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UCL: It Was Revenge For Fans – Raphinha Reflects On Barcelona’s 4-1 Win Over Bayern

Raphinha, the Barcelona forward, has said their 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night, was “revenge” for fans who were hurt by past results against the German giants.

Raphinha, who was making his 100th appearance for Barca, bagged a hat-trick as the Catalans ended a run of six successive defeats against Bayern in the competition.

The Brazilian winger only featured in two of those fixtures. But according to him, he experienced them all as a supporter.

Raphinha, speaking after the victory, said: “It was revenge for the fans I think.

“For us on the inside, the players, we don’t look at the past.

“We focus on the next game. But I suffered those games as a fan, too.”

Barcelona’s next game is the El Clasico against Real Madrid this Saturday.

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LaLiga: Why I Joined Barcelona – New Manager, Hansi Flick

Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick has opened up on why he chose to be the manager of the Spanish club.
According to him, he joined the La Liga giant because he shared the same vision, possession and quality football with the Catalan club.

The German, on Wednesday, officially signed a contract that will see him remain at Camp Nou until 30 June 2026.

Speaking after he was announced as the new manager, Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernandez, also said he was proud to be at Barca.
According to him, he wants to improve Barcelona’s academy players.
 
“I’m proud to be at Barça, it’s a wonderful and incredible club really,” Flick said.
“We share the same vision, possession and quality football.
 
“Barça has La Masia, one of the best academies in the world; so our mission is to improve all the players.”
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Barcelona Sack Manager Xavi, Just A Month After He Reversed His Decision To Quit At The End Of The Season

Spanish football powerhouse, Barcelona have sacked their manager Xavi.

Xavi was sacked with former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to replace him.

Xavi will take charge of Barcelona for the final time on Sunday, when they host Sevilla in their last La Liga match of the season.

The 44-year-old, who had been contracted until 2025, was informed of the club’s decision during a meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco on Friday.

Former Spain midfielder Xavi announced in January that he would leave the Camp Nou, but he was persuaded to stay by Laporta in April.

But recent comments from Xavi, in which he opened up about the club’s financial struggles, are said to have angered Laporta.

Barcelona said they would like to “thank Xavi for his work as a coach” since taking charge in 2021.

 

The Catalans added confirmation about a “new structure” will be confirmed in the coming days, with Flick set to take charge.

Flick, 59, has been out of work since being sacked by Germany in September 2023.

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LaLiga: Why I Changed My Mind About Leaving Barcelona – Xavi

Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona manager, has spoken up on why he decided to stay at the LaLiga club.

Xavi announced in January that he will be quitting as head coach in the summer.

The 44-year-old said he would be walking away despite having a contract until 2025 at the Nou Camp.

However, in a dramatic u-turn on Wednesday, Xavi has decided to continue with Barca, after meeting with the club’s president, Joan Laporta and other senior officials.

The former Spain midfielder has now given reasons for his decision to remain at the club.

“I changed my mind because I really felt total confidence from the president, from the board and the players too. This project isn’t finished yet.

“Me, my staff, all together feel that we have strength to make important things together and continue this project,” Xavi said.

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LaLiga: I Am Leaving Barcelona At End Of Season – Coach, Xavi Shocks Fans

Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona manager, has revealed he will be leaving the LaLiga club at the end of this season.

Xavi was speaking after the Catalans lost 5-3 to Villarreal in a league game on Saturday.

The result leaves Barca 10 points behind rivals Real Madrid on the log.

According to Xavi, he spoke with the board and communicated his decision.

He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June.

“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave.

“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”

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La Liga Gives Messi Conditions To Return To Barcelona From PSG

Javier Tebas, the La Liga President, has talked about Lionel Messi’s return to the league.

He said Messi will earn less at Barcelona if he makes a return from Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi is set to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer when his current contract expires.

The Argentina captain was suspended by PSG this week, following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

It is believed the relationship between Messi and the French club is now broken.

Tebas has now said for Messi to rejoin Barcelona, the La Liga side must also sell players for good amounts.

“If Barça signs Leo Messi, his salary will be less than what it is at Paris Saint-Germain.

“His return is now conditional on selling players. I think that Barça will get a good amount from selling players this summer,” Tebas said.

