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.

FIFA 17: Barcelona Career Mode guide

With a strike force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, you can't really go wrong in choosing Barcelona in FIFA 17 Career Mode.

With a strike force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Barcelona will be among the most popular of sides in FIFA 17’s Career Mode, and rightly so. Luis Enrique has continued the success that was started by Pep Guardiola back in 2008, winning two La Liga and a Champions League title. But with a disappointing performance in Europe last season, a change could be in order. With you at the helm, can they ward off the threat of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the league, and hurt the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City in Europe? With a substantial transfer and wage budget, the world is pretty much your oyster at the Camp Nou.

How you should line up

The Barca line-up pretty much picks itself, but with a lot of kind league fixtures, be sure to give your younger players plenty of opportunity. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is in between the sticks instead of Jasper Cillessen, who is a more than capable back-up. Sergi Robeto is the only weak-link in the side at right back but he does have an 85 potential. The reliable Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano create a formidable centre half partnership, the attacking Jordi Alba making up the rest of the back four.

The midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta is well-balanced, with the option of bringing on the likes of Arda Turan and Andre Gomes. Up top, you needn’t look anywhere further than Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

A reliable bench of Jasper Cillessen, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Arda Turan, Denis Suarez and Paco Alcacer should be able to come to your rescue, should find yourself in need of reinforcements.

The Transfer Market

Starting transfer budget: £78 million

Starting wage budget: £534,000

Who should go

With Barca, it’s more about trimming the fat than making wholesale changes in the squad. You need to recognise which players are not good enough to make the grade at the Spanish champions, and replace them with players who can one day come into the starting line-up.

It was a strange buy when Barcelona brought in Aleix Vidal from Sevilla back in 2015, and the right back or right midfielder has been limited to just 16 appearances since. The 26-year-old has a rating of 77 and a potential of 78 which isn’t good enough to play for Barcelona, and should be sold for around £10 million.

Jeremy Mathieu is in a bit of a grey area, and with the signing of Samuel Umtiti in the summer, games will be hard to come by for the Frenchman. At the age of 32, he doesn’t have a long term future at the club, and could be sold now to receive a higher transfer fee. If you do wish to sell the centre or left back, you should receive £8 million for him.

Then come the real fringe players, Jordi Masip, Wilfrid Kaptoum, Gerard, Rafa Mujica, Alex Carbonell and Marc Cardona are just shy of making the Barcelona standard, and should all be sold for a combined sum of about £5 million.

What the team needs

After all those sales, you have received around £22 million, taking your transfer budget up to £100 million. A pre-season tournament victory could take you beyond £110 million, giving you pretty much free range to sign a player or two in the summer transfer window.

A top class right back is in urgent need, and you have two real choices. Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier or Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm. Aurier is all about potential, with a starting rating of 83, and a potential of 88. He offers 93 jumping, 87 stamina and 85 sprint speed. With three years remaining on his contract, the 23-year-old Ivorian can be bought for around £35 million. His starting wages of £65,000 make him quite a coup. If you are after instant success, Phillip Lahm could be your man, especially given Sergi Roberto’s potential, if you want an instant impact, with an overall rating of 88. Lahm can play right back and defensive or central midfielder, and with stats of 95 sliding tackles, 94 composure and 83 balance, he would be an experienced head to bring into the team. What could dissuade you would be his lack of pace, with 68 acceleration and 67 sprint speed, but his price of £25 million makes it worth it. As you would expect, the 32-year-old has maxed out his potential, with relatively high wages of £101,000 a week.

Alternatives:

-       Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea, Age 26, OVR 84, POT 84, Cost: £32 million, Wage: £86,000.

-       Stephan Lichtsteiner – Juventus, Age, OVR 83, POT 83, Cost: £8 million, Wage: £65,000.

