La Liga

Aston Villa announced Friday it has agreed to acquire midfielder Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

"The agreement, which is subject to the player completing a medical and receiving a work permit, also includes an option to buy, and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours," the club wrote in a statement.

Coutinho joined Barca in January 2018 from Liverpool in a $192 million transfer and previously spent the 2019-20 term on loan at Bayern Munich.

The 29-year-old Brazilian international fell out of favor at Camp Nou with 11 of his 16 appearances this season coming as a substitute. He'd drawn just one start since new manager Xavi, a club legend, took over in early November after the firing of Ronald Koeman.

ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported five Premier League clubs reached out to Barcelona about the former Liverpool star, and it was the presence of his previous Reds teammate Steven Gerrard as the Villa head coach that shifted the race in Villa's favor.

His desire to earn a spot on Brazil's 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup roster also played a role in his desire to leave Barca for more consistent playing time, per Marsden and Llorens.

Coutinho, who started his career in European football at Inter Milan in 2008, enjoyed a strong campaign on loan at Bayern two years ago. He recorded 11 goals and nine assists across 34 appearances between the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.

He played just 14 matches upon his return to Barcelona last term before suffering a season-ending knee injury, and he wasn't able to regain his place in the starting XI to open the current campaign.

Coutinho tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 30, but Villa's statement suggested his arrival to the club won't be delayed significantly.

Once back up to full speed, he should take on a key role in Villa's attack as they look to remain comfortably clear of the relegation fight.

They own a 7-1-11 record (22 points), which puts them 11 points clear of the bottom three heading into the season's second half and 12 points back of West Ham United for a spot in the Europa League next season, though a run up the table would require jumping over several clubs.

Villa's next two matches are both against Manchester United, first in the FA Cup on Monday and then in Premier League play on Jan. 15. There was no indication in Villa's announcement of whether Coutinho will be cleared to play in either of those fixtures or if his debut will have to wait a little longer.

Real Madrid won't restrict itself to signing either Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe or Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer; it wants both.

ESPN FC's Mark Ogden reported the Spanish giant is plotting moves for the pair "in an attempt to take advantage of the financial problems at Barcelona by landing the two most sought-after players in world football."

Ogden noted the contracts of Gareth Bale, Isco, Luka Modric and Marcelo are due to expire, which will free up significant space on Madrid's wage bill.

The club failed in its pursuit of Mbappe last summer, with PSG turning down a €200 million bid. The French forward will be a free agent after this season, at which point Real Madrid or anybody else can sign him without paying a transfer fee.

The 23-year-old reiterated his desire to remain in the French capital to finish out the current campaign, 

PSG sporting director Leonardo remains optimistic Mbappe will sign a new deal, but that would seemingly require him to make quite the reversal.

Although Haaland is under contract with Dortmund for 2022-23, an exit from Germany could be similarly straightforward thanks to a reported €75 million ($87 million) release fee. Ogden reported in October a transfer is nonetheless going to be expensive because the Norway international will look to earn at least £30 million ($41 million) annually on top of a payment to his representatives.

According to Ogden, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are both contenders to sign Haaland, with the latter looking at the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for Mbappe. Still, Ogden described Real Madrid as the "leading contenders."

On two occasions, Florentino Perez has ushered in an era of Galacticos at the Santiago Bernabeu. The club signed Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and David Beckham in the early 2000s and then brought in Kaka, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

Now, a third class of Galacticos could be incoming.

An emotional Sergio Aguero announced his retirement Wednesday because of a heart condition that's kept him on the sideline since October.

The 33-year-old striker signed with Barcelona ahead of the 2021-22 season but ended up making just five appearances with the club. He previously starred for Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Independiente along with Argentina's national team.

This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football. It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have taken for my health; the problem I had a month and a half ago.

I have been in good hands with the medical staff. I made the decision 10 days ago after doing everything possible to have some hope of playing on. I am very proud for my career. I always dreamed of a professional career since the first time I touched a ball at five.

I want to thank Atletico Madrid who took a chance on me when I was 18 and Manchester City, everyone knows how I feel about City and how well they treated me there.

Aguero, nicknamed "Kun" since childhood after a Japanese cartoon character, is Manchester City's all-time leading scorer with 260 goals across all competitions. That's 83 more than any other player to wear a Citizens kit (Eric Brook, 177).

His most memorable goal came in City's final match of the 2011-12 campaign, when he scored a 94th-minute winner against QPR to seal the Premier League title.

