Can FC Valencia make the top four?

          Last season's center table finishers Valencia CF and UD Las Palmas are set to face each other at the Mestalla Stadium on August 22, Monday to open their particular 2016-2017 La Liga season battles.

Valencia completed at the twelfth spot of the Spanish top flight standings with 44 focuses toward the end last term, missing the last Europa League qualifying billet by a long eight focuses. 

Previous colleague chief Pako Ayestarán, who was advanced as new head mentor last March to supplant sacked manager Gary Neville, will lead the group in his first full season as primary seat strategist for Los Che.

The club had an OK preseason, winning three, losing two, and drawing one amid their six-amusement swing.

Els Taronges nipped Italian Serie A side ACF Fiorentina, 2-1, in their keep going preseason neighborly on Saturday likewise at their home stadium to close their offseason preparing on a high note, Football Italia reported.

Ayestarán pulled off a couple of striking signings this late spring to fortify the squad, in particular midfielders Federico Cartabia, Robert Ibanez, Alvaro Medran, and Nani from Deportivo La Coruna, Granada, Real Madrid, and Fenerbahçe individually. The mentor additionally got protector Martin Montoya from La Liga champs Barcelona to support his backfield.

Striking ways out were those of Andre Gomes to Barcelona, Alvaro Negredo and Antonio Barragan to Middlesbrough, Sofiane Feghouli to West Ham United, Javi Fuego to Espanyol, and Denis Cheryshev to Villarreal.

Then, last season's eleventh put squad Las Palmas, who completed keep going term tied on focuses with Valencia however having a predominant objective contrast, had an amazing preseason with five wins in seven matches, including a five-amusement winning pursue opening their preparation with a 0-1 misfortune to Tenerife.

Their last preseason cordial finished in a 1-1 draw with Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98, however, at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor last Friday to close their offseason arrangements, according to Soccerway.

Director Quique Setién returns for a brief moment season with the Canary Islands occupants. The Spanish tutor additionally pulled off a couple of options this late spring, for example, Kevin-Prince Boateng from AC Milan, Asdrúbal Hernández from Leganes, and Marko Livaja from Empoli.

The anticipated result is a nearby 2-1 choice for Valencia.

Valencia beginning lineup (4-3-3 development): Alves; Cancelo, Vezo, Mustafi, Santos; Cartabia, Perez, Ibanez; Parejo, Alcacer, Nani

Las Palmas beginning lineup (4-1-4-1 development): Varas; Simon, Lemos, Garcia, Macedo; Artiles; Gomez, Montoro, Boateng, Araujo; Livaja.

Mario Suarez moves to Valencia on loan.

Watford midfielder Mario Suarez has joined Valencia on a season-long loan, with the LaLiga side having an option to purchase the player for an undisclosed fee, upon the initial deal's expiration. The 29-year-old's move, after only arriving at Vicarage Road in January, was confirmed via the club's website on Tuesday. Making just nine appearances for Fiorentina following his €5.3m transfer from Atletico Madrid, Suarez went on to play in 17 matches in half a season at Premier League outfit Watford.Wasserman Schultz denounces DNC email questioning Bernie Sanders’ faith.

Lionel Messi fans what him back in Argentina national shirt.

   

     Lionel Messi, the best soccer player on the planet, has lost another global title last. This was the fourth out of four. Messi has reported he is resigning from the Albiceleste, as Argentina's national soccer group is known. This must not happen.

          I came to be an Argentina soccer fan through odd circumstances. I'm not of Argentine plunge, nor was anyone I knew growing up. Be that as it may, in 1990 when I was 16, I traveled to Mexico with my family. Fortunately for me, my folks were pursuing my seven-year-old sibling as I appreciated the remiss drinking age underneath the fringe. The World Cup was going on, and in the nearby bars of Cozumel (and still, at the end of the day I shunned traveler traps) these recreations were everything.

          As it turned out, Maradona's group was the safeguarding champion. Similar to the case today, Argentina was viewed as a powerhouse in universal soccer. Be that as it may, it's a weird thing. Argentina has the most minimal populace of any nation whose group has won the container in the cutting edge time, and they won it twice. They truly should not be contending with much bigger nations like Brazil and Germany. Be that as it may, they do as a result of players like Maradona.

