Barcelona FC news

WELCOME TO STAMFORD BRIDGE!!! The home of Chelsea in the English capital is the site of a massive Champions League league phase match between the hosts and Barcelona, who come to the home of the reigning Club World Cup champions looking for three big points to remain in the fight for a Top 8 spot. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!

LINEUPS

To be announced.

MATCH INFO

Competition/Round: 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 5

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Wednesday)

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)

VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

HOW TO WATCH

On TV: TUDN (USA), SONY TEN 2 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), Movistar (Spain), others

Online: Paramount+ (USA), Amazon Prime Video (UK), Sony LIV (India), Movistar+ (Spain), others

Matchday Thread Rules

We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:

Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.

Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been asked about speculation that Barcelona are keen to bring him to the Camp Nou.

The Catalan giants are thought to be eager to sign a new No.9 next summer, with Kane reportedly having emerged as a top target

The question was put to Kane ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Arsenal, and he offered up the following response.

“I haven’t had any contact with anyone, nobody has contacted me. I feel very comfortable in the current situation, even though we haven’t yet discussed my situation with Bayern.

“There’s no rush. I’m really happy in Munich. You can see that in the way I’m playing. If there’s contact, then we’ll see. But I’m not thinking about the new season yet.

“First up is the World Cup in the summer. And it’s very unlikely that anything will change after this season.”

Kane was then asked if Bayern fans should be worried and added: “No, I don’t think so.”

The striker’s contract at Bayern expires in 2027, and it’s been reported he has a 65 million euro release clause that can be activated in the summer.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

When and where to watch Chelsea v FC Barcelona – FC Barcelona
Time for the Champions League once again. FC Barcelona travel to London to resume one of the great rivalries of recent years in Europe against Chelsea. The two sides are currently bubbling under the top eight positions in the League Phase, so this is a crucial encounter for both with just three more games to come after.

The squad for the trip to London – FC Barcelona
Tuesday sees Barça face their latest challenge, this time in Europe as they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Match Day five of the Champions League. Coach Hansi Flick welcomes back Frenkie de Jong from suspension, a one match ban forcing him out for the win over Athletic Club on Saturday, and Marcus Rashford who missed the victory at Spotify Camp Nou due to illness.

Chelsea v Barça: Did you know? – FC Barcelona
One of the standout fixtures circled back in August when the draw was made is finally here: Chelsea v Barcelona, this Tuesday 25 November (9pm CET). Memories of that iconic night in London still give Barça fans goosebumps, but the present brings a very different reality. Both sides arrive in a delicate position, sitting outside the Champions League top 8 and in need of a statement result.

Flick, on the management of some injured players: “We all make mistakes, me too” – Mundo Deportivo
“We’ve made mistakes with Raphinha, he’s human, but we trust our fantastic staff,” the coach said regarding a report about the recovery work.

Flick leaves open the option of starting Eric as a defensive midfielder again – Mundo Deportivo
The FC Barcelona coach did not rule out the possibility that the player from Martorell could play again as a pivot after his great performance in that position against Athletic Club.

“I hope Pedri comes back this weekend” – Mundo Deportivo
Hansi Flick is confident that the Canary Islander can return against Alavés, after the match at Stamford Bridge.

Raphinha: “The main objective is to win the Champions League” – Mundo Deportivo
The Brazilian winger expressed ambition ahead of the clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and admitted that he had a “very tough time” during his absence because he couldn’t help the team.

Rashford returns with Barcelona against his favorite opponent in England – Mundo Deportivo
The England international, now cleared to play after illness, returns to his country to visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a team that has seen 6 goals and 5 assists from the Barcelona striker.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has previewed Tuesday’s clash with Barcelona in the Champions League and shared his thoughts on Hansi Flick’s side.

Maresca highlighted in-form striker Robert Lewandowski as a real threat to his side and vowed to defend aggresively against the Catalan giants.

