Latest news with #Catalans
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lamine Yamal seals Champions League award despite MVP frustration
Barcelona's UEFA Champions League title challenge ended in the semi final stage as Hansi Flick missed out on a quadruple. The Catalans settled for a domestic treble as part of a sensational first season in charge for Flick with the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup sealed. Advertisement Defeat in a chaotic semi final to Inter Milan saw a controversial end of the road for Flick's team as the Serie A giants went on to lose to PSG in the final. Following PSG's 5-0 demolition of Simone Inzaghi's team at the Allianz Arena, UEFA's technical committee confirmed a host of individual awards, including one for Lamine Yamal. Lamine Yamal wins Champions League goal award Both semi final clashes with Inter Milan were sensational spectacles as Barcelona secured a 3-3 home draw before a crazy 4-3 loss at the San Siro. After falling 2-0 down early on at home, Lamine Yamal led the Barcelona response, as the 17-year-old curled home a special goal to drag the hosts back into the contest. It was another strike for the growing Lamine Yamal collection despite Barcelona's frustration at not reaching the final. Doue beats Lamine Yamal in U21 MVP race 19-year-old Desire Doue scored twice in PSG's final win over Inter Milan to bring him up to 15 goals scored in all competitions in 2024/25. Advertisement Both he and Lamine Yamal netted five in the UCL, but UEFA's committee opted to give him the UEFA Champions League Young Player of the tournament award, after a special role in Munich. UEFA were firm in their recognition of Luis Enrique's first-time winners and there was a Barcelona connection in the main player award. Former La Blaugrana winger Ousmane Dembele has been transformed in Paris – with a whopping 33 goals in all competitions – and his eight in Europe helped him to the top MVP trophy.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Barcelona enter talks to sign Arsenal star on free transfer
Barcelona have held talks about signing Thomas Partey, who will see his Arsenal contract expire at the end of the month despite talks continuing over an extension Barcelona are weighing up a move for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is out of contract come the end of June and will be available for nothing. Discussions over a new deal in north London have continued, but have dragged on and that has given encouragement to the Catalans and their Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid, where Partey played before he moved to Arsenal. Barcelona bosses have opened talks with Partey's camp as they gauge interest over a move to the Nou Camp. Hansi Flick is known to be an admirer and sees the Ghanaian as a cheap way of adding more quality to their midfield. It is understood that the midfielder would ideally like to remain in north London. Partey recently welcomed a new baby and his family have settled in London, adding to his desire to remain at the club. That said the player doesn't want to to take a major pay cut. Partey joined the Gunners in 2020 for £45million but has endured an injury-plagued spell at the club. When fit though he remains an influential presence in the middle of the pitch and this term was able to play in 35 league games as Arsenal finished second. One source told The Sun on the situation: 'Thomas respects Arsenal massively and loves living in London, but he also knows his worth and wants a deal that reflects his standing at the club.' Partey understands his value and believes his next contract should represent his standing at the Emirates, even though he will turn 32 this month. In the past the Ghanaian has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but he and Arsenal have resisted that temptation. Arteta has recently said on Partey's future: "Yeah. In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it's been his best season. I think the way he's played, performed, his availability has been exceptional, and he's a really important player for us.' Since Arsenal became Premier League contenders they've continued to bolster their midfield ranks. Declan Rice was bought for a club-record fee from West Ham and Martin Zubimendi is expected to become their first signing this summer, joining from Real Sociedad.
