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      Tottenham ‘were snubbed by Franck Kessie after launching January transfer move’ for Barcelona outcast

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      TOTTENHAM were ‘snubbed’ by Barcelona’s Franck Kessie as they explored a January move for the midfielder, according to reports in Spain. Kessie joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer from Italian giants AC Milan where he was a crucial first team player.
      Franck Kessie in action for Barcelona during a recent La Liga match against Seville.Credit: Rex
      Spanish outlet Sport report that Antonio Conte’s side tried their luck with a move for the Ivorian due to his lack of minutes at the Nou Camp this season.
      The Ivorian’s name was one of those heavily linked with leaving Barcelona due to their financial issues.
      The report claims that at no time did Kessie consider cutting his time short with the LaLiga side but that did not stop Tottenham knocking at the door.
      For Kessie unless he was told by Barcelona manager Xavi that he no longer counted on him then his plan was to always continue with the club as he was convinced his time would come.
      The 26-year-old has only featured 12 times in LaLiga for the Catalan giants this season as they sit top of the table.
      The Ivorian has scored twice for the club since his summer arrival, once in the Champions League and once in the Copa Del Rey.
      The start of 2023 has been better for Kessie and after Sergio Busquets picked up an injury at the weekend the midfielder has an opportunity to stake his claim for a run in the side.
      Tottenham are clearly in the market for a midfielder, the summer signing of Yves Bissouma from Brighton hasn’t gone to plan so far and Antonio Conte will be looking for reinforcements in that area to bolster the squad.
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      Antonio Conte’s side had been linked with moves for Weston McKennie and Ruslan Malinovskyi but the pair subsequently joined Leeds and Marseille respectively.
      The North London outfit signed right back Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon and Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villareal last month. More

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      Lionel Messi’s brother releases grovelling apology to Barcelona after bizarre rant as club chief responds

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      LIONEL MESSI’S brother Matias has issued an apology to Barcelona fans following his comments on the club.Matias declared Messi would never return to Barca, and if he did president Joan Laporta would have to be axed.
      Matias Messi has apologised after hitting out at BarcelonaCredit: https://twitter.com/clipsmartinmin/status/1623334421435764738
      Matias said his brother would never return to the clubCredit: The Mega Agency
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta has responded to the commentsCredit: EPA
      💣 Matías Messi, hermano de Leo Messi, en Twitch👋🏻 “No vamos a volver y si lo hacemos vamos a hacer una buena limpieza, entre ellos, echar a Laporta”😱 “El Barça se empezó a conocer por Messi, no lo conocía nadie, solo al Madrid”📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/1tgJ2KRVBG— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) February 8, 2023

      Messi was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 with the club unable to offer him a new contract due to their perilous financial position.
      The 35-year-old has been linked with an emotional transfer back to the Spanish giants when his PSG contract expires at the end of the season.
      However, Matias claimed a return is not on the cards as he slammed the club.
      On son Tomi’s Twitch stream, Matias said on Barca: “I have a SPORT [newspaper] clipping stuck in my house that says: ‘Messi should return to Barcelona’; and I subtitled it ‘hahahaha, we are not going back to Barcelona, and if we do, we are going to do a good cleaning. Among them, kick out Joan Laporta’.
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      “People (in Barcelona) did not support him. People should have gone out to do a march or something, let Laporta leave and Messi stay. The Spanish are traitors.
      “I tell you because I want it to come out of our guts and not listen to things that are not true.”
      And Matias has now taken to Instagram to issue a grovelling apology for his words.
      He wrote: “I want to apologise for what I said on social networks, I was just making jokes with my son and my friends.
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      “How am I going to think that of a club as big as Barcelona and their history, which has given a lot both to my family and Leo? 
      “For us, Catalonia is our second home and that is well known.
      “I’m very sorry and I apologise to everyone, especially the Barcelona fans.”
      Barcelona president Laporta, who Matias openly criticised, has also responded to the comments.
      He said: “Lionel Messi is part of this club’s heritage. He belongs to PSG. Out of respect, I will not speak.
      “His brother has apologised and that’s it.”
      Messi’s representatives were quick to distance the World Cup winner from his brother’s original comments, with a source telling SPORT: “Matias’ opinion is individual.
      “It does not have to coincide with Leo’s or with that of other members of his family or those around him.”
      Messi spent 21 years at Barca, winning 35 trophies during his time there, as well as six out of his seven Ballon d’Ors. More

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      David Beckham was a member of Real Madrid’s Brazilian clique leaving Spanish-speaking stars jealous, Robinho reveals

