s financial difficulties, Atletico Madrid are bolstering an attack that already features Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Angel Correa.
They also have as well another new recruit in Matheus Cunha.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo suggested last month that fans would not forgive Griezmann for how he left for FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona had reportedly been open to offers for the forward for some time, which could have potentially allowed them to retain Messi.
Memphis Depay scored Barcelona’s winner as they beat Getafe in La Liga.
Sergi Roberto slid home the hosts’ opener from Jordi Alba’s cross after only 99 seconds.
Sandro levelled for Getafe after a one-two with Carles Alena, both former Barcelona players.
But Depay showed good skill from Frenkie de Jong’s pass before rifling into the bottom corner after half an hour for the winner in front of about 26,000 fans.
It was the first La Liga goal scored and assisted by a Dutch player since 2009.
Barcelona – who brought on 17-year-old Gavi for a second-half debut – remain unbeaten on seven points from three games. Getafe have lost all their matches.
There was a return from injury for Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who missed the opening two weeks after knee surgery.
Ronald Koeman’s Barca were far from convincing but could have won by more, with Ronald Araujo having a goal ruled out for offside and Depay volleying over.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has concerns with his oversized squad.
Barcelona have been unable to compete in the transfer market due to the financial pressures placed upon them from the previous administration, while they haven’t even been able to move on the players that they wanted to.
“It’s impossible to have 32 players in the squad,” Koeman explained in his press conference.
“I have done the coaching courses, but not with 32 players.
“The club knows who I want and with whom I want to continue working, but I respect all the players who have a contract.
“Each player knows who we have and who will have difficulties playing.”
French defender Samuel Umtiti is refusing to leave Barcelona.
Marca says the Frenchman is not willing to part ways with the Catalans.
The club have been trying for a long time to cash in on Umtiti due to his high salary and his constant injury issues, while Koeman stated in last Friday’s press conference that even if his defender stays, he will barely feature for the Blaugrana.
Following the talks Barcelona had with his agents, everything indicated that Umtiti would depart this summer, but it now seems that he will stay for at least one more season.
Barcelona provided Umtiti with several options of teams that made offers to acquire his services, but the Frenchman turned them down as he wants to continue at the Camp Nou.
Umtiti believes that he can be useful to the team and despite not being part of Koeman’s plans, his behaviour and attitude have been professional.
Yusuf Demir made his competitive Barcelona debut in their 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
During the match against Athletic Club at San Mames, Demir came off the bench to make his senior debut, becoming the youngest foreign player to play his first game for the club since Lionel Messi himself.
Demir is just 18 years and 80 days old, but he impressed in patches on debut, being introduced on the left side of attack in place of Martin Braithwaite.
Los Cules may have picked up a bargain, loaning Demir in from Rapid Vienna with the intention of using him with Barcelona B, negotiating a 10 million euro purchase option with Rapid Vienna.
His rapid progression has stunned the Catalan club and it makes that purchase option look like an exquisite piece of business.
Former Barcelona captain Xavi has admitted turning down Manchester United.
The midfielder could have swapped Spain for England much earlier in his career. The 41-year-old revealed he was once approached by Manchester United but turned them down because of his love for Barcelona.
He told The Times: “Manchester United approached me once through Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother, but my answer was very quick.”
Xavi enjoyed a 17-year playing at Barcelona, making an incredible 767 appearances with 85 goals and 185 assists. He also won 25 trophies including eight LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says he’ll be counting on Philippe Coutinho this season.
There’s been talk of Coutinho being offered to Premier League clubs this summer.
However, Koeman insists: “Philippe is not there because I think he needs another week to train with the group.
“I’m counting on him because I think he’s a great player. He can be important for Barcelona. I’m really counting on him this season.
“Coutinho can play in different positions. We lost a lot of goals with (Lionel) Messi leaving and we have to get them from others. Philippe is one of them.”
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman made an attempt to sign Tammy Abraham before his move to Roma today.
Abraham has left Chelsea in a €40m deal for Serie A side Roma and former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, but Sky Italia reports Barcelona also tried to lure the England forward to the Nou Camp this transfer window.
“It got as far as he Barca manager, Ronald Koeman, ringing up Abraham to try to convince him to move to Barcelona,” Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol told The Transfer Show.
“In the end he had spoken to Mourinho at Roma and met their general manager, and had been so impressed with what they had to say that he turned down Barca to sign for them.”
Abraham was unveiled by Roma today.