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      How Barcelona could have lined up with Rooney in 2010 as Man Utd legend admits he wanted to play with Messi and Co

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      WAYNE ROONEY has revealed he was keen to swap Manchester United for Barcelona in 2010 as he longed to play alongside Lionel Messi.
      The 35-year-old has stated that he came close to departing Old Trafford a decade ago after putting in a transfer request.

      This is how Barcelona could have looked if they signed Wayne Rooney in 2010

      Despite heavy interest from Chelsea, the former England skipper has insisted he wanted to ply his trade at the Nou Camp.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      He told the UTD Podcast: “In my head, at the time, in that two-day period, I was ready to go and play in Spain.
      “Ideally, I would have liked to have gone to Barcelona, but it was looking more likely to be Real Madrid than Barcelona. Chelsea were always there as well.

      “I remember sitting down for one day and thinking ‘imagine playing in that Barcelona team – Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets’.
      “And at that time Messi wasn’t playing the way he plays now, as a No 9 for instance. He was out wide.
      “I was thinking I could have slotted in perfectly. I could have come to the ball as well and have players running in behind. I remember thinking about that.”
      Rooney – who is looking to become Derby’s permanent gaffer – scored against the Blaugrana in the Champions League final defeat at the end of the 2010/11 season.

      But should he have linked up with Pep Guardiola’s side, he would have surely led the line for the Spanish giants.

      His former United team-mate Victor Valdes would have started between the sticks, with Dani Alves and Eric Abidal to slot in as Barca’s full-backs.
      Gerard Pique – another team-mate of Rooney during his spell at the Theatre of Dreams – would have featured alongside Javier Mascherano at centre-back.
      A midfield three would have consisted of Spanish trio Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
      Centre-forward David Villa joined from Valencia in 2010, but he would have started at left wing as he did for Barca.
      Lionel Messi would then have had to slot in on the ring wing with Rooney spearheading the attack for the Catalan club.

      Wayne Rooney talks about his upcoming coaching qualifications at Derby More

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      Pirlo to unleash Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala and Morata together for first time in Juventus’ clash vs Ferencvaros

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      ANDREA PIRLO will play Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata together for the first time tonight.
      The Juventus boss has not had the chance to field the star trio at the same time until now but with all three fit and available to play, the Italian is set to unleash them against Ferencvaros in the Champions League.

      Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata are set to play together for the first time tonight

      Morata has not had chance to star alongside duo until nowCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronaldo, 35, was absent for two weeks when he contracted coronavirus.
      Dybala, 27, has had a recurring thigh problem since July.
      And former Chelsea striker Morata, 28, did not arrive in Turin until the end of September when his loan deal from Atletico Madrid went through.
      But speaking ahead of the Hungarian’s side visit in Group G later, Pirlo admitted he has been considering combining the star trio for some time.

      The 41-year-old said: “It is an idea we have had from the beginning, but unfortunately up to now we have practically never had all three available.
      “Morata arrived later, Dybala had recovered from an injury and Cristiano stopped for Covid.
      “First we give structure and balance to the team and then we will try to let all three play together.”
      Argentine forward Dybala has struggled to fend off the thigh problem he picked up in the summer.

      Andrea Pirlo is set to unleash the three in the Champions League against FerencvarosCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Pirlo is pleased with his preparation for tonight’s game which would see Juve qualify for the Champions League knockout stage with a win.
      Pirlo added: “Dybala has trained continuously, found strength in his legs and we will see if he can be deployed from the start.”
      Asked how he deals with global superstar Ronaldo, legendary midfielder Pirlo laughed and said: “I behave with him as with everyone else.
      “Between simple people we get along well. I treat Cristiano – who is a champion – like Frabotta or Portanova who come from the Under 23s.
      “It is my way of doing things, I also behaved like that as a player.”

