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Tag: Barcelona

  • I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi – Depay

    I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi – Depay

    Memphis Depay admits he’s frustrated seeing Lionel Messi leave just as he was joining Barcelona.

    Depay says he’d have liked to have been able to play with the PSG signing.

    “Maybe we will meet in a match someday,” lamented Depay. “Or maybe when he comes back? You never know. I couldn’t even say ‘hello’ to Messi.

    “He would come later because of the battle for the Copa America. And then there was that whole situation. I didn’t even have the chance to meet him.”

    On Barca coach Ronald Koeman, Depay continued: “I know what he wants from me.

    “I know what to do. There is chemistry between us and that is important. For me it is very important that clarity is given. I am a player who can create something out of nothing and needs the freedom to do that. You have to be free, free of mind.”

  • Difficult to understand Messi has left – Koeman

    Difficult to understand Messi has left – Koeman

    Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman is sorry seeing Lionel Messi leave.

    Koeman has spoken publicly about Messi’s departure. Taking to social media, he posted a thoughtful message alongside a couple of photos of the two together.

    The full message is as follows:

    “Still hard to understand that you will not play for FC Barcelona any more. Thanks for everything you have done for our club, Leo. I really enjoyed the full season we worked together. I am impressed with your work ethic and desire to win. It makes you the best player in the world. For now, I wish you and your family the best”.

  • What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained how he broke the news of Lionel Messi’s departure to the players.

    It was announced last night that Messi was leaving Barca after the collapse of contract talks.

    Laporta said: “Yesterday (Thursday) I spoke on the phone with the captains. This is a very important fact in the history of Barça. I told the players that a new stage is starting in Barca’s history and that we have to keep winning without Messi.

    “We have tried to make decisions in a fair way. I saw the faces of the players and I asked the captains to do the best. There is a very strong group. The captains must lead this new stage, welcoming young players who show great talent.

    “The squad have a strange feeling, a certain sadness, but they are professionals and they have the opportunity to show their talent to help Barça win.

    “We are going to ask for a lot of involvement. We will give everything to succeed.”

  • Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been explaining why a new contract cannot be agreed with Lionel Messi, with an all-time great preparing to sever ties with the only club side that he has represented in an iconic career.

    Laporta told a press conference: “Leo wanted to stay at Barca. We wanted him to stay.

    “I want to thank everyone that has been in the negotiations. There were lots of aspects that needed to be negotiated.

    “He is the best player in the world and has other offers, of course.

    “After all of this process, there comes a moment where you have to say ‘enough’. You have to analyse it and look at the numbers.

    “In La Liga we have to abide by the rules. We think they could be more flexible, but that is not an excuse. We couldn’t abide by it.

    “Leo deserves everything. He has proven that he loves Barca. He has his roots in Barcelona. I’m sad but I’m convinced we have done the best for the interests of Barcelona.”

    Laporta added: “Leo’s legacy is excellent, he has made history. He is the player with the most success in the history of the club. I hope we can overcome this situation.

    “A new era starts now. There will be before and after Leo, as there was with other great players in the history of Barca.”

  • BREAKING: Lionel Messi leaves FC Barcelona

    BREAKING: Lionel Messi leaves FC Barcelona

    La Liga giant FC Barcelona say Lionel Messi will not be staying at the club “because of financial and structural obstacles”.

    Messi, 34, has been a free agent since 1 July when his contract expired.

    He agreed a new deal on reduced wages with club two weeks later, but it was dependent on Barca selling players to afford his salary.

    “Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled,” the club said.

    Barcelona said Messi was poised to extend his 21-year career with the club by signing the deal on Thursday, and blame La Liga for the failure to do so.

    “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles [Spanish La Liga regulations],” the club said.

    “FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

  • Real Madrid beat Barcelona in veteran legends Clasico in Israel

    Real Madrid veterans defeated FC Barcelona veterans 3-2 at a legends El Clasico in Israel on Tuesday evening.

    Among the former stars in the game were Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Gaizka Mendieta and Deco for FC Barcelona, facing Real Madrid’s Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Ivan Campo, Alfonso Perez and Pedro Munitis.

    The match took place in front of 26,000 fans at Bloomfield Stadium in the coastal city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, in a format of 40 minutes per half.

    FC Barcelona created their first chance in the 19th minute when Ronaldinho’s shot hit the post.

    After eight minutes, the former Brazilian superstar scored from the penalty kick spot, after Antonio Nunez fouled Saviola in the box.

    Real Madrid turned the score around within four minutes at the start of the second half with goals from Munitis and Perez.

    FC Barcelona’s Jofre Mateu temporarily evened the score in the 59th minute after meeting a brilliant long pass from former another Brazilian superstar, Rivaldo.

    Ruben de la Red scored the winning goal for the Blancos in the 70th minute.

    Special guest of honour in the event was legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who arrived in Israel on behalf of Real Madrid.

    His presence was part of his role as representative and ambassador of the Spanish giants.

  • Messi accepts 50% wage cut, to sign new five-year Barcelona contract

    Messi accepts 50% wage cut, to sign new five-year Barcelona contract

    Lionel Messi will sign a new five-year contract at Barcelona and take an incredible 50 per cent wage cut, Goal can confirm.

