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      Barcelona slammed by fans over ‘disrespectful’ Lionel Messi statement after he snubs return in favour of Inter Miami

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      BARCELONA have been criticised for releasing a “disrespectful” statement after Lionel Messi confirmed his move to Inter Miami. Messi, 35, is leaving PSG when his contract expires in the summer and Barca were in talks to bring the Argentine back.
      Lionel Messi is joining Inter Miami after a return to Barcelona collapsedCredit: Getty
      But their financial issues and concerns Messi had about returning to the spotlight made the move impossible, leaving the club legend to choose America as his next destination.
      In response, Barca said a statement which read: “President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.
      “Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barca fans to honour a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barca.”
      But fans reacted furiously as one said: “That Barcelona statement was so unnecessary and disrespectful.”
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      Another added: “This was not necessary to tweet.
      “Clearly a PR move by you admin, it’s sad because this is my own club as well lmao but nah you guys should not have made this post literally just trying to make us look good yet again when we aren’t in the right”
      One raged: “This is low from Barcelona.
      “Considering they are talking about their best player in club history. Don’t patronise his decision. He can do what he wants.”
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      Messi confirmed his intention to join Inter Miami after a return to Barca collapsed when speaking to Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
      He said: ”
      The Argentinian World Cup winner told Mundo Deportivo and Sport: “I’ve been supporting Barca during the year. I’m a fan.
      “I spoke to (manager) Xavi a lot, we discussed and we always had frequent exchanges.
      “I heard reports of La Liga giving the green light but the truth is that many, really many things were still missing in order to make my return to Barca happen
      “I didn’t want to be responsible for them to sell players or reduce salaries. I was tired.”
      Messi added: “I really wanted to return to Barça, I had that dream.
      “But after what happened two years ago, I did not want to be in the same situation again, leaving my future in the hands of someone else.
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      “After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it’s time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day to day life more.
      “Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm.”
      Barcelona president Joan LaportaCredit: Reuters More

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      Lionel Messi transfer race hots up with ‘just two clubs left in running’ to land Argentina legend after PSG exit

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      INTER MIAMI are reportedly preparing to hijack Barcelona’s attempt to sign Lionel Messi this summer.Messi, 35, is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June.
      Inter Miami and Barcelona want to sign MessiCredit: The Mega Agency
      Barcelona have already expressed an interest in signing him, but the club’s current financial state could prove to be a stumbling block.
      The La Liga giants would have to sell several first-team players in order to fund the transfer, otherwise the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – who is said to be eager to return to his former club – will be forced to look elsewhere.

      And according to The Athletic, David Beckham’s Inter Miami is another potential destination.
      The Florida-based side are currently working with Major League Soccer to solidify details surrounding the potential signing of Messi.
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      An anonymous source claims MLS executives have already been informed that the Argentina captain will choose either Barcelona or Inter Miami as his next club – he does not want to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia.
      Adidas, Apple and MLS are all hoping to entice Messi to the United States this summer.
      Adidas – one of the league’s largest corporate sponsors – have reportedly proposed a profit-sharing agreement, meaning the forward would receive a cut of any increase in profits resulting from his MLS involvement.
      MLS and Apple have also discussed offering Messi a share of the revenue generated by new subscribers to the MLS Season Pass, the league’s streaming package on Apple TV+.
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      Beckham’s Inter Miami have offered the forward a lucrative dealCredit: AP
      In addition to these commercial proposals, MLS chiefs are understood to be willing to offer Messi the option to purchase a percentage of a team in the league upon his retirement.
      However, the forward is keen on the prospect of a fairytale return to Barcelona.
      Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, held talks with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday morning to discuss the possibility of a free transfer.
      After the meeting, the 65-year-old admitted that his son is eager to return to the Nou Camp.
      He said: “Messi wants to return to Barca and I would love for him to come back. It is an option.”
      Messi joined Barcelona’s world renowned La Maisa academy at the age of 13 in 2000.
      After progressing through the ranks, he signed his first professional contract five years later and became a regular name in the first team.
      He went on to make 778 appearances for the La Liga giants, scoring 672 goals and assisting 303 in the process.
      The Argentina international was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial state, so he joined PSG in a £25million transfer. More