“Without a doubt, he is a fantastic player. He has shown all his life that the most important thing in football is to score goals. We’re going to try to defend as a team, be aggressive, as always. But they have a lot of players: Lamine Yamal, Fermín, Frenkie de Jong. But we’re going to try to win the game,” he told reporters.

“The (high) line is a factor, for sure, but we also have to pay attention without the ball. They can create a lot of chances and score goals every time. We need to find the right balance between attack and defense.”

Maresca also had plenty of kind words for Flick’s side and is expecting a difficult test at Stamford Bridge.

“I think they’re spectacular, it’s a team that whenever I look at it there are things that can be learned, things that can be looked at, how they attack, how they defend, which in the end has given them the chance to win La Liga last year, to get to the Champions League semi-final,” he added.

“They do a lot of things very well and it’s a team that always wants initiative, always wants value and we try to do the same on our side.”

Chelsea currently sit second in the Premier League table and, like Barcelona, have seven points from their opening four Champions League games so far in 2025-26.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Marc Cucurella will face former employers Barcelona on Tuesday in the Champions League in a clash that will see the Chelsea star come up against Lamine Yamal.

The left-back spoke about the match at a pre-game press conference and told Chelsea they must take the ball away from Barcelona if they are to get anything out of the game.

“The key will be to take the ball away from them and the physical aspect as well,” he told reporters.

“Barça is a great team. This year they may not have completely controlled the matches, but they are the league and cup champions. They are doing things well, they have a lot of talent.

“It will be a very exciting match and we are eager to prove ourselves. It’s a great game. We have two of the best young squads in the world. It will be very entertaining. People who watch the match will enjoy it a lot.”

Cucurella also spoke about the prospect of taking on Yamal and knows he will be up against it when he faces the teenage star.

“Tomorrow isn’t Lamine versus Cucurella. It will be a tough battle, but hopefully we can play a good match and win,” he added.

“ Against these players you never know what they’ll do, but I know him a little and I have the support of my team. It’s eleven against eleven. We hope to take the three points, which are very important for us.”

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Barcelona have been hit by a series of injuries to key players so far this season which has seen stars such as Joan Garcia, Gavi, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Alejandro Balde all sidelined.

A new report from The Athletic has now delved into the situation and come up with a pretty damning report of Barcelona’s medical department.

Raphinha has been out for longer than originally expected after suffering two setbacks in his recovery. The report claims the Brazilian “was given a heavy workload in training” which resulted in one setback and Raphinha being ruled out of El Clasico. He only finally returned to action last time out against Athletic Club as a substitute.

Lamine Yamal’s current pubalgia issues have been well-documented but the teenager is said to have complained about the treatment he has received.

The report states that Yamal “was not satisfied with the way his recovery had been handled. He asked to be treated by other members of club staff — a request that was granted.”

As for Balde, he apparently sustained a hamstring problem during training “after he used a piece of gym equipment incorrectly, with the player feeling he had been wrongly advised on it.”

The report goes on to state the many players have been left “unsatisfied with the readaptation process they have had to follow after injury” and that there have been “multiple disagreements between the sides over the treatment injured players should follow.”

This has been reported previously with regards to Gavi, who initially underwent conservative treatment on a knee injury, and was then forced to go under the knife. He was supposed to be only sidelined for several weeks but was subsequently ruled out for five months after surgeons discovered more damage than expected.

The Athletic states that the situation has now led to Barca removing Julio Tous’ personnel from the readaptation department in a bid to ease tensions and potentially improve the injury situation. The move has apparently been “warmly received by the dressing room.”

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Post-match recovery session as Rashford returns – FC Barcelona
Rashford returns after illness and the blaugranes train at the Ciutat Esportiva just two days out from the mouth-watering Chelsea v Barça match.

First game back at Spotify Camp Nou in figures – FC Barcelona
Saturday 22 November will go down in history as the day when the Spotify Camp Nou doors reopened after two and a half years of matches on Montjuïc. It was a memorable afternoon for all, with a great atmosphere and a resounding 4-0 win against Athletic Club.