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

      Sport fans to return to live matches from December 2 with Premier League stadiums back open as rules relax More

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      Messi told Griezmann the Frenchman’s first Barcelona snub ‘screwed’ him after the Argentine publicly supported transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI told Antoine Griezmann that his decision to initially perform a U-turn on joining Barcelona had ‘screwed him’.
      The Argentine publicly sang the Frenchman’s praises when the Catalans were first linked with a move for the then-Atletico Madrid star in 2018.

      Antoine Griezmann has revealed he had a long conversation with Lionel Messi after joining BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors

      But in a now-infamous documentary, Griezmann rejected Barcelona’s advances – only to eventually make the move to Catalunya in 2019.
      Since arriving at the Nou Camp, the 29-year-old has been the subject of several reports that he has a fractured relationship with Messi.
      Griezmann admitted last year that he has found it hard to strike up any relationship with the Argentine – because they barely talk to each other.
      Yet the France international has now revealed on Universo Valdano that he did seek out captain Messi when he joined Barcelona.

      I spoke with Leo when I arrived and he told me that when I turned down the first chance to go, he was screwed because he had asked for it publicly
      Antoine Griezmann

      As quoted by Goal, he said: “When I signed for the club I asked for forgiveness for delaying the move and saying I wouldn’t join Barcelona.
      “I told Lionel Messi that I would give everything on the pitch for the club.
      “I spoke with Leo when I arrived and he told me that when I turned down the first chance to go, he was screwed because he had asked for it publicly, but he told me he was with me and I notice it every day.”
      Tensions between the two reignited this month after Griezmann’s former agent Eric Olhats and uncle Emmanuel Lopes took public digs at Messi.

      But six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has already hit back to claim that he is ‘tired of always being the problem’ at the Catalans.
      Griezmann, who was hounded in his car for the claims, has now admitted he has no contact with either his former agent or his uncle.
      He added: “He (Olhats) was very important in my life but I don’t have a relationship with him anymore.
      “I stopped having any relationship with him since the day I got married. I invited him to the wedding day, and he didn’t come. That’s why I stopped having a relationship with him. 

      “My uncle doesn’t know how football works. And in the end, the journalist ended up getting the statement out of him.
      “I told Leo that I never speak to them, in fact, I don’t even have my uncle’s phone number. 
      “My parents don’t talk to Eric either, so who is going to talk to him? He can do a lot of damage, and create problems in the dressing room.”

      Furious Barcelona fans surround Antoine Griezmann’s car and demand he show respect to Lionel Messi after bust-up More

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      Barcelona forced to pay Dortmund another £4.4m for Ousmane Dembele transfer after playing 50 times with fee now at £115m

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      BARCELONA were forced to cough up another £4.4million to Borussia Dortmund for flop Ousmane Dembele after his 50th appearance.
      The Catalan giants signed the French forward, 23, for an initial £96m in 2017.

      Barcelona had to pay out even more cash for Ousmane DembeleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to Kicker, Barca agreed to pay the German side a whole host of add-ons triggered by individual and club success.
      The performance-related extras will bring the total fee – which currently stands at £115m – for Dembele up to a staggering £136m.
      Specifically Barca have to fork out an extra £4.4m each time Dembele reaches an appearance milestone at the club – including his 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th appearances.
      BVB are close to another windfall with Dembele on track to rack up his 75th league showing for the Blaugrana this season after already forking out for his half century.

      He has played 57 times in LaLiga, 18 times in the Champions League, seven times in the Copa Del Rey as well as one Super Cup outing.
      He has featured 83 times in all comps for Ronald Koeman’s side, scoring 22 times.
      But Dembele came close to leaving Spain after turning down a deadline day move to Manchester United on loan in October.
      And he has also been linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal after slipping down former Holland boss Koeman’s pecking order.

      Cash-strapped Barca are reportedly keen to sell Dembele in January as they aim to recoup some of his spiralling fee.
      Koeman is also keen to bring in his old international star Memphis Depay from Lyon but Barca must offload players surplus to requirements before entering the market.
      Recent reports suggest Barca are worried Dembele – who has started just four games this season – is willing to run down his contract which expires in 2022.
      A massive £368m release clause had been inserted into his contract but there is now a genuine risk he will leave for free.
      Barca are in the midst of a mini injury crisis after Dembele suffered a shoulder sprain on Saturday.
      His injury blow in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid saw him join Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto on the sidelines.

