Neymar pulls a Zlatan, announces Barcelona extension himself

On the same day that Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his signing with Manchester United even though he's not even had a medical yet, Neymar is following the trend and gave Barcelona fans worldwide a reason to smile. The Brazilian superstar sent out this tweet on his official account on Thursday: Muito feliz de continuar vivendo esse sonho! VISCA BARÇA y VISCA CATALUNYA http://pic.twitter.com/N8KXEgt5eA —...

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Poland vs Portugal, Euro 2016: Live Open Thread, How to Watch Online

The European Championships reaches its most exciting time: the quarterfinals. The last eight nations left in Euro 2016 square off over the next four days hoping to find a place in the semifinals. We're going to see four fascinating matchups, with great stories all around, and it should be a super fun weekend of football. Up first, Poland and Portugal face off at the beautiful...

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Barcelona president confirms Samuel Umtiti transfer from Lyon

Barcelona fans have always screamed for the signing of a young, talented, promising center-back to contribute now and develop well into a great defender in the future. This has finally happened. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that the club have completed the transfer of Olympique Lyonnais center-back Samuel Umtiti. The...

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FC Barcelona News: 30 June 2016; Luis Suarez Talks Lionel Messi, Barca B Make Three Signings

'Neymar Case' agreement described as 'best possible solution'  | FC Barcelona The covenant in accordance that FC Barcelona is about to sign with Public Prosecutor and State Legal Service regarding the Neymar Case was "the best option for the club. It was not nice to have to make a decision by which the club is found guilty, but it’s the least painful solution" said Román...

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La Liga News: 30 June 2016; Real Madrid Raise David Alaba Offer, Leicester City to Sign Rayo Vallecano Youngster

Real Madrid to use Morata to sign Hazard - Goal.com Real Madrid are set use Alvaro Morata as part of a bid to sign Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, according to the Daily Mirror. Despite the Blues being on the verge of adding Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi to their squad, they remain keen on Morata after he re-joined Madrid from Juventus earlier this summer. Real Madrid must...

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Argentina erect Leo Messi statue in hopes it changes his mind on retirement

To say that Argentina aren't taking Lionel Messi's retirement declaration well would be an understatement. The country and their leaders are doing everything in their power to try and convince the Barcelona star to reconsider his international retirement and come back. We've already seen Argentina's president, Mauricio Macri, and all-time legend Diego Maradona plead with...

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Neymar, Rafinha named in Brazil squad for 2016 Olympics

Barcelona and the Brazilian Federation cut a deal a few months ago that allowed Neymar to participate in only one of the national team tournaments this summer. After missing the Copa América, the Barça superstar is back with the Seleção. Neymar has been called up by U-23 coach Rogério Micale to be in the squad for the football tournament in the 2016 Olympic Games, which starts...

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FC Barcelona News: 29 June 2016; Barça to face Sampdoria in Joan Gamper Trophy, Nike away kit leaked

Barça will play Sampdoria for the Joan Gamper trophy | Diario Sport Barça's Joan Gamper trophy opponents this year will be Sampdoria on either August 8 or 9. The choice hasn't been easy, with the Blaugrana initially wanting to play Ajax to commemorate the passing of Johan Cruyff on March 24. The new Barça away kit for the 2016/17 season | Diario Sport Barça's away kit for...

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FC Barcelona News: 28 June 2016; Spain Eliminated from Euro, Claudio Bravo Wins Award

Barcelona must take care of Messi after heartbreaking Argentina exit - Goal.com "I had never seen him so destroyed," Sergio Aguero told reporters shortly after Chile confirmed their second successive Copa triumph over Argentina on penalties. Messi had once again dragged his team to the decisive match, but just as in 2015 the vagaries of the shoot-out and fate itself intervened. Dani...

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La Liga News: 28 June 2016; Sevilla Appoint Jorge Sampaoli, Getafe Sign Stefan Scepovic

La Liga news: Emery bids farewell to Sevilla - Goal.com Unai Emery has penned a heartfelt letter to Sevilla fans after the La Liga club confirmed his departure ahead of his expected switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Emery joined Sevilla midway through the 2012/13 season and went on to guide them to three-straight Europa League titles. Jorge Sampaoli appointed Sevilla coach on...

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The Real Reason Why Lionel Messi Retired From International Football

A few short weeks ago, the centenary edition of the Copa America was being universally derided, and labelled for what it was: a soulless, corporate cash grab. The play was uninspiring, the star names and teams were faltering, barely capturing any attention inside America, let alone outside of the two participating continents. Attendances were embarrassingly low and with the...

