https://www.scmp.com/rss/315964/feed FC Barcelona, founded in 1899, are a Spanish football club. One of the biggest names in world football, they have won the Spanish league 22 times and the European Cup four times. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo and the English Premier League were the big winners in a soccer popularity survey of the Chinese digital market. According to the annual Red Card Report, Chelsea became the Premier League’s most successful team in China, leapfrogging champions Manchester City and former favorites Manchester United. There was good news for United, as they remain the most-followed international team on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. Their former player, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the... https://www.scmp.com/sports/ronaldo-barcelona-and-chelsea-win-european-soccer-grows-chinese-social-media-despite-controversies/article/3048040?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sports/ronaldo-barcelona-and-chelsea-win-european-soccer-grows-chinese-social-media-despite-controversies/article/3048040?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jan 2020 10:03:00 +0000 FC Barcelona is joining a strike to protest against the Spanish government’s actions in Catalonia’s independence vote – as their outspoken defender Gerard Pique was jeered by spectators at Spain’s training camp in Madrid. Barcelona said none of their professional or youth teams will train on Tuesday, and the club headquarters will be closed as a reaction to government attempts to stop the referendum on Sunday. Officials said more than 890 civilians and some 430 members of the police force were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2113752/fc-barcelona-join-catalonia-strike-their-defender-gerard-pique-jeered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2113752/fc-barcelona-join-catalonia-strike-their-defender-gerard-pique-jeered?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Oct 2017 01:45:20 +0000 Neymar has continued his war of words with Barcelona’s beleaguered board. In interviews with Catalan newspapers Mundo Deportivo and Sport, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Barca would be better off without Neymar this season following his world record €222 million (HK$2.069 billion) move to Paris Saint-Germain. “This president is a joke,” Neymar replied in a comment about the news on social media site Instagram. EITA!!!! @neymarjr comentou a repercussão do Esporte Interativo de um... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109948/neymar-says-barcelona-president-bartomeu-joke-lionel-messi-stalls-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109948/neymar-says-barcelona-president-bartomeu-joke-lionel-messi-stalls-new?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Sep 2017 03:23:42 +0000 Three Chinese boys have the chance to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi after Barcelona hand-picked the trio to train at the Spanish giants’ famous La Masia youth academy. Two boys aged eight and another aged 10 were plucked from more than 1,000 children who attended the first Barcelona training camps at Mission Hills Haikou resort on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. They will now go for more training at the Barcelona academy that produced Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and a long list... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109009/barcelona-hand-pick-three-chinese-children-famous-la-masia-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2109009/barcelona-hand-pick-three-chinese-children-famous-la-masia-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:14:14 +0000 Fleet-footed winger Ousmane Dembele has finally been granted his dream move to Barcelona as Borussia Dortmund pocket a massive transfer fee for the precocious French talent. Having forced Dortmund’s hand by going on strike and refusing to train, the German club were left with little choice but to suspend the temperamental 20-year-old and eventually sell him to the Spanish giants. The €105 million (HK$979 million) set to be forked out by Barcelona, not including potential add-ons, dwarfs the €15... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2108372/winger-dembele-moves-barcelona-effectively-replace-idol-neymar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2108372/winger-dembele-moves-barcelona-effectively-replace-idol-neymar?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Aug 2017 17:16:38 +0000 Barcelona are suing Neymar for the €€8.5 million (HK$77 million) bonus they paid the Brazil striker for signing a contract he later broke to join Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record transfer. Barcelona said on Tuesday that they wants Neymar to pay back the bonus for a contract in October 2016 that tied him to the club through 2021. The Spanish club also wants an additional 10 per cent interest. Neymar was able to leave Barcelona earlier this month after PSG paid €222 million to trigger a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107876/barcelona-sues-brazilian-star-neymar-get-us10-million-signing-bonus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107876/barcelona-sues-brazilian-star-neymar-get-us10-million-signing-bonus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:25:46 +0000 Paris Saint-Germain’s world record signing Neymar launched a scathing attack on his former club’s directors, saying “Barca deserve much better”. The people in charge at the Catalan giants “are not the people who should be there, for the direction of Barca,” Neymar said after scoring twice on his home debut as PSG thumped Toulouse 6-2 in a Ligue 1 match on Sunday. “I want to speak the truth, I’m very sad with them,” said the Brazilian star who cost the Paris club a world record 222 million euros... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107591/neymar-slams-barcelona-bosses-after-grabbing-brace-paris-saint-germain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107591/neymar-slams-barcelona-bosses-after-grabbing-brace-paris-saint-germain?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Aug 2017 03:56:11 +0000 Liverpool have rejected a third bid from Barcelona for star playmaker Philippe Coutinho, a source from the Premier League club said. British media reports said Barcelona’s latest bid was worth around £114 million (HK$1.1 billion), a significant increase on their previous offer of £90 million. Liverpool have publicly stated that Coutinho is not for sale at any price and consider the figures being offered by Barcelona irrelevant. The 25-year-old Brazil playmaker, currently sidelined by a back... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107441/liverpool-reject-ps114-million-barcelona-bid-philippe-coutinho?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107441/liverpool-reject-ps114-million-barcelona-bid-philippe-coutinho?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Aug 2017 01:33:26 +0000 Long-time rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Spanish sports stars around the world in expressing their grief after Thursday’s terror attack in Barcelona left 13 people dead. Barcelona’s most famous street Las Ramblas was packed with tourists when a van drove into the crowds, leaving scenes of carnage. “I want to send my condolences and all my support to the families and friends of the victims of the terrible attack in our beloved Barcelona, in addition to totally rejecting any act... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107304/lionel-messi-gives-touching-tribute-victims-after-barcelona-terror?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107304/lionel-messi-gives-touching-tribute-victims-after-barcelona-terror?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Aug 2017 03:32:29 +0000 Erstwhile Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho underwhelmed at his high-profile unveiling as a Barcelona player at the Nou Camp as he struggled to juggle a ball in front of the gathered media and failed to fire at the cash register. The Brazilian international signed a four-year deal with the Catalans following a €40-million (HK$367.1 million) switch earlier this week, and was presented to media – and a modest number of fans – on Thursday by under-fire Barcelona president Josep Maria... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107303/paulinho-fluffs-his-lines-and-fails-fire-cash-register-his-barcelona?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2107303/paulinho-fluffs-his-lines-and-fails-fire-cash-register-his-barcelona?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Aug 2017 03:20:55 +0000 Neymar is expected to make his much-awaited debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in the small Brittany town of Guingamp after French football authorities finally received his international transfer certificate. The French Football Federation received the document from their Spanish counterpart on Friday, more than a week after PSG signed the Brazilian from Barcelona. The French football league said the international transfer certificate (ITC) was submitted by the federation, and Neymar’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2106506/neymar-finally-play-psg-sunday-after-transfer-payment-barcelona-clears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2106506/neymar-finally-play-psg-sunday-after-transfer-payment-barcelona-clears?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Aug 2017 16:53:28 +0000 Brazil star Neymar has cleared the way for him to join Paris Saint-Germain by paying a €222 million (HK$2.06 billion) buyout clause on Thursday that frees him from his contract with Barcelona. There was no immediate confirmation of a transfer by PSG. But Neymar’s representative Wagner Ribeiro had already said on Wednesday that PSG was willing to pay the clause. Barcelona said in a statement that “Neymar Jnr’s legal representatives visited in person the club’s offices and made the payment of €222... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105354/neymar-pays-barcelona-record-us262-million-buy-freedom-move-paris-saint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105354/neymar-pays-barcelona-record-us262-million-buy-freedom-move-paris-saint?