El Clasico existed before Messi and Ronaldo – Valverde

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.

Lionel Messi says he is "extremely happy" after signing a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, as he speaks during a press conference for his official presentation at Parc des Princes.

FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman urges to avoid "living in the past" ahead of the first Liga match of the post-Lionel Messi era on Sunday 15 August against Real Sociedad.

A ceremony takes place on the same street in the heart of Barcelona where a van ploughed over dozens of people in 2017, leaving 16 dead and 140 injured. Two of the attack's perpetrators were sentenced to 53 and 46 years in prison earlier this year.

Barcelona reinforces security to prevent a party frenzy once the coronavirus-related curfew is lifted in the Catalan capital. Citizens have voiced mixed reactions.

With Real Madrid hoping to sign Kylian Mbappé, coach Carlo Ancelotti agrees that Paris SG's French striker "is a great player", but declines to comment further on the possible transfer ahead of their La Liga match against Betis Sevilla.

Karim Benzema is "like a good wine, he gets better with time," says his Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, adding that he believes the French international striker deserves to be included in the list for the Ballon d'Or.

Alleged victim in sex tape trial 'disappointed' in Real Madrid's Benzema absence