Lamine Yamal has burst onto the scene for Barcelona and former Spain midfielder Marcos Senna believes the teenager could emulate Lionel Messi's Blaugrana exploits.

Yamal has enjoyed a meteoric rise into professional football this season, becoming Barcelona's youngest starter in La Liga and the youngest player to assist in the competition in the 21st century.

The Blaugrana talent also marked his name as the youngest debutant and scorer for Spain in the 7-1 victory over Georgia this month, aged just 16 years and 57 days.

Only two players have scored for a European nation at a younger age (Sam Johnston in 1882 for Northern Ireland and Jozsef Horvath in 1906 for Hungary), and Senna believes Yamal will go to the top.

Senna, a former Villarreal midfielder and 28-cap Spain international, told Stats Perform at the Thinking Football Summit: "He has had a big impact.

"He is really young with big talent. Obviously, he has to be very well looked after, like cutting a diamond.

"It's important not to rush, so that in the future he can be one of the best, like Messi himself, who left Barcelona.

"He has already shown that he has a great future."

Senna had a fine career in Spain as a La Liga regular as well as being a part of La Roja's European Championship-winning side in 2008.

The 47-year-old played with a golden generation of Spanish footballers, and picked out three midfielders as the best he has lined up alongside.

"I think it would be really unfair to choose just one," he responded when asked about his former team-mates.

"There are many players I played with. I can name a few. For example, at Villarreal, Riquelme, was one of the great players I had the opportunity to play with.

"Santi Cazorla and others in the Spanish national team. Andres Iniesta was very important and created a legacy.

"They are historic players and special players. In my list, I can fit many more but I gave you the names of a few players from Villarreal and the national team."

Yet Messi – who Yamal has drawn comparisons to – remains Senna's greatest challenge.

Senna said: "A big part of my career was in Spain, at Villarreal. I was there for 11 years. During this period I met Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, and I didn't even have the chance to get a draw against them!

"It was a very complicated period when Messi came along. And let's say that was the biggest difficulty we had.

"Messi was a revolution of the century. For me, it was the biggest challenge as a player."

Barcelona head coach Xavi remains relaxed over his contract extension, which is expected to be officially announced soon as he stays focused on the team producing the required results.

Xavi is determined the renewal of his deal through until 2025 will not distract from a key run of games which start at home to Real Betis on Saturday and also feature the beginning of the Champions League campaign against Antwerp.

“I spoke about it with Deco, with the president. It’s about achieving success, titles, not long contracts,” Xavi told a press conference.

“I will never be a problem for the club. When we see that my continuity is not the right decision, I will step aside.

“I am very excited and the project remains very relevant. My contract extension will be announced in a few days, without a doubt.

“Performance is important to me. If there are no clear objectives at the end of the season, it’s not worth having a long contract.”

Barcelona will check on midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who picked up a bruised back during Germany’s game against France, but has been able to train with his club.

Xavi is expecting a stern test from Betis, who won two of their opening four LaLiga games ahead of the international break and sit just three points behind Barca in the table.

“We have a difficult rival, a great team, technically one of the best with Isco, Ayoze (Perez), Borja Iglesias,” Xavi said.

“Having the ball will be key, having it, long possession. We need to win these three games at home and we need the fans.”

Xavi also expects to utilise all his options given the schedule ahead.

“We believe the squad is fine. Numbers are limited but we have faith in the young talent we have here,” he added.

“Lamine (Yamal), Unai (Hernandez), (Pau) Cubarsi – there are good youth players and we will make use of them. There will be rotations out of necessity. We have seven games in 20 days.

“We have the squad to deal with that, but there are players who have been playing internationals and some will be rested.”

Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini knows just what challenge awaits his side when facing a “complete squad” on Saturday evening.

“Barcelona are having a great season in terms of results and are a very performing team that won LaLiga with the (points) difference that they did. Now they are also unbeaten in this first stretch of LaLiga,” Pellegrini said.

“They have very dynamic players with proven experience and young players – like Pedri, Gavi and now Lamine.