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Aug 2017 18:45:45 +0000 Lionel Messi bid farewell to Neymar in an emotional Instagram post after the Brazilian striker told him and other Barcelona teammates he was leaving, saying it was a “huge pleasure” to have played with him. The Catalan club confirmed on Wednesday that Neymar wanted to leave after weeks of intense speculation, taking the 25-year-old closer to a potential world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain. “It was a huge pleasure having shared all those years with you, my friend @neymarjr,” Messi wrote on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105216/i-love-you-barcelona-star-lionel-messi-posts-emotional-farewell-message?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105216/i-love-you-barcelona-star-lionel-messi-posts-emotional-farewell-message?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Aug 2017 03:07:44 +0000 Neymar has told Barcelona that he plans to leave the club, with a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain seemingly imminent. Barcelona responded on Wednesday with a statement saying the Brazil striker’s €222 million (HK$2 billion) release clause must be paid in full, a scenario which until recently seemed beyond the reach of any rival. Barcelona said Neymar and his father met with club officials on Wednesday to say he wanted to leave. Club spokesman Josep Vives said the team “referred them to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105131/im-neymar-tells-barcelona-teammates-he-wants-leave-club-amid-eu222?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2105131/im-neymar-tells-barcelona-teammates-he-wants-leave-club-amid-eu222?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Aug 2017 08:26:40 +0000 Neymar may be one of the biggest sporting icons in the world but it seems even he gets starstruck sometimes. The Barcelona superstar appears to be closing in on a €220 million (HK$2.03 billion) move to Paris Saint-Germain but still found time to make a promotional trip to China this week, where he came across the son of one of Hong Kong’s most famous faces. It was a great pleasure meeting you, @jaycee_chan ... Don't forget to hug your father for me !! A post shared by Nj neymarjr... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2104970/jackie-chan-would-facetime-neymar-gets-surprise-after-meeting-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2104970/jackie-chan-would-facetime-neymar-gets-surprise-after-meeting-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:28:57 +0000 Neymar is known for box office entertainment on the football pitch but the Barcelona superstar’s life off the pitch is proving to be just as exciting. As if a training ground bust-up with a Barca teammate amid speculation he is a seeking a €220 million (HK$2.019 billion) move to Paris Saint-Germain wasn't enough drama, the Brazilian’s camp have now called out a Chinese travel agency. Ctrip, China’s biggest online travel company, claimed they had to cancel a supposed meet-and-greet with Neymar at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2104595/neymar-advisers-accuse-chinese-travel-agency-ticket-row-over-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2104595/neymar-advisers-accuse-chinese-travel-agency-ticket-row-over-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Jul 2017 07:36:18 +0000 Brazilian superstar striker Neymar will stay with Barcelona, according to teammate Gerard Pique, who posted a Twitter message on the striker’s status Sunday. Spanish international defender Pique indicated the South American maestro would continue at Camp Nou by tweeting a photo of Neymar with the caption “He’s staying.” The message came hours after Neymar gave Barcelona fans a dazzling reminder of what he brings, the talisman scoring twice as the Spanish giants defeated Juventus 2-1 in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103844/neymar-staying-barcelona-says-teammate-gerard-pique-brazilian-tears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2103844/neymar-staying-barcelona-says-teammate-gerard-pique-brazilian-tears?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jul 2017 04:33:13 +0000 Barcelona target Paulinho has been told by Guangzhou Evergrande that he will not be allowed to leave until the end of the Chinese Super League season. Paulinho helped Guangzhou to their second AFC Champions League crown in 2015 and has won two Super League titles, as well as reclaiming his place in the Brazil national team since moving to Guangzhou from the English Premier League. Barcelona have reportedly offered €20 million (HK$178 million) for the 28-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102105/paulinho-must-wait-barcelona-move-says-guangzhou-evergrande-chairman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2102105/paulinho-must-wait-barcelona-move-says-guangzhou-evergrande-chairman?