#so i decided to stay at home to watch the barca game and watch an f1 race for the FIRST TIME

[sunofmoon]

.

[a-pute11as]

Softie - Alexia Putellas

warnings - none?

words - 1.3k

Game day was your favourite, the build up of emotions, the performance anxiety mixed with the joy you felt every time you stepped onto the pitch. Nothing could ever beat the highs you felt when playing the sport you loved so much. Today was one of those days, well it was meant to be, yet the difference was that a very discoloured and swollen ankle caused by a dodgy tackle during international break meant you’d be missing out. The Barca medical team had decided it would be best to miss out on the upcoming away game, advising you to stay home and focus on rehab for the couple of days that your teammates would be away. 

Alexia had always been overprotective, both as your captain and girlfriend, she always had your best interest at heart and wanting her squad at full fitness meant she was quick to agree with the medical advice, even if that meant a couple days of prolonged separation. At first she did try her best to figure out a way you could successfully rehab whilst traveling with your team, but given the amount of walking an away trip often endured and the crutches you were temporarily restricted to, she decided against it. 

“Lo siento mi amor, we both know it’s for the best” Alexia hummed, her hand pressed against her cheek as you were saying your goodbyes at the front door of the shared apartment. Your body half limped against the wall as your crutches had been abandoned next to the sofa in your bid to say a proper goodbye to Alexia.

“Can you change your mind? It’s not too late for me to pack some things” You muttered, leaning into her soft hand as her thumb rubbed back and forth along your cheek. 

“Cari, you know what my answer is” She whispered, planting a small kiss on your forehead, leaving you to mumble in defeat.

You said your goodbyes and Alexia was soon gone, leaving you alone with the lack of comfort from your favourite person.

The next few days were full of rehab at the training center, consistent check ins from your girlfriend and a couple of facetime calls when she didn’t believe that you were doing your at-home recovery, something that Alexia often had to bribe you into doing.

You were now more stable on your ankle, meaning you could get around without the reliance on your crutches, allowing you the extra freedom of moving as you pleased. Ale was due home in a couple of hours and you knew she’d be tired so you set about the task of tidying your apartment. It didn’t take too long but the slightly limp in your step did somewhat slow you down and drain extra energy. 

After finishing you were quick to take a shower and put on a change of clothes, consisting of a pair of Alexia’s Spanish national team shorts and her hoodie. Stumbling back towards the sofa, you planted yourself on it comfortably, waiting for the door to open to embrace the person you’d had been missing. 

It didn’t take long for you to adjust yourself into a comfier position whilst the time seemed to drag. You searched for a questionable English reality show, one that Ale would ridicule you for whenever you asked to watch it together, she never got the appeal of British humour yet it made you feel at home. Your phone pinged as you made another adjustment to your leg to seek some kind of peace from the discomfort of baring weight on it had caused. 

Amor -

Get some sleep, the plane has been delayed slightly so i will be late home and i know you’re tired already

You furrowed your eyebrows at her suggestion of sleep, determined to greet her with wide eyes and a smile as soon as she entered the room. 

You -

Ale i’m wide awake, i’ll be here when you’re up so you can tell me all about it

In reality you already knew all about it, you had watched the match with Ellie, who was also kept back from traveling due to recovery, you had been receiving updates from both Patri and Pina about the ‘cute’ things Ale had said in passing conversations about you. As well as a message from Kiera asking if your girlfriend would ever not make up excuses for the time when you both snuck away from a team celebration to cuddle. Her usual excuse was to blame it on you, but in reality she was tired after a big win and didn’t want to look too soft to the rest of the team. 

*Incoming FaceTime call from Amor*

“Hola cari” Alexia smiled, as the phone lit up your face.

“Hi babe, everything okay?” You smiled back, stifling a yawn that tried to expose your tiredness to your girlfriend. 

“Just thought I’d check in before the flight, make sure you’re as wide awake as you say you are” Her smile shifted into a smirk knowing exactly the type of person you were. 

“No confias en mi, amor?” You questioned, tilting your head to the side, teasing her intentions. 

“No cariño, confío en ti, pero siempre estás cansada y siempre te quejas." She responded, mocking your head tilt with similar teasing intentions. 

“Ale who’s that?” Patri said, peering her head into the screen, a smile appearing on her face as she realised who it was, “It’s lover girl!” She added, using the nickname she had given you when you first let her know about your relationship. She was quick to take the phone from Alexia’s han for herself. 

“Patri, give her the phone back” You laughed, knowing she had every intention of causing some kind of trouble.

“No, venga, say hello to everyone” She held the phone up, announcing your presence causing you to wave at your teammates that had now focused their attention on the phone.

“Are you staying up to give your girlfriend a goodnight kiss?” Pina laughed, as she began to blow kisses towards the phone.

“Oye, dámelo” Alexia said, standing as she grabbed the phone from Patri’s hand swiftly, “The flight is boarding now amor, go to sleep”. You mumbled in response before saying your goodbyes and hanging up.

Even though you were determined to stay awake, it didn’t take long for your eyes to grow heavy as the comfort from Alexia’s borrowed clothes took over your senses.

“Mi amor, wake up” Alexia cooed, her hand running through your hair to stir you through your sleep.

Your only response was a few very tired grumbles as your eyes opened to the sight you’d been waiting for. It took a couple of seconds for you to realise what was going on before a sleepy smile overtook your face.

“Ale, you’re home” You smiled, pushing yourself up off the sofa and wrapping your arms around her quickly.

“Si, I thought you weren’t tired huh?” She laughed, placing a kiss on the top of your head. 

“It was an accidenttttt” You whined, “I got comfy in your clothes and they smelt like you so it made me tired”. 

“Oh nena, vamos a la cama” She suggested, taking hold of my hand and leading me towards our bedroom. 

“I’m not even tired amor” You announced, as if there was any use convincing her that you were telling the truth. 

Within 5 minutes both you and Alexia were settled in bed, your head resting on her chest as her fingers made their way through your hair slowly. Your hands ran up and down her chest as you both sleepily talked through how you spent your days and the parts you missed each other the most.

“Patri and Pina didn’t stop teasing me about you staying awake for me to get home” Alexia laughed slightly, “They don’t think I’m tough anymore”.

You sleepily laughed in response, “You’re a massive softie, I think they already knew that”. 

a/n - not sure how i feel about this one, so v sorry if its a lil shit x

[cher-rei]

prompt 9 or 10 w pedri 🙏🏼

pack it up- pedri gonzalez [ P.G ]

you and me, always forever [always forever- cults]

pairing: pedri gonzalez x fem!reader

summary: watching the football match with pedri starts off cute, but you've said felix's name one too many times.

genre(s): flufffffff

[wc: 2.5k] masterlist

notes: I changed the plot of this a bunch of times for no reason I swearrr

"amor the match is starting!"

your call had pedri rushing from the kitchen with his hands occupied by the assorted candies that you asked for. he set it down on the coffee table just in time and settled down next to you on the couch, pulling you closer to his side underneath the blanket.

"I can't believe you're making your injured boyfriend run around for some sweets," he said in disbelief and looked down at you, but yours eyes were glued to the tv screen.

this was a match that you couldn't afford to miss, athlético vs barça was not something that anyone took lightly. that's why you prepped a little more for this match than usual and your boyfriend decided to join you at home instead of going to the stadium with the excuse that it was too cold outside.

you didn't complain though, having pedri at home was a gift from heaven but of course you still wished for a speedy recovery and all that... but he was home and got to spend time with you, so it was okay right?

your lack of response had him dumbfounded, he stayed at home for this? he clicked his tongue and faced forward, mumbling about something under his breath but you were quick to shush him.

"shush babe." you softly hit his arm. "you can complain later."

this wasn't the first shocking thing that has happened today at all. just before kick off, you told him that you forgot to put your barca jersey on and rushed to your room which had pedri smiling from ear to ear, thinking that you would be coming out in one of his jerseys.

and oh how wrong he was.

his smile immediately dropped at the sight, not just because it wasn't one of the jerseys he gave you but rather your own, but also because of whose name and number were flaunted at the back.

your boyfriend blinked up at you, and you asked him what was wrong, clearly not seeing an issue. "is there something wrong with my face?" you put your hand to your face, walking over to the mirror hanging on the wall to check but nothing was there.

"uh no," he said through a forced smile. "but there's something wrong with what you're wearing right now."

your head tilted in confusion and you looked down at your outfit, not seeing an issue with it all. your shoulders slumped and you looked at him in confusion. "there's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing."

"last time i checked, felix isn't your boyfriend, i am." he pointed to himself for emphasis but you only rolled your eyes at his childishness.

"are you serious right now?" you sat down beside him and he shot you a look of judgment buy your were adamant on not changing.

"last time I checked you're not on the pitch right now, felix is." you gestured to the tv yet pedri remained stubborn, saying that it didn't matter whether or not he was playing or not.

where did you even buy that jersey?? he needed to burn it asap.

he was upset but all it took was a quick peck on the lips to ease his mind, reassuring him that you wanted to give felix some extra support because he was playing against his own club. and that made sense to pedri, the support was needed and it was appreciated.

so for the first 20 minutes of the game, your yelling was held at a minimum but the closer you got to halftime time the more restless you and pedri got. the team's play was just too messy, there was no communication or stability.

the ball was lost every other touch, barca could barely make it past the halfway line and they kept on passing the ball back instead of taking their chances. it was frustrating, to say the least, especially for pedri because he was supposed to be there.

he was supposed to be running on the pitch, ensuring that the midfield wasn't a total wreck but he wasn't. he just had to get injured again. you felt his body tense up beside you and immediately knew what he was thinking.

"hey," you called softly and flashed him a small smile. "are you okay?"

when he looked at you his mind immediately eased— one look and a smile from you and he felt so much better. sure he was bugged about the whole jersey thing but you still looked so adorable cuddled up to him that he forgot about everything.

he gave you a reassuring hum and a kiss on the forehead before turning back to the match. his fingers ran through your hair soothingly, your eyes daring to close but you wouldn't dare tell him to stop.

it was now 35 minutes into game time and nothing had happened which had pedri scoffing. "I think you're jinxing us."

"as if, just you wait," you countered but he wasn't too sure about your answer. it wasn't playing in your favour by the looks of it and he swore that it was your jersey, it had to be and when he told you that it was you shook your head, swearing that felix was going to score.

pedri was still I'm disbelief, shaking his head until you shot up when gundogan got the ball, choosing to pass it to lewandoski who was already in the box. it all happened to fast that you barely saw it, both you and pedri holding on to each other until the ball went into the net, by none other than felix himself.

"let's go felix my boy!!" you leapt from the couch and stood in front of your boyfriend who sat silently in disbelief until it sank in.

he looked up at your smiling face with his eyebrows raised. "your boy?"

you chose to ignore him and pat the barcelona crest on your jersey. "pack it up, lover boy. I called it."

the commentators were going crazy, everything happening so fast but you were still standing in front of the tv with your phone in your hand, happily adding the moment to your instagram story and replying to gavi's message about the goal.

"xavi got a red card," pedri said in hopes of redirecting your attention away from felix and his goal. he was happy for his teammate obviously— he was ecstatic, but not about the part where his girlfriend was celebrating as if he was her boyfriend.

he didn't know why, but he was in a rather jealous mood today. he wasn't the jealous type, and you knew that which was why you couldn't help but tease him with the opportunity given.

you put your phone back down on the coffee table. "I don't care about xavi right now. this is about felix and his redemption. the clubs redemption too-- but mostly felix's."

something about the way you said felix's name made pedri's jaw tick. it was like a broken record sounding from your lips, over and over again until he finally let up and pulled you onto his lap which had you all too amused.

"do you know how many times you've said his name tonight?" he asked with a quirked brow.

you tried to ignore the feeling of his hands trailing up your shirt onto your bare skin. it was so rare to see him this riled up, this adamant because pedri was a baby. your baby, who preferred to be the little spoon and smothered in kisses.

so you couldn't falter. not now.

your shoulders shrugged innocently. "the normal amount."

the normal amount? as if.

that wasn't even remotely close to what he wanted to hear and you felt it in the way he looked at you. the living room was dark— the only source of light being from the tv that you'd lost all interest in because your boyfriend was staring you down.

his eyes dropped from your eyes to your lips and you felt your face heat up in anticipation.

"6 times," he muttered just above a whisper and inches towards you achingly slow, only to pull away at the last second because second half had starterted by the sound of it.

he pat your thigh lightly and set you back down beside him, your body still in shock at the fact that he pulled away before kissing you. you looked up at pedri with your lips slightly parted, not sure of what to say.

"what?" he asked with a chuckle and gestured to the tv. "felix is there not here. you're supposed to be supporting him."

oh so he was playing like that tonight? your boyfriend loved to tease you whenever he got the chance. he was playful sure but this was a tad bit too far for your liking. anyway, you brushed it off and continued to enjoy the game, but with less talking.

not too long after second half started lewandoski was able to make the score 2-0 , and this time pedri was the one to jump up in victory whereas you just watched him. you weren't upset, not by a long shot. if he wanted to play, then you'd join in.

your boyfriend spared you a few glances every so often and noticed the bit of space that was left between you two. he watched you silently and began to wonder what the issue was and when he asked if you were okay, a nod was sent his way.

ten more minutes had passed with little to no words exchanged and he was starting to grow restless, whereas you continued to watch the match unbothered. if there truly was an issue then there was only way to make sure of it.

your hand was free, resting on your thigh so naturally his hand slipped into it but you were quick to pull away and instead bent over to reach for your phone on the coffee table.

it was his turn to be shocked— his lips parting and a scoff of disbelief exiting but you paid no mind and continued to go through your phone, only looking up at the tv when you heard that fermin scored.

"how long are you going to keep this up for?" pedri suddenly asked out of the blue and your best act of nonchalantly confusion and asked him what he meant.

his eyebrows quirked up. "you're not talking at all and when I tried to hold your hand you pulled it away."

you raised your phone into the air, "because I wanted to get my phone--"

"oh so you can hold my hand now then?" there was a twinge of anger in his tone, it was almost unnoticeable but you caught it and carried on with the act and shook your head to the side.

"I'm still using my phone pedro--"

pedri's body tensed up at the name that fell from your lips as if this night couldn't have gotten any more confusing. he turned to face you fully. "what did you just call me?"

you squinted, trying your best to suppress your smile because you knew that he hated it when you said his name. it meant that he was in trouble which was rare so for you to say to so casually had him panicking.

"your name?"

"did I do something wrong? are you going to tell me that you want to sleep in the guest room tonight too?"

he began to get riled up and it was seen in the way that his eyes began to wander and never met yours. he had officially gone into full panic mode which you hadn't expected at all, so now it was your turn to let up the act to try and calm him down.

your hand immediately found his and you urged him to calm down, saying that you were just teasing him. you went on like this for however long, spewing apologies and reassurance because having him upset was the last thing anyone wanted.

that was until you saw his lips curve up ever so slowly. your blood began to boil in the realisation that he wasn't being serious at all and had you feeling as guilty as ever for absolutely no reason. without a second thought, you let go of his hand and hot up from the couch.

pedri couldn't stop smiling, a soft chuckle leaving his lips while he tried to pull you back down but you already had your phone and started walking away. "baby wait," he called out after you but no second glance was spared from your side.

"where are you going?" he watched as the figure began walking up the stairs, each step filled with more irritation than the last but he couldn't push aside how adorable you looked.

you scoffed. "the guest bedroom."

your answer had him running after you in a matter of seconds, his laughter echoing through the house as he called out your name and luckily he caught you at the top of the staircase. pedri's arms wrapped around you but you fought it and tried your best to escape his embrace.

"amor I was only teasing you," he said in between his laughter and spun you around to look at him. the pout on your face had his heartstrings tugging but you only rolled your eyes.

