:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17848187/154563582.0.jpg)
Puyol exercises on the field | FC Barcelona
On Wednesday morning, Carles Puyol started his recovery programme on a training pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva. The captain was joined by physio Juanjo Brau for a workout focused on strength and resistance.
Cesc Fàbregas completes part of training | FC Barcelona
Tata Martino took charge of a session that also featured Pedro and Cesc, the two players that returned from the Asian Tour with injuries. The Canary Islander, with a bruised calf, was back training with the group for the second day, while for Cesc Fàbregas, this was his first normal session since spraining ankle ligaments in Malaysia. The players were also joined by Bagnack of Barça B.
Messi returns to Barcelona | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi will not feature in the international friendly between Argentina and Italy in Rome this Wednesday. After undergoing tests conducted by the Argentina national team doctors, it was decided that Messi should return to Barcelona and focus on recovering from his muscle injury. The injury forced the forward miss out on Barça’s last match of the Asia Tour.
International matches before the league starts | FC Barcelona
Nine Barça players have friendly matches on Wednesday night, just four days before the league kicks off against Levante (Sunday August 18 at 19.00), all of which are matches between teams from different continents. But the only players that will be travelling outside of Europe are the Spanish internationals, while Alex Song is meeting up with the rest of the Cameroon squad for a training camp, but no match.
40 years since Cruyff's arrival | FC Barcelona
Johan Cruyff signed for FC Barcelona in August 1973 after prolonged negotiations between the club and Ajax Amsterdam and which were mainly settled thanks to the efforts of Armand Carabén. In his first season at Barça, the Dutch striker made it patently clear that it had been worth all that hard work to bring the player to Catalonia.
Valencia-FC Barcelona, Sunday September 1 at 21.00 | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will be one of two teams to close out Round 3 of the Liga. The Blaugrana will face off against Valencia on Sunday, September 1, at 21.00. It will be Barça’s second consecutive match away from the Camp Nou in the league as Tata Martino’s men are scheduled to face Málaga at La Rosaleda the week prior.
Barça's highest scoring preseason of the decade | FC Barcelona
With the first league game just a few days away, Barça are certainly finding the net under Tata Martino. The 27 goals in six games, making an average of 4.5 a match, is the club’s best preseason record for a decade. It all comes as a huge improvement on the opening game against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, where the Catalans failed to score.
Dongou and Bagnack, the surprise heroes of the preseason | FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona youth system is still producing new stars. There were thirteen Barça B players that featured in some way in the six 2013/14 preseason matches. Cameroonians Dongou and Bagnack featured particularly prominently, for not only did they play in Europe, but also went on the Asian Tour.
Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari unhappy with Barcelona's Neymar claim - ESPN FC
"It is unacceptable to say that Neymar has anaemia," Scolari said in Mundo Deportivo. "He was in Barcelona before the Confederations Cup and he was perfect. It is clear that he is not himself [at present], but he had surgery. Neymar is not anaemic; Brazil is not a third-world country. We are not behind anyone when it comes to medical matters."
Uefa warns clubs over FFP - Goal.com
Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino has warned clubs that they must adapt to Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules or face sanctions. European football's governing body intend to implement new laws in 2018 that will see clubs required to bring their annual losses below €10 million.
Fan jailed for hugging Cristiano Ronaldo - Goal.com
The fan who was jailed for invading the pitch during the International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Chelsea to hug Cristiano Ronaldo last week has stressed that he has no regrets over his actions. Ronald Gjoka, 19, ran onto the pitch in the 67th minute to embrace his idol, only to be arrested by local police and taken to jail for trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo requested Angel Di Maria stay - ESPN FC
"I found out from elsewhere, not directly from him, that he had done that for me," the 25-year-old said. "I am very happy that a player like that -- a reference at Madrid -- supports me, asks for me not to leave, as people were saying that it might happen. That is very important."
Liverpool target Diego Costa signs new Atletico Madrid contract | Sky Sports
Diego Costa has expressed his delight at signing a contract extension with Atletico Madrid in a move which dashes Liverpool's hopes of landing the forward. Brendan Rodgers conceded defeat in his pursuit of Costa over the weekend after learning that Costa had agreed a new deal to stay in the Spanish capital. And Atletico have now confirmed that he has penned a three-year extension to keep him at the club until 2018.
La Liga: Atletico Madrid sign goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia on season-long deal | Sky Sports
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia on a season-long contract from Deportivo La Coruna. The 33-year-old passed a medical late last night and will now join Diego Simeone's squad, serving principally as back-up to Thibaut Courtois.