“It is a complete squad in every sense, with youth, experience and quality, so we have to play a complete game without mistakes if we want to try to get points in Barcelona.”

Abde Ezzalzouli could feature against his old club having moved to Betis on transfer-deadline day.

Pellegrini added: “Abde has just arrived, but he is on the squad list and everyone who has been called up has a chance to play.

“He is a very important addition for us, he arrived at the last minute, we needed a winger with these characteristics.”

Robert Lewandowski scored an 85th-minute winner from the spot as Barcelona snatched a 2-1 LaLiga victory at 10-man Osasuna on Sunday.

The Spanish champions were outplayed for large spells of the game at El Sadar but Jules Kounde put them ahead in first-half injury time.

Chimy Avila looked to have rescued a deserved point for the hosts after 76 minutes but Alejandro Catena was sent off for pulling back Lewandowski in the box and the Pole scored the resulting penalty.

Elsewhere, Portu scored in the 88th minute to hand Girona a 1-0 win over Las Palmas that leaves them second, two points behind Real Madrid, while Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao played out a goalless draw.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as French champions Paris St Germain powered to a 4-1 win over troubled Lyon in Ligue 1.

Achraf Hakimi and Marco Asensio also got on the scoresheet at the Groupama Stadium as PSG piled on the misery for under-fire home manager Laurent Blanc.

The result left Lyon bottom of the table with just one point from four games.

They were overtaken by Clermont, who claimed their first point of the season by fighting back from 2-0 down to snatch a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Toulouse. Florent Ogier scored their injury-time equaliser.

Metz and Reims also drew 2-2 while Le Havre overpowered Lorient 3-0, Lille edged out Montpellier 1-0 and Nice saw off Strasbourg 2-0.

Lautaro Martinez struck twice as Inter Milan moved to the top of Serie A with an emphatic 4-0 win over Fiorentina at San Siro.

Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu, with a penalty, also got on the scoresheet as Inter maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign.

Juventus continued their unbeaten start with a 2-0 triumph at Empoli. Danilo and Federico Chiesa scored in each half.

Nemanja Radonjic scored a stoppage-time winner as Torino beat Genoa 1-0 and Lecce beat Salernitana 2-0.

In Germany, Benjamin Sesko scored twice in the last five minutes to wrap up a 3-0 win for RB Leipzig over 10-man Union Berlin.

Xavi Simons had opened the scoring after 51 minutes and Union’s hopes of getting back into the game were hit when Kevin Volland was sent off just after the hour.

Niels Nkounkou struck in the 87th minute to cancel out a penalty from Florian Kainz and earn Eintracht Frankfurt a 1-1 draw at home to Cologne.

Barcelona moved to within two points of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at Osasuna on Sunday.

The reigning champions were on course for a third consecutive league success when Jules Kounde gave them the lead in first-half added time at Estadio El Sadar.

Chimy Avila levelled for the hosts in the 76th minute, only for Robert Lewandowski to convert a penalty he had won which earned Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena a red card with five minutes remaining.

The three points means Xavi’s side join second-placed Girona on 10 points from four matches in Spain’s top flight.

Barcelona almost took an early lead when Frenkie De Jong hit the bar and Lewandowski was unable to convert the rebound.

Lamine Yamal was next to threaten for the visitors in the 10th minute but his effort was repelled by Osasuna goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.

Osasuna’s Jose Arnaiz drew a sharp save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the 23rd minute and eight minutes later the home side threatened again, with the Barca goalkeeper keeping out an effort from Aimar Oroz.

However, the Catalan club were ahead shortly before the interval through France international Kounde, who headed in an Ilkay Gundogan corner from eight yards. It was the 24-year-old defender’s first goal for Barcelona since their derby win at Espanyol on May 14.

Joao Cancelo came on as a substitute for his debut just before the hour mark and 11 minutes later he almost set up a second goal for the visitors.

The on-loan Manchester City full-back found Lewandowski at the far post but Fernandez was able to block his close-range effort.

