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Showing posts from October, 2017

Barcelona news: Neymar makes huge Lionel Messi claim about Kylian Mbappe

NEYMAR has suggested Kylian Mbappe can become Paris Saint-Germain’s very own Lionel Messi. PSG kept up their 100% record in the Champions League last night with a 4-0 win away at Anderlecht. And both Mbappe and Neymar got on the scoresheet with Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria grabbing the other two. Mbappe scored the opening goal of the night after just three minutes and created history by finding the net. He is now the highest scoring teenager in Champions League history with eight goals - a feat that has never been reached by anyone under the age of 20 in the competition. I hope for Mbappé to be what Messi was for me at Barcelona... he is my friend Neymar And Brazil international Neymar was full of praise for the teenager, claiming he wants to build a similar relationship with the former Monaco star to the bond he had with Messi at Barcelona. "I hope for Mbappé to be what Messi was for me at Barcelona... he is my friend,” Neymar said. Mbappe now has four ...

Champions League: Five talking points from Barcelona 3-1 Olympiacos

What was Pique thinking? Although it was a good win for Barcelona,  it was a really poor night for Gerard Pique, who picked up his first ever red card (in 92 appearances) in the Champions League. There was a warning early on when he was yellow carded after just 11 minutes for a cynical foul on Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. Shortly before half-time he was given his marching orders, after handling the ball over the line from a Gerard Deulofeu cross. Pique went into the game with five yellows from nine matches this season, all of which have been picked up in the first half, and it’s not his first for handball. The defender protested to the officials, but it was absolutely the right call, and it went on to cost Deulofeu as he was substituted at half-time for Javier Macherano. Was Valverde’s half-time substitution the right call? Which brings us neatly on to our second point, was Valverde right to take off Deulofeu for Mascherano at half-time? Deulofeu was actually one of Barc...

Liverpool FC star Philippe Coutinho promised a January move to FC Barcelona

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has reportedly been promised a winter move to join Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo. Coutinho failed to complete a high profile move to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window despite huge bids from the Catalan giants but nonetheless, the Brazilian international could still join the Spanish giants in January. Recent reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo state that Liverpool had promised Coutinho a January move to join Barcelona in order to keep the playmaker happy and motivated for the season. However, this alleged promise makes little sense as it will not be in the best interest for both teams involved to complete the transfer as big as this in January due to various reasons. From Barcelona’s point of view, the Brazilian will be cup-tied in the Champions League, which means there will be little value in signing a player they cannot feature in their most important competition. In terms of Liverpool’s perspective, it...

Barcelona to sell naming rights to stadium to pay Messi $149m bonus

Lionel Messi's 'signing bonus' for staying at Barcelona could be as high as a record-breaking £80million ($149m) and the club hope to have a naming-rights sponsor for the Nou Camp as early as next season to help them pay for it. It is normal for clubs to add a signing-on fee or a renewal bonus in contracts but Messi's - estimated to be between £79m and £85m - is believed to be the highest ever. In a special report in Catalan paper L'Ara this week it was claimed Barcelona's wage bill as a percentage of overall revenue is now at 84 per cent, up to £430m, although Messi's contract sweetener is not included in that figure because it's a bonus payment spread across the years of his new deal and not paid as part of his wage. Barca are hopeful of announcing a new Nike deal next year as they try to further boost revenue to meet the wages and bonuses bill and the Nou Camp could have a sponsor's name added to it for the new season. Work on the 'Ne...

Lionel Messi: Argentina hero already back at Barcelona

Messi scored a stunning hat-trick to rescue Argentina from World Cup humiliation. The national side risked failing to qualify for the World Cup and needed to beat Ecuador away to secure progression. And Messi rose to the occasion with three goals after Argentina went one down. But the Barcelona star has wasted little time celebrating with his international team-mates. Spanish newspaper Sport  pictured the player arriving at Barcelona Airport late on Wednesday evening. Argentina’s clash with Ecuador only ended around 2.30am UK time on Wednesday morning. Discussing the match, Messi said afterwards: “It was the fear of being knocked out, that would have been crazy for Argentina, for us and for everyone. “Obviously there was the fear, but today we knew how to play. "It was the fear that saved us. We had missed opportunities ourselves. “It was the fear of being left out (of Russia). It would have been crazy, not just for me, I don’t know how I’d have reacted, but...

Lionel Messi influence ensures Barcelona ace rejected move to PL giants

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba reportedly turned down a move to join Manchester United, and it’s fair to say he’s got a good reason behind his decision. The 28-year-old has established himself as a key figure at the Nou Camp since joining the club from Valencia in 2012, making 208 appearances for the Catalan giants in all competitions. In that time, he’s won three La Liga titles, a Champions League trophy, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup, so he’s enjoyed a pretty decent spell in Catalonia. According to Don Balon , as re-reported by The Epress,  Man Utd were keen on him this past summer with Jose Mourinho looking to address his issues at left-back with the likes of Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind failing to nail down a permanent spot in the line-up. However, not only did Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde shut down the possibility of Alba leaving, but it’s added by Don Balon that the Spanish international himself didn’t want to depart as he preferred ...

Rumors: Barcelona want Sane & Ozil and Yerry Mina, Ferran Torres & Vermaelen latest

Barcelona want Sane. Today we start with a fairly entertaining update from El Gol digital  who write that Barcelona’s latest top target is none other than Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. The Blaugrana are apparently preparing an offer of €120 million for the Germany international next summer. Sane is viewed as being a player capable of ultimately replacing Lionel Messi  but in the meantime would form part of a new-look attack alongside the Argentine and Ousmane Dembele. Barca still want Ozil & so do Manchester United Over at Goal,   the news is that Mesut Ozil remains a top target for both Barcelona and Manchester United. Ozil is interested in joining either club, and seems set to leave Arsenal, with his contract due to expire next summer. Barca are said to be tempted by Ozil as he is a far cheaper option to Philippe Coutinho, although there is apparently still hope he could remain with the Gunners. Valencia increase Ferran Torres’ release claus...

MIDFIELDER INIESTA SIGNS LIFETIME CONTRACT WITH FC BARCELONA

Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta on Friday signed a lifetime contract with Catalan football giants FC Barcelona, ending the speculation that surrounded his future with the club he joined when he was 12 years old.   "This is a very special day for me, simply because it means I'm staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for this club. It's where I have grown and developed," Iniesta said at a press conference after signing the contract.   "It makes me very happy to know that the club has given me this opportunity. I have always been convinced of my love for Barçelona and I know that I could never be anywhere better then here," he added.   Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, for his part, said "the club has grown through this agreement because after 118 years of history it's the first time we have ever offered a footballer a lifelong contract. This is a reward for Andrés' exceptional career....