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      Pep Guardiola all-but confirms Sergio Aguero’s Barcelona transfer… and appears to let slip Lionel Messi will STAY

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      PEP GUARDIOLA all-but confirmed Sergio Aguero’s transfer to Barcelona and appeared to let slip that Lionel Messi will STAY. The Manchester City boss will lose his star striker this summer when Aguero’s contract expires next month.
      Pep Guardiola all-but confirmed Sergio Aguero’s transfer to BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Lionel Messi could be set to stay at BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Sergio Aguero celebrates after his final Premier League game for Man CityCredit: Getty
      And Guardiola seemed happy with the fact the Argentine will be moving to his former club, where he spent 15 years as a player then manager.
      He told BBC: “Maybe I reveal a secret. Maybe he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart – for Barcelona.
      “He is going to be playing alongside the best player of all time, Messi.
      “I’m pretty sure he is going to enjoy. And maybe Barcelona are stronger and stronger with him on the pitch.”
      Guardiola’s comments come amid Messi’s uncertain future at Barca.
      Aguero’s countryman pushed for a move away last summer but stayed to avoid dragging his boyhood club through the courts.
      He is yet to sign a new deal, with his current set to expire at the end of June, with PSG and City among the interested clubs.
      But after Joan Laporta replaced Josep Maria Bartomeu as Barca president, it sparked new hope Messi would stay.

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      Barca finished third in the table, seven points behind champions Atletico Madrid, but did win the Copa del Rey.
      And Messi appeared to hint it was only the start of things to come as the Spanish giants ended their two-year trophy draught.
      He said to Diario Ole: “The truth is that the recent Copa del Rey was special due to the period we were in, the club has gone a couple of years of not having a great time due to different results and titles.
      Because it is a very young dressing room, with a lot of people, and new people, and this Copa del Rey for the dressing room was a turning point, and very important.
      “Whenever I compete, I compete to win and try to achieve all the objectives, to get titles. Beyond that, I like to win and get titles. The more the better.”
      Manchester City v Everton as it happened More

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      Atletico Madrid fan, 14, dies from horror head injury as LaLiga title celebrations marred by tragedy

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      ATLETICO MADRID’s celebrations of their eleventh La Liga title were marred by the death of a teenage fan.A 14-year-old boy tragically lost his life on Saturday night after hitting his head on a wall while hanging out of a moving van.
      Atletico Madrid celebrate clinching their eleventh La Liga titleCredit: AFP
      Thousands of Atleti fans descended on to the streets of Madrid to celebrateCredit: Getty
      The teenager – who was travelling with family and friends at the time – subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest.
      Despite the emergency services’ best efforts to revive the boy, he sadly passed away an hour after the incident.
      The tragedy is being investigated by Madrid’s Municipal Police.
      Atletico released a statement on the heartbreaking incident via their official Twitter account.
      They tweeted: “Dismayed by the sad news of the death of a young athletic man.
      “We send all our encouragement to the family in these moments of pain.”
      Choqué par la triste nouvelle de la mort d’un jeune atletico. Nous adressons tous nos encouragements à la famille en cette période de deuil. DEP.— ❤️🤍🏆 CHAMPIONS 🏆❤️🤍 (@AtletiFR) May 22, 2021

      Thousands of Atlei supporters lined the streets of Madrid hours after they pipped their neighbours Real to the La Liga title.
      A 2-1 victory over Vallodolid on Saturday afternoon secured Los Rojiblancos their eleventh league title.
      Luis Suarez secured the title for Diego Simeone’s side with a 67th-minute winner at the Estadio Jose Zorilla.
      And the Uruguayan – who was deemed to be surplus to requirements by Barcelona last summer – couldn’t contain his delight.
      The 34-year-old said: “Barcelona didn’t value me and Atletico opened their doors for me.
      Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring the winner against ValladolidCredit: Getty

      “I will always be grateful to this club for trusting in me.
      “I’m sure (Lionel) Messi is happy for me as a friend. It was a difficult situation that I had to experience because of the way I was treated (by Barcelona).
      “Atletico had a great season despite the difficulties.
      “It wasn’t normal that we had such a good first half of the season and it wasn’t normal that we had that big dip either but in the end we end up as champions.”
      After the final whistle, Atleti boss Simeone said: “The club is growing, the club has done a fabulous job.
      ‘It’s more important than the results. We have always been fighting everybody to win this trophy, this is what it is all about.
      “It is such a unified club. I think people sometimes get bored of me and my approach but I am such a stubborn person.
      ‘When they asked me if I was going to stay, my idea was to help this club growing.” More

