laliga

‘Everyone sees me as a Barcelona coach’ – Xavi responds to talk of Camp Nou return

Blaugrana legend Xavi Hernandes admits wanting to head back to his Catalan roots at some stage, but that he is not looking to oust Ronald Koeman from his role as the current Barcelona coach. Acknowledging that “everyone sees me as a Barcelona coach”, the Camp Nou legend admits that it’s part of his long-term plans to return to his roots in Catalunya. Fresh speculation has intensified pertaining to further change in the Barcelona dugout on the back of another Champions League humbling for the Blaugrana as they were simply outclassed 4-1 by Kylian Mbappe-inspired PSG in the last-16 first leg kno...

Fiery Griezmann inspires Barcelona to thrilling Cup comeback against Granada

The Catalans came from two goals down to win a riveting tie 5-3 after extra time. Antoine Griezmann prevailed to bring a heavily besieged Barcelona back from the brink of imminent defeat on Wednesday as the Catalans finally beat Granada 5-3 after extra-time to win a riveting cup tie and reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Barca looked all but done in at Los Carmenes when Granada led 2-0 with two minutes of normal time remaining but a determined Griezmann found the extra gears to score one goal in the 88th minute and then set up Jordi Alba for a dramatic equaliser in the 92nd. Revitalised, Grie...

Interview to LaLiga's new Japan delegate Guillermo Perez

With Inui, Okazaki, Shibasaki and kubo, its 90th season is "exciting"

Spanish football league LaLiga is known for its st...

Zidane and Ramos to leave Real in the summer?

There is change in the pipeline for Real Madrid, with ramifications of possible key departures surrounding their two key figures. Zidane, despite leading Real Madrid to the La Liga title last season with Sergio Ramos continuing to play a key role, is now feeling the intense heat. And, oddly, the captain has yet to sign a contract extension beyond the end of this season. Gibson believes the two could leave in the summer, adding on the Transfer Talk Podcast: “I don’t think Real Madrid will rush into a change now but I think Zidane will be moved on at the end of the season. They won the league la...

Referee who gave Messi red card to face sanction calls

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano – who dismissed Messi during Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to Athletic Bilbao after the Argentine swung out at opposition striker Asier Villalibre – is facing calls to be sanctioned for his actions, as well as non-actions. Frustration had been building for Barcelona, who were chasing a late equaliser and had seen a number of fouls perpetrated on Messi go unpunished. Jaume Roures, the founding partner of Spanish multimedia group Mediapro, insists Manzano should now face retrospective action having failed to caution Bilbao’s players for their rough challenges on ...

Lionel Messi miraculously escapes long ban for slugging opponent

All Cules must surely be thanking their stars and taking to the streets in jubilation as Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has miraculously escaped a multi-match ban for his heavyweight rabbit punch on Athletic Bilbao’s Asier Villalibre in the Supercopa de Espana final. The Blaugrana talisman is set to miss the Copa del Rey tie against Cornell and La Liga fixture against Elche after being suspended for at the chaotic weekend. The Committee could have imposed a ban of up to 12 games nut Messi gott off with just a two-match ban. Apparently the federation’s competition committee did not deem the inc...

Lionel Messi’s Very Candid Full ‘La Sexta’ Interview Shocks

FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi sat down with Jordi Evole for a very candid and personal interview for La Sexta. After the problems he had in the summer with the Catalan club, Messi did not hold back from expressing his love for FC Barcelona. He claimed, “Barça is my life. I love Barça and Barcelona. I have always given my all for this club. I feel everything for this shirt. Barcelona is my life. I grew up both in the club and in the city. I learned everything here. The club has given me everything, trained me as a footballer and as a person. I have a love affair with Barça and the city.” Messi...

Diego Costa ends contract with Atletico Madrid for ‘personal reasons’

Atletico Madrid and striker Diego Costa have parted ways for the second time after the La Liga leaders agreed to the player’s request to rescind his contract on Tuesday due to personal reasons. An Atletico statement said Costa, 32, had asked to leave the club immediately for “personal reasons”. His contract was to run out in June 2021. “The striker asked to leave the club for personal reasons a few days ago and on Tuesday signed the termination of his contract,” Atletico said. “The club thanks Diego Costa for his dedication during these years and wishes him well in the next stage of his profes...

“He is impossible to predict” – Jan Oblak on how difficult it is playing against Lionel Messi

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has more reason than most other footballers to provide an invaluable insight into what an immense pain in the butt it is to face Lionel Messi when he’s on a goal-scoring stampede – and that’s coming direct from one of the best on the planet. Oblak, known only to a few prior to his emergence at Atletico, quickly developed into one of the world’s finest goalkeepers during his time under Diego Simeone. Ably protected by one of the sturdiest back-lines in world football, Oblak has unquestionably proven himself to be nothing less than world-class with acts of ph...

Zidane: “If I rotate then you’ll ask why, if I don’t rotate then you’ll ask why not”

Real Madrid have coolly lapped up five victories in a row using largely the same pool of players and they’ll look to make it six when they take on Granada at home on Wednesday night. Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane was asked in his pre-match press conference about this next opponent and the difficulties they pose. He said: “It’s a very very important match because this is a team that’s having a very very good season. We know we’re facing a very tough opponent tomorrow. There is not a single easy match in this league, but even more so tomorrow against this team that’s playing so well. When you...