Tag: Barcelona

Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.

The federation’s medical team announced “their surprise and upset” after discovering on Monday that the 18-year-old “had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic discomfort that same morning”, a statement Tuesday said.

Yamal had been due to report for international duty on Monday for the start of the Spain team’s training camp.

“This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received… last night (Monday),” the statement added.

The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding “to release the player from the current squad” to prioritise Yamal’s “health, safety and well-being”.

The Barcelona star has been suffering from a groin problem in recent weeks and was forced to miss Spain’s final round of qualifiers in October.

Spain top Group E with a 100 percent record after four outings, and can book their spot at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the next two matchdays.

They take on Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, before welcoming Turkey to Seville on November 18.

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Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has expressed his longing to return to the iconic Camp Nou, revealing his emotional connection to the club and his wish to one day bid a proper farewell to the fans who shaped his legendary career.

The 38-year-old Argentine icon visited the newly renovated Camp Nou this week, marking his first appearance at the stadium since leaving Barcelona in 2021.

In an emotional Instagram post, Messi described the visit as a deeply nostalgic experience.

“Last night I returned to a place I deeply miss. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi said.

Messi left Barcelona after two decades when the club’s financial troubles made his contract renewal impossible.

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He later joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before moving to Inter Miami in 2023, where he continues to make an impact, most recently scoring twice to help his side advance in the MLS Cup play-offs.

During his glittering 17-year spell at Barcelona, Messi rose from a teenage prodigy to the club’s greatest-ever player, netting 672 goals in 778 appearances.

His time at the Catalan club brought an era of unprecedented success, including 10 LaLiga titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns, and three FIFA Club World Cups.

Barcelona reopened the Camp Nou on Friday after 895 days of renovation, celebrating the occasion with an open training session attended by nearly 22,000 fans.

“I hope one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I was never able to do,” Messi added in his heartfelt message.

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Robert Lewandowski hit a hat-trick to help Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday in La Liga and cut Real Madrid’s lead down to three points.

The veteran Polish striker’s treble helped Hansi Flick’s side capitalise on Los Blancos’ 0-0 draw earlier on at Rayo Vallecano.

Teenager Lamine Yamal also scored for Barca in another gripping game produced by the champions’ attacking approach, and Marcus Rashford produced two more assists.

Frenkie de Jong was sent off late on for Barcelona for two yellow cards, but by then the champions had secured their victory to move second.

Lewandowski has had a stop-start start to the season due to injury, and Flick said his hat-trick would boost his confidence.

“After the injury, I can see a different Robert Lewandowski, he’s positive, he came back very early,” Flick told reporters. “For him, for his confidence, it’s great to score three goals today.”

Lewandowski said the game was “one of the craziest” of the season, but was happy with the result.

“Vigo is always difficult for us, but now we have fewer points (between us) and Real Madrid,” Lewandowski told Movistar.

Flick insisted Barcelona would not change their style, despite some recent struggles, including a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, which led to a wild first half.

The champions nosed ahead through a Lewandowski penalty on 10 minutes after a handball, but Celta equalised a minute later.

Rashford missed a one-on-one chance and Celta broke away to score, with Sergio Carreira scampering behind Barca’s high defensive line.

Missing several injured stars, Flick had called on his team to show more fight in their absence, and they were more energised at Balaidos.

Looking back to his best, Lewandowski grabbed his second from an inviting Rashford cross to put Barca back in front on 37 minutes.

Celta quickly hit back again, this time through Borja Iglesias, who smashed home from the edge of the box.

However, Barcelona went in with the lead when Rashford’s deflected cross found teenage star Yamal, who beat Ionut Radu at his near post.

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Both teams were more stable in the second half, with Barca dominating and Celta forced to sit back.

Lewandowski completed his hat-trick with a header from Rashford’s corner after 73 minutes to wrap up the win.

It was the striker’s seventh league goal of the season in just four starts, showing his finishing quality has not diminished at the age of 37.

“We have two weeks to disconnect now but I hope when we come back we play a lot better, it’s the perfect moment to change things that aren’t working,” said Lewandowski.

“Flick asked if I needed a rest and I said no… I felt very good physically today and I’m very happy.”

Earlier, Real Madrid were left frustrated in their goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, giving champions Barcelona a chance to close in on them.

Rayo battled strongly in the derby clash, and although Real Madrid had the better chances, the hosts also had opportunities to win a scrappy game.

They managed to limit La Liga top scorer Kylian Mbappe’s influence, while keeping Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham safely at arm’s length as well.

Madrid were hoping to bounce back from their Champions League defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, but Alonso’s team dropped points for only the second time this season in the league.

“I want to keep growing, improving, with positive and constructive self-criticism — this is Real Madrid, we all know where we are and what we want,” coach Xabi Alonso told reporters.