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Xavi confirms Barcelona met with La Liga authorities over possible Lionel Messi return

Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that they held talks with La Liga authorities over a possible return of Lionel Messi from Ligue 1 club, Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine football legend who left the club in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, will be out of contract with the French club at the end of this season.

Confirming that they are interested in bringing Messi back to Camp Nou, Xavi told reporters;

“Yes [Barcelona met with La Liga], but not only for the possible arrival of Leo. We’ll see in order to improve the squad for next year, but it is not the important issue; there is still a league to win.

“Tomorrow we have a key game and this is the important issue. This is a matter of Mateu (Alemany) and he informs us, but, in theory, everything is going well. In the end, we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. It’s very soon to talk about it. We are focused on the match against Betis and on winning La Liga, which would give us a lot of stability. We will talk about possible signings.”

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Aguero Speaks On Messi Returning To Barcelona

Sergio Aguero, the world-famous Manchester City legend, has talked about Lionel Messi.

He expressed his desire to see Messi, the Paris Saint-Germain forward return to Barcelona.

Aguero and Messi are close friends and a former international teammate with the Argentina national team.

Messi’s contract with PSG will expire at the end of the season, and the 35-year-old is yet to sign a new deal with the French Ligue 1 champions.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona.

Speaking with Stake, Aguero said, “Wherever he feels like. That is the best place for him.

“I wish Leo the best because he deserves it. Nothing can beat whatever his choice is.”

He added, “I would love to see him play for Barca again, but as I said, it is on him to decide.

“We all know what Leo can give back to Barca once more.”

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Barcelona Confirm Talks To Re-sign Lionel Messi From Paris Saint Germain

Spanish Football club, Barcelona has confirmed it is making plans to re-sign Lionel Messi.
Barca vice president, Rafa Yuste confirmed that the club contacted Messi about a possible return to the club this summer.
The Argentine superstar famously left Barca in tears in 2021. He then joined Paris Saint Germain as a free agent and signed a two-year contract which expires on June 30.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s deal at the Parc des Princes came with the option of an additional year that Messi has thus far been reluctant to take up.
Mundo Deportivo has reported on Friday that PSG are willing to offer Messi “more money and more years” than just the additional “plus one”.
On Thursday, French sports outlet L’Equipe reported that Messi currently takes home €3.375 million ($3.7 million) a month from the Ligue 1 giants, which puts him third behind teammates Neymar in second and leader Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking earlier today in Spain, Yustewhile holding a press conference, confirmed his club’s interest in re-signing Messi.
“Leo [Messi] and his family know the affection I have for them. I participated in the negotiations that unfortunately did not lead to a successful conclusion,” Yuste began, reminiscing about the Argentine’s exit.
“I have the thorn in my side that Leo could not continue in our club. If we are talking about La Masia and grassroots football, we are talking about Messi.
 
“Of course I would love for him to come back, for what it could represent at a sporting, social and economic level. We are in contact with them, yes,” Yuste confirmed.
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Prosecutors to go after Barcelona over payments to official of referees committee

Prosecutors have formally accused La Liga giant, Barcelona of corruption over alleged payments to a company that belonged to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former Vice President of Spain’s referees’ committee, for several years.

Prosecutors will now be pursuing a case against Barcelona after the official announcement on Friday, March 10.

This is coming weeks after it was reported that Barca paid Negreira and a company he owns 8.4m euros (£7.4m) between 2001 and 2018. While Barcelona had claimed they were only interested in referee scouting reports, their sporting integrity has also been called into question.

Former Presidents of the Spanish football club, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell are also targeted in the case.

The public prosecutor’s office said in a statement;

“FC Barcelona obtained and maintained a strictly confidential verbal agreement with Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira so that, in his capacity as vice-president of the technical arbitral committee (CTA) and in exchange for money, the latter carries out actions tending to benefit FC Barcelona in decisions by the referees.”

Despite the club’s stance, revelations that Negreira offered to “help with VAR” suggests that there could be more for prosecutors to investigate. If found guilty, Barcelona could face sporting sanctions.

Barcelona coach Xavi, who won eight La Liga titles with them as a player between 1998 and 2015, has said he had no knowledge of the payments and never had the feeling his team had any advantage.