Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat&nbsp;election&nbsp;that is likely to show an&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-crisis-looms-large-over-spains-november-election-257364">fragmented&nbsp;society</a>.

With voting booths set to open on November&nbsp;10, the&nbsp;election&nbsp;will be&nbsp;Spain's fourth in four years and opinion polls suggest that no party and neither the left nor right-wing bloc will gain enough seats to take control of the 350-member parliament.

The leaders of the Socialist and Conservative parties blamed each other for the country's political paralysis in their first campaign rallies.

Speaking in Seville, acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeatedly encouraged people to get out and vote and sought to convince undecided voters.

According to a recent aggregate of polls published by&nbsp;Spain's state-run Centre for Sociological Studies, around 32 per cent&nbsp;of voters still have not decided for whom to vote.

"The Socialist Party is the only political party that can guarantee a government in our country," Sanchez said.

Spain&nbsp;has been stuck in a political limbo since the Socialists emerged as the most popular party in an&nbsp;election&nbsp;in April but failed to win enough seats to form a government.

Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party, cast the&nbsp;election&nbsp;as a referendum on Sanchez, who he said was "holding the country hostage for his own political gain."

Presenting himself as the candidate for a united&nbsp;Spain, Casado said he would take a hard line against separatism.

"Torra can't stay one more minute in the Generaliat while there is still violence on the streets of Barcelona," he said, referring to the pro-independence head of the Catalan government Quim Torra.

The run-up&nbsp;to the campaign has been overshadowed by weeks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/activists-gear-up-for-weekend-of-mass-protest-in-barcelona-258305">violent protests in Catalonia</a>, which erupted after nine separatist leaders were slapped with prison sentences for their role in a failed independence bid.

Recent polling has shown waning support for the Socialists since the protests began, while parties on the right that have adopted a stronger stance against separatism are gaining.

Far-right party Vox is on track to nearly double its number of seats in parliament, a poll published on Thursday showed, which would make it the third most-voted party.

In a rally in Barcelona, Vox's leader, Santiago Abascal, described the situation in Catalonia as a national emergency. He said that if he is elected prime minister, his first move would be to order Torra's arrest.

Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat election that is likely to show an increasingly fragmented society.

Spain's main political parties kicked off a highly condensed electoral campaign on Thursday night, just 10 days before Spaniards head to the polls for a repeat election that is likely to show an increasingly fragmented society. With voting booths set to open on November 10, the election will be Spain's fourth in four years and opinion polls suggest that no party and neither the left nor right-wing bloc will gain enough seats to take control of the 350-member parliament. The leaders of the Socialist and Conservative parties blamed each other for the country's political paralysis in their first campaign rallies. Speaking in Seville, acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeatedly encouraged people to get out and vote and sought to convince undecided voters. According to a recent aggregate of polls published by Spain's state-run Centre for Sociological Studies, around 32 per cent of voters still have not decided for whom to vote. "The Socialist Party is the only political party that can guarantee a government in our country," Sanchez said. Spain has been stuck in a political limbo since the Socialists emerged as the most popular party in an election in April but failed to win enough seats to form a government. Pablo Casado, leader of the conservative People's Party, cast the election as a referendum on Sanchez, who he said was "holding the country hostage for his own political gain." Presenting himself as the candidate for a united Spain, Casado said he would take a hard line against separatism. "Torra can't stay one more minute in the Generaliat while there is still violence on the streets of Barcelona," he said, referring to the pro-independence head of the Catalan government Quim Torra. The run-up to the campaign has been overshadowed by weeks of violent protests in Catalonia, which erupted after nine separatist leaders were slapped with prison sentences for their role in a failed independence bid. Recent polling has shown waning support for the Socialists since the protests began, while parties on the right that have adopted a stronger stance against separatism are gaining. Far-right party Vox is on track to nearly double its number of seats in parliament, a poll published on Thursday showed, which would make it the third most-voted party. In a rally in Barcelona, Vox's leader, Santiago Abascal, described the situation in Catalonia as a national emergency. He said that if he is elected prime minister, his first move would be to order Torra's arrest.

Spain gears up for express election amid increasingly divided society

Barcelona captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messis-historic-goal-helps-barcelona-edge-slavia-prague-257888">Lionel Messi</a> scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday.

Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/postponed-el-clasico-to-be-played-on-december-18-spanish-football-federation-257705">Clasico against Real </a>Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension.

The unstoppable Messi teed up Arturo Vidal with a magical pass for the Chilean to put the hosts 2-1 ahead after Kiko Olivas cancelled out Clement Lenglet's early deflected opener.

Then the Argentine whipped a free kick into the top corner, fired home another and sent Luis Suarez through to ensure Barcelona moved top on 22 points from 10 matches.

"Leo showed all the quality he has, when he's like that the team really feels it," said Vidal.

"We see him every day and he surprises us every day, with the quality he has, he’s from another planet. I have no words to talk about Leo, he’s from another world, everything he does, he does well."

Barcelona took the lead after just two minutes when the ball bounced fortuitously to Lenglet in the area and he crashed an effort in off the crossbar.

Olivas levelled after 15 minutes when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a free kick, with the defender deflecting the ball home.

Messi, however, helped Barcelona take control with a perfect pass for Vidal before the Argentine scored his fourth goal in four matches in all competitions and 100th under coach Valverde.

The number 10 set up Ansu Fati after the break but the 16-year-old's shot was kept out by Valladolid's former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed for offside before Messi struck again in the 75th minute, turning brilliantly before driving beyond Masip.

Messi then set up Suarez with a well-judged through-ball, which the Uruguayan dispatched with aplomb.

"They are very good and they don’t let you off the hook, Messi worked wonders," said Valladolid captain Michel. "You just have to applaud (Messi) and enjoy him."

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday. Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up two more as the Catalans thrashed Real Valladolid 5-1 to move top of La Liga on Tuesday. Ernesto Valverde's side ran out comfortable winners at the Camp Nou, where Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid was due to be played before it was postponed until December because of political tension. The unstoppable Messi teed up Arturo Vidal with a magical pass for the Chilean to put the hosts 2-1 ahead after Kiko Olivas cancelled out Clement Lenglet's early deflected opener. Then the Argentine whipped a free kick into the top corner, fired home another and sent Luis Suarez through to ensure Barcelona moved top on 22 points from 10 matches. "Leo showed all the quality he has, when he's like that the team really feels it," said Vidal. "We see him every day and he surprises us every day, with the quality he has, he’s from another planet. I have no words to talk about Leo, he’s from another world, everything he does, he does well." Barcelona took the lead after just two minutes when the ball bounced fortuitously to Lenglet in the area and he crashed an effort in off the crossbar. Olivas levelled after 15 minutes when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a free kick, with the defender deflecting the ball home. Messi, however, helped Barcelona take control with a perfect pass for Vidal before the Argentine scored his fourth goal in four matches in all competitions and 100th under coach Valverde. The number 10 set up Ansu Fati after the break but the 16-year-old's shot was kept out by Valladolid's former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip. Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed for offside before Messi struck again in the 75th minute, turning brilliantly before driving beyond Masip. Messi then set up Suarez with a well-judged through-ball, which the Uruguayan dispatched with aplomb. "They are very good and they don’t let you off the hook, Messi worked wonders," said Valladolid captain Michel. "You just have to applaud (Messi) and enjoy him."

La Liga: Lionel Messi's double sends Barcelona top in Valladolid rout

Support for&nbsp;Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent&nbsp;amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a&nbsp;Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago.

The survey, published in local daily La Tercera, was conducted by&nbsp;Chilean pollster Cadem between Wednesday and Thursday. It came just before a rally that saw <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chilean-president-vows-major-reshuffle-after-week-of-protests-258314">1 million&nbsp;Chileans</a>, or just under one-fifth the city's population, take to the streets Friday to call for reforms to the country's social and economic model.

Daily La Tercera called Pinera's 14per cent&nbsp;approval rating a "historical minimum," and the lowest since the 1973-1990 military rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet. More than three-quarters of&nbsp;Chileans disapproved of the centre-right Pinera's administration, the poll found.

Chile, the world's top copper producer, has long been one of the region's most prosperous and stable free-market economies. But entrenched inequality and spiralling costs of living ignited massive, and sometimes violent,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chile-anti-govt-protests-escalate-258114"> protests</a> last week.

Similar scenes have played out in cities across the world in recent months, from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-to-clear-rally-258401">Hong Kong</a> to Beirut to Barcelona, sharing in common anger at ruling elites.

In&nbsp;Chile, a hike in subway fares more than a week ago proved the breaking point. Small protests quickly boiled over into riots that have killed at least 17 people, resulted in more than 7,000 arrests and caused upwards of $1.4 billion in losses to&nbsp;Chilean businesses.

Pinera, a billionaire businessman, last week called for a new "social pact," to stem the unrest. He promised higher taxes on the rich to help boost the minimum wage and pensions, lower the prices of medicines and assure proper health insurance.

The Cadem poll found that 80 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Chileans did not think his reforms were adequate.

Roberto Izikson, a pollster and political scientist with Cadem, told Reuters Pinera's ratings were already trending downwards before the protests began.

"We will see how the government plays the last few cards it holds to confront this new scenario," Izikson said.

The centre-right Pinera trounced the leftist opposition during 2017 elections. But mass rallies forcing Pinera to change his tone and upend his policy goals.

On Saturday, Pinera promised a major cabinet shake-up, though he has yet to announce details.

Support for Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago.

