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BACK HOME: LAPORTA PICKS SENTIMENTAL STAR FOR CAMP NOU'S HONORARY OPENING KICK

FC Barcelona makes a historic return to the partially renovated Spotify Camp Nou after 2.5 years away. President Laporta calls it a historic day as Barça prepares to face Athletic Club in La Liga.

Back Home: Laporta Picks Sentimental Star for Camp Nou's Honorary Opening Kick
Who Will Take the Symbolic Kick at Barcelona's Return?

As the Catalans prepare for their La Liga game against Athletic Club, FC Barcelona is officially moving back to its usual stadium, the mostly renovated Spotify Camp Nou, after playing home games at Montjuïc Stadium for over two and a half years. As everyone anticipates the stadium reopening for a real game, the players, employees, and fans are feeling increasingly thrilled.

Barça president Joan Laporta shared his enthusiasm in an interview with Catalunya Ràdio before the match. He said this day was important and voiced his hope that the team would win, allowing everyone to keep celebrating.

One of the main events before the game will be the ceremonial first kick. According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta revealed that a long-time member of the team will do the symbolic act for all the fans.

"A person who represents all Barcelona fans will do the ceremonial kick. It will be a simple kick that has a lot of symbolic meaning. It will be the oldest member who can do it, considering how easily they can move. They will stand for everyone. It's not a secret. It will be a normal, traditional, heartfelt, and simple ceremonial kick that stands for the fan base."

This is a kind act with a lot of emotional significance. But more than that, Laporta was honest about how much the team wants to win this game to celebrate the event and not let it distract them:

We are in a completely new stadium. Besides enjoying the moment, it will feel like remembering the past. The celebration is planned to honour this event and the activities before the game... I hope everything goes well. I really think we need to win today. Sometimes, things can be distracting on days when there are celebrations.

Lastly, he told fans when the stadium will be finished and when the Spotify Camp Nou is expected to be fully completed, considering the building work and having all the seats available:

"We will finish 1C, which is opening the Gol Nord, before the year ends, and the stadium will be done by the end of 2026, assuming nothing unexpected happens and everything goes as scheduled."

The president of Barcelona gave some great updates, which were definitely needed. As for the team itself, they now need to focus on Athletic Club and make sure they play well enough to make the fans happy.

ELECTION BOMB: XAVIER VILAJOANA CONFIRMS CONTACT WITH HARRY KANE AHEAD OF MARCH PRESIDENTIAL VOTE

Harry Kane to Camp Nou! Discover Vilajoana’s plan to land the Bayern star and what it means for Marcus Rashford’s 2026 future.

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Does Kane’s current Bayern contract give Barcelona enough leverage for 2026?

Xavier Vilajoana told ESPN he’s set on bringing Harry Kane to Barcelona if he wins the upcoming presidential election. He’s one of four candidates in the race at Camp Nou, and he’s already working on his plan to land the Bayern Munich striker.

Vilajoana’s campaign is all about ambition. If he comes out on top next month, he wants to go after Kane. That’s his headline promise. According to ESPN, he’s made it clear: Kane is his big target.

“We’re missing a striker,” Vilajoana said. “We need a centre forward who can link up play, sure, but also finish chances. Honestly, we could use a solid centre back too. Not that our current guys aren’t good, but we could use someone experienced to balance out the young players.”

“With those two signings, plus the talent we have coming up through the academy and already in the team, we wouldn’t have to overhaul the whole squad.”

Pressed on who he wants for that striker spot, Vilajoana didn’t dance around it. “There is one. We’ve even started to make contact, and I think he’d fit perfectly, assuming his contract situation works out. That’s Harry Kane.”

He really rates Kane. “He’s a centre forward who matches our style. Kane can drop back and link up with teammates, but he’s also a classic No. 9 deadly in the box. He’s mobile; he makes things happen even when teams sit deep. He’d make a big difference for Barcelona.”

As for Kane’s contract, ESPN reports there’s a release clause in his Bayern deal around €60 million. His contract runs until 2027, and they’re talking about an extension.

Not everyone thinks Kane will leave. Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus says he’ll stay put. “I don’t think he’s leaving. Money’s not what drives him; it’s about feeling good with the club, the coaches, and his family. He’s settled, and his kids are happy. Sure, he could earn way more in Saudi Arabia, but I’m convinced he’ll extend his contract at Bayern.”

Vilajoana doesn’t see it that way. He thinks Kane’s open to Barcelona. “I know he likes Barcelona. Honestly, who doesn’t? It just comes down to having the conversations.”

So, what does this mean for Marcus Rashford? Right now, Rashford’s on loan at Barcelona, and the club can sign him for good this summer. The situation’s a bit murky if Kane comes in.

Vilajoana’s approach is to look at what the club already has before spending big. “I always say, start in-house, then look outside if you need to. Take Jan Virgili, for example; he’s playing for Mallorca now, a great winger. Maybe we look at bringing him back instead of paying Rashford’s clause.”

He made it clear, though, that the president doesn’t just call all the shots. “The president puts the options on the table, the team discusses it, and together we make a decision.”

One thing’s certain: if everyone agrees that signing Rashford is best for the team, the money will be there to get it done.

REGISTRATION GREEN LIGHT: BARCELONA OFFICIALLY ADDS JOãO CANCELO TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT SQUAD

João Cancelo is back! Discover if Hansi Flick will use the Portuguese star to break Levante's bus at the Spotify Camp Nou.

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Cancelo struggled for rhythm in his only two starts this January

It’s been almost 40 days since Joao Cancelo came back to Barcelona for his second spell. The club brought him in during the winter window, picking him up on loan from Al Hilal. He wanted the move badly enough to take a pay cut and didn’t even mind playing a backup role if that’s what it took.

But let’s be real: his return hasn’t gone the way anyone hoped. Cancelo has barely seen the pitch lately.

That might change this Sunday against Levante. SPORT points out that Hansi Flick could really use Cancelo for this one. Levante are stuck down in 19th and will probably park the bus, so Barça need to push forward. Cancelo’s great at getting to the byline and whipping in crosses. That’s exactly what they need.

And here’s another thing: Cancelo is finally registered for the Champions League. He couldn’t play in the earlier rounds, but now he can, and that could finally get his season going.

So far, out of eight games he’s been available for, Cancelo’s played in five and started just two. He got his first start on January 25 against Real Oviedo, but was subbed off after an hour; he just didn’t look sharp yet. Then he started again in the Copa del Rey at Albacete, in his usual right-back spot. But he picked up a pointless yellow card 15 minutes in, which threw him off his game, and Flick took him off at halftime.

Since then? He played just 12 minutes against Mallorca when the game was already wrapped up. He didn’t even get off the bench for the losses to Atletico Madrid and Girona.

Cancelo signed on for six months. Over a month’s already gone by, and so far, it’s been a frustrating ride. But maybe, just maybe, things are about to turn for him.

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