Goals spread around at Barça – FC Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s Barça side are known for creating chances and scoring goals. The blaugranes found the net four more times on Saturday in their win over Athletic Club on their return to Spotify Camp Nou, showing that whoever is in the starting XI, they have the talent to open up defences and find the net.

Levante UD 0-4 Barça Femení: Culer efficiency – FC Barcelona
Barça beat Levante 4-0 in a match they dominated from start to finish. Pajor opened the scoring, Kika and Pina extended the lead in the second half, and Alexia completed the rout by converting a penalty in stoppage time.

Rashford returns and Flick is still waiting on Pedri – Mundo Deportivo
The English winger has recovered from the flu for the match against Chelsea, while the Canary Islander midfielder is still not training with the available players.

In Brazil, there are reports of a Barça offer for a left-back from Santos – Mundo Deportivo
According to the website ‘Diario do Peixe’, which specializes in Santos news, Barcelona want to strengthen the squad with the 19-year-old João Victor Souza.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Fermin Lopez has been a standout for Barcelona this season and was at it again on Saturday afternoon as Hansi Flick’s side swatted Athletic Club aside 4-0 at Camp Nou.

The Spain star was making his 100th appearance for Barcelona in the match, and his first at Camp Nou, and didn’t pass up the chance to mark the occasion in the best way.

Lopez bagged Barcelona’s third of the game to effectively put the match out of Athletic’s reach. In 100 games for Barcelona, he now has 26 goals and 13 assists. Not bad going at all for the 22-year-old.

Barca’s latest centurion also admitted it was a very special moment for him with a post on social media after the victory.

“What a culers homecoming! A dream to have been able to play and score a goal in my first match at Spotify Camp Nou. Thanks for the support culers !”

View this post on Instagram

There was also praise from his manager after the victory in his post-match press conference.

“I think it’s great for everyone to play on this pitch. But with Fermin too, we can clearly see that his dynamism is excellent for us,” he said.

“In every situation, thanks to his dynamism, he manages to keep the ball and create a lot of space for us right after, and it’s really fantastic to see.”

Lopez is absolutely thriving under Flick and looked completely at home on his first outing at the Camp Nou. He’s already given us plenty of memorable moments in his first 100 outings for Barca and you can bet there’s still a plenty more to come from youngster.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

After beating Athletic Club 4-0 on Saturday, Barcelona now have their sights set on a Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Hansi Flick has been handed some mixed news on the injury front ahead of the game. Marcus Rashford was back in training on Sunday after a bout of flu, but Pedri is still not training with the team and is set to miss the game in London.

It had been hoped that Pedri would be available for the match, but Barcelona are not willing to take any risks with the Spain star as he’s still not feeling 100%, according to Sport.

Alejandro Balde also trained on Sunday morning and is expected to feature against the Premier League side after coming off early against Athletic Club following a blow to the head.

Flick will also be able to call on Frenkie de Jong for Tuesday’s match after the Dutchman missed the win over Ernesto Valverde’s side due to suspension.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

FC Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club: Triumphant return – FC Barcelona
Saturday, the day Barça finally returned to Spotify Camp Nou, was always going to be a special day. But there was one important thing missing to cap a wonderful day – a win. The players didn’t disappoint in that department.

Hansi Flick: ‘Being Barça coach at Spotify Camp Nou is a dream come true’ – FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona marked their return to Spotify Camp Nou with a resounding victory. On an evening charged with emotion due to the significance of coming home, Hansi Flick’s side delivered a perfect debut in the new stadium: a 4–0 win, with a Ferran Torres brace and goals from Lewandowski and Fermín, allowing Barça to keep the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table.

45,157 Culers roar as Spotify Camp Nou comes back to life – FC Barcelona
Spotify Camp Nou was once again drenched in blaugrana passion. Some 45,157 Culers flooded the stands with smiles, as the ground enjoyed an unforgettable day after almost three years without feeling the warmth of its devoted supporters.