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:59:04 +0000 Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits China’s new tax on foreign players means Guangzhou Evergrande will likely resist a bid from Spanish side Barcelona for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho – because the Super League leaders will struggle to afford a suitable replacement. Paulinho has thrived in China after signing a four-year contract with Guangzhou in June 2015 following a €14 million (HK$122m) switch from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old is now also a key member in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2099963/paulinhos-barcelona-switch-unlikely-due-new-chinese-super-league-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2099963/paulinhos-barcelona-switch-unlikely-due-new-chinese-super-league-player?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jun 2017 04:48:13 +0000 Chinese investors have spent millions acquiring storied European soccer clubs such as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Aston Villa. But when Europeans finally took a stake in a Chinese club they aimed lower. Much lower. A group of Spanish investors, including the former president of Barcelona, recently bought into the team of the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), making them the first Chinese club with foreign investors. The team are languishing in the third division and when the Spaniards arrived... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2099123/beijings-barcelona-ex-nou-camp-chiefs-look-turn-fat-students-serial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2099123/beijings-barcelona-ex-nou-camp-chiefs-look-turn-fat-students-serial?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jun 2017 05:04:37 +0000 Barcelona fans have many more years to enjoy Lionel Messi, assured outgoing coach Luis Enrique after the Argentine handed his boss a successful send-off in a 3-1 Copa del Rey final win over Alaves. Messi opened the scoring and helped set up goals from Neymar and Paco Alcacer just before half-time as Alaves slumped to defeat in their first Spanish Cup final despite Theo Hernandez’s stunning free-kick to level at 1-1. “He is extraordinary, an extraterrestrial,” Enrique said of Messi after he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2095971/lionel-messi-wins-cup-barcelona-his-30th-trophy-luis-enrique-says-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2095971/lionel-messi-wins-cup-barcelona-his-30th-trophy-luis-enrique-says-he?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 May 2017 02:31:10 +0000 It’s two days after FC Barcelona’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and Xavier Asensi is understandably not too happy. The defeat rankles with the managing director of the Spanish giants’ Asia-Pacific arm as it would with any fan, and underlines for him the necessity of a venture he has led that will see the club try to capture the hearts – and wallets – of China’s growing middle class. Club legend Ronaldinho will visit Hainan, the island off the country’s south coast... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2071762/how-fc-barcelona-plans-cash-chinese-tourists-massive-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2071762/how-fc-barcelona-plans-cash-chinese-tourists-massive-development?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Feb 2017 06:16:44 +0000 Lionel Messi’s third goal from a free kick in as many games this year secured Barcelona’s place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey as the holders beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 to edge through 4-3 on aggregate on Wednesday. Luis Suarez’s 100th Barcelona goal and Neymar’s penalty cancelled out Athletic’s 2-1 first leg lead, but Enric Saborit’s header six minutes into the second half had the tie headed for extra time. However, just as in the first leg and in a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2061515/lionel-messi-free-kick-magic-sends-barcelona-copa-del-rey-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2061515/lionel-messi-free-kick-magic-sends-barcelona-copa-del-rey-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Jan 2017 04:48:30 +0000 Barcelona’s two-year reign of the Copa del Rey was in jeopardy after it lost to a nine-man Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at a packed San Mames Stadium on Thursday. Athletic played a man down from the 74th minute, and two men down from the 80th because of red cards in a drama-filled first-leg match in the round of 16. Aritz Aduriz scored and set up another goal in the first half for Athletic, and Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona from a free kick early in the second half. Messi hit the post from inside the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2059821/9-man-athletic-bilbao-pips-barcelona-copa-del-rey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2059821/9-man-athletic-bilbao-pips-barcelona-copa-del-rey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jan 2017 23:48:06 +0000 Jordi Alba and Neymar struck in extra-time as Barcelona completed a league and Cup double by lifting the Copa del Rey for a 28th time after a 2-0 win over Sevilla in a fiery game that saw three red cards on Sunday. It was a great intense and exciting final. It was a last push for the club to complete a magnificent season Andres Iniesta Javier Mascherano’s dismissal just before half-time for pulling down Kevin Gameiro put Barca on the back foot and they were further depleted when 59-goal top... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1951379/double-delight-ten-man-barcelona-edge-out-sevilla-bad-tempered-kings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1951379/double-delight-ten-man-barcelona-edge-out-sevilla-bad-tempered-kings?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 May 2016 02:00:45 +0000 Barcelona must reverse an amazing loss of form to win all five of their remaining La Liga games to be assured of retaining their title, starting with a trip to Deportivo la Coruna on Wednesday. If there is a team capable of doing it and much more given what they have done, it is this Barca Luis Enrique The Catalan giants have taken just one point from their last four La Liga games and lost four of their last five in all competitions having previously enjoyed a 39-game unbeaten run stretching... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1937100/barca-brink-primera-liga-champions-looking-avoid-implosion-they-seek?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1937100/barca-brink-primera-liga-champions-looking-avoid-implosion-they-seek?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:19:42 +0000 Barcelona boss Luis Enrique claimed his side are capable of winning their final five La Liga games to claim the title despite slipping to a fourth defeat in five games as they were beaten 2-1 by Valencia on Sunday. If there is a team capable of doing it and much more given what they have done, it is this Barca Luis Enrique The Catalans hadn’t tasted defeat in 39 games until losing to Real Madrid earlier this month, but have since thrown away a nine-point lead at the top of La Liga and been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1936779/barcelona-can-win-final-five-despite-dramatic-slump-says-beleaguered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1936779/barcelona-can-win-final-five-despite-dramatic-slump-says-beleaguered?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Apr 2016 01:33:11 +0000 Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as Barcelona defeated nine-man Rayo Vallecano 5-1 to become the first Spanish club to play 35 consecutive matches without a loss, breaking Real Madrid’s record of nearly three decades ago. When this team is playing at this level, it is very hard to stop us Luis Enrique Midfielder Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring, Messi added the second, third and fourth goals, and Arda Turan topped it off late. Two Rayo players were sent off for straight red cards: Diego Llorente... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1920456/unstoppable-barcelona-break-real-madrids-34-game-unbeaten-record-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1920456/unstoppable-barcelona-break-real-madrids-34-game-unbeaten-record-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Mar 2016 02:08:56 +0000 Holders Barcelona overcame the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to take a huge step towards the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. We lacked fluidity in the second-half to do them damage Luis Enrique Messi was absent due to a hamstring problem, whilst Suarez completed a two-game Cup ban, but the visitors still took control of the tie with two goals in six first-half minutes from Munir El Haddadi and Neymar. However, Aritz Aduriz’s 23rd goal of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1903541/messi-suarez-less-barcelona-edge-towards-copa-del-rey-semi-finals-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1903541/messi-suarez-less-barcelona-edge-towards-copa-del-rey-semi-finals-after?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jan 2016 02:42:06 +0000 Lionel Messi warmed up for his anticipated fifth World Player of the Year crown by scoring his first hat-trick of the season to move Barcelona back to the top of La Liga by cruising past Granada 4-0 on Saturday. It is evident there is the collective objective that attracts him, motivates him and continues to motivate him year after year Luis Enrique Messi effectively ended the contest within the first 15 minutes with two easy finishes before completing his hat-trick after the break to take his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1899708/ballon-dor-elect-lionel-messi-delivers-masterclass-put-barcelona-back?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1899708/ballon-dor-elect-lionel-messi-delivers-masterclass-put-barcelona-back?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Jan 2016 05:00:45 +0000 A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona reacted from the shock of conceding early to edge towards the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over nine-man Espanyol on Wednesday. The referees are the ones to set the limits. They are responsible for ensuring this is football and not American football Luis Enrique La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid still have work to do to reach the last eight, though, after being held 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano. Espanyol held the European champions 0-0 in a bad-tempered... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1898470/majestic-lionel-messi-his-best-barcelona-ease-past-nine-man-espanyol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1898470/majestic-lionel-messi-his-best-barcelona-ease-past-nine-man-espanyol?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Jan 2016 02:05:47 +0000 Luis Suarez struck twice and Lionel Messi scored on his 500th appearance for Barcelona who set a new Spanish record of goals in a calendar year with a 4-0 win over Real Betis that lifted them top of La Liga on Wednesday. Messi slid home his 425th goal for Barca after 34 minutes to add to their lead which came from a Heiko Westermann own-goal following a controversial penalty. Messi was harshly judged to have been fouled by keeper Antonio Adan and although Neymar slipped and hit the crossbar with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1896731/luis-suarez-strikes-twice-barcelona-set-record-betis-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1896731/luis-suarez-strikes-twice-barcelona-set-record-betis-win?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:30:45 +0000 Lionel Messi left the Ballon d'Or ceremony without the prize, and collecting a copy of Fifa's magazine on the way out might have been worthwhile if he needs to convince Barcelona of his value. "Barcelona would scarcely have become the gold standard in European football without Lionel Messi's 400 goals," muses Fifa president Sepp Blatter. That will hardly make up for seeing Cristiano Ronaldo collect the Ballon D'Or for the second successive year. With commercial strategies now as scrutinised as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1680214/limited-shelf-life-headache-lionel-messi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1680214/limited-shelf-life-headache-lionel-messi?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:44:28 +0000 Luis Suarez will make his competitive home debut as La Liga leaders Barcelona look to put the disappointment of their defeat to Real Madrid last weekend behind them against Celta Vigo on Saturday. The Catalans’ defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu was their first in the league since coach Luis Enrique left Celta in May to take charge at the Camp Nou and brought Barca back into a five-strong pack at the top of the table separated by just two points. Suarez returned from a four-month ban for biting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1628942/barcelona-look-bounce-back-luis-suarez-makes-nou-camp-bow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1628942/barcelona-look-bounce-back-luis-suarez-makes-nou-camp-bow?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2014 02:56:21 +0000 Luis Suarez is free to make his long-awaited debut for Barcelona when the La Liga leaders travel to face bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season on Saturday. Suarez has been restricted to a few friendly games for club and country since sealing a £75 million (HK$933 million) move from Liverpool after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June. The Uruguayan's temperament will be tested by the red-hot atmosphere at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1623916/luis-suarez-eyes-barcelona-debut-while-lionel-messi-targets-goal-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1623916/luis-suarez-eyes-barcelona-debut-while-lionel-messi-targets-goal-record?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:38:26 +0000 In the week he marked the 10th anniversary of his competitive debut for Barcelona, Lionel Messi could become the all-time top scorer in the history of La Liga. The Argentine made his bow as a 17-year-old in a 1-0 win at city rivals Espanyol on October 16, 2004. Now he is preparing to face Eibar at the Camp Nou today needing just two goals to equal Telmo Zarra's all-time Spanish top-flight record of 251, set in the 1950s. Messi, who told fans he was "constantly trying to improve and win more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1618718/lionel-messi-two-goals-away-la-ligas-all-time-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1618718/lionel-messi-two-goals-away-la-ligas-all-time-record?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:21:12 +0000 Lionel Messi grabbed his 400th career goal, while Neymar smashed a hat-trick as Barcelona stormed back to the top of La Liga with a 6-0 thrashing of Granada. Champions Atletico Madrid moved into second, two points behind Barca, as they beat previously unbeaten Sevilla 4-0 at home. Cristiano Ronaldo's hot streak continued in Real Madrid's 2-0 win at Villarreal to remain four points off the top in fourth. Messi is someone who has been touched by a magic wand and he is desperate to enjoy playing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1603424/lionel-messi-scores-401-and-neymar-hits-hat-trick-barcelona?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1603424/lionel-messi-scores-401-and-neymar-hits-hat-trick-barcelona?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2014 13:45:30 +0000