Barcelona gave Sergio Busquets a well-deserved send off in a special ceremony at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
The whole first-team squad were in attendance, along with the coaching staff and president Joan Laporta.
Old friends Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol also arrived, while there were video messages from Luis Enrique, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta among others.
Lionel Messi also sent a video message and said it was a privilege to have played with Busquets at Barcelona.
“Hi Busi. My apologies, I can’t be there. All these years you gave so much to the club,”he said.
“It was an honor to spend so many years with you, to share moments on and off the pitch. I wish you all the very best to you and your family. I love you.
Guardiola also said goodbye but is looking forward to meeting Busquets again if he heads into management once his playing days are over.
“Congratulations for your career as this club we love so much,” he said. “I know you’ll soon be a coach some time. I challenge you to be on the bench. We’ll be face to face. You’ll have no chance! Just know that I’ll take the ball away from you and that I’ll mark your midfield.”
And perhaps the most emotional moment was the message to Busquets from his Elena Galera that left the Barca captain wiping away the tears.
“He always wants to help, always wants to think about others,” she said.
“In the name of our whole family. We are really proud of you and the legacy you leave at the club of our hearts. I’m really lucky to share this path with you. You deserve everything.
“I love you. And as a cule, thanks for everything, my captain.”
"Injuries are a bitter part of sport. Thank goodness it was less than it appeared," he wrote on Instagram. "Thank you all so much for your messages of love and support. Now it's time to recover well and come back stronger than before."
Balde's injury is a tough blow but at least comes after the title has been wrapped up.
The defender has enjoyed a superb breakout campaign and hopefully can kick on next season at Barcelona.
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The Argentine wants the move to happen quickly
Lionel Messi has reportedly given FC Barcelona a deadline to confirm that they will be able to bring him back to the Camp Nou: 10 days.
This does not necessarily mean that he would be putting pen to paper in 10 days, but it does suggest he wants Barcelona to move much more quickly in confirming that his return will be viable under Financial Fair Play rules.
Barcelona have submitted a so-called “viability plan” to La Liga to map out their moves for the upcoming season. La Liga wanted the club to lower expenditures by 200 million, and with the exits of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Piqué, and Jordi Alba, it is said they have saved 100 million already.
However, because the Camp Nou is being renovated, income will shrink by 50 million whilst playing in Montjuïc.
It’s understood that Barcelona expects La Liga to approve the plan by next week. Then, Barcelona would have to actually execute the various sales and signings they are planning in order to fulfill the plan. The approval of the plan has been delayed past previous expectations, however.
Barça are keen on first registering new contract renewals for current players, but after that, the priority is said to be signing the Argentine superstar.
They want Messi to demonstrate patience as the club works its hardest to deliver the offer. However, the way Messi left the club - with the current board promising him that he would be able to sign, then not being able to - has made him wary of believing promises.
Another request from Messi’s camp is a reunion with the iconic #10, currently worn by Ansu Fati. While Fati could switch to another number and free up the #10 for Messi, there is a rumor that instead, the young winger will be sold. Because he is an academy player, his sale would be registered as pure income on the books. That would help a lot in terms of FFP.
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Barcelona are reportedly making the signing of Lionel Messi a priority this summer over new players. The trajectory of the club’s summer is going to depend greatly on whether or not Messi decides to come home or not.
The amount of salary space they’re going to have to dedicate to him if he chooses to come will severely limit what other players they can sign. La Liga reportedly verbally approved Barca’s plan to bring him back and that gives Barca some leeway to start negotiations with Messi’s camp.
I think I can speak for most Barca fans when I say we’d love to see Messi back at Barcelona. What I don’t want to see is this saga dragged on deep into summer and Barca held captive by him and unable to pursue other players they may need if he chooses to head for the Middle East.
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Xavi has given another interview where he’s talked about Lionel Messi and feels it’s all up to the GOAT whether he returns to Barcelona or not.
The Barcelona boss has previously said the doors are wide open for Messi to come home, after his PSG contract expires, although finances are clearly still an issue too.
Xavi has now offered another update and reckons that if Messi wants to come home the club should be able to get a deal over the line.
“The decision depends 99% on Leo Messi,” he told TV3.
“For me there is no doubt about football, I think it is more the doubt that he may have.”
Xavi: “Our fans started to mention Leo Messi’s name at every game… I like the feeling but trust me, the comeback of Leo Messi only depends on him”. #FCB
“I’d say that it depends 99% on Messi”, told @tv3cat.
Barcelona are still thought to be waiting on La Liga to find out exactly what moves they can make in the summer transfer window.
Messi is thought to be keen to have his future decided pretty quickly. He plays his final PSG game at the weekend and will then switch his thoughts to next season.