           After his retirement, the Albiceleste experienced a dry spell—there has been no trophy since. Yet, when I was in Argentina in 2003 for a theater gathering, I heard mumbles. Prattle around a child who was bound to change the amusement. They were discussing Messi. Depend on it, in the meantime Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were incredible players, giving Argentina an awesome chance in universal rivalry. Be that as it may, then Messi happened. Furthermore, happened. Also, happened.

           I'm not going to connection to a video of Messi's most prominent minutes, in light of the fact that each soccer fan has seen them and other people can find them. Yet, suffice to say this little man has done things with a soccer ball on his foot that would make Pele become flushed. Truth be told, and it may not be decent to say as much, but rather Messi is a tremendously preferred soccer player over either Pele or Maradona. How would we know this? Since neither Pele nor Maradona had achievement where it matters most: in the expert European groups.

            Messi has won the Ballons de'Or (brilliant boot, or MVP of soccer) five times, a larger number of times than whatever other player. His expert group, FC Barcelona, has won the Spanish alliance eight times and the European expert title four times. These outcomes are Jordanesque, and propose a comparable predominance of his game.

           However, something happens when Messi wears his national hues. That strength flashes in early diversions, however every time so far has slowed down. In those four recreations, the finals of significant worldwide rivalries, Argentina misses the mark. Unfailingly, Argentina loses, and the best player on the planet, possibly the best player ever, is left to grieve. Be that as it may, it isn't his flaw. It has never been his flaw.

            I'm fortunate. I didn't endure the indignities of the genuine Argentina fan, the fan in Buenos Aires whose whole day after Messi's most recent misfortune was loaded with the sturm und drang of horrendous thrashing. Here in Brooklyn, it was said in the games upgrade amid my drive to work, yet just as a bit of hindsight. I can overlook it. Messi can't.

             See, I don't point the finger at him for needing to be finished with it. He is being requested that accomplish something that no one else is requested that do. The main other player remotely close to his level on the planet is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, the prettiest of pretty young men. Be that as it may, what has Portugal won? Precisely nothing. In the interim, England is losing to Iceland. Things could be more regrettable.

        Messi has been thumped. Finals of real global soccer titles have turned out to be fantastically exhausting in light of the fact that they quite often end with extra shots, that saddest of approaches to decide a victor. Should Messi have opened his extra shot? Beyond any doubt. In any case, it's a free-toss. It's not LeBron James making an outlandish square as time diminishes. This is the reason Americans look somewhat askance at soccer.

        Be that as it may, Messi can never be LeBron. He can never be Jordan. He doesn't play in a five-on-five amusement where one man can essentially assume control (in spite of the fact that he has done this 11-on-11 now and again). It's not even the NFL, where a quarterback can hold that sort of force. Messi is, has been, and should be a jewel encrusted pinion in a wheel of ball development. He is just a section, a minute in the passing trade. Those minutes live with nervy speed and control, they spellbind us, yet most don't prompt objectives. That is not soccer.

          I envisioned having a child would be a steady games watching background, ensuring he could promptly bond with men in any bar in the nation on account of a good games IQ. My child's not a games nut as such, but rather when I demonstrate him video of Messi, he illuminates. It is enchantment. Enchantment implies that, despite everything—the horrendous results, the national disgrace—one day Messi can raise the World Cup.

          Is it an excessive amount to inquire? Obviously. Messi resemble the person who wins the Nobel Prize and has the grandma who says, "It takes you this long to win it?" We require Leo. I require Leo. My child needs Leo. Returned, Messi.

          It might never happen. You may excite us through capabilities and lose in finals. In any case, it's alright. We need to watch, we need you to excite us. In the event that the weight is too overwhelming, offer it. You are not Argentina, regardless of the fact that Argentina supposes you are. If you don't mind return, Leo. What's more, realize that regardless, we cherish you.

Atletico Madrid has the best odds for winning the Premier Division title 2017

   

  Barcelona endured Champions League catastrophe because of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, and they're set to be pipped again by the Rojiblancos in the La Liga fight.

          That is as per our most recent Twitter survey, with the men from the Vicente Calderon having picked up 43 for each penny of the vote, when asked who will be Spanish champions this season.

      Having won their last three association diversions, against Espanyol, Barca and Granada separately, second-put Atleti are currently just behind the Catalan club on objective distinction.