Support for Chile's Sebastian Pinera has plunged to just 14per cent amid recent unrest, according to a poll published on Sunday, the lowest approval rating for a Chilean president since the country's return to democracy three decades ago. The survey, published in local daily La Tercera, was conducted by Chilean pollster Cadem between Wednesday and Thursday. It came just before a rally that saw 1 million Chileans, or just under one-fifth the city's population, take to the streets Friday to call for reforms to the country's social and economic model. Daily La Tercera called Pinera's 14per cent approval rating a "historical minimum," and the lowest since the 1973-1990 military rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet. More than three-quarters of Chileans disapproved of the centre-right Pinera's administration, the poll found. Chile, the world's top copper producer, has long been one of the region's most prosperous and stable free-market economies. But entrenched inequality and spiralling costs of living ignited massive, and sometimes violent, protests last week. Similar scenes have played out in cities across the world in recent months, from Hong Kong to Beirut to Barcelona, sharing in common anger at ruling elites. In Chile, a hike in subway fares more than a week ago proved the breaking point. Small protests quickly boiled over into riots that have killed at least 17 people, resulted in more than 7,000 arrests and caused upwards of $1.4 billion in losses to Chilean businesses. Pinera, a billionaire businessman, last week called for a new "social pact," to stem the unrest. He promised higher taxes on the rich to help boost the minimum wage and pensions, lower the prices of medicines and assure proper health insurance. The Cadem poll found that 80 per cent of Chileans did not think his reforms were adequate. Roberto Izikson, a pollster and political scientist with Cadem, told Reuters Pinera's ratings were already trending downwards before the protests began. "We will see how the government plays the last few cards it holds to confront this new scenario," Izikson said. The centre-right Pinera trounced the leftist opposition during 2017 elections. But mass rallies forcing Pinera to change his tone and upend his policy goals. On Saturday, Pinera promised a major cabinet shake-up, though he has yet to announce details.

Support for Chile President Pinera lowest since Pinochet era: Poll

Catalan protesters hurled paintballs, used rubber bullets and plastic balls at police in Barcelona as they gathered outside Spanish National Police headquarters where they protested against violent police action last week after the conviction of secessionist leaders on October 14 triggered daily demonstrations calling for their release.

Catalonia Protest: Major clash between Police and Protesters

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.

With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France.

Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago.

As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet.&nbsp;

By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners".

"We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence.

"The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable."

The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".

"The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim".

And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1,575,000 euros ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's &nbsp;vandalism.&nbsp;

So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said.&nbsp;

La Boqueria market shuttered

At Barcelona's El Prat airport, 55 flights were cancelled, and Spanish carmaker SEAT halted production at its Martorell assembly plant which employs some 6,500 people, in anticipation of transportation problems.&nbsp;

In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed due to protesters blocking access, and the famous Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance.&nbsp;

Barcelona's huge wholesale market, which exports around a third of the region's fresh produce, was barely trading on Friday, and at the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were closed.&nbsp;

At one stall, Barcelona-born Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow.

"I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP, saying she felt "very angry" about it.

But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view.&nbsp;

"I am real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern, accusing the secessionists of dishonesty.&nbsp;

"We've had seven years of lies. They only tell the teenagers bad things about Spain."

Real Madrid - Barca clash postponed

Across the region, many roads were blocked off either by demonstrators, or by burning tyres or mattresses, and in one case, activists threw nails on the ground, puncturing tyres on passing cars.

With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the &nbsp;Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Nou Camp &nbsp;stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid.

The general strike follows a fourth night of unrest, after hundreds of protesters rampaged through Barcelona, torching improvised roadblocks and tossing Molotov cocktails at police, AFP correspondents said.

Emergency services said 42 people were injured across the region overnight, while police said they had arrested around 110 people since Monday, at least 11 overnight.&nbsp;

Berta Barbet, a political scientist at the University of Barcelona, told AFP on Thursday the demonstrations "in their current size" would likely only last a week.

The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards a fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10. 
&nbsp;

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.

Spain's protest-hit northeast was gripped by a general strike Friday as thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders. With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France. Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago. As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet. By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners". "We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence. "The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable." The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". "The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1,575,000 euros ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's vandalism. So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said. La Boqueria market shuttered At Barcelona's El Prat airport, 55 flights were cancelled, and Spanish carmaker SEAT halted production at its Martorell assembly plant which employs some 6,500 people, in anticipation of transportation problems. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed due to protesters blocking access, and the famous Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. Barcelona's huge wholesale market, which exports around a third of the region's fresh produce, was barely trading on Friday, and at the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were closed. At one stall, Barcelona-born Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP, saying she felt "very angry" about it. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern, accusing the secessionists of dishonesty. "We've had seven years of lies. They only tell the teenagers bad things about Spain." Real Madrid - Barca clash postponed Across the region, many roads were blocked off either by demonstrators, or by burning tyres or mattresses, and in one case, activists threw nails on the ground, puncturing tyres on passing cars. With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Nou Camp stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid. The general strike follows a fourth night of unrest, after hundreds of protesters rampaged through Barcelona, torching improvised roadblocks and tossing Molotov cocktails at police, AFP correspondents said. Emergency services said 42 people were injured across the region overnight, while police said they had arrested around 110 people since Monday, at least 11 overnight. Berta Barbet, a political scientist at the University of Barcelona, told AFP on Thursday the demonstrations "in their current size" would likely only last a week. The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards a fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

General strike grips Catalonia, 'freedom marchers' hit Barcelona

Barcelona was bracing Saturday for a weekend of fresh protest, with large rallies by independence supporters and a counter-demonstration by Catalan "remainers" as the backlash over Spain's jailing of separatist leaders rumbled on.

Barcelona was bracing Saturday for a weekend of fresh protest, with large rallies by independence supporters and a counter-demonstration by Catalan "remainers" as the backlash over Spain's jailing of separatist leaders rumbled on. Catalonia has been gripped by unrest since the controversial Supreme Court verdict on October 14 which unleashed a week of huge demonstrations that quickly turned violent, with angry protesters clashing with riot police. The violence eased off last week although the protests continued, with thousands of students marching peacefully through the city on Friday, waving flags and chanting "The streets will always be ours". But activists were gearing up for a mass rally on Saturday called by the ANC and Omnium Cultural, the region's two biggest grassroots pro-independence groups that have organised some of the largest separatist protests in recent years. Then on Sunday, a counter-demonstration has been planned by activists from Catalan Civil Society (SCC), a group representing those who want the region to remain part of Spain, which organised several large protests around the time of the failed independence bid of 2017. Catalans remain sharply divided over the question of separating from Spain, with a September poll showing 44 percent in favour but 48.3 percent against, and the violent protests over the verdict have only deepened that division. Following the sentence, the protests turned violent, with demonstrators torching barricades, hurling Molotov cocktails, rocks and even acid at the police who responded with teargas, foam rounds and rubber bullets. More than 600 people were injured, among them 367 civilians, four of whom lost an eye, Catalan regional health officials said, with another 289 police hurt, the Spanish government said on Friday. 'Criminal separatism' "This Saturday the word 'freedom' will ring throughout the streets of Barcelona," wrote Omnium on its Twitter account ahead of the demonstration which was to begin near Barcelona port at 5:00 pm (1500 GMT). Activists from the radical CDR have also called their own protest at 7:30 pm during the evening, raising fears there could be fresh clashes with police. Earlier on Saturday, thousands of protesters rallied in Madrid in defence of the unity of Spain at a demonstration called by the far-right Vox party, which has taken a very tough line on Catalan separatism and wants all regional pro-independence parties banned. Party leader Santiago Abascal said only Vox could handle the "criminal separatism" in Catalonia. Although the faction only entered parliament in April, polls indicate it might become the third largest party following the November 10 election. The big demonstration on Sunday will bring other Catalans onto the streets who do not want to separate from Spain, but who want to send a message saying "enough violence and confrontation," SCC head Fernando Sanchez Costa told AFP. "That is an important message for Catalonia, for Spain and the world, where often separatism is associated with Catalonia," he said, recalling that most Catalans did not agree with the separatist agenda. "From now on we must listen to the social majority in Catalonia that opposes independence and whose emotions are also running high." - Separation 'not an option' - The march, which is taking place almost two weeks before the general election, is expected to draw several senior political figures, including Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell who himself is Catalan; the leader of the conservative People's Party Pablo Casado; and head of the centre-right Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera. Until now, the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez has turned a deaf ear to repeated calls for dialogue from regional president Quim Torra, who wants to secure Madrid's agreement for a referendum on independence. "What we will not talk about is the right to self-determination," Carmen Calvo, Sanchez's deputy, told journalists on Saturday. "If, as president Torra has said every day, the aim is to break up Spain's territorial unity and separate Catalonia from Spain, we simply cannot talk," she said. "Unilaterally breaking the rules of the game is not an option."

Activists gear up for weekend of mass protest in Barcelona

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F.

Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons.

The 32-year-old Argentinian first robbed midfielder Petr Sevcik outside the Slavia box before an exchange with Arthur put him neatly through the static Slavia defence.

Barca earned a second on 57 minutes when Slavia winger Peter Olayinka deflected a Luis Suarez close-range shot from an impossible angle into his own nett as the hosts failed to clear Messi's free-kick.

Olayinka sealed Barca's sixth straight competitive win but deprived Suarez of a goal that would end his four-year drought in away games in European cup competitions.

Before that, left-back Jan Boril equalised for Slavia five minutes after half-time, capitalising on a superb pass threaded by Lukas Masopust that found him one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona top Group F with seven points from three games and are three ahead of Inter Milan who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. Slavia sits at the bottom with a single point.

"The result could have been better, but Slavia took risks, they played very well and made us defend a lot," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.

"We started very well, we dominated the game, but we also lost the ball a few times and they threatened,&nbsp;they really made us suffer because when they struggle, they boost their offence and that's exactly what they did today."

He added: "We are at the top of the table and we play the next two games at home. They will show us where we are."

Commenting on Messi making history, Valverde said: "It is really an incredible record. I hope Leo will continue to do well."

Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky bemoaned Slavia's bad luck with the ugly second goal.

"It's a shame to lose with a goal like this," he said.

Valverde made two changes from last weekend's 3-0 win at Eibar, calling up Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique to replace Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto, both sidelined with knee injuries.

Jaroslav Zeleny almost grabbed a goal for Slavia on 20 minutes after a superb pass from Boril, but his shot bounced off the feet of a diving ter Stegen.

At the other end of the pitch, Messi curled a free-kick into the Slavia box but Clement Lenglet's poke was too weak to surprise Kolar, while minutes later Suarez blasted the ball over the crossbar.

Slavia came close again when Zeleny put through Masopust whose low shot was stopped by ter Stegen, and only seconds later the German keeper had a hard time clearing Olayinka's shot over the crossbar.

Kolar then denied Suarez after a fine pass from Messi before kicking out Frenkie de Jong's powerful low attempt from inside the box.

Slavia had a third good chance just before half-time, but Lukas Masopust missed narrowly with a low left-footed effort across the goal.

"The opening minutes were dreadful, but if I look beyond the first twenty minutes I must say the boys played a fantastic game," said Trpisovsky.

