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      ‘World’s most expensive napkin’ up for sale for staggering price – and football fans would love to own it

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      A NAPKIN that sealed Lionel Messi’s transfer to Barcelona at the age of 13 has been put up for auction.And the bidding for the piece of footballing history will begin at £300,000.
      This is the napkin that served as an agreement to bring Lionel Messi to BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He is genereally considered to be the greatest Barcelona player in historyCredit: AFP
      The napkin was written on by Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach and served as the club’s commitment to sign the young Argentine.
      The promise proved to be the most important signing in Barcelona’s history, with many considering Messi to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      He won a cabinet full of trophies with Barcelona before leaving in 2021 to join PSG.
      His haul included four Champions Leagues and ten LaLiga titles with the club.
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      The 16.5 x 16.5cm napkin has been listed for sale by Horacio Gaggioli, the agent who brought Messi to the attention of Barcelona.
      Gaggioli was at the table when the ‘document’ was signed.
      The item will be sold by online auction house Bonhams in March, with a starting price of £300k.
      Messi came to the attentions of Barca scouts as a 12-year-old while playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
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      He was flown to Barcelona for trials in September 2000 with his father Jorge, but negotiations stalled.
      Sporting director Rexach was convinced of Messi’s talent but other board members were unconvinced due to the player’s slight stature.
      He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency which would have required the club to pay for his treatment.
      And board members were concerned about the prospect of bringing such a young boy over from Argentina to Catalonia.
      In December 2000, with Messi’s father growing frustrated, he issued an ultimatum to Rexach that the club either signed him that day or lost him.
      Rexach did not have paper with him, so wrote the promise to sign him out on a napkin.
      Written in Spanish, the note read: “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and in the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”
      The agreement was then confirmed by the club president Joan Gaspart that night.
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      Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, said: “This is one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.
      “It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

      Messi has won eight Ballon D’Or awardsCredit: Reuters More

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      Barcelona ‘line up forgotten boss who last managed 11 YEARS AGO’ to replace Xavi after shock quit announcement

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      BARCELONA are being linked with a shock replacement for manager Xavi, according to reports.The legendary Spanish midfielder, 44, confirmed last week that he will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
      Xavi will leave Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: AFP
      Barcelona are eight points adrift of LaLiga leaders Girona and out of the Copa del Rey.
      And while they are into the last 16 of the Champions League, Xavi has confirmed this will be his third and final campaign in charge.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is one candidate that has been mooted, although the Gunners head coach was quick to shut down that talk.
      Former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is another man being linked with the role.
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      But Marca are now claiming Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been in touch with former head coach Frank Rijkaard.
      Dutch icon Rijkaard, 61, took charge of the Spanish giants in 2003 after spells with the Netherlands and Sparta Rotterdam.
      He spent five years at the Nou Camp, winning two LaLiga titles and the Champions League.
      When he left in 2008, to pave the way for Pep Guardiola, he went on to manage Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabian national team.
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      However, both jobs lasted less than two years and he has not been in work since leaving the Middle East in January 2013.
      Yet a more than decade-long absence from football does not appear to be deterring Laporta – who is optimistic about Rijkaard’s return.
      The Ajax and AC Milan icon previously stated he has “no intention” of getting back into coaching.
      But reports claim he has not “closed the door completely” on management.
      Xavi’s shock announcement that he will quit came after Barcelona lost 5-3 at home to Villarreal at the weekend.
      He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.”
      The former midfielder then went on to add: “I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public.
      “I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”
      Xavi, whose contract is up at the end of the season, also said: “You asked me many times that if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barca… the truth is that it will never happen here.
      “You guys won’t allow it — being Barca coach is so difficult. You see how they kill you, they criticise you, it affects you.
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      “It’s a cruel job, it wears you down. In Barcelona you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works. From a mental health level, it’s tough too.
      “I’m a positive guy but the battery levels keep running out — and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.”
      Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard could be set for a return to the Nou CampCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Fans reckon they’ve worked out Virgil van Dijk’s next club after Liverpool star dropped THREE major clues

