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    Hector Bellerin voted Barcelona’s WORST transfer by fans following summer move from Arsenal

    HECTOR BELLERIN has been named Barcelona’s worst transfer by fans after his summer switch from Arsenal.The former Gunner moved to the La Liga giants on a free transfer after his contract in North London was terminated.
    Hector Bellerin has struggled to impress since joining BarcelonaCredit: AFP
    Bellerin signed a one-year deal at the Nou Camp, but the return to his boyhood club has not gone as successfully as he would have hoped for.
    Having only made five appearances for Barcelona, three of which were starts, he has failed to make the right-back spot his own.
    Since mid-September, Bellerin has only managed 20 minutes of playing time due to injury and has been on the bench for the club’s last four matches.
    To make matters worse for the defender, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo asked fans to rate Barcelona’s summer business out of ten, a test that he has not done well in.
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    While former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski scored an impressive 9.32 out of 10, Bellerin was only awarded a shocking 4.42 rating.
    Lewandowski was the clear favourite to get the highest approval rating as he has scored 18 goals in his first 19 appearances for the club.
    But other players such as Chelsea transfer target Jules Kounde scored an impressive 7.82.
    Bellerin is closer to former AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie who, after 13 appearances in all competitions and one goal, was rated at 5.38.
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    Bellerin was hopeful of extending his stay with the Blaugrana as he told Radio Catalunya earlier this month: “I want to sign a new deal as I want to stay here at Barca, I’m really happy.”
    But that might be an unfulfilled wish of the Spaniard, as there are already reports surfacing that Barcelona have decided not to renew his deal, according to AS. More

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    Shakira and Gerard Pique ‘agree to sell luxury mansion where they raised kids’ after singer and Barcelona star split

    SHAKIRA and Gerard Pique have reportedly agreed to sell the exclusive Barcelona mansion where they raised their two sons.The couple, who reached a child custody agreement last week under which the Colombian singer will move to Miami with Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven, are expected to put a price tag of between £10.5million and £12m on the property when it goes on the market.
    Shakira and Pique reached a custody agreement last weekCredit: Getty
    The house, on an exclusive gated residential estate in Esplugues de Llobregat around a half-hour drive from Barcelona city centre, boasts its own recording studio and gym.
    Outside the five-storey property, consisting of two basements and three floors above ground, has a paddle tennis court and mini-football pitch where retired footballer Pique played with his children.
    Pique, sent off as a substitute during his final game for Barcelona last week, is living at a penthouse apartment in Barcelona’s trendy Muntaner Street with his new girlfriend Clara Chia, 23.
    Shakira remains at the luxury former family home but is expected to leave early in the New Year as long as her father William Mebarak, who has been in hospital, is well enough to make the trip to the States.
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    She put pen to paper on the child custody deal with her ex after a marathon 12-hour meeting with their respective lawyers which ended in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.
    Later in the day Shakira, 45, and Pique, 35, confirmed in a joint statement: “We wish to communicate that we have signed an agreement that guarantees the welfare of our children and that will be ratified in court as part of a mere formal procedure.
    “Our sole objective is to provide them with the upmost security and protection, and we trust that their privacy will be respected.
    “We appreciate the interest shown and hope that the children can continue with their lives with the necessary privacy in a safe and calm environment.”
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    It was signed, “Shakira and Gerard.”
    The singer-songwriter is relocating to Florida with the couple’s two sons as part of the deal.
    Respected Catalan daily El Periodico, laying bare what it described as the “small print” of the couple’s accord, has claimed Pique will have his children 10 days a month from next year plus holiday time.
    It means he will have to divide his time between Spain and the States as he focuses on the extensive business interests he forged before his surprise retirement announcement ahead of his last home game against Almeria earlier this month.
    He is expected to start house hunting shortly so he can have a base in Florida.
    Shakira, who has relatives and several close friends in Miami owns a £14m mansion in the city she is said to have put up for sale in 2018 before removing it from the market a few months ago.
    Pique’s relationship with Barcelona-born beauty Clara emerged shortly after he and Shakira announced in May they had split after 11 years and two children together.
    She appeared to file poisoned darts at her ex in a new song she released last month called Monotonia, Monotony in English, with references to the “narcissism” and “cold as Christmas” attitude of a man she is breaking up with.
    In the video for the song a mystery man fans have claimed is a representation of Pique shoots a hole in Shakira’s heart as she stocks up with snacks during a late-night trip to the supermarket.
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    Although initial reports pointed to her leaving for Miami first thing next year, the health of Shakira’s dad has subsequently been identified as the key factor in the as-yet-undefined date of her decision to move with her children.
    She faces a tax fraud trial in Barcelona in coming months so will have to return if she emigrates before the case comes to court.
    Shakira’s stunning waterfront mansion in Miami Beach where she could relocateCredit: The Mega Agency
    The Colombian singer snapped up the palatial pad back in 2001Credit: The Mega Agency More