            Barcelona may even now be top of the table, yet just 29 for every penny of you are tipping the Nou Camp club to secure a 24th Spanish association crown, a figure which mirrors the appalling keep running of structure the group wind up on.

           It's three annihilations on the run in La Liga for Luis Enrique's charges, and the distinguished MSN assault have overseen one and only objective between them in that time. In any case, they've snuck into second place, with a sizeable number of voters taking after the proverb that 'structure is transitory, class is lasting'.

          Genuine Madrid round out the rundown with 28 for each penny, however it's a long way from ensured that Los Biancos will end the season in third-put.

     They're only a point between both their closest and fiercest adversaries, and brag the gifts of runaway top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, with the three-time Ballon d'Or victor having netted 31 times in the opposition (and numbering).

         Obviously numerous fans still trust the Portuguese can convey group greatness to the Bernabeu this season, however all the more still trust the title is heading over the city and under the control of Atleti skipper Gabi.

Atlético Madrid.

           

Transfers in-Fernando Torres (AC Milan- loan period ended, transferred), Diogo Jota (Paços Ferreira), Gaitán (Benfica), Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Schiappacasse (River Plate de Montevideo), Theo Hernández (junior teams).

Transfers out-Kranevitter, Vietto (Sevilla - one year loan), Jesús Gámez (Newcastle).

Transfers in and out-Siqueira (Valencia - one year loan period remaining), Manquillo (loan period at Olympique Marseille ended, transferable), Bono (loan period at Zaragoza ended, transferred to Girona), Borja Bastón (loan period at Eibar ended, transferable), Leo Baptistao (loan period at Villarreal ended, transferred to Espanyol), Guilavogui (Wolfsburg - loan period ended, transferred), Moreira (loan period at União da Madeira ended, transferable), Mensah, Velázquez (loan period at Getafe ended, transferable), Silvio (loan period at Benfica ended, transferable), Cerci (loan period at Genoa ended, transferable), Santos Borré (loan period at Deportivo Cali ended, transferable), Héctor (loan period at Elche ended, transferable), Alex Werner (in from Atlético Rafaela, loaned on to Rio Ave).

Barcelona.

Transfers in-Denis Suárez (Villarreal - buy-back option exercised), Umtiti (Olympique Lyon), Digne (Paris Saint Germain), André Gomes (Valencia), Sergi Samper (junior teams).

Transfers out Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), Dani Alves (Juventus), Sandro (Málaga), Ortolà (Alavés - one year loan).

Transfers in and out-Tello (loan period at Fiorentina ended, transferable), Alex Song (loan period at West Ham United ended, transferred to Rubin Kazan), Montoya (loan period at Betis ended, transferable), Halilovic (loan period at Sporting Gijón ended, transferred to Hamburg).

Real Madrid.

Transfers in-Coentrao (loan period at Monaco ended), Morata (Juventus - buy back clause executed).

Transfers out-Borja Mayoral (Wolfsburg - one year loan), Lucas Torró (Oviedo - one year loan), Arbeloa (contract ended).

Transfers in and out-Cheryshev (loan period at Valencia ended, transferred to Villarreal), Burgui (loan period at Espanyol ended, on to Sporting Gijón), Marco Asensio (loan period at Espanyol ended, transferable), Lucas Silva (loan period at Olympique Marseille ended, on to Sporting Lisbon - pending), Alvaro Medrán (loan period at Getafe ended, transferred to Valencia), Diego Llorente (loan period at Rayo Vallecano ended, on to Málaga), Omar Mascarell (loan period at Sporting Gijón ended, transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt), Raúl De Tomás (loan period at Córdoba ended, transferable), Jesús Vallejo (loan period at Zaragoza ended, on to Eintracht Frankfurt), Sergio Díaz (in from Cerro Porteño, on to Real Madrid Castilla).

UEFA gives penalty to Liverpool and Sevilla for crowd trouble before the Europa League final .

   

  UEFA's  body Control, Ethics and Disciplinary announced the sanction which related specifically to crowd disturbances, the setting off of fireworks, and an illicit banner.

          Sevilla won the match 3-1, were fined 17,000 euros for their part in the disturbances, which involved crowd disturbances and the throwing of objects.A small numbers of supporters clashed behind one of the goals shortly before kick-off, with many fans blaming poor segregation for the problems.

