Xavi offers Pedri advice on Olympics

Photo by Fran Santiago - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

The midfielder has been called into the Spain squad

Barcelona midfielder Pedri was named in the Spain squad for the Tokyo Olympics this week which was followed by swift reports that the Catalan giants are not too keen on the idea of the youngster playing at the tournament.

Pedri has swerved the issue in a recent interview, while reports suggest the RFEF have no intention of leaving the teenager behind when the squad flies out to Japan shortly.

Club legend Xavi Hernandez, who won a silver medal with Spain at the 2000 Olympics, has now offered his thoughts on the subject and thinks Pedri should definitely go and play in the tournament.

“If I were Pedri, I would go to the Games. I had the opportunity at the time and they are opportunities that do not return,” he said. “He is 18 years old and the footballer wants to play, it is a unique opportunity to go to the Games. If you ask Pedri, he will tell you that he is excited.”

Source | Mundo Deportivo

Xavi was also asked about Lionel Messi’s future in the wake of the captain’s contract expiring at the Camp Nou and is expecting to hear news of the 34-year-old’s future soon.

He added, “I wish Leo the best, as a friend of his and as a culé, I wish him to continue at Barça, hopefully it can be announced as soon as possible. If I had to bet, I would say that he will continue at the club, although many things have been said in football, but I would say that he will continue. Leo needs Barça and Barça needs Leo.”

Messi’s contract is reportedly being held up by La Liga’s financial fair play rules. President Joan Laporta is set to meet with La Liga chief Javier Tebas on Friday to try and resolve some fo the issues.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3dvZJkY

Read More

BB Pod: Free agent Messi & Euro 2020 quarter-finals preview

A look at the latest hot topics

This week on the Barca Blaugranes podcast, I chat about Lionel Messi officially becoming a free agent. Then I dive into a bit of Barcelona contract news before heading into a Euro 2020 knockout stage recap discussion. Finally, I predict some of the quarter-final matchups and ponder thoughts of an England vs. Spain final in London.

Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more here.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3hawWVf

Read More

Pedri: The more matches I play the better

Photo by Fran Santiago - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

The midfielder insists he’s not feeling tired

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has dismissed talk of tiredness as he prepares for a European Championship quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Friday and potentially a trip to the Olympics with Spain after the Euros.

Pedri has endured a hectic schedule after making 52 appearances for Barcelona in 2020-21 and then finding himself a fixture in Luis Enrique’s Spain team at the Euros.

The 18-year-old has also been called into the Spain squad for the Olympics and has been asked if he’s feeling the effects of a long season for club and country.

“Like any child, what I love is to play and the more games the better. It is true that I have many games, but I can be playing all year,” he said. “After the games I end up tired like everyone else, but after three days I’m ready to play again and with my batteries recharged.”

“I had never played so many games in a row. As a child the normal thing is that I never get tired, now I notice more the physical level of professionalism and you have to take advantage of the time to rest. The first moments I am tired, but after two or three days I am fine. Mentally I am strong, I am very sure of what I do.”

Source | El Pais

There have been reports that Barcelona aren’t keen on Pedri heading to the Olympics and Pedri was also asked if he would be heading to Tokyo. However, the youngster didn’t give much away saying only, “The Games are a dream for everyone and if there is table tennis, I play [laughs].”

The most recent reports have suggested that Pedri will be heading off to the Olympics with the RFEF not too interested in Barcelona’s complaints.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3y7KYN4

Read More

Spurs interested in Miralem Pjanic - report

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

The midfielder is expected to leave this summer

Sport are reporting that Tottenham are interested in bringing in Miralem Pjanic. The Barcelona midfielder has had a disappointing tenure at the Camp Nou thus far having not been able to break into any consistent playing time.

The biggest problem was he just didn’t fit into what Ronald Koeman wanted to do in the midfield. Despite the talent Pjanic brings to the pitch, he just wasn’t what the club needed.

There have been rumors for some time that he desires a return to Serie A and multiple teams are interested. Pjanic has some interest from Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus. The reporting seems to indicate he would only want to return to Italy if it was going home to Juventus.

