Football

Robert Lewandowski's clinical finish in the 75th minute secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Barcelona over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday. The Polish striker, despite missing several earlier chances, remained composed to slot home the winner and earn Barcelona their second consecutive league win under new coach Hansi Flick.Barcelona took the lead in the first half through a deflected effort from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. However, Athletic Bilbao equalized from the penalty spot before halftime, with Oihan Sancet converting after Pau Cubarsi's clumsy foul on Alejandro Berenguer.Lewandowski had a frustrating first half, hitting the woodwork twice. But he made amends in the second half, firing home from close range after Raphinha's cross was parried into his path.Barcelona dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Pedri, making his first start after injury, impressed in midfield alongside Yamal. Raphinha also played a key role, providing the assist for Lewandowski's winner.Athletic Bilbao, despite their spirited performance, were unable to find an equalizer. They remain with just one point from their first two matches.Flick praised Lewandowski's resilience and Barcelona's overall performance. "Especially in the first half, he could have scored one or two goals... but in the end, this is a goal getter, a striker, who scores goals," Flick said. "The second goal was the winner, three points, perfect."Despite the absence of new signing Dani Olmo due to Barcelona's financial difficulties, Flick remains optimistic about his team's prospects. "These are things we have to accept because we cannot change it," he said. "We knew when we signed for Barca (the financial situation) is not easy, (so I) don't think about that. Today we wanted three points and we got it."

Over the past two decades, FC Barcelona has witnessed the brilliance of Lionel Messi, a forward who tormented defenders, scored breathtaking goals, and possessed exceptional playmaking skills. Three years after Messi's departure, the Catalonian club has potentially found a worthy successor in Lamine Yamal.Born and raised in Catalonia, Yamal joined FC Barcelona at the tender age of seven. His exceptional talent was evident from the outset, as he rapidly progressed through the age categories at La Masia. At just 15 years old, he began training with the first team under the guidance of coach Xavi Hernandez.Yamal's rise to prominence accelerated in the 2022/23 season, where he made his debut for the first team and became the youngest player to represent the club. His impressive performances continued in the 2023/24 campaign, where he set multiple records, including being the youngest player to reach 50 appearances.Yamal's breakthrough came at the 2024 European Championship, where he became the youngest player to ever play in a major tournament final. His exceptional play earned him the Young Player of the Tournament award, with one goal and four assists to his name.Yamal's attacking prowess is second to none. His speed, dribbling skills, and eye for goal make him a constant threat to opposing defenses. He possesses a remarkable ability to create chances for himself and his teammates, with his vision and passing range reminiscent of Messi.Despite his young age, Yamal has already shown immense maturity and leadership qualities. He is a vocal presence on the pitch and leads by example with his work ethic and determination.FC Barcelona fans are eagerly anticipating the 2024/25 season, where Yamal is expected to play a pivotal role. His potential is limitless, and he has the talent and drive to become one of the greatest players in the world.

FC Barcelona Shuts Down Academies in India After 14 YearsWorld-renowned football club FC Barcelona has announced the closure of all its academies in India, effective July 1, 2024. The decision comes 14 years after the club established its presence in the country with the aim of training young Indian footballers in the famed "La Masia" style.FC Barcelona has not provided an official reason for the closure. However, the club expressed gratitude to all the families, coaches, local staff, and Conscient Football, its India partner, for their contributions to the project over the years.The Barca Academy India was the largest grassroots football training and development initiative in the country. It operated multiple football training centers in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, offering programs, camps, leagues, tournaments, and exposure trips.The academy aimed to provide a comprehensive training environment for boys and girls between 4 to 17 years of age, focusing on developing their technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness. The program also emphasized the club's values of respect, humility, effort, teamwork, and ambition.Over the years, thousands of young Indian footballers have benefited from the Barca Academy's training. The academy has also been an active participant in the Barca Academy APAC tournament and the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona.The closure of the Barca Academies in India is a significant loss for the country's football development. The academy has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and promoting the sport at the grassroots level. It remains to be seen how the club's departure will impact the future of football in India.

Xavi Hernandez's tenure as Barcelona coach came to an end with a bittersweet 2-1 victory at Sevilla on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the La Liga season. Despite finishing second, the Catalans ended the campaign trophyless, but they managed to secure a triumph in Xavi's final match before his departure.Xavi's departure was announced by club president Joan Laporta on Friday, just weeks after Barcelona had declared that he would remain for the following season. The coach had previously stated in January that he intended to resign in the summer.Appointed in November 2021, Xavi led Barcelona to the Spanish title last season. However, this year, his team finished 10 points behind bitter rivals and champions Real Madrid. German coach Hansi Flick is expected to be named as Xavi's successor next week.Xavi acknowledged the challenges that await his replacement. "They should be aware that they are entering a difficult situation because Barca is a demanding club, and there is also an unfavorable financial situation – it will not be easy at all," he told DAZN."I believe that the work we have done has not been sufficiently valued given the difficult circumstances we inherited. When we arrived, Barca was ninth in the table, and we finished second... (then) we won a double, and this year we fell short due to four crucial games."Barcelona suffered defeats in both matches against Real Madrid in La Liga, as well as against third-place neighbors Girona and Villarreal. They ended on a positive note, however, with a victory at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona an early lead, but Youssef En-Nesyri equalized for Sevilla, whose coach Quique Sanchez Flores is also leaving at the end of the season.One of Xavi's accomplishments during his tenure has been the promotion of young players, including starlets Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, as well as midfielder Fermin Lopez. The 21-year-old put Barcelona back in front in the second half with a low strike from outside the area. Lopez celebrated his goal by embracing Xavi."As a professional, he has given us so much; he worked tirelessly every day for our success," Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen told DAZN. "We are extremely grateful for his time here. We wish him the best – on a personal level, he has been a friend for many years, and it is never easy to see him go."Before the game, some Sevilla fans protested against the board, wearing black and entering the game 10 minutes late, following another disappointing campaign in which the Andalusians finished 14th.