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      Eden Hazard’s only transfer offer revealed as details of ex-Chelsea star’s generous Real Madrid gesture emerge

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      EDEN HAZARD has limited options after having his contract terminated by Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.Hazard eclipsed Gareth Bale as Los Blancos’ record signing when he signed from Chelsea for an initial £88.3million in 2019.
      Hazard’s time at Madrid was a massive disappointment after joining as the club’s record signing.Credit: EPA
      His stay in Madrid was miserable however, with injury and form struggles meaning he was never able to justify his lofty price tag.
      The forward made just 76 appearances for Madrid, scoring seven and assisting 12 times.
      The forward did not complete a 90 minute game this season and appeared just six times in the league.
      And according to Marca, the Belgian only has one club interested in his services – the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS.
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      The outlet reports that he is weighing up the move against retiring from the game at the age of 32.
      They also revealed details of his exit from Madrid which was confirmed last week.
      Hazard’s contract was due to run out next summer but an agreement was reached between all parties to let the Belgian become a free agent.
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      Hazard offered to leave without a compensation package for the final year of his deal but Madrid paid a third of his remaining £20m-a-year deal.
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      The Belgian would join a Vancouver team halfway through the MLS season if he were to leave this summer.
      The Canadian side are currently sitting in the MLS final series places with the club in sixth.
      Hazard would become the most high-profile player to ply his trade for Vancouver since local boy Alphonso Davies left in 2018.
      According to reports in Canada, the Whitecaps are struggling to attract fans and have the fourth worst attendance in the MLS. More

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      Fuming fans brand Ronaldo a ‘disaster’ and demand ‘sell the club and leave now’ as his team is relegated from top flight

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      FUMING Real Valladolid fans branded Ronaldo Nazario’s ownership of the club a “disaster” after they were relegated from La Liga. Valladolid’s relegation to the Segunda Division came after they only managed a draw with Getafe on the final day of the season, causing them to suffer the drop by just one point despite accumulating 40.
      Real Valladolid suffered relegation from La LigaCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo’s ownership of the club was labelled a ‘disaster’Credit: EPA
      Ronaldo became the club’s majority shareholder in 2018Credit: AFP
      Furious fans directed their fury towards Ronaldo.
      As quoted by eldesmarque, one fan declared: “We are in dust, but it is what we have deserved because it has been a real disaster.”
      Before they pleaded with the 46-year-old to sell the club.
      They added: “We were playing the relegation and not a shot on goal. Valladolid a band and Ronaldo a disaster.
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      “Let him sell the club and leave now. He promised us Europe and we are going to Second.”
      Fans also blamed Ronaldo for his decision to replace previous boss Pacheta with Paulo Pezzolano.
      The fan said: “What they have done is to bring Pezzolano who is a trainer like Pacheta.
      “It has not been the revulsive that the team needed and another year that we are going to Second.”
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      Despite the criticism, Pezzolano actually yielded a better points-per-game record than his predecessor, notching 1.09 points to Pacheta’s 1.04.
      Following the relegation, Ronaldo has confirmed both Pezzolano and sporting director Fran Sanchez will stay at the club.
      He told Diario AS: “Fran Sanchez and Pezzolano will continue.
      “They are very important pillars for us and we have total confidence in them. Our project to return to the First Division is with them.”
      The relegation also comes after a shocking referee error which saw the whistle blown mid-shot as a Valladolid player rifled the ball into the net just before half-time against Sevilla in May.
      Ronaldo was furious at the call, with Pucelanos going on to lose the game 3-0.
      After the game he wrote on Twitter: “INADMISSIBLE what happened today in Zorrilla!
      “Until now we had been silent trying to vindicate our dissatisfaction through official means, meetings and petitions, avoiding making a public exposure. But enough already!
      “This is professional football and we demand explanations. Mistakes of these dimensions can change an entire season.”
      Valladolid were previously relegated from La Liga in the 2020/21 season, marking this year as the second time they have been relegated under Ronaldo’s tenure.
      Ronaldo, who won two World Cups with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, became the club’s majority shareholder in September 2018.
      The ex-Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona ace is also an owner of Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro, with the team currently sitting 10th following promotion last year.
      Ronaldo has previously suggested he would not be at the helm for the long term but ruled out the sale of the club following the relegation.
      He said: “I haven’t thought about the sale. Obviously, the market is quite hot, but I will not leave Valladolid until I leave the legacy I want to leave.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Relegation is nothing new to Valladolid.
      They have a firm status as one of Spain’s yo-yo clubs, having suffered four relegations in 13 years. More

