Lionel Messi's Barcelona career has had just about everything - but until Sunday night the Argentine superstar had not been red-carded for the Camp Nou giants.
That changed when Messi was sent off for the first time in his club career after dramatically losing his cool late on in the 3-2 Supercopa de Espana final loss to Athletic Bilbao.
Messi, who recovered from a minor injury to take a place in Barca's starting line-up, saw red in what was his 753rd appearance for the club.
With 119 minutes of the match played, Messi swung at Asier Villalibre in an off-the-ball incident that was spotted by VAR and referee Jesus Gil Manzano reached into his back pocket.
The 33-year-old is now facing a possible extended ban that will carry over into LaLiga, with the disciplinary committee of the Spanish FA (RFEF) to have the final say on the length of the suspension.
It was the third red card of Messi's 17-year career overall, having also previously been dismissed twice for Argentina.
He was given his marching orders following a clash with Gary Medel in a Copa America third-place play-off in July 2019 and was famously sent off on his international debut against Hungary in 2005.
Messi failed to find the target from any of his three attempts in the loss to Athletic, who twice came from behind to win the competition for just a third time.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice, either side of Oscar De Marcos' equaliser, but Villalibre levelled up in the 90th minute and Inaki Williams scored a sublime winner three minutes into extra time.
Reflecting on the defeat, Barca boss Ronald Koeman - denied a first piece of silverware since succeeding Quique Setien at Camp Nou in August - said: "It was a difficult game.
"We were really close to the victory. It is always difficult to concede just before half-time, and then again at the end. It's really difficult to handle."
Barcelona dismiss Xavi despite U-turn over future
Barcelona have confirmed the dismissal of head coach Xavi, just 30 days after he had revealed he would be staying on for next season.
Xavi said in January that he would be leaving Barca at the end of the season, yet he was convinced to remain in charge by club president Joan Laporta.
Barca have gone on to secure a second-place finish in LaLiga, yet on Friday, before their final match of the season against Sevilla on Sunday, it was confirmed Xavi would be leaving after all.
A statement released on the club's official website read: "The president, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season.
"The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi's assistants, Oscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.
"Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world."
Xavi has overseen 142 matches in charge of Barca, and led them to the title in 2022-23.
He has won 89 games in all competitions, giving him a win percentage of 62.7.
Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, is expected to be confirmed as Xavi's replacement.
During his time in charge, Xavi has helped blood young stars such as Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez.
Atlanta United v Los Angeles FC: Pineda insists Five Stripes 'on the right path'
Gonzalo Pineda insists Atlanta United "are on the right path" as they look to get back to winning ways in MLS.
The Five Stripes are 12th in the Eastern Conference following a run of eight matches without victory.
Although, they enjoyed a reprieve in the U.S. Open Cup last time out, defeating Charleston Battery on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.
And Pineda hopes his side can build on that momentum when they welcome Los Angeles to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"I think we are on the right path," he said. "I think it is really encouraging for the team, for the mentality of the team, to win.
"There are many positives out of that. We have to hold onto that positivity, and the mentality of the players that fought and put that together on Saturday."
"I think that, especially being at home, we need to make sure we are on the front foot right away," midfielder Dax McCarty added.
"Obviously, our stadium is such a fortress. When you score an early goal, you get everyone excited and the other team feels that pressure, which is such a benefit."
By contrast, LAFC are fifth in the West and on a four-match winning streak across all competitions – during which they have scored 11 goals and conceded just once.
"The team is in a good way – winning games, scoring goals and not conceding – and we'd like to continue that," head coach Steve Cherundolo said.
"We feel good about the moment we're in, and our players are confident.
"The players have shown an amazing response [to their defeat by San Jose Earthquakes at the start of the month]. We were shooting ourselves in the foot by making some mistakes in portions of the field where we don't usually do that.
"The message was that we are really in control of our own destiny, which is a great place to be."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atlanta United – Thiago Almada
Atlanta will be hoping for inspiration from the likes of Almada as they look to end their winless streak.
The Argentina international has scored in two of their last three league games on home soil.
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Bouanga scored both goals in LAFC’s 2-0 win over St. Louis City last time out in MLS.
He has now found the net 33 times since the start of last season (including play-offs), seven more than any other player during that time.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC
Only once in their MLS history have Atlanta endured a longer winless streak, going 12 straight games without victory between May and August 2021.
Meanwhile, LAFC have won successive games to nil for the first time during the regular season since August 2022.
That came after they recorded just one victory while keeping a clean sheet in their previous 21 such matches.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta United: 38.2%
Los Angeles FC: 32.8%
Draw: 29.0%
Reggae Boyz keeper Andre Blake signs endorsement deal with Spectrum Systems
In an exciting development for Jamaican football, Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake has secured a new two-year sponsorship deal with Spectrum Systems Limited, Jamaica's leading distributor of roofing and building products. This deal comes hot on the heels of Blake's recent sponsorship announcement with Supreme Ventures.
Blake's new partnership with Spectrum Systems highlights the company's commitment to supporting local sports, adding to their existing sponsorships of the Waterhouse Football Club and race car driver Sara Misir. As part of this agreement, Blake will be featured prominently in Spectrum's advertising campaigns and will support the company’s sponsorship initiatives within the football community.
The collaboration was celebrated with Blake's attendance at the Jamaica Premier League Superfinal last Sunday. During the event, he presented a gift to Waterhouse FC, which secured fourth place in the 2023/24 season, underscoring Spectrum Systems' ongoing support for the club.
Contributed: Andrew Stanigar Managing Director of Spectrum Systems greets Andre Blake on Sunday at the Jamaica Premier League Super Final.
Andrew Stanigar, Managing Director of Spectrum Systems Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We invest in sports sponsorships because they allow us to connect with our customer base. Both Andre Blake and Spectrum Systems have a lot in common—quality, reliability, and consistency. It makes sense to align the number one roofing company with Jamaica's number one goalkeeper."
For Andre Blake, the endorsement deal represents a valuable opportunity to further engage with the local football community. "Sponsorships like this allow me to connect better with Jamaica football fans," Blake commented. "I look forward to what we will be able to achieve together as I aim to inspire and connect footballers across the island while also championing Spectrum's advertising campaigns. It's a win for everyone."
With this new deal, Blake continues to expand his influence both on and off the pitch, leveraging his prominence to promote and support local sports. The two-year agreement promises to be beneficial for both Blake and Spectrum Systems, strengthening their ties to the Jamaican football community and beyond.
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