Other than that, the starting eleven is pretty much faultless, with reliable replacements. So you should perhaps look to the future. A young winger could be in order to come on for Neymar or Messi, so make sure that they have plenty of potential so that they can be part of a smooth transition into the starting line-up. Manchester United winger Anthony Martial has had a tricky start to the season at Old Trafford, but there is no doubting his potential. The left midfielder or striker has a starting overall of 82 but has a sky-high potential of 90. The 20-year-old has 92-rated acceleration, 91 sprint speed and 89 dribbling. The Frenchman can be yours for around the £50 million mark, but with starting wages of £50,000 per week, he is an affordable long term investment for a side like Barcelona.

Alternatives:

-       Gerard Deulofeu – Everton, Age 22 OVR 81, POT 88, Cost: £35 million, Wage: £36,000.

-       Raheem Sterling – Manchester City, Age 21, OVR 82, POT 88, Cost: £45 million, Wage: £58,000.

-       Memphis Depay – Manchester United, Age 22, OVR 80, POT 87, Cost: £32 million, Wage: £43,000.

-       Domenico Berardi – Sassuolo, Age 21, OVR 82, POT 86, Cost: £32 million, Wage: £29,000.

-       Inaki Williams – Athletic Bilbao, Age 22, OVR 80, POT 86, Cost: £38 million, Wage: £43,000.

-       Samu Castillejo – Villarreal, Age 21, OVR 80, POT 87, Cost: £33 million, Wage: £36,000.

Loans

There are only a few players who fall into the gap of being good enough to stay at the club, but not of the standard to be in first team contention. 18-year-old central midfielder Alena has a starting rating of 64, but a potential of 79 so he is just about good enough to be in your plans. The same can be said of 20-year-old right or left back Sergi Palencia, who has a potential of 78, and 22-year-old right back or right midfielder Nili Perdomo, also with a 78 potential. These three should be loaned out for a couple of seasons to see if they can reach a more competitive level.

Contracts

Perdomo and Alena both have contracts running out at the end of the season, but you may wish to see how they cope on loan before renewing their deals. It’s a similar situation with 20-year-old goalkeeper Jose Suarez, who will most likely be your third choice emergency keeper. It’s totally up to you whether to give him a new deal, or look to signing a teenage goalkeeper with barrels of potential.

Managerial Objectives

As you can imagine, domestic and continental success is paramount for Barcelona, and you will be expected to lift both the La Liga and Copa de Espana trophies in your first season, and win the ‘Champions Cup’ within two seasons. Brand exposure is just as key, and you will be expected to sell a certain number of shirts throughout the season. This can be achieved by bringing in big name signings, strong performances on the pitch and lifting trophies. Youth development is important for Barcelona, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas coming through the academy. For your youth development objectives, you will need to sign young players, as well as bring though some talent from the youth squad, and give them plenty of game time. Despite recent transfer troubles, you will have no financial limitations as the Barca boss.

Time to take over again…

Under Pep Guardiola, Barcelona were perhaps the best side the world has ever seen. The defence was solid, the midfielder ran the show, and Lionel Messi repeatedly found the net. With Messi now sharing the goals with Luis Suarez and Neymar, Barca can reach the top of European football again, as very few teams will be able to shut out that strike force. Especially after spending the best part of £80 million or more, Barca will be virtually unstoppable and winning all three trophies is a realistic possibility. Long term success is perhaps more important, with Javier Mascherano and Andres Iniesta on the wrong side of 30, and six of the starting players already maxing out their potential. Getting those young players through the youth squad and into the youth team will be vital, so make sure you address it early on in the season, to give them plenty of time to grow. 

'Vidal is on Messi and Ronaldo's level'

The Chile international is on a run of five successive domestic league titles, and one of his former team-mates feels he is among the best players in the world




Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former Colombia international Giovanni Hernandez.

Vidal is currently with the Chile squad as they prepare to take on Colombia in Thursday's World Cup qualifier after helping them to a second straight Copa America title over the summer.

That success at international level has been matched domestically, with the midfielder having won five successive league titles with Juventus and then Bayern.

And Hernandez - who played alongside Vidal for Colo-Colo - believes the 29-year-old is one of the "best players in the world".

Vidal is on the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi,”  he told Radio ADN.

“As a kid, he knew the potential he had and knew how to exploit it. He’s one of the best players in the world.”

