Latest news with #Barça
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
📸 Champions League: team of the season revealed!
PSG 🤝 Barça A few minutes after crowning Ousmane Dembélé as the best player of the season in the Champions League and Désiré Doué as the best young player, UEFA unveiled the team of the season. Of course, PSG is the most represented team. Two stars from Barça are also included, but also one from Inter and Arsenal. Does this XI seem logical to you? Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 MARCO BERTORELLO - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Barcelona superstar hits back at critics who questioned his level – ‘Not here as a gift from anyone'
Barcelona superstar hits back at critics who questioned his level – 'Not here as a gift from anyone' Barcelona are on a renewal spree to ensure that key figures stay bound to the club for the foreseeable future. And, Raphinha is among those to have given his commitment to the club for the long haul, signing a new contract until 2028. Advertisement The Brazilian star, after all, shone for Hansi Flick's side in the recently concluded season and ended the campaign as one of Europe's best-performing players. Raphinha is currently enjoying his vacation after the long season but will soon link up with the Brazilian national team to play under the orders of Carlo Ancelotti – the new manager of the Selecao. Raphinha's interview Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in a recent interview, Raphinha opened up on his season at Barcelona and how he was being linked with a departure from the club even just a year ago. He first began by dealing with the incessant rumours over his departure in recent transfer windows and how he has shut his haters this season. Advertisement 'Since I arrived, in every market there were rumours that I was leaving, that I was not good for this club. But I knew my ability,' he began. 'I'm not here as a gift from anyone. I'm here because of my work and what I did in other clubs and with the national team. Lack of level is not true,' he added. He then spoke out on how the criticism, to an extent, was understandable given the legacy of the club and how there is a fine margin between being a hero and a villain. 'But I'm at Barça, a big club, a demanding club, and if you don't give what people expect, it's normal to be criticized: that they say that it's better for you to leave, that you don't have the level to play with this shirt.' 'But I knew what I could give this club. I knew that if I worked and the results came, people would change their minds. And this is what has happened,' he added. Key player for Flick. (Photo by) Raphinha then went on to admit that he had interest from a lot of clubs in the Premier League and outside, insisting that it would not have been the case if he lacked quality. Advertisement 'Yes [I had offers]. This shows that it was not a lack of level. A player who has no level will not be looked for by the greats of the Premier League and other greats who were interested in me with very high offers.' On how he always wished to play only for Barcelona and how he did not have to break a sweat over his decision, the winger said: 'But I wanted to be here. Since I was little I followed Barça, I always watched them play. I remember Ronaldinho, Neymar, the history, the titles, the atmosphere, the fans.' 'I always wanted to be here and write my name in the history of the club. I had visited the city and the stadium before and it was my wish,' he added. Advertisement Finally, Raphinha joyfully spoke on the sensational season he enjoyed this time around and how it was just the beginning of great things to come following his renewal until 2028. 'Yes, it was my goal since I arrived: to be here for many years even more than I had in the old contract.' 'This was going through my head from the first moment I arrived. But I knew that to renew I had to perform and give my best version in every game and training,' the recently renewed star added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barcelona initiate talks with veteran La Liga goalkeeper for 2026 move
Barcelona's evolving strategy to reshape their goalkeeping department has taken a fresh twist. According to a new report from SPORT, the Catalan giants are laying the groundwork to sign Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro in 2026, when his release clause will drop significantly from its current €70 million value. Advertisement The interest is so severe that initial talks between the parties have already taken place. While Joan Garcia remains the immediate and preferred long-term heir to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the club is also thinking beyond the short-term extension of Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish goalkeeper has agreed to stay on for one more season, but with his contract only running until 2026 (at best), Barça are exploring the next layer of succession in goal. A change in plan Barcelona's initial goalkeeping roadmap, put together by sporting director Deco, was designed to be gradual. However, the unexpected need for rapid decisions has disrupted that approach. Advertisement Whether due to Ter Stegen's uncertain future or an accelerating transfer market, the club now finds itself forced to rethink timelines and personnel choices. Alex Remiro is back on Barcelona's radar. (Photo by) Even Hansi Flick has been vocal about the value of listening to seasoned staff and Jose Ramon de la Fuente, the long-time goalkeeping coach's endorsement of Remiro signals that this interest is very serious. Why Remiro? Remiro brings with him plenty of La Liga experience and consistency. Now 30, he is at the ideal age for a goalkeeper and has been a key figure for Real Sociedad over multiple seasons. While his current release clause is prohibitively high, it will be significantly reduced in 2026, a key detail that Barcelona are clearly watching closely. Advertisement The club believes that pairing an experienced, proven goalkeeper like Remiro with a younger option would offer balance and security as they prepare for life after both Ter Stegen and Szczesny. Adding urgency to the matter is external interest. Reports of Premier League side Aston Villa keeping tabs on Remiro have reached Barcelona's offices, prompting Deco to fast-track early conversations. While nothing has been finalised, the fact that contact has gone beyond mere scouting suggests Barça are keen to get ahead of the competition before Remiro's value on the market rises again.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Key reason why Luis Diaz is Hansi Flick's top choice to strengthen Barcelona's attack