         There was also criticism of UEFA's choice of the St Jakob-Park stadium, which with its capacity of just 35,000 was the smallest chosen to host a major European final.Klopp and  Emery are aware of the magnitude of the EL final between Liverpool and Sevilla.

          Liverpool and Sevilla in Europa League final,two teams have been in seven finals of the competition between them and won on every occasion, but something has to give in Basel with a spot in the Champions League group stage on offer to the victors.

         Sevilla is a record-holding four-time winner of Europe's secondary competition, lifting the trophy in 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2015, and the club is now looking to make history by winning it for a third straight year.But Liverpool, which had success in 1973, 1976 and 2001 as well as being a five-time Champions League winner, also has a fierce continental pedigree.

        The Reds have won eight of their previous 11 major finals in Europe, but manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping to end an unpleasant personal streak that has seen him lose four cup finals in a row with Borussia Dortmund and the Reds — a Champions League final, two DFB-Pokals and this year's League Cup loss to Manchester City."I expect it to be intense, of course," Klopp told UEFA.

         There will be challenges all over the pitch, there will be a lot of fight. You cannot win a cup with just 'a little bit of playing football.' You have to show that you're really ready for the big moments. It's a 50-50 situation — nobody is favorites, nobody is already halfway there. It's an intense game with all the circumstances — the hours before a final, and things like this — but for me, the bigger the pressure, the cooler I get.

         We will try everything to take the opportunity. It is difficult, we know. It is against Sevilla, we know. But we will be prepared, 100 percent. We deserve to be a part of the final, 100 percent. And who deserves to be in a final can win and that's what we'll try. It is a European final and so what could be bigger?

         I know a week and a half later is the Champions League final, but that is the only bigger game until the European Championship."It feels pretty good. When I came here I couldn't imagine that this could happen because there was still a long way to go. I like this tournament. The whole European journey has been really easy for us to enjoy. We've had big, wonderful Anfield nights and my team has put in some fabulous performances."Sevilla coach Unai Emery is looking to write his name into the history books by masterminding another European success and will hope striker Kevin Gameiro can continue his stunning form.

         Gameiro has played a part in nine of Sevilla's 14 goals in this season's competition, scoring seven and setting up two."Playing in all these finals and winning these titles generated a lot of emotion which makes this a very special time to be at Sevilla," Emery told UEFA. "Sevilla are a historic club and have always had good spells, but this period we're going through right now is full of joy and passion that stem from playing in those finals and winning the titles.

          Sevilla care about this competition. You have to come up with the goods and rise to the challenge to go a long way in this competition. The fact that this is our third consecutive final demonstrates how focused and hungry we have been to do well in the Europa League, and win it."It's a challenge [to face Liverpool], in the sense of having to face big opponents with a distinguished history, and who currently have a lot of momentum in this competition — which also represents a route into next season's Champions League.

      There will certainly be a lot of [Liverpool] fans at the final. What motivates us the most is to play a great match against a big team and achieve our objective of winning."Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson came off the bench against West Brom on Sunday after five weeks out and Klopp is hoping Divock Origi will be deemed fit, but Mamadou Sakho is suspended. Sevilla has been without Michael Krohn-Dehli and Jose Antonio Reyes since April.

Real Madrid plays agains Paris Saint Germain

  Real Madrid will take to the field surprisingly since Cristiano Ronaldo's punishment secured an eleventh European Cup while going up against individual mainland goliaths Paris Saint-Germain in Ohio on Wednesday. Triumph over Atletico Madrid gave a fantasy peak to the season for Zinedine Zidane under six months after the previous Los Blancos midfield awesome assumed responsibility.

           He will require no reminding, however, that the happy night in Milan will be immediately overlooked is comparative achievement does not proceed. Zidane, all things considered, was associate to Carlo Ancelotti, who was chopped out in 2015, only a year in the wake of winning the Champions League.

         What's more, the players seem to get the message that everything now begins over again as arrangements for the new season get in progress.“We won the last European Cup, but we have to forget that,” left-back Marcelo said while in Montreal for a week of training before heading to Ohio.

        “We're making our preparations in Canada with our minds focused on working hard. It's no good to keep thinking about the fact we're champions. The only thing in our minds is working to win more titles.”So far, however, little has changed in terms of the makeup of Zidane’s squad. In contrast to how Real Madrid usually goes about its business in the transfer market, the club has been quiet thus far.