After the break, Slavia midfielder Nicolae Stanciu missed narrowly from long range and skipper Tomas Soucek headed over the crossbar.

Messi saw two shots cleared by Kolar and failed to finish into a gaping goal, while Suarez's low shot went just wide.

Slavia put the visitors under heavy pressure in the closing minutes but the Barcelona defence did a good job blocking all their shots and ter Stegen stopped Olayinka's stoppage-time header on the line.

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F. Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons.

Lionel Messi claimed another goal-scoring record as Barcelona edged a spirited Slavia Prague 2-1 on Wednesday to stay top of Champions League Group F. Messi opened the scoring after three minutes, beating Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar with a low left-footed shot to become the first player ever to score at least once in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons. The 32-year-old Argentinian first robbed midfielder Petr Sevcik outside the Slavia box before an exchange with Arthur put him neatly through the static Slavia defence. Barca earned a second on 57 minutes when Slavia winger Peter Olayinka deflected a Luis Suarez close-range shot from an impossible angle into his own nett as the hosts failed to clear Messi's free-kick. Olayinka sealed Barca's sixth straight competitive win but deprived Suarez of a goal that would end his four-year drought in away games in European cup competitions. Before that, left-back Jan Boril equalised for Slavia five minutes after half-time, capitalising on a superb pass threaded by Lukas Masopust that found him one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen. Barcelona top Group F with seven points from three games and are three ahead of Inter Milan who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. Slavia sits at the bottom with a single point. "The result could have been better, but Slavia took risks, they played very well and made us defend a lot," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. "We started very well, we dominated the game, but we also lost the ball a few times and they threatened, they really made us suffer because when they struggle, they boost their offence and that's exactly what they did today." He added: "We are at the top of the table and we play the next two games at home. They will show us where we are." Commenting on Messi making history, Valverde said: "It is really an incredible record. I hope Leo will continue to do well." Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky bemoaned Slavia's bad luck with the ugly second goal. "It's a shame to lose with a goal like this," he said. Valverde made two changes from last weekend's 3-0 win at Eibar, calling up Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique to replace Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto, both sidelined with knee injuries. Jaroslav Zeleny almost grabbed a goal for Slavia on 20 minutes after a superb pass from Boril, but his shot bounced off the feet of a diving ter Stegen. At the other end of the pitch, Messi curled a free-kick into the Slavia box but Clement Lenglet's poke was too weak to surprise Kolar, while minutes later Suarez blasted the ball over the crossbar. Slavia came close again when Zeleny put through Masopust whose low shot was stopped by ter Stegen, and only seconds later the German keeper had a hard time clearing Olayinka's shot over the crossbar. Kolar then denied Suarez after a fine pass from Messi before kicking out Frenkie de Jong's powerful low attempt from inside the box. Slavia had a third good chance just before half-time, but Lukas Masopust missed narrowly with a low left-footed effort across the goal. "The opening minutes were dreadful, but if I look beyond the first twenty minutes I must say the boys played a fantastic game," said Trpisovsky. After the break, Slavia midfielder Nicolae Stanciu missed narrowly from long range and skipper Tomas Soucek headed over the crossbar. Messi saw two shots cleared by Kolar and failed to finish into a gaping goal, while Suarez's low shot went just wide. Slavia put the visitors under heavy pressure in the closing minutes but the Barcelona defence did a good job blocking all their shots and ter Stegen stopped Olayinka's stoppage-time header on the line.

Messi's historic goal helps Barcelona edge Slavia Prague

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

Spain's most prestigious fixture, which was due to take place at Camp Nou on Saturday,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/october-26-clasico-between-barcelona-real-madrid-postponed-amid-catalan-crisis-256690"> was postponed</a> last week because of violent pro-independence protests in Catalonia. La Liga had proposed a new date of December 4.

&nbsp;

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

The rearranged Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on December 18 despite opposition from La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday. Spain's most prestigious fixture, which was due to take place at Camp Nou on Saturday, was postponed last week because of violent pro-independence protests in Catalonia. La Liga had proposed a new date of December 4.

Postponed El Clasico to be played on December 18: Spanish Football Federation

Catalan protesters clashed with&nbsp;police&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;on the&nbsp;sixth&nbsp;day of protests against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sedition-in-spain-government-jails-leaders-of-catalonia-secessionist-movement-255825">jailing of Catalan separatist leaders </a>which has caused a wave of violence in the region.

Heavy&nbsp;police&nbsp;presence was seen at a series of demonstrations in the Catalan capital which lasted late into the&nbsp;night. The majority remained peaceful, with protesters staging a sit-down and shining lights from their phones. Others turned violent with fires and clashes between protesters and riot&nbsp;police.

The&nbsp;sixth&nbsp;night&nbsp;of&nbsp;unrest&nbsp;ended with the&nbsp;police&nbsp;pulling&nbsp;back&nbsp;and protesters chanting slogans like "We won" and celebrating the&nbsp;police's departure.

Barcelona saw its worst&nbsp;night&nbsp;of disturbances in decades on Friday (October 18) as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas.

Catalan protesters clashed with police on Saturday on the sixth day of protests against the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders which has caused a wave of violence in the region.

Catalan protesters clashed with police on Saturday on the sixth day of protests against the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders which has caused a wave of violence in the region. Heavy police presence was seen at a series of demonstrations in the Catalan capital which lasted late into the night. The majority remained peaceful, with protesters staging a sit-down and shining lights from their phones. Others turned violent with fires and clashes between protesters and riot police. The sixth night of unrest ended with the police pulling back and protesters chanting slogans like "We won" and celebrating the police's departure. Barcelona saw its worst night of disturbances in decades on Friday (October 18) as masked youths blocked roads with blazing garbage bins and hurled rocks at security forces, who responded by firing repeated rounds of smoke grenades and tear gas.

Sixth night of unrest in Catalonia ends with police pull back

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground.

The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago.&nbsp;

Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination.

But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said.

Watch: Catalonia protests - massive violence in Barcelona since Monday

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Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon.&nbsp;

"Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!"

Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre.&nbsp;

The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman.&nbsp;

Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles.&nbsp;

The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France.

'Reaction to injustice'

In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday.&nbsp;

"With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada.&nbsp;

"It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said.&nbsp;

Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". &nbsp;

"Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender".

Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds."

Clashes and closures

The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".&nbsp;

And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service.&nbsp;

Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday.

In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance.&nbsp;

At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow.

"I came involuntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP.

But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view.&nbsp;

"I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern.

Spain's Clasico postponed

With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Camp Nou stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid.

And Manchester City's Catalan manager Pep Guardiola, an outspoken campaigner for the independence movement, urged European intervention to ease the crisis.&nbsp;

"The international community must help us to solve the conflict between Catalonia and Spain," he said. "Some mediator from outside (must) help us sit (down) and talk."

The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards the fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground.

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground. The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago. Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination. But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said. Watch: Catalonia protests - massive violence in Barcelona since Monday × Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon. "Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!" Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre. The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman. Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles. The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France. 'Reaction to injustice' In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday. "With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada. "It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said. Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". "Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender". Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds." Clashes and closures The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service. Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came involuntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern. Spain's Clasico postponed With the region mired in chaos, football authorities cancelled the Barcelona and Real Madrid Clasico set for October 26 at the Camp Nou stadium. Both clubs had reportedly refused an offer to hold the match in Madrid. And Manchester City's Catalan manager Pep Guardiola, an outspoken campaigner for the independence movement, urged European intervention to ease the crisis. "The international community must help us to solve the conflict between Catalonia and Spain," he said. "Some mediator from outside (must) help us sit (down) and talk." The Supreme Court's explosive decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate as Spain heads towards the fourth election in as many years, which will be held on November 10.

Violence escalates in Barcelona after 500,000 separatists rally

Masked demonstrators clashed with police in central Barcelona on October 18 as a fifth day of protests over the jailing of separatist leaders turned violent.

Catalonia Protests: Massive violence in Barcelona since Monday

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground. The deterioration came on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Catalan capital and elsewhere over a Spanish court's jailing of nine separatist leaders on sedition charges over a failed independence bid two years ago. Around half a million people rallied in Barcelona earlier on Friday, police said, in the biggest gathering since Monday's court ruling as separatists also called a general strike in the major tourist destination. But while most marchers appeared peaceful, hordes of young protesters went on the rampage near the police headquarters, igniting a huge blaze that sent plumes of black smoke into the air, as police fired teargas to disperse them, an AFP correspondent said. Other fires raged near Plaza de Catalunya at the top of the tourist hotspot Las Ramblas, where hundreds of demonstrators rallied in defiance of the police, who tried to disperse them with water cannon. "Anti-fascist Catalonia!" they roared. "The streets will always be ours!" Scores of police vans could be seen fanning out around the streets, their sirens screaming as the regional police warned people in a message in English on Twitter "not to approach" the city centre. The situation later appeared calmer, according to a police spokesman. Earlier, many thousands of "freedom marchers", who had set out to walk from five regional towns on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona wearing walking boots and carrying hiking poles. The rally coincided with the general strike, prompting the cancellation of 57 flights, the closure of shops, business and several top tourist attractions, and slowing public transport to a trickle in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output. Activists also cut off Catalonia's main cross-border highway with France. Watch: Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police 'Reaction to injustice' In downtown Barcelona, many shops and luxury outlets were closed on the city's Paseo de Gracia, with blackened, charred patches a testimony to the nightly clashes that have raged since Monday. "With these demonstrations bringing this large city to a halt, we are using Barcelona like a microphone," said 23-year-old engineering student Ramon Pararada. "It's all in reaction to the injustice," he said. Retired lawyer Jaume Enrich agreed, saying the court sentence was "the straw that broke the camel's back". "Madrid is putting Spanish unity above everything, including basic rights," he told AFP, wearing a badge saying "No surrender". Nearby, a banner fluttered reading "There are not enough cages for this many birds." Clashes and closures The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent". And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated 1.57 million euros ($1.75 million) in damage, with mob violence damaging traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service. Some 128 people have been arrested since Monday, while 207 police officers had been injured before the violence escalated on Friday, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The emergency services said about 500 people in the region have suffered injuries since the beginning of the week, including 60 in Barcelona on Friday. In Barcelona, Spain's top tourist destination, the Sagrada Familia basilica closed as protesters massed outside, and the Liceu opera house cancelled Friday night's performance. At the city's famed La Boqueria market, most of the stalls were shut, although Susana Medialdea, 53, was selling olives and pickles entirely dressed in yellow. "I came in voluntarily to work but only as long as I could wear yellow to express my total disagreement with the sentence," she told AFP. But another veteran stallholder took the opposite view. "I am a real Catalan but I don't support this independence project at all, people are letting themselves be used, above all the youth," said 75-year-old Carmen Isern.

Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police. Watch video to know more.

Streets of Barcelona marred by violence as Catalan protesters clash with police

Barcelona's October&nbsp;26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/catalonia-protests-take-a-violent-turn-256414">demonstrations in Catalonia</a>, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday.

Following huge demonstrations over the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-jails-nine-catalan-leaders-up-to-13-years-for-sedition-255792"> jailing of nine Catalan </a>separatist leaders, the league's organising body made an official request to the RFEF this week for the game to be rearranged.

The federation approved that request on Friday.

Regional police said 16 people had been arrested across Catalonia, while health officials said medical aid was provided to 42 people.

On a fifth day of protests, hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "Freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday, set to reach Barcelona, the regional capital, later in the day.

The RFEF's competition committee said it was up to the two clubs to arrange a new date for the game before a deadline of Oct. 21. Failing that, the committee would determine the new date.

Barcelona town hall said 400 garbage containers were set ablaze during protests on Wednesday and estimated that the city had suffered damage totaling more than 1 million euros in two days.

Barcelona's October 26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political demonstrations in Catalonia, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday.

Barcelona's October 26 La Liga soccer match at home to Real Madrid has been postponed over security concerns amid violent political demonstrations in Catalonia, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in on Friday. Following huge demonstrations over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders, the league's organising body made an official request to the RFEF this week for the game to be rearranged. The federation approved that request on Friday. Regional police said 16 people had been arrested across Catalonia, while health officials said medical aid was provided to 42 people. On a fifth day of protests, hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "Freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday, set to reach Barcelona, the regional capital, later in the day. The RFEF's competition committee said it was up to the two clubs to arrange a new date for the game before a deadline of Oct. 21. Failing that, the committee would determine the new date. Barcelona town hall said 400 garbage containers were set ablaze during protests on Wednesday and estimated that the city had suffered damage totaling more than 1 million euros in two days.

El Clásico between Barcelona, Real Madrid postponed amid Catalan crisis

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR.&nbsp;

But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades.&nbsp;

"This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade.&nbsp;

Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight.&nbsp;

"This has to stop right now," Torra said.&nbsp;

"There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful.

"We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added.&nbsp;

Breaking the silence

Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017.&nbsp;

So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known.&nbsp;

The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy.&nbsp;

It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up".

Street rage

"I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests.&nbsp;

"I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?"

Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully.&nbsp;

"It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence.&nbsp;

Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights.&nbsp;

Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. &nbsp;

A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said.&nbsp;

The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe.&nbsp;

The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region.

The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement. As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence. Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR. But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades. "This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade. Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight. "This has to stop right now," Torra said. "There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful. "We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added. Breaking the silence Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017. So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known. The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy. It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years. Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up". Street rage "I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests. "I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?" Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully. "It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence. Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights. Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said. The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe. The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region. The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Violence 'must stop now', says Catalan President as Barcelona burns

More than 40,000 people in Catalonia took to the streets in the support of the regions Independence from Spain.

Protests erupt across Barcelona

More than 40,000 people in Catalonia took to the streets in the support of the regions Independence from the Spain.

Diego Forlan set the World Cup alight with Uruguay in 2010, winning the prestigious Golden ball award and played for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Manchester united and Inter Milan in a glittering club career. He won the European Golden Shoe twice, making him one of South American Football's most prominent exports. Forlan traveled to India as a brand ambassador for the Spanish League and spoke exclusively to Wion Sports about his favourite career memories and the prospect's of La Liga's big-three this season.

WION Sports Exclusive: Diego Forlan On His Glittering Career

Barcelona&nbsp;paid out $101 million (92&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros) in collective&nbsp;bonuses&nbsp;to its&nbsp;players&nbsp;for winning the Spanish league and Super Cup titles&nbsp;last&nbsp;season, the club's annual report showed.

The bonus was two&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros less than the amount that was paid out in 2018. The figure was three&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros more than what the&nbsp;players&nbsp;received when the club won the treble in 2015.

The report revealed that the club spent a total of 541&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros on staff costs across all its sports teams, with 311.9&nbsp;million&nbsp;spent on first-team coaches and&nbsp;players.

While Barca won La Liga at a canter and lifted the Super Cup&nbsp;last&nbsp;season, they lost the Copa del Rey final to Valencia and were beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals.

Barca paid&nbsp;players&nbsp;89&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros for the 2014-15 campaign when they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

They&nbsp;handed&nbsp;out 94&nbsp;million&nbsp;euros for the 2017-2018&nbsp;season when they won the Copa del Rey and La Liga titles.

Barcelona paid out $101 million (92 million euros) in collective bonuses to its players for winning the Spanish league and Super Cup titles last season, the club's annual report showed.

Barcelona paid out $101 million (92 million euros) in collective bonuses to its players for winning the Spanish league and Super Cup titles last season, the club's annual report showed. The bonus was two million euros less than the amount that was paid out in 2018. The figure was three million euros more than what the players received when the club won the treble in 2015. The report revealed that the club spent a total of 541 million euros on staff costs across all its sports teams, with 311.9 million spent on first-team coaches and players. While Barca won La Liga at a canter and lifted the Super Cup last season, they lost the Copa del Rey final to Valencia and were beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals. Barca paid players 89 million euros for the 2014-15 campaign when they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. They handed out 94 million euros for the 2017-2018 season when they won the Copa del Rey and La Liga titles.

Barcelona players handed 92 million euros in bonuses last season

Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award on Monday with Megan Rapinoe bagging the women's prize to cap a historic year for the United States' World Cup icon.

Barcelona striker Messi's victory in Milan was a surprise as he edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who won the UEFA player's award last month after helping Liverpool to the Champions League last season.

Juventus's forward Cristiano Ronaldo had also been shortlisted for the award but did not attend the ceremony as he lost out to his rival in the famous La Scala opera house.

Both Messi, 32, and Van Dijk, 28, are now in the running for the coveted Ballon d'Or which will be announced on December 2.

Rapinoe beat fellow World Cup winner Alex Morgan and England's Lucy Bronze to the women's title, with US coach Jill Ellis winning women's coaching award.

The 34-year-old Rapinoe won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup, and also became the face of the tournament for her outspoken views on US President Donald Trump.

Messi was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 12 goals before Barcelona were dumped out by Liverpool in the semi-finals, Barca throwing away a three-goal first-leg lead with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

The Argentine also won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 goals, won La Liga title with Barcelona and helped Argentina to bronze at 2019 Copa America.

Van Dijk had been bidding to become just the second defender -- after Italian Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 -- to be recognised by FIFA as the world's best player.

And he missed out on completing a treble for Liverpool with manager Jurgen Klopp winning the men's coach of the year award and Alisson Becker the goalkeeper prize.

Klopp won the Champions League with Liverpool ahead of two other Premier League coaches -- Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino, who reached the European final, and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.

"It is great, nobody expected this 20, 10, five, four years ago that I would be standing here," said the 52-year-old German who joined Liverpool in 2015.

"I have to say thank you to my outstanding club Liverpool FC. Those who don't love it don't have a heart.

"As a coach you can only be as good as your team. I'm really proud of being coach of such an incredible bunch of players."

Two-time women's World Cup-winning coach Ellis, beat Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, runner-up in France 2019, and England's Phil Neville for the award.

"The World Cup really was a showcase, the world fell even more in love with the game," said 53-year-old Ellis, who will step down from the team in October.

Romanian-born Hungarian forward Daniel Zsori won the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal, beating strikes from Messi and Juan Fernando Quintero.

The 18-year-old forward, on his debut, scored a spectacular overhead kick to win the game for his side Debrecen against Ferencvaros in stoppage time.

Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award on Monday with Megan Rapinoe bagging the women's prize to cap a historic year for the United States' World Cup icon.

Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award on Monday with Megan Rapinoe bagging the women's prize to cap a historic year for the United States' World Cup icon. Barcelona striker Messi's victory in Milan was a surprise as he edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who won the UEFA player's award last month after helping Liverpool to the Champions League last season. Juventus's forward Cristiano Ronaldo had also been shortlisted for the award but did not attend the ceremony as he lost out to his rival in the famous La Scala opera house. Both Messi, 32, and Van Dijk, 28, are now in the running for the coveted Ballon d'Or which will be announced on December 2. Rapinoe beat fellow World Cup winner Alex Morgan and England's Lucy Bronze to the women's title, with US coach Jill Ellis winning women's coaching award. The 34-year-old Rapinoe won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup, and also became the face of the tournament for her outspoken views on US President Donald Trump. Messi was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 12 goals before Barcelona were dumped out by Liverpool in the semi-finals, Barca throwing away a three-goal first-leg lead with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield. The Argentine also won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 goals, won La Liga title with Barcelona and helped Argentina to bronze at 2019 Copa America. Van Dijk had been bidding to become just the second defender -- after Italian Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 -- to be recognised by FIFA as the world's best player. And he missed out on completing a treble for Liverpool with manager Jurgen Klopp winning the men's coach of the year award and Alisson Becker the goalkeeper prize. Klopp won the Champions League with Liverpool ahead of two other Premier League coaches -- Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino, who reached the European final, and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola. "It is great, nobody expected this 20, 10, five, four years ago that I would be standing here," said the 52-year-old German who joined Liverpool in 2015. "I have to say thank you to my outstanding club Liverpool FC. Those who don't love it don't have a heart. "As a coach you can only be as good as your team. I'm really proud of being coach of such an incredible bunch of players." Two-time women's World Cup-winning coach Ellis, beat Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, runner-up in France 2019, and England's Phil Neville for the award. "The World Cup really was a showcase, the world fell even more in love with the game," said 53-year-old Ellis, who will step down from the team in October. Romanian-born Hungarian forward Daniel Zsori won the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal, beating strikes from Messi and Juan Fernando Quintero. The 18-year-old forward, on his debut, scored a spectacular overhead kick to win the game for his side Debrecen against Ferencvaros in stoppage time.