Barcelona are closely watching Liverpool star Luis Diaz, and according to Mundo Deportivo, manager Hansi Flick has made it clear he is a big fan of the Colombian winger for one key reason. Even though Diaz could cost over €80 million, Flick sees him as a perfect fit for the kind of squad he wants to build at Barcelona. Advertisement What makes Diaz stand out is his versatility. Flick learned an important lesson this season that having players who can adapt to different roles is key to success. At Barça, this approach is already visible. Eric Garcia, mainly a centre-back, was used as a right-back due to Jules Kounde's injury and even as a pivot. Other players like Ronald Araujo, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and even Dani Olmo have all played in roles outside their usual positions under Flick. A winger who can also score as a striker Diaz is naturally a left-winger, but reports show he is also effective when playing through the middle. Hansi Flick really likes Luis Diaz. (Photo by) This season at Liverpool, he has played as a centre-forward in 15 games and managed to score eight goals. He is also found the net twice while playing as a false nine. This ability to switch roles without losing impact is exactly what Flick wants. Advertisement The coach values tactical flexibility, and Diaz's profile fits perfectly into that plan. His ability to play both wide and centrally gives Barcelona an attacking edge that's been missing at times. Barcelona are keeping Diaz high on their list of targets, but pulling off the deal won't be easy. Liverpool value the Colombian highly, and it's unlikely they will give the Catalan side any favours in negotiations. The transfer could cost Barça more than €80 million, a fee that will require careful planning given the club's financial situation. Still, with Flick looking to build a flexible, hard-working team, Diaz ticks all the boxes.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
FC Barcelona News: 24 May 2025
Arsenal vs Barcelona Women's Champions League final preview: Where to watch, possible starting line-ups | UWCL | When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible starting line-ups? All you need to know about Saturday's UEFA Women's Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona. Seven from FC Barcelona in the Team of the Season - FC Barcelona La Liga has reached its end, which means it's time to reveal the players chosen for this season's LaLiga Team of the Season. Voting closed on 11 May, and the 22 footballers who make up this year's XI plus substitutes are now confirmed. And they're headed by seven Barça players from Hansi Flick's side, who clinched the league crown mathematically on 15 May. Advertisement The squad for the UWCL final - FC Barcelona FC Barcelona are hoping to cap another wonderful season with a third consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League win this Saturday, when they face English side Arsenal in Lisbon. Pere Romeu: 'A very special game' - FC Barcelona FC Barcelona manager joined by Alexia and Aitana to speak to the press ahead of the UWCL final in Lisbon. FC Barcelona presents The World is Watching Us, an inspirational video featuring the women's football team - FC Barcelona Just one day before the UEFA Women's Champions League final between Barça Femení and Arsenal (this Saturday 24 May at 5pm local time (6pm CEST) in Lisbon at the Estadio José Alvalade Stadium), the club is proud to unveil the audiovisual piece 'THE WORLD IS WATCHING US.' Alexia: 'If we're close to our best version, we'll be close to scoring' - Mundo Deportivo The Barça captain assures that "we are coming in with energy, both in terms of playing and physical level" ahead of the Champions League Final. Advertisement Aitana: "It's a final and anyone can win" - Mundo Deportivo The current Ballon d'Or winner acknowledges that Barça are now the benchmark in women's football: "Before, Lyon was the mirror, now it's us." Patri's scare at a Barça training session with nothing to hide - Mundo Deportivo Pere Romeu allowed the entire training session to be followed, unlike Arsenal, who trained in London, and the midfielder was treated for a knock that came to nothing. Cubarsí's call-up to the U-21 European Championship has been halted - Mundo Deportivo The young Barça player, under great pressure after the Olympics and a tough end to the season, will not attend the continental event and will prioritize his rest after the Nations League Final Four. Arne Slot reacts to Deco's comments about Luis Díaz - Mundo Deportivo The Liverpool manager was asked about Barça's interest in the Colombian winger and used irony to respond to the Barça director of football. Advertisement Jonathan Tah is going to Bayern Munich and isn't waiting for Barça - Mundo Deportivo The center-back, who had been linked with Barça, will continue his career in the Bundesliga after finishing his contract with Bayer Leverkusen. Monaco want to sign Ansu Fati - Mundo Deportivo The Monegasque club is considering the Barça player for another Champions League campaign. Barça closely monitoring Ben Seghir and Akliouche - Mundo Deportivo The Monaco wingers join the list of names linked with possible interest from the Blaugrana club. More from