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      Wolves star Ruben Neves ‘set to complete free transfer but manager DOESN’T WANT’ Arsenal target

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      RUBEN NEVES is reportedly set to complete a free transfer to Barcelona.However there is one issue with the move, manager Xavi does not want the Wolves star.
      Ruben Neves is reportedly on his way to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      However manager Xavi does not want himCredit: Getty
      And would rather the club signed Martin ZubimendiCredit: Getty
      According to Fichajes, the Spanish boss does not have “absolute confidence” in the Arsenal transfer target to play in the key position.
      Neves is said to have agreed on a four-year contract at the Nou Camp, however, the move still relies on Ansu Fati agreeing terms with Wolves.
      The club will not be spending any money on signing the Portuguese international as he will be involved in a swap deal that will see highly-rated Fati, 20, move the other way.
      Super-agent Jorge Mendes represents both the players and will be handling the negotiations.
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      The report claims that Xavi would prefer to sign a different Arsenal target to play the role instead.
      The outlet suggests that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is his preferred choice.
      He has been tipped as one of the best midfielders in Spain, with Xavi suggesting he is an “extraordinary pivot”.
      He said: “They mirror a bit our style of play.
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      “Zubimendi is an extraordinary defensive midfielder, he understands the model we like at Barça, and he dominates with and without the ball.”
      Zubimendi has a release clause of £52million, a transfer that would be a lot more expensive for Barcelona.
      The club is still dealing with the financial issues that have been a hindrance over the last year. More

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      World Cup winner looks unrecognisable with bizarre new haircut as he’s compared to flamboyant team-mate

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      A World Cup-winning star looks unrecognisable following an end-of season a dye-job.And fans were quick to draw comparisons between the player and one of his club team-mates.
      A World Cup winner looks unrecognisableCredit: INSTAGRAM/ ATLETICODEMADRID
      Antoine Griezmann showed off a similar look this seasonCredit: Getty
      The Argentine was seen in Atletico training showcasing his signature buzzcut, albeit this time dyed bright blue and accompanied by a black heart on the side of his head.
      The trim was a nod to French forward Antoine Griezmann who sported a similar bright green number earlier this year.
      Griezmann rocked a pink heart rather than a black one.
      The player in question is Rodrigo de Paul – a key man in Lionel Scaloni’s men’s triumph.
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      Unfortunately for De Paul, he was unable to showcase the new look in Atletico’s final game of the season against Villareal.
      The midfielder did not make the Atletico squad after picking up an injury.
      The two sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw with Villareal bagging a last minute equaliser through Jorge Pascual.
      Atletico secured Champions League football, finishing third in LaLiga.
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      The draw saw Atleti finish one point behind city rivals Real Madrid.
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      Atletico needed to better Madrid’s result to finish second in the LaLiga table but couldn’t squeeze past Villareal despite Real drawing 1-1 with Athletic Club.
      Despite not being able to help his team in the final game of the season, it has been a fine personal season for De Paul.
      During the World Cup, he earned the nickname Messi’s ‘bodyguard’ for snapping into tackles with any opponent that fouled or dispossessed the Argentine captain.
      De Paul played all seven of Argentina’s World Cup games as La Albiceleste secured their first World Cup victory since 1986. More