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Barcelona pressing Lionel Messi to return this summer when PSG deal ends - SPORT
Lionel Andrés Messi's name continues to echo in every nook and cranny of Spotify Camp Nou, in the offices of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, in the streets of Barcelona and in the homes of almost all Barcelona fans, who hope for an early and favourable outcome regarding the return of the forward.
García Pimienta on Nico Gonzalez: "He is the ideal pivot for Barça" - SPORT
Following the departure of Sergio Busquets, Barcelona are already looking for a replacement to fill the midfield position. Nico González is one of the possible candidates to take the job. Given this possibility, García Pimienta has described the pivot as the "ideal person" for the role.
Ferran Torres will ask Xavi to give him another chance at Barcelona - SPORT
Xavi has been full of praise for Ferran Torres since he arrived at Camp Nou. The coach said that "he is spectacular, a world class player" and that "he always works hard and never lets his guard down," among other compliments.
Well of all the ideal candidates to be Barcelona’s next Sergio Busquets for the next decade, Rodri is up there as the ideal candidate. That’s at least according to Busquets himself.
The Spaniard just played his last match for Barcelona in an emotional affair that also saw Jordi Alba play his final minutes. Sergio was one of the staples of Barcelona for the last decade and a half. His leadership and consistency were at the forefront of what the club desired to be, and it resulted in many trophies.
The next decade and a half at the defensive midfield position likely won’t be as stable, and that hasn't stopped Busquets from giving his thoughts on who would be the best option to come into the team now his time is up.
“I know there’s a lot of talk about players, about Rodri, about Zubimendi,” he said.
“They are very good players and perhaps the ones that most match the DNA and the style that is wanted here but they are in another team, they belong to another club.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has claimed the club had agreed a January loan move for Joao Cancelo but the deal fell through after Manchester City vetoed the transfer.
Cancelo ended up moving to Bayern Munch in the winter, but Xavi says he was wanted at the Camp Nou before he headed to Germany.
“We wanted Cancelo. They offered him to us and we gave the OK,” he told TV3.
“In the end they tell us that Manchester City do not want him to come to Barça. That is true.”
Multiple reports have said that Lionel Messi wants to make a decision regarding his future soon, which strongly reduces the chances the Argentine star will make his fairytale return to FC Barcelona.
At the moment, the Catalan club has not sent Messi a formal offer because they have not gotten a reply from La Liga on their so-called “viability plan.” The plan basically outlines Barcelona’s proposed moves to comply with Financial Fair Play controls and simultaneously sign the FIFA World Cup winner.
Even once the proposal is ratified, Barcelona has to execute the moves they have outlined.
For his part, Messi seems to be losing patience with a board that in his mind, has already broken their promises regarding a contract before. That was when club president Joan Laporta assured him that he’d be able to sign for Barcelona after letting his contract run out, only to tell him at the last moment that he could not afford it. This precipitated his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi’s chapter at PSG is closed, which leaves his next destination up in the air. The only concrete offer he has on the table is from Saudi Arabia. They are said to be offering him 1.2 billion euro over 2 years to join Al-Hilal - a truly absurd sum.
There is interest from MLS’s Inter Miami, although no formal offer yet. And interestingly, several Premier League clubs have been said to have contacted Messi over the past few days.
Messi reportedly wants to make a decision by next week, but with Barcelona still awaiting approval of their plan from La Liga, they could be out of the race.
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The deal is almost done
Xavi’s renewal at Barcelona is reportedly nearly complete. The Barcelona boss has been in negotiations with the club for weeks now and the details are apparently getting ironed out now the title has been won.
The deal will apparently run through June 2026 and allow Xavi to continue at the club and continue the project he’s started. The deal is likely only that short in years due to the economic stress of the club, something Xavi is all too well aware of as he tries to plan some summer transfers.
This might be a good thing for the club too, keeping the years short. It gives Xavi a somewhat shorter leash to prove himself in European and domestic cup competitions and truly develop as a big match manager.
Xavi knows his team need to improve in Europe and will be hoping to make an impact in the Champions League next season. A contract extension is also reward for a great first season in charge and I hope it gets signed soon!
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Sergio Busquets says he would like to return to Barcelona as manager at some point in the future after he’s hung up his boots.
The midfielder is set to leave Barcelona after his contract expires and has already revealed he has offers from other clubs.
Busquets plans to continue playing for a while but then admits he wants to get into management.
“First I will finish my sports career. Then I’ll get my coaching card. And of course I would like to try to manager here,” he said.
“I say try because although I think I have the necessary knowledge and skills for it, then you have to know how to transmit them.
“I know that this is not easy because you are in charge of 25 footballers with their character, their problems and their way of seeing life. And your role is to help them in everything.”
Sergio Busquets: They tell me to do an Alemany but I won't - SPORT
Sergio Busquets gave an interview to Catalunya Ràdio's Tot Costa programme on Monday and confirmed that, after announcing that he will leave FC Barcelona, there is no turning back despite the fact that teammates, friends and fans have asked him to reconsider his decision.