“We’re in November, there’s a long way to go, we need to be demanding of ourselves (but) also be measured.”

Inigo Perez’s Rayo threatened first, when Andrei Ratiu fired straight at Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

After that, Madrid began to take control but the hosts, in mid-table, held firm.

Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla made a fine instinctive save to push away a Vinicius effort and the hosts starved Madrid superstar Mbappe of the ball.

De Frutos and Alvaro Garcia came close for Rayo in the second half while Bellingham forced Batalla into another good save.

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Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford struck for Barcelona as they earned a 3-1 win over Elche in La Liga on Sunday to bounce back from last weekend’s Clasico defeat.

Ferran Torres was also on target for the Catalan giants, who moved back into second place to trail leaders Real Madrid by five points.

Barcelona continued to struggle in defence, and Elche had chances to cause an upset, scoring through Rafa Mir, with the striker also twice hitting the woodwork.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive league games, amid an injury crisis.

The champions were missing Raphinha, Pedri, and Joan Garcia among others, but were able to bring on Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo following spells out of action.

Teenage star Yamal underwhelmed in last week’s defeat by Real Madrid after coming back from a groin issue, but looked more sprightly against Elche.

“We found our spirit and intensity,” Torres told DAZN. “I think we’re finding last year’s Barca, from the first minute to last we gave everything, and we’ll keep doing that.”

Coached by Eder Sarabia, a former assistant coach at Barcelona under Quique Setién, the ninth-placed visitors came to play and impressed despite the defeat.

Barcelona took the lead after nine minutes when Alejandro Balde drove forward and fed Yamal in the area.

The winger took a touch to set himself and then whipped a clinical finish past former Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

Flick said Yamal’s groin injury was still an issue that the youngster needs to work on.

“He has to train, have treatments, he has to do this, and he did it, it’s a good step forward for him,” explained Flick. “I cannot say it’s over, it’s coming and going like this, and he has to manage it.”

Three minutes later, Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage, tapping home after Fermin Lopez broke into space down the left and provided an inch-perfect cross.

Pena saved from Torres as Barcelona squandered some presentable chances to add to their lead.

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Mir, who in October was indicted for sexual assault allegations dating back to 2024, pulled a goal back shortly before half-time.

Barcelona tried to catch the forward offside, but he was in his own half when he was played in. Mir bent a shot past Ronald Araujo and Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and in at the far post.

Torres might have scored again before the interval, but Pena produced a superb save to tip his strike to safety.

Early in the second half, Mir clipped the top of the crossbar with a curling effort as Elche battled well. Rashford sealed Barca’s victory with a superb finish after Lopez picked him out with a cross, for his second league goal of the campaign.

“When you see his chances, one or two goals more would be good… but we can be happy for him,” said Flick.

Rashford admitted he could have been even more effective in the final third.

“I could have had more assists or goals; sometimes the decision-making to shoot or pass was wrong today, but I am going to have days like this,” he told the club’s streaming platform Barca One.

Veteran goalkeeper Szczesny pushed a Mir effort onto the post to save Barca, sweating over their advantage in the final stages.

“We were ourselves and the fans are proud of how we played,” said Elche coach Sarabia. “We know that it’s normal that they score goals against us, but we could have got some too.”

Elsewhere, Real Betis rose to fifth with a convincing 3-0 home win over Mallorca, inspired by Brazilian winger Antony.

The former Manchester United forward struck twice and created the third for Ez Abde as the Andalusians moved three points behind Atletico in fourth.

“Here I am very happy, I am at home,” said Antony, who flopped at Old Trafford but enjoyed a revival on loan at Betis last season before making the switch permanent.

“It was very important to win today to be up there (in the fight for the top four), we have to be patient and go game by game.”

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Vinicius Jr. will face no disciplinary action for his El Clasico substitution outburst, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso revealed on Friday.

The Brazilian remonstrated with Alonso and marched off down the tunnel after he was hauled off in the 72nd minute in last weekend’s tense 2-1 win over Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona.

The 25-year-old player issued an apology to Real fans, his teammates, the club and president Florentino Perez — but pointedly not to Alonso — in midweek.

But the Real manager assured Vinicius the affair was “over”.

He told a press conference on the eve of Valencia’s visit in La Liga: “On Wednesday, we had a meeting with all the staff, players, and Vinicius gave an impeccable speech.

“He spoke sincerely, from the heart. For me, this matter has been closed since Wednesday.”

Alonso said there would be no “reprisals” against the Brazilian forward.

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He added, “We are all in the same boat and rowing in the same direction. I think the whole team is focused on the field, which is the most important thing.”

