Spain's government has labelled Israel's actions a "genocide" and prime minister Pedro Sanchez in September called for Israeli teams to be excluded from international sport.

Last season it was the then 17-year-old who inspired Barcelona's charge to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Lamine Yamal returned from injury to help Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday and move top of La Liga by one point.

Despite missing star winger Lamine Yamal, Barca recorded their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions without the teenager.

When Barcelona pulled the curtain down on their grand but decaying Camp Nou stadium in May 2023, they anticipated being able to reopen it a year-and-a-half later.

The 18-year-old winger finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain attacker Dembele at the glitzy gala in Paris on Monday in the battle to be crowned the world's best player.

Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won the Women's Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday, the third consecutive year she has taken the prize.

Rashford was still looking for his first Barcelona goals following his July loan move from Manchester United.

With teenager Lamine Yamal and Raphinha shining in attack, the Catalan giants proved an irresistible force as they claimed a domestic treble.

Barca signed Garcia from Espanyol for 26.34 million euros in June, and also still have another goalkeeper in Inaki Pena on the books.

The German led Barca to a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in his first year at the helm.

Despite his joy at winning the league, Flick also thought about some negative moments during the season, including the shock death of club doctor Carles Minarro in March.

As Barcelona stood on the edge of another dark era, history will recall that it was the youth who pulled them back -- and how.

Hansi Flick's Barca are a step away from reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2019 and extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches.

Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) on Thursday upheld an appeal filed by Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor which will allow them to play for the club until the end of the season, a decision LaLiga said they would appeal.

La Liga said Wednesday Barcelona did not have the financial capacity to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and still lack it, ahead of a decision by Spain's sports council (CSD) over the duo's eligibility to play.

Barcelona and Osasuna appealed against the decision to play the game on Thursday after it was initially postponed on March 8 following the death of a doctor at the Catalan club, but their pleas were ignored.

Having clawed their way back to the top of the pile, leading Los Blancos on goal difference, Hansi Flick's side are determined to hold on to top spot.

Although Belgian striker Robert Lewandowski scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute, it was Yamal who stole the spotlight at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta defended his handling of the Dani Olmo registration issue and lashed out at enemies attacking the club in a fiery speech on Tuesday.