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    PSG to open Lionel Messi contract extension talks after World Cup as Barcelona eye up sensational transfer return

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN will reportedly open contract talks with star man Lionel Messi AFTER the World Cup with former club Barcelona eyeing a sensational reunion.The legendary Argentine, 35, is out of contract next summer and it is unclear whether he will stay at the Parc des Princes.
    PSG will open contract talks with Messi after the World CupCredit: AFP
    Messi appears to have finally settled in at PSG after a dismal first season, netting 12 times and assisting 14 across all competitions.
    Such form, as well as seemingly repairing their poor financial situation, has former club Barca purring over the thought of a reunion with Messi.
    Barca had to waive goodbye to their club legend in the summer of 2021 after being left financially paralysed and unable to renew his contract.
    MLS side Inter Miami are also said to be keen on trying to bring the 785-goal man to America.
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    However, according to Mundo Deportivo, PSG are keen to keep Messi and will look to extend his stay in the French capital.
    Talks will be opened AFTER the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which gets underway next weekend, as requested by the player himself.
    Argentina are among the favourites to win the tournament, which would add the final piece of silverware to Messi’s unmatchable trophy cabinet.
    PSG would like Messi to sign a two-year extension.
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    A return to Barca could be as equally attractive.
    Barca is “always” Messi’s home, according to club president Joan Laporta.
    Laporta reportedly said: “Messi’s return to Barca in 2023? Leo knows that Barcelona is always his home.” More

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    Gerard Pique SENT OFF in last ever Barcelona game without making it onto the pitch – as Lewandowski gets red for elbow

    GERARD PIQUE was sent off in his final Barcelona game… despite not even making it onto the pitch.The Spaniard penned an emotional farewell to Barcelona fans after announcing his retirement last week.
    Gerard Pique was seen remonstrating with the referee at half-timeCredit: Twitter
    Gerard Pique was sent off in his final game for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Robert Lewandowski was given his marching ordersCredit: Reuters
    But his time at the club has ended in controversy after he got sent off in the tunnel at half-time of Barcelona’s game against Osasuna.
    Pique, who was named among the substitutes, was furious with a decision to send off Robert Lewandowski during the first half and had a heated conversation with the ref which continued into the tunnel.
    He was then sent off for his remonstrating – denying him the chance to make his last ever Barcelona appearance.
    According to referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s report, Pique said: ”You are the referee who has most screwed Barcelona by some distance.
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    “You are a f***ing disgrace.”
    The match official has previously sent off Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in his career.
    Team-mate Lewandowski was shown a red card after 31 minutes following a shocking elbow as he challenged for a header.
    The Pole was motoring forward to challenge Osasuna’s David Garcia in an aerial duel.
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    But amazingly, having already been yellow carded, Lewandowski kept his eyes on the player and not the ball as he leapt high into the air.
    He then received his marching orders just after the half hour mark.
    Barcelona went into the break a goal down thanks to Garcia’s 11th minute strike for Osasuna.
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    But despite being down to 10-men and not having Pique to call upon, Barcelona managed to win the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Pedri and Raphinha.
    Pique and Xavi were in tears as the former Manchester United star received an incredible ovation in his last ever game at the Nou Camp at the weekend.
    He played 85 minutes of the game and walked onto the pitch with his sons Milan and Sasha who were mascots for their dad’s big day. More

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    Shakira & Gerard Pique speak out in joint statement after custody deal paves way for her move to Miami with sons, 9 & 7