"is it because I didn't kiss you hm?" he asked playfully and leant down to kiss you but you turned your head away from him stubbornly. did that stop him? not in the slightest, because he opted for the next open space— your neck which had you in a fit of giggles.

featherlight kisses trailed from your collarbone to your neck— each kiss more delicate than the last and placed so carefully to the point where you couldn't fight it any longer and admitted defeat.

"okay I said you won," you repeated but he didn't stop, a low hum sounding against your skin instead.

"I haven't won until this," he tugged on the hem of the jersey you were still wearing, felix's name at the back. "is on the floor."

[wosoamazing]

The Transfer

Summary: You move to Barca.

Warnings: None I don't think

A/N: Google translated Spanish so I apologies if it is incorrect, hope you like it. Also as usual feel free to send requests, whether it is for this Series or for kid!readers, or something else. Hope you like it.

You run to Leah when you see her, and give her a massive hug, you missed her, camp was hard, especially the second last day. There was a conversation you needed to have with her, you didn’t want to risk her finding out from someone else, so you decided to just start it right there and then in the airport.

“We need to talk about something, Le.”

“Go to Barca.”

“What?” you exclaim looking up at her, surely you heard her wrong.

“Go to Barca, you deserve it Bug, you’re amazing, go to Barca, you can always come back, Arsenal will take you back in a heartbeat, any club would take you back in a heartbeat, but you’re not going to want to come back, and I’ll visit I promise, and we can put daily facetime calls in our calendar for the first few weeks. Call me whenever you need, I’ll pick up the phone. But the girls are lovely there, and you will have Lucy and Kiera.”

“Wait, so you’re saying go? How did you find out?”

“Of course I’m saying go, it’s Barca, and the finding out part, well Alexia messaged asking if I knew anything I said no, asked Lucy and Kiera and they were like ‘yeah she spoke to us about what the people were like, and the environment etc we thought you knew’ Millie then walked in and was like ‘Guy’s shit just went down at the Matildas camp, might want to check your sister is okay though Leah’, Millie than told us what Sam told her and yeah”

“So, you’re not mad I didn’t ask you first?”

“No, I’m proud, you asked the right people the right questions, you stood up for yourself, you manage to do some pretty hard ball negotiations, and you didn’t let anyone make the decision for you, you stayed true to yourself, and I’m proud.”

_____

“Ready to go?” Lucy asks as your suitcases are loaded into the back of the car, you nod you had just played friendlies against the Lionesses in England, so at least the travel there was short, however the travel back to your club was going to be a bit longer, as you weren’t returning to Arsenal but to Barca.

“I feel sick,” Kiera moaned as she came out to join you and Lucy.

“Yeah, I told you to stop drinking, why do you think we didn’t drink.”

“Ah because she is still a week and one year underage, and you I don’t know, because you don’t know how to let loose and have fun,” Kiera replies. Last night some of your national and club teammates as well as some Leah’s national teammates had a party in your honour, to celebrate you going to Barca and to celebrate your Birthday, which was in a week.

_____

It was your first night staying at Lucy and Kiera’s and somehow it was conveniently team bonding night at their place. It didn’t seem like a coincidence at all. You were really nervous to meet the team, they all knew each other already, this was the first time you were joining a team that you were completely new in, when you joined Arsenal you already knew the girls really well because of Leah, and then when you joined the Matildas you had Steph, Kyra and Caitlin, but this was different.

You had stayed quiet for most of the night, watching the game, trying not to draw attention to yourself, however that was all unravelled when Mapi sighed “Estúpido Àrbitro. Eso fue claramente una falta.” (Stupid Referee, that was clearly a foul)

“Casi fue tarjeta amarilla.” (almost was a yellow card)

Everyone heads turned to you, and their jaws dropped. “You know Spanish?”

“Ah, well a bit, mainly to do with the game, one of my Friend’s Dad’s is Spanish and they talk Spanish at home, especially when he is watching the game.”

“Leah never told me that,” Lucy remarked, “Leah doesn’t necessarily know” “oh, so is this a friend or a friend.”

“Lucy leave the poor kid alone,” Kiera told her off.

“So it is a special friend,” “Is she, or he, cute?” “Do you have a photo?” the girls all asked at once.

“Girls, as Kiera said, leave the poor kid alone, she just got here” Alexia told them, they all shut up immediately.

_____

“Oh, Bebita, what’s wrong?” Alexia asks you as she walks into the locker room, you were slumped back in your locker, leaning against the wall, “come here”, she says as she drags you up and brings you in for a hug, in which you broke, tears start to stream down your face as you try to get out of Alexia’s grip, it was only your third day at Barcelona and yet here you were crying in front of your new captain. Alexia only tightened her grip at your actions cooing “It’s okay, I’m here,” rubbing your back slightly. “How about we sit down,” she sat down and pulled you into her lap, you rested your head on her shoulder, giving into her.

“I-I miss Le,” You sobbed into her shoulder.

“I know, its okay Bebita, we’re here,” Alexia could never understand completely how you felt but she could imagine, she could see how close you and Leah were which wasn’t surprising considering you had been living with her for the past six years but leaving her and only seeing her through the phone was something you were struggling with, and the team had started to notice it, you were always slightly sadder when you re-joined the team after being on the phone with Leah.

_____

You woke up and looked at the clock, it was 9:00am, ‘shit’ you mumble to yourself, you sprung out of your bed before flopping back into it, after having the realisation that you didn’t have training today, you had a game last night, which you played in, it was much tougher than the games at Arsenal, so you were exhausted.

It was only then that you took in your surrounds, there were balloons scattered around your room, and on the floor, there were little present signs with arrows. You quickly got yourself semi presentable before following the presents, they lead you into the living room, all your new teammates were there. “Surprise!” they all yelled whilst someone exploded one of those confetti guns, you were in fact surprised, you had been at Barca a week, you were expecting something low key with Lucy and Kiera not a whole team affair, “Come sit,” Lucy said tapping the empty section of couch between her and Alexia, as you walked over you couldn’t help but notice the pile of presents on the coffee table, you had already received gifts from your family and arsenal teammates, so these had to be from your Barca teammates but you couldn’t really believe it.

“You got these all for me?” you questioned in disbelief.

“Yes, they are all for you,” Alexia tells you before handing you a gift, “here open.”

You eventually finished making your way through the present pile and thanked everyone profusely.

However, while you thanked everyone Alexia walked in with three more presents, these ones were quite heavy. “Don’t open them yet, I just need to call someone,” whoever she was calling answered, and then she handed the phone to you, it was Leah and Lia, “Happy Birthday Bug! We may have some surprises for you, open the skinny rectangular one first. It’s from Katie, she wanted you to have it on your actual Birthday, make it more special” you opened it up and grinned it was a whoop, “tell her I like it please, and that I said thank you.”

“Will do bug, now the smaller of the two remaining was Lia’s idea, but both presents are from us” you opened the two gifts and at the sight of them tears left your eyes, “T-thank you,” your sister and Lia had just gifted you a new Mac Book Pro and a new iPhone. Ingrid moved closer to you and hugged you, knowing it was what you needed. After getting ready the rest of your morning was filled with fun festivities as the girls made sure to spoil you, however it was time to start getting ready to go out for dinner, so everyone returned to their own homes in agreeance they would all meet there, waiting for everyone to be there before they went in.

As you walked into the restaurant with the team Lucy whispered to you, “there may be one more surprise,” she gestured her head over to the massive table in the restaurant, where two familiar figures sat, you couldn’t control yourself and run over to them. “Hi Bug, glad you’re happy to see us,” Leah said hugging you “we missed you” Lia said now hugging you.

“I missed you too” you said before you sat down between them, you were grinning from ear to ear. “How are you here?” “Oh, this was all Alexia’s doing, she planned it all.” You looked over to you captain who winked at you, maybe Barca wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 18)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (18)

Masterlist (other parts here)

Lucy was sitting on the floor next to the tv, plugging the HDMI cord back in. She’d just grumbled at her mum about the embarrassing videos but decided to accept it as she seemed so excited, and Lucy knew YFN would enjoy it. Watching her girlfriend interact with her family brought her happiness she didn’t know she craved.

“Try that now, mum. HDMI one.”

She found herself staring out at her little Australian, laughing with Charis as she helped Freddie with his Lego. He got excited as he played, leaning back into her and giggling. God, the sight of her with kids filled her heart.

“Lucy?” Her mum asked, like it wasn’t the first time she’d called her name.

“Hm?” She replied, only looking towards her mum when she didn’t get a response.

Her mum gave her a look that said she knew what she was thinking. Lucy didn’t try to hide the emotions clearly written on her face as she turned back outside to YFN.

“It's her, mum. She’s… she’s it.”

Diane looked outside and then looked back in towards Lucy.

“She’s the one.”

“I know she is.” Her mum said softly.

Lucy looked to the older woman, surprised. “How?”

“I see you two around each other. You complement each other well, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so… yourself. Not even around Keira.”

Lucy thought about this a little as Jorge agreed with their mum. “We all saw the way she handled you after the game, sis. No one has been able to understand you like that.”

She’d remembered that day. Fuck, she’d been so mad. When YFN had walked into the room, she was nervous she’d snap at her, push her away, but she’d done exactly what Lucy had wanted. She’d given her all the space she needed but had stayed close enough to give her support. YFN was always doing that, giving Lucy what she didn’t even know she needed or craved.

“It’s so different with her. She feels like home to me.” Her mum and brother were quiet. They knew it was a rarity for Lucy to open up. “I’m not looking forward to leaving her when I go back to Barca, and I know it’s selfish to ask…” She looked at her big brother. “…but I need you to be there for her while I’m gone if she needs you. I need that peace of mind. And with everything that’s happened.. I… I just need to know you can get to her if she needs it.”

Usually Jorge would say something smart, or tease her, but not now. “Of course, Luce. And for what it’s worth, I think she’s great.”

“We all do.” Her mum encouraged, gripping onto Joaquim. Lucy smiled at her family as her mum turned her attention back to the tv. “Ohh, this is exactly the video I wanted.”

Lucy watched YFN as her dimpled smile turned surprised and awkward, and then she was frowning. She turned to Lucy with a bit of emotion crossing her eyes. Hesitancy? Jealousy? Sadness? Lucy was moving toward her before she knew she was. She was up and walking across the lawn, sitting down next to YFN and Freddie as Charis was showing her phone to Alzira. She giggled at the phone before Charis took it away, waving.

“Thanks for that, Keira. Talk later.”

Lucy’s stomach dropped a little. She looked to YFN who’s head was bowed, focussing heavily on lego with Freddie while her hair curtained her face so it was hard to see her expression. She was yet to introduce them, planning on doing it when YFN arrived in Spain. She reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear and noticed her expression was a little too neutral. She was thinking.

“I think mum is ready to show us those videos..”

Though the sentence was aimed at YFN, Charis nodded and stood, not realising what she’d done. “Okay, let’s go inside! Leave the legos here – no Freddie – Freddie leave it and come with me, baby.”

The kids followed Charis when Lucy said they’d be right behind them.

They left and Lucy’s hand found the side of her face, cupping it and stroking with her thumb. YFN leant into it and gave her a small smile. It was clear she wasn’t going to make it an issue, but Lucy didn’t want her to worry.

“What did Keira say?”

“Not much.. I think she was just as caught off guard as I was.”

“I’m sorry.. I planned on introducing you two in Spain.”

“We still can. I hardly call a few words an introduction.”

Lucy frowned. “I don’t like it when you’re upset…” YFN opened her mouth and Lucy cut her off. “…and don’t even think about telling me you’re not. I can see it in your eyes. Ask me anything you want, I’ll answer it.”

“I’m… finding myself strangely feeling a little insecure, but I know it’s silly. She’s… staying in your apartment?”

Lucy shook her head. “No, Narla is with me most of the time but when I’m not there, she stays with Keira. Keira doesn’t have access to my apartment anymore. We swap Narla on occasion, and we mostly keep her in Spain.”

“Okay..” YFN breathed a little sigh of relief as her uncommon insecurity eased a little. “Have you spoken to Keira about me?”

Lucy tucked another strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, we’ve had a few conversations about you. We’re teammates, and best friends. She’s said she’s really happy for me and very excited to meet you. I think she’s spoken to Leah about you also.”

“And there aren’t any feelings anymore?”

“I can guarantee that any feelings beyond friendship are completely gone. They fell away a few years ago and we stayed together only out of habit. She’s 6 years younger than me so we just… fell apart. Different priorities, different views, different goals.”

“She seems really nice.”

Lucy sighed. “Yeah, she is. Though she has a wicked, dark sense of humour when you get to know her well enough. Her, Leah, and Georgia are bad when they’re all together. Best to stay away from that lunacy.”

YFN’s hand found Lucy’s bad knee like it usually did and rubbed it gently. “How’s your knee after the drive?”

Lucy couldn’t help her smile at the subject change. “That’s all you need?”

The little Australian nodded. “You answered all of the questions I had, and I feel a lot better, besides her seeing me when I look like I’ve been hit by a bus..” She murmured and Lucy grinned at her, kissing her damaged eyebrow carefully. “I’m excited to meet her because she’s so important to you. Also, Narla was energetic. She’s going to be a handful.”

“Ohhh she is. Super athletic, gets it from her mum.” She gestured to herself cockily and then looked at the hand massaging her knee. “As for my knee, it’s okay, a little stiff after the drive but I stretched it out. This helps also.”

“You’re just saying that because you like being massaged.”

She laughed and leant her head against her girlfriend’s. “Both can be true.”

YFN and the entirety of the Bronze family were squashed into Diane and Joaquim’s lounge room, watching young videos of them. Diane had insisted she sat next to her, and Lucy took her place on the ground beneath her, resting her head sideways against YFN’s knee.

“Ohhhh, remember this one Lucy?” Diane said excitedly as Jorge let out a loud laugh.

Lucy grumbled at the video of her with a terrible haircut and glasses too big for her face. Not all of the videos were of Lucy, but a lot had been because she was the most active child of the three. YFN’s hands found the back of her head and scratched the bottom of her hair as a supportive distraction. Lucy leant back into her.

They stayed a little longer before Lucy declared they were headed home. Before they left, the family had insisted YFN save their numbers, and she followed them back on Instagram after they’d followed her.

“Don’t be a stranger!” Diane had said as she gave her a big hug goodbye, most of the family did, and she almost cried, overwhelmed by feelings she wasn’t used to.

Of course, Lucy had noticed.

“Okay, okay, don’t break her please.” She’d said as she went around the family and gave them her own hugs. It would be the last time she’d see her family for another month or so until she was back for the next international break.

They managed to get to the car amongst the chaos of the Bronze’s, Lucy buckling her in and closing the door as she almost fought her family on the way to the driver’s side, Alzira and Freddie clinging to her shins. YFN was laughing at the madness of it all. But it was a good madness. A family love madness.

They drove home in the darkness, almost in silence. After a few minutes, Lucy placed her hand on YFN’s thigh and she squirmed a little. After a pause, she dragged Lucy’s hand down as far as she could and crossed her leg, trapping it there, close to her core. Lucy sharply sucked in a breath of air, her hand gripping tighter.

“There’s a reason I decided we were leaving..”

YFN was trying to calm her breathing down, not realising how much she’d been craving Lucy all day. “Oh?” She said a little breathless.

“I have 2 more nights with you, and I plan on spending every second I can loving you.”

YFN groaned a little. “Luce?”

“Little one?”

“I need you to get us home right now.. I really need you.”

It was Lucy’s time to groan. “Fuck sake.” She said as she fought with her lust. She began kneading her thigh, enjoying the feeling of her.

“Ho…how far away are we?” YFN asked, almost shaking.

“About 20 minutes.”

“Okay.” She whispered, looking at the time.

