Lionel Messi

Ernesto Valverde could guide Barca to an unbeaten La Liga season after ending the first half of the campaign streets ahead.

Ernesto Valverde has allayed injury fears over Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Pique following Barcelona's 5-0 win over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey.

Lionel Messi leads Barcelona's 19-man squad for the second leg of the Copa del Rey last 16 against Celta Vigo on after being rested by in the reverse fixture.

Ousmane Dembele is set to make his return to action in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last 16 against Celta Vigo on Thursday night but Lionel Messi will miss the game.

Ousmane Dembele is in line to return to action when Barcelona visit Celta Vigo on Thursday after being given the green light by club doctors.

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has credited manager Ernesto Valverde behind the club and Lionel Messi's scintillating form in the 2017/18 season so far.

Ernesto Valverde is expected to deploy a strong eleven when Barcelona visit Real Madrid for the first El Clasico of La Liga.

Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo underlined their status as the dominant figures in world football as Real Madrid won the Fifa Cub World Cup.

Barcelona will only allow Javier Mascherano to leave the club during the January transfer window if they are able to sign a replacement.

The former shop assistant, 22, has taken to family life with the Portuguese footballer like a duck to water.

Ronaldo is now level with Messi after scooping his fifth Ballon d'Or, and recently told of his desire to win two more.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi would understand if Javier Mascherano decides to leave the Nou Camp during the upcoming January transfer window.

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta will miss the Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night but Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu are back.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi's older brother was arrested after police recovered a gun in a blood-covered boat he claimed to have abandoned following an accident.

Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes has returned to Ernesto Valverde's 18-man squad to face Celta Vigo after having missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury.

Arda Turan returned to Barcelona training on Thursday as the La Liga leaders continue preparations for the clash with Celta Vigo.

Sergi Roberto is back in Barcelona's squad for the second leg of the Copa del Rey last 32 clash against Murcia having missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury.

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has revealed how he wants to stamp his mark and create a legacy similar to the likes of Roger Federer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mesut Ozil, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho have all been linked with a move to Barcelona in the last few months. The Brazilian has been a target for Ernesto Valverde's side since the summer.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti will be rested when Barcelona host Murcia in the second leg of the Copa del Rey last-32.

Valencia host Barcelona as La Liga's top two sides meet at the Mestalla. The hosts will try to reduce the gap at the top to a single point.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has chosen Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as his favourites for the Champions League, but refused to rule out Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Messi's previous deal expired at the end of the current campaign but has finally ended speculation surrounding his future.

Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez hopes Lionel Messi will soon put pen to paper on a new deal at the Nou Camp.

Eyebrows were inevitably raised when Messi was not included in the starting line-up to face Juve, but Valverde stressed that the Barcelona legend was "fine" with his decision

Lionel Messi will reportedly agree a new deal at Barcelona only if the club leaders agree to his demands. One of which includes bringing PSG's Angel Di Maria to Camp Nou.

Manchester City are reportedly willing to offer Lionel Messi a five-year deal worth £500,000-a-week and a signing bonus of £40m if he joins them on a free transfer.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde insist that the La Liga leaders are "open" to signing new players during the upcoming January transfer window.

Lionel Messi leads Barcelona squad to face Juventus on Wednesday night as Javier Mascherano, André Gomes, Sergi Roberto, Arda Turan remain on the sidelines.

Barcelona continue to fret over the future of Lionel Messi, who can talk to rival clubs in the New Year when he enters the final six months of his deal.