Back in January, Pep Guardiola was asked by a reporter if he thought Sergio Agüero was the world’s best No. 9. Guardiola’s response was classic: “The best is Messi. Messi is (the best) number nine, number 10, number 11, number seven, number six, number five, number four…”
Reports out of Spain this week have suggested Lionel Messi is done with Barcelona. Upset over contract negotiations and a sputtering title challenge, Spanish radio network Cadena Ser has reported the Argentine is ready to leave the only club he’s ever known as a professional.
Lionel Messi is ready to leave Barcelona in 2021, according to reports.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played out a 2-2 draw on Tuesday. Diego Costa opened up the scoring in the 11th minute with an unfortunate own goal.
BARCELONA — Barcelona gave up more ground to Real Madrid in LaLiga's title race on Tuesday after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid as a late penalty from Saul Niguez canceled out Lionel Messi's 700th career goal.
The draw meant the Catalans stayed second in the standings on 70 points and leaders Real Madrid, who have 71, will go four points clear at the top with five games left if they beat Getafe at home on Thursday.
Barcelona coach Quique Setién has said he does not always see eye-to-eye with his squad as their LaLiga title bid threatens to unravel following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo.
Second-placed Barça trail Real Madrid by two points with six games to go and face a grueling match at home to third-placed Atlético Madrid on Tuesday which they need to win to stay in close contention in the title race.
"It's true that you often have arguments with players as you do in everyday life and that's nothing new," Setién told a virtual news conference on Monday.
Juventus are set to sign Brazil international Arthur Melo from Barcelona after the midfielder agreed a five-year contract with the Italian champions and passed a medical, according to Spanish media reports on Sunday.
The move is part of a twin negotiation between the clubs which involves Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanić moving to Barça, said reports in sports dailies Mundo Deportivo and Marca.
Celta Vigo had 11 players behind the ball as Lionel Messi set up for a free kick just outside the box. Everyone expected the Argentine to shoot. Instead he picked out Luis Suarez with a pinpoint assist. Despite the impressive Messi assist to Suarez, however, Celta Vigo nicked a 2-2 draw to further hamper Barcelona’s title hopes on Saturday.
The Blaugrana looked strong for much of the match, especially when Messi set up a go-ahead goal in the 20th minute.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is not being used correctly in LaLiga, Barcelona manager Quique Setién said on Monday following Real Madrid's controversial win at Real Sociedad.
Madrid beat Sociedad 2-1 to climb above Barcelona at the top of LaLiga but the home side were aggrieved because they had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside and Karim Benzema's winner stood after he appeared to control the ball with his arm.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to miss the team's next match against Athletic Bilbao after the club said in a statement on Sunday he had injured the calf muscle in his right leg.
Dutch international De Jong missed Friday's 0-0 draw away to Sevilla which dented Barca's hopes of winning the Spanish title, with coach Quique Setien saying before the game he was leaving the player out as a precaution.