They both restrained, hoping the other would break first. Another minute passed in silence, but it felt like 10. YFN uncrossed her legs and Lucy took advantage. Her fingers found and rubbed that sensitive spot through her pants and YFN whimpered, leaning back into the seat. She could feel herself turning into a wet mess. Lucy rubbed her like she owned her, unashamedly. She let herself take a few glances over at her girlfriend unfolding on the passenger seat. YFN made the mistake of checking the time again. Another minute had passed. 17 to go.

“Ah, Luce I can’t do this.”

Lucy's fingers paused, a little worried at the wording. She looked at YFN who was staring at her, breathless and all wound up on the passenger seat, her pupils dilated. The sight was distracting and she almost forgot she was driving.

“Luce.. I need you to pull over please.”

Lucy found an empty car park as quick as she could, barely able to put the car in park and turn the lights off before YFN was climbing onto her. Lucy grabbed her, pulling her down onto her. She moved the seat back as far as she could and their lips crashed together. YFN’s hands tangled in her hair, their tongues meeting almost immediately. They managed to speak between kisses.

“I.. I need you.”

“I know, little one. Let’s take the edge off and then we’ll finish at home, okay?”

“Yes please. Need you..” Her lips broke away and Lucy’s mouth was on her neck, sucking, kissing, licking, marking where she could. She moaned, her head tilting back slightly as she looked around. “No one will see us?”

Lucy’s head broke away from her neck. “No, my love. I’d never let anyone see you like that. That’s all mine. Now take your pants off.”

YFN did was she was told, hurriedly wriggling her pants low enough for Lucy to have the access she needed.

“Oh god, you’re so wet. All for me?”

“All because of you.” YFN gasped at the feel of Lucy’s fingers teasing the outside, just far enough in to feel her wet excitement. She grabbed Lucy’s hand impatiently and brought it to her mouth, sucking her wetness from her fingers. Lucy’s eyes darkened as she watched her girlfriend suck and then push her hand back down into her pants. “Lucy. Fuck me.”

She barely managed to finish that statement before Lucy’s fingers were thrust into her. Her body jerked and a surprised cry came out of her. Lucy didn’t wait any longer, her fingers thrusting in and out of her girlfriend with an eagerness. YFN let her breathy whimpers be known, her head finding Lucy’s shoulder as she began to meet her thrusts with her own so that Lucy’s fingers were going knuckle deep.

“Fuck you’re so sexy.”

“I…I can’t wait… for home.”

“You are my home.”

YFN lifted her head far enough to meet Lucy’s eyes. At that eye contact, and those words, she started to fall apart, feeling herself tightening around Lucy’s fingers, dripping over her hand.

“Fuck…fuck Luce… fuck me. Please don’t stop. Please.. I need you.” Her head fell to her shoulder again as she came, shaking and clenching so hard that Lucy had to work to keep her fingers fucking upwards into her. YFN’s body froze, clenched tight, breathing stopped as her orgasm rushed through her, taking with it some of the stress from the day.

She came down eventually, softening in Lucy’s arms. Her hand slid down to the outside of Lucy’s pants where she could also feel her excitement. So hot and ready.

“No.” Lucy said, taking her hand up to kiss it. “I can last until home now if we're quick.”

YFN wriggled her pants back up over her hips, her underwear sticking to her wetness, as Lucy sucked her fingers dry, seemingly enjoying the taste. She helped her girlfriend back into the passenger seat and clipped the seatbelt in before they were on the road again.

They smashed their way through the front door, hanging off of each other. YFN took Lucy’s lip in her mouth, biting and pulling. Lucy groaned and closed the door, locking it. She bent down with one hand to lift her girlfriend up partially, slamming her against the wall of the entrance. Her other hand dumped the keys onto the table before YFN pushed Lucy backwards into the opposite wall, further up the hall. They were grabbing and kissing anywhere and everywhere, clothes disappearing as they went. Somehow they made it to the bedroom, now naked. YFN tackled Lucy onto the bed, and as their tongues fought and Lucy’s hands explored, YFN’s hands went down to find Lucy. She was determined to get her back after the car. She was dripping, so incredibly wet and ready. As she found her clit, Lucy’s body automatically spread her legs to give her better access. She was worried that Lucy would push her away, but she was so worked up that she let herself be put in that vulnerable position. She played with her clit just the way she liked it, enjoying Lucy’s moaning and whimpering. Then she decided to risk it and move further down, her fingers circling around her hole. She’d never been inside her besides her tongue, and wondered if she’d ever had that.

“Is this okay?” She whispered breathlessly against Lucy’s lips.

Lucy thought for a few seconds before she nodded, a little hesitantly. This was new to her.

YFN was slow and gentle, entering one finger. Lucy’s body shuddered and she whimpered against her mouth.

“Okay?”

She nodded again. YFN began a slow movement, in and out. Lucy’s body automatically moved to match the thrusts and her insides grew more used to the feeling. YFN wanted to push it even more as she slipped another finger in. Lucy groaned, her back arching as she accepted it. She was so tight and so, so wet. YFN found that g-spot and matched her thrusts to curl her fingers up into that sensitive spot. Lucy came so close to falling apart but YFN wanted even more. Lucy deserved it. She paused her fucking for a few seconds as she worked her mouth down Lucy’s body to between her legs. Her mouth found her clit and sucked as her fingers began moving again. Lucy was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t control her wriggling, or the noises coming from her mouth.

“I don’t… I don’t.. I can’t…”

YFN let her mouth stop briefly to respond. “You can. You will.” Her mouth got back to work with a determination no one could stop. She wanted Lucy to fall apart under her. She wanted her to experience that blended orgasm.

She managed to time it just right, changing her stimulation of her clit and g-spot multiple times so that they became stimulated at the same rate. Once both were close, she increased the pace of her tongue, and her fingers, driving them both to the edge. Lucy was in pieces, not knowing what to do. One hand gripped the bed so hard, it almost tore a hole in the sheet. The other hand found YFN’s spare one, their fingers tangling and Lucy gripping as tight as she could.

“Ah…ah! Yes… yes.. fuck! Oh fuck! Don’t stop. Please don’t..stop…ah!”

She came so hard that her body locked up to the point where YFN couldn’t physically move her fingers inside of her and so she kept stimulating with her tongue to drag out the orgasm, enjoying the feeling of Lucy’s wetness drowning her face. Lucy was breathlessly whimpering loudly, her voice crying out with the strength of her blended orgasm. Her thighs had tightened around YFN’s head as she shuddered with pleasure and it hurt her wound a little, but she’d never say anything.

She brought Lucy’s down as gently as she could, her shuddering slowing to a shake, and then nothing. She was limp, worn out, never having experienced something like that in her life. YFN lifted herself up, wiping her face and looking at the patch on the bed, hoping Lucy wouldn’t be embarrassed. She wasn’t. It only took her a few seconds to recover and she was back up again, grabbing YFN and flipping her over.

“Your turn.” She said, back to dominant Lucy.

YFN didn’t need any foreplay, her fucking Lucy had been more than enough to turn her on. So much so that she almost came from the feeling of Lucy’s orgasms. Lucy sucked her nipples and worked her tongue down her body until she was between the Australian’s legs, cleaning up that horny excitement she’d caused. She loved this, letting herself groan with pleasure as she ate her out.

“Fuuuuck, L..Luce. I love your mouth.”

Lucy didn’t respond, she just grunted into her, continuing her work. YFN couldn’t help herself squirming, her fingers kneading Lucy’s hair as her back arched and hips ground themselves into her mouth.

“Argh fuck you taste good.” Lucy groaned into her, not bothering to lift her head. Her breath blew onto her clit, making her body spasm. She noticed and did it again, blowing lightly onto her clit with purpose. YFN felt herself almost lose all shred of dignity she had left, suddenly feeling empty and needing her girlfriend inside of her.

Lucy must have seen this in her eyes because she lifted herself up, sliding her lips and body against hers until their lips connected needily.

“Don’t worry, little one. I’ll get the strap.”

Lucy wasn’t gone for long before she was back, strapped up and looking dangerous. Like she was about to break her in two. Her soft Luce, the one who hooked her pinky around hers, who gently caressed her face and placed tender kisses on her forehead just before they slept…. about to fuck her into the bed.

“On your knees.”

YFN shivered and did as she was told, rolling over onto her knees, offering herself. Lucy knelt on the bed behind her, ignoring her knee, and leant forward, pushing her upper body into the bed. Yes. She loved this. This is exactly what she wanted. And even better, she didn’t have to explain to Lucy. Because they needed the same thing.

Lucy lined up and wet the tip, dragging it up and down, circling it about her clit before she pushed it inside of her painfully slow. YFN moaned at every inch she took until Lucy’s hips met her.

“Good girl.” Lucy said, leaning down and kissing her back. “Remember, the safe word is pineapples.”

YFN couldn’t respond before Lucy was driving in and out of her. She rested some of her weight on the bed, and the rest of her weight on the hand placed on her upper back, holding her down to the bed. The feeling was… fucking incredible. YFN had never been in a relationship where they hadn’t thought it was weird that she wanted this, that she needed this. She took every single thrust with a whimper, a moan, a cry of ecstasy. Lucy realised how much she was enjoying it and took up a pace that was faster, harder, and fucking relentless. There was no stopping. No breaks. No slowing down or edging. There was only the feral drive of her strap into her little Australian, the wet fucking sounds and cries of ecstasy resonating around the room. Fuck, she was taking it well.

As she got close, her cries became higher in pitch and Lucy was dripping with sweat and excitement. She was also close. She fucked hard, ignoring the pain in her knee, and as they came to their final edge, Lucy put both hands on her upper back, holding her down hard as she fucked her into her orgasm. YFN yelled a muffled cry into the pillow, her back arching harder as she came, Lucy orgasming soon after, her eyes squeezed shut and the artery in her neck popping out as she forced her thrusts to slow down and drag it out.

They both finished and Lucy shuddered, collapsing on the bed next to YFN, absolutely spent. They laid like that for a while, regaining their breath and shivering from the stimulation overload.

YFN eventually managed move her head to the other side to look at Lucy. As soon as they saw each other, they reached for each other.

“Come with me to Spain.” Lucy begged.

[pablitogavii]

Angry bird

Summary: After a tough match where Gavi got two yellow cards and was sent off the field, he comes home clearly annoyed and you try your best to calm him down.

Pairing: Pablo Gavi x Reader

Warnings: none/ really cute little story <3

Gavi's POV

Third time! Third bloody time they tackled and pushed me to the ground and the referee still wasn't stopping the game.

I have already gotten one yellow card at the very beginning of the game with warning that I was playing "too sharp"? Like did the guy ever consider that I was center midfielder? Like it's my job to stop any possible attacks, tf!?

"Are you seeing this!?" I asked Pedri who rushed to me sitting on the grass with my hands up in disbelief. He helped me up rubbing my shoulders and remind me to stay calm.

"Tranqui!" he kept repeating as we walked but I was so fed up with being pushed around meanwhile punished for doing my job to the best of my ability.

The next time I ran with the ball towards their goal, one of their defenders clearly pushed me with with all his strength and I landed once again with my face on the grass clenching my jaw in anger.

I sat down looking around at the referee who wasn't planning on stopping the game, and all of the sudden I felt someone pull my jersey from behind.

That was the last straw and I jumped to my feet marching towards the player receiving another yellow card before being sent off the field.

"I was doing my job! He provoked me!" I said to Xavi who patted my head and walked me to the bench.

"You are a threat, kid. They know and want to get you out. You have to calm down." Xavi said to me while I ran my fingers through my wet hair before drinking the whole water bottle.

We lost the game and I felt like it was all my fault for letting them get to me. I felt like I disappointed my teammates who kept repeating that my reaction was understandable.

"We will get them next time, hermano. Don't stress about it" Pedri said tapping my shoulder before we departed to our separate cars and I drove home.

I moved out of my parent's house when I turned 18 and now live with my girlfriend of one year. I always felt horrible when I brought my anger from the pitch home but this was deifiantelly one of those nights and I couldn't help it.

Your POV

I knew when I watched Gavi being sent away from the pitch that he was going to be in a horrible mood once he gets home. I had an exam this morning which is why I couldn't watch the game in person but I caught the glance at the very end.

I was sad that Barca ended up loosing but what got me really worried was that I could see the prominent bruise around Gavi's eye even on the TV screen . Sometimes I wished he didn't have to play center midfielder due to all the often injuries.

"I'm home, amor" I heard his husky voice from the hallway and I yelled back that I was in the kitchen. I decided to make our favorite dinner pasta in hopes of cheering him up a little bit.

He walked in snaking his strong arms around my boy from behind and placing his chin on my shoulder while I stirred the sauce. We just stood there for a few moments in comfortable silence before he finally found the strength to talk.

"I missed you so much today...it's been a bad day" he said pouting as I turned around cupping his adorable face in my hands and kissing his lips a few times.

Once I pulled away, I started inspecting his eye while he reassured me that it was all alright and that he was going to be just fine. He took my hand from his face and kissed my palm before kissing each knuckle softly.

"Let me at least clean it up for you and then we can eat some pasta, okay?" I said and he looking into my eyes with his puppy dog ones while nodding his head. He was so adorable like this that I couldn't help but smile wide while going to grab a first aid kit.

"Alright, come here and sit" I said and he walked to the sofa plopping down and looking up at me. I stood between his legs putting some alcohol onto the gauze while he pulled my hips down so that I was sitting on his lap while cleaning his wound.

Gavi's POV

She was so focused on cleaning my wound but I felt playful wincing in exaggeration making her pull away and look me in the eyes to check if I was alright. The next time I did it with a laugh and she realized that I was joking around lightly slapping my shoulder before I pulled her in for a longer kiss.

"Alright my angry bird. You are all done." she said collecting the bloody gauze about to get up from my lap but I wouldn't let her making her sign and snake her arms around my shoulders.

"What is it, Gavinho?" she said and I smiled to the nickname she choose tucking a piece of her blond hair behind her ear while looking into her warm brown eyes.

"Thank you for making me feel better, princesa. Te amo." I said seeing her cheeks blush and her smile grow. I always felt proud when I was the reason for that gorgeous smile on her face.

"Te amo, baby. Come on, let's eat some pasta " she said standing up and taking my hand pulling me towards the kitchen.

I sat down and she placed the filled plate in front of me before sitting across and we both started to eat the delicious meal. When we were done, she was about to get up to clean the dishes but I stopped her hugging her there in the middle of our kitchen.

"I have to clean this up, Gavinho." she said after a few minutes of silence and I shook my head puling away slowly.

"You made dinner for us, and I will clean the dishes tomorrow. But now, can we just watch a movie and cuddle? I really need to rest" I said with a pleading look that I knew she could never say 'no' to and she smiled nodding her head before we left to the living room.

We laid down on the couch and I rested between her thighs resting my head on her chest while she instinctively started playing my hair and massaging my scalp which was exactly what I needed in that moment. No pressures and worries. Just me and my girl alone together at our home where we are happy. I felt her kiss my head as I slowly started drifting to sleep.

Your POV

"Are you feeling better, amor?" I asked after half an hour smiling down at Gavi who looked so cute when he was exhausted and needy like this. It warmed my heart when he would just be vulnerable with me like this.

"Mhm...can we just sleep here tonight? I don't want to move.." his voice was husky and I could tell that he was already half asleep. I told him it was alright and he kissed my neck before nuzzling his nose and sighing in relaxation.

Gavi was long asleep when my phone rang quietly and I answered to Pedri on the other line.

"How is he feeling, amiga?" Pedri said and I smiled looking down at Gavi's peaceful face while he slept on my chest with no worry in the world.

"Angry bird is finally asleep. Thank you for checking in, Pepi" I said before we hung up and I got comfortable ready to get some well deserved sleep with the love of my life.