Vidal's Chile side currently sit fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, and would - as it stands - be set for a play-off to determine whether they qualify for Russia 2018.

Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Neymar and Hector Bellerin

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly still want to sign Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar. The French club is said to be ready to make a fresh approach for the skilled attacker next summer.

The reports come from Spanish publication Sport . Those reports detail how PSG are ready and able to spend big to acquire the former Santos man:

"The Brazilian starlet has recently renewed his deal with Barcelona till 2021 as he will make 15 million euros per season plus bonuses and there will be a 250 million release clause included in his new deal. Nasser Al-Khelaifi isn't afraid of this release clause and might even be willing to pay it all in an attempt to bring Neymar to Paris." 

PSG may already be starting a charm offensive to try to tempt Neymar to theFrench capital. His international team-mate Marquinhos, a talented centre-back for the Ligue 1 side, told Goal's Loic Tanzi how he'd love to see Neymar play for Paris: "He can make the difference at any time. He is an important player for the Selecao and, in addition, he is young, so he can still develop."

Reports of renewed PSG interest in Neymar have been going strong for the last month. In October, Goal writers Tanzi and Ignasi Oliva detailed a proposed offer worth up to €222 million for the 24-year-old, which is set to be made next summer.

The idea of Neymar moving to the French capital was also heavily mooted during this summer. The player's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, said PSG had offered his client £650,000 per week to leave the Camp Nou, per ESPN Brasil .

Of course, Neymar stayed with the five-time UEFA Champions League winners. However, his situation has since become problematic.

The player is facing a possible trial in Spain over corruption charges relating to his transfer from Santos to Barca in 2013. Neymar, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and former president Sandro Rosell could be put on trial, according to Dave Fraser of the Sun.

It's not clear whether any legal problems would deter PSG or encourage them to step up their interest.

Messi travels in Neymar's private jet ahead of World Cup qualifier

Their rivalry is among the most stories in world football but it seems the once icy relationship between Argentina and Brazil has thawed.

At least for Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Neymar.

After flying together from Barcelona to Sao Paulo the trio boarded Neymar's private jet on Tuesday for a flight to Belo Horizonte, where their national teams will meet in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Local media reported that Mascherano and Messi asked for permission from Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza to accept Neymar's offer of a ride in his nine million US-dollar Cessna Citation 680.

Upon touching down in Belo Horizonte, the players were whisked off in private cars to their respective teams' training bases without speaking to waiting media.

The clash will be Brazil's first fixture at the Mineirao stadium since their calamitous 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil are currently top of the South American zone World Cup qualifying standings with 21 points, one point ahead of second-placed Uruguay. Argentina are sixth, five points behind the Selecao.

The last time the neighbors met was in a World Cup qualifier last November, when they drew 1-1 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

The top four teams at the end of the South American qualifying tournament will advance directly to the 2018 World Cup in Russia while the fifth-ranked side will earn a playoff spot.

La Liga 2016/17: Barcelona didn't sign Ilkay Gundogan due to a failed medical

Reports in the British media have revealed that the Blaugrana weren’t willing to risk signing the German midfielder after Gundogan failed to clear his medical examination. Gundogan, the scorer of a brace at the Nou Camp in the recent Champions League game, was a reported target for Luis Enrique, the Barcelona Manager, in the summer.

However, that purported deal failed to materialise after the results of the medical revealed that the German midfielder had a greater risk of relapsing into the back injury which has troubled the midfielder in recent years.

According to a Telefoot report, the Blaugranas had agreed in principle to sign Gundogan but retracted their offer once the club was made aware of the medical report. As per the said report, the additional medical examination requested by the Catalan club led to such an observation.

Blaugrana’s loss, Citizens gain

The 26-year-old has lit up the Premier League for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this season. His recent run of goal scoring form came in the fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Barcelona and no one has been more pleased than the player himself.