However, the visitors levelled soon after with a stunning left-footed strike from Avila.

The Argentinian forward made space for himself on the edge of the Barca box before unleashing a 20-yard curling effort which beat Ter Stegen and found the net via a post.

However, the hosts’ hopes of taking a point ended with 10 minutes remaining when Catena dragged back Lewandowski inside the Osasuna penalty area.

Referee Miguel Ortiz consulted VAR before dismissing the centre-back and, after a delay of nearly five minutes following the original offence, the Pole kept his nerve to send Fernandez the wrong way from the spot.

Osasuna had appeals for a penalty of their own turned down in the third minute of stoppage time when Ante Budimir went down under pressure from fellow substitute Inigo Martinez.

However, the game was not to get a second spot-kick and Barca saw out a further eight minutes to secure the three points.

Barcelona could hand deadline day signings Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo their debuts against Osasuna on Sunday in a match coach Xavi is expecting to be a tough test for the reigning champions.

Portugal duo Felix and Cancelo were brought in on season-long loan deals on Friday from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively and have been immediately named in a 22-man squad for the trip to Pamplona.

Inigo Martinez, a summer signing from Athletic Bilbao, is also in the squad for the first time after recovering from injury while Barca welcome back forward Raphinha from suspension after his opening-weekend dismissal at Getafe.

Xavi said: “The two newcomers (Felix and Cancelo) have trained with us and we’ll see, Inigo is maybe lacking something but is a great signing. Pre-season has been difficult for him and we’ll introduce him bit by bit.

“Cancelo and Felix are well physically, and with Inigo I’m very happy to have him in the squad.

“Joao Felix fits in 100 per cent. He’s a natural talent, he scores goals and he can make the difference.

“He’s a versatile player, can adapt to all the positions in attack, and he can help us a lot.”

Barca head to El Sadar having won back-to-back games since their goalless draw with Getafe but will come up against an Osasuna side who have had a similarly decent start to the LaLiga season.

Jagoba Arrasate’s men have beaten both Celta Vigo and Valencia away from home, either side of a 2-0 defeat to local rivals Athletic Bilbao.

Osasuna also suffered disappointment in Europe after being knocked out of the Europa Conference League play-off by Club Brugge this week – the Basque side surrendering a 2-0 lead in the second leg to tumble out 4-3 on aggregate – but Barca boss Xavi knows his side will be in for a battle.

He said: “They are an intense and difficult team, and much more so at home. They’ve been eliminated from the Conference, after playing on Thursday it is not the ideal scenario for them, but it will be complicated.”

Osasuna boss Arrasate said after his side’s European exit: “It is a tough loss, obviously. We came to a challenging environment, but the team put their foot down. It is normal to feel hurt, but we must be proud of this team and our fans.

“It is a step in the right direction as we continue to build and improve this project. Experiences like this are always good, even though we feel hurt.”

Barcelona have signed Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The Portugal forward has joined Barcelona until June 2024, with no option for a permanent transfer.

“The club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt,” read a Barcelona statement.

“Now, at just 23 years of age, and after expressing his long-held desire to be a blaugrana, Joao Felix has the chance to show the world his talent in a Barca shirt.”

Felix said of his move on the Barcelona Twitter feed: “It was always my dream since I was a kid.”

After breaking through at Benfica, Felix joined Atletico in the summer of 2019 and made more than 100 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons for them.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.

Barca later announced the arrival of Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, also for the duration of the 2023-24 season.

The 29-year-old Portuguese, who has made 154 appearances for City, spent time with Bayern Munich last term.

Barcelona have signed Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The Portugal forward has joined Barcelona until June 2024, with no option for a permanent transfer.

“The club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt,” read a Barcelona statement.

“Now, at just 23 years of age, and after expressing his long-held desire to be a blaugrana, Joao Felix has the chance to show the world his talent in a Barca shirt.”

Felix said of his move on the Barcelona Twitter feed: “It was always my dream since I was a kid.”

