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      Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2: Unstoppable Bellingham steals the show in first Clasico with stunner AND dramatic late winner

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM scored a scintillating screamer AND a last minute winner in his first El Clasico to down Barcelona in their own backyard.Los Blancos were staring at their second defeat of the season after Ilkay Gundogan’s sixth minute opener.
      A Bellingham screamer levelled the scores in the 68th minuteCredit: Reuters
      And he was there to poke home the winner in the dying seconds of the gameCredit: Reuters
      Bellingham let out a cry of emotion after his second secured victory for MadridCredit: Getty

      But up stepped Madrid’s English golden boy with a world class strike from around 20 yards to level the score after 68 minutes.
      And then, in the dying seconds, Bellingham poked home Luka Modric’s miscontrolled touch in the box to silence Barca’s Olympic Stadium with his trademark outstretched celebration.
      In short, one of the best players on the planet currently single-handedly stole the headlines in the biggest game in world football. 
      It is now 13 goals in 13 games for Bellingham in Spain – remarkably, that’s more than Real Madrid royalty Zinedine Zidane ever managed in a single season.
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      And the scary thing is, he doesn’t look like stopping.
      Barcelona came into this one with a mounting injury list, but good news in the shape of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha returning to the bench.
      Meanwhile, Madrid looked to be starting with Vinicius Jr. down the middle and Bellingham in a high, left wing position.
      Barca started the stronger and were rewarded inside the first 10 minutes with Gundogan’s opener thanks to some slack Madrid defending.
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      The stats that tell the story of Bellingham’s El Clasico debut
      The Birmingham-born star thanked Madrid’s travelling fans after the final whistleCredit: Rex
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      Ilkay Gundogan opened the scorer for Barcelona in a shirt bearing the Rolling Stones logoCredit: Getty
      The Barca fans also showed off a large Rolling Stones Tifo – The Stones were sponsoring Barcelona for El Clasico due to a collaboration with SpotifyCredit: Getty
      And while the whole of England was cheering on Jude, Mick Jagger cut a dejected figure as his team for the day slumped to a 2-1 defeatCredit: ESPN
      The ex-Manchester City midfielder’s through ball found no one but Madrid’s back line stood and watched as Gundogan latched onto his own pass, powering through David Alaba before slotting past Kepa.
      He celebrated in Barca’s jersey which bore the Rolling Stones logo on it for the day – thanks to the club’s collaboration with Spotify.
      Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood were both in attendance to mark the occasion and were probably the only two Englishmen not cheering on England’s 20-year-old wonderkid for this game.
      A frustrated Bellingham dropped deeper to pick up the ball from Toni Kroos, yet the hosts did well to crowd him out in midfield.
      Madrid looked shaky. Kroos lost the ball outside his own box and Fermin Lopez struck the post with an effort.
      Bellingham looked desperate to make an impact, and so decided to use his brute force with some hefty challenges to try and inspire some attacking threat from his teammates.
      Instead, the game turned spiky, as Vinicius Jr had words with Barca boss Xavi by the technical area, the latter laughing it off with a playful slap of the Brazilian’s cheek.
      It wasn’t just the Catalan legend getting physical, as Andreas Christensen and Gavi both took turns to wipe out Bellingham whenever he got a sniff of the ball.
      Ancelotti responded after the break by bringing on Eduardo Camavinga to allow Bellingham more freedom to roam, yet Barca continued to defend the Englishman well while also forcing Kepa into a few good stops.
      Ancelotti shifted Bellingham around during the match to ensure he wreaked havoc on a Barcelona side that marked him tightly
      The man of the moment flashed his trademark celebration after his match-winnerCredit: Getty
      And pointed to the Real Madrid badge as he thanked Madrid’s travelling fansCredit: Reuters
      The introduction of Lewandowski was met with rapturous applause on the hour mark, while Ancelotti chucked on Luka Modric and Joselu.
      And then, the moment. Out of nothing, with the game slipping away, Bellingham picked up the ball on the edge of the box and decided to silence the Olympic Stadium with a screamer from around 20 yards into the top corner.
      No celebration. No outstretched arms. He simply ran back to the halfway line ushering his teammates to do the same, while pointing to the new badge he has grown to adore, and they adore him.
      With the visiting Madrid fans in rapture, the camera cut to a seriously dejected looking Mick Jagger in the stands.
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      Even Ronnie Wood’s words of comfort for Jagger couldn’t lift his spirits as it became clear the tide of the Clasico had emphatically changed.
      That equaliser rattled Barca, and lifted Real to be more decisive on the ball. All they needed was a moment, and they got it thanks to you-know-who in injury time. More

