FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona

The biggest takeaway from the starting eleven against Levante is Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese international starts ahead of Alejandro Balde at left-back, while Jules Kounde continues on the opposite flank. Gerard Martin is a suspension risk and is one booking away from becoming ineligible to play against Villarreal. But he starts in central defence alongside Eric Garcia, with Pau Cubarsi rested.

Jofre Torrents has been a regular member in training with Barcelona's first team this season, with Hansi Flick seeing special potential in the youngster. A left-back by trade, he has made his first-team debut and a handful of appearances under the German manager and is rated as one of the academy's best young left-backs. Alejandro Balde's improved fitness and Gerard Martin's rise have seen his prominence in the first team limited this season, with Joao Cancelo's arrival adding even more competition.

Manager Juliano Belletti's Barça Atletic has been heavily depleted, recently relying almost solely on winter signing Joaquin Delgado up front, alongside youth-registered Nuhu Fofana. The injury bug has sidelined several key figures, including Dani Rodriguez, Ibrahim Diarra, and, most recently, Oscar Gistau. Although Víctor Barbera has finally returned to field work, the ripple effect has deeply impacted Pol Planas' Juvenil A side, forcing the manager to reinvent Adrian Guerrero as a makeshift number nine.

"I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I've always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have," he told ESPN.

Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati was on target again for Monaco on Saturday as the Ligue 1 side came back from 2-0 down to beat Ligue 1 leaders Lens 3-2 in a dramatic game. Lens are enjoying an eye-catching season and looked set for another three points after taking charge of the game thanks to goals from Odsonne Edouard and Florian Thauvin.

"Messi has to retire and has to say goodbye to all culés on the pitch. The 'how' depends exclusively, first, on his will and his situation at the end of this year, once the World Cup has passed and his season in MLS has finished, at the end of 2026. When we talk about the sporting side, it also depends on the situation at FC Barcelona. What is evident is that the only way Messi can say goodbye, as Barça deserves and Leo Messi deserves, which is in kit and on the pitch, is if Joan Laporta is not in charge after March 16," he said.

"I am in a good moment, but I think the best is yet to come. Physically, I am fine , I needed regularity and the sensations are good," he added. "It's not that I'm bothered by people saying that I get injured a lot, but I don't agree with that either. I've had injuries due to trauma, which is something I can't control because it's part of the sport."