FOOTBALL UPDATE

Since the start of the season La Liga leaders Barcelona have been flying, but the same is not true for striker Luis Suarez.  With three goals in his first 14 games, Suarez was in his worst form for the club, one of the few players in Ernesto Valverde’s side who was struggling as the Catalans established a firm lead in the title race. Barcelona were winning despite him, not because of him, as they often did in his first three seasons at Camp Nou. With 121 goals in his first 147 matches, helping his side to two league titles, a Champions League trophy and three King’s Cups, among other silverware, everything Suarez touched turn to gold, until this season. Suarez scored in the routs of Espanyol and Girona, as well as netting an important equaliser against Atletico Madrid in the 1-1 draw in October, but otherwise fired blanks. The 30-year-old failed to score in any of Barcelona’s six Champions League group games, missed easy chances and was bereft of confidence, despite Valv...

Barcelona have defended payments made to a charity run by Lionel Messi and insist they did not act as part of the player’s salary.  The Catalan giants made the payments to Lionel Messi’s foundation between 2010 and 2013 with German media outlet Der Spiegel alleging they had seen club documents which may have acted as a salary. The report claimed that a 2016 audit saw the club pay the foundation and Messi’s father Jorge millions, while the player’s advisers gave the authorities €12m in unpaid taxes despite insisting they were not part of his salary. “All of the money the club wired to Lionel Messi's foundation was for charitable purposes,” ESPN quote a Barcelona representative as saying. “The interpretations that (Der Spiegel), other media or other people can make about these donations does not change this position at all. There will be no further comment on the issue.” ESPN clarify the €12m was given by the club to Messi as a loan which would not need to be repaid, whil...

Barcelona players welcome Philippe coutinho to the team. Coutinho expressed his gratitude to the club on social networks: "A dream comes true, thanks Barcelona. I can't wait to start our journey together." Luis Suarez on his Twitter account: "Welcome friend, how nice it is to share a dressing room with you again, a lot of achievements await us in this new era, we will achieve them together." Coutinho with Bartomeu Iniesta on Twitter: "Welcome Coutinho! A pleasure to have you at Barcelona!" Coutinho with Paulinho Bezerra Coutinho with Cillessen

Barcelona presented new signing Philippe Coutinho to their fans on the pitch at Camp Nou on Monday. Philippe Coutinho thanked Barcelona fans for their warm welcome as he was presented on the pitch at Camp Nou on Monday. The Brazil international completed his move from Liverpool to Barca earlier in the day by undergoing a medical and signing a five-and-a-half-year contract. Coutinho then ventured out onto the playing surface for the first time and, despite the thigh injury that is set to keep him out for three weeks, performed kick-ups to the delight of the thousands of fans in attendance.  "I'm happy to be here because of the history of the club and the players that have played here through history," he said. I want to thank everybody for the great welcome, especially on social media. "I hope to be able to play soon and live up to the high expectations."  Coutinho, who will address the media later on Monday, has reportedly cost Barca a club-record...

LA LIGA news is coming thick and fast with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all looking at strengthening during the January transfer window.   Harry Kane to Real Madrid Harry Kane to Real Madrid could have huge consequences for Manchester United. Don Balon say any move to the Bernabeu for the England star may see Gareth Bale depart. And United, who also want Kane, may benefit. Red Devils want to sign Bale this month. But if Real dig their heels in, Jose Mourinho may have to wait until the summer instead.   Luis Suarez to Liverpool Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly hopeful of re-signing Luis Suarez from Barcelona. Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim the Reds manager is determined to bring Suarez back. Liverpool are on the lookout for new attackers after selling Philippe Coutinho to Barca for a huge £142million. And though Roberto Firmino has excelled in a no9 role this season, Liverpool want Suarez back to lead the l...

Referee Juan Martinez Munuera was cast as the villain of the piece when Atletico Madrid faced Getafe on Saturday, sending off Diego Costa. Being booking just minutes before scoring the second goal of the game, the striker celebrated by jumping amongst the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano faithful.However, by the letter of the law, such an action was worth a second yellow and Costa will now be suspended for Atleti's game with Eibar.

Barcelona fans had reason to sleep easy when Lionel Messi finally put pen to paper on a new contract in November, it appears that there is a caveat to consider. Given the volatile political situation in Catalonia, it is being reported that the Argentine has planned an exit route if all goes pear shaped for the Blaugrana.Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo's front page for Friday reveals that Messi would only remain at the club if it were part of either the Spanish, French, English or German league system.Naturally, remaining in LaLiga would be the realistic option for Barcelona given the legal and practical issues in integrating to a distant competition. However the agreement also allows Messi to renege on his 700 million euro release clause should that not happen, and depart for free.Barcelona are said to believe this to be a given and consider it a gesture of commitment by Messi, who became the world's highest paid player when renewing following protracted negotiations. ...

The Barcelona manager knows his side can't afford to be complacent after playing to a 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey first leg. Barcelona will show Celta Vigo respect when the Galician side travel to Camp Nou for the second leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie, says Ernesto Valverde. Jose Arnaiz gave Barca the lead in the 15th minute at Balaidos, but Pione Sisto slammed home an equaliser before half-time. Ousmane Dembele came on in the final 20 minutes for his first appearance since September, but the game ended 1-1, leaving everything to play for. Celta earned a 2-2 draw at the Catalan giants in La Liga last month, a result that would be sufficient to send them into the quarter-finals if repeated next Thursday, leaving head coach Valverde wary. "It's another competition and we know Celta's quality. They showed it in La Liga and again today," the Barca boss said. "They will come to play and we will too. We know the quality they have from La Liga. We r...