That leads us to Spurs who have been in touch with new sporting director Fabio Paratici apparently thinking about a loan. We’ll just have to see if Spurs can pay him more than Juventus were willing to pay him, that’s what this may come down to.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3AgMoH5

Read More

Pedri will become one of Spain’s best ever players - Morata

Photo by Martin Rose - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Big praise for the young midfielder

Barcelona midfielder Pedri is set to become “one of the best players” in Spain’s history, according to teammate Alvaro Morata.

The 18-year-old has followed up a superb debut season with Barcelona by going on to play a key role for Spain at Euro 2020.

Morata has been full of praise for the youngster and has explained just what makes the teenager such a special talent.

“I was amazed by Pedri. Both Pedri and Eric García. He had a difficult year and I looked at him, giving a very high level in the national team. And you see Pedri, he plays and seems to be 40 years old.

“There are people and players who need a long time to manage emotions, manage pressure and become strong in some things and there are others who take it as standard.

“You cannot buy that, you can improve over time. The personality and attitude you have. .. there are few who have it. Hopefully he will be lucky with the injuries because he will undoubtedly be one of the best players in the history of Spain.”

Source | El Larguero

Pedri and Spain return to action at the Euros on Friday with a quarter-final tie against Switzerland in Saint Petersburg. Luis Enrique’s side progressed after a thrilling 5-3 win over Croatia in the last 16.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3hmcJuM

Read More

FC Barcelona News: 1 July 2021

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

A round-up of the latest Barcelona news and rumors

Messi’s Barcelona contract has ended | Marca

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract expired on June 30 and the club captain is now a free agent. The Catalans still expect the 34-year-old to sign a new deal and stay at the Camp Nou.

FC Barcelona to open La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad | FC Barcelona

Barcelona will kick off the new 2021-22 La Liga season at home to Real Sociedad on August 14-15.

Inter looking to replace Achraf with Sergi Roberto | Sport

Serie A champions Inter are considering replacing Achraf Hakimi with Sergi Roberto. The Barcelona star has not yet renewed his contract and his future is unclear.

The RFEF are clear: Pedri will go to the Olympics | Marca

Barcelona midfielder Pedri is expected to go to the Tokyo Olympics with Spain despite his club’s desire for him to skip the tournament because of fears over burnout.

First Clásico of La Liga season at Camp Nou on 23/24 October

The first Clasico of the 2021-22 season will take place at the Camp Nou on the weekend of the 23-24 October. The return at the Bernabeu is set for the 19-20 March 2022.

Barça keeping an eye on Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic | Sport

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. The Croatian is seen as an alternative to Georginio Wijnaldum and is out of contract next year.

Frenkie de Jong and Aitana Bonmatí win Barça Players Award 20/21 | FC Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong and Aitana Bonmati have won the 2020-21 Barcelona Players Award. The award recognizes the “most sporting male and female player of the previous season.”

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3dzzCtp

Read More

Laporta offers Messi update after Barcelona contract expires

Photo by Pressinphoto / Icon Sport

The captain is a free agent

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has offered an update on Lionel Messi’s future after the captain’s contract at the Camp Nou expired at the end of June.

The Argentina international is now, weirdly, a free agent but Laporta insists everything is “on going well” when it comes to keeping the 34-year-old at the Camp Nou.

“We want him to stay and Leo wants to stay, everything is going well, we have the issue of fair play, we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties,” he said.

“I would like to announce that he is staying but at the moment I cannot say it because we are in the process of looking for the best solution for both parties.”

Source | Onda Cero

Messi becoming a free agent has, unsurprisingly, attracted plenty of headlines, but he is still expected to sign a new deal and continue at the Camp Nou. The Catalans will be keen for the Argentine to put pen to paper as soon as possible to put an end to the saga but may have to wait a little longer yet.

The Barca captain is currently preparing for a Copa America quarter-final with Ecuador on Saturday and another win will bring up a semi-final against Uruguay or Colombia. The final of the competition is scheduled for July 10.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3y8a4eT

Read More