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Lionel Messi with Argentina: Disappointment is destiny

In this column, Xoel Càrdenas gives you his take on Lionel Messi saying his time with the Argentine national team is over and why disappointment was Leo's destiny with Argentina. The final of the Copa America Centenario was historic for many reasons. But for Lionel Messi, it was potentially the end of a part of his career. After 120 minutes of battle, Argentina lost to Chile...

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Four Barcelona stars knocked out of Euro 2016 as Spain fall to Italy

It is all over for Spain, and quite a few Barcelona stars are going home. The two-time defending champions have been knocked out of Euro 2016 after a 2-0 loss to Italy in the Round of 16, with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pellè. It was an intense, nervous game that featured one of the best performances of the tournament from the Italians. Antonio Conte's side...

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OFFICIAL: Dani Alves joins Juventus from Barcelona on free transfer

The Dani Alves Era is over. The former Barcelona superstar has officially joined Serie A champions Juventus, the Italian club announced on Monday. Alves has signed a two-year contract, with a club option for an automatic one-year extension. Juventus has paid nothing for the transfer, since Dani activated a clause in his Barça contract that allowed him to leave for free. Dani...

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Euro 2016: 27 June 2016; Live Open Thread

After an underwhelming first day of Round of 16 matches, yesterday proved much more eventful. First France fought back after an early deficit to dispose of a resilient Republic of Ireland, which paved the way for two blowouts. Germany completely dismantled Slovakia to the tune of 3-0 and later Belgium one-upped the Germans, earning a 4-0 win over Hungary who had a fair share...

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Italy vs Spain, Euro 2016 live stream: Start time, TV listings, How to Watch Online

The great thing about football is that from time to time we get these dream matches, even in international level. Monday gives us one of those dream games when Italy and Spain face off at Stade de France in their Euro 2016 Round of 16 matchup. This is a rematch of the 2012 Final comfortably won by the Spaniards, and it happens too damn early in this edition of the European...

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FC Barcelona News: 27 June 2016; Lionel Messi Announces International Retirement after Loss to Chile

Messi announces Argentina retirement | Football Espana Barcelona star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America final on Monday. Messi missed a spot-kick as Argentina lost their third straight final, a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes followed by a 4-2 defeat on penalties, prompting the forward to admit...

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La Liga News: 27 June 2016; Sevilla Sign Hiroshi Kiyotake, Malaga Complete Double Signing

Jese set for loan after renewal? | Football Espana Real Madrid will reportedly negotiate a contract extension with Jese Rodriguez in the next few days before listing him for loan. Jese’s contract currently expires next summer, but AS claims Madrid see the forward in their long-term vision, even if their intention is to send him out on loan next season. Griezmann thanks Atleti...

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Leo Messi says he’s retiring from Argentina national team

Frustrations are clearly building after losing in a third straight international final. Fresh off a defeat in a third straight international final on Sunday, Lionel Messi dropped an absolute bombshell: He’s retiring from the Argentina national team. It’s entirely possible that the 29-year-old was speaking more from emotion than anything else and that he changes his mind either...

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Chile beat Argentina on penalties, repeat as Copa América champions

Chile have won the Copa América for a second straight year, repeating as champions beating Argentina on penalties once again to successfully defend their South American crown. Claudio Bravo represents Barcelona and gets to lift the trophy again as Chile captain. But most Barça fans aren't happy after Sunday night in New Jersey. Argentina's loss means a third straight second-place...

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Claudio Bravo's miraculous save keeps Chile in Copa America final

One-hundred minutes into the Copa America Centenario final and Argentina almost took the lead over Chile. If it wasn't for Barcelona's Claudio Bravo's amazing save it would've been the first goal of the match and one step closer to Lionel Messi's first ever major international title. La que salgo Bravo!!! #ARGvCHI #ChilevsArg http://pic.twitter.com/DnMl6Qk7YE — Jesus Valdes...

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Argentina vs Chile, Copa América 2016 Final: Start time, TV listings, live stream

The Copa América Centenario ends this Sunday with the same final as last year: Argentina and Chile clash again for the South American Cup title, this time at MetLife Stadium, away from the home field advantage that gave the Chileans the title a year ago. Things are a little different this time: Jorge Sampaoli, the creative and passionate Chile coach is no longer there, and...

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La Liga News: 26 June 2016: Morata Issues Real Warning, Malaga Make Two Signings

Morata: 'I've proved myself' | Football Italia The striker spent two years at Juventus and was brought back with his €30m clause, but the future remains uncertain. "I don’t have to prove anything to Zidane and Real Madrid," Morata told Cuatro. "I’m not a Castilla player who is getting the chance to train with Real Madrid. The club will decide if I am to stay or not, but if...