How Xavi imagines his Barcelona with Leo Messi - SPORT
Xavi Hernandez is the person who has been pushing hardest since he returned to Barça for Leo Messi to come back to the Blaugrana club. The coach extolls the benefits of having the Argentine in his team. During his interview with SPORT, Xavi did not dodge the footballing questions regarding the PSG player.
Ndiaye says sorry for horror challenge which injured Barça's Balde - SPORT
The only negative note from the last game at Spotify Camp Nou, in which Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0, was the injury to Alejandro Balde. The Blaugrana full-back will be out for six to seven weeks and will miss this summer's Nations League Final Four with Spain as a result.
Coach Xavi set to sign Barcelona contract extension until 2026 - SPORT
Negotiations for the renewal of FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández have accelerated in recent weeks and everything indicates that a definitive agreement is about to be reached. In fact, the positions between both parties are very close and there are only a few last details to be resolved before making the news official.
Barca Atletic could reach Segunda A without having to play a final - SPORT
Barça Atlètic play for for promotion to Segunda A against none other than Real Madrid Castilla after securing qualification against Logroñés. If they win the mini-Clasico and reach the final, they could have an ace up their sleeve depending on what happens in the last game of La Liga 2022-23 season next weekend between Barça and Celta Vigo in Balaídos.
Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images
But the captain won’t stay in Europe
Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets has opened on his future after playing for his club for the last time on Sunday against Real Mallorca.
The midfielder will depart at the end of the season but is not expected to play in the team’s final game of the campaign at Celta Vigo next weekend.
Busquets says he’s already received plenty of offers but hasn’t quite made up his mind where he’ll play next season yet.
“I will make a decision in two or three weeks. I have to move my children and the family and I have three or four proposals. Let’s see what I end up doing,” he said.
“I will not compete against Barça. I will play outside of Europe. It is not necessary to play against Barca. Besides, I don’t know if I could fight against Barca for an important title.”
Busquets also joked that Barca have been telling him to ‘do an Alemany’ - a reference to Mateu Alemany who decided to leave before swiftly realising it was a bad idea.
“They told me to do a ‘Mateu Alemany’, but no… I am a person of my word. I have felt supported since I communicated my decision and, even the president, told me that I should decide, that I deserved it and had earned it,” he added.
Source | Catalunya Radio
The captain also admitted he’d love to play with Lionel Messi again but denied his future will be linked to the GOAT’s. Messi’s future remains uncertain, although Xavi has made it clear the doors are “wide open” at Barcelona for Messi to return.
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As of Monday new ground is already being broken to make the home of Barca spectacular again
Over 88,000 fans were on hand Saturday at the Camp Nou, to say goodbye to a home that has stood tall and proud since its opening in 1957.
It was the middle of the Franco era, and Alfredo di Stefano was reigning supreme for Real Madrid, turning them into a force to be reckoned with across Spain.
Barcelona needed to make a statement to signal it intended to keep pace with the ambitions of Santiago Bernabeu, who built his own stadium 10 years earlier in 1947, and was in the process of turning Real Madrid into the global power, and surpassing the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid along the way.
The Camp Nou became the biggest stadium in Spain, and Barcelona would use the sacred ground to grow, in the six decades that followed, into one of the most influential football clubs in the world.
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
The building of the two giant stadiums, and the 10 years of footballing history in between, were perhaps the most monumental events in the creation of the Clasico rivalry.
It’s fitting that both clubs are now undergoing much-needed renovations to bring their stadiums up to modern standards.
Visiting the colosseums is awe inspiring because of the sheer size. It can be overwhelming to imagine the history that was made by the likes of Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi.
Hearing the Cant del Barca, as the players walk out, is a beautiful, unifying experience for Culers, with Catalan identity expressed loudly and proudly throughout the grounds.
These traditions will surely continue when the Camp Nou reopens in November of 2024, as part of the Espai Barca project.
And with it will come an enhanced fan experience.
Photo by Miquel Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Images
One that is safer, cleaner, more comfortable, and even more spectacular.
My first experience at the Camp Nou was in 1998. I was nine years old, and I sat behind the goal up in the third balcony. Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and the great Rivaldo graced the field, and the sights and sounds of the fans captivated me immediately.
The passion for the great game and the great team was contagious.
This is what the Camp Nou does to people. For those who are seeing their first game, the grandeur of the club is on display, and you can’t help but become a Culer for life.
25 years later, I saw my most recent game at the Camp Nou this past March, when Barca beat Real Madrid with a last minute Franck Kessie goal to all but clinch the league title.
The stadium was at full capacity, and the fans were overflowing with love and happiness as the Barca players celebrated, and the Real Madrid players walked to the dressing room with their heads hung low.
Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images
It was an experience I won’t forget for the rest of my life.
But behind the scenes, there were images that the TV cameras don’t capture.
The Camp Nou really was showing its age, even in the “tribuna” section, which is known as one of the nicest.
When I walked into the bathroom, I saw a dead mouse.
When I went for some food, the items on display were quite unappetizing, and against my better judgment I ordered a butifarra sandwich, served at luke warm temperature, that gave me food poisoning.
To be clear, I love me a good butifarra, but this just wasn’t the one. The experience made me understand quite viscerally the tradition of bringing your own tin foil wrapped bocadillo sandwich, that fans eat in unison as soon as half-time strikes.
Comically, there were literally signs hanging up around the grounds that apologized to fans for the condition of the stadium, and assured everyone that improvements were on the way.
Part of me feels bad writing these words, especially as an American who has become quite spoiled by the recent proliferation of modern stadiums throughout the country, including in my hometown of Minneapolis where Allianz Field has become a very impressive new home to the Minnesota United soccer team.
But ultimately, just as it was in 1957 when the Camp Nou opened, Barca needs to make the necessary investments if it wants to continue setting the standard as the best club in the world.
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
I can’t wait to visit the renovated grounds when it opens.
It won’t be the same watching the team compete at the Estadio Olimpico during the 2023/2024 campaign, but it will be exciting to know that something special is on the way.
And when it does open, there will be new faces leading the way and making their own history.
We say goodbye to Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Gerard Pique, but we are cheering for Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and other legends in the making, to usher in a new chapter, in a new home, as they fight hard to win titles, and entertain the crowd with the best brand of football out there.
May the future in Barcelona be as bright as the past.
Can’t wait to visit again soon.
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Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has given a new interview to Sport where he’s talked all about the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to the club this summer.
Speculation continues to rage about Messi’s future, with the Argentina international expected to leave PSG when his contract expires.
Xavi says Barcelona will definitely speak to Messi about coming home and says the “doors are wide open” for the GOAT to play for Barcelona gain.
“We’re going to talk to him and his representatives. I think Leo has the upper hand, there is no doubt. Yes, it’s true that we’ve already won in the post-Messi era and that has extraordinary merit, it’s extraordinary, it’s not valued anyway, but the fear that we had was when Leo leaves, what are we going to do?
“Well, Barca has survived, I think we have rebuilt the team and the group very well and this league title and this Super Cup have spectacular merit and without the best player in the history of football and this club has much merit.
“It’s difficult to be in the skin of someone who has won it all. I’m not in his head, but I’ve been very clear about my relationship with him. We have the doors wide open. And if he wants to come, I’m in no doubt that it can happen and he would help us. But it’s up to him. It’s his personal choice.”
Xavi also went on to talk about what Messi could give Barcelona. The Barca boss thinks the 35-year-old still has plenty to offer and would improve his side.
“I’m in no doubt that if Messi were to return, he would help us in what we are wanting to achieve with our football.
“I am in no doubt and I’ve told this to the president. He continues to be a determined footballer, he has the hunger still.
“He’s still a winner, he’s a leader and he’s different. At Barcelona, we’ve not have the same level since what we reached as a pinnacle in 2010.
“Messi brings you the talent of being able to play the final pass, he opens doors, scores goals. In the final third he can provide the difference.
“There’s no doubt that he would still help us a lot - but in the end it all depends on him.
Messi won the league with PSG at the weekend but was subsequently spotted in Barcelona. The World Cup winner has just one game of the season left with PSG and is then expected to make a decision on his future.
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Ndiaye was sent off for his challenge and now taken time out to apologise to Balde for the incident.
“I’m sorry Balde for my tackle. It was not my intention. I hope you get well soon,” he wrote on Instagram.
Xavi spoke about Balde’s injury after the match and admitted there was relief that it was not as serious as it had originally looked.
“It’s not as serious as we thought at first, nothing is broken,” he told reporters. “The recovery will take about 6-7 weeks and then he will be able to train again.”
Balde will obviously miss the rest of Barca’s season and sit out international duty with Spain over the summer but should be fit for pre-season.
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It was a fitting way to say goodbye to the Camp Nou, three goals by homegrown players who (hopefully) both have sparkling future ahead of them at the club.
Barcelona will now head to Montjuic for next season, which will present its own challenges, but leave with plenty of good memories after a title-winning campaign.
Has Ansu Fati secured his future?
Ansu Fati’s future looks very uncertain ahead of the summer transfer window, but his two goals against Real Mallorca certainly won’t have done him any harm at all.
Xavi has been very non-committal when asked about Fati in recent press conferences, suggesting the club could well decide to part ways with the No. 10 this summer.
