Barcelona name Valverde as coach

FC Barcelona face Atletico Madrid this weekend, in a match that could see the winner crowned this year’s La Liga champion. With only four games left in the championship, the Catalan giants are trailing two points behind the leaders.

The three clubs say they have received "unacceptable" threats from UEFA and FIFA since the project collapsed just two days after it was announced last month.

"It's important to have faith, keep going, try to win all the games we have left," says Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, while admitting that "the chances of winning the league are slim". Barca could be out of the running, regardless of what they do at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday, if Atletico and Real Madrid both win their next matches.

Messi to sign new five-year deal with Barcelona - reports

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣

According to the Israeli club, Barcelona did not want to play the match in Jerusalem, prompting Beitar's managers to call off the game.

Barcelona, Spain - August 05, 2021 - FC Barcelona officially announced that Lionel Messi would not be returning to the club.

Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi admits during his farewell press conference that he "never imagined having to say goodbye" to Barcelona after more than 20 years at the club.

Barcelona fans react to the news that legend Lionel Messi is leaving the club. "We're sad and resigned to the fact that the era of Messi and Barca is over," says one fan.

Barcelona players train without Lionel Messi, after the club ruefully accepted it cannot afford the star player who joined Barcelona aged 13 and went on to lift 10 league crowns and four Champions Leagues. The team will face Juventus on Sunday for the Gamper Trophy pre-season game.

Argentina's Messi arrives at Barcelona airport after striking deal with PSG

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi arrived in France on Tuesday (August 10) to finalise a transfer to Paris Saint Germain (PSG) after reaching a deal with the club following his shock departure from Barcelona. The agreement is a major coup for wealthy PSG, who will add one of the greatest players of all time to an already formidable front line that includes Brazil's Neymar and young Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.