Messi, Rapinoe win FIFA Player of the Year awards

Barcelona&nbsp;threw on their stars of the present and the future on Saturday but neither Lionel Messi nor Ansu Fati could save them from a dismal 2-0 defeat away at Granada.&nbsp;

Messi was still not deemed fit enough to start at Los Carmenes while Fati, the 16-year-old who has lit up La Liga in recent weeks, also began the game on the bench.&nbsp;

But while both came on at half-time with Barca trailing to Ramon Azeez's opener, it was Granada that scored again, Alvaro Vadillo converting a penalty after Arturo Vidal was found guilty of a handball.&nbsp;

Barcelona&nbsp;have now won only two of their opening five league games and none away from Camp Nou, this their second loss already, just one fewer than the three they suffered during the entirety of last season.&nbsp;

With seven points on the board, this is their worst start to a season since 1994.

"Obviously I am worried," said coach Ernesto Valverde. "Because we are not getting good results and when that happens in two or three games, it means we are not playing well."

Instead, Granada go top of the table after capitalising on Atletico Madrid's goalless draw at home to Celta Vigo a few hours before.&nbsp;

They will stay there until Sunday, when Sevilla, Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao could overtake them.&nbsp;

Barcelona&nbsp;are sixth, grasping onto the consolation of Messi's second substitute appearance in five days that now suggests he has finally recovered from the niggling calf injury sustained at the start of August.&nbsp;

Their problems though are unlikely to be solved simply by their captain's return.&nbsp;

Junior Firpo's error two minutes into his first start for the club gifted Granada their opening goal and set the tone for a chaotic night in defence.&nbsp;

And up front, Antoine Griezmann was quiet again, with little in any of the combinations to suggest Ernesto Valverde has yet worked out who will form his best attacking trio and in what positions.

"In the end, the coach is responsible and I feel responsible," Valverde said. "I always think you can win or lose but at least you have to deserve to win when you lose, and today it hasn't been like that."

Firpo's mistake came early, as he shaped to play a long ball over the top back to his goalkeeper. Instead, the lively Roberto Soldado stole possession and slipped in Antonio Puertas.&nbsp;

Messi impact limited

With Firpo on the floor, Gerard Pique scrambled across but Puertas' shot only looped up off the defender to the back post where Azeez headed in.&nbsp;

Granada seemed hungrier than Barca and their dominance persuaded Valverde to make two changes at half-time, Messi and Fati replacing Carles Perez and Firpo.&nbsp;

Messi won a free-kick 30 yards out but hit it straight at the wall while Marc-Andre ter Stegen fumbled a cross and had to react quickly to claw it back off his own line.&nbsp;

Any hopes of a Barca comeback were dashed in the 66th minute as Vidal handballed at the end of a scramble in the box and Vadillo made no mistake with the spot-kick.&nbsp;

One break saw Messi supply Fati but the teenager took too long and then Messi tried himself but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. In the end, Granada were comfortable winners.&nbsp;

Atletico could have returned to the top of La Liga but were frustrated by a determined Celta Vigo.&nbsp;

After coming from two goals down to salvage a point against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, Atletico failed to sustain the momentum in a match of few chances at the Wanda Metropolitano.&nbsp;

Diego Simeone's side won their opening three league games but are now two without a victory, following last weekend's shock defeat away at Real Sociedad.&nbsp;

This latest setback leaves Simeone with familiar questions to answer about his side's attacking threat.&nbsp;

Summer signing Joao Felix started before being replaced by Alvaro Morata in the second half, the Spanish striker available again after recovering from a knee injury.&nbsp;

But neither Felix nor Morata, or their partner Diego Costa, could conjur up the decisive opening, with full-backs Renan Lodi and Kieran Trippier by far the team's most creative outlets.

Atletico drop to third in the table while Celta climb to 14th.

Barcelona threw on their stars of the present and the future on Saturday but neither Lionel Messi nor Ansu Fati could save them from a dismal 2-0 defeat away at Granada.

Barcelona threw on their stars of the present and the future on Saturday but neither Lionel Messi nor Ansu Fati could save them from a dismal 2-0 defeat away at Granada. Messi was still not deemed fit enough to start at Los Carmenes while Fati, the 16-year-old who has lit up La Liga in recent weeks, also began the game on the bench. But while both came on at half-time with Barca trailing to Ramon Azeez's opener, it was Granada that scored again, Alvaro Vadillo converting a penalty after Arturo Vidal was found guilty of a handball. Barcelona have now won only two of their opening five league games and none away from Camp Nou, this their second loss already, just one fewer than the three they suffered during the entirety of last season. With seven points on the board, this is their worst start to a season since 1994. "Obviously I am worried," said coach Ernesto Valverde. "Because we are not getting good results and when that happens in two or three games, it means we are not playing well." Instead, Granada go top of the table after capitalising on Atletico Madrid's goalless draw at home to Celta Vigo a few hours before. They will stay there until Sunday, when Sevilla, Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao could overtake them. Barcelona are sixth, grasping onto the consolation of Messi's second substitute appearance in five days that now suggests he has finally recovered from the niggling calf injury sustained at the start of August. Their problems though are unlikely to be solved simply by their captain's return. Junior Firpo's error two minutes into his first start for the club gifted Granada their opening goal and set the tone for a chaotic night in defence. And up front, Antoine Griezmann was quiet again, with little in any of the combinations to suggest Ernesto Valverde has yet worked out who will form his best attacking trio and in what positions. "In the end, the coach is responsible and I feel responsible," Valverde said. "I always think you can win or lose but at least you have to deserve to win when you lose, and today it hasn't been like that." Firpo's mistake came early, as he shaped to play a long ball over the top back to his goalkeeper. Instead, the lively Roberto Soldado stole possession and slipped in Antonio Puertas. Messi impact limited With Firpo on the floor, Gerard Pique scrambled across but Puertas' shot only looped up off the defender to the back post where Azeez headed in. Granada seemed hungrier than Barca and their dominance persuaded Valverde to make two changes at half-time, Messi and Fati replacing Carles Perez and Firpo. Messi won a free-kick 30 yards out but hit it straight at the wall while Marc-Andre ter Stegen fumbled a cross and had to react quickly to claw it back off his own line. Any hopes of a Barca comeback were dashed in the 66th minute as Vidal handballed at the end of a scramble in the box and Vadillo made no mistake with the spot-kick. One break saw Messi supply Fati but the teenager took too long and then Messi tried himself but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. In the end, Granada were comfortable winners. Atletico could have returned to the top of La Liga but were frustrated by a determined Celta Vigo. After coming from two goals down to salvage a point against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, Atletico failed to sustain the momentum in a match of few chances at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone's side won their opening three league games but are now two without a victory, following last weekend's shock defeat away at Real Sociedad. This latest setback leaves Simeone with familiar questions to answer about his side's attacking threat. Summer signing Joao Felix started before being replaced by Alvaro Morata in the second half, the Spanish striker available again after recovering from a knee injury. But neither Felix nor Morata, or their partner Diego Costa, could conjur up the decisive opening, with full-backs Renan Lodi and Kieran Trippier by far the team's most creative outlets. Atletico drop to third in the table while Celta climb to 14th.

Barcelona's poor start continues with surprise defeat by Granada

La Liga champions Barcelona said they will become the first sports club to generate revenue exceeding €1 billion ($1.10 billion) this season.

A statement from the club on Thursday said they had made record turnover of €990 million last season and projected an increase to €1.047 billion for the 2019/20 campaign.

"This figure represents a new record in the world of sport, and means the surpassing of internal forecasts, since the Strategic Plan approved by the Board of Directors expected profits to reach the figure of €1 billion in 2021," added Barca.

The club, which is owned by its fans, forecast a relatively modest profit of €11 million after tax in the current season, and said it had a debt of €217.2 million.

The Catalan club invested €255 million on players in the close season, the bulk of which was spent prising Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid for €120 million and recruiting Frenkie de Jong from Ajax Amsterdam for 75 million.

Barca CEO Oscar Grau said they also tried to sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who joined Juventus, adding that they wanted to sign Neymar back from Paris St Germain but did not want to compromise the club's financial stability.

"We made a very big effort to get Neymar, we did everything possible. We made two offers, one including players and one without them but we got the feeling PSG never wanted to sell him," he told reporters.

"We are not going to lose control when it comes to players. We want the best team around but we also want to be sustainable."

Barca's accounts also revealed they expect to spend €1.007 billion this season, an increase of €34 million,&nbsp;but stated they will reduce their wage bill by 18 million from last season, a 3 per cent&nbsp;reduction. ($1 = 0.9052 euros)

La Liga champions Barcelona said they will become the first sports club to generate revenue exceeding €1 billion ($1.10 billion) this season. A statement from the club on Thursday said they had made record turnover of €990 million last season and projected an increase to €1.

La Liga champions Barcelona said they will become the first sports club to generate revenue exceeding €1 billion ($1.10 billion) this season. A statement from the club on Thursday said they had made record turnover of €990 million last season and projected an increase to €1.047 billion for the 2019/20 campaign. "This figure represents a new record in the world of sport, and means the surpassing of internal forecasts, since the Strategic Plan approved by the Board of Directors expected profits to reach the figure of €1 billion in 2021," added Barca. The club, which is owned by its fans, forecast a relatively modest profit of €11 million after tax in the current season, and said it had a debt of €217.2 million. The Catalan club invested €255 million on players in the close season, the bulk of which was spent prising Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid for €120 million and recruiting Frenkie de Jong from Ajax Amsterdam for 75 million. Barca CEO Oscar Grau said they also tried to sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who joined Juventus, adding that they wanted to sign Neymar back from Paris St Germain but did not want to compromise the club's financial stability. "We made a very big effort to get Neymar, we did everything possible. We made two offers, one including players and one without them but we got the feeling PSG never wanted to sell him," he told reporters. "We are not going to lose control when it comes to players. We want the best team around but we also want to be sustainable." Barca's accounts also revealed they expect to spend €1.007 billion this season, an increase of €34 million, but stated they will reduce their wage bill by 18 million from last season, a 3 per cent reduction. ($1 = 0.9052 euros)

Barcelona income to break the billion euro barrier

Borussia Dortmund hit the woodwork and had a penalty saved before drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in their Champions League Group F opener on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi making his first appearance of the season for the Spaniards.

Barca's in-form 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the club's youngest player to feature in a UEFA competition when he started but failed to make any real impact before being replaced by fit-again Messi just before the hour mark.