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      DAVID BECKHAM left Spanish-speaking members of the Real Madrid squad jealous thanks to being part of the Brazilian clique at the club, according to Robinho.The 39-year-old Brazilian and former Manchester City star recounted his time at the Bernabeu to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.
      David Beckham was a popular member of the dressing room at Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Beckham spent four seasons at the Bernabeu before leaving for LA Galaxy in 2007Credit: EPA
      In April 2020, he spoke of the chemistry in the team and his ex team-mate Beckham, who owns MLS side Inter Miami, saying: ”When Madrid came, I saw that they had a large Brazilian presence in the team and they had Vanderlei Luxemburgo as their coach at the time.
      ”So, why go to Barcelona? There was a great harmony among the Brazilians in the squad. Beckham was always with the Brazilians. He was part of our group.
      ”The Spaniards were jealous because he spoke more Portuguese than Spanish, so he ended up spending more time with us.”
      After scoring more than 80 goals over four seasons at Santos, Brazilian Robinho moved to Europe and helped Real Madrid win back-to-back LaLiga titles in 2007 and 2008.
      Spanish giants Barca had had their eyes on the starlet at around that time, but Real swooped in with a deal before their rivals had the chance to steal their prize.
      He then stayed in Spain for three seasons before moving over to City in 2008.
      Things did not end on good terms for him and Real when his time with the club came to its eventual end.
      He also told Gazzetta: ”My goal was to go to Chelsea. But things ended badly with Real Madrid.
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      ”They didn’t like Chelsea selling shirts with my name on them before the deal was concluded.
      “I don’t regret leaving Madrid. But I am sorry I made mistakes with them when I left.
      ”Madrid was the club that opened my doors and offered me the opportunity to conquer Europe.”
      Former England captain Beckham joined LA Galaxy from Real in 2007 and part of his contract gave him the option to buy an MLS franchise at a reduced rate in the future.
      It took him several years, but he took up that option and he now owns Inter Miami.
      And the ex-Manchester United winger recruited former Old Trafford pal Phil Neville as his manager in January 2021. More

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      Inside ex-Chelsea star Marcos Alonso’s history-making footballing family with dad and grandad enjoying amazing careers

