NEYMAR'S AGENT MOOTS CONTRACT EXTENSION TILL 2020

LONG STAY

Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has claimed that the Catalan club is keen to tie the star down until June 2020. "Of course Barcelona want to extend his contract. Until 2020, that's right," Ribeiro said at a press conference given at the opening of the Neymar Jr. Institute, a social centre in the city of Praia Grande.

Without making direct reference to a possible new deal himself, Neymar did say he is "happy" at Barcelona and hopes to keep on playing for the club for a long time. Neymar originally signed a five-year contract with Barcelona and should the player agree to extend it till June 2020 that would add another two years to the existing deal.

XAVI BELITTLES CRISTIANO'S BALLON D'OR BID

NOT INTERESTED

Xavi Hernández spoke on several subjects during an interview with Sport newspaper, including his future at Barça and Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or credentials.

The midfielder didn't mince his words with regard to his aborted summer move to the New York Red Bulls, stating that "Leaving Barça would have been a big screw-up". He went on to insist that he wants to stay at the Camp Nou "whatever happens with the Court of Arbitration for Sport" (in reference to the club's appeal against their transfer ban).

Xavi admitted that he even went as far as texting several friends to tell them he had agreed a move Stateside. "I'd ended the season a bit disappointed by having been left on the bench against Atlético de Madrid [in the title decider]. A new coach was coming in to build a new team and I thought my time here was up", the 'Azulgranas' captain revealed.

However, after the World Cup, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and new manager Luis Enrique reached out over the phone and a meeting was set up with Enrique and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta. "He told me I was going to be a very useful member of the squad, that if I showed I was up for it, I'd play, that I could still be competitive. He said to have a good think about it because Barça were going to have a good year. I took a day to make my decision".

Xavi also spoke about some of his fellow pros, saying that Leo Messi "never asserts his authority and always wins" and also that he looks "happier than ever". About Luis Suárez, the midfielder claimed that the Uruguayan reminds him of Samuel Eto'o because of his "bad temper, character and persistence". As for the Ballon d'Or credentials of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi felt that "he didn't do much in the World Cup, and in a World Cup year, the season is defined by that".

FABREGAS WOULD LOVE MESSI TO JOIN CHELSEA

Mourinho:"Mourinho adapts to the players he has. What makes him so great as a coach is that he adapts to any situation and his teams can play in many different ways. It's a very intelligent way of managing".

Mou at Barça?:I'd say that Barça have a style that he has already experienced and understands perfectly. We play a very similar game: we want to be the protagonists, have possession and look to score. We may have a different system, but the philosophy is similar".

And if Mourinho went out to sign Messi?:"I wish! Why not? I'd love that to happen. I'd be all for it. As a Barça man, I believe that Messi deserves to retire at Barça for all that he has given the club. He is a legend that has changed Barça history. But, as his teammate and friend, without doubt I'd love to have Leo by my side. This season Barça are Messi and ten others. Messi has saved his team on many occasions".

Real, Champions League favourites:"Real have started well, but football is all about dynamics. They started by losing the Supercopa and hemorrhaging points in the league. Everyone said that after the exits of Xabi Alonso and Di María, it'd be a tough season for them, and then look what happened.

REUS TO JOIN REAL MADRID,DUMPS BARCELONA

 to real madrid ???

Marco Reus is in the footballing shop window. The tough time Borussia Dortmund are having right now means they will almost certainly be waving goodbye to the Germany international. Real Madrid are already manoeuvring, with a meeting with the player's agent in Germany scheduled. At the Bernabéu they fancy their chances of sealing his signing after their most recent talks, something which Barcelona and their president Josep Maria Bartomeu have had to watch from the sidelines due to their FIFA transfer ban.

Interestingly the Catalan club was among the first to approach Reus as they see in him someone whose style is closely matched to their understanding of the game. Barcelona now, in view of the fact they cannot make any signings next summer, have asked the player to wait a year until they regain the right which FIFA has withdrawn from them, for their questionable practices in the signing of young players.

Reus, however, has it in mind to move clubs next summer and Real Madrid are well placed to triumph in any auction for his services. The tacit agreement with Dortmund to have the chance to match any offer received for the attacking midfielder leaves them feeling confident of making him one of their star signings next summer.

LIONEL MESSI - ALL 401 GOALS IN HIS CAREER

Messi hopes to clear the air with goal scoring record

 

time to respond

Lionel Messi is set to launch his fourth assault on La Liga's all-time top goalscoring record in the midst of the chaos caused by his recent controversial statements, rumours surrounding his future and his team's current run of form.

Messi dropped a bombshell earlier this week when he told Argentine newspaper 'Olé': "Although I've always said I'd like to stay there forever, sometimes things don't always turn out as you would like them to".

He added: "Things don't always go as planned, especially in football, where things are constantly changing and so many things happen. It's complicated, even more so with things the way they are right now at Barcelona".

One by one, all parties involved, expect the player himself, moved to play down his comments. Firstly, it was the player's father, Jorge Messi, followed by influential defender, Javier Mascherano and club president, Josep María Bartomeu.

Finally came the turn of Barcelona boss, Luis Enrique, who said: "There is no Messi debate".