100 appearances for Fermín – FC Barcelona
It’s a dream that every FC Barcelona fan would like to fulfil themselves. Fermín López will likely always remember 22 November 2025, as the La Masia midfielder reached 100 appearances in the FC Barcelona jersey on the date of the return to the Spotify Camp Nou. It’s especially a moment to remember for the blaugrana number 16, as he had never played in the stadium before.

Joan Garcia and Raphinha back after 58 days – FC Barcelona
A special day, full of emotion. On the night Spotify Camp Nou reopened its doors, Joan Garcia and Raphinha made their long-awaited returns in a Barça shirt. It had been 58 days since the two players, both key figures for Hansi Flick, last featured for the blaugranes. From the 3-1 win at Oviedo to this emphatic 4–0 victory over Athletic Club.

Barça Atlètic 1-1 Terrassa: Cruel draw – FC Barcelona
Barcelona earned a point against Terrassa, who equalized almost in stoppage time from the penalty spot.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana make their long-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou with a La Liga game against Athletic Club, and Hansi Flick has called up the following 20 players for Saturday’s clash:

Goalkeepers: 13. Joan Garcia, 25. Wojciech Szczesny, 31. Diego Kochen

Defenders: 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Pau Cubarsí, 15. Andreas Christensen, 18. Gerard Martín, 23. Jules Kounde, 24. Eric Garcia

Midfielders: 16. Fermín López, 17. Marc Casadó, 20. Dani Olmo, 22. Marc Bernal, 27. Dro Fernández

Forwards: 7. Ferran Torres, 9. Robert Lewandowski, 10. Lamine Yamal, 11. Raphinha, 28. Roony Bardghji

The big news for this one is the return of Joan Garcia and Raphinha, who are finally cleared to play after missing two months with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively. There is some bad news, however, as Marcus Rashford is ruled out due to illness and joins Frenkie de Jong (suspension), Pedri (hamstring), Marc-André ter Stegen (back) and Gavi (knee) on the list of absentees for this one.

Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):

Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Balde; Fermín, Casadó, Olmo; Yamal, Lewandowski, Ferran

---

The match kicks off at 4.15pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 3.15pm GMT (UK), 10.15am ET, 7.15am PT (USA), 8.45pm IST (India), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action.

VISCA EL BARÇA!

Source: barcablaugranes.com

WELCOME TO THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU!!! For the first time in 909 days, the Greatest Stadium on Earth opens its doors for a Barcelona match as the Catalans welcome historic rivals Athletic Club for a very special La Liga encounter. It has been far too long since Barça played a game at their iconic ground, and 45,000 fans will pack the stadium to welcome their team back home. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!

LINEUPS

To be announced.

MATCH INFO

Competition/Round: 2025-26 La Liga, Matchday 13

Date/Time: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 4.15pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 3.15pm GMT (UK), 10.15am ET, 7.15am PT (USA), 8.45pm IST (India)

Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez

VAR: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez

HOW TO WATCH

On TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), SuperSport (Nigeria), others

Online: ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (UK), FanCode (India), DAZN (Spain), others

Matchday Thread Rules

We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:

Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.

Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says reports that Javier Tebas could be set to lose his job as La Liga president is “not good news” as relations between the two are improving.

The Sports Arbitration Tribunal (TAD) has opened an investigation into Tebas for disclosing confidential financial information about Barcelona, as reported by ARA.

The news comes after a complaint was made against Tebas by Miguel Galán, who is the president of CENAFE (the Spanish Confederation of Football Players).

If found guilty there’s a variety of sanctions he may face, including being removed from his position as La Liga chief.

Laporta has been asked about the situation and wasn’t too happy to hear that Tebas could lose his job.

“This was instigated by a group, I don’t know who. We spoke with the president of LaLiga at the time and this matter was resolved. I don’t think it’s good news right now, precisely because our relations with LaLiga are becoming increasingly normal. I don’t know where these attempts to oust the president of LaLiga are coming from. I don’t quite trust them,” he told El Suplement.

