TheHardTackle summarizes all the latest developments pertaining to Barcelona, ahead of the Blaugrana’s visit to the dreaded Anoeta on Sunday evening.
The much-awaited El Clasico and Barca superstar Lionel Messi dominate the headlines tonight. Here’s a roundup of everything happening in and around Camp Nou.
A “high risk” El Clasico at Camp Nou
Spain’s commission against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance has deemed next month’s match between Barcelona and Real Madrid as a high risk event. The much-awaited El Clasico, which will be played on December 3 at Camp Now will see arguably the two biggest clubs in the world go head to head to establish bragging rights in the heated rivalry.
As reported by Sport, appropriate security measures will be put in place keeping in mind the bitter rivalry that fans of both the clubs share. As a result, both the local police and the Mosses de Esquadra police will be appointed to avoid the outbreak of unpleasant incidents.
Pep Guardiola: Want Messi to finish career at Barcelona
Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has had his say on speculations over Lionel Messi’s contract extension with the Blaugrana, saying he expects the Argentine superstar to finish his career at Camp Nou. According to several reports this week, Lionel Messi could refuse to extend his current contract, which is due to run out in 2018.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Manchester City’s weekend clash against Burnley, Guardiola said: “I said more than once, Messi will stay in Barcelona and he will finish his career in Barcelona. It is my wish, and I wish he will finish from the beginning to the end in Barcelona.”
Messi’s future at Barcelona currently hangs in the balance as per the reports, but with Guardiola denying any interest in the star striker, it remains to be seen whether Messi leaves Camp Nou or stays put.
Messi: Barca not a one-man team
Meanwhile, according to Daily Mail, Messi has debunked claims that Barcelona is over dependant on his form, insisting that his presence does not determine the success or failure of his team. The comments come in the wake of Barcelona’s two-goal win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League, as Messi scored both the goals to clinch top spot in Group C.
Speaking at an Adidas promotional event in Barcelona, Messi said: “I don’t consider talk of Barca being Messi-dependent to be praise or a concern, because it’s not the case. I’m in the best club in the world, it doesn’t depend on one player. We have a great team and I don’t think about that.”
Messi opened the scoring for Barcelona on Wednesday night, with a neat finish from a chipped pass by Neymar, before converting from the penalty spot to seal the win and with it first place in their group. With a tricky trip to Anoeta beckoning on Sunday, Luis Enrique will need his star man to be in devastating form yet again, despite the Argentina captain denying his influence for his team.