After breaking through at Benfica, Felix joined Atletico in the summer of 2019 and made more than 100 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons for them.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.

Harry Kane scored twice on his home Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich as the German champions beat Augsburg 3-1 on Sunday.

The England captain put Bayern into a 2-0 half-time lead with a 40th-minute penalty at the Allianz Arena before claiming his second of the game after 69 minutes.

Bayern had initially gone in front when Felix Uduokhai inadvertently diverted into his own net after a Leroy Sane shot rebounded off a post. Dion Beljo scored the visitors’ late consolation.

Kane’s goals rounded off a great week days after the striker’s wife gave birth to the couple’s fourth child.

“Scoring goals is the main reason I’m here and it’s great to get a couple today,” said Kane in a post-match TV interview.

“I had another chance I could have scored but, overall, I am delighted with the result and to have contributed as well.”

Elsewhere, 10-man Frankfurt snatched a 1-1 draw at Mainz with an injury-time equaliser from Omar Marmoush. Ansgar Knauff had been sent off just after the hour.

In Spain, LaLiga champions Barcelona fought back from 3-2 down to claim a dramatic 4-3 victory at Villarreal.

Barca had led 2-0 early on after strikes from Gavi and Frenkie de Jong but they were stunned when the hosts hit back to lead at the Ceramica Stadium through Juan Foyth, Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena.

The Catalan giants were not to be denied, however, as substitute Ferran Torres levelled the contest after 68 minutes and Robert Lewandowski secured the points three minutes later.

Nacho Vidal scored an injury-time winner as Osasuna grabbed a 2-1 win at Valencia. Hugo Duro had looked like claiming a point for the hosts at the Mestalla when he cancelled out Aimar Oroz’s first-half penalty 10 minutes from time.

Reims maintained their unbeaten start in Ligue 1 as they climbed to third with a 3-1 win at Montpellier. Teddy Teuma struck twice with Yunis Abdelhamid also on the scoresheet.

Clermont remain without a point after a 1-0 home loss to Metz.

Raphinha and head coach Xavi both saw red as Barcelona got their LaLiga title defence under way with a goalless draw at Getafe in a tempestuous affair that saw both sides finish with 10 players.

Raphinha came close to breaking the deadlock when his shot was saved by David Soria before rebounding off Stefan Mitrovic and on to a post, but the Barcelona winger was given his marching orders soon after.

Having been booked for dissent moments earlier, the Brazilian was given a straight red after appearing to use his forearm in an off-the-ball clash with Gaston Alvarez, prompting uproar from Getafe’s bench.

The incident on the stroke of half-time left Barcelona a man down with more than half the game to go but the sides were evened up just before the hour when Jaime Mata received a second yellow card.

Robert Lewandowski saw a looping header cleared off the line by Alvarez before, with 20 minutes left, Xavi was given his marching orders for arguing with the officials.

Barcelona dominated possession and had 14 shots to their opponents’ five on a steamy night in the Spanish capital but ultimately drew a blank in a clash that produced eight yellows and the three red cards.

They thought they should have had a penalty in the 12th minute of added-on time, with referee Cesar Soto Grado checking the monitors following potential fouls on Gavi and Ronald Araujo.

But the official saw no transgression by the Getafe defence and the hosts held on to secure a point.

Goals from Ayoze Perez and Willian Jose – in the 90th minute – secured a 2-1 victory for Real Betis at Villarreal, who had equalised through Jorge Cuenca, while Ruben Garcia and Moi Gomez were on target as Osasuna won 2-0 at Celta Vigo.

In Ligue 1, Lens squandered a two-goal lead as last season’s runners-up started their campaign with a 3-2 defeat at Brest.

Florian Sotoca and Deiver Machado put Lens two goals ahead inside 22 minutes but Romain Del Castillo’s spot-kick on the stroke of half-time gave the home side a foothold in the game.

Kenny Lala equalised just before the hour mark and after substitute Adrien Thomasson was sent off just a quarter of an hour after coming on, Del Castillo scored his second penalty to give Brest the points.