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      FOOTBALL fans believe they have worked out the club Virgil van Dijk will join if he leaves Liverpool.Speculation surrounding the Dutch defender’s future ramped up on Monday after he refused to commit to a post-Jurgen Klopp era.
      Virgil van Dijk has hinted he could leave LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      Van Dijk has played all but two of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season
      Following Klopp’s announcement that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, Van Dijk, 32, was questioned as to whether he will remain at the club following the German head coach’s departure.
      To which he replied: “That’s a big question. I don’t know. The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known.
      “To replace not only the manager but the whole staff and there are so many things that will change.
      “I’m very curious which direction that will go in, but when that will be announced we will see our situation.”
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      And with his contract up at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, fans are now pointing to THREE reasons why Van Dijk will sign for Barcelona.
      Firstly, the centre-back, who joined Liverpool for £75million in 2018, named the Nou Camp as his favourite away ground back in 2022.
      Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said: “I would say Camp Nou, Barcelona [is my favourite away stadium].
      “Obviously, for myself, watching a lot of Barcelona games when I was younger and then being able to play in it [was amazing].
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      “With Celtic the first time, we got beat 6-1, which was tough, but to be able to play there was a big one.
      “I really enjoyed playing there. [The pitch is] massive. It’s incredible. It’s absolutely insane.”
      Secondly, in the same interview, he then named Barcelona icon Ronaldinho as his footballing idol.
      He added: “It’s just the way that he was, especially after the second season that he joined Barcelona.
      “He was the difference-maker, you know? He was the one that everybody was looking to see, and his goals, his tricks and his flair.
      “Obviously, you [Neville] played against him a couple of times, and at that point, he was the best player in the world.
      “He definitely inspired me in different ways because I’m not a striker, but he influenced who I am today.”
      And thirdly, Van Dijk further illustrated his love for Barcelona last month when he included Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Brazilian icon Ronaldo in his dream five-a-side team.
      Van Dijk has played 246 games for Liverpool, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup.
      Triple exit
      VVD is not the only player whose future is a concern following Klopp’s announcement.
      It’s understood that a bid from Saudi Arabia for Mohamed Salah is expected this summer.
      The Egyptian was linked with a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League last summer.
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      Alisson is also said to be on the sights of the oil-rich nation.
      The goalkeeper has been an essential cog in the Klopp trophy-winning machine. More

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      Robert Lewandowski hosts ‘crisis talks’ with Barcelona pals at family home before heading to Xavi’s house to apologise

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      BARCELONA striker Robert Lewandowski has hosted a “crisis lunch” at his house for Barcelona team-mates and close pals.The crisis meal came in the midst of Xavi’s announcement that he would step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.
      Lewandowski hosted a crisis lunch at his house for Barcelona’s playersCredit: Alamy
      He is understood to feel partly responsible for Xavi’s decision to leaveCredit: EPA
      Xavi’s bombshell announcement came last week with Barcelona 11 points off league leaders Girona.
      Speaking after a 5-3 loss to Villarreal, Xavi said: “I will leave Barcelona in June.
      “We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.
      “As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”.
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      Lewandowski has struggled this season despite banging in 23 LaLiga goals last term to fire Barcelona to the title.
      He has only scored eight goals in the league this season, with fans also feeling his target man presence is slowing down Barcelona’s style of play.
      He reportedly feels partly responsible for Xavi’s exit and wants the boss to reconsider his decision.
      His meal was understood to be part of an attempt to rally the troops and focus their efforts on the Champions League.
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      Barcelona take on Serie A champions Napoli in the round of 16 in February.
      Barcelona’s club captains this season are Sergi Roberto, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Frenkie de Jong, but Lewandowski held the meal in his capacity as a senior player. 
      The details of the meal were reported exclusively in Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
      The likes of Lamine Yamal, Jules Kounde, Marc Andre-Ter Stegen and Oriol Romeu were all in attendance.
      Lewandowski is understood to have personally apologised to Xavi, thinking his performances have added to the manager’s stress.
      Ilkay Gundogan is understood to be more accepting of Xavi’s call and feels it comes from a period of deep reflecton.
      ‘They kill you’
      Expanding on his reason for his exit, Xavi said: “You asked me many times that if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barça… the truth is that it will NEVER happen here.
      “You guys won’t allow it — being Barça coach is so difficult. You see how they kill you, they criticise you, it affects you.
      “It’s a cruel job, it wears you down.
      “In Barcelona you always feel like you’re not valued, you’re mistreated – that’s how the club works. From a mental health level, it’s tough too.
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      “I’m a positive guy but the battery levels keep running out — and at some point, you realise there’s no point in staying.”
      Barca’s latest 5-3 loss to Villarreal in the league comes after they were dumped out of the Copa Del Rey by Athletic Club in a humiliating 4-1 defeat.
      Xavi says he has realised there is ‘no point in staying’ at BarcelonaCredit: Rex More