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      Jude Bellingham scores screamer on El Clasico debut but Mick Jagger left unimpressed in Barcelona vs Real draw

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM rescued a point for Real Madrid with an absolute screamer against Barcelona – but it failed to impress Mick Jagger.The long-time enemies entered the first El Clasico of the season both playing catch-up with surprise package of the season Girona, who top the league with nine wins in their first 11 matches.
      Jude Bellingham levelled the scores in El Classico with a second-half screamerCredit: ESPN
      But Rolling Stones and rock icon Mick Jagger was left unmoved by the strikeCredit: ESPN
      Barca were on course to close the gap on their Catalan rivals with a 1-0 win over Real at the Estadi Olimpic Lluís Companys.
      Ilkay Gundogan’s sixth-minute strike was on course to do the damage and condemn Los Blancos to their second league defeat of the season.
      That was until Bellingham stepped up with a scorcher of a strike from outside the box in the 68th minute.
      The few Real Madrid fans in attendance burst out in jubilant celebration after Bellingham’s rocket flew past Marc-Andre ter Stergen and into the top corner.
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      But not Rolling Stones star and Rock and Roll god Jagger, who was completely unmoved by the screamer.
      Jagger – who was in attendance with long-time pal and bandmate Ronnie Wood – did show a single ounce of emotion after the ball hit the back of the net.
      His non-reaction spread like wildfire on social media, with several footie fans taking to X to react to the viral clip.
      One remarked: “The juxtaposition of Jude Bellingham’s exhilaration with Mick Jagger looking sad in the crowd immediately afterwards has given me whiplash.”
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      Another chimed in: “I dunno what’s more entertaining, Jude Bellingham or the fact that they cut to a miserable Mick Jagger after his goal.”
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      Robert Lewandowski slumps over seat in despair after watching Barcelona team-mate’s awful free-kick in win over Shakhtar

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      IT’S tough to say what was more shocking.A horrific free-kick from Ronald Araujo or the reaction in the stands from his legendary Barcelona pals Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie De Jong.
      Robert Lewandowski was stunned by Ronald Araujo’s poor effort and Barcelona team-mates were clearly also far from impressed

      Araujo frustrated watching Barca players with his free-kick woeCredit: Alamy
      Araujo spiralled a dead-ball so far over the top of the bar that it was more worthy of the rugby World Cup.
      Even the Uruguayan defender smiled bashfully – helped by Barca edging towards a 2-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
      But Araujo’s rueful response was nothing compared to the expressions from sidelined Nou camp heroes.
      Injured striker Lewandowski, 35, slumped forward in disbelief with his head over the seat in front and his hands spread wide.
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      And De Jong was almost as expressive.
      The perennial Manchester United target turned to Lewandowski laughing, then buried his head down into his hands.
      Other watching barca players were hardly more sympathetic.
      One fan wrote: “Frenkie, Gavi, laugh at Araujo freekick.”
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      And one observer noted how Barcelona have been spoilt over the years with dead-ball demons like seven-time ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
      The nonplussed Nou Camp supporter posted: “Our free kick game has gone from the GOAT bending it into the top corner, to big Ronald Araujo smashing it into row Z. ”
      Victory gave Barca three straight wins in Group H.
      Ferran Torres and Fernin Lopez struck during a first-half stroll.
      But Georgiy Sudakov brilliantly cut the deficit for the Ukrainian visitors on 62 minutes – albeit in vain. More

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      RB Leipzig star Ilaix Moriba ‘cancelled flight’ to seal Man City transfer before Barcelona debut, his dad claimed

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      THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, now 20, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team in 2019 and was tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.