The Buenos Aires native joined Independiente's youth program at the age of nine. He made his professional debut for the Argentine club in 2003 at the age of 15.

After four seasons with El Rojo, he moved to La Liga with Atletico Madrid in 2016. He tallied 102 goals across 234 appearances for the Colchoneros.

Aguero then began his decorated 10-year run with City in 2011. He was named the club's player of the year twice and won the Premier League's Golden Boot Award with 26 goals in 2014-15. He also helped the club win five EPL championships.

The dynamic forward also shined at the international level with 41 goals in 101 matches for Argentina. He was part of national teams that won the 2021 Copa America title and reached the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

Aguero remembered some of his favorite goals during Wednesday's press conference:

The goal for Independiente against Racing when I was 17 was one of the best that I ever scored. Winning the Europa League with Atletico was a really happy moment, and then obviously with City the goal I scored to win the first Premier League, for me and City, was a beautiful moment.

There are a lot, and the last was the Copa America. I only played two or three matches, but it was something that we had been looking for for years and years.

And of course, I will take my last goal against Madrid. It is not bad for a last goal, is it?

In all, Aguero scored 427 goals between his club and international careers.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta isn't so sure Lionel Messi has played his last game in a Barca shirt.

The club officially welcomed Dani Alves back Wednesday after he had left in 2016. Using the Brazilian as an example, Laporta entertained the idea of Messi and fellow legend Andres Iniesta returning as well, per ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens:

I can't rule it out. ... Leo and Andres are two spectacular players. I can't predict the future. They are Barca greats and who made this club what it is and they will always be present, but they're players with contracts with other clubs. That must be respected, but in life you never know.

Messi turned 34 in June. While his physical skills have diminished slightly, 70 or 80 percent of peak Messi is still better than a lot of players around the world.

In his first season with Paris Saint-Germain, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is still waiting on his first Ligue 1 goal, but he has scored three times in three Champions League appearances.

Perhaps there's a point a few years down the road where Barcelona's finances will accommodate re-signing Messi. Laporta referenced the "financial sacrifice" required by Alves to secure his signature.

And in general, the idea of Messi once again representing the Blaugrana isn't any more outlandish than Cristiano Ronaldo re-signing with Manchester United.

However, Ronaldo's reunion with the Red Devils provides one reason why this might be a bad idea—assuming it becomes anything more than an unlikely theoretical.

The Portuguese has scored some critical goals for United, but he has also presented a general tactical problem for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. One can't help but wonder whether his late-game heroics wouldn't be required in the first place if Solskjaer had a more balanced squad.

And that's to say nothing of how Ronaldo has somewhat overshadowed Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.

If Barcelona were to bring Messi back, then whoever is the manager at that time might be faced with a dilemma. Accommodating the role he would presumably command based on his profile may not be the best route to get Barca back to the pinnacle of European football.

Turki Al-Ali, the CEO of Qatari football club Al-Sadd, announced Friday they've reached an agreement to allow manager Xavi to leave the team to take over at Barcelona.

The Spanish side paid an undisclosed amount to trigger a release clause so Xavi, who played most of his decorated club career with Barca, could return to Camp Nou:

Xavi joined Barcelona's famed youth academy, La Masia, in 1991 at the age of 11, and he didn't leave the club until 2015 after more than 700 appearances for the first team.

The playmaker was often the engine who made the Blaugrana's attack run, a role he also played to near perfection for the Spanish national team.

His list of accolades includes eight La Liga and four Champions League trophies at Barca along with the 2010 World Cup title with and two European Championships with Spain.

Xavi joined Al-Sadd as a player in 2015 and transitioned into the role of manager in 2019. He guided the side to the Qatar Stars League title last season.

The 41-year-old Barca legend confirmed Wednesday he was hoping a deal would get worked out that would allow him to take over as the storied club's manager:

It's a question of common sense, and in the end it has to happen. I am excited. I'm really looking forward to returning home. I hope it happens. It would be spectacular to coach Barca. The two clubs are in conversations. I can't say a lot more, but I'm a positive person. They have to reach an agreement. That's where it's at. The two clubs know my position and I hope there is a solution soon.

Barcelona is off to a sluggish start to the 2021-22 term, which led manager Ronald Koeman to being sacked in late October. It sits ninth in the La Liga table having won four and lost four of its opening 11 matches, and it's staring down a critical UCL fixture against Benfica on Nov. 23 that will play a key role in determining which side advances to the knockout rounds.

