What time does el Clásico start?

The first el Clasico of the 2016/17 season between Barcelona and Real Madrid kicks off on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

The kickoff time, however, will be very unconventional.

Here’s the start-time for the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid el Clasico:

• USA: 10:15am ET / 9:15am ET CT / 8:15am MT / 7:15am PT
• Spain: 4:15pm local time
• UK: 3:15pm GMT

The start time is much earlier than usual. One reason is that both Real Madrid and Barcelona play in the UEFA Champions League next week, so they want as much time as possible to rest and recuperate before their midweek games. But the move by La Liga may also be to ensure that el Clasico is shown at night instead of the early morning hours in Asia. For example, the kickoff time converts to 11:15pm in Beijing, China.

Ter Stegen can become new Valdes at Barca - Zambrotta

Gianluca Zambrotta has backed Marc-Andre ter Stegen to shine at Barcelona and is relishing this weekend's Clasico against Real Madrid.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen can emulate Victor Valdes' distinguished career at Barcelona, says Gianluca Zambrotta.

Ter Stegen made the switch to Camp Nou in 2014, but largely played second fiddle to Claudio Bravo in LaLiga during his first two seasons at the club – although he was first choice in the Champions League.

Bravo's departure for Manchester City has seen Ter Stegen become the regular number one, though, and he has faced criticism for a series of high-profile errors during a season in which Barca have struggled to hit top form.

But Zambrotta, who spent two years at Barca between 2006 and 2008, says the Germany international has time to become as influential as Valdes, who won six LaLiga titles, two Copas del Rey and three Champions League medals before departing the club in 2014.

"You can't discuss a goalkeeper like Victor Valdes. He made history for Barcelona and was phenomenal in Spain," he told Omnisport. 

"For sure even he [Ter Stegen] can make history as Barcelona are doing great things. He can become [the new Valdes]."

Barca's indifferent LaLiga form has seen the champions fall six points adrift of Real Madrid in the title race.

Luis Enrique's men face a crucial Clasico contest at home to Madrid on Saturday and Zambrotta says whoever can keep their heads in the pressure cooker of arguably club football's biggest game will emerge victorious.

"I remember the great emotion and the huge build-up in the week leading to the game," he added. 

"The same in the warm-up and during the game itself. The wait is tense. That week is only about the game. Newspapers talk about it endlessly. There is a lot of pressure."

Zambrotta feels the allure of El Clasico has only been heightened by the star quality on show with Barca's Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez coming up against the likes of Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

"It is still a great match. Lately Barcelona and Real Madrid have always faced each other with a squad of extraordinary players," he said. 

"And we have [Zinedine] Zidane as a manager too, then Ronaldo, just to mention one player at Real. 

"On the other side Messi, Suarez and Neymar. A great and beautiful game everybody in the world wants to watch."

Barcelona sealed a massive shirt sponsorship deal for 55 million euros a season

FOOTBALL giants FC Barcelona sealed a massive shirt sponsorship deal Wednesday with Japanese online retailer Rakuten worth at least 55 million euros ($59 million) a year.

One of world football’s most lucrative shirt sponsorship deals sees Japan’s leading e-commerce company replace Qatar Airways, Barcelona’s shirt sponsor since 2013, confirming Asia’s appetite for major investment in European football.

With the pulling power of top stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar, Barcelona’s success on the pitch ensures the club exerts a huge draw on advertisers.

“The base contract is 55 million euros per year, with a bonus of 1.5 million euros per year if the club wins the La Liga and five million euros if it wins the Champions League,” Barcelona’s head of marketing, Manel Arroyo, told a news conference at the club’s Camp Nou stadium.

Qatar Airways were reported to have paid 35 million euros for the final year of their deal taking them up to the end of the 2016-17 season.

Barcelona boasts some of the world’s most recognisable stars -- vital marketing assets for the club’s partners -- who have millions of followers on social media, promising invaluable exposure to sponsors.

Argentine striker Messi is one of the most popular athletes in the world on social media, with more than 78 million fan followers on Facebook alone

Messi tipped to stay at Barcelona

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is convinced Lionel Messi will sign a new contract and end his career with the LaLiga champions.

The Argentina international, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2018, has yet to agree new terms, sparking speculation he could leave the Catalan club.

Bartomeu, however, is confident the 29-year-old will remain at the Nou Camp.

Speaking at the announcement of a lucrative four-year sponsorship deal with Japanese technology company Rakuten, Bartomeu said: "I believe we've got a team with incredible players, all of them.

"There is nonetheless a leader of course, Leo Messi, he is well known and popular all over the world.

"We're all convinced, we're all positive Leo Messi will end his sporting career in Barca.

"All the members of Barca believe this is how it has to be, because he is the player that in the last few years has brought us sporting success."

