What’s Messi been upto this July

Lionel Messi is back on the front pages – This time with a new look. Almost a month after shockingly announcing international retirement and some holidaying at Ibiza in private yatch, Leo is back with new looks to take on new season 2016-17. He now joins the blonde footballers club alongside new joinees Aaron Ramsey and Marouane Fellaini (as observed during the Euros 2016)

While Messi was holidaying, a 24 yr old Atletico Madrid fan, Suli, swam one kilometre to see Messi in the deep sea. The Barcelona forward was kind enough to ask the enthusiastic fan come on board and have a drink with him.

Messi got an extra week off to holiday with family and will soon join Barcelona team mates for their 2016-17 season.

Barcelona transfer buzz

Barcelona have been fast and furious at the transfer market with key signings in Denis Suarez, Andre Gomes, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne.

They are also in talks to sign Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro, Palmeiras striker Gabriel Jesus and Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto – presumably as backup striker to the famous MSN trio. If they sign any two of the above names, we can expect atleast one amongst MSN to be offloaded for big money.

Andre Gomes inclusion, despite his young age (22) is an interesting signing as it floods an overcrowded Barcelona midfield of options – Iniesta, Rakitic, Busquets, Mascherano, Turan, Roberto and Samper. Atleast one big name amongst these is set to go by look of things.

Barcelona key 2016 dates

Spanish cup title Defence:

Aug 17, 2016, Vs Sevilla.
While the first leg of this clash is at Nou Camp on Aug 14, for all means and purposes this game will be decided at Nou Camp. Last year these two teams met early in season in UEFA Super Cup and it ended being one of the games of the season : a 5-4 win for Barcelona. Expect another memorable encounter. This time over two legs.

La Liga title defence

Barcelona will start their La Liga title defence with relatively easy games – Kick off at the awesome Nou Camp Vs Real Betis, followed byclash against Athletic Bilbao (at San Sebastián), then a home match against Alaves and an away fixture against newly promoted Leganes. Fans will expect 12 points at this stage of the Catalan club are to win the La Liga Vs European Champions Real Madrid led by their Euro Nations 2016 winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona’s key games start after that.

Sep 21, 2016, Vs Atletico Madrid at Nou Camp. I was there the last time these two teams met and its was unforgettable.

Oct 23, 2016, Vs Valencia at Mestalla

Nov 6, 2016, Vs Seville at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Dec 04, 2016, Vs Real Madrid at Nou Camp. I was there the last time these two teams met and still have goosebumps off that experience. A major tick off my bucket list.