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      Suarez seals LaLiga title for Atletico Madrid at Valladolid as Real suffer final day agony despite win over Villarreal

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      LUIS SUAREZ fired Atletico Madrid to LaLiga glory less than a year after being axed by Barcelona.The Uruguayan scored the decisive goal as Diego Simeone’s men won 2-1 at Valladolid to be crowned champions.
      Luis suarez helped fire Atletico Madrid to LaLiga glory against ValladolidCredit: Rex
      Atletico Madrid are celebrating a first LaLiga title for seven yearsCredit: AFP
      Suarez scored the winner as Atletico came from behind to win at ValladolidCredit: Getty
      That result ensured final day agony for Real Madrid despite their own comeback against VillarrealCredit: AFP
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      Nearest rivals Real Madrid were the only team who could catch them going into the final day.
      But Zinedine Zidane’s men failed to put up much of a fight until a dramatic late comeback at home to Europa League finalists Villarreal.
      Yeremi Pino appeared to have scored the only goal only for Karim Benzema to grab an equaliser three minutes from time in what looks to be Zidane’s final game in charge.
      Luka Modric put Madrid 2-1 ahead in additional time but it was not enough for Los Blancos to prevent their neighbours from taking the crown.
      Atletico were forced to come from behind themselves to earn a first championship for seven years and their 11th in total.
      They trailed to Oscar Plano’s strike but turned it around in a dramatic second half through goals from Angel Correa and 34-year-old Suarez.
      An emotional Suarez, speaking to La Liga TV, said afterwards: “I am just delighted the way Atletico have appreciated me. They have given me the chance to show I can still perform on this stage. Thank you for trusting in me.
      “A lot of people have suffered with me. I think I have been playing football for many years and this is the year my family have suffered the most.
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      “It is an amazing feeling to perform in the final game of the season. My work is to help the team and pay them back by scoring goals.
      “Atletico is a huge club and we have shown it this season. We have been the most regular performers and that is why we are champions.”
      Los Colchoneros finished the campaign two points ahead of last year’s champions Real.
      And it also ensured that Zidane’s men end a disappointing season without any silverware.
      Meanwhile, Barcelona managed to clinch third place without Lionel Messi.
      An emotional Suarez celebrates with his team-mates after clinching the titleCredit: EPA
      The title was the 11th Atletico have won in their historyCredit: AFP
      Their skipper was given a rest prior to his involvement in this summer’s Copa America.
      But they were still able to win 1-0 at Eibar thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s acrobatic strike.
      Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla play their final game on Sunday against Alaves.
      However, they know they will finish fourth even with a victory due to an inferior head-to-head record against Barca.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Luis Suarez shows his talent as he joins Atletico Madrid in training More

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      Erling Haaland matches Ronaldo’s 24-year record with 40th goal of season in Dortmund’s game against Bayer Leverkusen

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      ERLING HAALAND equalled Ronaldo’s 24-year-old record with his first of two goals against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday afternoon.The Norwegian got Borussia Dortmund off to a perfect start before doubling his tally after 84 minutes.
      Erling Haaland reached 40 and then 41 goals for Borussia Dortmund this seasonCredit: AFP
      And in doing so he has equalled a 24-year-old record set by RonaldoCredit: EPA
      And by doing so he became the first under-21 to score 40 goals in a season in one of Europe’s big five leagues since the iconic Brazilian for Barcelona in 1996-97.
      Haaland is just 20 and is one of the brightest young talents in the world.
      And he added another feather to his cap on the last day of the Bundesliga season.
      Manchester United and Chelsea target Haaland got on the end of a simple pass from Reinier after five minutes and smashed it through Lukáš Hrádecký’s legs.
      Marco Reus doubled Dortmund’s lead on 51 minutes before Haaland rounded the keeper to slot into an empty net with six minutes to go having pounced on Wendell’s loose pass.
      Lars Bender scored an 89th minute consolation penalty for the visitors as Dortmund won 3-1 and finished third in the league but focus was on Haaland’s record equalling strike.
      Not since 1997-98 has a player under-21 scored 40 goals in a season.
      Ronaldo was one of the greatest footballers of all time and he managed a staggering 47 from 49 games for Barca in 96-97.
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      “Erling Haaland becomes the first Under-21 player to reach the 40-goal mark in a season with a European Top 5 club in an official competition since Ronaldo with FC Barcelona in 1996/97″🤯— NepentheZ (@NepentheZ) May 22, 2021

      Erling Haaland has scored 40 goals across all competitions in a single season for the first time in his career.He’s still only 20 years of age. pic.twitter.com/wBVcxTzPC2— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 22, 2021