          Only Alvaro Morata has arrived after the club activated its clause to re-sign him from Juventus.And the Spain international is one of the players with most to prove on a three-game tour of the United States, which also sees Real Madrid take on Chelsea and Bayern Munich. It was initially widely believed that Morata was only being signed so that he could be then sold on at a profit.

          But Zidane appears keen to keep him around, although with the famed forward trio of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema well established, Morata will know that he is up against it to earn a starting role.He is set to be given an early chance to impress on Wednesday. 

          Both Bale and Ronaldo have yet to rejoin the squad after their exploits at Euro 2016, meaning Zidane could start with Benzema and Morata up front against PSG.Another player with plenty of reason to want to put in strong showings in the U.S. is James Rodriguez. It appeared likely that the Colombian playmaker would already have been moved on after a season in which he found himself out of favor, first with Rafael Benitez and then with Zidane.

         But after showing flashes at this summer’s Copa America Centenario of the quality that persuaded Real Madrid to spend big on him two years ago, he may have earned a second chance.James even revealed last week that a bid had come in for his services.

         And, while he didn’t name the club in question, it may well have been from Real Madrid’s first opponents of preseason, with PSG known to be admirers of the 25-year-old.Even without James’ arrival, there has been significant change at PSG this summer.

         Both the club’s talisman and coach departed, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaving at the end of his contract to join Manchester United and Laurent Blanc being replaced by Unai Emery.While Blanc dominated domestically, he failed to give the club’s owners the success they craved in Europe, losing in the Champions League quarterfinals for three successive seasons.

         And it will be in the Champions League where his successor is judged. Having won the Europa League an unprecedented three seasons in a row, it is not hard to see why Emery was chosen.The Spaniard has already made his mark, bringing with him from Sevilla defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. The Poland international didn’t feature as PSG beat Inter Milan 3-1 in its opening game in the U.S. on Sunday.

           But along with, Thiago Motta, David Luiz and Marco Verratti, who also didn’t travel to Oregon to take on Inter, could feature on Wednesday at the 105,000 capacity Ohio Stadium. 

Real Madrid Squad For PSG-Match-Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kike Casilla, Ruben Yanex, Alex Craninx, Luca Zidane

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Danilo, Dabi Carvajal, Marcelo, Nacho, Philipp Lienhart, Alvaro Tejero, Achraf Hakimi

Midfielders: Casemiro, Luka Modric, Isco, Mateo Kovacic, Marco Asensio, Martin Odegaard, Enzo Zidane, Diego Llorente, Aleix Febas

Forwards: Karim Benzema, Alvaro Morata, Jese Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez, Mariano, Sergio Diaz

PSG Squad-Goalkeepers: Kevin Trapp, Alphonse Areola, Remy Deschamps

Defenders: Serge Aurier, Alec Georgen David Luiz, Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, Maxwell, Thomas Meunier, Thiago Silva

Midfielders: Lorenzo Callegari, Angel di Maria, Grzrgorz Krychowiak, Jonathan Ikone, Christopher Nkunku, Javer Pastore, Adrien Rabiot, Benjamin Stambouli, Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa, Edinson Cavani, Odsonne Edouard, Lucas Moura

Antoine Griezmann turned down PSG to stay at Atletico Madrid - agent

  Antoine Griezmann's agent has revealed that the France forward considered offers from Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs before deciding to stay at Atletico Madrid for at least another season.

Griezmann, 25, signed a new contract with Atletico last month after helping them reach the Champions League final for the second time in three years.

The former Real Sociedad player will have won even more admirers after being named player of the tournament at Euro 2016 and winning the Golden Boot with six goals for beaten finalists France.

Sources told ESPN FC last month that Manchester United were also monitoring the player.

Speaking on RMC on Tuesday, Griezmann's advisor Eric Olhats confirmed that he had been in contact with PSG sporting director Olivier Letang in recent months.

The France star's sporting advisor, Eric Olhats, has revealed the forward entered negotiations with the Ligue 1 giants but opted to extend his stay in La Liga instead.

Antoine Griezmann held talks with Paris Saint-Germain before eventually signing a new deal with Atletico Madrid, the forward's sporting advisor Eric Olhats has claimed.

The France star was heavily linked with a move away from Atletico ahead of Euro 2016, with Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG believed to be among his admirers.