2 - Ansu Fati has scored the second earliest goal for @FCBarcelona at home in LaLiga in the 21st century (49 seconds), after Iniesta's against Recreativo de Huelva in April 2009 (43 seconds). Riser. pic.twitter.com/9DOKQoxaIb
Fati has always said he wants to stay, even if his father thinks it’s a bad idea, but there’s no doubt he’s had a tough season and has looked a shadow of his former self.
The big question now is can Barcelona afford to be patient with Fati?
Frenkie de Jong was the name on everyone’s lips last summer and it already looks like this year’s transfer saga will revolve around Ansu.
Get well soon, Alejandro Balde
Barcelona lost Alejandro Balde to injury against Mallorca and it was a bad one. The defender was the victim of a horrendous challenge from Amath Ndiaye that led to his dismissal.
The Catalans confirmed pretty swiftly that Balde will be out for 6-7 weeks which is bad news but certainly not as bad as it could have been.
MEDICAL NEWS | Alejandro Balde has a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament of the right ankle. He will be out approximately between 6 and 7 weeks. pic.twitter.com/XGAiTrGyVV
Balde’s injury means he should be back in time for pre-season but will miss international duty with Spain over the summer. Perhaps not a bad thing considering how rapid his rise has been during this campaign.
Barcelona will certainly be relieved it’s not a more serious injury. The 19-year-old has been a true revelation this season and seems to have made the left-back slot his own already.
Fans say goodbye to Alba and Busquets
Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets waved goodbye to supporters on Sunday as both legends played their final games at the Camp Nou.
The duo both started but were taken off late on to huge ovations.
Alba was the first to go and simply couldn’t hold back the tears. The left-back only announced his departure this week and it seems like it’s still sinking in that his time at Barca is up.
Busquets was all smiles when it was his time to go. He handed over the captain’s armband to Sergi Roberto and wandered off to applause from all the supporters and hugs from the players.
What a duo. Thanks for everything.
Ter Stegen on brink of history
Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept yet another clean sheet against Real Mallorca. That’s now 26 for the season in La Liga, equalling the record previously held by Deportivo.
The Germany international can now break that record in the final game of the season against Celta Vigo at Balaidos next weekend.
26 - Barcelona have kept 26 clean sheets in LaLiga this season, equalling the record for a team in the competition's history, set by Deportivo La Coruña in 1993/94. Strength. pic.twitter.com/wBgo0KJ6Fb
It’s not the easiest fixture in the world of course, particularly as Barcelona have already secured the title, and also because Iago Aspas seems to love taking on Ter Stegen.
Barca have drawn 3-3 and 2-2 at Celta in the last few seasons but did win 3-0 in 2020 with 10 men after Clement Lenglet was sent off.
However, the match will be further complicated by the fact that Celta head into the fixture still not completely safe from relegation.
A 1-0 defeat to Cadiz on Sunday means they sit just a point above the drop zone and will be desperate for something against Barca.
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FC Barcelona pays tribute to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba - FC Barcelona
This many not have been the last time we'll see Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in the Barça jersey, with one more league game and a friendly in Japan still to come, but it was the last time they will ever appear in the stadium that has been their home for so many years and where they have played a part in the creation of so many wonderful memories.
Balde, partially torn ligaments in right ankle - FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona medical services have announced that first team player Alejandro Balde has a partial tear of the external lateral ligament in his right ankle. The approximate recovery period from such an injury is between 6 and 7 weeks.
Ansu ends 13 game drought with brace in Barça's win over Mallorca - SPORT
Ansu Fati has ended his goal scoring curse. The young striker, who had gone 13 games without a goal, broke his streak in barely a minute against Mallorca. The fans in the stands had not finished sitting down when Gavi arrived to assist the No.10 and score the first goal of the afternoon.
In Portugal they take Ruben Neves joining Barca as a given - SPORT
It's no secret that Ruben Neves is FC Barcelona's bet to reinforce the midfield after the departure of Sergio Busquets. Despite the fact that the Catalan giants have not yet received the 'OK' from La Liga to their viability plan, in Portugal they already consider the signing of the Portuguese player by Barça to be a done deal. The newspaper 'A Bola' assures that it could be announced officially in the next days.
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Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Might stay...
The question on everyone’s lips will be is it too little, too late?
Ansu Fati showed in the space of 24 first-half minutes on Sunday that, given the right kind of service, he still knows where the net is.
Both of his goals were taken with aplomb and will hopefully give him back the confidence that’s deserted him for the most part of 2022/23.
The issue at hand is, with only one more game of the current campaign left, can Xavi and the board risk giving him another season to get things right based off of his strikes against Mallorca and precious little else?
If reports are to be believed then Ansu doesn’t want to leave the club in any event, and whilst Barca have stopped short of saying he’s for sale at this point, Joan Laporta and Mateu Alemany will know that he’ll fetch a pretty penny in the transfer market, even with his injury history.
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
There seems to be a fairly even split on this forum and others in terms of who is pro-Ansu and who isn’t.
