Teenager Lamine Yamal could become the youngest man ever to play in Spain’s El Clasico on Saturday.
Twelve months ago, the 16-year-old striker was turning out for Barcelona Under-19s, but he now has 13 senior appearances under his belt and has Real Madrid firmly in his sights.
Yamal told Barca’s official website: “Everything I do, being so young, is a record almost. People tell me but the most important thing for me is for the team to win and that I enjoy it.”
The youngster warmed up for a potential showdown with Madrid at the Estadi Olimpic by playing the full 90 minutes in Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
He was joined in the starting line-up by 20-year-old midfielder Fermin Lopez, who was playing his football on loan at third-tier Linares last season, but has emerged as a genuine option for boss Xavi since his return.
Lopez scored what proved to be the winning goal in Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Shakhtar, and is hoping for a chance to make his mark against his club’s arch-rivals.
Asked about his rise since last year, he said: “It was unthinkable at that time, but I did learn a lot. Now, I am dreaming about winning a Clasico.
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“We won in pre-season, but this time is a competitive game and it will be a dream to win it.”
Hernandez’s side head into the game sitting in third place in the LaLiga table and unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, a return which head left them just a point adrift of leaders Real.
They have been hit by injuries in recent weeks and although vastly experienced frontman Robert Lewandowski could return after being left out in midweek, Barca still have doubts over Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha, while Pedri is still out.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who won 2-1 at Braga on Tuesday to maintain – like Barca – a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, have been indebted in recent weeks to the form of summer signing Jude Bellingham.
The England international, who is being touted in certain quarters as the best player in the world as a result of his blistering run of form, has scored 11 goals in 12 appearances to help keep his team, whose 3-1 derby defeat at Atletico Madrid last month is their only reverse to date, on the right track.
Bellingham, 20, came off in Portugal with an adductor strain after scoring, but is expected to be fit to take his place in the starting line-up.
He told TVE in Spanish: “I’ll be at the Clasico.”
Asked about the fans hailing his dazzling form with choruses of ‘Hey Jude’, he added: “I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
“On the pitch after I’ve scored a goal or made a tackle or a piece of skill and I start to hear it slowly and then louder and louder, it’s something that I’m really proud of.
“I’m so grateful for the fans for how they’ve treated me coming into the club.
“So far it’s been a good start, but I look to continue to repay them for how they’ve welcomed me.”
Furious Flick says Barcelona were fortunate to draw at Celta
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said his errant players only had themselves to blame for their 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo in LaLiga, adding they were fortunate to even escape with a point.
Barca opened a two-goal lead thanks to efforts from captain Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, but after Marc Casado was sent off in the 82nd minute, the hosts fought back with two late strikes.
Alfon Gonzalez and Hugo Alvarez were on target as Celta denied Barca the chance to move eight points clear at the summit, and Flick said his side could have few complaints.
"It wasn't only the last few minutes, we played a really bad game tonight," Flick told DAZN.
"If you don't play at 100% you can't win. That's just the way it was the whole game. We have to be honest.
"These things happen. It was a bad game. The players are not happy. Everyone can play better than what we did today. You have to stay focused. Sometimes it may seem that what we do is easy, but it is not."
Flick would not point fingers at Casado for the red card or defender Jules Kounde for a bad mistake that led to Celta's first goal. Instead, he criticised his side's collective effort and performance levels.
"The red card and Kounde's mistake are just a consequence of the bad game from the team. We made a lot of mistakes and lacked confidence on the ball throughout the match," Flick said.
"We didn't play the football we are used to but we were lucky with some situations and in the end got a point but we have to react because it cannot be repeated.
"I hope what we saw today doesn't have a negative impact in our Champions League game against Brest on Tuesday. We have to learn with the mistakes we move on."
Barca top LaLiga with 34 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid in second and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.
'In eight years we never lived like this' – Guardiola shocked by City drop-off
Pep Guardiola admits he has been surprised by Manchester City's alarming dip in form, saying: "In eight years we never lived like this".
Guardiola is in the midst of the longest losing run of his managerial career, with City suffering a fifth straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday as they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham.
They have also lost three Premier League games in a row and could end the weekend eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who visit bottom club Southampton on Sunday.
It is their worst run in the competition since they lost three straight between February and March 2016, when they finished fourth under Manuel Pellegrini.