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      Ilaix Moriba, now 20, was set to agree a deal with Man City before staying at Barcelona However, he chose to leave the Camp Nou in 2021 and joined RB Leipzig for around £16million after a row over his contract.

      He had a two-year spell on-loan with LaLiga giants Valencia, and his future is currently in limbo in Germany.

      Moriba was put up for sale in the summer, although there were no takers.

      But, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.

      The Spain youth international, who plays internationally for Guinea, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.

      However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.

      He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.

      “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.

      “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.

      “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.” More

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      Barcelona set to play in bizarre shirt against Real Madrid as club takes Spotify deal to whole new level

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      BARCELONA are getting lippy with a one-off shirt against Real Madrid emblazoned with the Rolling Stones’ iconic logo.The Spanish giants can’t yet be Nou age rockers – as their famous stadium is being redeveloped – so they’ve come up with the next best thing as their sponsorship with Spotify hits a high note.
      Rolling Stones’ legends Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are ‘honoured’ their logo will adorn Barca’s shirt against fierce rivals RealCredit: Reuters
      Lamine Yamal, Jules Kounde and Fermin Lopez show how Barcelona’s Spotify-sponsored shirt normally looksCredit: Getty
      It was less tongue in cheek and more tongue on kit as legendary Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood paraded the special top – complete with the band’s cheeky emblem.
      The rock stars’ logo of big lips with a huge tongue sticking out will take centre stage on the home side’s shirt for El Clasico at Barca’s temporary Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys ground on October 28.
      The latest instalment of the club’s arrangement with streaming service Spotify sees Xavi’s men promote the Stones’ new album.
      In fact, it’s the British group’s first fresh material since 2005.
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      The band said: “We’re huge football fans and honoured that Spotify have brought our Tongue & Lips logo to grace the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate the release of the Stones’ new ‘Hackney Diamonds’ album.
      “We’ll be cheering on the players on the pitch as well as fans around the world who will be tuning in to watch this iconic match.”
      Supporters will be glued to their screens as third-placed Barca attempt to hunt down LaLiga leaders Real.
      And Barca fans will pray keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has Sticky Fingers too – to keep out Madrid’s prolific summer signing Jude Bellingham plus Vinicius Junior and Co.
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      As Jagger might say, with one eye on the Stones’ own most famous rivals The Beatles: “Hey Jude, don’t make it bad.”
      But whatever happens, El Clasico observers will hope to be as open-mouthed as Barcelona’s one-off logo… with excitement. More

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      Barcelona chief Deco says Lionel Messi will ‘DEFINITELY’ return to Nou Camp and calls old pal ‘greatest idol in history’

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      LIONEL MESSI will “definitely” return to the Nou Camp for Barcelona one day.That is according to Barca’s sporting director Deco, who is adamant Messi will come back to his beloved club for a farewell game.
      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi will return to the Nou Camp one dayCredit: Getty
      Deco described former Barcelona team-mate Messi as ‘greatest idol in history’Credit: 2010 AFP
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner established himself as arguably the greatest footballer of all time during a glittering 17-year stint with the Blaugrana.
      The star forward scored a staggering total of 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 appearances and won 10 LaLiga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League honours.
      Just when it looked like the Argentina captain would end his career with the Catalan giants, he shocked the world by leaving in 2021 due to the club’s dire financial woes.
      However, Deco insists the Barcelona faithful haven’t seen the last of former team-mate Messi, whom he described as the “greatest idol”.
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      The ex-Chelsea star, though, admits there is no date lined up for the Argentine’s return.
      Deco told Lance: “He [Messi] will definitely play a farewell game at Barcelona, but when that will be, we don’t know.
      “He will always be the greatest idol in the club’s history. The club had great idols, like [Johan] Cruyff, Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.”
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggested Messi’s farewell match could take place next year in November.
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      The Spanish champions would like to combine the World Cup winner’s last ever match with the grand opening of their revamped Spotify Camp Nou.
      Laporta told Catalunya Radio: “It would be fantastic if he could be part of the Spotify Camp Nou re-opening.
      “It will be finished in June 2026 but we will be back in November 2024 and that could also be a good date. We’re going to see. We would like it to happen and I hope it does.”
      Messi was keen to return to Barcelona last summer after a turbulent two-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain came to a disappointing end.
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      Barcelona sporting director Deco insists Messi will have a farewell gameCredit: 2023 Alex Caparros
      However, a deal never materialised and he ended up joining Manchester United legend David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami, where he has scored 11 goals and five assists in 13 matches.
      The MLS outfit’s managing owner Jorge Mas even admitted that he is open to letting his team play in Barcelona to allow the ex-PSG star to compete one last time in front of his die-hard fans.
      Deco added: “I’ve been friends with Leo for a long time.
      “The issue of him going to the United States was something that had been planned for a long time.
      “He already mentioned this idea way back. What changed were those two years at PSG…
      “I wasn’t in the conversations [about Messi’s return]. Obviously, Messi is one of the greatest idols in the club’s history.
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      “He’s happy now and that’s what I think he had to look for in his career.
      “About returning to Barcelona, it would have been something spectacular, as he is the greatest player in history, but things ended up happening like this and you can see that he is happy. That’s what matters most.” More

