Messi and Ronaldinho at Barcelona (LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) The word that Ronaldinho uses most frequently, in response to The Athletic’s questions, is “natural”.

It quickly became apparent that playing against boys his own age wasn’t much of a challenge for Messi, so in 2003-04, Barcelona moved the 16-year-old to the under-18s.

Last week, Barcelona sources, who were granted anonymity as they did not have permission to discuss this transfer, indicated it would be very difficult to complete a deal for Messi. Barcelona ...

Could Messi return to Barcelona? He wants to, but here's why it would be really complicated. Graham Hunter Apr 19, 2023, 04:30 AM ET. Close.

Today — Friday, November 29 — marks the 125-year anniversary of the formation of FC Barcelona. To mark the occasion, The Athletic is running a series of pieces, celebrating the people and the ...

Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, says his son’s preferred move would be a return to Barcelona during the summer transfer window. Messi played his last match for Paris Saint ...

Messi could drift inside from the right of a classic Barcelona 4-3-3, or — more in keeping with Xavi’s general approach — he could play the inside-right position as part of a box midfield ...