The new sponsorship agreement will see Rakuten replace Qatar Airways on the front of Barca's shirts from the start of next season and, according to fcbarcelona.com, will earn the club 55 million euros a year.

Koeman: Lukaku could play for Barcelona

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will have to leave Everton to  realise his full potential, his manager Ronald Koeman said on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Belgium international joined the Premier League club on loan from Chelsea in 2013 before making the move permanent in an Everton record £28 million deal in 2014.

British media reported that Lukaku asked for a transfer this year but he remained at Goodison Park and has scored seven league goals this season.

"His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination," Koeman told Belgian newspaper HLN.

"If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind," the Dutchman added.

"I gave him confidence and he has himself recognised that it was good for his development to play another year at Everton. What after this season comes, no-one knows."

Koeman likened the powerful Lukaku to former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert who he coached at Barcelona.

"Kluivert was also a striker who was quite young when he was in the picture and had a fantastic career. Eventually, Kluivert played for Barcelona which could happen with Lukaku," Koeman said.

"Lukaku can hold a ball and be a target man and because he is tall and physically strong, you can play directly with the long ball."

Lukaku, who started his career with Anderlecht before joining Chelsea in 2011, has scored 17 goals in 52 internationals.

La Liga 2016-17: Denis Suarez says Xavi asked him to come back to Barcelona

Barcelona FC midfielder Denis Suarez has recently stated in an interview that club legend Xavi Hernandez played a crucial role in his return to the Catalan club. The youngster had spent two seasons with Barcelona B side until the year 2015, after which he moved to Villarreal before returning to Barcelona.

The midfielder was so impressive in his performances at Villarreal that just after a single season at El Madrigal, Barcelona made use of their buyback clause to re-sign the young midfielder.

"Xavi was important as the first thing he said to me when I met him was that I should go back to Barcelona," Suarez told Cadena Ser. "I'm glad that I have returned. Every time the coach puts me on the side I try to do my best to play as well as I can and take advantage of the opportunity."

Suarez also revealed that as a youngster he was a huge supporter of Celta Vigo and that he idolized Argentine footballer Gustavo Lopez growing up. Now, the 22-year-old is in awe of being teammates with the best football player in the world, Lionel Messi. 

"He is incredible. Leo demonstrates every single day why he is the best. In training, he does things that astonish you.”

Suarez also seems to be quite astonished by the level of ambition that Messi displays and the kind of affection and care he has towards his teammates. 

"I'm surprised by his ambition. He always wants to win at everything he does. If we lose, he is so quiet. In my first few days at the club, I immediately noticed how close he is to everyone and how much he cares about the club."

When asked about if there are any kinds of rifts between Neymar Jr and Luis Suarez, the 22-year-old was smart enough to play down the idea.

"Messi, Suarez, and Neymar are usually always together in the dressing room and out on the field. Their good vibes help because there is no selfishness or jealousy.”

Suarez was also asked if he could sign a player from Barcelona’s arch rivals, Real Madrid, who would it be. This is what Suarez had to say,

"With regards to who I would sign from Madrid, I think it is very difficult to improve our squad. I would also never sign for them."

Suarez put in an impressive performance in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Sevilla last week. The 22-year-old replaced the injured Andres Iniesta and contributed in the equalizing goal which earned him a lot of praise from club manager Luis Enrique. The midfielder also received a Whatsapp message from  the injured Iniesta congratulating him on his spectacular performance against Sevilla.

Come fly with me? Barcelona trio share cosy lift before qualification clash

Travel buddies Neymar, Messi and Mascherano enjoy snap on private jet back to South America for key qualification clash 

Barcelona stars Neymar, Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi have taken some spice out of their upcoming World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina after sharing a lift to South America in a private jet.

The rivalry has historically been billed as one of the most ferocious in International football but the Barcelona trio couldn’t have looked friendlier in a picture released by the plane’s pilot.

Neymar invited Messi and Mascherano to hitch a lift back to their home continent on his private jet after the triumvirate enjoyed an impressive 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday.

And, it looks as if the bromance is set to continue after Neymar and Mascherano both recently agreed new deals to extend their stay at the Nou Camp, while Messi is expected to commit his future to the club within the coming months, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. 

But, the Argentina pair will need be all business on Thursday as they attempt to put themselves within touching distance of their rivals, who currently sit five points ahead of them ten games into their World Cup qualification campaign.

Argentina have failed to win in their last three qualification games and sit in fifth in the table after their 1-0 defeat to Paraguay and draws against Venezuela and Peru.

Brazil, on the other hand, have won four consecutive games in qualifying and could heap further misery on Argentina with a chance to stretch their lead at the summit of their qualification group.

The game will also give Brazil the chance to end the curse of Belo Horizonte as they return to the stadium for the first time since their humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany in 2014.