Barcelona’s Arthur: Attending Neymar’s birthday party before Copa Clasico a mistake

Despite another routine win for Barcelona in La Liga, questions remain over Philippe Coutinho who underwhelmed again for the Spanish giants.

Barcelona went behind early to Rayo Vallecano, but responded with three, including Lionel Messi’s goal in his 800th career game.

Barcelona continue their commitment to gender equality in football with their #wearefootballers campaign on International Women’s Day.
BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo has said he made a mistake by attending Neymar’s birthday party in Paris 48 hours before last month’s Copa del Rey first leg match against Real Madrid.
Arthur joined Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar as he celebrated his 27th birthday on Feb. 4. He returned to Spain for training the following day and started against Madrid at Camp Nou on Feb. 6, injuring his hamstring in a 1-1 draw.
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Flamengo: Tragedy in the Vulture’s Nest
On Feb. 8, a fire at an uninspected youth dorm at one of Brazil’s highest-earning clubs killed 10 young players. How?

The greatest game never played
When Boca Juniors and River Plate were set to meet in Argentina’s most important match, Buenos Aires lost its mind, writes Wright Thompson.

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The Brazil international said he had misjudged the situation and…

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Barcelona injury list grows as Luis Suarez, Arthur ruled out of PSV clash

After headlining the papers all week, Ousmane Dembele delivered for Barcelona. Stewart Robson examines how he influenced their draw at Atletico.

The FC crew feel recent statements by Barcelona players about Ousmane Dembele are an effort to help him regain focus and form at the club.

The guys respond to your tweets about the Ballon d’Or, Luka Modric vs. Andres Iniesta and who Gab Marcotti thinks is the ideal No. 9 for Italy.
Barcelona will be without more than half a dozen first-team players for Wednesday’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven after Luis Suarez and Arthur were added to their injury list.
Suarez will be out for two weeks after aggravating a knee problem and is also set to miss the games against Villarreal, Cultural Leonesa and Espanyol.
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Jose Mourinho’s Last Stand
Deliberate isolation. Petty feuds. Constant turmoil. The Manchester United manager wouldn’t have it any other way, writes Sam Borden.

Kylian Mbappe and the curse of the World Cup
Is there such a thing as peaking too early? Given all that Kylian Mbappe, just 19, has accomplished, we might soon find out.

It’s time to fix — and save — the Champions League
The biggest problem with the Champions League is that it’s trying to be everything to everyone. It’s time for the tournament to go rogue.

However, the former Liverpool forward should be back for Tottenham’s Champions League visit to the Camp Nou on Dec. 12.
Midfielder Arthur will sit out the PSV…

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Luis Suarez, Arthur both 8/10 as Barcelona don’t skip a beat without Lionel Messi

Following Real Madrid’s disastrous display against Viktoria Plzen, the FC boys don’t give them any chance against Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend.
Barcelona made light work of Inter Milan at Camp Nou on Wednesday without injured Lionel Messi, with Rafinha and Jordi Alba on target in a 2-0 win.

Rafinha, who took Messi’s place in the side, opened the scoring in the first half. The Brazilian midfielder produced a smart finish from close range to culminate a move which he had started.

Barca were rarely troubled by the Italians on the night and Alba put the seal on a win which moves the Catalans three points clear at the top of tChampions League…

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Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba key encouraging Barcelona performance vs. Tottenham

ESPN FC’s Ale Moreno reiterates that Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, and it showed in Barcelona’s dominating performance over Tottenham
Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona ended a three-game winless run to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in the Champions League.

Barca took the lead inside the first two minutes when Philippe Coutinho drove home after Messi had released Jordi Alba.

Ivan Rakitic thumped home the La Liga side’s second before the break with a volley but Harry Kane pulled one back for the home side in the second half. Messi quickly restored Barca’s two-goal lead before Erik Lamela’s deflected effort hauled Spurs back…

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Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira, Barcelona’s Arthur among debutants in Brazil squad

The FC crew take a gander at the short list released for FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award and debate whether Neymar should’ve been among the nominees.

Neymar described Brazil’s exit from the World Cup in Russia as the saddest moment of his career.

The FC crew assess the seemingly deteriorating state of the relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba.

The FC crew choose who they would keep between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho.

New Barcelona captain Lionel Messi made clear his side’s desire to bring the UEFA Champions League trophy back to the Camp Nou this season.
Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira and Barcelona’s Arthur are among the new names in a much-changed Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies against the United States and El Salvador.
Pereira, who recently spoke about his international future, is one of two Manchester United players in the squad, along with Fred.
Arthur, who was called up but not used before the World Cup, is also included after a promising start to the season with Barcelona.
Lucas Paqueta, Flamengo’s highly rated young attacking midfielder…

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Brazil include Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Andreas Pereira in squad to face U.S.

The FC crew take a gander at the short list released for FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award and debate whether Neymar should’ve been among the nominees.

Neymar described Brazil’s exit from the World Cup in Russia as the saddest moment of his career.

The FC crew assess the seemingly deteriorating state of the relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba.

The FC crew choose who they would keep between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho.

New Barcelona captain Lionel Messi made clear his side’s desire to bring the UEFA Champions League trophy back to the Camp Nou this season.
Neymar and Philippe Coutinho are included in a strong Brazil squad that will face the United States and El Salvador next month, with Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira among the new names announced on Friday.
Thirteen of the players from Brazil’s FIFA World Cup squad will make the trip to the U.S. in September, including Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Alisson, Real Madrid’s Casemiro and Chelsea’s Willian.
Brazil face the United States in New Jersey on Sept. 7 and then play El Salvador…

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Barcelona’s Arthur has similar qualities to Xavi Hernandez – Rafinha

While Andres Iniesta may have moved on from Barcelona, new signing Arthur discusses how he hopes to emulate his habits and successes.

Tottenham fought back from two goals down in the Rose Bowl, but Barcelona earned the win on penalties, with Malcom burying the final kick. LOS ANGELES — Arthur Melo was compared to Xavi Hernandez by teammate Rafinha after impressing on his Barcelona debut against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Arthur struck with a curling effort from the edge of the box as Barca drew 2-2 with the London side in the International Champions Cup, winning on penalties.
The 21-year-old played the first 45 minutes and looked at ease in his first appearance since signing from Gremio for €31 million earlier this month.
“I don’t like to make comparisons…

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Is new-look Barcelona poised to better last season’s double-winning season?

Former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman explains why he can’t see his old side catching Barcelona in La Liga after losing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona’s newest signing Malcom gives his first interview after sealing a €41 million move from Bordeaux.

While Andres Iniesta may have moved on from Barcelona, new signing Arthur discusses how he hopes to emulate his habits and successes.
BEAVERTON, Oregon — The Barcelona squad that touched down in Portland this week was unrecognisable from the one which arrived in New Jersey 12 months ago. That’s mainly because Ernesto Valverde’s still unable to call on Barca’s World Cup players. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who crashed out in the group stages in Russia with Germany, will join up with the squad in Dallas, but there are no plans for the rest to head to the United States.

However, even if he did have his full armoury at hand for this…

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Barcelona’s new signing Arthur hitting the ground running, looking right at home

While Andres Iniesta may have moved on from Barcelona, new signing Arthur discusses how he hopes to emulate his habits and successes.
In theory, Barcelona have been back in training for over a week as the second year of Ernesto Valverde’s tenure begins. In practice, though, you could argue they haven’t been back at all. Of the 15 players who took part in the first session last Wednesday, five were returning from loan spells, two spent last season on the B team and only two, Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo, played regularly last term. The other six — Jasper Cillessen, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Paco Alcacer and Aleix…

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