Wissam Ben Yedder bagged a brace as Monaco won 4-2 at Clermont, while Ibrahim Salah also scored twice as Rennes dished out a 5-1 beating to promoted Metz.

Le Havre, back in the top flight after a 14-year absence, had substitute Samuel Grandsir to thank for a last-gasp strike that rescued a 2-2 draw at Montpellier, while Toulouse came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Nantes and Strasbourg beat Lyon by the same score.

In Germany, Dani Olmo’s hat-trick saw RB Leipzig spoil Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich debut with a 3-0 win in the DFL-Supercup.

Ousmane Dembele has told Barcelona that he wants to leave to join Paris St Germain, according to manager Xavi.

The Ligue 1 side have made the 26-year-old an offer that Barca “cannot match” and he has informed his manager that he wishes to move.

The France international has a £43million release clause in his contract which PSG have reportedly triggered, shortly before the terms of his deal stipulated the figure would rise to £86m.

Talks have taken place between the parties and Dembele has made up his mind that his future lies away from Barca, whom he joined from Borussia Dortmund for £125m in 2017.

“Dembele came and told me he wanted to leave,” said Xavi. “He has an offer from PSG that we cannot match.”

He has played 185 times for the club and has won three LaLiga titles during his six-year stay.

Great Britain triple jumper Phillips Idowu won gold at the European Championships in Barcelona on this day in 2010.

On a rainy night in Spain, Idowu added to his Commonwealth and world titles by earning victory with the best jump of his career.

The 31-year-old leaped a superb 17.81 metres on his fourth attempt, extending his previous personal best by eight centimetres to finish ahead of Romania’s Marian Oprea.

Idowu said afterwards: “I’ve always worked hard and by the grace of God I’ve come out a gold medallist.”

Idowu’s success was Great Britain’s second gold medal of the 2010 European Championships after Mo Farah had triumphed in the 10,000m.

London-born Idowu had also landed Olympic silver at Beijing in 2008 but injury problems later began to hamper his career and he failed to make it past the qualifying round in his home Games in 2012.

He retired from the sport the following year.

Ilkay Gundogan is a midfield "heavyweight" and his arrival at Barcelona will raise the level of team-mates including Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi.

That is the view of Barca great Hristo Stoichkov, who is excited by the prospect of the former Manchester City captain slotting into Xavi's title-winning side.

Barca won LaLiga for the first time since Lionel Messi's 2021 departure last season, with a young Blaugrana team finishing 10 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.

Gundogan joined Barca on a free transfer in June after helping City become just the second side to win a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble, and Stoichkov hopes his experience will benefit younger team-mates. 

"I think it's fantastic because he's a great player," Stoichkov told Stats Perform. "I have always liked Gundogan as a player since he did it in Dortmund, then at City and also with his national team. 

"He is a great professional and I think he will help a lot with his experience because Barcelona have a young team. 

"Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, Gavi, [Alejandro] Balde, [Ronald] Araujo and Ansu Fati are young and having a heavyweight in the squad can help them grow."

Gundogan will have to wait for his Camp Nou debut, with Barca due to play their home games at the Estadi Olimpic while their famous home is renovated next season.

President Joan Laporta pledged to create "the best stadium in the world" as the project began in May, and Stoichkov says the work – which will include the construction of a new roof – is overdue.

"For me Camp Nou is a myth and not only from my time, but since it was built in 1957," he said. "The greatest players, coaches and presidents in history have passed through that stadium. 

"It is a symbol and a temple of world football. When I arrived at Barcelona in 1990 and left at such a huge moment and with 120,000 people shouting my name, it will always remain in my memory. 

"But it is obvious that after so many years a remodelling is necessary, and Camp Nou needed something new. 

"Thank God, Laporta in his second stage as president has managed to rebuild Camp Nou and do something new. Barcelona needed it, Catalonia needed it, FC Barcelona needed it. 

"I will always have good memories. I recently sent some friends to collect a piece of the grass, a stone and a seat so that I can put them in my museum because it was very important in my career. 