It's unlikely the managerial change will be finalized in time for Xavi to take over for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, so interim coach Sergi Barjuan will likely remain in place for one more game. Then Xavi will have the two-week international break to get settled.

The longtime midfielder will then be tasked with moving Barcelona back toward consistent trophy contention as part of a new era that began in earnest over the summer when Lionel Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona announced the firing of manager Ronald Koeman on Wednesday following a 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano, a result that dropped them to ninth on La Liga's table with just 15 points from 10 matches. 

Per the club's statement, "Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva. FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career."

Barcelona's struggles this season has extended beyond La Liga play. The team is also third in its Champions League group, with just three points in three games, behind Bayern Munich (nine points) and Benfica (four points). 

Last season was a disappointment as well. Barcelona finished third in La Liga behind rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid and was eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16, though they did win the Copa del Rey. 

But major changes to Barcelona's roster—most notably the exit of superstar Lionel Messi—left the proud Catalan giants in something of a disarray. Koeman was unable to steer that wayward ship into calmer waters. 

The 58-year-old should land on his feet, however, after an extensive managerial career that has included stops at Ajax (2001–05), Benfica (2005-06), Valencia (2007-08), Southampton (2014-16), Everton (2016-17) and the Dutch national team (2018-20), among others. 

With his sacking, the next major question will be who Barcelona hires as his replacement. Amongst the candidates appear to be River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo, former Barcelona superstar and current Al Sadd manager Xavi and Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez:

Getting this hire right is crucial for a Barcelona club that has continued to move in the wrong direction in recent years. Nobody expected a post-Messi world to be an easy adjustment. It takes a village to replace the GOAT. 

But Barcelona have fallen on harder times than expectations at the club will allow. Koeman bears the brunt of that responsibility for now, but if an incoming manager struggles to move this current group of players in the right direction, the gaze of accountability may focus higher up the food chain. 

Real Madrid continued its recent dominance in El Clasico with a 2-1 win over Barcelona Sunday at the Camp Nou.

The win is Real Madrid's fourth straight against its rival in La Liga matches.

David Alaba scored the opening goal for Los Blancos, while Lucas Vazquez eventually sealed the win with a second goal in extra time.

Sergio Aguero scored a consolation for Barcelona, but it was too late to prevent Real Madrid from earning a key three points in the hunt for a league title. 

It was the first El Clasico without Lionel Messi since 2007, and Barcelona went home empty-handed.

The match began slowly with a conservative approach from both sides, but Real Madrid struck first with a brilliant counterattack and finish by Alaba:

Rodrygo earned the assist on a great find to the open center back, who rocketed past the keeper in the top corner.

This was the only goal of the first half, but Barcelona had chances.

Sergino Dest had the best look for the Blaugrana in the opening 45 minutes with a open shot that he sailed over the crossbar:

Barcelona had six shots in the first half but were unable to find the net. Gerard Pique also had a chance with a header:

Barcelona stayed aggressive in the second half but had few real chances because of a lack of creativity in the final third. The hosts finished with just two shots on target in the match. 

The addition of Aguero in the 74th minute gave the attack more life, although it wasn't enough to even the match.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, played solid defense before using their speed on counters. Vinicius Junior kept pressure on throughout the second half down the left side.

Vazquez eventually put the game out of reach in the 94th on another counterattack after a great run from Marco Asensio. 

Dest slightly made up for his earlier miss with an assist to Aguero in the 97th minute, but it was too little, too late.

Both clubs will return to action for midweek La Liga battles on Wednesday. Barcelona will face Rayo Vallecano while Real Madrid hosts Osasuna.  

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has signed a new contract through 2026 with a release clause of €1 billion ($1.16 billion), the club announced Thursday. 

The 18-year-old's previous deal was set to expire at the end of the season. According to ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens, Barcelona made signing Pedri to a new contract a priority. 

Pedri began his professional career with Las Palmas when he was just 16 years old. He joined Barcelona in early 2020 for €5 million and immediately joined Barca's senior squad.

The highly talented youngster made 52 appearances during his debut season with the Blaugrana in 2020-21. He scored four goals and was promoted to Spain's senior international team in March. 

Pedri was also included in Luis Enrique's team for Euro 2020 and won the Young Player of the Tournament prize. In addition, he played for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics, helping the country reach the gold-medal match against Brazil, a 2-1 loss. 