[hedghost]

Understandable lol but from a United fans view why are the players getting such different treatment when they left for the same reason?

no literally! people have just turned on lessi for some fucking reason and it's honestly horrible to watch. i think the main difference is that united is lessi's childhood team, and barca is ona's, so ona is going home, whilst less is supposedly leaving it.

that being said, i think there's clearly something going on that we don't know about, and even if there isn't, i personally don't see a huge problem with alessia's decision, since united doesn't seem serious with all these last minute offers. i've seen a lot of bad takes and a lot of good ones, so i won't dive back into those, but i'd say, as much as i'd love for her to stay, and as much as i hate to see her go to a rival, united has shown us all that they don't take this team seriously, and so we can't punish players for seeking development elsewhere.

i also think, technically, ona is a better and far less replaceable player than lessi. her impact on the team has been immense, and we leave a big, big hole without her there. i do think lessi is great, and she'll also be missed if we don't replace her, but, ona was a whole other level. lessi was good this season, i love watching her play, but personally i don't think the midfield we play with allows her to get her full potential. she's good, but ona is groundbreaking. i think most united fans would agree on this, and if i'm honest it's giving the people who've turned on lessi a lot of ammo, and maybe the reason for some difference between the treatment of her and ona.

in the same way that arsenal fans switched on lessi towards the middle of the season, then switched back when they found out she was likely going there, some of the united fans who used to defend her have now seem to have switched too.

arsenal fans i can give the benefit of the doubt for saying she 'doesnt score that much' if they're only looking at stats, but for united fans to start using the same point is baffling to me. i'm not sure how you could be a united fan and think that the only thing less brings to the table is goals, when her style of play is clearly so much more than that.

as much as it sucks, i can't fault the players for deciding to move on, and i can't fault the fans being upset. i get it, i am too. they're great players and great people, we don't want to lose them. but like you say anon, the different treatment i absolutely can fault. calling less a snake, or a money-grabber, senidng her death threats etc.etc. is, in my eyes, way too far past the line of a good football rivalry, especially since anyone with half a brain can tell there's more to it than that. don't get me wrong, i believe rivalry is important, and fun. if i saw less play for arsenal at lsv, i would probably join in with the booing. not out of hate, but because it's fun, and its the done thing, and alessia is a grown woman who would understand that. she'd probably laugh. i'd want her to do badly that one game, and then when she isn't playing my team she can go back to being my favourite. but yeah, the attitudes of certain united fans i do not like at all, and that's what's getting to me about the whole thing.

from my perspective, the club has serious problems - which we've seen countless times in regards to countless other players: letting AG and LJ go, letting Jackie go and then not letting her say goodbye, Skinner's eyeroll at Garcia, the absolute lack of rotation, the slow negotiation with Ona and Lessi, potentialy not being able to keep Mary, signing players like Leon and then shipping them off on loan, VBR being on the bench, and now VBR potentially being shipped off to Italy?? - and so i will absolutely not be blaming any of them who want to leave, childhood club or otherwise, and especially not when it's the two players who have given us so much.

anyone who wants to be a dick can be a dick sure, but like, i just think it's fucking stupid.

Ona and Less will both hold a special place in my heart, regardless of where they are, and I will be supporting them both. I truly don't belive either of them took this decision lightly, and I don't want to hear all the negativity.

[magicfootballstuff]

Welcome to Manchester (ona batlle x reader)

Summary: Ona helps you to settle in when you join Manchester United and something starts to blossom.

———

Going on loan to Manchester United seemed like a good move when the deal went through your agent. You’re young, just on the cusp of breaking into the first team for Bayern Munich and the German national team, and you decide that some time spent abroad, experiencing a different league with a different style of play, will be good for your development.

But that doesn’t stop you from feeling nervous on your first day at a new club.

You ease in slowly, not saying much but observing everything, starting to familiarise yourself with the way the other girls play.

At lunch after training, you don’t know where to sit in the cafeteria, unsure yet of the team dynamics or if there are any cliques, so you choose a table by yourself, and are surprised when one of the team’s two Spanish players immediately takes a seat opposite you.

“Hi. I’m Ona,” she greets you, with a welcoming smile.

You smile shyly and introduce yourself.

“Did you enjoy training?” she asks, as she starts to tuck into the plate of food in front of her.

“It was good.”

The truth is that training was overwhelming - lots of new names, a different style of play than you’re used to, and training drills being explained in a language that you’re still learning - all things that you will adapt to in time, but it’s easier to tell Ona that everything is fine.

“When I joined United, it took me a while to fit in,” she tells you, as if reading your mind. “I didn’t speak any English and I missed Spain a lot. But now Manchester is like home to me.”

“It’s different to Bayern,” you acknowledge, “but I’ll get used to it.”

“If I can help you at all…?”

“Thank you,” you tell Ona sincerely.

“No, seriously. We’re friends now, right?”

You smile as you look down at your plate, pushing the food around with your fork, before you agree with Ona.

“Yeah. Friends.”

———

Ona stays true to her word and takes you under her wing. Lucía is new too and Ona introduces you to each other on your second day, then makes sure to speak in English as much as she can to keep you included, even though you can tell that the two Spaniards would be much more comfortable talking to each other in their native tongue.

You find yourself pairing up with Ona for a lot of training drills. For the first few days, Ona makes a thing of it, first asking, then telling you that you’ll train together. By the time you’re starting to feel more settled at United, it’s pretty much an unspoken deal that you’ll pair up when you get the choice, gravitating towards each other without a word.

Manchester starts to feel like home, and you know that the speed you’ve managed to adjust to your new environment is all thanks to Ona’s welcome.

———

“Hey!”

Ona runs to catch up with you as you leave the field at the end of training one day to head for the showers.

“Hi, Ona,” you say, instantly relaxing as your teammate falls into step beside you.

“So I was wondering…”

Ona trails off, biting her lip, almost as if she is nervous.

“Yes?”

“Do you want to come over and watch the match with me later?”

You frown.

“The match?”

“Champions League,” Ona elaborates. “Barcelona against Bayern. You know, my old team against yours…”

“You played for Barca?”

“Kind of, I played for the youth team when I was young,” Ona says with a nod. She nudges her body into yours as you walk into the changing room, grinning at you as she asks, “So what do you say? You wanna watch the game together?”

You hang out with your teammates a bit outside of training - as they’re the only people you know in this new country they are your social life as well as your team. It’s usually in groups and your favourite time is spent when Ona is there too. You go for coffee with her and Lucía once or twice a week, or out for dinner with the girls where you somehow always find yourself sitting next to Ona, and you even went round to her apartment for a movie night with Ella, Alessia and Millie a few weeks ago too.

You like training with Ona, you like the relationship you’re building on the football pitch that’s turning into a formidable partnership on United’s right wing, but you like getting to know the real Ona off the pitch, when she’s dressed in casual clothes and often with a relaxed smile on her face, even more.

“Yes, that sounds nice,” you say.

———

You arrive at Ona’s flat an hour before kickoff and she greets you at the front door wearing an old Barcelona shirt from a few years ago and a huge grin on her face.

“What, no Bayern shirt?” she asks, looking down at your own attire.

You gesture at the backpack hanging from your shoulder and explain, “It’s in my bag.”

“Get changed,” Ona insists, letting you step inside and closing the door behind you. “We’re doing this properly.”

You open your backpack, where your old Bayern shirt is nestled at the bottom underneath the food you brought with you.

“I have snacks too,” you tell Ona, removing the bags of crisps so that you can get to the shirt underneath.

“Great,” says Ona. “And I’m making some traditional Spanish food. I thought maybe you could try it. But if you don’t like it then we can order pizza or something.”

“That sounds nice,” you say. “Thank you.”

You stand their awkwardly, red Bayern shirt hanging from your hand. You’ve changed in front of Ona plenty of times before. But this, taking your top off while it’s just the two of you in Ona’s flat, feels somehow much different to the dressing room, where the entire team is in various states of undress and nobody bats an eye.

“I’m just gonna…”

You pull your shirt over your head, grateful at least that you put on a nice bra.

Ona seems to suddenly realise that she’s staring at you while you’re topless in the middle of her flat too, and her cheeks redden.

“Sorry,” she stammers. “I’ll just let you…”

She disappears into her kitchen, from where you can smell the Spanish flavours of the food she’s cooking, before you can say anything else. You pull the Bayern shirt over your head, feeling a sense of familiarity as you put on the colours of your parent club for the first time since arriving in Manchester, then put your old t-shirt in your bag which your drop by the door.

“How do I look?” you ask Ona, stepping into the kitchen behind her and holding out your arms to show off your change of top.

She turns, looking over her shoulder with her eyebrows raised, before her face cracks into a grin.

“Like a loser,” she teases you. “A nice loser, but still.”

“Hey!” you protest. “You’re the only loser here.”

“We’ll see,” Ona laughs.

“That smells nice,” you say, gesturing at the stove where Ona is in the process of cooking what looks like a Spanish omelette.

“It’s a family recipe,” she tells you.

“I can’t wait to try it.”

“Make yourself comfortable,” Ona says. She opens a cupboard and takes out a big bowl. “I’ll bring the snacks through in a minute.”

“When are the others getting here?” you ask, as you return to the other room and settle down on Ona’s couch.

“Others?” Ona asks, returning from the kitchen with the crisps emptied out into the large bowl.

“Lucía, your Man City friends…”

“Oh.” A slight pink flush rises to Ona’s cheeks, as she explains, “It’s just us. I hope that’s okay.”

It’s your turn to feel embarrassed.

“Of course! Don’t they want to watch the game too?”

“Maybe,” Ona says with a shrug, placing the bowl on the coffee table and sitting down on the couch beside you. “But if I invited them then they would speak Spanish all night and I didn’t want you to feel left out.”

You feel a rush of warm affection swell up inside your chest for the girl in front of you, who hasn’t needed to put in so much effort to make you feel at home in Manchester, but has done it anyway out of the kindness of her heart.

“Thank you,” you tell her. “You’ve been such a good friend since I moved here.”

“It’s nothing,” Ona says, dismissing your thanks with a casual wave of her hand. “I just … I know how it feels to be alone in a new country.”

“I don’t feel alone. Not with you around.”

The confession spills from your lips and you immediately worry that it’s too much, but Ona says, “Me neither. Manchester has been my home for two years but I think it was missing you.”

You wonder if Ona’s words have somehow got lost in translation, if the fact that neither of you are communicating in your first language makes it seem like she’s reciprocating the affection you hold for her, but then you look into her eyes and there’s no translation needed for the adoring way she looks back at you.

“Ona, I…”

You can’t find the words, which is why you reach across and tangle your fingers with hers in her lap.

The action must convey what you want to say, because Ona just smiles at you and says, “Yeah, me too.”

Praying that you’re not misreading the cues, you lean in closer to Ona, pausing for just a second to give her the chance to pull away if you’ve got it wrong, but when her eyes drop to your lips, you lean in the rest of the way and capture hers in a kiss. Her hand tightens in yours, pulling you closer, and she gasps into your mouth. You shuffle as close as you can without actually climbing on top of her, continuing to kiss her the whole time. Her lips are unfathomably soft and you would probably lose yourself in them completely if it wasn’t for Ona’s free hand coming up to tangle in your hair and anchoring you to reality.

When you start to feel a bit delirious you pull back, resting your forehead against Ona’s as you both catch your breath.

“That was, uh … wow,” whispers Ona.

You agree completely.

You’re about to lean in again, when Ona’s nose crinkles and she pulls away slightly.

“Can you smell something?”

You sniff once, then say, “Smells like something’s burning.”

Ona’s eyes widen and she exclaims what you think is a Spanish swear word as she jumps to her feet, then shouts in English, “The food!”

She jumps up and races into the kitchen, where you can hear more expletives and frantic Spanish muttering as she tries to rescue your dinner.

“I burned the omelette,” announces Ona, emerging from the kitchen a few moments later with a spatula in one hand and an apologetic pout on her face.

“Sorry,” you reply, with a grimace.

“It’s not your fault,” Ona assured you. She pauses for a few seconds, then concedes, “Okay, maybe it is a little bit.”

“I distracted the chef,” you admit, grinning at Ona.

She laughs, her face breaking into a soft smile.

“You did,” Ona agrees. “But it was a nice distraction.”

“Should I order pizza?” you suggest. “Then maybe I can distract you a bit more while we wait for it to arrive?”

“How could I say no to that plan?”

[gadgetsrevv]

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall | Football | Sport

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip

Tuesday, September 3

Barcelona were £137million short of PSG’s asking price for Neymar

Manchester United agreed a £14m deal to sign Mario Mandzukic

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool banked £53.2m in outgoings this summer

Christian Eriksen has hinted that he is frustrated at not leaving Spurs

16:30 UPDATE: Donny advised against Real

Mario Melchiot has warned Ajax talent Donny van de Beek against joining Real Madrid unless he receives assurances of a first-team role.

Zinedine Zidane’s side were linked with the midfielder during the transfer window after several failed attempts to bring Paul Pogba to the Bernabeu.

“I like Van de Beek’s character and the way he plays,” he told Goal. “I just hope his first move is one to play.

“If not, then they had a player like Klaassen who did really well at Ajax but came to Everton and he couldn’t perform so he ended up on the bench because he couldn’t adjust to the English game.

“Sometimes in Holland they underestimate what some of us did to survive playing over there for 10 years. If he [Van de Beek] goes to Real Madrid one day, I am not saying he is not good enough, but if he isn’t given assurances that he will play, or get a fair chance, then he shouldn’t go.”

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

16:00 UPDATE: Bobby Duncan agent

Bobby Duncan’s agent, Saif Rubie, has released a statement 24 hours after the Liverpool teenager joined Fiorentina for £1.8million.

“To be in the top 1% you have to be prepared to do what 99% of the rest won’t do,” said the agent. “In my line of work I know nobody even comes near. Not everything in life is black and white and you have to be able to adapt and roll with the punches.

“Now Bobby Duncan has the opportunity to live and experience something not many young English players have done. That’s what leaders do. We are not followers.

“Thanks to all the people who have supported me in this difficult period means a lot. The joy of getting the job done makes all the struggle and doubt worthwhile. PS Kevin Prince-Boateng you better look after our little brother.”

15:30 UPDATE: Neymar contact

Neymar was in contact with Real Madrid representatives up until the European transfer window closed last night.

The Brazilian forward, 27, was expected to leave the Parc Des Princess – two years after his world-record £200million transfer in 2017.

The Spanish arch-rivals were both trying to lure Neymar back to La Liga, but PSG’s £273m valuation proved too much.

The Catalan side were considered overwhelming favourites to complete his signing, but newspaper Marca claim Real Madrid were well in the mix.

They claim Neymar was in contact with Real Madrid chiefs until Monday’s 11pm deadline.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

15:00 UPDATE: Wanted: Joe Gelhardt

Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool are looking to sign Wigan wonderkid Joe Gelhardt.

That’s according to Goal, who claim the Premier League duo have been tracking the centre-forward’s progress.

Gelhardt, 17, is expected to earn his first cap for England’s Under-18 squad against Australia on Friday having impressed at youth level.

Goal claim Wolves, Leicester and Chelsea have also sent scouts to watch Gelhardt in a action for Wigan’s youth teams last season.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

14:30 UPDATE: Man Utd bid for Eriksen

Manchester United will launch a bid to sign unsettled Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen in January.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to sign a creative playmaker in the winter market.

Eriksen’s contract expires in June 2020, and he’s made no secret of his desire to leave the club.

Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona were all linked with the 27-year-old Denmark international, who could be snapped up for a bargain price – certainly less than Daniel Levy’s original £63million valuation.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

14:00 UPDATE: City will regret Maguire snub

Manchester City could live to regret passing on Harry Maguire, according to Gary Neville.

The Premier League champions decided not to pursue Maguire because off his £80million valuation – but the potential long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte could cost them points.

“If Laporte is out for a long period of time, I think it will cost City points,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He is a dominant centre-back.