    SHAKIRA and Gerard Pique have confirmed they have signed a child custody agreement that will avoid them warring in court.The 45-year-old Colombian pop star will relocate to Florida with sons Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven, early in the New Year after reaching a deal with the recently retired footballer.
    Shakira and Gerard Pique with their sons Milan and SashaCredit: Instagram
    Pique played his final game for Barcelona on Saturday as he said an emotional goodbye to fansCredit: Rex
    Shakira released a new song last month which some fans have seen as a reference to PiqueCredit: AFP
    Pique broke down in tears on Saturday at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium during an emotional farewell speech after retiring from football.
    The couple released a statement – signed ‘Shakira and Gerard’ – yesterday afternoon following a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers which ended in the early hours.
    “We have signed an agreement that guarantees the welfare of our children and that will be ratified in court as part of a mere formal procedure,” they said.
    “Our sole objective is to provide them with the upmost security and protection, and we trust that their privacy will be respected.
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    “We appreciate the interest shown and hope that the children can continue with their lives with the necessary privacy in a safe and calm environment.”
    Shakira’s wish to move to the city where she used to live and part of her family are based is understood to have been the principal sticking point in the couple’s previous failure to strike an out-of-court settlement. 
    The summit meeting ended with a deal lifting the main stumbling block in the couple’s ongoing attempts to reach an out-of-court settlement.
    The talks happened on Monday afternoon at their former family home in Esplugues de Llobregat on the outskirts of Barcelona. 
    It didn’t finish until the early hours of Tuesday morning according to local press.
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    The negotiations were described as “intense” by respected Catalan daily El Periodico.
    Rival La Vanguardia, which also reported on the agreement “after 12 hours of negotiation” added: “Milan and Sasha will go with Shakira to Miami.
    “The children will spend Christmas in Barcelona but as soon as 2023 begins, the footballer will say goodbye and assume a painful sacrifice so that the youngsters don’t experience an even more traumatic separation between their parents.
    “He will be able to cross the Atlantic Ocean to see them whenever he wants. The costs will be borne by both of them.”
    The pair announced they had split in May following unconfirmed claims Pique was cheating on his long-term partner with a younger woman.
    Shakira’s split from Pique after a relationship lasting 11 years had become the soap opera of the summer in Spain and elsewhere as their chosen careers took a back seat to lurid reports about their private life.
    On Saturday Pique was filmed kissing and cuddling his new girlfriend Clara Chia in the stands at Barcelona’s stadium after his emotional farewell tribute.
    Read More on The Sun
    The pair hugged each other and locked lips as they chatted with friends.
    Shakira appeared to hit out at her ex in a new song she released last month called Monotonia with references to the “narcissism” and “cold as Christmas” attitude of a man she is breaking up with. More

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    Nine stars who played for Man Utd and Barcelona, from four-time Champions League winner to winger who flopped at BOTH

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Barcelona will be no strangers when they take each other on in the Europa League.The Reds Devils will play the La Liga giants in February next year in the tournament’s preliminary round.
    FC Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay is one of nine stars that also played for Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA
    The two clubs have locked horns on 13 occasions, with United only winning three of them.
    The pair have enjoyed having some of the best players to ever grace the game, and at times, these players have played for both.
    Nine players have played for both clubs with varying levels of success.
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic
    The Swedish striker played for Barcelona between 2009 and 2011 but struggled to hit his best form and returned to Serie A.
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    He later joined United in 2016 following his exit from PSG and enjoyed a successful spell at Old Trafford as he won the Europa League and EFL Cup.
    Gerard Pique
    The recently retired long-standing Barcelona defender spent four years at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2008 in which he made 12 appearances in the Premier League.
    Pique returned to Barcelona and would go on to win pretty much everything possible in his career at the domestic and international levels.
    Alexis Sanchez
    The Chilean was a star in Catalonia during his three-year stint between 2011 and 2014 and got even better when he moved to the Premier League.
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    However for United fans this was to Arsenal and when he did eventually move to their club, he was a tremendous failure for two years.
    Memphis Depay
    Another winger that failed to cut the cloth at United, the dutchman was signed as one of the most promising youngsters in Europe from PSV but failed to consistently perform.
    Depay would rebuild his reputation in France with Lyon before moving to Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021.
    He has done well at the Nou Camp but has not become a regular starter under manager Xavi.
    Laurent Blanc
    The former France defender spent a single season at Barcelona in 1996 and would later move to Manchester United in the final years of his career.
    Blanc spent two seasons with the Red Devils between 2001 and 2003 before retiring from playing.
    Victor Valdes
    The Spanish shot-stopper is a legendary figure at the Nou Camp as he won everything possible as well as appearing over 500 times for the club.
    He joined United in 2015 after his contract expired, but failed to dislodge David De Gea in goal and only played twice in the Premier League before leaving the club in 2016.
    Henrik Larsson
    Another Swedish striker, Larsson had a mixed spell at Barcelona as he only scored 13 La Liga goals in 40 appearances and would leave the club to rejoin Swedish side Helsingborg.
    He would then move to the Red Devils on loan in January 2007, a spell in which he would score three times in 13 appearances in all competitions.
    Jordi Cruyff
    The former attacking midfielder is the son of iconic player Johan Cruyff and spent two years with Barcelona between 1994 and 1996.
    He then left the club for Old Trafford where he would spend the next three years of his career before a loan spell to Celta Vigo in 1999.
    Mark Hughes
    The current Bradford City manager spent two years away from Manchester United between 1986 and 1988, the first was at Barcelona and then the second was a loan spell at Bayern Munich.
    He returned to United in 1988 and would go on to play there for seven more years before leaving for Chelsea. More

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    Shakira set to move to Miami with two children after thrashing out agreement with Barcelona legend