Certainly, one can see the logic of giving him to at least next January to see how he fares, particularly if the club are going to move on Ferran Torres and Raphinha too.
He will need to brush up on his decision making in front of goal should Xavi decide he’s worth a shot, and there is a player in there all right, we all know that.
The frustration for us all, and of course for Ansu himself, is not being able to see that other version blossom again.
Ansu Fati is slowly rebuilding himself physically. Barcelona selling him when he’s just one year into that recovery would be tremendously stupid. he is only TWENTY for gods sake and is bound to improve massively next year. https://t.co/3uVkyrI6HR
One decent game does not a great player make either, so he has to be given enough minutes to see how well he fares.
Not just cursory cameo appearances here and there which neither benefit the player or the club.
It’s also worth asking if there’s any room for sentiment in football? Has Ansu really done enough to warrant being given a run of games in the side at the expense of others?
At just 20 years of age - which is often forgotten - it’s obvious that Ansu has huge room for growth.
Bursting onto the scene as he did has become the biggest of millstones round his neck but one can’t ignore the elephant in the room in that with years left in the game, he could still become a great.
Barcelona now have the biggest of decisions to make as to whether they believe Ansu’s potential will be fulfilled with them.
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The left-back is feeling proud
Jordi Alba said his goodbyes to Barcelona fans at the Camp Nou on Sunday after the team’s 3-0 win over Real Mallorca in La Liga.
The left-back left the pitch in tears when he was substituted late on and then spoke to supporters after the game.
“I would like to thank everyone, it was an honour to defend these colours. Today I have to remember the many people who have played a big role in my career,” he said.
“I didn’t expect to receive so much love, it’s the best day of my life professionally speaking. I want to remember a very special person, who signed me in 2012 and it was Tito Vilanova.”
Alba will move on after losing his place in the team to Alejandro Balde but insists he’s still felt like a key player for Barca.
“I’ve had less prominence than usual, but I haven’t felt less important,” he added.
“I’ve tried to help everyone, colleagues, staff... everyone. And I feel super proud.”
Sunday’s match was Alba’s final game for Barcelona. Xavi confirmed after the game that both Alba and Busquets will not travel to Celta for the team’s last match of the season and will also miss the friendly with Vissel Kobe.
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The last ever game in the history of the current version of the Camp Nou ended with a dominant 3-0 victory for La Liga champions Barcelona, who dominated 10-man Mallorca for 90 minutes and cruised to an easy win while also saying goodbye to two club legends and giving the fans one last show on this legendary arena.
FIRST HALF
The fans at Camp Nou who were a little late to come into the stadium missed a goal in the first 50 seconds: after a great passing sequence down the middle, Robert Lewandowski found Gavi with a gorgeous backheel flick, and Gavi gave Ansu Fati an easy finish to start the party at the Catalan capital.
Barça were back to their very best for this one, passing the ball quickly and with purpose to find spaces inside Mallorca’s 5-4-1 low block and created plenty of chances. Things got even easier for them when Amath Ndiaye was sent off for a horrific tackle that injured Alejandro Balde and left the visitors with 10 men, and the home team started to dominate even more.
The second goal came halfway through the period thanks to another excellent passing sequence, a fantastic Lewandowski assist and the second goal of the evening for Ansu Fati. Fati and Lewandowski continued to attack and create big moments for themselves and others, but a combination of poor finishing and a couple of excellent saves from Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif stopped Barça from adding a third.
At halftime Barça were in full control and with the win in the bag, and the only question was how many more goals they would score in the second half to finish the home season in style.
SECOND HALF
The second half featured more of the same with Barça not relenting in their attempts to add more goals and creating plenty of big chances against a helpless Mallorca defense, but the ball simply refused to go in early in the period.
Jules Kounde headed a ball against the bar, Ousmane Dembélé had a header of his own cleared off the line, and Lewandowski nearly scored a brilliant free-kick only to see the ball once again hit the woodwork.
It seemed as though the third goal would never come, but after a pass from Dembélé that found Gavi inside the box, the youngster fired a left-footed rocket into the top corner to finally give Barça the goal their second half performance deserved.
With the win wrapped up, it was time for the tears: Camp Nou said goodbye to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who were both emotional as they were substituted in their final home games for the club and received standing ovations from the crowd, their teammates and even Mallorca players and coaches — which was a great touch.
The final whistle came to end an era for the world’s greatest club, and a perfect night with an emotional goodbye to two legends and a dominant victory to send the crowd home happy.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Balde (Roberto 17’), Kounde, Christensen, Alba (Alonso 81’); Gavi, Busquets (Eric 85’), De Jong; Dembélé (Ferran 84’), Lewandowski, Fati (Raphinha 79’)
Alejandro Balde had to be carried off the pitch for Barcelona against Real Mallorca on Sunday at the Camp Nou after being on the end of a horror challenge.