“We are competitors, all players want to be on the pitch, and that’s a good thing. Now, we want to keep moving forward towards our goals, one match at a time.”

The Vinicius flashpoint comes with negotiations ongoing over a new contract, although his current deal does not expire until 2027.

He has weighed in with five goals this season in La Liga, although he has been replaced as the main man in the Real squad by Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman on 16 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions so far, after scoring 44 in all competitions in his first season at the club.

Real Madrid sit at the top of La Liga on 27 points, five clear of Barcelona, and hosts struggling Valencia on Saturday.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted on Monday that he did not want his grandchildren to see him behaving as he did when he was sent off after making an obscene gesture as he celebrated a late winner against Girona.

Flick had received a first yellow card on Saturday for protesting against a refereeing decision. He collected a second for gesturing with a raised finger after Ronald Araujo scored in added time to give Barcelona a 2-1 win.

The red card means Flick will be banned from the bench when second-placed Barcelona visit La Liga leaders Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico.

Flick said that his behaviour had changed since arriving in Barcelona, illustrating his point by reviving memories of one of Barcelona’s greatest humiliations when they lost 8-2 to the German’s Bayern Munich side in 2020.

“Maybe my emotions aren’t the same as before. I remember when I was coach of Bayern Munich, the footage of the match against Barca showed that I had the same reaction to the first, second, and eighth goals.

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People said I never smiled!” Flick told a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League match with Olympiacos on Tuesday.

“Right now, I’m showing more emotion, it’s true, because this club has completely changed me,” he said.

“I really love this club, I give the best of myself. And I don’t like seeing myself in this state on television either, and I don’t want my grandchildren to see their grandfather like that. So I probably have to change my behaviour.”

Some Barcelona officials criticised Saturday’s referee, Flick was more conciliatory.

The referee “decided to see it differently, and that’s something I have to accept,” he said.

Flick also refused to be drawn into responding to a question about whether officials favour Real Madrid.

“What do I say? I’ve been here for 16 months; you (journalists) have been here much longer and know more. I don’t want to say anything about it,” he said.

In addition to long-term absentees Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Flick said that forwards Raphinha and Ferran Torres were not fully fit and would miss the Champions League game in the hope that they could play in El Clasico.

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Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong signed a new deal until 2029, the Spanish champions announced on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Dutch international joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 and is in his seventh season with the Catalan giants, winning two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey twice.

De Jong has struggled for form at times, but became a key part of the midfield under Hansi Flick last season alongside Pedri Gonzalez.

Arriving under the previous Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, De Jong is one of the club’s highest earners, with Spanish media reporting he has accepted a pay cut in his new deal starting from the 2026/27 season.

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“The midfielder Frenkie de Jong has extended his deal with FC Barcelona until 2029, as on Wednesday the Dutchman signed his new contract alongside president Joan Laporta in the Club’s head offices,” the Spanish club stated in a press release.

“De Jong visited the Club offices following the day’s training session to put pen to paper in front of FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, first vice president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Soler, director of the Football Area, Anderson Luis de Souza “Deco”, football coordinator, ​​Bojan Krkic, and the rest of the members of the Sporting Commission.”

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Spanish giants FC Barcelona have unveiled a special-edition kit for the upcoming El Clasico clash against Real Madrid, featuring the logo of British singer Ed Sheeran’s latest album, Play.

The Catalan club announced the collaboration on social media with the caption, “Ed Sheeran joins Barça. It’s time to play.”

This partnership marks the latest chapter in Barcelona’s ongoing collaboration with Spotify, the club’s principal shirt sponsor, which has previously seen music icons like Drake, Rosalía, The Rolling Stones, and Karol G feature on the team’s kits for marquee matches.

Ed Sheeran s’uneix al Barça. És hora de jugar.
Barça x @spotify x @edsheeran ▶ pic.twitter.com/5TeOvvPVJx

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) October 14, 2025

The Play logo will replace Spotify’s branding during the men’s El Clasico on October 26 in Madrid, and also appear earlier when the women’s team take on Granada CF on October 19.

“Seeing my new album, Play, on the Barça shirt is one of those moments I can hardly believe,” Ed Sheeran said, while speaking about the collaboration.

“I’ve loved football my whole life, so bringing my music to such an iconic stage and sharing it with fans everywhere means a lot to me.”

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski also shared his thoughts on the collaboration.

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“Ed’s songs have been part of our dressing-room playlist for a long time, so seeing his new album on our shirt for El Clásico is really special,” he said.

“Music and football unite fans in powerful ways, and I’m proud to represent that connection on the pitch.”

The club confirmed that exclusive limited-edition jerseys featuring the Play logo will go on sale starting October 15 at Barça Stores, with pre-sales running from October 14 (10:00 p.m.) to October 15 (10:00 a.m.).