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      MARCOS ALONSO is one of three generations of his family to play football for Spain.The 32-year-old Barcelona full-back comes from a long line of footballing greats.
      Barcelona star Marcos Alonso is one of three generations of his family to play for SpainCredit: Getty
      Alonso has been capped nine times by his countryCredit: Getty
      The left-back spent six trophy-filled years with ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      His dad, Marcos, also played for Barcelona, while grandad Marquitos played in the greatest ever Real Madrid side.
      Former Chelsea star Alonso has also enjoyed a successful career, winning six trophies in six seasons at Stamford Bridge before joining Barca last summer.
      It was confirmed today that his father Marcos had passed away aged 63 following a “long illness”.
      Together the Alonso family make up possibly the most distinguished footballing dynasty ever.
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      GRANDFATHER – Marquitos, full name Marcos Alonso Imaz (Spain debut vs France, March 1955)
      Born in 1933, the defender, affectionately known as Marquitos, started his career at hometown club Racing Santander.
      Two years later he put in a great performance against Real Madrid – and the club decided to move for him.
      Real Madrid line up before the European Cup final against Fiorentina in 1957, Marquitos is third from the left, back rowCredit: Getty
      The defender would become an integral part of the dominant Los Blancos team alongside Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas that won FIVE European Cups in a row.
      Playing across the three full-back positions in the club’s ‘WM’ formation, Marquitos was a stalwart in the starting XI.
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      The club website describes him as “versatile and daring”.
      They add: “His true position on the pitch was at right-back, but he also showed tremendous qualities as a centre back.”
      Another Real Madrid line up shot, with Marquitos third from the left, back rowCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Marquitos, who also won two caps for Spain, started in four of the five European Cup final triumphs – and even scored in the first ever European Cup final in 1956.
      Playing against Stade de Reims, Real Madrid were 3-2 down when the defender poked home from close range to equalise.
      Hector Rial then scored the winner.
      “I passed the ball to Di Stefano and he gave it back to me,” said the Madrid legend on Alonso’s website.
      “I fed [Ramon] Marsal but his shot on goal was parried by the French goalkeeper but it found me and none of the players of Stade de Reims could prevent both efforts. It brought me great joy!”
      Real went on to win the European Cup again in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960, the latter game being the amazing 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park that many experts rate one of the most perfect performances ever.
      Watched by 135,000 mesmerised fans, the greatest Real Madrid side ever confirmed their place in the footballing hall of fame as a Di Stefano hat-trick rounded off a groundbreaking display.
      Overall, Marquitos played 197 times for Real Madrid, and also won five La Liga titles.
      He retired in 1971 after a short spell playing for Toluca in Mexico.
      Marquitos died on March 6th, 2012, one month before his 79th birthday.
      FATHER – Marcos, full name Marcos Alonso Pena (Spain debut vs England, March 1981)
      Marcos Alonso Pena was born in 1959 in Santander, and immediately was taken on by Real Madrid where his father had been a legend.
      However it didn’t work out for the tricky young winger and he was moved on to his local team Racing Santander.
      Alonso’s dad, Marcos Alonso Pena, played for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
      He then joined Atletico Madrid and in 1982 he became Spanish football’s most expensive signing when Barcelona paid 150million pesetas – or around £800,000 – to sign him.
      However, the record didn’t last long.
      A few weeks later Barcelona paid £5million to sign Argentinian superstar Diego Maradona.
      Managed by Argentina’s World Cup winning boss Cesar Luis Menotti, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey in 1983, beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final, thanks to a Marcos diving header in injury time.
      Two years later Marcos was a key member of the Barcelona side that won La Liga in Terry Venables’ first season in charge, ending an 11-year barren run for the Catalan giants.
      The winger, who was capped 22 times for Spain, was one of the four Barca players to miss a penalty in a shoot-out defeat to Steaua Bucharest in the European Cup final in 1986.
      Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes arrived that summer but Barcelona failed to sparkle and Venables was sacked and Marcos sold back to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 1987.
      Marcos retired in 1991 and turned his hand to management, which took him to eight clubs in Spain, most notably in charge of former club Atletico.
      His last managerial post was in 2008 when he was in charge of Granada 74.
      Marcos died on February 9th, 2023.
      SON – Marcos Alonso, full name Marcos Alonso Mendoza (Spain debut vs Argentina, March 2018)
      Marcos Alonso was born in Madrid in December 1990 and, like his father and grandfather before him, joined Real Madrid’s academy aged 12.
      Alonso moved seamlessly through the various age groups until finally manager Manuel Pellegrini gave him his debut, as a sub for Gonzalo Higuain in April 2010.
      Alonso joined Barcelona in the summer on a free transfer from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Alonso was an unused sub in the 2021 Champions League finalCredit: The Sun
      The full-back was a regular in the 2016-17 Premier League winning sideCredit: PA:Press Association
      That summer the 19-year-old defender joined Bolton for just £1.5million as his career took an unexpected twist.
      The young Spaniard spent three seasons at Bolton, playing 46 games for the club.
      He spent most of his time playing for the Under-21s and rarely featured in the first team as Bolton were relegated to the Championship.
      However he managed to win over manager Dougie Freedman and in 2013 he was voted The Bolton News’ player of the year – but turned down the offer of a new deal to sign on a free transfer for Italian side Fiorentina.
      He was soon back in England as Sunderland manager Gus Poyet brought him in on loan after he failed to make the first team in Florence.
      Alonso played 20 times as the Black Cats managed to avoid relegation, and Poyet wanted to make the move permanent in the summer.
      But Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella had other ideas and he became their first choice left-back the following season.
      He then joined Chelsea in 2016 for £24million, and spent six glittering years at Stamford Bridge.
      He won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and Club World Cup during his time with the Blues.
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      Alonso was a regular in the 2016-17 title winning season under Antonio Conte.
      In total he made 212 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 29 goals and providing 23 assists before joining Barcelona on a free transfer last summer.
      Alonso celebrates after winning the Club World Cup with the BluesCredit: Getty
      Alonso won six trophies during his time at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal ‘call Ansu Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes about sensational transfer swoop for Barcelona star’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona star Ansu Fati, according to reports.The 20-year-old is very highly rated by the Catalan club and has broken a number of records in his short career.
      Manchester United and Arsenal want to sign Ansu FatiCredit: AFP
      He went to the World Cup with Spain but has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Xavi’s side this year, starting just seven league games.
      That has sparked interest from United and Arsenal with the Red Devils said to be leading the race to sign the winger.
      However Cope report both clubs have spoken to Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes about a potential transfer.
      But deal could prove tricky with Fati under contract until 2027.
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      He also has a release clause worth £898million which underlines how highly Barca value him.
      United and Arsenal were still keen to make their interest known in case the possibility of an exit emerges, with Fati said to be unhappy with his playing time.
      Barcelona also have financial problems and LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has told the club they must reduce the amount they pay on salaries per year by £177million.
      That means the Spanish giants could be forced to sell big stars like Fati and Frenkie de Jong.
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      The likes of Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto both see their contracts at the Nou Camp expire at the end of this season, which would free up some cash, but more may be needed.
      Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres may also depart. More

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      Lionel Messi’s brother says he will NEVER return to Barcelona and if he does he will get rid of the club president