    Messi has spent his entire career to date on Barca’s books, having initially made his debut for the club as a teenager in 2004, but dropped into the free agency pool at the start of July after reaching the end of his contract.

    The Argentine won’t be embarking on a new challenge away from Camp Nou anytime soon, though, with the Blaugrana set to announce that they have tied the six-time Ballon d’Or winner down to a fresh long-term deal.

    Messi earned a staggering €550 million (£468m/$650m) over the course of his last five-year contract at Camp Nou, which equates to around €75m (£64m/$89m) per season.

    However, Barca were unable to hand the 34-year-old similarly lucrative renewal terms after exceeding La Liga’s wage limit at the end of the 2020-21 campaign .

    League president Javier Tebas warned that the Blaugrana could not legally register Messi without significantly reducing their salary costs, with the likes of Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo, Carles Alena and Juan Miranda all subsequently sold to raise extra funds.

    Messi has also agreed to halve his yearly earnings in order to re-sign for Barca, and Goal has learned that they will formally announce his new contract in the coming weeks after a few minor details are finalised.

  • Messi for Ballon d’Or ahead of Chelsea star – Barca legend

    Messi for Ballon d’Or ahead of Chelsea star – Barca legend

    Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov believes Lionel Messi is in line to win the Ballon d’Or again.

    Speaking with TMW, Stoichkov was asked about the prospects of Chelsea’s Italy midfielder Jorginho.

    He replied: “Who can win this year? Jorginho has had a super season, but for the Ballon d’Or I don’t know if he can. Messì is there and cannot be ignored. A great season in Barcelona, with the Copa del Rey, and then the Copa America, which he had never won, won as a driver.

    “Another is (Robert) Lewandowski: last year was unfair to cancel the prize, France Football had to reward him. And then there’s (Gigio) Donnarumma, the best goalkeeper in the European Championship ”

    Asked if a goalkeeper could win, the Bulgarian added: “I don’t know, but he had an extraordinary season, not only for the penalties with Spain and England. After so many years of (Gigi) Buffon, you have found another great Gigi who will make you feel calm for a long time.”

  • Don’t compare Pedri with me – Iniesta

    Don’t compare Pedri with me – Iniesta

    Former Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta has urged fans not to compare Pedri with him.

    The Vissel Kobe star insists Pedri should be allowed to make his own way.

    Iniesta told Ibai Llanos on his Twitch channel, “I’ve never liked to compare, even though it’s inevitable. The same happened to me. The important thing is that he keeps doing what he’s doing.

    “I see him enjoying himself when he plays, he doesn’t struggle to do things, everything is done easily and he’s generous with his effort.

    “He has all the qualities, even though he is only 18. He has to keep learning and growing. He’s at a club and with the right national team to keep progressing.”

    Iniesta also celebrated Leo Messi’s Copa America triumph with Argentina: “I think for him, on a personal level, it’s a weight off his shoulders. He has finally won something with his national team after being close so many times.

    “He was impeccable at the Copa America, beyond the goals and the assists. For me, Messi is still the No.1.”

  • Barcelona sign “Austrian Messi” on loan from Rapid Vienna

    Barcelona sign “Austrian Messi” on loan from Rapid Vienna

    FC Barcelona have completed the signing of Yusuf Demir on loan from Rapid Vienna with an option to buy.

    The 18-year-old winger has earned a fine reputation at home after breaking into the Rapid Vienna team so young.

    He has been dubbed the ‘Austrian Messi’ for his style of play and stature.

    Demir will now hope to link up with Messi himself, providing the Argentina star does sign a new deal at Camp Nou.

    Barca have struck a deal to sign Demir on loan for 2021/2022 at a cost of 500,000 euros (591,000 dollars).

    The Catalan Club said they would have the option to sign him permanently for 10 million euros should he impress.

    Similarly, Demir has also agreed a new contract at Rapid Vienna until 2023.

    This means they will not lose him on a free transfer next year if Barca opt against making his switch to La Liga permanent.

    Demir’s signing falls in line with Barca’s recent transfer policy of mostly targeting young players.

    Sergino Dest, Francisco Trincao, Eric Garcia, Emerson Royal, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were brought in well before their peak.

    The low fees involved and the fact Demir will not demand exorbitant wages are both important factors given Barca’s well-publicised financial problems.

    There is also the fact they are reportedly required to slash their wage expenditure by 40 per cent in line with La Liga salary cap rules.

    “For eight years I was able to learn everything and develop myself at Rapid Vienna,” he told the Austrian club’s website. “That’s one of the reasons why I extended my contract for another year.

    “I am incredibly grateful to every supervisor, every player and everyone else. With the move to FC Barcelona, ​​an incredibly big childhood dream comes true.

    “I will be moving to my favourite club and the biggest club in the world. I came to Rapid Vienna as a small child with big dreams and I am now an incredibly grateful boy.”

    While the Austria international looks likely to initially feature more for Barcelona B, he will immediately link up with the first-team squad for pre-season training.

    This will allow him to stake his claim.