Mundo Deportivo report that Tebas’s actions “caused economic and reputational damage to FC Barcelona” and suggest penalties range from a reprimand, suspension or dismissal.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Barcelona will likely be missing one of their most in-form players for Saturday’s La Liga match against Athletic Club on their return to the Spotify Camp Nou as Hansi Flick revealed Marcus Rashford is dealing with a fever that’s caused him to miss the last two days of training.

Flick confirmed in a press conference on Friday that Rashford is currently doubtful and that Raphinha won’t be his replacement in the starting lineup, as the Brazilian will likely only play between 10 and 15 minutes at the end of the game, according to the coach.

“Marcus has a fever and was out yesterday and today, and I have doubts about whether he’ll be available tomorrow, but the good news is that Raphinha will be back, and we’ll see what he can give us tomorrow. Ten, fifteen minutes… we’ll see, but it’s a big step that he’s back.”

Ferran Torres will likely get the nod to start on the left wing on Saturday if Rashford’s is indeed absent from the squad, though Roony Bardghji and Dro Fernández are also options for the position if the coach decides to go younger.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Barcelona’s interest in Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane appears to be gaining ground with the 32-year-old front page news in Spain on Friday morning.

Mundo Deportivo are getting very excited about the possibility of Barca going for Kane with a report that claims his ‘stock is rising in Barcelona.’

MD say that a move for Kane is gaining traction at Barca, not least because top target Julian Alvarez is likely to be too expensive.

Alvarez has seemingly kept the door open to a summer departure with his recent comments, although Enrique Cerezo has since insisted Diego Simeone’s side are not interested in selling.

Kane is a cheaper option, as he has a €65 million release clause in his Bayern contract, and Barca also think he can make an immediate impact. The striker boasts a prolific scoring record, also has 127 career assists, and adapted to life quickly at Bayern following his move from Tottenham.

MD add that Barca still like Alvarez “a lot” but do not see him as a “prolific goalscorer” like Kane and know that it will be “very difficult” to try and convince Atletico to sell their Argentina international.

The report adds that no decision has yet been made but that Barca are due to start serious transfer planning in January. Therefore, we can probably expect to hear plenty more on this rumor in the coming weeks and months.

Kane or Alvarez? Who do you think is the better option for Barca? Tell us in the comments!

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Marcus Rashford missed training for the second day running on Friday as Barcelona gear up for a Camp Nou return against Athletic Club on Saturday in La Liga.

The reason for his absence is unclear, with conflicting reports flying about right now. Mundo Deportivo report that “reliable sources” have confirmed he has a “severe case of the flu.” The England star reported for training on Friday but was told to go home.

Diario AS are far more suspicious and think it’s a “personal issue” – noting how Rashford spoke with Hansi Flick at the club and was then given a day off, while Sport don’t seem to really know and so have just mentioned “discomfort.”

The reports all seem to agree that Rashford isn’t yet ruled out of Saturday’s match against Athletic, although his participation is obviously in doubt after missing two straight training sessions.

Fortunately, we should get an update on Rashford later today when Flick speaks to the media in his pre-match press conference.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Etta Eyong has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months and has now been told he has the potential to play for the Catalan giants.

Marc Brys, manager of the Cameroon national team, gave Eyong his international debut, and has talked up his qualities amid speculation about a move to Barcelona.

“He’s a very good player. Very modest and humble, which is a gift. He’s not an egocentric striker; he plays for the team. I like that: he’s hard-working, he draws attention so others can take advantage of the space. He played one game with us and did well, even though he didn’t score,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“He was an important addition to the squad. He has a good heart, he’s polite, and he has no negative attitude. That’s what makes him special. He needs to continue developing, to integrate more fully, but he has the potential to score a lot of goals. He’s already shown that, although he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. We’d like to continue working with him because he can keep growing and go very far.”