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      LIONEL MESSI’s brother says he will NEVER return to Barcelona and if he does, president Joan Laporta will be KICKED OUT.The 35-year-old was forced to leave Barca in the summer of 2021 with the club financially paralysed and unable to renew his contract.
      💣 Matías Messi, hermano de Leo Messi, en Twitch👋🏻 “No vamos a volver y si lo hacemos vamos a hacer una buena limpieza, entre ellos, echar a Laporta”😱 “El Barça se empezó a conocer por Messi, no lo conocía nadie, solo al Madrid”📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/1tgJ2KRVBG— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) February 8, 2023

      Lionel Messi is currently playing for PSG in FranceCredit: The Mega Agency
      Brother Matias claims Messi will NEVER return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Matias says if Messi returns to Barca, it will be at the expense of president Joan LaportaCredit: Getty
      Messi then joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal – which happens to come to an end this summer.
      Barca have been linked with a reunion with Messi, with president Laporta leaving the door open for a return.
      However, Messi’s brother Matias claims the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will NOT return to Barca, and if he does, President Laporta will have to be kicked out.
      On Messi’s nephew, Tomi’s Twitch stream, Matias said on Barca: “I have a SPORT clipping stuck in my house that says: ‘Messi should return to Barcelona’; and I subtitled it ‘hahahaha, we are not going back to Barcelona, and if we do, we are going to do a good cleaning. Among them, kick out Joan Laporta’.
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      “People (in Barcelona) did not support him.
      “People should have gone out to do a march or something, let Laporta leave and Messi stay. The Spanish are traitors.
      “I tell you because I want it to come out of our guts and not listen to things that are not true.”
      Messi spent 21 years at Barca, winning 35 trophies during his time there.
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      He also won six of his seven Ballon d’Ors at the Camp Nou.
      With Messi’s future at club level unknown following Argentina’s World Cup 2022 win, his camp has swiftly distanced itself from Matias’ comments.
      A source told SPORT: “Matias’ opinion is individual.
      “It does not have to coincide with Leo’s or with that of other members of his family or those around him.” More

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      Man Utd handed double transfer boost over Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati as Barcelona ‘must slash wage bill by £177m’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati as Barcelona need to make big wage cuts, according to reports.The Catalan giants remain in a bad financial state and pressure is mounting on them to resolve these issues.
      Frenkie de Jong is wanted by Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Barcelona could have to cash in on Ansu FatiCredit: AFP
      LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has told the club they must reduce the amount they pay on salaries per year by £177million, claim Mundo Deportivo.
      Barca could be forced to sell a number of top stars that are on hefty wages, handing United encouragement that they could snap up some of their players.
      The likes of Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto both see their contracts at the Nou Camp expire at the end of this season, which would free up some cash, but more may be needed.
      Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres may also depart.
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      Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has chased the signing of De Jong ever since he got the job, keen to rekindle his relationship with the player he coached at Ajax.
      However, the 25-year-old himself and Barcelona have both blocked any transfer to the Premier League.
      De Jong was left angry when he was owed a reported £400,000 in deferred wages by the club but it appears the disagreement has now been settled.
      Man Utd are keen to add another central midfielder to the squad and the Red Devils may go back in for him this summer.
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      They are also keen on winger Ansu Fati, who has made only nine starts this season and could therefore be available.
      Barca want to keep the 20-year-old although they could reportedly consider bids of around £90million.
      Fati has scored 25 goals in 89 games with the wonderkid’s progress halted by persistent injury problems. More

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      Ex-Barcelona star Jasper Cillessen sued by ex-partner for ‘abandoning family by not paying child’s hospital costs’

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      FORMER Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is reportedly being sued by his ex-partner for allegedly not paying his child’s hospital costs. The goalie is currently playing out in the Netherlands after several years in between the stick for Spanish clubs.
      Cillessen was the back-up keeper at Barcelona between 2016 and 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      He moved to Eredivisie last summer as he returned to youth club NEC.
      Off the pitch the keeper could be set to face trouble as AS report that his ex-partner Maria Moran has sued him.
      Cillessen allegedly did not pay the hospital fees of his and Moran’s young daughter, which is reported to have come to 1,200 euros, which is just over £1,000.
      Moran, who works as a journalist, has now reportedly filed a complaint over abandonment of family.
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      AS report that the father of Moran had to pay the hospital fees from his savings.
      Cillessen has not yet publicly addressed the allegations.
      The 33-year-old, spent three years at Barcelona between 2016 and 2019.
      He was back-up keeper for the most part and would only make a handful of appearances every season, normally in cup competitions.
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      The goalie would then head to Valencia where would stay for three years also.
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      The Dutchman had previously spent five years at Ajax.
      He is now back in Holland in his second spell at NEC, having previously broken into their first team from the youth academy in 2010. More