Dozens of cameras will doubtlessly follow the Barça star during the game against Sevilla, closely scrutinising his every movement and gesture.

His position on the pitch is also under scrutiny, after both Luis Enrique and Argentina boss, Gerardo Martino moved him from his usual role in front of goal out wide to the right wing.

Ronaldo knows what it is to be unloved

messi feeling the pressure

Now it is Messi's turn to complain that his club is not backing him in his quest for the Ballon d'Or.

However, in relation to Cristiano Ronaldo, on other occasions it has been the other way round. Not long ago, it was the Portuguese complaining about the little support he was receiving from his club, while Barcelona bent over backward to ensure the Argentine won the Ballon d'Or, promoting the virtues of their star player at every turn.

At the awards ceremony, this imbalance was plain to see. While the Portuguese turned up accompanied by just one director and Emilio Butragueño, Barcelona arrived en masse. Next to Messi stood president Rosell and Pep Guardiola, together with various Barça directors and teammates.

This time round, all is quiet at Can Barça. Nobody is talking about Messi's chances of winning the award. In contrast, Real are constantly looking for people to come out in support of their candidate. There has been a complete about face over the past few years. Once it was Cristiano who felt unloved, now it is Messi's turn.

Adama Traore signs new Barcelona contract

The young striker, who made his first-team debut last season, admitted it was "a dream come true" to have agreed terms with the club

Adama Traore has expressed his delight after signing a new three-year contract with Barcelona.

The striker has scored once in 11 appearances for the B-team so far this season but has yet to appear for the senior side in 2014-15.

However, Barca have moved to tie down the 18-year-old until June 2018 and the player is elated.

"I am very happy. It's a dream come true for any player from the youth system. It's a happy day for my family," he told Barca TV.

"I think a lot of the reason for my progression lies with the coaches I have had here at Barca as they have told me how to improve, which is what I try to do."

Adama made two appearances for Barcelona last season, against Granada in La Liga and Ajax in the Champions League.

The striker has represented Spain at youth level from Under-16 to U-19 level but opted to switch his international allegiance to Mali in February this year.

Ancelotti: "We can cover Modric's absence"

MADRID BOSS THINKS MIDFIELDER CAN PLAY ANYWHERE

Carlo Ancelotti took to the airwaves on Spanish National Radio's (RNE) programme 'Radiogaceta de los Deportes' and dropped some hints as to how to solve the problem of Modric's injury.

He hinted that either Khedira or Isco will start against Eibar. The Italian also revealed that he would like to extend his stay at Real Madrid beyond his current contract, something he thinks will happen.

Modric's injury:"It's quite sad, but he's getting better every day. He's a very important player, but we'll make do, just as we made do last year".

Cover for the Croat:"We have a problem, but we're going to solve it by fielding another midfielder. Kroos and Khedira are a World Cup-winning partnership. Isco isn't our last option, he's another option. Isco is up to the job. He can play anywhere on the pitch".

Khedira:"The club want him to sign a new deal. We see him as a serious, reliable, professional player".

Barça:"They'll also challenge to the end. They have enough quality to challenge in every competition. I think they're trying to change their game, they want to play more direct, attacking football".

Champions League opposition:"Bayern are on a par with last year. Chelsea are more dangerous than last season. They've improved their squad a lot".

Messi's comments:"Cristiano said the same 3 or 4 years ago. Every player goes through the same thing during his career, although things can change very quickly".

A new deal:"My contract runs until 2016. I don't know how soon I'll sign a new deal, but I'd like to".

Messi hints at Barcelona exit

The Argentine attacker says he is focused on winning trophies with the Catalan club this season, but admits he is no longer sure about his long-term future at Camp Nou .
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hinted for the first time that he could leave the Catalan giants in the near future.

The 27-year-old has long maintained his happiness at Camp Nou and always insisted that he would only move to join boyhood club Newell's in Argentina at the end of his career.

However, the attacker has endured some tough times over the last year in Catalunya due to injuries, a tax fraud case and troubles on the pitch as Barca won only the Supercopa de Espana in 2013-14.

"I'm just living the present," Messi told Argentine sports paper Ole in an interview. "I'm thinking about having a great year at Barcelona and about winning the titles we want to win at Barcelona. Nothing more.

"After that, we'll see. Football has a lot of twists and turns. I always said that I'd like to stay there forever, but things don't always work out as you want them to."

Asked if he would leave due to a personal decision or a club choice, Messi added: "I have said it many times - if it were up to me, I would stay forever. But like I said just now, things don't always turn out how you would like, especially in football, which is so changeable and in which so many things happen.

"It's difficult and more so in these difficult times that Barcelona are going through at the moment."

The Blaugrana have been hit by several scandals off the pitch this year, with the resignation of former president Sandro Rosell back in January, while back-to-back defeats in La Liga (including the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu last month) have seen Luis Enrique's side overtaken by fierce rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table.

"It's a very big club," Messi said. "And when you lose two games in a row, the problems start and there is criticism from all sides. It's a bit like what happens in the national team."A new coach [Luis Enrique] came in with new ideas and that takes time. We have more than enough great players to achieve important things this year, so I'm relaxed. This is just starting - there's a long way to go in La Liga and in the Champions League."