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      Chelsea fans hail ‘huge’ deal as club secretly trigger clause in youngster’s contract to fight off Barcelona interest

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      CHELSEA have triggered a secret clause in Ian Maatsen’s contract, according to reports.The club have taken the decision to extend the 21-year-old’s deal by one year, tying him down to 2025.
      Ian Maatsen has extended his contract at Chelsea after the club triggered a secret clauseCredit: Getty
      Reports from the Evening Standard claim Maatsen has rejected two contract offers in recent weeks and Chelsea have therefore activated the extension clause.
      This comes after supposed interest from Barcelona with the Catalan giants considering making a bid for him in January.
      Maatsen’s longer contract could force Xavi’s side to pay more for the Dutch left-back.
      He spent last season on loan at Burnley and the newly-promoted side saw a loan offer with an obligation to buy worth £31.5million accepted over the summer.
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      However, Maatsen rejected the transfer as he hoped to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      But he has played just 83 minutes in the Premier League this season amid competition from Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella.
      Consequently, Maatsen is reportedly considering his future at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea fans are delighted the club has taken up the option to add a year to his contract.
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      One said: “Huge, hopefully we can tie him down on a long-term deal soon.”
      Another added: “Smart move.”
      More wondered: “Does this mean he will get game time or are they trying to protect his value and sell?” More

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      Man City star Julian Alvarez targeted by Barcelona as long-term transfer replacement for Robert Lewandowski

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      JULIAN ALVAREZ is the subject of transfer interest from Barcelona reports suggest.The Manchester City star has enjoyed an electric start to the season, scoring six goals and adding five assists.
      Julian Alvarez is being eyed as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski by BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      However, Pep Guardiola may soon come under pressure to keep the 23-year-old.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are looking at Julian Alvarez as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
      Like Alvarez, Lewandowski has had an impressive start to the season with six goals and four assists, but with a 12-year difference in age the pair are at the opposite end of their respective careers.
      Sport’s report suggests both Barca boss Xavi and sporting director and ex-Chelsea star Deco admire Alvarez, with Xavi particularly impressed by his versatility and eye for goal.
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      The forward was a key member of the Argentina team which lifted the World Cup in Qatar.
      City completed the signing of Alvarez for just £14million from River Plate in January 2022 off the back of him being named the South American Footballer of the Year for 2021.

      It is claimed Alvarez has a release clause worth £43.4m (€50m).
      Despite the transfer links, Guardiola and City technical director Txiki Begiristain have no intention of parting ways with him.
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      Alvarez has a contract with last season’s Treble winners until 2028.
      While he is more than capable of playing as an out-and-out striker, Alvarez has been deployed behind Erling Haaland in a slightly deeper role this season, partly owing to the injury of Kevin de Bruyne.
      Man City host Brighton on Saturday at 3pm, before a Champions League trip to Swiss side BSC Young Boys and the Manchester derby.
      Xavi is said to be a huge admirer of AlvarezCredit: Getty More