 Griezmann instead opted to stay at Atletico, but PSG apparently did make a move for the 25-year-old before he made a final decision on his future, according to one of his representatives.

"There were talks with [PSG sporting director] Olivier Letang," Olhats told RMC .

"Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing him. We listened to what they had to say because PSG are a club with an interesting project.

"We eventually opted for continuity with Atletico after those talks and weighing up the various offers. But you never know what happens in the future."

Griezmann has also been linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Olhats believes switching from one La Liga club to another was never an option.

"Would it have been a wise decision to move to a club where he could potentially win more titles? Barcelona and Real Madrid don't need anyone in attack at the moment..," Olhats added.

Griezmann enjoyed a sublime Euro 2016 campaign, scoring six goals in seven appearances to lead France to the final, where they eventually lost 2-0 against Portugal

Manchester United target RAPHAEL VARANE

Varane arrived at Madrid five years ago when Jose Mourinho was in charge and the Portuguese boss handed him his La Liga debut at the age of just 18.

And while he didn’t become a regular in the first team until 2014, he did break into the France team and has racked up 29 appearances for his country. 

But now Spanish newspaper Ecodiario claim the 23-year-old could face another season without regular football having failed to displace either Sergio Ramos or Pepe in the pecking order.

Both defenders suffered injuries last season allowing Varane the chance to impress under Rafa Benitez and then Zinedine Zidane.

The former Lens defender made 38 appearances in all competitions but has not reportedly done enough to break up the established pairing of Ramos and Pepe.

However, he is said to believe he is qualified to do more than wait and wants to be considered a starter.

Varane has four years left on a six-year contract meaning if he wants to leave Madrid he will have to force a move.

And Spanish outlet Fichajes claim a reunion with Mourinho at Manchester United would be an attractive option for him.

A move for Varane would please United fans who have already seen Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan head to Old Trafford this summer.

He would have to compete with £30million Bailly and Chris Smalling for a place in the starting XI but may feel his pre-existing relationship with Mourinho will stand him in good stead.

Lucas Digne becomes FC Barcelona’s latest signing

    FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain FC to sign the 22 year old French player Lucas Digne for the next five seasons.

Barça have paid an initial 16.5 million euros with another four possible according to individual and team results. Digne’s buy out clause is 60 million euros.

After breaking into the first team at Lille, he was signed by PSG in 2013 where stayed until 2015. Digne spent last season on loan at AS Roma, facing Barça in the Champions League group stage. In total he has played 148 matches for Lille, PSG and Roma, scoring six goals and recording 13 assists. His pace on left makes him a threat going forward as does his excellent technical quality on the ball.

Lucas Digne will arrive in Barcelona on Thursday early in the morning local time to undergo a medical and sign his contract.

The official presentation of the player will follow at Camp Nou, photo session on the field at Camp Nou. The public can access the stadium , press conference in the Ricard Maxenchs press room. The player will be accompanied by sporting vice president Jordi Mestre, the director of professional sports Albert Soler and the technical secretary Robert Fernández.

The ex-Paris Saint-Germain defender has been confirmed as Luis Enrique's latest acquisition. He shares plenty in common with Umtiti: his age, 22, his preference for the left side and an assumed bright future in the game. Digne enters the Blaugrana squad with a tough task on his hands, as he seeks to unseat Jordi Alba out wide.

Barcelona are taking a low-key approach to the summer transfer market, but the pieces are falling into place. After Denis Suarez's return and the signing of Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne is the latest new face to be presented at Camp Nou.

Digne spent last season at Roma on loan, where he netted three goals in 37 appearances. He will begin life at Barcelona as Alba's direct replacement if the club rotate their ranks, but his long-term goal will be to achieve what Adriano failed to and wrest the starting role from the ex-Valencia man.

Barcelona to sign France defender Samuel Umtiti from Lyon

   Barcelona will sign France defender Samuel Umtiti to a five-year contract after securing his transfer from Lyon.

The Spanish champions said Tuesday that the transfer cost 25 million euros ($27.7 million).

In his debut for the national team, the 22-year-old Umtiti helped France reach the final of the European Championship, which it lost to Portugal on Sunday.

Umtiti played 170 matches for Lyon, scoring five goals in five seasons.

