Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona have blocked payment of a 26-million-euro ($31-million) bonus for star attacker Neymar as speculation mounts that he will move to Paris Saint-Germain, a source at the club said Tuesday. The Brazilian football star, who is due to come back for training on Wednesday morning, …
Read More »Neymar gets China red-carpet treatment as speculation grows
Shanghai, China | AFP | Neymar hit the red carpet in Shanghai on Monday as speculation mounted that the Brazil star could be set to quit Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record 222 million euros. The 25-year-old striker is at the centre of an apparent tug of war between …
Read More »‘Intuition’ tells Pique Neymar will stay with Barca
Washington, United States | AFP | Barcelona defender Pique remains convinced that Neymar will stay at Camp Nou, but said Tuesday his opinion was based on “intuition” rather than inside knowledge. “It’s a personal opinion from the conversation that I had with him and my intuition,” Pique said at a press …
Read More »Picture this! Pensive Neymar stirs renewed PSG fever
Paris, France | AFP | Neymar’s decision to post a photo of himself in thoughtful contemplation sparked a fresh wave of speculation that he is on the verge of sealing a world record 222-million-euro ($256.8 million) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. The Instagram picture, even accompanied by a matching …
Read More »Chelsea complete signing of Alvaro Morata
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Premier League champions Chelsea completed the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a five-year-deal on Friday in a deal reported to be worth up to 80 million euros ($92.2 million). “I am so happy to be here. It’s an incredible emotion to …
Read More »Football: Barca ‘200%’ certain Neymar will stay
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre insisted Tuesday that Brazilian star Neymar will be staying in Spain despite rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Asked during a press conference if he could confirm Neymar would remain at Barca ahead of the 2017-18 season, Mestre replied: …
Read More »Lionel Messi’s gritty hometown braces for a glam wedding
Rosario, Argentina | AFP | Security is at the top of everyone’s minds in Rosario, Argentina these days. On Friday, soccer superstar Lionel Messi will be married there to Antonella Roccuzzo at a lavish celebration bringing together some of the world’s best-paid soccer players, just up the street from one …
Read More »New coach Valverde’s poise to be tested by Barcelona pressures
Madrid, Spain | AFP | In the worst kept secret in European football, Ernesto Valverde was officially named Barcelona coach on Monday. Valverde follows in a long and famous line of former Barcelona players to manage the club. However, unlike two of his more recent predecessors, Pep Guardiola and Luis …
Read More »Supreme Court confirms Messi 21-month suspended jail sentence for fraud
Spain Supreme Court confirms Messi fraud sentence Madrid, Spain | AFP | Spain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed a 21-month jail sentence and 2.09-million-euro ($2.25 million) fine imposed on Lionel Messi for tax fraud, months after the Barcelona football star lodged an appeal. The Argentina international and his father Jorge Horacio …
Read More »Ronaldo leads Real Madrid to 33rd La Liga title
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid won their 33rd La Liga title and first for five years as Cristiano Ronaldo’s 40th goal of the season helped seal a 2-0 win at Malaga on Sunday.Ronaldo got Madrid off to the perfect start after just two minutes before Karim Benzema’s close …
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