It’s been five years since Real Madrid defender Marcelo showed up at an Alevín A training session (La Fábrica’s U-12 category) and watched on in disbelief as Takuhiro “Pipi” Nakai, then age 11, dribbled in a style that the Brazilian admitted was beyond his level of understanding.
Pipi showing his qualities to Marcelo . pic.twitter.com/5jaFj8pWP3
Manchester City will be in a position to sign Lionel Messi if the opportunity presents itself next season, the Premier League club's chief operating officer said.
City were the frontrunners to land Messi's services after the 33-year-old Argentine handed Barcelona an official notice in August of his desire to terminate his contract.
Lionel Messi could be convinced to stay at Barcelona beyond this season, despite interest from Manchester City, according to his former teammate Luis Suarez.
The Barca captain tried to force his way out of the club in the close season but agreed to stay until his contract ends in June 2021.
Argentina forward Messi, 33, revealed his frustrations with the club's board and a lack of planning but said he would give his all this season.
Luis Suárez has said he was reduced to tears by Barcelona's treatment of him in his final weeks at the club before leaving for LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid and revealed he was not allowed to take part in training matches.
"Those days were very difficult. I cried because of what I was having to go through," Suarez told the Uruguay national team's official media after scoring in Thursday's 2-1 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier.
Barcelona must press on with plans to renovate Camp Nou in order to replenish revenues lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic, vice-president Jordi Moix told Reuters, adding that the $957 million project will pay for itself.
The club announced a financing deal with Goldman Sachs on Monday to modernize their iconic but run down stadium and raise its capacity from 99,000 to 105,000. Should the plan be approved by club members next year, building work can begin by June 2021 and will take around five years to complete.