Real Madrid dropped points for the third time in seven games since Zinedine Zidane's return as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Getafe in La Liga on Thursday, which harmed their neighbours' hopes of a top-four finish.
FC Barcelona's Croatia international Rakitic, who joined the La Liga champions in June 2014, believes striker Luis Suarez's spell at Liverpool made him the most feared striker in the world.
Lionel Messi was seen smiling as he and his fellow players worked through persistent rain at the club's Joan Gamper training complex under the orders of new coach Ronald Koeman.
PSG's Champions League tie with Newcastle is like a final, says Luis Enrique
Lionel Messi said he never expected to have such a successful career after receiving his fifth Golden Shoe, on Tuesday, for being the top goalscorer in Europe last season.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
The South American trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez reached a scorching 108 goals for the season following the La Liga leaders' 8-0 destruction of Cordoba on Saturday but the team's defence is yet to dispel doubts
England forward Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea on a five-year contract from Manchester City, the two English Premier League clubs announced on Wednesday.
Messi's fitness was a major concern ahead of the resumption -- the talismanic forward was dealing with a quadriceps injury. But he has suffered no further setbacks since returning to training with the rest of the squad at the start of the week.
France forward Griezmann, 28, rejected a move to Barcelona last year but announced in May he was leaving the Madrid side, where he has spent the last five seasons since signing from Real Sociedad in 2014.
Lionel Messi returned to training with his Barcelona team mates on Monday, suggesting the World Player of the Year could play a part in Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup second leg at home to Atletico Madrid.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday.
Barcelona defender Dani Alves, who was victim of racism during a La Liga match against Villareal on Sunday, found support from his football colleagues from all over world as they showed their solidarity on social networking websites on Tuesday.
The club will relocate to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic due to renovation work.
A mesmeric Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to come from behind and beat Sevilla 2-1 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday as the champions kept the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who saw off Leganes 3-0 thanks to a double from Gareth Bale.
Brazilian prosecutors filed a formal complaint against Neymar and his father on Tuesday for tax evasion and providing false information.
After an even first 45 minutes, strikes from Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder stunned the Catalans and left them needing a second-leg comeback at the Nou Camp for the second consecutive round in the competition.
"We can confirm that we received a claim from the club Santos concerning the player Neymar and the club FC Barcelona," FIFA said in a statement.
Aged 30, Pjanic's arrival has been criticised in some quarters as Barcelona's first-team is already viewed as ageing.
Holders Barcelona produced a second-half blitz to come from behind and beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 to book a place in the King's Cup semi-finals after Atletico Madrid crashed out in a shock 3-2 defeat by Celta Vigo.
Ousmane Dembele endured a rough start to his Barcelona career but the French winger appears to be finding his feet at a crucial time in the season.
Messi was three ahead of nearest rival Kylian Mbappe, who scored 33 times for Paris St Germain as they won France's Ligue 1.
A summary of all things football.
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is in doubt for next month's Copa America.
Barcelona's Neymar scored twice and Luis Suarez was also on target as they reached their fourth King's Cup final in five years with a 3-1 win away to Villarreal on Wednesday that gave them a 6-2 aggregate victory.
Britain's No 1 tennis player Andy Murray watched Neymar score twice.
His best days may be well behind him but Ronaldinho's name still rings a bell. The 32-year-old having had a stellar career in Europe, that included spells with Paris-Saint Germain,FC Barcelona and AC Milan, is now back in native Brazil, playing with Atletico Mineoro.
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an estimated earnings of 1.8 million pounds.
Lionel Messi overhauled Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano's La Liga goals tally as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid each won on Saturday to pull three points clear of Real at the top.
'I take responsibility for my errors and if they existed, it was only to make Barcelona better and stronger'.
Lionel Messi didn't enjoy his time with the Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was pleased they got straight back into their stride with Tuesday's 2-1 friendly win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.
'Very much proud of you My Pushpa... Be safe n healthy & make others healthy.'
Clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona are rarely short on drama and Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' may have more than its usual share with Luis Suarez poised to return from a biting ban and Barca teammate Lionel Messi on the brink of equalling the top-flight scoring record.
Barca must beat Villareal on the weekend if they are to stand a chance of overhauling Real in the run in.
Stating that Ronaldinho was responsible for a change in attitude at FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi said that the Brazilian made things easier for him at the club.
Real Betis right-back Emerson Aparecido's first year in La Liga went superbly well, but there is plenty to come from one of the league's most talented and determined rising stars.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi raised eyebrows when he said in passing on Monday that he did not know where he would be next year.
Defender Gerard Pique grabbed a rare winner and Lionel Messi scored yet another beauty as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 at the Nou Camp on Sunday and reclaim an eight-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Messi had failed to turn up to the club's tests for COVID-19 eight days ago and been absent from all subsequent sessions ahead of the new campaign after giving the club an official notice that he wished to leave.