Even with the Argentine on the field it was the Germans who were more dangerous after captain Marco Reus' 57th-minute penalty was saved by Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Reus was denied twice more by Ter Stegen and Julian Brandt rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot in the 77th.

"It feels terrible," Reus told reporters. "My penalty was badly taken. We could have won it as our performance was good. It would have been the ideal start. But we can build on this."

Finding space in or around the box was virtually impossible for either side in the first half and the expected fireworks between two sides known for their attacking game never materialised.

Dortmund's Jadon Sancho was subdued while Fati showed none of the scoring form that has turned him into the latest football sensation in Spain.

It took Dortmund 25 minutes to carve out their first chance with a fine Thorgan Hazard through ball that sent Reus into the area but his Germany team mate Ter Stegen got the better of him.

Luis Suarez wriggled into the box to create a rare chance and tried to surprise Roman Buerki with a clever shot from a tight angle but the Dortmund keeper did well to guard the near post and palm the Uruguayan's effort wide.

Dortmund, who kept a clean sheet at home through the group stage last season, were then awarded a spot kick when Sancho was brought down but Ter Stegen picked the right corner to stop Reus' penalty. He was on hand again later to block a Reus shot.

Messi's introduction on the hour in the forward's first game since his pre-season injury, gave the Spaniards more pace and he made some darting runs but did not create enough for a goal.

"We suffered a lot," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters. "It was something we already knew would happen. We lacked depth in the last metres and we did not have as many chances as they had. Fortunately Marc was very good."

In the group's earlier game Inter Milan were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Slavia Prague.

Borussia Dortmund hit the woodwork and had a penalty saved before drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in their Champions League Group F opener on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi making his first appearance of the season for the Spaniards.

Borussia Dortmund hit the woodwork and had a penalty saved before drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in their Champions League Group F opener on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi making his first appearance of the season for the Spaniards. Barca's in-form 16-year-old Ansu Fati became the club's youngest player to feature in a UEFA competition when he started but failed to make any real impact before being replaced by fit-again Messi just before the hour mark. Even with the Argentine on the field it was the Germans who were more dangerous after captain Marco Reus' 57th-minute penalty was saved by Marc Andre ter Stegen. Reus was denied twice more by Ter Stegen and Julian Brandt rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot in the 77th. "It feels terrible," Reus told reporters. "My penalty was badly taken. We could have won it as our performance was good. It would have been the ideal start. But we can build on this." Finding space in or around the box was virtually impossible for either side in the first half and the expected fireworks between two sides known for their attacking game never materialised. Dortmund's Jadon Sancho was subdued while Fati showed none of the scoring form that has turned him into the latest football sensation in Spain. It took Dortmund 25 minutes to carve out their first chance with a fine Thorgan Hazard through ball that sent Reus into the area but his Germany team mate Ter Stegen got the better of him. Luis Suarez wriggled into the box to create a rare chance and tried to surprise Roman Buerki with a clever shot from a tight angle but the Dortmund keeper did well to guard the near post and palm the Uruguayan's effort wide. Dortmund, who kept a clean sheet at home through the group stage last season, were then awarded a spot kick when Sancho was brought down but Ter Stegen picked the right corner to stop Reus' penalty. He was on hand again later to block a Reus shot. Messi's introduction on the hour in the forward's first game since his pre-season injury, gave the Spaniards more pace and he made some darting runs but did not create enough for a goal. "We suffered a lot," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters. "It was something we already knew would happen. We lacked depth in the last metres and we did not have as many chances as they had. Fortunately Marc was very good." In the group's earlier game Inter Milan were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Slavia Prague.

Champions League: Messi fails to impress in Barcelona, Dortmund draw

Holders Liverpool take on Napoli in Group E, Lionel Messi & Barcelona travel to Borussia Dortmund in the 'Group of Death' and Frank Lampard's Chelsea takes on Valencia in a tricky group also containing Ajax and Lille. Former Welsh footballer and coach Matt Holland sets up the opening night of the new UEFA Champions League season.

Matt Holland previews new champions league season

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will be part of the squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

The Argentina striker has not played since sustaining a calf injury in pre-season but Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde named him in the group which was on its way to Germany on Monday.

Messi trained on Sunday and Monday after missing the first three La Liga matches of the season.

Striker Ansu Fati, 16, has also been included in the squad and may make his Champions League debut after two goals in three appearances.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will be part of the squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will be part of the squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday as he prepares to make his comeback from injury. The Argentina striker has not played since sustaining a calf injury in pre-season but Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde named him in the group which was on its way to Germany on Monday. Messi trained on Sunday and Monday after missing the first three La Liga matches of the season. Striker Ansu Fati, 16, has also been included in the squad and may make his Champions League debut after two goals in three appearances.

Lionel Messi included in Barcelona squad to face Dortmund

A former bench-warmer at Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund sharpshooter Paco Alcacer is hoping to hurt his former club when the two teams meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Alcacer, 26, joined Dortmund in 2018 after struggling to hold down a place in the first team in two seasons at star-studded Barcelona.

He has flourished in the Bundesliga, bringing a killer instinct to Dortmund's young attack and regaining his place in the Spanish national team.

The striker now faces Barcelona in the middle of a purple patch for club and country, having scored 10 goals in his last eight matches.

His opener in a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday means he has scored in every game for Dortmund so far this term.

He also picked up three goals for Spain in Euro 2020 qualification wins over Romania and the Faroe Islands last week.

Alcacer's electric form is reminiscent of his explosive start to life at Dortmund as a loanee at the beginning of last season, when he fired in a record-breaking seven goals in his first four games.

That run prompted Dortmund to shell out 23 million euros to sign him on a permanent deal, and marked a turning point in Alcacer's career.

"It is a liberation to be playing, getting time on the pitch and enjoying my job," said the Spaniard at the time.

He had just arrived from two frustrating years at Barcelona, in which he was kept out of the team by an iconic attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.&nbsp;

After a move from boyhood club Valencia in 2016, he made just 23 starts for the Catalan giants, and played a full 90 minutes in just 10 matches.

'A special game' 

Yet as he prepares to meet his former team mates in Dortmund on Tuesday, Alcacer has insisted he has "no regrets" about his time in the Catalan capital.

"It will be a special game. It will be a joy to play against my former team, and it makes me want to play well," he told Barcelona newspaper Sport last week.&nbsp;

The 26-year-old said that despite his struggles, he learned a lot at the Camp Nou.

"When you play for Barca, you play high up the pitch and there is very little space. Before, I was quite slow in my decision-making, but now I can make quick decisions in tight spaces. I learned that at Barcelona."

That sharpness has certainly shown this season, as all five of Alcacer's Bundesliga goals so far have been first-time finishes.&nbsp;

While he insists there is no bad blood between him and Barcelona, the Spaniard has not ruled out celebrating if he scores against his former club on Tuesday.

"A lot of people treated me very well at Barcelona. I don't know what I will do (if I score). The joy will be huge," he told Sport.

If he does celebrate, it will be in trademark fashion, with his eyes and index fingers raised to the heavens.

The celebration is a tribute to Alcacer's father, who died suddenly of a heart attack shortly after watching his son's professional debut for Valencia in 2011.&nbsp;

"I know it would have made him happy to continue to watch me play," Alcacer told Westfaelischer Anzeiger newspaper last year.&nbsp;

The striker is determined to keep his career on an upward curve, and is eyeing silverware with Dortmund after narrowly missing out on the Bundesliga title last year.

"It is not enough to come second," he told Sky in August.

No doubt he intends to come out on top this Tuesday, and show Messi, Suarez and co. what they are missing.&nbsp;

A former bench-warmer at Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund sharpshooter Paco Alcacer is hoping to hurt his former club when the two teams meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

A former bench-warmer at Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund sharpshooter Paco Alcacer is hoping to hurt his former club when the two teams meet in the Champions League on Tuesday. Alcacer, 26, joined Dortmund in 2018 after struggling to hold down a place in the first team in two seasons at star-studded Barcelona. He has flourished in the Bundesliga, bringing a killer instinct to Dortmund's young attack and regaining his place in the Spanish national team. The striker now faces Barcelona in the middle of a purple patch for club and country, having scored 10 goals in his last eight matches. His opener in a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday means he has scored in every game for Dortmund so far this term. He also picked up three goals for Spain in Euro 2020 qualification wins over Romania and the Faroe Islands last week. Alcacer's electric form is reminiscent of his explosive start to life at Dortmund as a loanee at the beginning of last season, when he fired in a record-breaking seven goals in his first four games. That run prompted Dortmund to shell out 23 million euros to sign him on a permanent deal, and marked a turning point in Alcacer's career. "It is a liberation to be playing, getting time on the pitch and enjoying my job," said the Spaniard at the time. He had just arrived from two frustrating years at Barcelona, in which he was kept out of the team by an iconic attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. After a move from boyhood club Valencia in 2016, he made just 23 starts for the Catalan giants, and played a full 90 minutes in just 10 matches. 'A special game' Yet as he prepares to meet his former team mates in Dortmund on Tuesday, Alcacer has insisted he has "no regrets" about his time in the Catalan capital. "It will be a special game. It will be a joy to play against my former team, and it makes me want to play well," he told Barcelona newspaper Sport last week. The 26-year-old said that despite his struggles, he learned a lot at the Camp Nou. "When you play for Barca, you play high up the pitch and there is very little space. Before, I was quite slow in my decision-making, but now I can make quick decisions in tight spaces. I learned that at Barcelona." That sharpness has certainly shown this season, as all five of Alcacer's Bundesliga goals so far have been first-time finishes. While he insists there is no bad blood between him and Barcelona, the Spaniard has not ruled out celebrating if he scores against his former club on Tuesday. "A lot of people treated me very well at Barcelona. I don't know what I will do (if I score). The joy will be huge," he told Sport. If he does celebrate, it will be in trademark fashion, with his eyes and index fingers raised to the heavens. The celebration is a tribute to Alcacer's father, who died suddenly of a heart attack shortly after watching his son's professional debut for Valencia in 2011. "I know it would have made him happy to continue to watch me play," Alcacer told Westfaelischer Anzeiger newspaper last year. The striker is determined to keep his career on an upward curve, and is eyeing silverware with Dortmund after narrowly missing out on the Bundesliga title last year. "It is not enough to come second," he told Sky in August. No doubt he intends to come out on top this Tuesday, and show Messi, Suarez and co. what they are missing.