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      The first strike was Haaland’s 26th in 28 Bundesliga games – taking his tally to 27 with his second and 41 in all competitions.
      He bagged 10 in eight Champions League showings and three from four games in the German Cup. And the other solitary strike came in the German Super Cup back in September.
      Former RB Salzburg man Haaland is a target for Man Utd and Chelsea but Dortmund are confident he will NOT leave this summer in a huge blow to the Premier League giants.
      Both could be forced to wait until next summer when his £65millon release clause becomes active.
      Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild: “I have the clear expectation that Erling Haaland will play for us next year.
      “And I am not worried about anything else. I am totally relaxed.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Prem star Ross Barkley thrown out of posh Mayfair Hotel after drunken row with two other diners following boozy lunch More

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      Barcelona ready to sacrifice ‘untouchable’ Ter Stegen and replace keeper with AC Milan star Gianluigi Donnarumma

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      BARCELONA are ready to cash in on Marc-Andre ter Stegen and replace him with Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports.But the Italian will only join them, however, if current side AC Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League tomorrow.
      Gianluigi Donnarumma has made 250 appearances for AC MilanCredit: Alamy
      Marc-Andre ter Stegen has previously been ‘untouchable’ at BarcelonaCredit: AP
      Donnarumma’s upcoming free agency has hung over Stefano Pioli’s side all season, as negotiations have gone back and forth between the club and notoriously difficult agent Mino Raiola.
      The goalkeeper himself is Milan through and through, and could stay at San Siro.
      But if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, a competition that the 22-year-old has still never played in, he will likely move on for nothing.
      And according to AS, Barcelona have emerged as a serious contender.
      The Catalan club are happy with current stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has previously been labelled as an ‘untouchable’ member of their squad.
      But with enormous debts having piled up, new president Joan Laporta could opt to cash in on the German – should he be able to sign Donnarumma on a free transfer.
      Laporta and Co will, therefore, have an eye on goings on in Serie A tomorrow afternoon.
      Milan’s fate is currently in their own hands, as they go into the final day in third place.
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      But, sitting just one point ahead of fifth-placed Juventus, Pioli’s men need a win to guarantee safe progression to the Champions League.
      And it will be a no easy task, as they travel to Bergamo to face second-placed Atalanta.
      The match will be Donnarumma’s 251st, and potentially final, appearance for the Rossoneri.
      Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has just undergone knee surgery – with the 29-year-old set to miss Euro 2020.
      First team player Marc ter Stegen underwent a therapeutic procedure today on the patellar tendon of his right knee by Dr. Håkan Alfredson and under the supervision of the Club’s medical services. The evolution will mark his availability. pic.twitter.com/x1GWItCAFy— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 20, 2021

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      In demand Gianluigi Donnarumma is match ready as he saves every goal in training More

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      Kylian Mbappe and his family ‘have agreement to join Real Madrid even if Zidane leaves and will snub new PSG contract’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE and his family ‘have an agreement’ with Real Madrid, according to reports.But the Spanish giants face a battle striking a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
      Kylian Mbappe could leave PSG this summerCredit: AFP
      The Frenchman is set to enter the final year of his contract at Parc des Princes, with little to indicate that he is close to penning an extension.
      PSG’s Qatari owners have tabled a three-year extension.
      But according to football agent Bruno Santin, Mbappe, 22, has already reached an agreement with Madrid.
      Asked about the potential move, he told French network Canal+: “My feeling is more than he is willing to do it.
      “I also have some information, according to which Kylian Mbappe and his family have an agreement with Real Madrid.
      “In principle, there would be an agreement on the part of the player, but we also need the agreement of Paris Saint-Germain.”
      Santin added, however, that he feels the PSG owners could dig their heels in this summer – even if it means losing their star man for nothing in 12 months time.
      He continued: “Obviously the Qataris and Paris Saint-Germain have not decided to do without Kylian Mbappe, he could very well then end his contract and go to zero.
      Zinedine Zidane is set to leave Real MadridCredit: EPA
      Mbappe, 22, helped win the Coupe de France on Wednesday nightCredit: Reuters
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      “History has taught us that if the leaders or Doha do not want a player to leave, they make him stay until he is no longer theirs.”
      Much has been made about Mbappe’s admiration for Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, and his attraction to playing under his compatriot.
      With Zizou set to depart Santiago Bernabeu, some may suggest that Mbappe’s enthusiasm to move there could be dampened.
      But not according to AS.
      They claim that Mbappe is ‘determined’ to play for Real Madrid, regardless of who is in charge.
      Former Juventus and AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is the current frontrunner for the job, with Real Madrid Castilla boss and club legend Raul also in the running.
      I think the most important thing is to enjoy the moment right nowKylian Mbappe on his future
      Following his latest brilliant performance for PSG on Wednesday night, during which he scored to help Mauricio Pochettino’s side win the Coupe de France, Mbappe was asked about whether he will be staying to help his side retain the trophy next season.
      The striker smiled in response, and replied noncommittally: “I think the most important thing is to enjoy the moment right now.”
      Mbappe has scored 41 goals in 46 appearances for PSG this season, and 131 in 170 in total since joining the club from AS Monaco in 2017.
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      BBC release promo for Euro 2020 featuring Bale, Ronaldo and Mbappe for this summer More