Nevertheless, the midfielder’s decision to move to Manchester City has been well received by the fans and manager alike. Guardiola, who took over in the summer has used the German midfielder in attacking positions and has benefitted immensely from his versatility.The goal scorer after the game revealed the importance of winning the tie against Barcelona stating, “It was a big game for us. We knew we were under pressure. The beginning was difficult, but I think the second half was very good. I think we deserved it.”

Injury Woes

The German scored for Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final but since then has been struck down by injuries. The mental resilience of the player was evident when City took on Barca as the midfielder played a vital role in nullifying Barca attacks before getting on the score-sheet himself.

Speaking about his injury, the midfielder recently stated, “There are times where you ask yourself if it’s possible to play any more football. I went from doctor to doctor but nothing was really helping me until I found the right doctor to do the surgery. I hope I can play a bit longer now at the end of my career and get that year back.”

Manchester City fans will be glad that the Blaugrana's decision to not sign the German midfielder led to their gain as City look to challenge for the title this term.

Barca & Bayern interested in 15-year-old 'Iniesta'

Barcelona and Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on a 15-year-old kid labelled the Scottish Iniesta.

According to Scottish newspaper the Daily Record: 'Barcelona and Bayern Munich have joined the top clubs in England in running the rule over Rangers starlet Billy Gilmour.




English Premier League sides Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have all previously been linked with an interest.

But now Barça`s top scouts have been to Scotland on several occasions to watch Gilmour, including watching him play for Scotland under-16s.

"Barcelona came to watch just Billy in the game against France and see him as a player in the Xavi or Iniesta mould in terms of his size and technical ability.

"It`s going to be very difficult for Rangers to hold onto him beyond the end of the season, when he turns 16. The top sides from abroad can offer money beyond the reach of Rangers and Celtic." one source told the Daily Record.

If Barcelona were to bid to sign him once he turns 16, Rangers could receive just £100,000 in compensation.

Barcelona are said to also be interested in Celtic`s 13-year-old Karamoko Dembele but will wait until he turns 16 to make an approach.

Barça were reportedly interested in bringing him to Camp Nou 12 months ago, but FIFA regulations prevented such a move.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has reasons to be cheerful with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez firing while Samuel Umtiti fills Gerard Pique's void

A 500th Barcelona goal for Lionel Messi; three points from what is on paper the third most difficult away game of the season for them; top performances from youngsters Samuel Umtiti and Denis Suarez; and a nice little yellow card for Luis Suarez, clearing his suspension before the Clasico - Barcelona's last match before the international break could not have gone better.

It didn't look that way two minutes before half-time. 

The hugely impressive Vitolo who, alas for Sevilla, will probably be next summer's expensive departure from the club, had put the home side ahead and only an eccentric backheel away from goal from Pablo Sarabia when he was clean through to score kept the margin at just one goal.

Messi's 43rd minute goal changed the game and maybe changed Barcelona's season too. Imagine a defeat before international week. Inevitably leading to a fortnight of soul searching, brow-beating and chin stroking. 

Barca would have been five points behind Real Madrid, instead they are on their shoulders with just two points fewer and Messi and Luis Suarez are top of the league scoring charts with eight goals each.

Messi got most of the credit for his annual conquest of the Sanchez Pizjuan. His 500th goal, friendlies included was another landmark, and his assist for Suarez's goal was also key. He was Barcelona's best player but there were other things reasons for Luis Enrique to be cheerful.

Barcelona are not the same without Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta but the pair were not missed as much as they were four days earlier at the Etihad.

Umtiti defended with the same spirit as Pique but he also showed the same confidence coming out with the ball from the back. Not all the money Barcelona splashed in the summer looks to have been well spent. They are still waiting for a return on the £53million that brought Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer to the club from Valencia but the £27m spent on the 22-year-old Frenchman from Lyon looks a wise investment.

And further forward Denis Suarez did his best personation of Iniesta. 'I pay a lot of attention to Iniesta; I watch him closely. I learn a lot from him,' he told Sportsmail in an interview before the Manchester City defeat.

He wasn't picked against his former English club but he was given a start against one of his former La Liga sides Sevilla and he was outstanding playing a major part in the first goal, running both with and without the ball beyond the forwards, to create space for Neymar to find Messi who scored. Of Messi's 17 goals in all competitions this season Neymar has assisted five of them – no one has given him more passes to goal.