Brys was also asked if he had the quality to play for Barcelona and replied:

“I think so, given his potential. There’s always room for a new player on a team if they have the right qualities,” he added.

“Look at Lamine Yamal: a year ago, nobody thought he’d be playing for the first team, and now he’s a key player. Etta has that potential too. He’s dangerous, unpredictable, and can surprise anyone. And that’s valuable for any top team.”

Eyong seems keen on Barca as he has previously revealed his admiration for Samuel Eto’o and Robert Lewandowski and could well be on the move next summer if he can maintain his impressive form.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Marcus Rashford has emerged as a doubt for Saturday’s La Liga clash between Barcelona and Athletic Club after missing training on Thursday.

The England international did not take part in the session due to “minor discomfort,” according to a report from Diario Sport.

Rashford’s absence will be a concern, with Barcelona set to return to action for the first time after the international break on Saturday afternoon at Camp Nou.

The forward returned to the club this week from international duty with England where he featured in both of the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifiers.

Rashford played 64 minutes of the win over Serbia and came on as a second-half substitute, and bagged an assist, in the game against Albania.

There’s no word yet on what the issue is with Rashford, although Sport say club sources indicate it is “nothing serious” which suggests he will hopefully be available.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Rashford, Bernal and Kounde return for training – FC Barcelona
Second training session of the week for FC Barcelona today, with all eyes are on the weekend fixture against Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Official statement – FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona announces that the sixth match of the Champions League league phase, against Eintracht Frankfurt, will be played at the Spotify Camp Nou.

A great celebration to mark the return to Spotify Camp Nou – FC Barcelona
After more than 900 days, Spotify Camp Nou will reopen its doors for a match between Barça and Athletic Club (4.15pm CET). It will be a unique and emotional moment for all the members and fans who have eagerly awaited this moment.

20 years since the legendary 3-0 win in the Bernabéu – FC Barcelona
Today marks the 20th anniversary of day that went down in the Barça history books. Ronaldinho inspired the blaugranes to a famous 3-0 over Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu, scoring twice and receiving a standing ovation from the home fans, something unheard of in Clásico history.

More Blaugranes on their way to 2026 World Cup – FC Barcelona
Barça’s Spain contingent book their place in next summer’s finals but Christensen and Roony will have to make it through the Playoffs.

Fourth kit proclaims that “Football is Art” – FC Barcelona
The club’s new strip, on sale from this Wednesday, pays homage to the 3-0 win at the Bernabéu in 2005 and to the goals that Eto’o and Ronaldinho scored in that unforgettable game.

Barça receive first offer for Ter Stegen – SPORT
Besiktas has submitted a loan proposal, assuming the player’s salary, with a purchase option of around 8 million in June.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona forward, has been identified as the most racially abused footballer in Spain, receiving more attacks online than all other La Liga players combined. The report, conducted by the Spanish Observatory Against Racism and Xenophobia (Oberaxe), used an AI system called FARO to track and classify racial attacks across social media platforms.

According to the findings, Yamal accounted for 60% of the reportable online abuse against La Liga players recorded last season, with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid coming second at 29%. Together, these two players represent nearly 90% of racial abuse targeting La Liga stars, while Kylian Mbappé, Alejandro Balde, Brahim Diaz, and Iñaki Williams were also among the most targeted.

Oberaxe director Tomás Fernández commented on Yamal’s situation, saying, “It reflects the prejudices that persist, and social media offers them a space to express it without limits.”

The study also showed that the online harassment correlates with club prominence. When abuse was directed at a club in general, Real Madrid faced 34% of it, narrowly ahead of Barcelona at 32%. Among the targeted clubs were Valladolid (17%), Valencia (8%), and Athletic Club (6%).

The platforms themselves vary widely in their response to racial abuse. Facebook was noted for removing 62% of reported content, making it the most proactive, while Twitter/X removed only 10%, leaving harmful posts largely unchecked.