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      Arsenal and Everton set for transfer battle over Barcelona defender Emerson Royal if he fails to convince in pre-season

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      ARSENAL and Everton are interested in Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal, according to reports.The Brazilian has spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Betis, as he looks to establish himself in LaLiga.
      Emerson has made 78 appearances on loan at Real BetisCredit: Getty

      Emerson, 22, hopes to impress parent club Barca during pre-season, aiming to become their first choice right-back next term
      But should he look likely to have to play understudy to Sergino Dest, the former Atletico Mineiro starlet will look elsewhere.
      According to Sport, Emerson wouldn’t be short of suitors, with Villarreal and AC Milan both keen.
      But they reckon that the player himself prefers the idea of moving to England.
      Arsenal are a particularly good fit, especially if Hector Bellerin completes a rumoured move to Paris Saint-Germain.
      And Everton are also interested, as they look to find a long-term replacement for ageing stalwart Seamus Coleman.
      Emerson is doing his utmost to be considered by Barcelona next term, however, and is even trying to get a Spanish citizenship in order to be registered as a homegrown player.
      This week, he completed his language exam as part of the process.
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      Emerson was signed by Barcelona in 2019, before immediately being farmed out to Betis.
      He has been a regular for the Seville-based club, appearing 78 times in total – scoring five goals and laying on ten assists.
      Emerson is also a full Brazil international, having made his debut against South Korea last season.
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      Lionel Messi could have played final Barcelona game after being given permission to take holiday early and miss Eibar

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      LIONEL MESSI has played his final game for Barcelona this season, and possibly ever, after being granted permission to miss tomorrow’s season-ender against Eibar.Ronald Koeman’s side have no chance of winning the title, having blown recent games against Granada, Atletico Madrid, Levante and Celta Vigo.
      Messi’s last game of this season came in the recent 2-1 defeat to CeltaCredit: Rex
      Barca trained without Messi this morningCredit: EPA
      So with nothing on the line, Barca have opted to allow their talisman to miss training today, as well as tomorrow’s game, in order to take an early holiday.
      The decision has been made in order to keep Messi fresh for next month’s Copa America, with the Argentine hoping to finally get his hands on the prestigious trophy.
      But, having still not penned a new deal, this means that last weekend’s dismal 2-1 home defeat to Celta could have been Messi’s last game for the club, should he opt to leave.
      Fans, however, are optimistic that the 33-year-old will stay, following the club election victory of Joan Laporta, and the imminent arrival of pal Sergio Aguero from Manchester City.
      Despite sitting out of the final game, Messi is already assured of his latest LaLiga golden boot trophy, with his 30 strikes this term seven ahead of nearest challenger Gerardo Moreno.
      Despite constant speculation over his future, as well as a turbulent season on and off the pitch at Barca, Messi has still managed to stack up 38 goals in all competitions.
      Koeman’s men disappointed in LaLiga and the Champions League, but did recently beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 to win the Copa del Rey – Messi’s seventh with the club.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been heavily linked with both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, following his attempt to leave the club last summer.

      Messi, 33, scored his final goal of the season last weekendCredit: AFP
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      But, now largely expected to stay, it appears Messi will work under his ninth different permanent manager at the club next term – with Koeman ’99 per cent’ certain to be sacked – according to RAC1.
      Messi’s old pal Xavi has been linked with the club, having cut his managerial teeth at Al-Sadd.
      While Leo jets off for his holiday over the weekend, he has already enjoyed some quality time off the pitch this week.
      The Barca star, alongside wife Antonela, caught up with former team-mate Luis Suarez and his spouse Sofia Balbi over a meal.
      Unlike Messi, Suarez does have something big to play for this weekend, with Atleti leading Real Madrid by two points going into LaLiga’s final day.

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      Lionel Messi urged to snub transfer exit by new Barcelona president Joan Laporta in passionate plea More