Tag: Barcelona

Barcelona will use the tiny Johan Cruyff stadium at their training ground to host Valencia in La Liga on Sunday, with the Spotify Camp Nou not yet licensed to reopen amid a rebuild.

The Spanish champions had hoped to play before a reduced crowd at their Camp Nou home, as construction continues, but have not acquired the correct permits to do so.

“The club is working intensively to obtain the necessary administrative permits to open Spotify Camp Nou in the coming weeks,” said the club in a statement.

“Barcelona thanks its members, fans, and supporters for their understanding and support during such a complex and exciting process as the return to the new Spotify Camp Nou.”

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The Johan Cruyff Stadium, where Barca’s women’s team regularly plays, holds around 6,000 spectators.

Barcelona closed the Camp Nou for building work at the end of the 2022/23 season, aiming to partially reopen the stadium in November 2024.

They played their home matches at the Olympic stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill until the end of last season, as the return date was repeatedly pushed back because of delays in construction and problems obtaining licenses.

A concert from American Rapper Post Malone on Friday at the Olympic Stadium means Barcelona cannot return there this weekend.

Barcelona is estimated to be paying 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) for the Camp Nou rebuild, which is due to be completed in 2026.

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Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona completed their pre-season preparations by thrashing Italian side Como 5-0 on Sunday in a game which signalled a thawing of relations with goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Barcelona also gave Marcus Rashford a substitute appearance two weeks after the England forward joined on loan from Manchester United.

Double strikes from Fermín Lopez and Lamine Yamal and a first-half goal from Brazilian Raphinha completed the rout in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium within the team’s training complex, while Barcelona wait for the heavily delayed modernisation of the Camp Nou to be completed, Hansi Flick’s team showed fluency as they prepare to begin their Liga title defence away to Mallorca on Saturday.

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Before kickoff on Sunday, Ter Stegen gave the traditional captain’s speech from the pitch, just days after his dispute with the club over the handling of his back injury broke to the surface.

“I think it was important to resolve the issue between the club and me, and now it’s time to look forward,” said the 33-year-old German goalkeeper, two days after having the captaincy restored.

“We’re going to fight again for all the trophies and we hope that with your help we can win all the titles possible,” Marc-Andre Ter Stegen told the fans.

Rashford suffered mixed fortunes, providing the cross for Raphinha to score but also blowing the chance to tap into an empty net.

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Barcelona on Friday reinstated goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as captain after resolving a dispute over the German’s fitness.

The club had started disciplinary action on Tuesday and stripped Ter Stegen of the club captaincy on Thursday over a row concerning his fitness after he underwent back surgery at the end of July.

Local media reported that the 33-year-old had refused to cooperate and release his medical details, so the club tried to have him classified by La Liga as a long-term injury, which would allow Barcelona to deduct part of his pay from their official wage bill.

But in a late-night statement, Barcelona reported the player had signed the necessary paperwork.

“The disciplinary file is considered closed and the player regains the first team captaincy with immediate effect,” Barca added.

Earlier Friday, Ter Stegen had taken to social media to defend himself.

“In recent weeks, many things have been said about me – some of them entirely unfounded,” he wrote on Instagram. “Therefore, I feel it is necessary to express my version of events respectfully, yet clearly.”

“I am fully willing to collaborate with the club’s management to resolve this matter and to provide the requested authorisation,” Ter Stegen wrote.

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With the new Liga season approaching, Barcelona are again struggling to satisfy Spanish financial fair play rules. If they cannot, they may not be able to register new players.

Ter Stegen said if the club was in a financial bind, it should not blame his back problems.

“I would also like to clarify that all of the club’s signings and contract renewals were completed prior to my surgery,” he wrote.

“The decision to undergo surgery was fully approved by the club, and always with the intention of prioritising my health and long-term sporting career, which of course are fully aligned with those of FCB, to have myself available on the pitch as soon as possible to keep winning trophies.”

He added that his new surgery should not interfere with the “registration of other colleagues whom I greatly respect and look forward to share locker room with for many seasons”.

“My commitment to these colors remains absolute.”

Ter Stegen’s place is under threat from one of the summer signings, 24-year-old Joan Garcia, and 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, the Polish veteran who has been rewarded with a contract extension for taking over during last season’s Liga title-winning campaign.

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Barcelona on Thursday said they had stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captain’s armband in a continuing dispute over the German goalkeeper’s fitness status.

“As a consequence of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against player Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and until such proceedings are definitively resolved, the club… has decided to temporarily remove him as captain of the first football team,” Barca said in a statement.

They said vice-captain Ronald Araujo, a Uruguayan defender, would take over.

