Latest news with #JoanGamperTrophy
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Barcelona 'could be forced to push back Spotify Nou Camp return for a FIFTH time' - as Blaugrana sweat over £1.3bn project's key requirement
Barcelona fans have been hit with news that their Nou Camp return is set to be delayed yet again, with the club reportedly drawing up plans for alternative venues for the start of the upcoming season. Earlier this month, the club were forced to walk back plans to stage the Joan Gamper Trophy, an exhibition match held every August, at the revamped 105,000-seater stadium because of a licensing issue. It was the fourth major delay to the £1.3billion project after the club was unable to meet previous deadlines of November 2024 and February and May of this year. According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Blaugrana are now facing another headache, with the revised return of the September LaLiga clash against Valencia on matchday four looking 'increasingly unlikely' as they continue to wait to receive an occupancy permit from the city council. The council has previously stated that it cannot grant a licence, which they require to host the match, until the stadium works are fully completed. Their report claims that the club could play the fixture at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, where Barca Atletic typically play their fixtures. The club planned to return to the Nou Camp for the start of the LaLiga season is set to be missed Barca have hosted home games at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium during the two-year exile from their iconic home but a return to the ground is not possible due to an event in the arena that weekend. The Spanish champions are reportedly still hopeful of making the deadline but they have begun to draw up alternative options in case they are forced to keep their fans waiting even longer for the homecoming. Even once it reopens the Nou Camp will be at a lower capacity, expected to be between 50,000 to 60,000, until renovations are finished, which is likely to be at the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The completion of a new third tier, a roof installation, interior spaces and development of the stadium's surrounding areas still need to be completed. Last season Hansi Flick led the club to their first league title away from the Nou Camp.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Barcelona reach major milestone with new turf laid at Camp Nou
Barcelona have reached a major milestone in their return to Camp Nou with the pitch being laid on Tuesday. A clip on social media shows the grass being put down at the revamped stadium although as to when the team will start playing at the iconic ground is still unknown. Club officials and local authorities continue to manage the delayed timeline carefully. While Barcelona had initially aimed to resume matches at Camp Nou by August—specifically for the Joan Gamper Trophy on 10 August—that date has been officially ruled out due to pending construction permits, prompting the club to relocate the prestige match to their Johan Cruyff Stadium. In recent days, a technical and operational trial was conducted at the stadium. On 28 July, the club carried out extensive tests focusing on systems critical to match-day logistics—lighting, evacuation routes, fire detection, signage and accessibility in the South stand and VIP areas. Barcelona are targeting a partial reopening on 14 September, capped at around 60% capacity, equating to approximately 62,000 seats, for a La Liga match against Valencia. Despite these preparations, observers note continued delays across the broader redevelopment. While the pitch is ready and key operational elements are being tested, the third tier of seating and the stadium's roof remain under construction and are now postponed until summer 2026, with full completion expected in mid‑2026. Once fully complete, the upgraded stadium will hold around 105,000 spectators, making it the largest in Europe. The renovation includes improved VIP facilities, museum space, and modern accessibility features—all part of the ambitious €1.5 billion Espai Barça project aimed at boosting matchday revenue and club sustainability. 📸 JOSEP LAGO - AFP or licensors
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Why was Marcus Rashford substituted in his Barcelona debut after just 30 minutes?
