Lionel Messi has yet to score from open play this season, his only three goals coming from the penalty spot. At times his finishing makes it appear as though he could care less about scoring for the club that strong-armed him into staying in Barcelona colors this year.
But the Argentine can still strike the ball like few who have ever played the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the Juventus squad for the Champions League match at home to Barcelona later on Wednesday, two weeks after first testing positive for COVID-19.
The Portuguese had been hoping to return in time for Wednesday's match and, although there was no official comment on his condition, he was not included in the squad announced by Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo. Reports on Tuesday suggested Ronaldo tested positive for Covid again this week.
BARCELONA — Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned from the club on Tuesday ahead of a vote of no confidence that was due to be held next month after some 20,000 fans signed a petition demanding that he step down.
The rest of the board of directors also resigned.
"It's a thought-out, serene, informed decision" to resign, Bartomeu said in a televised speech.
BARCELONA — Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos once again proved to be the man for the big occasion as he converted a fiercely debated penalty to help his side to a 3-1 win over rivals Barcelona at an empty Camp Nou in LaLiga on Saturday.
Ramos, making a record 45th appearance in the 'Clasico' fixture, was awarded the spot-kick following a VAR review, after falling in the area when his shirt was tugged by Barca's Clement Lenglet as the pair contested a corner.
With a quick tweet of the ref’s whistle and a swift kick from Karim Benzema, 19-year-old Sergiño Dest made history. The fullback became the first American to play in El Clásico on Saturday, starting on the right flank of Barcelona’s defense alongside Gerard Piquè, lining up opposite of Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
Kickoff at Camp Nou makes this one .
The quickest way to spot a football fan would be to say the words El Clasico. It is known around the world and maybe the most must-see annual football event. Every time Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other there will surely be headlines in the making. The two are two of the most successful and biggest clubs in the world. El Clasico has seen some of the best players in history put on a show, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane and many others.
MADRID — Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has torn into the club over its handling of the Lionel Messi contract situation, which resulted in the forward attempting to leave in the close-season.
I don’t know if Spanish newspaper ABC is indeed as pathetically racist as it appears to be, but it’s hard to think otherwise after its recent game report of Barcelona’s Champions League win over Ferencváros on Tuesday. The author’s half-assed non-apology only heightens my suspicions.
The first Clásico of the 2020-21 season comes thundering into our living rooms on Saturday as Lionel Messi — perhaps for the final time — welcomes Real Madrid to the Camp Nou at 10 a.m. ET on beIN SPORTS. So how about an El Clásico prediction before then?
Honestly, I’d rather not.
With or without Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or any other superstar past or present, El Clásico is the biggest rivalry in sports; the history between Barcelona and Real Madrid is simply unmatched. But the first Clásico of the 2020-21 season could be a memorable one, as it might just be the final time Lionel Messi faces Los Merengues at his longtime home of Camp Nou. You’re going to want to do whatever you can to watch it.