According to local media, the dispute centres on 33-year-old Ter Stegen’s refusal to cooperate with an attempt to have him classified by La Liga as a long-term injury case, which would allow the club to deduct part of his pay from their official wage bill.

With the new Liga season approaching, Barcelona are again struggling to satisfy Spanish financial fair play rules. If they cannot, they may not be able to register new players.

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The club plans to partly reopen its expensively renovated Camp Nou stadium this month.

After two seasons marred by injury, Ter Stegen decided to undergo back surgery at the end of July.

He has refused to sign a form releasing his medical data to La Liga, preventing Barcelona’s attempt to have him officially declared a long-term absentee.

His place is under threat from one of the summer signings, 24-year-old Joan Garcia, and 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, the Polish veteran who has been rewarded with a contract extension for taking over during last season’s Liga title-winning campaign.

The German goalkeeper, the last remaining member of Luis Enrique’s 2015 European champion team, faces heavy penalties under La Liga regulations, including the termination of his contract.

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Spanish champions Barcelona loaned Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford on Wednesday with a future purchase option.

“Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026,” announced the La Liga champions in a statement.

“The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward.”

Barcelona are paying around 75 percent of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wage ($435,000) while he is at the club, with the player foregoing the rest, according to Spanish reports.

The 27-year-old England international was out of favour under Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim and spent the final months of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa.

Rashford, who made his United debut in 2015, became an outcast at Old Trafford, with Amorim publicly doubting his commitment and desire.

In May, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Marcus Rashford and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz were “fantastic players” amid transfer links to both, with the club keen to reinforce on the left flank.

Last season, the Catalans were irresistible in attack, winning a domestic treble, but had little in the way of back-up for key wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Rashford could also offer cover for veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August.

Barcelona had hoped to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams to play on the left wing, but the Spaniard signed a new deal at the San Mames.

Rashford, who came through Manchester United’s academy, last played for the Premier League club in December, scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils.

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At Aston Villa, he managed four goals in 17 games before a hamstring injury cut his season short in April.

Rashford was criticised by former Manchester United great Teddy Sheringham after trying to make the Barcelona switch happen in recent weeks.

“From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that’s a step up that he hasn’t deserved,” Sheringham told SkyBet.

Manchester United plan to sign several more players this summer, including Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho.

Barcelona had trouble registering signings last season with La Liga, including midfielder Dani Olmo, and, according to reports, may need to find ways to balance the books before registering Rashford and their first summer arrival, goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Few British players have joined Barcelona since the 1980s, when Gary Lineker, Steve Archibald, and Mark Hughes all played for the club.

Current Bristol City midfielder Marcus McGuane signed for Barcelona’s reserve team in 2018, making one appearance for the first team as a substitute in the Catalan Super Cup before leaving in 2019 on loan to Telstar and eventually joining Nottingham Forest.

In the summer of 2019, Louie Barry moved to Barca’s youth academy from West Bromwich Albion but departed for Aston Villa in January 2020.

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Barcelona abandoned their plan to return to their Camp Nou home in August on Friday, pushing the stadium’s re-opening back further.

The Catalan giants had planned to play a friendly match on August 10 as the first game in their stadium after two years of construction work, but blamed difficulty in obtaining a license to partially open the stadium for their decision.

“Barcelona informs that the first match back at the Spotify Camp Nou has been suspended,” said the club in a statement.

“Because of the magnitude of the work done, it was impossible to meet all the requirements demanded by the regulations governing the granting of the first occupancy license, despite the club’s willingness to open Spotify Camp Nou in sections.”

The first match at the Camp Nou is now set to be the La Liga game against Valencia on September 13 or 14, with Barca’s first three league matches away from home.

However, Barcelona did not state whether they can guarantee they will be able to open the stadium for the fixture, or potentially a home Champions League tie before then.

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Barca said the friendly they had planned, reported to be against Italian side Como, will take place instead at the Johan Cruyff stadium beside their training ground.

Barcelona have played at the Olympic Stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill over the past two seasons during the development at the Camp Nou.

The club initially planned to return to their home ground in November 2024 to mark the club’s 125th anniversary, but the stadium’s opening has been repeatedly delayed.

Capacity at the Camp Nou will be around 60,000 until works are eventually completed, planned to be next summer, with the stadium expanded to 105,000 seats.

Barcelona are estimated to be paying 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) for the Camp Nou rebuild project.

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Young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal inherited the club’s iconic number 10 shirt, previously worn by all-time great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday.

“Messi made his path and I will make mine,” Yamal told reporters at an event at the club shop at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.

