BARCELONA Top Stories

Messi reaches 30-goal mark for Barcelona for 11th straight season
FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi reacts after failing to score a penalty spot during the Spanish La Liga
2019-02-16, Yahoo Daily News
Lionel Messi scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, during Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Real Valladolid . In doing so, the attacker has become the first...
Hundreds of thousands protest in Barcelona against Catalan separatists' trial
Pro independence demonstrators hold photos of imprisoned and exiled pro-independence political leaders, during a demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019.
2019-02-16, RTE
Around 200,000 people have marched through Barcelona against the high-profile trial of Catalan separatist leaders that started this week, which they dismiss as a farce....
Barcelona extend coach Ernesto Valverde's contract until 2020
Ernesto Valverde gestures during a training session in Sant Joan Despi, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018
2019-02-15, Hindustan Times
Ernesto Valverde guided Barcelona to the league and cup double last season and has, so far, won 65 of his 96 games in charge in all competitions. football Updated: Feb...
Ex-Catalan official tells court he is a “political prisoner”
A Spanish National Police van, allegedly carrying Catalonian politicians and activists, arrives at the Spanish Supreme Court in Madrid, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019
2019-02-14, Wtop
MADRID (AP) — A former Catalan official accused of leading a violent rebellion to make Catalonia independent of Spain has told a Madrid court that he considers himself...
Gerardo Martino hints at new faces in Mexico squad
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino listens to a reporter's question before a team practice at Gillette Stadium, Friday, June 17, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass.
2019-02-14, Yahoo Daily News
Mexico City, Feb 14 (IANS) Mexico coach Gerardo Martino suggested that reputations will count for nothing when he picks his first squad for international friendlies...
Madrid stunned by Girona, sees Barcelona increase its lead2019-02-17
Rocky Mount Telegram: MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid was stunned by struggling Girona on Sunday, losing 2-1 at home to see Barcelona extend its lead at the top of the Spanish league standings. Real Madrid was coming off a five-match winning streak in the league, but it wasn’t able to...
Solari refuses to concede LaLiga title race is over2019-02-17
Yahoo Daily News: Santiago Solari insists Real Madrid will keep fighting for the LaLiga title despite their five-game winning run ending with a stunning home loss to Girona. Casemiro's first-half header had Madrid 1-0 up and in total control against Eusebio Sacristan's...
Courtois admits Real Madrid lost control in shock Girona defeat2019-02-17
Yahoo Daily News: Thibaut Courtois said Real Madrid lost control in their home loss to Girona that leaves Los Blancos nine points adrift of Liga leaders Barcelona. A run of five straight wins, including last weekend's 3-1 defeat of city rivals Atletico at the Wanda...
Real suffer shock home defeat to Girona, derailing title bid2019-02-17
The Star: MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid's resurgent La Liga run skidded to a halt as they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home by struggling Girona on Sunday in which captain Sergio Ramos was sent off in added time, leaving them nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona....
Neymar Senior: No chance of PSG star facing Manchester United2019-02-17
FourFourTwo: Neymar will not recover from his metatarsal injury in time to feature in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League return clash with Manchester United, according to his father, who indicated that the forward will not play again until April. PSG host United on...
Umtiti in Barcelona squad to face former club Lyon2019-02-17
FourFourTwo: Samuel Umtiti has recovered from a knee injury in time to join Barcelona's squad for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon. Ernesto Valverde's men visit Groupama Stadium on Tuesday and will do so with France international Umtiti in...
Real Madrid 1 Girona 2: Stuani and Portu seal stunning comeback2019-02-17
FourFourTwo: Cristhian Stuani scored his 13th LaLiga goal of the season and Portu headed a famous winner as relegation-threatened Girona claimed a 2-1 comeback win away at Real Madrid. Santiago Solari's side looked on track for a sixth straight victory in the league...
The Pose. The Flu Game. The Shrug. Michael Jordan's top 56 moments of his career ...2019-02-17
Finger Lakes Times: CHICAGO - Michael Jordan turns 56 on Sunday. It's the day his Charlotte Hornets franchise plays host to the NBA All-Star Game. It's a day of celebration and reflection, of milestones and memory lanes. Not all of these 56 moments occurred as the Hall of Famer...
Sergio Ramos sent off as Real Madrid suffer shock loss to Girona2019-02-17
The National: Real Madrid's resurgent La Liga run skidded to a halt as they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home by struggling Girona on Sunday in which captain Sergio Ramos was sent off in added time, leaving them nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona. Real looked...
Real Madrid stunned at home by Girona2019-02-17
TSN Canada: MADRID — Real Madrid was stunned by struggling Girona on Sunday, losing 2-1 at home to see Barcelona extend its lead at the top of the Spanish league standings. Real Madrid was coming off a five-match winning streak in the league, but it wasn't able to get...
Girona stun Real Madrid in Bernabeu2019-02-17
Xinhua: MADRID, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's title hopes suffered a huge setback as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to struggling Girona in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday lunchtime to fall nine points behind league leaders FC Barcelona in La Liga. A...
Griezmann leapfrogs Torres to become fifth-highest Atletico Madrid goalscorer2019-02-17
The Sun: ANTOINE GRIEZMANN has overtaken Fernando Torres in the all-time Atleltico Madrid goalscorer standings. The Frenchman, 27, racked up his 130th goal for the...
Burglars steal £250k of jewellery and cash from Kevin-Price Boateng’s mansion while star making Nou ...2019-02-17
The Sun: FORMER Premier League star Kevin-Prince Boateng has become the latest Barcelona footballer to be targeted by burglars. Criminals broke into his home in the upmarket neighbourhood of Sarria and took around £250,000 of valuables and cash as he was playing...
Sergio Ramos sent off as Real Madrid’s resurgence is ended by Girona2019-02-17
The Guardian: Real Madrid’s resurgent La Liga run skidded to a halt as they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home by struggling Girona on Sunday in which captain Sergio Ramos was sent off in added time, leaving them nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona. Real looked on...