    SHAKIRA is set to move to Miami next year with her two children as part of an agreement thrashed out between her and Gerard Pique’s lawyers at a marathon 12-hour meeting.The 45-year-old Colombian pop star will relocate to Florida with sons Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven, early in the New Year according to Catalan press.
    Pique played his final game for Barcelona on Saturday as he said an emotional goodbye to fansCredit: Rex
    Shakira released a new song last month which some fans have seen as a reference to PiqueCredit: AFP
    Pique, who broke down in tears on Saturday at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium during an emotional farewell speech after retiring from football, is said to have ceded to Shakira’s wishes to avoid an ugly court divorce battle. 
    The summit meeting ended with a deal lifting the main stumbling block in the couple’s ongoing attempts to reach an out-of-court settlement.
    The talks happened on Monday afternoon at their former family home in Esplugues de Llobregat on the outskirts of Barcelona. 
    It didn’t finish until the early hours of this morning/yesterday morning (TUE) according to local press.
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    The negotiations were described as “intense” by respected Catalan daily El Periodico.
    Rival La Vanguardia, which also reported on the agreement “after 12 hours of negotiation” added: “Milan and Sasha will go with Shakira to Miami.
    “The children will spend Christmas in Barcelona but as soon as 2023 begins, the footballer will say goodbye and assume a painful sacrifice so that the youngsters don’t experience an even more traumatic separation between their parents.
    “He will be able to cross the Atlantic Ocean to see them whenever he wants. The costs will be borne by both of them.”
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    Shakira’s split from Pique after a relationship lasting 11 years had become the soap opera of the summer in Spain and elsewhere as their chosen careers took a back seat to lurid reports about their private life.
    On Saturday Pique was filmed kissing and cuddling his new girlfriend Clara Chia in the stands at Barcelona’s stadium after his emotional farewell tribute.
    The pair hugged each other and locked lips as they chatted with friends.
    Shakira appeared to hit out at her ex in a new song she released last month called Monotonia with references to the “narcissism” and “cold as Christmas” attitude of a man she is breaking up with. More

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    Gerard Pique packs on PDA as Barcelona star hugs and kisses new girlfriend 12 years his junior after Shakira split

    GERARD PIQUE put on a public display of affection by kissing and hugging his new girlfriend after his emotional Barcelona farewell tribute.The 35-year-old dad-of-two, whose two sons also attended the celebration, showed he has nothing to hide now his 11-year relationship with Colombian singer Shakira is over.

    Pique bid farewell to Barca at the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Pique with new girlfriend ChiaCredit: Twitter/@argentinaminuto
    He locked lips with Clara Chia, 23, and put his arms round her.
    The pair cuddled up to each other as they chatted with friends in the stands at the Camp Nou after Pique played his last game for Barcelona and retired from professional football.
    Spanish sports television network Gol Play filmed the memorable moment and wrote alongside the footage it posted on Twitter Gol Direct: “The first kiss of @gerardpique after the tribute.
    “The centre back shared this special day with his loved ones.”
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    A match commentator said as a cameraman approached Pique and Clara and they realised their romantic scene was being filmed but continued to embrace each other: “Look at this image.
    “Gerard Pique’s first kiss after receiving the tribute from the Camp Nou spectators.
    “Happy, satisfied, accompanied by his family and those who most love him.
    “It’s the last image Gerard Pique has left us with on his day, on the day he said goodbye to his team.”
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    The former Man Utd defender shocked the football world on Thursday by announcing on his Twitter Saturday’s game against Almeria would be his last in a Barcelona shirt and his final game as a professional footballer.
    He made 397 appearances for the Catalan giants, scoring 29 times, and was capped 102 times for Spain at senior level.
    He said in an emotional message accompanying footage of him gazing over the Catalan capital from a balcony and throwback pictures and video of him as a young child in a Barcelona shirt: “It’s been 25 years since I joined Barca.
    “I left and I came back. Football has given me everything. You, culés, have given me everything.
    “And now that all that kid’s dreams have come true, I want to tell you that now is the time to bring this journey to an end.”
    Confirming he was quitting professional football halfway through the season, he added: “I will become a regular fan, I will support the team, I will pass my love for Barca to my children, like my family did with me.”
    Pique made a tearful speech on the pitch at Camp Nou on Saturday night, saying “I was born here and I will die here” after playing in most of Barcelona’s 2-0 victory before being substituted late on to rapturous applause from home fans.
    The football star’s relationship with Barcelona-born beauty Clara emerged shortly after he and Shakira announced in May they had split after 11 years and two children together.
    His personal life has been under the media spotlight ever since and has been cited as one of the reasons for his shock football retirement decision.
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    Pique and Clara are said to have met at his firm Kosmos where she works.
    Spanish news website Niusdiario reported last week the couple are now living together at Pique’s luxury city centre penthouse apartment in Barcelona and are planning to start a family.
    Pique and Shakira have called time on their 11-year relationshipCredit: Getty More