Barça News
Bartomeu talks Messi, Champions League, Ter Stegen, Xavi, Arthur, Trincao
On Lionel Messi:
“Messi has said a lot of times that he will retire here. He’s the best player for Barça and Barça is the best club for him. He will retire here.”
On the Champions League:
“We feel positive about the Champions League. The players are training with confidence and eagerness to win the title.”
On Ter Stegen:
“Ter Stegen is a great player and person. He will definitely renew his contract with Barcelona, and I think that he will stay here for many years.”
On Arthur Melo:
“We didn’t pressure Arthur to leave, but we received a great offer Juventus. Pjanić is a great player.”
On Xavi:
“I have a great relationship with Xavi and we talk with each other a lot. He will become a Barça manager when he decides the time is right.”
On Francisco Trincão:
“Trincão isn’t on the transfer market.”
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Barça midfielders Philippe Coutinho and new signing Miralem Pjanic spoke to the media after Barça’s narrow 1-0 triumph over Elche at the Camp Nou.
“Being back here feels great. I missed playing here, and I’m very excited to continue.” Coutinho told the media. “We’re trying our best to adapt to the coach’s new system. The level of the team is increasing; I hope things go well.”
After having featured in all three pre-season games for Barça, Coutinho is looking forward to the upcoming La Liga season. “I am eager to help the team win. There is one week left till La Liga starts and we are all focused and excited to begin.”
“I feel very happy that I made my debut. It was great.” Pjanic said after the game. “The team are working hard to prepare for the upcoming matches.”
Miralem Pjanic and Philippe Coutinho are both essentially new additions to the Barça squad since Pjanic just joined from Juventus and Coutinho returned back from his loan spell at Bayern – where he won the treble in a remarkable fashion. Things are looking bright for Coutinho, who has featured in all of Barça’s three pre-season games. Culés around the world are expecting big things from the two after having lost Brazilian youngster Arthur to Juventus this summer.