Paco Alcacer in electric form ahead of clash with former club Barcelona

Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's La Liga showdown with Valencia on Saturday and is also a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Dortmund as he has yet to recover from the calf injury he picked up in August, coach Ernesto Valverde said.

It was initially thought the Argentine striker would be sidelined for only a few weeks but he has yet to play any part in this campaign.

In his absence, the league champions have made a lacklustre start to the season, losing their opening game to Athletic Bilbao before taking just four points from fixtures against Real Betis and Osasuna.

They are eighth in the standings, five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid with three games played.

“At first it looked like a little bit of a hold up in his recovery. His scar opened a bit, and that means we are now taking it easy with him,” Valverde told a news conference.

“He’s on the road to recovery. I don’t want to put any expectation on it, but it’ll be difficult for Tuesday.

“The fact he isn’t playing is important for us. I can’t deny he’s a key man.”

While Valverde will also be without Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez has returned to full training and is likely to earn a recall in attack alongside Antoine Griezmann.

Saturday game will be Albert Celades’s first game as Valencia coach following Marcelino’s sacking on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's La Liga showdown with Valencia on Saturday and is also a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Dortmund as he has yet to recover from the calf injury he picked up in August, coach Ernesto Valverde said.

Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's La Liga showdown with Valencia on Saturday and is also a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Dortmund as he has yet to recover from the calf injury he picked up in August, coach Ernesto Valverde said. It was initially thought the Argentine striker would be sidelined for only a few weeks but he has yet to play any part in this campaign. In his absence, the league champions have made a lacklustre start to the season, losing their opening game to Athletic Bilbao before taking just four points from fixtures against Real Betis and Osasuna. They are eighth in the standings, five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid with three games played. “At first it looked like a little bit of a hold up in his recovery. His scar opened a bit, and that means we are now taking it easy with him,” Valverde told a news conference. “He’s on the road to recovery. I don’t want to put any expectation on it, but it’ll be difficult for Tuesday. “The fact he isn’t playing is important for us. I can’t deny he’s a key man.” While Valverde will also be without Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez has returned to full training and is likely to earn a recall in attack alongside Antoine Griezmann. Saturday game will be Albert Celades’s first game as Valencia coach following Marcelino’s sacking on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi likely to miss Barca's next two fixtures, says Valverde

Catalonia's highest-profile jailed separatist leader accused Spain of trying to behead the secessionist movement with a trial on the region's failed independence bid, adding that another independence referendum was still a possibility.

Oriol Junqueras, the former Catalan deputy head of government who is jailed outside Barcelona pending a ruling on his role in the 2017's secessionist bid, answered questions from Reuters ahead of an annual pro-independence march on Wednesday that is expected to reflect the strength and unity of the separatist movement.

"I am convinced that I am innocent and that we have not committed any crime," said Junqueras, 50, leader of the left-wing Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya party.

"What the (Spanish) state pretends with this (upcoming) sentence is to behead a peaceful movement and, as it cannot detain two million citizens, it locks us up," he said in written responses conveyed by his legal team.

Junqueras is allowed to use a computer without internet access.

He is one of the 12 Catalan leaders - nine of them jailed - facing charges of rebellion, sedition, and misappropriation of public funds for the independence referendum and the botched independence declaration that followed it.

Prosecutors are seeking sentences of 7 to 25 years, the latter only for Junqueras.

A ruling by Spain's Supreme Court is expected soon, likely in October. Spanish authorities have repeatedly said the trial was fair and respects the rule of law.

As they have done in massive marches since 2012, tens of thousands of separatists are expected to demonstrate on Wednesday in Barcelona on Catalonia's annual commemorative day.

Catalonia's independence drive is at a defining moment after internal divisions have surfaced. They will likely determine the direction and strength of a movement that has overshadowed Spanish politics for years, triggering the country's biggest political crisis in decades in 2017.

Junqueras said he has no regrets and that he had fulfilled a "democratic mandate" when two years ago Catalan leaders defied a judicial ban by carrying out a secessionist vote and the short-lived independence declaration that followed.

The confrontation saw police wielding batons at crowds seeking to vote and prompted the then-conservative government to impose direct rule from Madrid on the region.

Junqueras said that Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, which was authorized by London, was his preferred option for Catalonia's next steps.

Asked if he would rule out acting unilaterally again, he said: "We cannot discard any (option) that is democratic and peaceful." He also repeated that his party had always backed and sought an independence referendum.

A poll published in July by a public Catalan institute showed support for an independent Catalonia at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3 per cent of people against and 44 per cent in favour.

Assemblea Nacional Catalana, the grassroots organization behind Wednesday's march, minimized the decrease but said the lack of a clear separatist road-map could be to blame at a time when pro-independence parties are divided on what to do next.

Catalonia's highest-profile jailed separatist leader accused Spain of trying to behead the secessionist movement with a trial on the region's failed independence bid, adding that another independence referendum was still a possibility.

Catalonia's highest-profile jailed separatist leader accused Spain of trying to behead the secessionist movement with a trial on the region's failed independence bid, adding that another independence referendum was still a possibility. Oriol Junqueras, the former Catalan deputy head of government who is jailed outside Barcelona pending a ruling on his role in the 2017's secessionist bid, answered questions from Reuters ahead of an annual pro-independence march on Wednesday that is expected to reflect the strength and unity of the separatist movement. "I am convinced that I am innocent and that we have not committed any crime," said Junqueras, 50, leader of the left-wing Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya party. "What the (Spanish) state pretends with this (upcoming) sentence is to behead a peaceful movement and, as it cannot detain two million citizens, it locks us up," he said in written responses conveyed by his legal team. Junqueras is allowed to use a computer without internet access. He is one of the 12 Catalan leaders - nine of them jailed - facing charges of rebellion, sedition, and misappropriation of public funds for the independence referendum and the botched independence declaration that followed it. Prosecutors are seeking sentences of 7 to 25 years, the latter only for Junqueras. A ruling by Spain's Supreme Court is expected soon, likely in October. Spanish authorities have repeatedly said the trial was fair and respects the rule of law. As they have done in massive marches since 2012, tens of thousands of separatists are expected to demonstrate on Wednesday in Barcelona on Catalonia's annual commemorative day. Catalonia's independence drive is at a defining moment after internal divisions have surfaced. They will likely determine the direction and strength of a movement that has overshadowed Spanish politics for years, triggering the country's biggest political crisis in decades in 2017. Junqueras said he has no regrets and that he had fulfilled a "democratic mandate" when two years ago Catalan leaders defied a judicial ban by carrying out a secessionist vote and the short-lived independence declaration that followed. The confrontation saw police wielding batons at crowds seeking to vote and prompted the then-conservative government to impose direct rule from Madrid on the region. Junqueras said that Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, which was authorized by London, was his preferred option for Catalonia's next steps. Asked if he would rule out acting unilaterally again, he said: "We cannot discard any (option) that is democratic and peaceful." He also repeated that his party had always backed and sought an independence referendum. A poll published in July by a public Catalan institute showed support for an independent Catalonia at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3 per cent of people against and 44 per cent in favour. Assemblea Nacional Catalana, the grassroots organization behind Wednesday's march, minimized the decrease but said the lack of a clear separatist road-map could be to blame at a time when pro-independence parties are divided on what to do next.

Jailed Catalan leader says Spain wants to 'behead' separatism

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was fiercely critical of his side after their 2-2 draw away to Osasuna on Saturday, saying he could not understand why they did not try to kill off the game when they were leading 2-1.

The champions were without captain Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele and fell behind to a thumping volley from Roberto Torres early in the game.

They turned the game around in the second half with strikes from 16-year-old Ansu Fati -- who became the club's youngest scorer in the league -- and Arthur Melo, but Osasuna, roared on by their vociferous supporters, would not be outdone.

The home side, who were promoted back to the top flight last season after a two-year absence, continued to put Barca under pressure and they levelled with nine minutes to go when Torres scored from a penalty awarded for handball by Gerard Pique.

"We did not play well at all, we were awful," Valverde told a news conference after his side were left with only four points from their opening three games.

"They went ahead and we couldn't get close to their area. Then we dominated the play in second half, we took the lead and had the game in our hands but they came back at us and levelled with that absurd penalty.

"We cannot afford to let a game like this one slip, we should have been more assertive on the pitch and kept on attacking."

Barca defender Pique said he felt hard done by to be penalised late in the game, when the ball bounced off his arm as he tried to block a cross.

"For me that's not a penalty, I had no time to remove my arm, I was not taking up more space than usual, I jumped in a natural way," he said.

Pique admitted Barca had made a much worse start to the season than they expected but said there was no reason to panic.

"We would have liked to have taken nine points at this stage and we're having more problems than we expected to but we're not worried," he added.

"It's going to be a very long season and the important thing is that when we get to March or April we have a chance of winning the league."

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was fiercely critical of his side after their 2-2 draw away to Osasuna on Saturday, saying he could not understand why they did not try to kill off the game when they were leading 2-1.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was fiercely critical of his side after their 2-2 draw away to Osasuna on Saturday, saying he could not understand why they did not try to kill off the game when they were leading 2-1. The champions were without captain Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele and fell behind to a thumping volley from Roberto Torres early in the game. They turned the game around in the second half with strikes from 16-year-old Ansu Fati -- who became the club's youngest scorer in the league -- and Arthur Melo, but Osasuna, roared on by their vociferous supporters, would not be outdone. The home side, who were promoted back to the top flight last season after a two-year absence, continued to put Barca under pressure and they levelled with nine minutes to go when Torres scored from a penalty awarded for handball by Gerard Pique. "We did not play well at all, we were awful," Valverde told a news conference after his side were left with only four points from their opening three games. "They went ahead and we couldn't get close to their area. Then we dominated the play in second half, we took the lead and had the game in our hands but they came back at us and levelled with that absurd penalty. "We cannot afford to let a game like this one slip, we should have been more assertive on the pitch and kept on attacking." Barca defender Pique said he felt hard done by to be penalised late in the game, when the ball bounced off his arm as he tried to block a cross. "For me that's not a penalty, I had no time to remove my arm, I was not taking up more space than usual, I jumped in a natural way," he said. Pique admitted Barca had made a much worse start to the season than they expected but said there was no reason to panic. "We would have liked to have taken nine points at this stage and we're having more problems than we expected to but we're not worried," he added. "It's going to be a very long season and the important thing is that when we get to March or April we have a chance of winning the league."