Korea Herald
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Banksy unveils street shadow art
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — The lighthouse appeared overnight. Painted on a wall tucked away in a quiet Marseille street, its beam aligned perfectly with the real-life shadow of a metal post on the pavement. At its center, stenciled in crisp white, are the words: 'I want to be what you saw in me.' Banksy had struck again. The elusive British street artist confirmed the work by posting two images on his official Instagram account b without caption or coordinates. Fans quickly identified the location as 1 Rue Felix Fregier, in the Catalans district of Marseille's 7th arrondissement, near the sea. Since then, crowds have gathered at the site. Tourists snap photos. Children point. Locals who usually walk past the building stop to take a closer look. There is no official explanation for the phrase. But its emotional pull is unmistakable -- a quiet plea for recognition, love or redemption. Some speculate it references a country ballad by Lonestar. Others call it a love letter. Or a lament. Or both. The image is deceptively simple: a lone lighthouse, dark and weathered, casting a stark white beam. But what gives it power is the way it plays with light -- the real and the painted, the seen and the imagined. The post in front of the wall becomes part of the piece. Reality becomes the frame. Marseille's mayor, Benoit Payan, was quick to react online. 'Marseille x Banksy,' he wrote, adding a flame emoji. By midday, the hashtag #BanksyMarseille was trending across France, and beyond. Though often political, Banksy's art is just as often personal, exploring themes of loss, longing and identity. In recent years, his works have appeared on war-ravaged buildings in Ukraine, in support of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and on walls condemning capitalism, Brexit, and police brutality. The artist, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, 'Laugh now, but one day I'll be in charge.' His work has sold for millions of dollars at auction, and past murals on outdoor sites have often been stolen or removed by building owners soon after going up. In December 2023, after Banksy stenciled military drones on a stop sign in south London, a man was photographed taking down the sign with bolt cutters. Police later arrested two men on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. In March 2024, an environmentally themed work on a wall beside a tree in north London was splashed with paint, covered with plastic sheeting and fenced off within days of being created. Despite the fame — or infamy — at least in Marseille, not everyone walking past noticed it. Some didn't even know who Banksy was, according to the local press. On Instagram observers say this Marseille piece feels quieter. More interior. And yet, it is no less global. The work arrives just ahead of a major Banksy retrospective opening June 14 at the Museum of Art in nearby Toulon featuring 80 works, including rare originals. Another exhibit opens Saturday in Montpellier. But the Marseille mural wasn't meant for a museum. It lives in the street, exposed to weather, footsteps and time. As of Friday evening, no barriers had been erected. No glass shield installed. Just a shadow, a beam and a message that's already circling the world.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Banksy in Marseille
The anonymous artist has sold his artworks for millions of pounds since 2000s. PHOTO: File A new mural depicting a lighthouse by world-famous street artist Banksy has appeared on a wall in the southern French city of Marseille, with AFP confirming its location on Friday. The anonymous artist known as Banksy revealed the new work on Instagram on Thursday but its location had not been disclosed. The words "I want to be what you saw in me" are stencilled in English across the black lighthouse set against a beige stucco wall. The mural is on a quiet street near the Catalans beach not far from the city centre, according to an AFP correspondent. The lighthouse's painted shadow connects to one of the street bollards lining the sidewalk. Banksy — whose identity has not been publicly revealed — has crossed the globe for decades painting clandestine murals in public spaces, including in the occupied West Bank, London and Los Angeles. "It's fascinating that Banksy chose a city like Marseille, which has so much art, foreigners and life," said Esteban Roldan, a 42-year-old carpenter who came to see the artwork. "This is huge, Banksy in Marseille," added another local, Virginie Foucault. She said she was having lunch nearby. "I thought to myself, 'I'm not going to find it in Les Catalans,' and then, by chance — I never go there — there it is. We love it, we love it!" Banksy is best known for hard-hitting murals, often using a distinctive stencilling style, that frequently pop up on buildings and walls. In recent years, he has kept the attention of the contemporary art world with his social commentaries and causes — migrants, opposition to Brexit, denunciation of Islamist radicals - while still stirring the excitement of the moneyed art markets. The artist boasts an A-list client lineup and has sold his works for tens of millions of pounds at auction since the early 2000s. afp
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Barcelona ‘don't want to pay for Marcus Rashford' in blow to Man Utd with two other Prem wingers on their shortlist
Scroll down to see how Rashford compares to fellow targets FORD SIESTA Barcelona 'don't want to pay for Marcus Rashford' in blow to Man Utd with two other Prem wingers on their shortlist MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow after Barcelona reportedly declared they do NOT want to pay for Marcus Rashford. The England forward's future is in the spotlight following a half-season loan at Aston Villa. 4 Barcelona do not want to pay to sign Marcus Rashford this summer Credit: Getty Rashford scored two goals in 14 outings under Unai Emery while helping Villa reach the Champions League quarters. But their failure to qualify for next season's competition means they are unlikely to sign Rashford permanently for an already-agreed £40million. SunSport exclusively revealed the 27-year-old wants to play in the Champions League. And he has now set his sights on a move to Spanish champions Barcelona. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Sesk pistols Man Utd 'could hijack Arsenal's Sesko transfer thanks to secret weapon' Hansi Flick's men are indeed interested in Rashford. However, German outlet Bild claims they do not want to sign him permanently and are only willing to discuss a loan deal. It leaves United in a precarious position, with the Red Devils hoping to cash in on Rashford to fund new signings. It's believed they would give the OK to one more loan move for Rashford. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS But it requires Barcelona to cover the entirety of his £315,000-a-week wages while also paying a loan fee between £5m and £10m. United also want to agree an option fee for a permanent deal in the summer of 2026. Marcus Rashford sells Lamborghini supercar for £450,000 and buys incredibly rare £177,000 Audi 4 However, Barcelona's reluctance to hand over any money for Rashford could see them look elsewhere. If they are to spend hard cash, the Catalans would reportedly prefer to sign Liverpool's Colombian star Luis Diaz. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is also in their sights. While Flick remains a fan of Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman. 4