Able to play as a central defender or at left back, he will help strengthen a backline that saw Dani Alves and Marc Bartra leave since the end of last season

The France international joins the Catalan club for a fee of €25 million, signing a five-year contract with a release clause of €60m, having made 170 appearances for Lyon.

Barcelona have completed the signing of Lyon centre-back Samuel Umtiti after the France international agreed a five-year deal at Camp Nou.

The 22-year-old moves to the club for a fee of €25 million, with a buy-out clause of €60m.

Umtiti made his Lyon debut in 2011 and went on to make 170 appearances for the club, winning the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions with the Ligue 1 club.

The France international also won the Under-20 World Cup in 2013, and has earned three caps for the senior team, playing 90 minutes against Iceland and Germany at Euro 2016 before featuring against Portugal in the final.

Vicente del Bosque quits as coach of one of history's greatest national teams!

 

   Del Bosque will now take on a new position at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), though the precise nature of his mission has yet to be confirmed. There is nonetheless little doubt he will bring genuine pedigree to the role, having led Spain to even greater heights after Luis Aragonés had ended their 44-year trophy drought by winning UEFA EURO 2008.

Del Bosque inherited a brilliant side but made changes to the line-up, including going against the grain to give Sergio Busquets a regular place alongside Xabi Alonso to form a double midfield pivot. On his major tournament debut, the former Real Madrid player and coach lifted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Spain's first global title.

If the Busquets move was widely questioned following Spain's opening loss to Switzerland in South Africa, Del Bosque would be vindicated. His team kept five clean sheets in their next six games en route to hoisting the trophy in Johannesburg.

Two years later, Del Bosque guided Spain to another EURO triumph, their 4-0 victory against Italy in the final close to perfection. La Roja thus became the only side to win three consecutive major international tournaments, while Del Bosque became the second man after Helmut Schön to mastermind EURO and World Cup successes – as well as the first to have also lifted the UEFA Champions League, with Madrid in 1999/2000 and 2001/02.

Vcente del Bosque, who led Spain to FIFA World Cup and EURO glory, has officially stepped down as coach to end an eight-year spell of unprecedented success.

Vicente del Bosque calls time on Spain reign.

Lionel Messi- his Argentina career is over.

Lionel Messi has said his international career is over at the age of 29 after he blazed a penalty over the bar in Argentina’s defeat in the Copa América final to Chile.

The Argentina captain missed his spot-kick in the decisive shootout at Met Life Stadium, which Chile went on to win 4-2 and secure a second Copa crown in two years, and was disconsolate on the pitch after the game.

 Lionel Messi and Argentina: will his latest international low really be the end?

 “It’s tough, it’s not the time for analysis,” he said. “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me. That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

“I tried so hard to be [a] champion with Argentina. But it didn’t happen. I couldn’t do it. I think it’s best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it. The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I tried many times [to be a champion] but did not.”

Sergio Agüero and other Argentina players could now follow Messi’s lead, with the Manchester City forward telling Olé: “The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team. There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue.

“One doesn’t want to think about it but at times, there are things that happen and the thought [of retiring] comes into your mind. Afterwards, it’s difficult to get it out. Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss. This is the worst that I’ve seen him in the changing room. We are all affected and we will try to think about something else and move forward. Again, luck was not on our side.”

The defeat continued Argentina’s 23-year trophyless run and Messi’s own personal misery now extends to four lost finals with the national side – at the 2014 World Cup against Germany and at three Copa Américas, in 2007, 2015 and now 2016.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said: “The burden of the consecutive games [lost] has been accumulating these last two years. He feels like you would expect a player to feel after playing and losing a final.”

Football stars are also addicted to the smart phones.

Another Copa America is ended on which is arranging for the purpose of century year celebration in United States. As this is the 100 year completion of CA, it’s called Copa America Centenario 2016.                North, South & Central American leading 16 soccer nation will participate into this biggest tournament. World most famous team like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico & USA will  join in event. Team Argentina playing good football from a few years but can’t able to win any title for them. 

This Centennial Copa America would be a great chance to Lionel Messi & his team to win a trophy for them. Gerardo Martino the head coach of Argentine team isn’t making any change frequently into squad and working to make a balanced team for them. 

Players short list of Argentina for FIFA world cup 2014, Copa America 2015 Chile, friendly international & World cup qualifier matches is very same. Though current Argentine players playing extremely well in renowned clubs but still their have few lacking when their footballers playing together for national team.