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      Tottenham could hijack Barcelona transfer for wonderkid Lucas Bergvall, 17, after Man Utd missed out

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      TOTTENHAM are preparing to hijack Barcelona’s move for Swedish prodigy Lucas Bergvall, according to reports.The midfielder, 17, has impressed a host of Europe’s top clubs while playing for Djurgarden in his home country.
      Lucas Bergvall has a number of big clubs chasing his signatureCredit: Getty
      He also had trials with Manchester United three years ago, but ultimately did not sign for the Red Devils.
      Djurgarden’s sporting director, Bo Andersson, recently hinted that a move to the Nou Camp could be on the cards.
      But The Mail now understand Tottenham have made an enquiry for the teenage sensation.
      Box-to-box midfielder Bergvall, who excels with his technical ability and passing range, has scored three goals in 28 appearances for Djurgarden.
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      He also made his debut for Sweden’s national team earlier this month in a 2-1 win over Estonia.
      And Barcelona remain the frontrunners to sign the wonderkid, with a price of £8.5million being reported.
      But Tottenham have now joined a host of other big clubs in pursuing him – along with Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
      It comes as Spurs man Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is linked with a move away from North London.
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      The Dane, 28, is being monitored by Fulham and Newcastle and could yet depart before the end of the January window on Thursday.
      But comments from Djurgarden chief Andersson will temper Tottenham’s expectations around signing Bergvall as it appears a Barcelona switch is close.
      He said: “Yes, I can confirm that we have been in contact and in dialogue with Barcelona.
      “But it’s not a negotiation yet. There was some contact with Barcelona last week but this week we haven’t spoken to them.” More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea on transfer red alert with Barcelona ‘enormously concerned’ about Jules Kounde and ‘ready to sell’

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      BARCELONA are open to selling defender Jules Kounde as they look to fall in line with FFP regulations.The defender has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea in the past, and both could be on alert with the defender on the market in January.
      Kounde is free to leave BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      United have struggled at centre-back this season, with Raphael Varane’s form seeing him drop to fifth choice at times despite being first pick last year.
      Harry Maguire has undergone a career renaissance this season after looking certain to leave last summer – but his future is also unclear.
      Lisandro Martinez has also missed most of the season with injury.
      The extent of United’s injury issues is dominated by the fact that Jonny Evans, 36, has featured 17 times for the club this season.
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      Kounde, 25, joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and played an integral part of their title victory last season.
      But he has struggled to replicate that form this season, and was responsible for two of the goals Barca shipped in their 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey.
      United were tentatively linked with the defender last summer amid rumours he was unsettled at the Camp Nou.
      Chelsea were also close to signing Kounde last season, reportedly agreeing a deal to sign the defender last year.
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      Kounde is seen as expendable by BarcelonaCredit: The Sun
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      Ultimately, the player chose Barca, but Chelsea could now make a move for Kounde again.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, there are “enormous concerns” surrounding Kounde’s form.
      The report also states that the club would be willing to listen to offers for former Chelsea star Andreas Christensen.
      A fee has not been reported but Barcelona signed Kounde for £42.5million and would be looking to recoup as much of that as possible. More

