The 26-year-old scored against Real Betis in a 2-1 win on February 1 and then again in the 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, helping Barcelona open an eight point chasm above second place Real Madrid.

After retiring from playing in 1991 he went on to manage Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Real Valladolid, Malaga and Granada 74.

Negotiations took place directly between club president Juan Laporta and Mendes' uncle, Roberto de Assis, who was also Ronaldinho’s agent.

Barcelona missed out on signing LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo on transfer deadline day as they were 18 seconds late in registering the paperwork, director of football Mateu Alemany said.

Ousmane Dembele's strike, capping a brilliant individual display, helped Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Wednesday, and reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez apologised Sunday for a comment he had made about Dani Alves, who was arrested earlier this week following sexual assault allegations.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said Saturday that he is in "a state of shock" after Dani Alves's arrest on sexual assault allegations.

Atletico Madrid have signed Memphis Depay from LaLiga rivals Barcelona, the two clubs said on Friday, with the Netherlands forward penning a 2-1/2 year contract.

Barcelona romped to a 5-0 win over minnows Ceuta to reach the Spanish Cup quarter-finals on Thursday, riding the wave after winning their first trophy of the season last week.

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr could lead to a financial windfall for his new club and Saudi Arabia, football finance expert Neil Joyce told Reuters, as the Portugal international gears up for his first game in the country since the deal was announced.

Barcelona's young players, led by teenage sensation Gavi, were at the heart of the club's first trophy for nearly two years as they thumped rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.

Joao Mendes, son of former Brazil and Barcelona forward Ronaldinho, is undergoing trials with Barca's youth team, Spanish media reported on Thursday.

Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr have denied reports that Cristiano Ronaldo has a clause in his contract where the Portugal forward is to serve as an ambassador for the Gulf country's 2030 World Cup bid.

Barcelona must pay 7.7 million euros ($8.2 million) compensation to Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes for unfair dismissal, the Superior Court of Catalonia ruled on Tuesday.

Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves is under investigation over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman in a nightclub in Spain last month, Catalonia's Supreme Court said on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo will serve his suspension before making his league debut for his new Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr but he could play against Paris St Germain in a friendly this month, coach Rudi Garcia has said.

Ousmane Dembele's strike sent Barcelona three points clear at the top of La Liga with a tense 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

LaLiga on Tuesday said it has filed charges relating to the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr to the "relevant judicial, administrative and sporting bodies", adding that it will step up efforts to identify such abuse in the future.

Barcelona's lead over Real Madrid atop the LaLiga standings evaporated on Saturday after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by local rivals Espanyol in a bad-tempered clash in which both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Striker Robert Lewandowski will be available for Barcelona's match against Espanyol after a Spanish court overturned his suspension, the LaLiga leaders said on Friday.