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FC Barcelona News: 26 June 2016: Rakitic Distraught At Euro 2016 Exit, Vidal Linked With Serie A Switch

Portugal 'don't have a clue how they scored' – Rakitic | FourFourTwo An unhappy Rakitic was in disbelief after his side's exit, saying: "They don't have a clue how they scored. If you ask them now how they scored, they probably wouldn't know. They say football is the best game in the world... but sometimes it is the dumbest thing in the world. That was tonight, because it...

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Euro 2016: 26 June 2016; Live Open Thread

The knockout stages of the 2016 European Championships are officially underway, and in truth, they've been something of a disappointment. Yesterday's matches were all close-fought encounters, but the majority of the games were devoid of any real action and excitement. If you strip away Xherdan Shaqiri's wondergoal from outside the area, the matches were, well, forgettable....

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La Liga News: 25 June 2016: Tebas Unhappy With Brexit, Zidane Praises Payet

‘La Liga unhappy with Brexit’ | Football Espana La Liga chief Javier Tebas admits he "isn’t happy" with Brexit and insists Spanish football will not necessarily benefit from the Premier League "going wrong". The United Kingdom’s vote to withdraw from the European Union on Thursday is threatening to change the landscape of English football forever, with Spaniards at risk of...

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Euro 2016: 25 June 2016; Live Open Thread

After two long days without football, the 2016 European Championships return today with knockout action, as the first three matches of the Round of 16 are set to be contested in Saint-Etienne, Paris and Lens. Arguably today is the weakest day of Round of 16 action, but all three matches look incredibly even on paper, and as such we could be in for three ultra-competitive...

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FC Barcelona News: 25 June 2016: Messi Ready To Make History, Rakitic Wants To Eliminate Ronaldo

Messi hopes Argentina's day has finally come - FCB "We need to take this chance and win the Copa whatever way we can" said a confident sounding Leo Messi ahead of Sunday’s Copa America Centenario final. The Barça striker is hoping it’ll be third time lucky after losing finals in 2007 to Brazil and 2015 to the same side the Albiceleste face in the final this year’s...

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Here's a lesson for the future: Lionel Messi is really not a fan of flight delay

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Leo Messi saved his best Argentina goal for the record breaker

As you may have heard, Lionel Messi became Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer on Tuesday with his stunning free kick against the United States in the Copa America Centenario semifinals. It was yet another magical moment in the career of one of the best to ever play the sport. With 55 goals scored on the international level, you get to thinking, which were his best ever?...

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FC Barcelona News: 24 June 2016; Barca Trio to Meet in Copa America Final, Euro Set to Continue

Messi and Bravo to meet in Copa America final | FC Barcelona From an FC Barcelona perspective, Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano are set to do battle with Claudio Bravo.The mercurial no.10 has been in stunning form throughout the tournament, scoring five goals and making two assists, as well as being named MVP in three matches. His latest exploits came in the 4-0 semi-final...

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La Liga News: 24 June 2016; Nolito Confirms Manchester City Talks, Grzegorz Krychowiak Set for PSG

‘Madrid have made Payet, Kante offers’ | Football Espana An agent has claimed Real Madrid have made respective offers to West Ham and Leicester City for France internationals Dmitri Payet and N’Golo Kante. Fichajes.net claims to have been told by Francois Gallardo that Los Blancos have bid €50m for Payet and €30m for Kante, the approaches coming at the request of Zinedine...

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FC Barcelona News: 23 June 2016; Claudio Bravo's Chile Reach Final, Barcelona Eying Cesar Azpilicueta

Claudio Bravo will also be in the 2016 Copa America final | FC Barcelona Chile overcame Colombia with a 2-0 victory on Thursday to set up a repeat of the 2015 Copa America final against Argentina, with Claudio Bravo set to go up against Barça teammates Javier Mascherano and Leo Messi.Two early goals through Charles Aránguiz (6’) and José Pedro Fuenzalida (11’) were enough...

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La Liga News: 23 June 2016; Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Record, Chelsea's Charly Musonda to Stay in Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score in four Euro tourneys | CaughtOffside After scoring in the 50th minute against Hungary on Wednesday, Portugal and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score a goal in four different European Championship competitions. Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever international goal came at Euro 2004 against...

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ESPN snubs Leo Messi in favor of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez

With two major international tournaments coinciding this summer, one involving Argentina and the other involving Portugal, the Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi debate has been reignited. ESPN have made their voice known with their 2016 ESPY nominations. The nominees for the "Best International Athlete" category includes two footballers. One of which is Cristiano Ronaldo...

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