The study underscores how deeply entrenched racism remains in Spanish football culture, both online and in stadiums. Fernández warned, “What happens in football is a reflection of our society. Many believe insults aren’t harmful, but that aggressive language can spill over into real life and even lead to physical violence.”

High-profile matches, particularly El Clásico, exacerbate the issue, with racial and xenophobic attacks spiking around the rivalry. La Liga has said it stepped up efforts to combat discrimination in stadiums, but critics argue that penalties imposed by Spanish authorities still fall short of being a true deterrent.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

First training session of the week – FC Barcelona
Barça have kicked off their preparations this week for the first game back at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday against Athletic Club, kick off 4.15pm CET. Hansi Flick’s squad returned to action at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper after a four day break with all eyes on celebrating their return home with all three points at the weekend in La Liga.

Special first time at Spotify Camp Nou – FC Barcelona
That indescribable sensation of stepping into Barça’s historic home will be back for both the fans and the players this Saturday 22 November against Athletic. And for eight first-team footballers, it’ll be their very first time. The same goes for Hansi Flick.

Marc Bernal starts for Catalonia in charity match win against Palestine – FC Barcelona
An evening of community and charity at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys between the people and teams of Catalonia and Palestine. This friendly game between both sides in aid of charity may not have been the most important aspect, but the Catalans ended up defeating the Palestines 2-1 and featured Marc Bernal as one of the starters.

MATCH REPORT | Spain, on their way to the World Cup (2-2)
Luis de la Fuente’s team confirms its presence in North America after drawing against Türkiye at La Cartuja.

Lamine, Raphinha and Pedri are getting ready to return to work – Mundo Deportivo
The trio went to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Tuesday to continue their respective recovery processes. Both wingers are expected to be available for the match against Athletic at the Spotify Camp Nou, while the midfielder will not yet be ready.

Valverde gets back a very important player to face Barça – Mundo Deportivo
Sancet returned to training with the group on Tuesday after missing two games due to the muscle injury he suffered at Anoeta.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Ansu Fati’s loan to AS Monaco was meant to be a reset, a chance to finally reclaim the promise that once made him Barcelona’s brightest young hope. For a moment, it looked like the move might deliver exactly that. Instead, the project has veered into a familiar territory of doubts, shifting roles and tough decisions ahead.

The 23-year-old eased into life in Ligue 1 more slowly than expected, with Monaco prioritizing a careful physical plan to avoid any recurrence of his long line of injuries. Once fully integrated, though, he exploded. Under Adi Hütter, Fati produced six goals in five matches, averaging a strike roughly every 41 minutes. He added assists, confidence and even earned a Player of the Match nod after a composed brace from the spot against Nice. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente even noted the resurgence, confirming that the forward was “on their radar” for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

That upward trend collapsed suddenly. While Fati was in scoring form, Monaco’s board dismissed Hütter and installed Sébastien Pocognoli. The change in structure and approach immediately seemd to work against the Spaniard. Since the switch, he has failed to score in six appearances and has seen his minutes drop sharply, accumulating just 55 minutes across Monaco’s last three league outings.

Barcelona, monitoring the loan closely, are now increasingly concerned. Earlier in the season, Fati’s form made it seem inevitable that Monaco would activate their purchase option, valued at 11 million euros. Now that decision, once considered straightforward, sits in limbo. Reduced playing time has stalled momentum for both club and player, turning what looked like a potential permanent transfer into a question mark.

With winter approaching, both Barcelona and Fati face a crossroads. If his minutes increase and his early-season rhythm returns, staying in Monaco could remain the preferred path. But if the current pattern continues, a January solution may be needed. The priority is clear: Fati must play consistently to regain full confidence and maintain his value, whether to Monaco or another suitor this summer.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

Lamine Yamal seems to be relishing the prospect of returning to Camp Nou with Barcelona as he’s posted another message ahead of the weekend’s game against Athletic Club.