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      Lionel Messi’s dad spotted meeting Barcelona president before revealing where star wants to play next season

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      LIONEL MESSI wants to return to Barcelona this summer, according to his father and agent.The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, 35, made his final appearance for Paris Saint-Germain in a shock 3-2 defeat to Clermont on Saturday.
      Messi will leave PSG this summerCredit: Getty
      Messi wants to re-join Barcelona, where he played for 17 yearsCredit: AFP
      🚨 Jorge Messi and Barcelona president Joan Laporta — meeting now to discuss Leo’s return after La Liga approved the plan.More to follow on the Messi saga, key hours and days ahead.🧨🎥 Exclusive video by @tjuanmarti pic.twitter.com/Fshgi2xX8f— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2023

      He won two successive Ligue 1 titles during his time in France, but Messi now has his sights set on an incredible return to his former club.
      Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, held talks with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday morning to discuss the possibility of a free transfer.
      After the meeting, the 65-year-old admitted that his son is eager to return to the Nou Camp.
      He said: “Messi wants to return to Barca and I would love for him to come back. It is an option.”
      Read More on Football
      Messi joined Barcelona’s world renowned La Maisa academy at the age of 13 in 2000.
      After progressing through the ranks, he signed his first professional contract five years later and became a regular name in the first team.
      He went on to make 778 appearances for the La Liga giants, scoring 672 goals and assisting 303 in the process.
      The Argentina international was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial state, so he joined PSG in a £25million transfer.
      Most read in Football
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      While a return to Spain is still on the cards, Messi has also received interest from elsewhere.
      Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal remain interested in signing him.
      David Beckham’s Inter Miami are also keen to complete a deal. More

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      LaLiga reveals new logo as disgruntled fans say ‘this is how the gap with the Premier League widens’

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      La Liga fans have responded furiously to a new logo unveiled by the Spanish league yesterday.The previous logo had been in use for 30 years since 1993, featuring an old-school football in the centre of a colour pinwheel.
      La Liga’s current logo had been in use since 1993
      The new logo takes a minimalist approach
      It has been replaced with a minimalist logo as part of a wider rebrand for the Spanish league.
      The new logo sees the league’s iconic football and pinwheel replaced by the league’s initials ‘LL’ in red against a white background.
      But fans are not happy with the low key nature of the new design.
      One fan said: “This is how the gap between the Premier League and everyone else widens.”
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      Another added: “They’re literally showing how they’re going from a good logo to a bad one.”
      While another said: “The current one is better. More iconic!”
      The way LaLiga is written will also change with LaLiga now being capitalised with one word as ‘LALIGA’.
      The league said in a statement: “We no longer whisper; today we shout it loud and clear.
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      “La Liga becomes LALIGA, written as a single word in capital letters.
      “A word that represents ‘the power of our futbol’, and claims the pride of being a league that complies with the rules, is sociallly responsible and fights to end discrimination.”
      The Spanish league has come under criticism for its stance on discrimination of late amid its response to the racist abuse of Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.
      Fans were quick to point out that the league should improve its response in dealing with racism before focusing on changing its logo.
      One fan said: “Change the referee system, change some rules, invest and last but not least say no to racism.”
      Another added: “So they’ve changed their logo but won’t ever change their stance on racism. #LALIGA #SayNoToRacism”
      The rebrand also comes during an intriguing transfer window for Spain’s top clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Real yesterday announced major changes to their squad, with ex-Chelsea flop Eden Hazard having his contract terminated and Karim Benzema departing the league for Saudi Arabia.
      Read More on The Sun
      Madrid are expected to sign Jude Belligham this summer and also may be clearing their wage bill to make an ambitious move for Harry Kane.
      Barcelona boss Xavi meanwhile said he is dreaming of Lionel Messi returning to the Nou Camp – saying a move for the Barca legend is the club’s ‘top priority’. More