The left-back was the victim of a really poor tackle from Amath Ndiaye that saw the Real Mallorca winger shown a straight red card.
Balde looked in agony as he received treatment on his ankle and eventually had to be carried off by the medical team and Jules Kounde.
It was a horrible moment for Balde, who has enjoyed a stellar season, and we have to hope the injury is not as serious as it looked.
Balde was replaced by Sergi Roberto, with Barcelona leading 1-0 thanks to Ansu Fati’s early strike in what is the team’s final home game of the season. Fati then added a second midway through the first half.
Barcelona finish off their season next weekend against Celta Vigo at Balaidos and will then head straight to Japan for a friendly against Andres Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe.
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Join us for the final Barcelona adventure at Camp Nou!
WELCOME TO THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU!!! The Greatest Stadium on Earth will host a Barcelona match for the very last time in its current iteration as the La Liga champions welcome Mallorca for their final home game of the season. Barça will not only bid farewell to their legendary stadium but will also say goodbye to club icons Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who will play their last home match for the team. This should be a special night, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
(Note: the comments will be open only when the team news come out, because our commenter people love commenting and sometimes there are too many comments in the comments section)
MATCH INFO
Competition/Round: 2022-23 La Liga, Matchday 37
Date/Time: Sunday, May 28, 2023, 7pm CET (Barcelona), 6pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 1pm ET, 10am PT (USA), 10.30pm IST (India)
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
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Xavi on the future of Ansu Fati: I haven't spoken to him - SPORT
With the season practically over, the league title in the bag and the Camp Nou's farewell next Sunday about to happen, the club is awaiting the approval of the viability plan to begin operating in a key transfer market for the future.
Xavi's response when asked about Jules Kounde - SPORT
Xavi Hernández spoke at the press conference prior to the match against Mallorca, the last one to be played at the Spotify Camp Nou. As expected, after a very intense week for the Frenchman, the coach was asked about Jules Koundé's future at FC Barcelona.
Three options to replace Koundé as Barça target right-back... if he leaves - SPORT
The waters seem to have calmed down with Jules Koundé, but Barcelona are now clear that they will have to sign a specialist right-back for the next season. The priority -- and where the most money will be invested -- is the midfield position, but if the Frenchman had left, Barça were clear that they would have gone for Juan Foyth (Villarreal) or Benajmin Pavard (Bayern), two players who play as full-backs but who can comfortably convert to centre-backs.
Barça forward Ansu offered to Arsenal ahead of summer transfer window - SPORT
Ansu Fati looks set to be one of the big talking points of the upcoming transfer window. The Barcelona forward has not had the role he expected this season and has become practically the last option in coach Xavi Hernandez's attacking rotations.
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In France, there is talk that Ousmane Dembélé is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain, once again. However, the latest report on the matter says the forward does not want to go to PSG. He wants to stay at Barça and stay under Xavi’s orders.
Dembélé has long been linked with PSG. Last year, he did not renew his contract with Barcelona and was free to go wherever he wanted. Despite a lot of reported interest and rumors, the offer from PSG never seemed to materialize. In the end, the winger went back to Barcelona.
Now, there are fresh rumors that Dembélé is wanted by PSG. But the winger and his agent are said to not have heard anything concrete from the French club, and regardless, prefer staying in Barcelona.
PSG, for their part, could be losing both Lionel Messi and Neymar this summer. Their plan is to look for attackers to surround Kylian Mbappé with. Some rumored names apart from Dembélé are: Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
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That’s now three goals and two assists at the Euros for Yamal.
The win means Spain now progress to the last four of the competition and look in pretty good shape. Spain go on to face France in the last four of the competition after Les Bleus beat England.
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The win ends a fine league season for Marquez’s side who will now be hoping they can go on and secure promotion. Barcelona Atletico already know their next opponents - the small matter of a mini-Clasico against Real Madrid Castilla.
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The manager has four players he most covets, but only one seems realistic
FC Barcelona manager Xavi has four names he considers to be the best when it comes to replacing Sergio Busquets, although it is understood that only one has a chance of signing for the club.
Rodri is considered practically impossible to acquire, as City have no reason to sell him. There have been some whispers that Kimmich could be on the move, but the chances are still slim.
Some rumors say Verratti could try to force a move, but he is still under contract with PSG. The Italian had previously been heavily linked with Barcelona, but the deal never came to fruition.
Then there’s Zubimendi. The reason he’s the most realistic choice is simple: he has a release clause that Barça could pay. Whether the player himself can be convinced to leave his hometown club is another question.
Still, it’s clear that Xavi has made signing a replacement for Busquets a priority this summer.
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Here’s the latest from the Barcelona boss
Barcelona boss Xavi faced the press on Saturday to discuss his team’s final home game of the season at the Camp Nou.