“He is a brilliant player, Laporte. I just look at it and think it’s a real worry. Maguire would have been ideal. I think Manchester United did really well to get him, and I’m surprised City didn’t go with them to get him – maybe they did and maybe they pulled out with the money or whatever it was.”

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

13:30 UPDATE: I’ll improve – de Jong

Barcelona’s £65million signing Frenkie de Jong has vowed to improve after an inauspicious start to life at the Nou Camp.

The former Ajax star has started in all three of Barcelona’s opening La Liga fixtures – but is clearly still adapting to his new surroundings.

“I’m new to the team and I’ve started in all the three games even though we’ve a lot of midfielders,” De Jong said. “But I think I can play better than I have so far.

“I have to grow into whatever role I play in. I’m happy I’m playing and I just want to make sure that I stay in the team.”

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

13:00 UPDATE: Jadon Sancho hope

Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho would consider a return to the Premier League or a move to Spain.

The 19-year-old, who let Manchester City in 2017, was tipped to join rivals Manchester United over the summer in a deal worth upwards of £100million.

Instead, he stayed put at BVB, and signed a new bumper contract worth a reported £190,000-per-week.

Now, after earning a call-up to the England squad, he has put United on red alert by admitting that he would be up for a return to his home country or Spain.

“I can’t tell the future but I wouldn’t mind,” he said when asked about the chances of a return to England. “La Liga I wouldn’t mind also, but we don’t know yet.”

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

12:45 UPDATE: Paul Pogba Instagram

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has once again fuelled speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The French superstar openly revealed his desire to secure a deal away from Old Trafford at the beginning of the transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side held firm with their £180million valuation and Monday’s closure of the European transfer window ensured the 26-year-old would remain in the north West until January at least.

However, Pogba has sparked more rumours after liking an Instagram comment asking him to move to Spain.

12:30 UPDATE: Christian Eriksen breaks silence

Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen has made no secret of the fact he intends to leave the club on the expiry of his contract.

Eriksen sparked speculation at the start of the window when after the Champions League final he expressed his desire for a new challenge, inviting Real Madrid to approach Tottenham.

When the 27-year-old was asked whether he regrets his initial comments, the former Ajax man’s response was emphatic.

“No, it wasn’t [wrong to speak out],” he told Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet. “But it is football and you never know what happens in football. Many things always come into play.

“I wish I could decide [my future] just like in the Football Manager [game], but unfortunately I can’t. I know a lot of people are interested in where to play. I understand that well.”

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

12:15 UPDATE: PSG Neymar fee

Barcelona were £137million short of PSG’s asking price for Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Barcelona made several different offers to bring the 27-year-old back to the Nou Camp – all were rebuffed by the French champions.

The Sun claim their final bid included £136m plus Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele on loan.

Now, French newspaper Le Parisien claim PSG wanted a whopping £273m in cash for Neymar.

It’s also claimed that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was confident that the Catalan giants wouldn’t be able to cough up the required amount.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

12:00 UPDATE: Mario Mandzukic was agreed

Manchester United should have completed a deal for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, according to ESPN reporter Mark Ogden.

Mandzukic, 33, emerged as a transfer target for the Red Devils late in the summer transfer window after it became clear Romelu Lukaku would leave the club.

Reports claimed an agreement was made between the clubs and Ogden believes that was the case – nut doesn’t understand why United did not get a deal over the line.

“They could have signed Mario Mandzukic at the end of the window,” Ogden said. “A deal was agreed with Juventus, it would have cost I think around £14million.

“That for me would have been a no-brainer because yes he’s not the future but he’s a guy that ticks that box of being an experienced pro.”

#LFC sales this summer: Ings £18m rising to £20m Kent £6m rising to £7.5m Mignolet £6.5m rising to £8m Camacho £5m rising to £7m Ejaria £3m rising to £3.5m Duncan £1.8m Johnston £300,000

Plus loan fees for Wilson (£2.5m), Grujic (£2m) & Awoniyi (£600k). £53.2m in total.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 2, 2019

11:45 UPDATE: Liverpool money-makers

Liverpool banked over £50million during the summer transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp’s side only brought three players to the club with Sepp van den Berg, Adrian and Harvey Elliott arriving for a combined £1.3m.

But their outgoings saw them raise £53.2m in total.

Danny Ings joined Southampton for an initial £18m – rising to £20m. Ryan Kent returned to Rangers on a permanent basis for £6m rising to £7.5m. Simon Mignolet was offloaded for £8m.

Teenager Rafael Camacho joined Sporting Lisbon for £5m rising to £7m, while Ovie Ejaria, Bobby Duncan and George Johnston left for a combined £5.6m.

The reds also received £5.1m in loan fees for Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

11:30 UPDATE: Thomas Gravesen talks

Former Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen has discussed the moment he learned of Real Madrid’s interest in January 2005.

“I was in the cinema with my brother when my agent called,” Gravesen told FourFourTwo. “I said to my brother, ‘I’ve got to take this phone call’ and went outside. My agent asked, ‘What do you think about Madrid?’

“I thought it was Atletico Madrid to begin with, so I said, ‘But I like Everton too’. He said, ‘It’s Real Madrid’. I said, ‘It’s Real Madrid?! OK… well what are they saying? What’s David Moyes saying?’

“My agent said they would come to an agreement, and after that it was up to us. From there, my agent flew down to Madrid, and because it was the winter window, Real Madrid needed to be really quick. The move happened so quickly.”

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[zalrb]

What do you think are the most tragic love stories in tv shows and movies that you've seen?

OK, so, spoilers. I’ve mentioned all of these couples already so I’m sorry if it’s repetitive. And this isn’t in any particular order.

Jax and Tara, Sons of Anarchy

I mention them a lot but Jax and Tara had such an embedded love and an intense pull, it had been ten years since she left Charming but when she got back they were immediately drawn into each other.

Their relationship was a source of hope for Jax while also a source of conflict because it was the only other thing that he loved as much as his club while with Tara, her love for Jax was undeniable but it took her to really dark places yet provided a lot of good in her life like her two sons and the love of a man who would do anything for her, anything except leave his club. But when he finally puts her first, finally puts his family first, when he’s finally being just a husband and a father and they reconcile after the amount of damage they inflicted on each other, she’s brutally murdered:

Noah and Rosalee, Underground

It’s only the second season of Underground so the fate of their relationship hasn’t been decided yet but it’s tragic because well Underground is about enslavement and about the various avenues taken to dismantle it and the main characters were a group of enslaved people who ran away from their plantation. Noah was the ring leader, passionate and devoted and committed and he believed in Rosalee when she couldn’t even see her own strength. Throughout the period of them running from the law and slave catchers and just white civilians, they have these moments of respite where they can gaze at each other or touch one another but then they have to keep moving because they’re fighting for their lives. When they finally are like a step away from freedom, they can finally have a moment long enough to consummate their love.

However, Noah is recaptured almost immediately after they have sex and Rosalee spends a lot of time and makes a very risky plan to get him back and you think that she will succeed because Noah escapes

but then he’s once again recaptured and she doesn’t know if he’s alive or dead.

Alisha and Simon, Misfits

Alisha was originally very mean to Simon because he was an outcast and a loner and frankly, weird, but then Simon from the future comes to the present to save Alisha’s life because in the future Alisha dies and she ends up falling in love with Future Simon which helps her fall in love with Present Simon except Future Simon dies protecting Present Alisha while Future Alisha had already died so basically they were both doomed to die.

Jal and Chris, Skins UK

Jal and Chris are a relationship in which the “overachiever” and “screw-up” relationship works really well because Jal is supposed to be uptight and focused and she’s very critical while Chris parties and does way too many drugs so one day they decide to help each other, where Jal has to say “Yes” to things because all she does is say “no” and Chris has to stop saying yes or his tagline “fuck it”

and try so they actually nuance each other and they go through a lot, he deeply hurts her and she goes through some unexpected challenges but they manage to make it through and then he dies:

Naevia and Crixus, Spartacus

Crixus and Naevia are tragic in two parts. The first part is Spartacus: Blood and Sand (this is the Naevia I prefer, they changed actresses in Spartacus: Vengeance) so Lucretia who is the domina, mistress, of the household uses Crixus as her sex slave, he’s only supposed to belong to her but Crixus falls in love with Naevia who is Lucretia’s “most trusted” personal slave so there are moments for instance where Naevia has to watch Lucretia and Crixus have sex and stand guard in case Batiatus, Lucretia’s husband, comes home. If that isn’t enough Batiatus gives Naevia to Ashur who is Crixus’ enemy and Ashur rubs it in his face so Crixus goes ballistic which lets Lucretia know that Naevia and Crixus were together so Lucretia beats Naevia

and then sells her off to be a sex slave, she’s used as a “gift”, being dragged to different households for esteemed men to rape in order for the House of Batiatus to gain favour.

When Crixus and Naevia finally reunite (this is the new actress), they end up dying.

Spartacus and Sura, Spartacus

Spartacus defied a Roman and was condemned to slavery along as his wife (but separately), Batiatus trains him to be a gladiator and says that if he fights and wins in the arena, he will be reunited with Sura. However, Spartacus is disobedient and rebellious, he has no regards to actually “honour” his master, he just cares about Sura and that’s a problem because his fights in the arena are gaining favour for Batiatus so he needs him so Batiatus has her delivered to Spartacus but tells the man who drives her to slit her throat before entering the gates so Sura dies in Spartacus’ arms.

Pietros and Barca, Spartacus

Pietros is a soft, young slave and Barca is a formidable gladiator who only shows his softness with Pietros and Barca wants to wins enough money to buy him and Pietros freedom but Ashur owes Barca a lot of money that he won’t pay so Barca threatens to kill him so Ashur creates a series of events that end with Batiatus slitting Barca’s throat, they then tell Pietros that Barca bought hiss own freedom and left him behind so obviously Pietros is heartbroken but then because Barca isn’t around to protect him he is consistently raped and beaten by another gladiator so Pietro commits suicide.

Silas and Amara, The Vampire Diaries

They were barely onscreen together and their story is really short but it’s really sad and that Dobsley chemistry, man.

Cesare and Lucrezia, The Borgias

OK, Cesare and Lucrezia is an interesting case because it’s incest and I usually find the inclusion of incest in narratives gratuitous, like, why  but the reason why Cesare and Lucrezia worked for me is because I thought the show did an excellent job in showing the shame and the guilt and the self-disgust that comes out of a dynamic like the one they have, Cesare is inwardly torn to shreds about how he feels for Lucrezia but it’s this overwhelming force that Lucrezia describes as, “a dark cloud descended upon me” and I find them tragic because who wants to feel this way? The situation is entirely fucked up and it affects them fundamentally:

Mickey and Ian, Shameless

No one dies, just, they don’t end up together and after all the shit they went through and everything they mean to each other, it’s just tragic that they’re not together.

Stefan and Elena, The Vampire Diaries

No explanation needed.

Buffy and Angel, Buffy The Vampire Slayer

I find it both beautiful and messed up that as long as Buffy and Angel love each other they can’t be together because the minute Angel experiences any form of true happiness, he loses his soul so they have to stay away from each other, it’s an inherently doomed relationship:

Robb and Talisa, Game of Thrones

I mean, *sigh* I have conflicting feelings about Talisa and Robb because Robb was my favourite character until Talisa because he was such an idiot and short-sighted and just, he was such a badass until he fucked up over her and that pissed me off but I still liked their scenes together and it did not need to go down the way it did.

That’s all for now.

[selecaobrasileiras]

Can i ask how did you discover the teams to support and why did you decide to support them i always love hearing everyones little story about how they found their team :)

ok this might be a little long so settle in lmao

so football doesn’t get a lot of attention where i live so i am a Latecomer. for WC14 we suddenly got a MASSIVE influx of like merchandise and tv coverage and stuff lmao and i backed Brazil (which did not end ideally). then it kind of took me a bit to figure out how footie works?? but i followed Neymar to Barca first actually (whoops). i stuck around until Barca got their second treble, but after that i just became really aware of all the little problems w them? i don’t wanna get into it too much but the politics of the club are sth i disagree with on a fundamental level.

during this time @twasoffside & @rosecityriveters started advertising Valencia to me lmfao. i was kind of considering Atleti (and RM can u imagine) as well but Valencia won out... i love their history, i can agree w their values, i love their young clumsy players lmfao. and that’s when i started loving André :)

um Arsenal was my second team, and mostly it was bc i have an irl friend who cheers for Chelsea. so i was looking into PL so we could each have a team in the same league... i was actually p close to choosing United this time lmao but honestly?? i mostly went for Arsenal bc Alexis was a familiar face. then over time i realized (i was still a culé at this time) that Arsenal was the first club to give me that often-spoken-of “home” feeling. idc how much we suffer or anything, i always love Arsenal w the same intensity.

(a little break here to say when WWC came to Canada, i got to watch one of the games live and i’m IN LOVE WITH MARTA and i love our Canadian ladies too, so i follow Brazil WNT and Canada WNT as well, but have not yet chosen a women’s club in NA.)

and BAYERN... my number one... my biggest truest love... i actually fell for them when Barca faced them in the...14/15???? CL. but let me tell you uh... actually becoming a Bayern fan would have made me a pariah in my friend group at the time lmfao so i was kind of trying to avoid them (unsuccessfully). i actually got a götze kit during this period of resistance lmfao. i started following their games but then during the summer break i tried to find a different BuLi team instead (I LOOOOVE THE BULI). i got really interested in Schalke, their Ultras are so much fun, their history is really fascinating, and i adore a lot of their players. it was looking really good lmfao... but once the season started up, i kept following Bayern anyways... 

i retain a huge soft spot for Schalke (and a lot of BuLi teams.. have i mentioned i love the BuLi?) but i have never ever been able to resist Bayern. and in the time i’ve been following them, they’ve only been giving me more reasons to love them (lighting up the Allianz w rainbow colours for pride despite the possibility of that making them unpopular, their troublesome history particularly in the time of war and their defiance, the overall generosity of a club that helps even THEIR GREATEST RIVALS stay afloat [1860, not BVB, though they’ve helped both] bc Bayern just CARES about the BuLi). like... Schalke, Ingolstadt, a ton of clubs in BuLi are so interesting and i’d recommend all of them to anyone lmfao but Bayern is really.. really special to me.

[fossadeileonixv]

Milan 1 Cagliari 0

3 points is 3 points is 3 points is 3 points!

On this mans birthday of all days it’s important to understand that no matter how ugly, a win is a win. Sure Rino Gattuso had better looking teammates who played the game in a more elegant or sublime manner than , but Gattuso was always there to do the duty work. A bulldog. A fighter. A midfielder with steel of the highest order. Ugly but effective. The living embodiment of ‘3 points is 3 points’. 

Yesterday was a Gattuso.

It was an ugly, unimpressive, sweaty, dirty, mostly boring and at times disinterested looking performance from the boys in red and black. A draw or, even worse, a loss at home to 14th place Cagliari would have put a huge dent in our CL plans for next year. If that had happened, this would have been much harder to write. Thank God it didn’t.

I’ll take a Gattuso every time.

As usual, a few thoughts on each:

Donnarumma.... 50 appearances and he keeps getting better and better. Sure Cagliari didn’t pressure him nearly as much as most have this year, but he made 2 big saves and was solid in playing the ball from the back.

Abate.... made a few nice defensive places and a couple terrible crosses before getting hurt and leaving the game. Word is it isn’t serious and he will be back soon.

DeSciglio.... seamlessly moved across the pitch to RB after Abate got hurt and played a solid game all around. He’ll never be flashy and that’s ok. His first win as Captain. 

Paletta and R13.... just keep getting better. It was nice to see that against a team that sat so deep R13 took some chances and made some runs into the box while Paletta stayed home. The more they play together the more they can do things like that. the more they do thing slike that, the better we can be going forward, especially against weak teams.