Luis Suarez's second-half strike won the game for Barcelona and the artful dodger did just enough protesting in the last minutes of the game to pick up a booking which means he will miss the next game.

The home match with Malaga is one that Barca would expect to be able to win without him. It will also give him an extra break after he returns from international duty with Uruguay. It should leave him nicely refreshed for a trip to Anoeta where Barcelona tend to struggle against Real Sociedad and then for the following home match against Real Madrid.

By the time those games come around Luis Enrique should have Pique and Jordi Alba back to full fitness. They will still need to get to the new year without Iniesta and neither their meeting with Real Madrid on December 3 nor a crucial Champions League group decider with Borussia Monchengladbach three days later will be easy but they have put themselves in a good position. Far better than the one they were in at minute 42 of Sunday's rollercoaster ride against Sevilla.

Sevilla FC 1-2 Barcelona

A goal and an assist from Lionel Messi kept Barcelona on Real Madrid's coat-tails at the top of LaLiga as they came from behind to win a cracking encounter with Sevilla 2-1.
Some of the stars of television show Game of Thrones were in attendance and Barca successfully stormed the Estadio Sanchez-Pizjuan fortress, where Sevilla had won five from five, in a game packed with cut and thrust and goalmouth action.



Luis Enrique's men head into the international break just two points behind Real thanks to Messi, whose pinpoint finish cancelled out Vitolo's opener. The Argentinian then provided a clever pass to tee up Luis Suarez for the winner.
Both teams looked well set up to counter-attack and it was no surprise that Sevilla's opener came from a Barcelona attack breaking down after a quarter of an hour.
The ball was cleared to Samir Nasri close to halfway and his through-ball was seized on by Vitolo, who got away too easily from Barca right-back Sergi Roberto before poking a low shot past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
The Catalan side were struggling to keep track of Sevilla's movement in attack and also their superior physicality, with Luciano Vietto barging Javier Mascherano off the ball and flashing an angled shot wide of Ter Stegen's far post in the 33rd minute.
Vitolo casually side-footed another presentable opportunity wide, and he was given a finishing lesson by Messi with two minutes of the half remaining.
Denis Suarez sparked the first real Barca break and fed Neymar on the left, who waited until the perfect moment to lay the ball off to Messi on the edge of the box. The Argentinian's wand of a left foot did the rest, picking out the bottom right-hand corner of Sergio Rico's goal.
There was a question over whether Ivan Rakitic, who jumped out of the way of Messi's shot, should have been flagged for offside, but the goal stood.
The second half began in breathless fashion as Nasri's shot was blocked by Ter Stegen after Vietto had cleverly held the ball up and back-heeled it into the path of the Frenchman's overlapping run.
Within seconds Barca were on the attack at the other end and Rico blocked a Rakitic shot with his legs.
Denis Suarez was the instigator of another swift break-out in the 52nd minute which ended with Adil Rami getting a crucial block on a Messi shot.
Barcelona's attacking players were having far more joy in the second period and Rico had to tip over another Messi effort soon afterwards after Luis Suarez found him with a volleyed back-heel pass.
Messi then turned provider after an hour's play to put Barcelona ahead.
He bore down on goal before reversing the focus of the attack with a pass to his right to the unmarked Luis Suarez, who stroked a calm finish low past Rico.
Sevilla seemed to have lost their attacking fluency of the first half with Barcelona working hard all over the pitch to stifle the hosts.
Barca nearly added a third when Neymar's perfectly-weighted through-ball found Luis Suarez, who got around Rico but was not able to apply a finish or tee anyone else up for a shot on the open goal.
Steven Nzonzi headed wide in the 74th minute after Ter Stegen flapped at a corner, and Rico was far more impressive at the other end to block a Suarez shot from point-blank range.
Messi was furious to be booked after not leaving the field to put a new boot on after one was damaged in a tussle with Nzonzi, with Neymar wasting Barca's final opportunity late on.