In total, 1,899 special shirts will be made available, alongside 22 signed by the players and 11 autographed by Ed Sheeran himself, making them highly sought-after collectibles for both football and music fans alike.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has urged the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to work hard on his game ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris-Saint-Germain.

The holders visit Barcelona on Wednesday, and 18-year-old winger Yamal is keen to shine after finishing as runner-up at the Ballon d’Or gala last week, behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.

Yamal returned from a groin injury on Sunday against Real Sociedad in La Liga and provided an assist a minute after coming off the bench during a bright second-half cameo.

“(Calling him) super, super, super… I don’t like this… he’s 18 years old and for me he also has to focus on working hard,” Flick told reporters.

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“It’s not always easy, with talent you can get to this point, but to reach the next level, one or two steps more — and I think he’s able to do that — he has to work hard.”

Last season, Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, but fell just short in the Champions League, beaten in the semi-finals by Inter Milan despite two sensational displays by Yamal.

Against Luis Enrique’s attacking PSG side Flick demanded Yamal and his team-mates knuckle down when the French champions are in possession.

“It’s not only about playing with the ball, it’s also defending,” continued Flick.

“This is what we need from every player — even a great player with the ball like him — and this makes the difference.”

Flick said to beat PSG, his team had to concentrate from “the first second to the end of the match” and play at their highest level.

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Headers from Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo helped Barcelona make a 3-1 comeback victory at minnows Real Oviedo on Thursday in La Liga.

The Catalans, who fell behind after a mistake from goalkeeper Joan Garcia allowed Alberto Reina to score the opener from 40 yards out, levelled through Eric Garcia early in the second half.

Substitute Lewandowski nodded Hansi Flick’s side in front, and Araujo made the game safe late on as he headed home Marcus Rashford’s corner.

Barcelona, second in the table, trail leaders Real Madrid by two points after Xabi Alonso’s side maintained their 100 percent start with a win at Levante on Tuesday.

Despite missing star winger Lamine Yamal, Barca recorded their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions without the teenager.

“In the second half, I said to my team, we have to continue, we have to play with calmness, to be convinced about playing with the ball, and we did it well,” said Flick.

Oviedo, back in Spain’s top flight for the first time since the 2000/01 campaign, lined up with 40-year-old great Santi Cazorla in midfield, making his first start of the season.

They could not contain Kylian Mbappe as Real Madrid visited the Carlos Tartiere stadium in August, but they mostly did a better job against the champions in front of a fine atmosphere.

Rashford started on the left wing after he was benched last weekend for turning up late for a team meeting, and came closest for Barcelona in the first half.

The on-loan Manchester United forward’s vicious effort was tipped away by Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell, who excelled despite the goals he conceded.

The Spanish stopper tipped away another Rashford effort from range and then thwarted the England international again from the rebound after Raphinha struck the post.

Barcelona were unsurprisingly dominant but Oviedo took the lead in the 33rd minute after a howler from visiting goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Charging out of his box, he intercepted the ball but then passed straight to Reina, who fired into the empty net from long distance.

“I saw the goalkeeper’s mistake and I went first time, and in the moment I kicked it, I saw it was good,” Oviedo midfielder Reina told DAZN. “My first in the top flight, I’ll never forget it.”

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Flick said he would not be blaming his goalkeeper too harshly.

“It’s the style that we want him to play in, and it can happen,” explained Barca’s coach. “He’s a fantastic goalkeeper… one mistake and they use it, but it’s football.”

Hansi Flick sent on Frenkie de Jong at half-time and the Dutchman helped his side click into a higher gear.

Barcelona levelled through Eric Garcia, netting from close range after Escandell saved Ferran Torres’ effort from Ronald Araujo’s cross.

Escandell continued to frustrate the visitors, saving from Raphinha and Torres, but he could not keep out Lewandowski’s header to send Barca in front.

Five minutes after being brought on the Polish veteran produced an excellent header from De Jong’s cross which cracked against the underside of the crossbar on its way in.

Jules Kounde made a vital interception at the back to help keep Barca ahead before Araujo sealed the three points in the 88th minute when he nodded Rashford’s corner beyond Escandell.

“The changes were at the right time, with Frenkie and also with Lewy,” said Flick.

Lewandowski has largely been used as a substitute this season after starting the campaign with an injury.

“I’m patient, I’m not in a hurry, the season is long and we have a lot of games,” said the 37-year-old striker.

Oviedo’s goalscorer was content, despite the defeat.

“All footballers dream of nights like this, to play against these players and with these fans,” added Reina.

“It was a nice night, which didn’t end well but we enjoyed it as much as we could.”

Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Olympic stadium, after Real Madrid visit rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday in a derby clash.

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