Antonelli...  made a good impression after coming despite our troubles down the left. Against a weaker team like Cagliari he has the time to do what he wants offensively without being a liability on defense. 

Pasalic .... (SIGH)..... hmmm...... on the bright he did score that goal in the SuperCoppa!

Locatelli... for the good he passed the ball better, looked more confident and moved around the pitch better than he ever has. A couple of those long balls early on were, dare I say it, Pirlo-esque. On the negative side this was against a Cagliari team that didn’t press him, the CBs or the keeper at all. Perspective folks....

Jack and Niang.... While both had glimpses of good play, especially Niang early on, the left side of our attack did not provide much in real quality chances. With Cagliari sitting so deep Jack wandered far ahead, which pushed Niang to the middle on top of Bacca which meant our shape was a mess most of the game. Something has to be done on our left side. Probably more on that later this week.

Bacca.... let’s just hope that the goal means he starts playing better. His first 85 minutes were crap. Partly because of our broken shape but partly because he always seemed to be a step behind. Must work harder. Until then...

Lapadula... MUST be the starter for this group. That, or he and Bacca need to split time where one plays 70 and the other cleans up for the last 20. Either way, the #9 spot is for the most part killing us and needs solved

Suso.... get ball, make move, put in lovely cross or take man on one and one and shoot... repeat.......

Berto... weird he came on for Jack, but clearly the formation was flawed. I can’t say things improved greatly after he came on, but.... we scored and got 3 points. Thank God.

THOUGHTS

After several games of teams hounding Donnarumma, our CBs and even Locatelli deep into our own end, Cagliari laid off most of the game. Oddly giving us that much space seemed to confuse us. We don’t have the quality to make the best passes in tight spaces and that was evident all game. Either the space was a little late (like Niang’s early to Bacca) or it was poorly placed (like Suso’s cross too far in front of a charging Bacca later). 

Laying back so much also eliminated our ability to break on the counter. It also exposed our lack of height on the front line. Bacca and Suso aren’t exactly the sort that are gonna get their heads on crosses. Before you knew it we were out of ideas. 

One thing I would have liked to have seen were more attempts from distance that were ON TARGET. Make that keeper work. In a game where Cagliari sat crazy deep and invited us in close we took 29 shots, of which ONLY 4 WERE ON TARGET!!!

FOUR!!!!!!

11 were blocked

14 were off target! 14!!!!! 

That means 14 times we got ourselves in position to take a shot and missed the entire F%&KING GOAL! You know.... that 8x24 rectangle that covers 208 square feet? Yeah, we missed it 14 times after deciding we were in position to shoot at it. That’s 14 times a professional footballer took a shot that he thought was worth taking that resulted in a goal kick for the other team.  

If you have been around here a decent amount of time you know one of my biggest pet peeves on planet earth are shots off target. From Robinho to Menez to Jack we have had some high quality junior astronauts with a proclivity to launch balls into the BLEEPING stratosphere!

Ok... rant over.

3 points is 3 points, right?

Lisi 

PS: I watched the Barca-Villareal game yesterday. This Pato guy looks awfully flipping good. When he’s on, he makes the game look so damneasy. 

[mancitynoise]

Dani Olmo has been one of the players whose reputation simply rocketed in the last year or so.

And now, after an incredible 2018/19 season for Dinamo Zagreb and even better ongoing 2019/20 campaign with the same team, the young midfielder is starting to attract the attention of some of Europe’s best.

Just recently, he was linked to Manchester City by Calciomercato as they state Pep Guardiola is very interested in bringing the former La Masia graduate to the Etihad.

And this doesn’t really come as a surprise, either.

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Olmo has scored a handful of goals and provided assists across all competitions this season, including two goals and an assist in the Champions League group stage.

Interestingly enough, he also scored a goal against Manchester City on the last matchday of the group stage at the Maksimir stadium.

And seeing other experts’ opinions on the 21-year-old, it really seems like he’s a huge talent just waiting to be snapped up.

Here’s what those in the know have had to say about him…

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager

Let’s start with the man who just might be getting his hands on the Dinamo Zagreb prodigy in the not too distant future.

Guardiola already seems to be a fan of Olmo as he has praised the kid before their big clash in the Champions League, emphasising his talent and claiming he could go on to become a big star.

Here’s what he said in the pre-match press conference, as quoted by Manchester Evening News:

“I said after our home game, it was an incredible surprise. He came from the Barca academy – it’s not easy, he’s one of the best players in the Spain academy, and he’ll come to one of the big clubs in Europe.

“I’m so glad for him, he’s doing so well. The future is in his hands.”

Nenad Bjelica, Dinamo Zagreb manager

Another coach who believes Olmo is destined for greatness is Bjelica, his current gaffer over in the Croatian capital.

He’s been working with the 21-year-old for quite some time now and unfortunately for him and his club, he’s very much aware of the fact Olmo will be on his way out sooner rather than later.

After all, he’s too talented and too good to stay at Dinamo, as per Bjelica’s interview with 24sata, quoted by One Football:

“I think we are just watching his last matches at Dinamo. There are so many offers. In the end, the club and the player will decide together what is best for both sides. He is ready to play for the best clubs in Europe.”

Denis Silva Puig, Olmo’s former La Masia coach

Of course, Olmo’s meteoric rise is not something that should come as a big surprise.

After all, he was perceived as a big talent even when he was still in Catalonia, playing for Barcelona’s youth teams. His former coach, Puig, described the now 21-year-old as a natural-born goalscorer who was bagging goals in every single category.

Here’s what he said about Olmo, as quoted by Bleacher Report:

“He was very good that season with me.

“He was a typical forward, a very good finisher. He scored goals in every age category, and, of course, as a forward, it’s the first thing you notice about him—he has always scored a lot of goals. He understood space well, so he could find room to score. He’s a natural-born goalscorer.”

Verdict

It seems that Man City might be getting a true gem of a player if they manage to land Olmo’s signature.

The 21-year-old surely looks like a player who could go all the way to the top and Dinamo Zagreb could be enjoying their last days with this prolific midfielder.

[marvyn-reads]

Arsene Wenger signed a number of stars for Arsenal throughout his reign, but also missed out on several high-profile names.

A near 22-year stay at Arsenal for Arsene Wenger means there have been a lot of hit signings... and a fair few flops.

But throughout Wenger's long reign at the club, one of the prevailing trends has been the Frenchman's insistence that he tried to sign various big names, amid criticism over the club's perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market.

With the 68-year-old now set to depart Arsenal at the end of the season, we have put together an XI of players Wenger has said Arsenal missed out on in the past.

This lot would certainly give the current starting line-up a run for their money, with Arsenal facing another campaign in which they have fallen short of Champions League qualification.

GOALKEEPER: JOE HART

He lost his place under Pep Guardiola, but Joe Hart was a mainstay of the Manchester City team that won two Premier League titles and established themselves as a force in English football. He also effectively cemented his place as England's number one, although his place at the World Cup could now be in doubt after an error-strewn season on loan at West Ham. According to Wenger, he could have joined Arsenal before he forced his way into the City first team. "I remember when Hart played at Birmingham [in 2009-10]," he said. "I asked about him and they told me he is at Man City. I thought he would be the keeper there."

DEFENDER: CHRIS SMALLING

Wenger hasn't always got it right in defensive reinforcements but he saw something he liked in Chris Smalling during his Fulham days. Eventually, Arsenal were outmuscled by Manchester United, who signed the centre-back for a reported £7million. "I am sorry because we were very close to getting him," said Wenger. "We were on the case very early. I wish the player well. At the end of the day it is important he has a good career." He's not everyone's favourite but Smalling has certainly managed that. He has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the Europa League and an EFL Cup with United – and was named the players' player of the year for 2015-16. Smalling has also scored twice in his last three United appearances.

DEFENDER: RAPHAEL VARANE

This one appeared to bother Wenger. Raphael Varane has developed into one of the world's finest young defenders since joining Real Madrid in 2011 and has won two LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues with the Spanish club. According to Wenger, it could have been very different. He told Eurosport: "He was at Lens and we might well have caught him there. Yet at the same time, when you are in charge of a club like Arsenal, you have to wonder why this player is not playing for us." Ouch. Getting Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen instead wasn't bad business, but the whole thing still rankles with Wenger.

DEFENDER: GERARD PIQUE

Gerard Pique was more of a pipe dream than a certifiable option who snubbed the Gunners' advances. The Spain international was one of a trio of Barcelona youngsters Wenger had his eye on back in 2003. "It worked only for Cesc Fabregas," said Wenger in 2014 after revealing the three La Masia graduates he was after. In the end, Pique moved to Manchester United and claimed Premier League and Champions League winners' medals before returning to Barcelona, where he has become one of the most decorated centre-backs in the modern game. Who was the third Barca boy, we hear you ask? You'll find out later…

MIDFIELDER: N'GOLO KANTE

One of the latest additions to this formidable line-up, N'Golo Kante has been the driving force behind Premier League title charges from Leicester City and Chelsea in the last two seasons. He has also established his place firmly in the France team. The all-round qualities of the combative, creative and utterly relentless 27-year-old led to inevitable questions about why Wenger never spotted the former Caen man's potential and made an offer. Well, it's quite simple: he did. Twice. Apparently. "Have I looked to sign Kante? Yes. When he was in France and when he was at Leicester," Wenger said. "I cannot explain everything [about why he preferred Chelsea] but it is quite obvious when you look at where he has gone. Was it the money? I do not want to talk about that. Transfers are transfers – you cannot explain absolutely everything."

FORWARD: CRISTIANO RONALDO

Multiple leagues, Champions Leagues, domestic cups, Euro 2016 and five Ballons d'Or are just some of the trophies Cristiano Ronaldo has lifted. In fact, his personal museum in Madeira holds more accolades than Wenger brought to Arsenal in 20 years. Things would have been very, very different had it not been for compatriot Carlos Queiroz's influence at Manchester United in 2003. At least, according to Wenger. "He was very close to coming here," he told ITV. "He has a number nine shirt with Ronaldo on the back from Arsenal Football Club. What happened was that Carlos Queiroz went to Manchester United and they snapped him away from us because he knew him from Sporting."

FORWARD: RONALDINHO

It has often been a bone of contention for Manchester United fans that they failed to get a deal for Ronaldinho over the line before he accepted Barcelona's offer. The Brazilian left Paris Saint-Germain for Camp Nou in 2003 and became the leading star at a club that was striving to return to the glory days of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team in the 1990s. A true modern great who also won three major tournaments with Brazil, Ronaldinho was one that got away for the Premier League's elite – and, yes, that includes Arsenal again. "We could have got Ronaldinho before he went to PSG," Wenger told Sky Sports. "I met his brother, who is his agent, a long, long time before he went to PSG – when he was 20 – but we just could not get him to England because of the rules here. Basically, what the rule does is force you to wait to buy the player but, by then, you cannot afford him anymore."

FORWARD: LIONEL MESSI

Still wondering who that third Barcelona player was? Oh, just the man considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time. Eight LaLiga titles – soon to be nine – four Champions Leagues, five Ballons d'Or, scoring records for Barca and Spain's top flight – it's all just the tip of the iceberg for the undisputed star of one of the greatest club sides the game has ever seen. Still, if Wenger had his way, Messi would have learned much of his craft at London Colney rather than Catalonia. "I think, in the end, he was not so keen to move, because it was at a period where Fabregas came, and Fabregas and Messi played together in the same team," said Wenger. "We wanted to take Fabregas, Messi and Pique. It worked only for Fabregas. It was down to the fact that, in the end, Messi was comfortable at Barcelona."

FORWARD: GARETH BALE

A slight variation to the theme this time – according to Wenger, at least. The Arsenal manager says they looked at the Wales star while he was a fresh-faced youngster at Southampton, while they were assessing emerging talents including Theo Walcott. Ultimately, Wenger decided against an offer. Bale went on to join Tottenham, where he was transformed from unwitting full-back to a man who eats full-backs for breakfast, before heading to Real Madrid, where he has won three Champions Leagues. "I must confess it was a huge mistake as he can play in midfield," Wenger conceded in 2006. "He struggled at the start at Tottenham, then they moved him to midfield and he has done exceptionally well."

STRIKER: DIDIER DROGBA

A hero in the eyes of Chelsea fans and a real scourge of the Arsenal defence, Didier Drogba was one of the continent's finest centre-forwards for half a decade. He won 12 major trophies, including four league titles and the Champions League, across two spells at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea forked out a reported £24million for Drogba in 2004, but Arsenal could have signed him for a fraction of that price two years earlier. Please explain, Mr Wenger… "We watched Drogba very carefully when he was at Le Mans and his value was just £100,000. But we felt at the time he might not be completely ready… Looking back now, of course it was a mistake." Yup.

STRIKER: KYLIAN MBAPPE

The final starting spot goes to the most recent entry. Kylian Mbappe took Europe by storm last season, scoring 26 goals and assisting 14 as Monaco roared to a Ligue 1 title triumph and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. Paris Saint-Germain will complete a permanent move for the teenager at the end of the season for €180million after a successful one-year loan. Wenger, however, could have snapped him up for something significantly less than that had a visit to the forward's house last year gone to plan. "The player would tell you that I was at his home last year to try to get him here because he was at the end of [his] contract, but Monaco managed to keep him and the decision was very, very tight," said Wenger. "But I could understand it as well because he was educated there and at the end decided to stay there."

SUBSTITUTES:

If that starting line-up isn't formidable enough, just look at the options on the bench for our If-only-eh-Arsene XI.

Dimitri Payet ("He played at Saint-Etienne and we watched him many times"), Angel Di Maria ("We identified Di Maria when he was 17… he could not get a work permit here"), Eden Hazard ("I had his agent at my home but again the barrier was financial and Chelsea made an effort that I couldn't make"), Kingsley Coman ("Yes we really tried to sign Kingsley Coman in the summer of 2014. The transfer was almost completed, but he preferred Juventus"), Romelu Lukaku ("Yes, we knew him in Belgium but at the time he opted to go to Chelsea"), Yaya Toure ("It's not because we did not want to sign him that he went to Ukraine) and Paul Pogba ("We tried to get him to come here. But he very quickly signed for Juventus").

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

We couldn't let these names slip through the net entirely.

Gianluigi Buffon (He claimed to have met with Wenger in 1998, while he was still at Parma. He went to Juventus in the end), Vincent Kompany (This one came from the player's agent, rather than Wenger himself. Apparently, the centre-back had been scouted by Arsenal before joining Manchester City in 2008), Roberto Carlos (The Brazil great actually said he wanted to go to Arsenal, but apparently never got a phone call. "When my contract finishes [the Premier League] is definitely my priority and at Arsenal there are fellow Brazilians," he said towards the end of his Real Madrid deal), Luis Suarez (Wenger launched a definite bid to sign the striker from Liverpool in 2014. However, his £40,000,001 offer – which he hoped would trigger Suarez's release clause – only served to infuriate Anfield officials, who allowed him to leave for Barcelona instead), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Another who went for a trial at Arsenal, the story goes that the striker – then only 16 – rejected the chance to sign for the Gunners after being asked to prove himself. "Zlatan doesn't do auditions" was his famous assessment)

[ngop3]

I’m going to start with a secret. Actually, you may learn a few secrets in this story, because I feel like I am misunderstood by many people. But let’s start with the first one.

Three months ago, when Barcelona made their incredible comeback against Paris St.-Germain in the Champions League, I was watching every moment from my couch. You might think from reading the newspapers that I was hoping my old club would lose.

But when my brother Neymar scored that beautiful free kick? I jumped up from my couch and was screaming at the television.

“Vamoooooooos!”

And when Sergi Roberto performed a miracle in the 95th minute?

Like every other Barca fan in the world, I was going absolutely crazy. Because the truth is that Barcelona is still in my blood.