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      Barcelona release Arsenal transfer target after 14 YEARS as he becomes first casualty following Xavi’s exit

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      SERGI ROBERTO is set to become the first “victim” of Xavi’s Barcelona exit, according to reports in Spain.The news comes amid rumours that Arsenal have been tracking the player.
      Sergi Roberto has been at Barcelona for 14 years but could leave this yearCredit: Getty
      Roberto’s Barca contract runs out on June 30 and he was set to see it extended under Xavi’s leadership.
      But with Xavi confirming he will leave at the end of the season, Barcelona’s hierarchy have decided the player is surplus to requirements, according to AS.
      Xavi was an advocate of Roberto, even making him captain at the start of this season, but announced he will be stepping down due to the pressures of being Barcelona coach.
      Announcing his decision, Xavi said: “I’ve thought about the club and above all the players.
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      “I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense.
      “I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is very negative.”
      Last summer, the Barcelona youth product agreed to take a hefty pay cut in order to help the club with their financial issues.
      The salary decrease left him as one of the lowest-paid players in the squad despite being at Barcelona for 14 years.
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      Sergi Roberto has not featured much this seasonCredit: The Sun
      Injuries have led to Roberto playing a bit-part role for Barcelona this season, making just six appearances in LaLiga.
      The midfielder is currently missing with a muscular issue, and expected to be out until mid-February.
      Roberto’s favoured position is as a midfielder, but he can also operate at full-back.
      That versatility has seen Arsenal maintain an interest in a potential free transfer for Roberto, given they are looking for a cover in their defence.
      Arsenal have also been left consistently short in the midfield this season following a string of injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. More

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      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘on three-man shortlist for Barcelona job’ as search begins for Xavi’s successor

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      MIKEL ARTETA is among a three-man shortlist to succeed Xavi at Barcelona, reports in Spain say. Nou Camp legend Xavi announced he will be stepping down as Barca boss at the end of the season.
      Mikel Arteta is linked with the Barcelona jobCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish reporter Gerard Romero, Arsenal manager Arteta is among those the LaLiga giants will eye as a replacement.
      It is claimed Barca sporting director Deco started speaking to the agents of potential candidates over the last few weeks.
      Jurgen Klopp – set to leave Liverpool in the summer too – and Julian Nagelsmann, who is in charge of the German national team, are also linked with the role.
      Barca considered Arteta after sacking Ronald Koeman in October 2021 but Xavi was instead appointed.
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      But Arteta did sign a new contract in 2022, which keeps him tied to the Emirates until the summer of 2025.
      Spanish World Cup winner Xavi led his club to the league title last season – but will leave at the end of this campaign.
      He said: “I think the club needs a change of dynamic.
      “For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension.
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      “For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change.
      “This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing.”
      Xavi made the shock announcement following a 5-3 home loss to Villarreal, which leaves them ten points off leaders Real Madrid.
      Xavi is stepping down as Barcelona bossCredit: Getty

      A look at Barca’s managerial targets

      Mikel Arteta
      The Spaniard learnt his coaching craft under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking over at Arsenal in 2019.
      He turned the Gunners into title contenders, only narrowly missing out to City last season.
      And having come through Barca’s youth set up, Xavi’s exit could give Arteta the perfect return to the Nou Camp.
      Jurgen Klopp
      The German established himself as one of the finest coaches in the world after joining Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
      He led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and also lifted the Champions League in 2019.
      His resignation caused shockwaves around the footballing world and there will be no manager in greater demand than Klopp next season.
      Julian Nagelsmann
      Nagelsmann announced himself at RB Leipzig and his success earned him a dream job at Bayern Munich.
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      With the German giants, he won the league title in 2022 but a year later he was suddenly dismissed.
      And despite links to Chelsea and Tottenham, he instead succeeded Hansi Flick as head coach of the German national team in September. More