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All the latest LaLiga news in one place!
Lionel Messi misses Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is something we have never seen before in the history of football. The two have been going head-to-head for the top honours for the last decade and had a duopoly on the Ballon d'Or before Luka Modric finally broke it last year.
The Argentine and his 'rival', Ronaldo were the ones in the running for the Golden Boot in La Liga as well. Barring the 2015/16 season where Luis Suarez ran away with the Pichichi trophy, Ronaldo and Messi had won it in each of the last 10 seasons.
Talking to Fox Sports Argentina, Messi confirmed that he misses Ronaldo in La Liga. The Portuguese star left Real Madrid to join Juventus last summer and has won the league in Italy.
Messi said:
“Of course I miss Ronaldo, he made Real Madrid stronger. I said that they were going to feel the exit of Cristiano, as it would have happened to any team. A few people got angry but it's a reality, he scored 50 goals per season for them and it was a key factor in their success. The whole league misses him now.”
“It was good for us both, we always wanted to improve ourselves. We did not have much of a relationship. We knew each other only from matches and at award ceremonies, but we always had good vibes and often talk too.”
This statement from Messi comes just months after Ronaldo challenged him to move to Italy and try a different league. He said:
“For me, life is a challenge, I like it and I like to make people happy. I would like him to come to Italy one day. Like me, accept the challenge. However, if he is happy there, I respect him. He is a fantastic player, a good guy but I do not miss anything here. This is my new life and I'm happy.”
Filipe Luis set to join Barcelona
Atletico Madrid star, Filipe Luis is days away from joining Barcelona according to Marca. The Spanish report suggests that the Brazilian will be moving to Camp Nou after his contract at Atleti expires.
The veteran left-back declined the new deal offered to him by the Madrid side and was keen on leaving this summer. He was reportedly close to joining PSG last summer, but the Madrid side blocked the move. Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with the former Chelsea defender, but nothing materialized there.
Reports now suggest that Barcelona's hunt for a back-up left-back for Jordi Alba has ended and they have agreed a deal with Luis. The Atletico Madrid has been linked with the Catalan side for some time now and will be completing the move soon.
He is set to fly out for International duty in a few days as he has been called up to the Brazilian side for Copa America.
Real Madrid's offer for Joao Felix rejected
The race for Joao Felix is on, and every single top club in Europe is keen on signing him. Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG and Juventus have been linked with him while Barcelona are also said to be interested in getting the youngster.
Real Madrid have joined the race as well according to Marca but have had their first offer for him rejected. The report claims that Los Blancos made an €80 million bid for the teenager, but Benfica rebuffed the bid straight away.
Felix has a €120 million release clause, and the Portuguese side are not willing to negotiate with any club. They want the release clause activated by the clubs interested in signing him and are not ready to sell for anything less.
The Manchester clubs have made bids for him so far but have been rebuffed as well.
Barcelona hijack Junior Firpo move for €30M
Barcelona are on the verge of signing Filipe Luis as the backup for Jordi Alba but that has not stopped them from signing a long-term replacement for the Spaniard too. The Catalan side are looking to sign Junior Firpo from Real Betis according to reports in SPORT.
The 22-year-old left-back has been impressive in La Liga and has attracted interested from Real Madrid and Manchester City as well. The Betis star was the subject of bids from both clubs in January but his club decided not to let go of him in the winter transfer window.
Firpo has a €60 million release clause in his contract but SPORT report that Barcelona are looking to sign him for €30 million. They also claim that Betis are ready to sell for that price and believe that they will be able to get him back on loan as Barca will have Alba and Luis in their squad.
Real Madrid make shock bid for De Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt is a player who is being chased by PSG, Manchester United and Barcelona. All three clubs are willing to break the bank to sign the Ajax captain but the defender is in no hurry to accept any offer.
Reports in Spain now suggest that Real Madrid have tabled an offer for him as well. The report suggests that Madrid have offered €82 million to Ajax and a salary of €11 million to the Dutch defender.
The report also claims that the offer is way better than what Barca have offered – €65 million for him and a salary of €8 million. The offer is reportedly better than what Manchester United have offered too – €80 million (including add-ons) to Ajax and a salary of €8 million per season to De Ligt.
Despite signing Eder Militao, reports suggest that Florentino Perez is desperate to sign another young centre-back this summer.