The coach spoke about saying goodbye to Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and the Camp Nou and insisted again there’s no problem with Jules Kounde.
Here are the best bits:
Xavi on saying goodbye to Busquets, Alba and Camp Nou
It’s not been easy to find motivation after winning La Liga, but tomorrow we have to say goodbye to the Camp Nou, which has had many years of history, and say farewell to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. It is extra motivation.
Xavi on how he’s feeling
It is difficult to manage friends, people with whom I have shared many things. It is difficult to define the extent to which friendship and professionalism are. It happened to me with Piqué and Alves and now with Busquets and Alba.
Xavi on saying goodbye to Camp Nou
Yesterday I thought about it, that it will be an emotional farewell and a bit sad. The Camp Nou has been like my home .It’s for a good cause, the common good of Barcelona — that said, it will be a bit sad.
Xavi on the Pichichi and Zamora awards
They are objectives. We want to finish with good feelings, we’ve had two consecutive defeats and we want to win. Hopefully Robert can take the Pichichi and Ter Stegen as goalkeeper with the fewest goals and with the record for clean sheets.
Xavi on Kounde
There is no problem, but you keep writing that there is a problem when there is not. The conversation was good, he is a great guy, a great professional who has helped us a lot at full-back and center-back.
Xavi on Pedri
We are talking with the Federation and I have a very good relationship with the coach. Pedri needs this rest. He is very tired and it is time to rest.
Xavi on left-backs
We have Balde and Marcos Alonso. There is no need to strengthen.
Xavi on Ansu Fati
I have not talked with him. We do not know the economic situation of the club. When we know the scenario, we will plan according to whether we can sign or not.
Xavi on replacing Busquets
We have to find this piece, if we want to compete well next year, we have to find it. For me it’s fundamental as a coach. Busquets has been fundamental for us, and very important in winning the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga this year. A player who has been so important for us, on and off the pitch, is leaving, so we have to find a very important player to replace Busquets. For me, it’s the key to competing next year.
Xavi on Alba’s decision to leave
It was his decision. He was the one who took the step, he thinks it’s time. I’m not going to reveal the whole conversation. He’s helped us with everything.
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When and where to watch FC Barcelona v Mallorca - FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona 's last home fixture of the season is against Mallorca and it's a 6pm Sunday kick-off local time. This guide shows what time that will be in selected countries and regions around the world so you can be sure you can catch the action.
Ousmane Dembele, one of the names on PSG transfer wishlist - SPORT
With Leo Messi likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent this summer, the Parisian side are already looking for candidates to reinforce the team's forward line for the coming seasons. The objective is none other than to wrap up Kylian Mbappé and offer him a good sporting project that will push him to complete the additional year that he signed with his renewal (two seasons until 2024, plus another until 2025).
Barca know what Man City want for Joao Cancelo - SPORT Manchester City are willing to see Portuguese player Joao Cancelo go to FC Barcelona. This has been conveyed by the City club to the Catalan club's management. Bayern Munich now have the player on loan but, a priori, do not intend to continue with this link so Cancelo would be back in Manchester. The loan ends and he would be back.
Now or never for Marc-Andre ter Stegen's Barcelona record hopes - SPORT
The German is assured of winning the Zamora Trophy for the first time, but against Mallorca he has the chance to tie down a couple more of the records he is chasing and which have caused him to play the last two games despite the fact that the team, already champions, had nothing at stake.
Frenkie de Jong another option to join the captain group at Barcelona - SPORT
Gerard Piqué left six months ago and will be followed by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in June, three captains who have worn the armband in recent years. The time has come to choose new leadership, beyond the natural leadership that each one exercises without the need to be appointed by his teammates, as Xavi himself has recently explained.
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His team need a point to reach the play-offs
Rafa Marquez’s Barcelona Atletic head into their final game of the season this weekend needing just a point to secure a place in the play-offs for a place in the second division.
Barcelona Atletic take on Logrones on Saturday at the Estadi Johan Cruyff and will be favourites, given the visitors have already been relegated.
Marquez’s side have stuttered in recent weeks, losing their last two games, but the manager thinks that could work in their favor.
“The most positive thing about the two defeats in a row is that we continue to depend on ourselves, now the last match of the regular season is coming and we have to try to finish in the best way, that’s the first thing we have to keep in mind,” he told Barca TV.
“Logrones are a dangerous team, with quality and a style similar to ours. They have already been relegated, but they will play without pressure with the incentive of beating Barça.”
Marquez is in his first full season as Barcelona Atletic coach and feels his players deserve to make the play-offs.
“We’ve know since the start of the season that getting here would be difficult, but the boys have earned it with effort and good games, and hopefully we will win the prize of entering the playoffs, they deserve it.”
Barcelona Atletic will also have their play-off place confirmed if Murcia fail to win their game against second-placed Eldense.
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