      Ousmane Dembele shows off his skills in training with Barcelona More

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      Barcelona hit with yet another injury blow as Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto join Gerard Pique on physio table

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      BARCELONA are battling with a mini injury crisis with two more of their stars joining Gerard Pique on the treatment table. 
      Ousmane Dembele suffered a shoulder sprain on Saturday whilst Sergio Roberto is thought to have ruptured a thigh muscle.

      Sergi Roberto (left) ruptured a muscle in his thigh during Barcelona’s clash with Atletico MadridCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Both Nou Camp players featured in the club’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid which saw the team slump to 11th in Spain’s top-flight. 
      Their injuries, alongside the knee ligament damage which has left Gerard Pique sidelined for six months,  spell bad news for Ronald Koeman’s side.
      The club, who look set to lose superstar skipper Lionel Messi next year, have won just one of their last five games. 

      Gerard Pique’s knee ligament injury has put him out of action for six monthsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Ousmane Dembele (left) suffered a shoulder sprain during Barcelona’s 1-0 loss to Atletico MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Dembele, 23, appeared to hurt his shoulder during a first-half collision with Atletico goalscorer Yannick Carrasco. 

      Despite the clash, the Frenchman was able to carry on playing for the rest of the game. 
      Mundo Deportivo claims Dembele had some tests conducted on Saturday which reportedly confirm the star is struggling with problems with his shoulder. 
      It is thought Barcelona believe the issue is a sprain for the Manchester United target.
      Meanwhile Roberto, 28, who appeared to strain his thigh area whilst taking a shot at goal, was unable to play the full 90 minutes against Atletico on Saturday. 

      And as the Nou Camp giants had already used their three substitutes by the 83rd minute, the Spaniard’s second-half exit left Koeman’s side down to ten men. 
      Barcelona have revealed Roberto will be out of action for two months.  
      And the club, who play Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Tuesday, have yet to confirm if Dembele will also be sidelined.

      Lionel Messi says he’s ‘tired of always being the problem’ at Barcelona More

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      Lionel Messi has private jet stormed by Spanish tax officials on tarmac at Barcelona airport as he fumes ‘it’s crazy’

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      LIONEL MESSI had his private jet stormed by the Spanish tax agency at Barcelona airport.
      And the Argentine hero labelled the fiasco ‘crazy’.

      Lionel Messi branded it ‘crazy’ after Spanish tax agency officers stormed his private jet at Barcelona airportCredit: Getty – Pool

      Messi, 33, returned from international duty on Wednesday.
      But before he even had the chance to head into the terminal, Marca report up to five officials boarded the customised aeroplane – complete with a kitchen, two bathrooms and the names of his family on the steps.
      They asked the Barca captain and the entire crew to provide documentation.
      And then as he headed through customs at Barcelona El Prat airport, Messi was ordered to pay a tax, the report adds.

      Speaking to reporters upon arrival, he said: “After 15 hours of flying, I come up against people from the tax agency asking questions.
      “It’s crazy.”
      Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of tax fraud in July 2016 and originally handed suspended 21-month prison sentences. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was also fined £1.5million.
      At the time he admitted he wanted to leave Spain over the mess.

      Messi’s private jet, with his No10 on the tail, was still on the tarmac at the airport when the officers came on board

      Messi was also quizzed by the media at El Prat around comments from Antoine Griezmann’s former agent.
      Eric Olhats claimed ‘deplorable’ Messi went out of his way to unsettle the Frenchman and oversaw a ‘regime of terror’ at the club.
      At that point Messi snapped, saying: “I’m tired of always being the problem.”
      And Messi’s growing frustration at his boyhood club could be Barcelona’s loss but Manchester City’s gain.
      As revealed by SunSport, the Etihad club are ramping up plans to make a move to land him in January.
      Messi almost quit Barca in the summer before making a dramatic U-turn to honour the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp.
      Barcelona’s debts of £437million mean they are in desperate need of cutting costs drastically.
      So the chance to bring in any fee, possibly less than £50m, rather than letting Messi go for free at the end of the season may be too good to turn down.