Barcelona’s teenager has already said “special nights are coming” ahead of the team’s first game back at their famous home and has now put out another update on social media.

Yamal’s new profile picture on Instagram is a picture of him clutching the Barcelona badge and the words: “Montjuïc was the beginning. Camp Nou is where history will be written.”

Yamal is expected to feature on Saturday despite missing out on international duty with Spain after undergoing treatment for his pubalgia issues.

The teenager has played at Camp Nou before but there are a host of first-teamers who are looking forward to their first senior appearance at the stadium including Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joan Garcia, Marc Bernal, Roony Bardghji, and Dro Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Wojciech Szczęsny have played at Camp Nou before but not in Barcelona colors.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

A wave of top center backs is approaching the end of their current deals, and the timing could trigger a scramble across Europe’s biggest clubs. With several high-profile defenders free to negotiate from January ahead of contracts expiring in June 2026, teams like Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are watching closely.

Among them is Andreas Christensen, whose situation at Barcelona mirrors a broader trend. The 29-year-old acknowledged in an interview with Tipsbladet that for now “there is no plan B” regarding his future and that he has to keep “seeing what comes next”. Even without a guaranteed starting spot, his experience from Chelsea, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Barça makes him an attractive option for teams seeking stability at the back.

The list of impending free agents includes Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, and Marc Guehi, three defenders who would normally command major transfer fees. If no renewals are reached, they could instead move without compensation, creating the kind of domino effect that can reshape entire back lines.

Upamecano, 27, is drawing strong interest. Bayern Munich want to keep him, but his contract is running out, and reports in Germany suggest clubs such as Barça, Madrid, and PSG are monitoring his stance. In France, RMC Sport reported that PSG would be ready to act while Madrid are reportedly keeping close watch as well.

Konaté is on a similar timeline. Liverpool have offered a new deal, though the 26-year-old has yet to respond. That uncertainty has fueled speculation that the club might consider a winter sale to avoid losing him for nothing. He recently addressed the noise, saying “lately I’ve read a lot in the press” and noted that his representatives are still negotiating with Liverpool while he hopes a decision will arrive soon.

Guehi, meanwhile, is one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League. Crystal Palace resisted bids last summer, but with his contract also ending in June, interest has only intensified. Liverpool had a deal lined up late in the last window before it collapsed at the final moment. Bayern, Barça, and Madrid have all been linked as well, drawn by the England international’s blend of consistency and upside.

Barcelona, for their part, are still adjusting after losing Iñigo Martínez to Saudi Arabia at the end of the summer window. That departure left the squad without a natural left-footed center back, prompting continued speculation around Nico Schlotterbeck. The Dortmund defender fits the profile, though his contract runs until 2027, meaning any move would require significant negotiation.

Source: barcablaugranes.com

 Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has been full of praise for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres after seeing him score his 23rd international goal last time out.

The strike means Ferran has matched Sergio Ramos and Alfredo Di Stefano on Spain’s all-time goalscorer list and is now into the top 10.

De la Fuente says that Spain are lucky to have the Barcelona forward and hailed his versatility ahead of their final World Cup qualifier.

“I met Ferran when he was 16. He can play in any position: right wing, left wing, striker… His performance rate is spectacular. He has extraordinary stats, and wherever he plays, he always performs well. We’re lucky to have him, and we’ll see tomorrow what position he plays,” he told a pre-match press conference.

Spain take on Turkey next and will be aiming to seal qualification for World Cup 2026. De la Fuente says he will pick a strong team for the match.

“We approach the match with exceptional responsibility, for prestige, for the fans, because we want to keep winning and competing, to achieve our 31st unbeaten match,” he added.

“But the most important thing is that these players never tire of winning. And we will field a competitive team. Respect for our rivals compels us to field our best players. Here, every player is important.”

Spain have a perfect record in qualifying so far and are on the brink of qualification. Indeed Turkey need to win by a seven-goal margin when the teams meet on Tuesday to deny Spain top spot in the group.

Source: barcablaugranes.com