Xavi Takes Netherlands Job, Rodri Deal Heats Up & Messi Mourns — August 13, 2026

Xavi's New Chapter: From Camp Nou to Oranje

Xavi Hernández has landed the Netherlands job. The appointment, confirmed this morning, sees our former captain take charge of a national team for the first time. He inherits a squad that's talented but inconsistent, full of Ajax and PSV products who grew up worshipping Total Football.

The irony isn't lost on anyone. Xavi, the embodiment of tiki-taka, now guiding the nation that invented positional play before we perfected it. His stint managing us ended messily, but nobody questions his football intelligence. The Dutch FA clearly believe he can mold their technically gifted but mentally fragile squad into something cohesive.

Expect him to impose structure. That's what Xavi does.

The Rodri Race: Barcelona Against the Clock

We've improved our offer for Rodri to €60m, and sources say Manchester City are finally listening. But here's the catch—the club has given itself a 48-hour deadline. If the deal isn't wrapped up by Friday, Rodri reports back to Manchester, and the whole thing gets complicated.

City want the money. We want the player. Rodri wants to come home. Simple enough on paper, but nothing involving our finances ever is. The four-year contract is reportedly agreed with the player's camp, which is the easy part. Convincing City to accept installment payments that stretch into the next decade? That's the real negotiation.

Missing out on Cristian Romero—who's joining Atlético for €40m—stings a bit. We were tracking him as a long-term defensive option, but the Rojiblancos moved faster and paid better. Meanwhile, we're apparently making contact with Villarreal's Georges Mikautadze as an alternative to Julián Álvarez, who just had a friendly chat with Simeone and walked straight into Atlético's starting eleven.

The market moves fast. We need to move faster.

Leadership Changes: New Guard Taking Over

The captaincy situation is shifting. With Araújo, Ter Stegen, and Lewandowski gone—and De Jong's star fading after injuries and inconsistency—the dressing room needs new leaders. Eric García and Gavi are being discussed as potential captains alongside Raphinha and Pedri.

García has grown into a proper Barcelona defender, vocal and tactically sharp. Gavi brings intensity and that refusal to accept defeat. Both are homegrown, both bleed blaugrana. That matters.

Koundé's agent was spotted at the Ciutat Esportiva this week, which raised eyebrows. The Frenchman has serious interest from abroad but apparently wants to stay. Good. We need him, especially if Romero is off to Atlético.

Messi's Heartbreak

Leo played for Inter Miami on Wednesday, just days after his father Jorge passed away. The sight of him coming off the bench, clearly grieving, was difficult to watch. He hinted at retirement in his emotional tribute: "I will miss you so much."

Cristiano Ronaldo sent condolences. Even that rivalry has its limits.

Football continues, but some things transcend it. Losing a parent changes you. Whatever Leo decides about his future, he's earned the right to make that choice on his terms.

Quick Hits

Marc Bernal is getting a contract upgrade after his breakthrough season and recovery from injury. Lamine Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday at La Cúpula Garraf—apparently you can eat well there for 40 euros, which feels like important information. Fulham are sniffing around Héctor Fort for €10m, which seems low for a player of his potential.

The women's team beat Montpellier in their first friendly, with Pina scoring and doing her best Alexia impression. The season is taking shape.