Pedri's stock has risen mightily since he joined Camp Nou, and there was talk he could be poached from Barca because of the club's ongoing financial crisis. German giants Bayern Munich were among the clubs with interest in the Spaniard, per Sport's Toni Juanmarti. 

However, Barcelona had no intention of parting ways with Pedri after watching club legend Lionel Messi depart for Paris Saint-Germain. Antoine Griezmann also left for Atletico Madrid following a three-year stint at Camp Nou. 

With Pedri locked up, Barcelona can focus on the future. The club was reportedly looking to replace Ronald Koeman, but president Joan Laporta said earlier this month that the coach's job was safe. 

However, ESPN reported that Koeman was kept on because of the lack of credible alternatives available. If a more intriguing boss becomes accessible, Koeman could be out. 

Barcelona has struggled early this season, sitting ninth in La Liga with a 3-3-1 record. The club has not won a league match since a 3-0 victory over Levante on September 26.  

Barcelona chief executive Ferran Reverter explained the extent of the club's financial problems at a news conference Wednesday, saying it would not have been able to survive if it was a public limited company.

"When we came in this March, we found a club that was technically bankrupt; if it was a PLC, [the club] would have been dissolved," Reverter said. "There was no cash flow and we had difficulties paying salaries. Debt and future liabilities amounted to €1.35 billion and there was an urgent need for refinancing."

Barcelona is a members-owned club with over 144,000 members.

The club was still forced to part with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann among other high-salary players before the start of the season.

In June, Barcelona announced a loan from Goldman Sachs worth $605 million to help refinance their debts.

"If the same squad had been kept in this season, the payroll would have amounted to €835 million, 108 percent over recurring revenue," Reverter said Wednesday. "Moreover, these operations have resulted in significant and unusual intermediation costs in previous years."

Reverter specifically called out former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu for the financial issues, criticizing a number of high-priced acquisitions. He noted a 61 percent increase in the club's payroll from 2016-20.

"They didn't consider if they could pay for the players," he said. "Griezmann was signed in a rush. They realised they could not pay for him and ended up needing €85m in credit to do the deal."

Bartomeu resigned in October 2020 and was replaced by Joan Laporta.

The lack of money led to Messi leaving for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer despite reportedly agreeing to an extension earlier in the summer, per Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN.

Barcelona have suffered on the pitch as well, sitting ninth in the La Liga table with 12 points from seven matches. The club is in last place in its Champions League group with two losses in two matches.  

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Saturday there are no imminent plans to replace manager Ronald Koeman despite the club's lackluster start to the 2021-22 season.

Laporta told reporters Koeman "deserves a certain amount of confidence for many reasons," and the club remains hopeful the results will improve as the term moves forward:

Koeman loves Barca and decided to come at a really difficult moment for the club institutionally and sportingly. After speaking with him, I see he has faith in the team, above all when he gets the injured players back. He has a contract [until the summer] and we hope to get back to winning ways and playing well. I am sure he will do everything possible.

We can all understand the reactions because we are not getting results, but I ask the supporters to have some confidence in the coach, he deserves it, and to have faith in this team because when everyone is available they will be even more competitive.

Barcelona entered Saturday seventh in the La Liga table with three wins and three draws from the season's first six fixtures. It also opened the Champions League campaign with back-to-back 3-0 losses to Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Wednesday's lopsided UCL defeat against the Portuguese side raised questions about whether Barca would soon sack Koeman, who was hired in August 2020.

The rumors led the 58-year-old Netherlands native to grow frustrated during his pre-match press conference Friday ahead of Saturday's visit to Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid. He was asked questions typically reserved for a manager who has left a club, such as his favorite moments from his tenure.

"The best moment? When I signed to become Barca coach. The worst moment? When Lionel Messi left," Koeman said.

The former Barcelona defender added he was "fed up" with having to defend himself.

ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported the Blaugrana had kept Koeman in charge of the coaching staff due to a "lack of credible alternatives available," though the club had "stepped up their search for a replacement" after the Benfica loss.

Laporta said Saturday he's spoken with the club's manager amid the speculation about his future and said any rumors about issues between them are overblown.

"I've spoken with him and drawn my own conclusions," he said. "I value the moment he took over the club. We've spoken, and it's not true the relationship between us is cold. It's a good and honest relationship. He's a good person, and I think he thinks the same as me. We are all trying to turn this around for the better."

Despite Laporta's comments, it wouldn't be a surprise if rumors about Koeman's future persist if Barca can't secure a positive result against Atletico on Saturday since the club heads into a two-week international break following the match.