“I will work as hard as I can, give everything, and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home.”

The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club’s La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.

He signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2031 in May, becoming one of the best-paid players at the club.

“I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true,” continued Yamal, who said he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants, and also the World Cup with Spain.

Lamine Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt.

“Barca is my life, I’ve been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia, their dream is to make it to the first team, and I’m doing it and I have to keep working,” said Yamal.

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“When I was little, I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number.”

After a season wearing the 27, last summer Yamal followed in Messi’s footsteps by taking the number 19, which the Argentine wore at the club between 2005 and 2008.

Ansu Fati inherited Messi’s number 10 shirt in 2021, when the legendary Argentinian left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Beset by a series of injuries, Fati was unable to fulfill his potential at Barca and signed on loan for Monaco earlier in July.

Other star names, including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo, have worn the Barcelona number 10 shirt in the past.

“(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club,” said Yamal.

“I am grateful for what they gave the club, and I will try to continue this legacy.”

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Barcelona announced on Wednesday their long-awaited return to the new Camp Nou for an August 10 friendly after years of work to expand and modernise the iconic stadium.

The traditional pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy match will only mark the stadium’s partial reopening, with construction work continuing in various areas, the current Spanish champions said in a statement.

This includes the completion of the new third tier, the dual VIP ring, the roof installation, interior spaces and development of the stadium’s surrounding area.

The Catalan giants have not confirmed the initial capacity, but local media reported that the available stands can hold 35,000 fans.

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“Barcelona takes a symbolic and emotional step into the future, reclaiming its home in a new era that will culminate with the complete inauguration of the new stadium,” the club said.

Barca will have another month to continue work on the stadium after requesting to play their first three La Liga games of the upcoming season away from home.

After suffering several delays since beginning in 2023, the project dubbed “Espai Barca” is due to finish in the summer of 2026 and boost the capacity of the Camp Nou to 105,000.

Barcelona have, in the meantime, played their home games at the smaller Montjuic Olympic stadium.

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Barcelona winger Raphinha signed a contract extension until 2028 on Thursday after a spectacular season.

The Brazilian, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2027, was vital as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

“Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract, which will link him to the club until June 30, 2028,” said the Catalan giants in a statement.

Raphinha, a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 matches across all competitions.

The 28-year-old is the joint top goalscorer in the Champions League with 13, but Barcelona were knocked out in a thrilling semi-final tie against Inter Milan.

He netted a hat-trick in Barca’s group stage win over Bayern Munich and a brace in the recent Clasico win over Real Madrid, which took Barca to the verge of their La Liga conquest.

Raphinha’s contract renewal follows coach Hansi Flick’s on Wednesday, with the German penning a new deal until 2027.

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Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, 17, is also expected to sign a new contract in the coming weeks.

His agent Jorge Mendes told reporters “he will renew (his deal) soon”, after having lunch with Yamal on the outskirts of Barcelona on Thursday.

Raphinha and Yamal have been devastating on the flanks for Barcelona, either side of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Catalans have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga matches and are hoping to pass a century on Sunday when they visit Athletic Bilbao in the last match of the season.

Raphinha arrived in 2022 from Leeds United for around £55 million ($74 million) and helped Barcelona win La Liga in his first season.

However, he came close to leaving the club after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, but was convinced to stay by Flick.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has extended his contract until June 2027, the Spanish champions said Wednesday.

The German-led Barca to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in his first year at the helm.

“Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract which will tie him to the club until 30 June 2027,” said Barcelona in a statement.

Flick replaced Xavi Hernandez after Barcelona finished last season without a trophy and has made a quick impact in Catalonia.

The former Bayern Munich and German national team coach originally signed a deal until 2026.

Flick’s Barca have thrilled both in Spain and in the Champions League, where they reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by Inter Milan in a blockbuster tie.

The Catalans have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga matches on the way to winning the title, with the final game of the season on Sunday at Athletic Bilbao.

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A young Barca side, led by a swashbuckling attacking trio of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and veteran Robert Lewandowski, have restored their reputation on the European stage after years of struggle.

Flick continued his own strong record in finals, with victories over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals extending his record to seven won from seven played, five of those with Bayern.

“The excitement that the German has brought to the club in his first year in charge has made Barcelona a feared opponent once again in Europe,” continued the club in their statement.

“Flick has won 43 of the 54 games he has been in charge, a win rate of 73 percent, the best in a first season since Luis Enrique recorded 83 percent.”

Barcelona were not widely considered favourites to win the league after last year’s La Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid signed French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

However although the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has netted 41 goals, Madrid finish the season without a major trophy.

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