Was I disrespected by the board of directors before I left the club last summer? Absolutely. That is simply how I feel, and you can never tell me any different. But you cannot play for a club for eight years, and achieve everything that we did, and not have that club in your heart forever. Managers, players and board members come and go. But Barca will never go away.

Before I went to Juventus, I made a final promise to the board at Barcelona. I said, “You’re going to miss me.”

I didn’t mean as a player. Barca have plenty of incredible players. What I meant was that they were going to miss my spirit. They were going to miss the care I had for the dressing room. They were going to miss the blood I spilled every time I put on the shirt.

When I had to play against Barca in the next round, it was a very weird feeling. Especially in the second leg at the Camp Nou, I felt like I was home again. Right before the match started, I went over to the Barca bench to say hello to my old friends, and they were saying, “Dani, come sit with us! We saved your seat!”

PHOTO BY JOAN VALLS/NURPHOTO/ZUMA PRESS

I was shaking everybody’s hand with my back to the referee. All of a sudden, I heard a whistle. I turned around and the referee had already started the match. I went sprinting back to the field, and I could hear my old manager, Luis Enrique, laughing his ass off.

It’s funny right? But that match was not a joke, especially not to me. People see me and they say, “Dani’s always joking. He’s always smiling. He’s not serious.”

I could hear my old manager, Luis Enrique, laughing his ass off.

Listen, I’ll tell you another secret. Before I go up against the best forwards in the world — Messi, Neymar, Cristiano — I study their strengths and weaknesses like an obsession, and then I plan how I am going to attack. My goal is to show the world that Dani Alves is on the same level. Maybe they will dribble past me once or twice. Sure, O.K. But I will attack them, too. I don’t want to be invisible. I want the stage. Even at 34 years old, after 34 trophies, I still feel I have to prove this every time.

But it goes even deeper than that.

Right before every match, I have same the routine. I stand in front of a mirror for five minutes and I block out everything. Then a movie begins to play in my mind. It is the movie of my life.

In the first scene, I’m 10 years old. I’m sleeping on a concrete bed at my family’s tiny home in Juazeiro, Brazil. The mattress over the bed is as thick as your little finger. The house smells of wet soil, and it is still dark outside. It’s five in the morning, and the sun has not risen, but I have to go help my father on our farm before school.

My brother and I walk out into the field, and our father is already out there working. He’s got a big, heavy tank on his back, and he’s spraying the fruits and plants with chemicals to kill the bacteria.

We’re probably too young to handle the toxins, but we help him anyway. This is just our way to survive. For hours, I compete with my brother to see who can be the hardest worker. Because the one who our father decides has helped him the most gets the rights to our only bicycle.

If I don’t win the bicycle, I have to walk the 12 miles from the farm to my school. The walk back from school is even worse, because the pickup football games in our neighborhood will start without me. So I run the 12 miles back and then just keep running right out onto the pitch.

But if I do win the bicycle? Then I can get the girls. I can pick up one of them on the road and offer them a ride to school. For 12 miles, I’m the man.

So I work my ass off.

I look at my father as I leave for school, and he’s still got the big tank on his back. He’s got a full day in the field ahead of him, and then at night he’s got a little bar that he runs to make extra money. He was a hell of a footballer when he was young, but he didn’t have the money to make it to a bigger city so he could be seen by scouts. He wants to make sure that I have that opportunity, even if it kills him.

The screen fades to black.

Now it’s Sunday, and we’re watching the football matches on our black-and-white TV. There’s steel wool wrapped around the antenna so we can pick up the signal from the city, far away. For us, this is the best day of the week. There’s a lot of joy in our house.

The screen fades to black.

Now my father is driving me to town in his old car so I can try out in front of some scouts. The car is a stick shift, and it only has two gears — slow and slower. I can smell the smoke.

My dad is a hustler. I gotta be a hustler, too.

The screen fades to black.

Now I’m 13, and I’m at this academy for young footballers in a bigger town, away from my family. There are 100 kids packed into a small dormitory. It’s kind of like a prison. The day before I left home, my father went into town and bought me a new football outfit. He doubled my wardrobe, because I only had one outfit to begin with.

After the first day of training, I hang the new kit on the line to dry. The next morning, it’s gone. Somebody has taken it. That’s when I realize that this is not the farm anymore. This is the real world, and the reason they call it the real world is because shit is real out here.

I go back to my room, and I’m starving. We train all day, and there’s not enough food at the camp. Somebody stole my clothes. I miss my family, and I’m definitely not the best player here. Out of 100, I’m maybe 51st in ability. So I make myself a promise.

I tell myself, “You are not going back to the farm until you make your father proud. You might be 51st in ability. But you are going to be No. 1 or 2 in drive. You are going to be a warrior. You are not going back home, no matter what.”

The screen fades to black.

Now I’m 18 years old, and I’m telling one of the only lies I’ve ever told in football.

I’m playing for Bahia in the Brazilian league when a big scout comes up to me and says, “Sevilla are interested in signing you.”

I say, “Sevilla! Amazing.”

The scout says, “Do you know where that is?”

I say, “Of course I know where Sevilla is. Sev-iiiillaaaaa. I love it.”

But I have no f******g idea where Sevilla is. It could be on the moon for all I know. But the way he says the name makes it sound important, so I lie.

A few days later, I start asking around, and I find out that Sevilla plays against Barcelona and Real Madrid. In Portuguese, we have an expression for this kind of moment.

I said to myself, “Agora.”

It’s like, Bang. Now. Let’s go.

The screen fades to black.

Now I’m in Sevilla, and I’m so malnourished that the coaches and other players are looking at me like I must play for the youth team. I am in the middle of the hardest six months of my life. I don’t speak the language. The manager isn’t playing me, and it’s the first time I really think about going home.

But then, for some reason, I think about the new outfit that my father bought me when I was 13. The one that got stolen. I think of him with the tank strapped to his back, spraying chemicals. And I decide that I’m going to stay and learn the language and try to make some friends, so that at least I can go back to Brazil with a new experience to share.

When the season begins, the manager instructs everyone, “At Sevilla, our defense does not go past the halfway line. Never.”

I play a few games, kicking the ball around, looking at that line. Just looking at it, like a dog who’s afraid to cross an invisible fence in his yard. Then, one game, for some reason, I just let go. I have to be me.

I say, “Agora.”

And I just go. Attack, attack, attack.

It works like magic. After that, the manager says, “O.K., Dani. New plan. At Sevilla, you attack.”

In just a few seasons, we go from being a relegation club to lifting the UEFA Cup twice.

The screen fades to black.

My phone is ringing. It’s my agent.

“Dani, Barcelona are interested in signing you.”

I do not have to lie this time. I know where Barcelona is.

PHOTO BY DAVID RAMOS/GETTY IMAGES

That is the movie that plays in my head when I stare in the mirror before every match. At the end, before I walk back to the dressing room, I always say the same thing to myself.

Shit, I came from nowhere.

I am here now.

It’s unreal, but I am here.

When I was 18, I moved across the ocean just for the opportunity to play for a club that played against Barcelona. So to have the honor of playing for Barca? It was incredible. I got to be a witness to true genius.

I remember during one training session, Messi was doing things with the ball at his feet that defied logic. Of course, that is what he did every day. Only this time, something was different.

Now, I need to remind you, this was an extremely intense training session. We were not messing around. Messi was dribbling through the defense and finishing like a killer.

And then as he’s running past me, I look down at his cleats, and I’m thinking to myself, Is this a joke?

He comes running past again, and I think, No, it’s impossible.

He comes running past again, and now I’m sure what I’m seeing.

His damn cleats are untied. Both of them.

I mean completely untied. This guy is playing against the best defenders in the world, just floating around the pitch, and he’s acting like it’s a Sunday in the park. That was the moment when I knew that I was never going to play with someone like him ever again in my life.

And then, of course, there’s Pep Guardiola.

PHOTO BY OTTO GREULE JR/GETTY IMAGES

If you turn the word computer backwards, it spells Steve Jobs.

If you turn the word football backwards, it spells Pep.

He is a genius. I’ll say it again. A genius.

Pep would tell you exactly how everything was going to happen in a match before it even happened. For example, the game against Real Madrid in 2010, when we won 5–0? Pep told us before the match, “Today, you’re going to play like the football is a ball of fire. It never stays at your feet. Not even a half second. If you do that, there will be no time for them to pressure us. We will win easily.”

The sensation when we left every one of his prematch talks was like we were already up three-nil. We were so empowered, so prepared, that it felt like we were already winning.

The funniest thing was if we came in at halftime and the game wasn’t going well. Pep would sit down and rub his forehead. You know how he rubs his head? You’ve seen it, right? Like he’s massaging his brain, searching for the genius to come to him.

He would do this right in front of us in the dressing room. Then, like magic, it would come to him.

Bang!

“I’ve got it!”

Then he would jump up and start barking out instructions, drawing maths and figures on the board.

“We will do this, this and this, and then this is how we will score.”

So we would go out, and we would do this, this and this. And that’s how we would score. It was crazy.

Pep was the first coach in my life who showed me how to play without the ball. And he wouldn’t just demand that his players change their game, he would sit us down and show us why we wanted us to change with statistics and video.  

PHOTO BY DAVID RAMOS/GETTY IMAGES

Those Barca teams were pretty much unbeatable. We played by memory. We already knew what we were going to do. We didn’t have to think.

That is why, to this day, Barca is in my heart.

That is why, when we beat Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals, I walked up to my brother Neymar, and I gave him a hug. He was crying, and a part of me felt like crying, too.

I can imagine people reading this and asking why I am sharing these secrets.

Well, the truth is, I am 34 years old. I don’t know how much longer I will play. Maybe two or three years. And I feel as though people do not understand me, and my full story.

When I came to Juventus this season, it was like I was leaving home again. I did it when I was 13, going to the academy. I did it again at 18, going to Spain. And then I did it again at 33, going to Italy.

When I first arrived at Juve, it was like going to a completely new school. My whole life, I had loved to attack. And now I was coming to a place where they value defending above everything.

Once again, I was the dog in the yard. I was staring at the invisible fence.

Should I go?

But I did not go. At the beginning of the season, I wanted to make sure that the Juve players understood that I respected their philosophy, and their history. Once I made sure that I had their respect, I tried to show them my strengths, too.

One day, I looked at the halfway line, and I said to myself, Should I go?

… Bang. Agora.

Attack, attack, attack. (And, O.K., maybe defend a bit, too, or Buffon will be yelling at me.)

I sometimes think that life is a circle.

See, I cannot get away from these Argentinians.

At Barca, I had Messi.

At Juve, I have Dybala.

Genius follows me everywhere, I swear.

PHOTO BY DANIELE BADOLATO/LAPRESSE/ICON SPORTSWIRE

In training one day, I saw something in Dybala that I had seen before in Messi. It was not just the gift of pure talent. I have seen that many times in my life. It was the gift of pure talent combined with the will to conquer the world.

At Barca, we played by memory.

At Juve, it’s different. It’s our collective mentality that has carried us to the Champions League final. When the whistle blows, we simply find a way to win no matter what. Winning is not just a goal at Juve, it’s like an obsession. There are no excuses.

This Saturday, I have a chance to win my 35th trophy in 34 years on earth. It is a special opportunity for me, and it has nothing to do with proving to the Barcelona board that they made a mistake in letting me go.

I know that they will never admit that.

That’s not the point.

Do you remember what I told you about the moment at the academy in Brazil? When I said to myself that I would never go back to the farm until I made my father proud?

Well, my father is not a very emotional man. I never knew when I had actually made him truly proud. For most of my career, he was back home in Brazil. But in 2015, he was there in Berlin to see me win the Champions League final for the very first time in person. I remember after the trophy celebrations on the field, Barca had a special party for the families of the players. We got to hand over the trophy to the people who had helped us achieve our dreams. I remember when it was my turn I passed the trophy to my father, and we were both holding it, posing for a photo.

And he said something in Portuguese that is actually a dirty word, so I won’t translate it word for word.

But he basically said, “My son is the man now.”

And you know what? He was crying like a baby.

That was the greatest moment of my life.

On Saturday, I will have the chance to play for another Champions League trophy against a very familiar opponent. Like always, I will study Cristiano like an obsession.

Like always, I will go to the mirror before the match and play the same movie in my mind.

The screen will go black, and I will remember these things….

My concrete bed.

The smell of wet soil.

My father with the tank of chemicals on his back.

The 12 mile bike ride to school.

The new outfit.

The empty clothesline.

“Of course I know where Sevilla is.”

Shit, I came from nowhere.

I am here now.

It’s unreal, but I am here.

DANI ALVES

/ CONTRIBUTOR

[the-telegraph-sport-yahoopa-blog]

Real Betis 1 Barcelona 1: Barca lose ground on title rivals as late Luis Suarez equaliser rescues a point

 Real Betis 1 (Alegria 75') - 1 (Suarez 90') Barcelona 

Barcelona's title chances took a hit as a superior Real Betis side held them to a point - and Luis Enrique's side was fortunate to come away with even that.

Barca could have moved top of La Liga with a win but injuries deprived them of key players; the absence of Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta proving too big to overcome.

Víctor Sánchez had his team attack from the first whistle, pressing Barcelona high up the pitch and forcing them to make hurried decisions. Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu tried their best to stick to the Barcelona blueprint and play out from the back but time and again they were caught in possession. Goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter-Stegen was lucky on a few occasions not to hand clear chances to wasteful Betis forwards.

Credit: GETTY

Dani Ceballos was superb, if devious with some of his playacting, throughout but along with Ruben Castro and Ruben Pardo, just too wasteful in goal-scoring positions.

Barcelona created their own problems. Ivan Rakitic had responsibilities normally assigned to Busquets as the number four in Enrique's system but struggled to turn and was forced backwards whenever he received the ball.

Betis paid particular attention to the Croatian and it meant that any attempts to bring the ball out from the back were rushed and routinely ended up back in the possession of Sanchez's team.

Enrique made no efforts to change the flow of the game despite Barcelona clearly losing the midfield battle. Arda Turan and Denis Suarez were poor and lent little support to the isolated Rakitic; it was no surprise that both were substituted late in the game and that this change resulted in Barcelona's only dominant spell.

Credit: AFP

The opening goal eventually came in the 75th minute as Barcelona failed to deal with a corner. The ball ricocheted around the area and Alex Alegria was in the right place at the right time to volley into an empty net. 

It had been coming but rather than maintain the high press that had caused Barca so much trouble throughout the game, Betis reverted to a deeper, defensive system - one which would ultimately be their downfall.

Barcelona responded immediately and should have pulled level but for a poor decision by the match officials. A cross from wide was turned in at the far post but even with the Betis defender clearing the ball away from a good two yards over the line, the referee waved play on.

Barcelona finally gained control of possession in Betis' half and were able to start creating chances. Lionel Messi, kept quiet due to Barca's inability to get the ball out of their own half, drifted in an out of the game but whenever he received the ball, was dangerous. 

Credit: REUTERS

As is so common, Messi's input decided the outcome of the match. Rafa Navarro, on as a substitute in the 86th minute, was twice guilty of overplaying near his own box. Having failed to learn from one mistake, his second was crucial. Messi robbed him of the ball, threaded a pass through to the lethal Luis Suarez, and the striker finished low into the bottom corner to make it 16 goals in La Liga for the season.

Having been denied a legitimate goal, to a point, justice was served. But make no mistake about it - Enrique's team got away with this one and need to improve drastically if they are to maintain their title bid.

12:52PM

FULL TIME

That's it!

12:51PM

90 mins +3

Barca have every player in the Betis half and are moving the ball quickly from side to side to try and create an opportunity. Messi runs into trouble, Rakitic takes over and crosses to the back post... Suarez is there! HE CAN WIN IT! It's a free-kick for a tiny push.

12:49PM

GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!

