International kit makers Nike have released new home jerseys for La Liga champions Barcelona for the 2018/19 season.
Barcelona were already confirmed as champions with five games to go and will wear the new jersey in their last game of the season against Real Sociedad on Sunday, May 20.
The new jersey's will be worn as a tribute to departing legend who will play his final game in Barcelona's last game of the season.
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| Dembele Models New Jersey |
Speaking about the inspiration behind the design of the new jerseys, a statement on the Nike website revealed that the stripes on the attire are for the 10 districts in Barcelona.
"Which is inspired by Camp Nou’s uniting force against the city’s 10 districts: Les Corts, Sants-Montjuïc, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, La Barceloneta, Sant Martí, Ciutat Vella, Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris and Sant Andreu.
"Each of those districts is represented on the jersey by a stripe and, in a marked shift from last season, every one is of even width," the statement read.
Pete Hoppins Nike Football Apparel Senior Design Director had words of praise for Iniesta who will leave the Camp Nou this season.
He said,
“Barcelona is a place where the football club is absolutely fundamental to people’s lives.
“Iniesta is an icon and a hero to the people who live in those districts, so I think it’s very apt he will get to wear the new kit for his final game for the club.”
Nike also revealed that the new home jersey will be available for sale as from Monday, May 21.
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| Sergi Roberto models the new Barcelona jersey |
Barcelona maestro, Lionel Messi, has said he believes the Catalan giants do not miss Brazilian superstar, Neymar Junior, after his world record move to French side, Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
Messi, who just signed a new deal at Barca, told Marca: “Neymar’s departure has caused the way we play to change.
“We lost a great deal of offensive potential but it favoured us in a defensive sense.
“Currently we are most well-armed in the middle of the field, we have more balance and that makes us stronger defensively
Ousmane Dembele, who was brought in to replace Neymar, has spent most of the season on the sidelines because of injury.
The former Borussia Dortmund man is widely regarded as a star of the future and should give the side a major boost when he returns
Messi and his team-mates have yet to lose a league fixture and have only conceded four goals and they 0-0 draw in Turin against Juventus ensured qualification for the next round of the Champions League
Barcelona made it seven wins from seven games as Lionel Messi netted another brace during a convincing 3-0 win over Las Palmas in front of an empty crowd at the Camp Nou.
The day was dominated by events off the field as fans were left in limbo outside the ground as to whether the game would actually take place following protests in Barcelona surrounding Catalonia's independent referendum.
The Spanish giants released a statement shortly before kick-off saying they asked for the game to be called off but it was rejected by the Professional Football League and would stage the match behind closed doors.
When the action finally got underway, Barca certainly had to be patient and were lucky not to fall behind when former West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri stuck his shot against the post.
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| Sergio Busquets broke the deadlock for the home side (Image: AFP) |
But the home side made them pay as Sergio Busquets headed them into the lead on 49 minutes to celebrate his first goal since 2014.
Messi doubled the lead on 70 minutes when he was put through on goal by Denis Suarez and made no mistake taking the ball around Las Palmas keeper Chichizola before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
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| Fans not allowed in for the La Liga game (Image: REUTERS) |
The Argentine superstar added his second of the game on when he raced on to a through ball from Luis Suarez and slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
The victory moved Barcelona clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga and showed they mean business once again.
Here is how all the action unfolded.....
Lionel Messi will reportedly not renew his Barcelona contract, which means he can leave as a free agent next summer. Spanish outlet, Onda Cero, claims that the Messi is ready to end his stint at the La Liga club.
The 30-year-old has agreed terms of a new deal, but is yet to put pen to paper, which has left the club and fans worried.
Messi is understood to be disappointed with Barca’s transfer business this summer, which saw Neymar leave for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record move.
However, on Saturday, Barcelona’s Director of Professional Sports Albert Soler, asked for calm on the situation.
He said:
“Soon. When we say soon, it means soon. I want to send this message to those who may be worried.
“Announcement comes after the agreement is signed off by both parties. The only thing missing is this formal act.
“There is no problem, I insist, it will happen soon. It depends on the agendas, from here I want to send a message of tranquility to the Barcelona members. Please be calm.”
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for five matches after pushing the referee following his red card in Sunday’s Clasico. The Portuguese forward reacted angrily to being dismissed during the second half of a 3-1 victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
Ronaldo had joined the action as a substitute, helping to put Real 2-1 in front with a typically stunning strike at Camp Nou. He was booked after removing his shirt in celebration, with the 32-year-old going on to mimic Lionel Messi’s iconic jersey-holding celebration at the Santiago Bernabeu from April.
A second booking followed for diving, under pressure from Samuel Umtiti, and Ronaldo did not take too kindly to the decision of match official Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea.
The Spanish Football Federation have now delivered their verdict on the incident, with a five-game ban and fine handed out.
A statement released by the RFEF read:
“On the first account, Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo will be suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards, the first for taking off his jersey while celebrating his goal and the second for simulation. The club have also been fined €350 and the player €800.
“On the second account, Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for another four games for infraction of article 96 of the disciplinary code, with a €1400 fine for the club and a €3005 fine for the player.”
As things stand, Ronaldo will now be forced to sit out the return date of the Super Cup clash with Barca in Madrid on Wednesday.
He will also miss La Liga fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad.
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