"In eight years we never lived this. I knew sooner or later we would drop," Guardiola said after Saturday's game.
"I never expected to lose three Premier League games in a row but we have been incredibly consistent again and again and again.
"Now we cannot deny the reality that sometimes happens in football and life is here."
City's drop-off has coincided with star midfielder Rodri – who won the Ballon d'Or last month – being sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Guardiola's side did not lose any of the 34 Premier League matches in which Rodri appeared last season, winning 27 and drawing seven, though they lost three of four when the Spaniard was absent.
Each of City's last six league defeats have come when Rodri has not featured, but former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes their poor run cannot be totally blamed on his injury.
"We've seen City lose the odd game here, but we've very rarely seen them outplayed in every department, but that's what we're watching," pundit Neville told Sky Sports.
"They look well short. As short as I've seen them since Pep's first season. I've not seen them as bad as this, how they've been in the last few weeks.
"He will have wanted that international break to come, thinking it would be a reset moment. But now here, it further entrenches the opinion this is a City side currently in decline.
"This is more than just Rodri, far more."
Caribbean Premier Showcase offers scholarship opportunities for Jamaican athletes
Coaches from over 35 colleges and universities in the United States are scheduled to scout for players and offer scholarship opportunities, through the Caribbean Premier Showcase (CPS), that will be held over three days at three locations across the island come January 2025.
The Caribbean Premier Showcase was founded two years go with the goal of connecting soccer players with college coaches in expanding opportunities for Jamaican athletes. The showcase began under another name and started only at St. Elizabeth Technical High School for all male soccer players in Jamaica.
That same year the Caribbean Premier Showcase team was invited to the islands of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago to bring the same opportunities for their high school soccer athletes. Shortly after these stagings the showcases were rebranded to Caribbean Premier Showcase (CPS) reflecting the organizations commitment to the Caribbean.
Rajay Maragh, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner at CPS, said the major objective is mainly bringing players and coaches together to create opportunities for recruitment. Players he said get to see show their skills live, interact with coaches, gather information and processes all with the intention of securing a scholarship to study and play overseas.
“The process is heavily based on the coaches whereas the showcase is not limited to anyone local school or conference but rather each athlete is given the same access, playing time and information to showcase their talent. Once completed coaches will reach out after, gather additional data and also create a player profile of they wish to proceed,” Maragh said.
“There is also the academic check with takes place after, each school have their own admission processes and requirements which crates the second stage of follow up to make sure the student is eligible for recruitment,” he added.
All the members of the CPS team received academic and sports scholarship at some point to attend and or player soccer overseas. Maragh said they understood the value, the complexity and the opportunities showcase like CPS can create and felt the need to pass it on, as it is important for the continuity and development of the region.
Colleges confirmed so far include Iowa Western College CC, Wright State University NCAA DI, Eastern Kentucky University NCAA DI, Pearl River CC, Tougaloo College CC, NYU, UCON NCAA DI, Comberland University NAIA, Lincoln University NCAA DII, Concordia NCAA DII, Missouri Valley NAIA, New College Florida NAIA, Baker University NAIA, Johnson County CC, Lindenwood University NCAA DI, Missouri State University, Keiser University NAIA, Hampton University (Womens Soccer) NCAA DI, Maine Maritime University (Women Soccer) NCAA DIII, Ruben Gap (High School), Broward College CC, Hill College CC, Ranger College CC, Allen CC, Southeastern CC, NIU (NCAA DI), Fairleigh Dickinson University NCAA DI, Daytona Beach CC, North Eastern Community College CC, Daemen College CC, Central Community College CC.
Professional coaches include Atlanta United, Houston Dynamo and CSF Spartanii Sportul (Moldovan Super League).
The Caribbean Premier Showcase will be held on January 8, 2025 at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School; on January 9, 2025 at the Horace Burrell Facility in Kingston and on January 11, 2025 in association with the Inter Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), All DaCosta Cup versus All Manning Cup teams.
Maragh said their team while focused on the Caribbean have been invited to help with other showcases; this past May in Athlone, Ireland and next year in Portugal, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
The application process is now open and athletes can register online at carribeanpremiershowcase.com:
https://www.caribbeanpremiershowcase.com/event-page
Persons interested in being apart of the project can email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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