Ernesto Valverde slams 'awful' Barca performance after draw at promoted Osasuna

Paris St Germain are not close to reaching a deal with Barcelona that would take Neymar back to the Spanish champions as the Catalans have not met the French club's asking price for the Brazil forward, PSG's sporting director Leonardo said on Friday.

Barca's attempt to re-sign Neymar two years after he joined PSG for a world record €222 million ($247.40 million) has dominated sports headlines for months, but time is running out to strike a deal before the transfer window shuts on Sept. 2.

Speaking after PSG's 2-0 win at Metz on Friday, which Neymar missed, Leonardo said the Ligue 1 champions would only sell the player at the right price, which Barca have yet to come up with.

"The first time we received a proposal from Barcelona for Neymar was on August 27. They have not yet given us an offer which has met our demands," Leonardo said.

"PSG's position on Neymar has always been clear: if a satisfactory offer arrives then he could leave but that is not the case. The negotiations have not broken down but there's no agreement for now because our demands have not been met."

Leonardo did not hide the fact that Neymar is keen to move from PSG, but said the Brazilian's position was not helped by his staggering price tag.

"Neymar has always made it clear that he wants to leave but no-one has enough money to buy him. And if an offer doesn't arrive which we think is worth it, he will stay," he added.

"He's an extraordinary player but his relationship with the club isn't the best right now."

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said earlier on Friday that he had grown tired of the negotiations over Neymar and would be glad when the transfer window closed.

"I am really looking forward to that day -- September 2 -- so that we can all get some rest at last and know what we have for the season as it has gone on too long," Valverde said ahead of Saturday's La Liga game at Osasuna.

"Neymar is a PSG player and as always we respect all our rivals, but I reiterate that I'm looking forward to this ending once and for all."

Valverde was then asked to rate out of 10 how bored he was with the transfer speculation surrounding Neymar and said: "Around nine and a half."

Paris St Germain are not close to reaching a deal with Barcelona that would take Neymar back to the Spanish champions as the Catalans have not met the French club's asking price for the Brazil forward, PSG's sporting director Leonardo said on Friday.

Paris St Germain are not close to reaching a deal with Barcelona that would take Neymar back to the Spanish champions as the Catalans have not met the French club's asking price for the Brazil forward, PSG's sporting director Leonardo said on Friday. Barca's attempt to re-sign Neymar two years after he joined PSG for a world record €222 million ($247.40 million) has dominated sports headlines for months, but time is running out to strike a deal before the transfer window shuts on Sept. 2. Speaking after PSG's 2-0 win at Metz on Friday, which Neymar missed, Leonardo said the Ligue 1 champions would only sell the player at the right price, which Barca have yet to come up with. "The first time we received a proposal from Barcelona for Neymar was on August 27. They have not yet given us an offer which has met our demands," Leonardo said. "PSG's position on Neymar has always been clear: if a satisfactory offer arrives then he could leave but that is not the case. The negotiations have not broken down but there's no agreement for now because our demands have not been met." Leonardo did not hide the fact that Neymar is keen to move from PSG, but said the Brazilian's position was not helped by his staggering price tag. "Neymar has always made it clear that he wants to leave but no-one has enough money to buy him. And if an offer doesn't arrive which we think is worth it, he will stay," he added. "He's an extraordinary player but his relationship with the club isn't the best right now." Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said earlier on Friday that he had grown tired of the negotiations over Neymar and would be glad when the transfer window closed. "I am really looking forward to that day -- September 2 -- so that we can all get some rest at last and know what we have for the season as it has gone on too long," Valverde said ahead of Saturday's La Liga game at Osasuna. "Neymar is a PSG player and as always we respect all our rivals, but I reiterate that I'm looking forward to this ending once and for all." Valverde was then asked to rate out of 10 how bored he was with the transfer speculation surrounding Neymar and said: "Around nine and a half."

Barca offer for Neymar has not met PSG demands: Leonardo

Ansu Fati became the third youngest player to score in La Liga on Saturday but the 16-year-old could not rescue&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;from being held to a 2-2 draw away at newly-promoted Osasuna.&nbsp;

Fati equalised five minutes after coming on at half-time and Barca looked likely to complete the comeback when Arthur Melo, also on a substitute, made it two 13 minutes later at El Sadar Stadium.&nbsp;

Yet Roberto Torres, who had given Osasuna an early lead, delivered a twist by scoring a late second from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique handballed.&nbsp;

As&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;refuse to give up on their pursuit of Neymar before the transfer window closes on Monday, this was another reminder of the talent that already exists in their ranks.&nbsp;

Coach Ernesto Valverde appears ready to look to the future rather than the past, with Carles Perez, a 21-year-old product of La Masia, also providing two assists on his second consecutive start.&nbsp;

He should even have scored the winner but the concern will be that Barca needed Fati and Perez at all, even taking into account the injuries to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.&nbsp;

Antoine Griezmann put on a statement display in the win over Real Betis last weekend but he was quiet again here and it remains to be seen whether the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu feels negotiations for Neymar should now be pushed over the line.&nbsp;

Guillermo Amor,&nbsp;Barcelona's director of institutional relations, told Movistar on Saturday the deal is not dead.&nbsp;

"The market closes soon but we still have a few days," said Amor. "Nothing is done and we are waiting to see what can happen. Of course, something can happen at the last minute. We are calm."&nbsp;

Bad Barca

Roberto Torres also came through the ranks at Osasuna and has more than 200 appearances for the club. His double means they are unbeaten from their first three games, having returned to the top flight for the first time since 2017.&nbsp;

Both teams stood for a minute's silence before kick-off in a show of support for Luis Enrique,&nbsp;Barcelona's former coach and player, whose daughter Xana died aged nine last week. Barca's fans then chanted his name when the silence ended.&nbsp;

Barcelona&nbsp;started badly and got worse in the second half, the opening 45 minutes strewn with misplaced passes and lacking a single chance for the visitors.&nbsp;

Osasuna also forced the issue, pressing hard and showing more bite than Barca, with Brandon and Roberto Torres causing a raft of problems for the Barca back line.&nbsp;

Their goal came from Brandon, who twisted and turned down the right to leave Clement Lenglet on the floor. He sent a cross to the back post where Nelson Semedo got caught and Roberto Torres smashed home.&nbsp;

Barcelona&nbsp;never found their rhythm and it might have been Sergi Roberto putting a simple pass out of play that persuaded Valverde to make a half-time change.&nbsp;

Fati came on for Semedo, with Sergi dropping into right back. The goal came from that side too as Perez crossed and Fati rose high, hung in the air and powered a header inside the post.&nbsp;

Transformed, Arthur came on for Rafinha two minutes later and within a minute, Barca scored again. Perez provided the assist, freeing Arthur who used Jordi Alba's overlapping run to cut inside and curl into the far corner.&nbsp;

The hard work looked done but Osasuna rallied. Juan Villar tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen and with nine minutes left, Pique handballed, allowing Roberto Torres to slide in the penalty for his second of the game.&nbsp;

Perez might have won it for&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;in the 88th minute. He had only Osasuna's Ruben to beat but was caught in two minds and the chance was gone.&nbsp;

Ansu Fati became the third youngest player to score in La Liga on Saturday but the 16-year-old could not rescue Barcelona from being held to a 2-2 draw away at newly-promoted Osasuna.

Ansu Fati became the third youngest player to score in La Liga on Saturday but the 16-year-old could not rescue Barcelona from being held to a 2-2 draw away at newly-promoted Osasuna. Fati equalised five minutes after coming on at half-time and Barca looked likely to complete the comeback when Arthur Melo, also on a substitute, made it two 13 minutes later at El Sadar Stadium. Yet Roberto Torres, who had given Osasuna an early lead, delivered a twist by scoring a late second from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique handballed. As Barcelona refuse to give up on their pursuit of Neymar before the transfer window closes on Monday, this was another reminder of the talent that already exists in their ranks. Coach Ernesto Valverde appears ready to look to the future rather than the past, with Carles Perez, a 21-year-old product of La Masia, also providing two assists on his second consecutive start. He should even have scored the winner but the concern will be that Barca needed Fati and Perez at all, even taking into account the injuries to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele. Antoine Griezmann put on a statement display in the win over Real Betis last weekend but he was quiet again here and it remains to be seen whether the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu feels negotiations for Neymar should now be pushed over the line. Guillermo Amor, Barcelona's director of institutional relations, told Movistar on Saturday the deal is not dead. "The market closes soon but we still have a few days," said Amor. "Nothing is done and we are waiting to see what can happen. Of course, something can happen at the last minute. We are calm." Bad Barca Roberto Torres also came through the ranks at Osasuna and has more than 200 appearances for the club. His double means they are unbeaten from their first three games, having returned to the top flight for the first time since 2017. Both teams stood for a minute's silence before kick-off in a show of support for Luis Enrique, Barcelona's former coach and player, whose daughter Xana died aged nine last week. Barca's fans then chanted his name when the silence ended. Barcelona started badly and got worse in the second half, the opening 45 minutes strewn with misplaced passes and lacking a single chance for the visitors. Osasuna also forced the issue, pressing hard and showing more bite than Barca, with Brandon and Roberto Torres causing a raft of problems for the Barca back line. Their goal came from Brandon, who twisted and turned down the right to leave Clement Lenglet on the floor. He sent a cross to the back post where Nelson Semedo got caught and Roberto Torres smashed home. Barcelona never found their rhythm and it might have been Sergi Roberto putting a simple pass out of play that persuaded Valverde to make a half-time change. Fati came on for Semedo, with Sergi dropping into right back. The goal came from that side too as Perez crossed and Fati rose high, hung in the air and powered a header inside the post. Transformed, Arthur came on for Rafinha two minutes later and within a minute, Barca scored again. Perez provided the assist, freeing Arthur who used Jordi Alba's overlapping run to cut inside and curl into the far corner. The hard work looked done but Osasuna rallied. Juan Villar tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen and with nine minutes left, Pique handballed, allowing Roberto Torres to slide in the penalty for his second of the game. Perez might have won it for Barcelona in the 88th minute. He had only Osasuna's Ruben to beat but was caught in two minds and the chance was gone.

Barcelona pegged back by Osasuna despite Fati heroics

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