"I will always remember my first goal for Barcelona at Camp Nou against Valencia, when we won 3-1. When I saw 120,000 people shouting my name, I realised Camp Nou was a temple."

Stoichkov – who won five league titles and the 1991-92 European Cup during his time with Barca – hopes the modernisation helps the club return to the top of the continental game.

"We must recognise it is the modern era," he added. "I played in very old stadiums in England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain and today there are new cycles, new presidents, new players and everyone wanted something new. 

"Obviously when you have a first-level stadium, you like to enjoy it. This is a time when Barcelona are building a new field and a new team so that in a few years, they can win the Champions League again, which is a great wish I have."

Barcelona have re-signed former Chelsea and Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu and inserted a £400million euros (£347m) release clause into his contract.

Romeu, 31, came through Barca’s famed academy but made only one league outing for the Catalan club before he joined Chelsea in 2011.

Now, 12 years later, Barcelona have announced the midfielder’s return to the Nou Camp on a three-year deal after one season with fellow LaLiga side Girona.

Born in Catalonia, Romeu had a spell in Espanyol’s academy before he joined Barca’s youth team and was given his debut by Pep Guardiola in 2011.

A move to Chelsea followed months later but it was at Southampton where he established himself as a Premier League regular, making 256 appearances during a seven-year stay at the St Mary’s until he left in 2022.

Romeu was a regular for Girona last season and will now ply his trade at Barcelona again under old team-mate Xavi.

What the papers say

Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Thiago Alcantara. The Daily Mail, citing Spanish outlet Sport, says the Spanish giants are eager to reunite with the Liverpool midfielder, with club bosses at Anfield believed to be willing to listen to offers for the 32-year-old. Alcantara came up through Barcelona’s youth system and made 68 appearances for the first team.

The Mail also reports that Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad are preparing a bid for Reds midfielder Fabinho. Via The Athletic, the paper says the offer would be worth £40million, with any decision on a potential transfer likely to happen quickly.

Meanwhile, Liverpool may be in the market for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. According to the Daily Mirror, manager Jurgen Klopp is leading the charge for the 19-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

And the Daily Mail says Aston Villa are circling a bid for 22-year-old Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Riyad Mahrez: The Athletic reports Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli are preparing a £30m offer for the Manchester City winger.

Moussa Diaby: Aston Villa have made a formal approach for the Bayer Leverkusen winger, says Sky Sports Germany.

Manchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain paid tribute to the “inspirational” Ilkay Gundogan after the midfielder’s long-expected free transfer to Barcelona was confirmed.

The treble-winning captain turned down the chance to stay at City and is set to sign with Barca, who have set his buyout clause at 400million euros (£342m), until 2025 following the expiration of his existing contract.

Gundogan, who was manager Pep Guardiola’s first signing in July 2016, signed off in style by lifting the Champions League earlier this month after victory over Inter Milan in his 304th and final appearance.

“Ilkay has been a wonderful servant for Manchester City, and he leaves our club on a very special high having captained us to a historic treble,” said Begiristain.

“He has played a huge part in the successes we have enjoyed in recent seasons and Ilkay’s intelligence, leadership and commitment to the club – both on and off the field – has been an inspiration to everyone.

“Ilkay has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

During his seven years at City Gundogan won the Premier League five times, in addition to two FA Cups – this season scoring the quickest goal in final history at 12 seconds – four League Cups and the Champions League.

“I have been lucky to have experienced so many unforgettable moments in my time here and to have been captain for this extra-special season has been the greatest experience of my career,” said the former Germany international.

“First, I would like to thank Pep. To have been able to play under and learn from him for so long has been something I will never forget.

“I would also like to thank all my team-mates – past and present – who have all played such a special part in making my time here so amazing.

“Finally, I would like to thank the incredible City fans. They have supported me from the moment I arrived, and I owe them all so much for their support.

“This club made me realise all my dreams and I will forever be thankful for this opportunity.”