Lionel Messi's Napkin Contract with Barcelona Fetches Record-Breaking SumThe iconic napkin that served as the initial agreement between a young Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona has been sold at auction for a staggering 762,400 pounds (USD 965,000). The sale, conducted by British auction house Bonhams, marks a significant moment in sports memorabilia history.The napkin, bearing the date December 14, 2000, was used to draft a preliminary agreement to sign the then-13-year-old Messi. The contract was written in blue ink by Horacio Gaggioli, an agent from Messi's native Argentina, and signed by Gaggioli, another agent, Josep Maria Minguella, and Barcelona's then-sporting director, Carles Rexach.The napkin was intended to reassure Messi's father, Jorge Messi, that the deal would go through after negotiations with Barcelona had stalled. Jorge Messi had threatened to take his son back to Argentina if the club did not commit to signing him.The napkin contract was followed by a more formal and detailed contract with Barcelona. Messi went on to spend nearly two decades with the Catalan giants, making his first-team debut in 2004 and playing 17 seasons with the main squad. He helped the club win every major trophy, including the Champions League four times and the Spanish league 10 times.The sale of the napkin contract has generated significant interest among collectors and sports enthusiasts. The starting price was 300,000 pounds (USD 379,000), but the final bid far exceeded expectations. An undisclosed percentage of the sale price will be paid as administrative fees for the online auction.The sale of the napkin contract is a testament to the enduring legacy of Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time. It also highlights the value and significance of sports memorabilia, which can capture and preserve the history of iconic moments in sports.

FC Barcelona's Champions League hopes were dashed by a resurgent Paris Saint-Germain, led by the unstoppable Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, proved to be Barcelona's nemesis once again, scoring a stunning brace to seal PSG's 4-1 victory.Barcelona had taken an early lead through Raphinha, but Ronald Araujo's red card in the 29th minute proved to be a turning point. PSG capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Ousmane Dembele equalizing before Vitinha gave them the lead. Mbappe then took center stage, converting a penalty in the 61st minute and adding a second in the 89th minute to complete his brace.Mbappe's performance was a reminder of his immense talent and the threat he poses to any defense. The 25-year-old has now scored 41 goals this season, including eight in the Champions League. He is the first player in Europe's top flight to reach the 40-goal mark this season.Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League has also confirmed Atletico Madrid's berth in the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Barcelona were behind Atletico in the rankings, and their defeat to PSG secured Atletico's qualification for the FIFA event.

Lionel Messi's napkin, a relic from his humble beginnings, is set to fetch a staggering sum at auction. The napkin, estimated to sell for between $380,000 and $635,000, bears the handwritten promise of a contract made to the 13-year-old Messi by FC Barcelona's sporting director, Carles Rexach.The napkin, which has been on display in New York, serves as a testament to Messi's extraordinary journey from a working-class family in Rosario, Argentina, to becoming one of the greatest footballers of all time. In 2000, Messi's talent caught the attention of Barcelona scouts, but the club's hesitation to sign him outright led to a protracted negotiation.On December 14, 2000, at a Barcelona tennis club, Rexach, under pressure from Messi's father, scribbled the promise on the napkin. The napkin became a placeholder agreement until a formal contract could be drawn up.Messi's subsequent career at Barcelona was nothing short of legendary. He won the Spanish league 10 times, becoming the club's all-time top scorer with 474 goals. His departure from Barcelona in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his legacy at the club remains unparalleled.The napkin, which has been kept by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli for almost 25 years, is now being auctioned off. The sale has generated immense interest, with experts predicting it could sell for much more than the estimated price.The auction, which will run until March 27, will be held in New York, Paris, and London. The napkin is expected to attract bids from collectors and football enthusiasts alike, eager to own a piece of Messi's remarkable history.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has declared that his team is entering a "moment of truth" as they prepare for crucial matches in La Liga and the Champions League. The Catalan giants have enjoyed a resurgence in form, winning six consecutive matches in all competitions.Xavi's comments come after a turbulent period for Barcelona, who were written off as title contenders following a string of poor results in January. However, the team has since turned things around, with Xavi crediting the players' improved performances and positive mindset."We are much better than a few matches ago," Xavi said. "We have good feelings and this is the moment of truth. To measure ourselves against direct rivals as the Champions League approaches, this is the decisive moment."Barcelona currently trail league leaders Real Madrid by eight points, but have a game in hand. A victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday would be a significant step towards closing the gap. Athletic Bilbao, who are undefeated at home this season, will provide a stern test for Xavi's side."If we win, it'll be a big step forward," Xavi said. "We need to find the continuity in our game which we are lacking."Xavi also addressed speculation about his future, stating that his focus remains on the present. "Today nothing has changed, it's not an issue," he said.Barcelona's resurgence has been built on a solid defensive foundation and a more attacking approach in midfield. Pedri and Gavi have been instrumental in the team's recent success, providing creativity and energy in the center of the park.Robert Lewandowski continues to be a potent threat in front of goal, having scored 25 goals in all competitions this season. The Polish striker will be looking to add to his tally against Athletic Bilbao.With the Champions League knockout stages approaching, Barcelona will be eager to maintain their momentum. They will host Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie on March 15, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.