Joan Laporta

In the wake of Lionel Messi’s 35th birthday, Juan Jiménez looks back on his Barcelona exit and looks ahead to a season in which the forward will be chasing World Cup glory with Argentina.

Núñez arrived at Barça in a very difficult situation, with a debt of €777 million, equivalent to a year’s budget.

The squad cost for FC Barcelona is around 560 million euros, compared to that of Real Madrid at €400 million, but the Catalan’s still have a hole to fill.

AS honorary president Alfredo Relaño on the turnaround at Barcelona since Xavi Hernández returned to the Camp Nou as head coach.

AS honorary president Alfredo Relaño reacts to Barcelona's 4-0 Clásico win over Real Madrid on Sunday night.