SUAREZ HAS EQUALISED! Ohhhhhh that is so cruel! 

Navarro tries to play out from the back despite being surrounded, in his own defensive third and with his team hanging on for three points. Messi wins it back, threads it through to Suarez and Suarez finishes low into the bottom corner. Well taken goal.

12:46PM

90 mins

Sergi Roberto clearly fouls a Betis striker and the referee waves play on. He has been shocking in this match. I haven't seen refereeing this poor since Willie Collum. 

Messi now has a free-kick as Roberto, who should have given away a free-kick, is fouled. Messi's delivery is too close to the keeper. Suarez goes down in the area looking for a penalty. Pathetic.

12:45PM

87 mins

Spanish football doesn't have goal line technology, in case you were wondering why the score is still 1-0. It's a contentious issue. 

Barcelona have Betis pinned back now. Neymar tries a shot from 25 yards but it's too central and Adan saves easily.

12:41PM

84 mins

Messi hits a free-kick straight off the wall. Moments later he chips a pass into the box for Suarez but the keeper reads it. Rakitic hits an absolutely superb pass from the halfway line to Vidal, he finds Messi, Messi holds onto for too long and is surrounded - the space is gone. Betis win it back... then Barca win it back... and Vidal is offside.

12:39PM

81 mins

RUBEN CASTRO IS CLEAN THROUGH ON GOAL! He must score! He has the entire half to run into on his own! Ter Stegen comes out, Castro shapes to shoot into the far post but it must be a dummy... it's not! Easy save for Ter Stegen. Ohhhhhh what a waste!!!

12:37PM

80 mins

CLEARED OFF THE LINE! Messi plays a great pass wide to Vidal, who hits the ball low across the box and a defender slides in at near post! It's going in the goal but another defender slides in and clears off the line!

  12:34PM

78 mins

BARCELONA HAVE SCORED! Wait - no they haven't! They attack immediately and find space in the final third... the ball is pinged across the box and attacked at the far post. The ball looks way over the line but play continues! I really want to see a replay of that, that looks a shocking decision.

 That is AWFUL! How can the officials not see that?!

12:33PM

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!

REAL BETIS HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD!

Alex Alegria reacts at the far post to volley at goal from a corner which Barca defend horribly. A deserved lead for the hosts.

12:31PM

75 mins

Credit: REUTERS

Gomes fouls wide right of the goal and Betis have a great chance to get the ball into the box. Mathieu and Pique are good in the air but that's about it for Barca...

Again the delivery is poor. This must be so frustrating to watch for the manager.

CASTRO HITS THE POST! Barca are on the ropes! They're being torn apart. Castro teases Pique, waits for him to commit to a tackle and shoots between his legs from the edge of the box. It pings back off the goal. How are Barca surviving this?! 

12:28PM

72 mins

This referee isn't having a very good game. He's giving free-kicks to both teams that aren't fouls and is annoying the home crowd especially with some of his calls. Pardo is coming off for Betis to be replaced by Ryan Donk. Will he put a banging Donk on it? 

Rakitic goes straight in the referee's book for an obvious foul as he slide tackles to stop a counter-attack. Barca on the back foot again. Betis are pressing so well! Why can't they create chances? It's not as if Barca are blocking the entrance to the box with numbers OH CEBALLOS!!! What a hit! He's hit the bar from 25 yards! Ter Stegen tips it onto the bar and it should have been a corner. Unsurprisingly, the referee awards a goal kick.

12:25PM

69 mins

Betis have worked out, from the start of the game, that if they press Rakitic and the central defenders, in numbers, they will win the ball back. Enrique has done absolutely nothing to address it and it's been happening all game long. Vidal stays on as it turns out... and Turan is off. He has done five eighths of nothing either. Always walking, never sprinting. 

12:23PM

66 mins

Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba are getting ready to come on. That might be enough to change it - Aleix Vidal and Lucas Digne have been poor. They've been out of position, not close enough for passing triangles with Rakitic and have barely managed to get into the Betis half. 

12:21PM

63 mins

Betis keep winning the ball high up the pitch - it's the kind of pressing Barca used to be famed for but which Luis Enrique has abandoned in favour of a deeper counter-attack. Arda Turan makes a slide tackle in his own half, Ter Stegen panics and puts the ball out for a throw-in. Betis pass quickly from side to side and a cross is put into the six yard box! This could be it! Ter Stegen dives and takes a knock to the head. He'll survive.

12:18PM

60 mins

Here comes Andre Gomes to come on and add absolutely nothing to the game. He is not the player Barcelona need at the moment and I can only imagine it'll be a like for like swap with one of Denis Suarez or Arda Turan, who are also technically gifted attacking midfielders. Barca need someone to control the midfield.

Pardo has hit about four crosses into the box straight out for a goal kick, over the bar. Dreadful.

Suarez is off, Gomes is on. This might mean Barca go to a two holding midfielder system.

TER STEGEN HAS LOST THE BALL ON THE EDGE OF HIS BOX!

I've watched quite a lot of Barcelona games and honestly this is the worst I've seen them play since... the worse games in Tata Martino's spell in charge. They've been useless.

But Messi's on the pitch and that still might be enough. 

12:14PM

57 mins

Betis are being so wasteful in attack. They have so much of the ball in the final third but aren't using it well at all. The final ball is never good enough and shots are being blasted high and wide... although Ter Stegen has just saved well from distance again.

This is how high up the pitch the Real Betis press starts. The front three try to win the ball, the midfielders are close enough to Barca's to win the ball back, the centre-backs are better at winning the ball in the air than Suarez, Neymar and Messi. Betis first to every ball, winning every challenge.

12:10PM

54 mins

You'd not think Barcelona have several of the world's best players on the pitch right now. Betis are all over them. The referee has made some curious decisions too. And the Barca defenders are making even weirder ones! Again Pique nearly gets caught out playing out from the back but this time they manage to get it forward. Turan finds Messi on the edge of the area and Messi perfectly lifts the ball over the defence for Vidal's run. He shoots wide on the volley from eight yards. A bad miss.

12:07PM

51 mins

Neymar finds space on the left again but his cross into the box, which is a good ball, is cleared in the centre of the box as Suarez pulls off his marker and doesn't attack it. 

I cannot stand watching Ceballos. He's such a cheat. He shields the ball, waits for a player to be within a yard of him and falls to the floor like a bad TV actor. Put him in the bin.

12:05PM

48 mins

Betis start as they finished the first half. Pique is taking no chances now and getting the ball put out for throw-ins instead of playing it out from the back. 

Neymar has a chance to counter-attack and wins a corner. He only had Luis Suarez inside the pitch to help him there.

12:02PM

KICK-OFF 2

And we're back!

12:01PM

The players are back

Credit: Reuters

No changes for either side but Barcelona need to do something to get into this.  

11:48AM

HALF TIME

Betis were much the better side there but it's only going to take a moment of magic from Messi to open the game up. Barcelona aren't set up well and there's no balance in the team. Without a proper number 4 in that team, playing out from the back is really dangerous.

11:47AM

45 mins

Pique is booked for a blatant foul on Castro, kicking the forward high up the leg to stop him running past and straight through into the Barcelona box. This is a great chance to shoot.

Aaaaaand it's wasted. Castro gets the ball touched to him and he boots it with power at goal but puts it way, way over. 

11:43AM

44 mins

Rakitic is no Busquets. He keeps receiving the ball while facing the goalkeeper and passing it sideways or back - Busquets is so good he is able to spin and get the ball forward, which is how Barca get away with the constant playing out from the back. Some players just aren't naturally gifted at it. Without a Guardiola, Xavi, Busquets type, it becomes really risky.

11:41AM

42 mins

SUAREZ! Wide. Also offside. Betis get caught on the ball near their own box. It takes one pass to Neymar to make it a two on one... but Neymar's pass across the box finds Suarez in an offside position. Neymar does that annoying finger wag thing that implies he is correct and the linesman is not. That is another thing I dislike. 

11:39AM

39 mins

Messi gets the ball in space for the first time in the game and finds Neymar with a superb through-ball. The keeper saves well. It just takes a second for him to change the game, all of Betis' hard work nearly undone. 

11:37AM

36 mins

The thing that's great about La Liga is that Betis are really trying to win this game and are doing so by playing with the ball, attacking at speed and pressing high up the pitch. If this were the Premier League it'd be 10 men behind the ball when Barca are in possession and a quick counter. Betis are countering really well but playing some nice football too. 

The bad thing is that players are far too quick to throw themselves to the ground and cheat. This Ceballos chap is a disgrace to humans - he's just flung himself to the ground, with absolutely no contact whatsoever, AGAIN, to win a free-kick. 

11:33AM

33 mins

Barca are only at 75% passing accuracy today, which isn't great considering most of those accurate ones have been in their own half, square to a defender somewhere to the side. As soon as they get put under pressure it all goes wrong. 

11:30AM

30 mins

Credit: REUTERS

A photograph! Hooray! The problem Barca have here is fairly obvious - Suarez and Turan are both attacking midfielders and neither is working hard enough, or is willing to do the defensive work needed in the middle of the pitch. Rakitic is an attacking player too but has to keep a deep midfield position and there's little balance to the side. The forwards are all standing high up the pitch, as you'd expect, and Betis are finding space all over the final third.

Ruben Castro has a shot from 20 yards which Pique manages to head behind the goal.

11:27AM

27 mins

27 minutes played, still no photographs from any of the agencies. Great stuff, lads. Betis go close again but the forward takes too long to take his shot.

Barca attack, Neymar dribbles left of the area and is fouled. He takes the free-kick but balloons it into the stands behind the goal.

11:23AM

24 mins

Piccini is played into acres of space on the right wing with a brilliant long switched pass. He controls, looks up, and knocks a poor low ball harmlessly into Ter Stegen's clutches.

Betis keep coming forward, Durmisi has it on the left and moves into the box! He can shoot here... but puts it way over the bar. Betis press high up the pitch - without Busquets and Iniesta, Barca don't seem to be able to play out from the back.

11:21AM

21 mins

Great save by Ter Stegen! He's at full stretch to turn a shot from 25 yards wide of the far post and needs a strong hand to take the sting out of it. Betis have been impressive so far - they aren't letting Barca play their game at all. Digne appears to be absolutely fine now, which is good news for Enrique.

Messi goes on a little dribble and leaves the ball dead behind him so Neymar can take it on. It's really clever but then Neymar overhits his pass out wide to Turan.

11:18AM

18 mins

Lucas Digne slides in to block a cross from the right wing and jars his knee or ankle as the ball hits off his outstretched foot. He might have to come off now. Turan wins a free-kick from the resulting corner as an attempted overhead kick catches him somewhere on the head.

11:16AM

15 mins

Barcelona are finding it really difficult to get out of their own half and keep the ball at the moment. Luis Suarez has just tried to score from 50 yards (fifty) but the keeper is able to chest control the ball in his own box. 

11:12AM

12 mins

Ceballos tries an embarrassing dive in the Barcelona box and his teammates genuinely try to claim it's a penalty. Awful. 

Betis press high from the goal kick and win it back! The shot comes in at the near post but Ter Stegen can save it easily low at the ground. Barcelona don't look themselves here at all!

11:10AM

9 mins

Luis Enrique is rocking a stylish army green jacket on the sidelines. You'd never see him in a tracksuit. 

Messi has hardly been involved so far and has drifted into a more central, deeper area of the pitch. Betis break at speed as the ball is given away but Turan works hard to get back and win possession again. And then Betis win the ball and counter... and win a corner. Lots of things are happening.

11:07AM

6 mins

Mathieu plays a ludicrous chipped pass across his own goal with Ter Stegen way off his line. Pique controls and takes the play forward, committed to the Barcelona way, and a few quick passes later, they're by the Betis box. Lovely football. 

Suarez has the first real chance for Barcelona as Vidal hits a decent cross to the back post and the striker moves into space. His low shot is deflected behind.

11:03AM

3 mins

Aleix Vidal hasn't really had the best of Barca careers since joining. His first real involvement in the game is to pass the ball straight to the Betis defence. They come forward and work space in the final third... but a shot from 25 yards is easily saved by Ter Stegen.

11:01AM

KICK-OFF

And we're off! The fans jeer and whistle as Barca start with the ball.

11:00AM

Early controversy

There's some early controversy here as Real Betis have fielded an evil ghost from the shadow world. Even with supernatural powers, he's still not as good as Messi. 

10:58AM

The players are out on the pitch

It's time for some football! Messi is captain today and leads the hand... clasps. Because footballers don't shake hands any more.

10:43AM

How do Barca cope without Busquets?

Andres Iniesta is the big name absence but still people underestimate how important Sergio Busquets is to this team. He suffered a nasty looking injury against Eibar, doing some damage to his ankle ligaments, and although it turned out not to be as bad as first feared, the timing is poor. Luis Enrique will be hoping that Ivan Rakitic can do a decent job in his absence. Arda Turan is a diet version of Iniesta and Suarez is a clever little player but Rakitic needs to curb his natural inclination to burst forward to keep the shape of the team intact.

10:21AM

Team news

Why do teams make these horrible videos to announce their starting XIs? I don't get it.

Real Betis

These are the starting XI for the game against @FCBarcelona ���� Come on, You Green-and-Whites! pic.twitter.com/l1QP7rhoqu

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) January 29, 2017

Barcelona

���� Barça XI: 1.Ter Stegen 3.Piqué 4.Rakitic 6.Denis 7.Arda 9.Suárez 10.Messi 11.Neymar Jr 19.Digne 22.Aleix Vidal 24.Mathieu#FCBLive

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 29, 2017

Arda Turan, who is linked with a move away this window, starts. Denis Suarez keeps his place. 

10:16AM

Preview

What is it?

It's Real Betis vs Barcelona in la primera división de La Liga.

When is it?

The match is to be played this Sunday, Jan 29.

What time is kick-off?

It's scheduled to start at the frankly unspeakably early hour of 11am GMT.

That's 12pm CET, but all the same - a few of the players might still be in bed at half time, so to speak.

What TV channel is it on?

Betis-Barca will be broadcast on Sky Sports 2.

Form Real Betis

Betis have been inconsistent in the league in recent matches, winning two, drawing two and losing two of their last six, but are comfortably perched in midtable in 13th.

Betis' Italian defender Cristiano Piccini holds off Sporting Gijon's Roberto Canella in last weekend's match Credit: JOSE MANUEL VIDAL/EPA

Los Verdiblancos have struggled to score this term, averaging just over a goal per game with 20 in 19. At the other end, 20 per cent of Betis' goals conceded (30) came in a resounding 6-2 defeat at Barca back in August.

With the bottom three looking well cut off in the relegation zone, nine points below Betis, the Seville-based side may still be tempted to have a real go at beating their powerful visitors, despite their chastening loss in the last meeting.

Barcelona

Unbeaten in 12 league games since October's 4-3 debacle away to Celta, Barca have reestablished their form and are focused on chasing down league leaders Real Madrid, who are two points clear with one game fewer played.

Barca will fancy their chances of outscoring Betis on Sunday Credit: TONI ALBIR/EPA

With Betis' city rivals Sevilla also in the hunt a point ahead of Barca, the Catalan side know they need to keep up their unbeaten run for a good while yet to even stand a chance of winning the title this season.

They have yet to fail to score away from home this season in the league, and that promises well against the frugal offence of Betis.

What are the odds?

Real Betis to win: 10/1

Draw: 5/1

Barcelona to win: 1/4

Betis fans will be making it as difficult as possible for Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarín Credit: SUSANA VERA/REUTERS

Interesting fact

Real Betis' ground, Estadio Benito Villamarín, was the scene of Brazil's 4-1 humbling of Scotland at the 1982 World Cup.

What's our prediction?

Betis 1-3 Barca

The hosts will go for it, and likely bag a goal - but not before Barca have cantered into the lead.