By Aman Shukla Published on July 27, 2025, 17:26 IST Marcus Rashford's highly anticipated debut for FC Barcelona came to an unexpected early end, leaving fans curious about why the English forward was taken off just 30 minutes after coming on. Rashford entered the pitch as a second-half substitute in Barcelona's pre-season friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe on July 27, 2025. However, his time on the field was surprisingly brief. Around the 75th minute mark, Rashford was substituted off and replaced by young midfielder Dro Fernandez. So, why was Rashford substituted so soon after coming on? Planned Substitution, Not Injury As of now, there is no official report of any injury to Rashford. Barcelona's coaching staff, led by Hansi Flick, appears to have made a pre-planned substitution as part of the club's approach to managing minutes during the pre-season. These games are often used to test player fitness, integrate new signings, and provide opportunities to youth players. Rashford recently joined Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United. Since he had limited game time in the final weeks of the previous season and only just began training with his new club, his minutes were likely being carefully managed to avoid any risk of strain or fatigue. What's Next for Rashford? Barcelona fans shouldn't be too worried. Rashford's brief appearance still offered glimpses of his pace and attacking movement. As pre-season continues, he is expected to get more game time and gradually settle into Hansi Flick's system. His next opportunity could come in Barcelona's upcoming friendlies or in the Joan Gamper Trophy clash. For now, it looks like the substitution was strategic rather than medical—a normal part of pre-season rotations. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Mint
6 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
FC Barcelona likely to make decision on Marc-Andre ter Stegen's captaincy after Joan Gamper Trophy
The ongoing saga surrounding Marc-Andre ter Stegen's captaincy at FC Barcelona has captured the attention of fans. As the club prepares for the 2025-26 La Liga season, tensions between the German goalkeeper and the Barcelona hierarchy have escalated, putting his role as captain under intense scrutiny. The crucial decision is set to be made after the Joan Gamper Trophy. The rift between Marc-Andre ter Stegen and FC Barcelona stemmed from a series of events that have challenged the goalkeeper's standing within the club. The 33-year-old, who has been an important part of Barcelona's defense since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014, announced he would undergo back surgery, sidelining him for an estimated three months. This timeline, however, has caused friction, as La Liga regulations require a minimum four-month absence to classify an injury as long-term, allowing the club to use 80% of ter Stegen's salary to register new signing Joan Garcia. The club's medical staff countered, estimating a recovery period of four to five months, highlighting a discrepancy that has fueled internal discord. Marc-Andre ter Stegen's public statement about his injury and recovery timeline has been perceived by some within the club as prioritizing personal interests over the team's needs. This sentiment has led to growing calls to strip him of the captaincy. Barcelona's captaincy is traditionally decided through a squad vote following the Joan Gamper Trophy, a pre-season match that marks the symbolic start of the season. However, speculation is that head coach Hansi Flick may face pressure from club officials to intervene and remove the armband from ter Stegen directly, bypassing the usual democratic process. Several factors contribute to this debate. Firstly, ter Stegen's absence at the start of the season due to his surgery means he will likely miss the Joan Gamper Trophy, where the captain traditionally addresses the fans. Second captain Ronald Araujo is expected to take on this role, potentially signaling a shift in leadership dynamics. Moreover, with Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny ahead of him in the pecking order, ter Stegen faces the prospect of being the third-choice goalkeeper, a position deemed incompatible with the captaincy by some board members. Since joining Barcelona, ter Stegen has won 19 trophies, including six La Liga titles and the 2014-15 Champions League. Named captain in August 2024 following Sergi Roberto's departure, his leadership was tested last season when a severe knee injury sidelined him from September to May. Despite retaining the armband during his recovery, his return was marred by public frustration with the club and a refusal to accept a reduced role, creating tension with Flick.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joan Laporta sends Camp Nou message to Barcelona fans
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has provided an update on the club's ongoing efforts to return to the Spotify Camp Nou. The subject of Barca's return to their beloved home ground has of course taken its place centre stage in the headlines in Catalunya's capital once more over the last week. This comes after word was forthcoming that as much, again, had been delayed. After originally announcing plans to play next month's Joan Gamper Trophy match at the newly-renovated Camp Nou, the Blaugrana were forced to alter their plans, with the fixture now due to be played at Montjuïc. Speaking during an interview with this week, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the ongoing Camp Nou construction was put to Joan Laporta once more. And the Spanish patron went on to provide a lengthy response, with the key takeaway as follows: 'We're not considering the option of not returning to Spotify Camp Nou. Another season at Montjuïc wouldn't make sense. We will return to Spotify Camp Nou as soon as possible.' Conor Laird – GSFN