      Lionel Messi says he’s tired of always being the problem about everything at Barcelona More

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      Gerard Pique ‘facing six months out’ after limping off in tears with knee injury in Barcelona’s 1-0 loss to Atletico

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      GERARD PIQUE is facing six months out having left the pitch in tears yesterday.
      The Barcelona legend limped off with a serious looking right knee injury during the 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Atletico Madrid.

      Gerard Pique left the pitch in tears during Barcelona’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat to Atletico on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The defender is facing six months out after a challenge from Angel CorreaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      A collision with Atetico’s Angel Correa saw the centre-back’s knee bend awkwardly and – after treatment – he was helped off the field visibly distressed.
      The defeat was crisis-stricken Barca’s third of the season and it leaves them tenth in LaLiga – nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad – having played just eight games.
      And the misery has been compounded for Ronald Koeman’s side who now face six months without their defensive leader, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
      The Catalans are already missing Ansu Fati and Samuel Umtiti while Sergi Roberto also limped off injured at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.

      Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal of the game – pouncing on Marc Andre ter Stegen’s mistake in first-half stoppage time.
      And things got even worse for Barca and Pique in the second-half when Correa fell on the former Manchester United man’s outstretched leg with his full weight leaving the 33-year-old writhing in agony.
      Some reports suggest he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear but Barca have only described it as a ‘knee sprain awaiting further tests’ until now.
      But it is said the Spanish international will be out until well into the new year.

      Koeman was worried for the veteran defender after the game but did not give any detail on the exact nature of the problem.
      He said: “The injuries of Pique and Sergi Roberto are worrying me.
      “We look forward to seeing the results after tomorrow to know how long they will be out for.”

      Watch explosive moment raging footballer storms out of interview and punches backdrop in meltdown over handball decision More

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      Man Utd ‘agreed £135m Ansu Fati transfer’ in summer before Barcelona pulled plug and added £360m release fee to contract

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      MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly had an agreement in principle to secure the signing of La Liga wonderkid Ansu Fati in the summer. 
      But Spanish outlet Sport claim the Old Trafford giants saw their hopes of a sensational £133million move dashed after Barcelona put the brakes on transfer talks.

      Man United reportedly has an agreement in principle to sign Barcelona ace Ansu FatiCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the former La Liga champs, who face Atletico Madrid on Saturday, have added a whopping £357million release clause to the youngster’s contract which runs until 2022. 
      Fati, 18,  has been making waves in Spain’s top-flight after netting his first goal as a professional footballer at 16, becoming Barcelona’s youngest ever scorer. 
      And the Golden Boy nominee, regarded as a potential heir to Lionel Messi, has already netted four goals in seven LaLiga appearances this term. 
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Man United had reportedly been eager to boost their attacking options on their right-wing after missing out on top summer target Jadon Sancho. 
      And it has been reported a £133million megabucks deal for Fati – who scored seven times in La Liga last term – had been arranged with his agent, Jorge Mendes.
      However, Sport claim Barcelona rebuffed Mendes’ proposal and the eye-watering fee, with Fati regarded as a key part of boss Ronald Koeman’s future plans. 
      And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s club, who play West Brom, went on to secure deals for teenage wingers Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo instead.

      Fati, 18, has been wowing La Liga with his performances for Barcelona Credit: Reuters

      2020 Golden Boy nominee Fati is seen a possible heir to Lionel Messi Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fati became the youngest Champions League scorer in the competition’s history after scoring the winner during his side’s match against Inter Milan last December.
      And the Nou Camp whizkid started this season in impressive fashion, scoring five times and providing four assists for Barcelona across all competitions. 
      However, the teenager is facing four months out of action after suffering a cartilage injury during his side’s 5-2 win against Real Betis in October.

      FIFA 21 guesses that Barcelona’s Ansu Fati will win the Ballon d’Or in 2034 More