Customise ESPN

2022-23 Spanish LaLiga

Why is Barcelona still spending, signing players and selling off parts of itself?

Why is Barcelona, a great club going through tough times, selling off its future for a present that's so uncertain? And did they need to sign all these players? To understand it, you need to stop thinking of them as a soccer team.

13hRyan O'Hanlon
Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    TOP HEADLINES

    ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

    Conte's revitalised Spurs face first big test vs. Chelsea

    Conte has transformed Tottenham who are eyeing a top-four finish this season, and a derby date with Chelsea will be their first major test.

    2dJames Olley
    CHRIS RADBURN / AFP

    TRANSFERS

    Transfer Talk: With Ronaldo staying put, Man United push for Kalajdzic, Rabiot

    Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Man United, and progress is being made with Sasa Kalajdzic and Adrien Rabiot. Transfer Talk has the latest.

    2hDanny Lewis
    Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

    OVERREACTIONS AND PREDICTIONS

    PSG and Bayern Munich to dominate, Haaland to score 50

    The 2022-23 season has just begun for three of Europe's big leagues, with Spain and Italy next to kick off. But what are we overreacting to so far?

    1dBill Connelly
    Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Barca's No. 1 spot, Premier League Golden Glove: Bold goalkeeper predictions

    With the start of the European soccer season and the World Cup upon us, here are some bold goalkeeper predictions for 2022-23.

    1dMouhamad Rachini

    Top Headlines

    • Must-Watch Video

      Nani shares what he learned from a difficult six months with Venezia in Italy, off the back of three successful seasons with Orlando City.

    • ESPN

    • The Far Post Podcast

      Join Angela Christian-Wilkes, Anna Harrington, Samantha Lewis and Marissa Lordanic as they dissect another big week in women's football.

    • Julie Glassberg for ESPN

    • The story of Jean-Pierre and Bernardette Adams

      When complications from routine knee surgery left PSG and France defender Jean-Pierre Adams in a coma in 1982, his wife Bernadette refused to let go.

    • PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images

    • Barcelona's next golden generation

      Amid a financial crisis, Barcelona's young players have rescued the team on several occasions times this season. But who are they?

    • Illustration by ESPN

    • FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski top, Prem power

      ESPN's annual ranking was selected by 77 global experts and is broken down into Top 10s for every position on the pitch as well one for the managers.

    • Courtesy of Barcelona residency academy

    • The battle to sign young American players

      Americans are making an impression on the global game, and Europe's biggest clubs are now rivaling MLS for the country's most gifted young players.

    • Illustration by ESPN

    • Battle of the Leagues: The final!

      Who will be crowned champions of ESPN's Battle of the Leagues, presented by EA Sports FIFA 22? Will Ligue 1 or the Premier League reign supreme?

    • Peter Powell Powell/EPA

    • The fight for the soul of Manchester United

      Cristiano Ronaldo is back and the club is one of the biggest in the world. But what does that mean to local fans, pushed out by the global game?

    • Brent Humphreys for ESPN

    • Ricardo Pepi has unstoppable dreams

      After a superb start for the USMNT, Ricardo Pepi is ready to take on the world. Wherever he goes, he will carry his borderland hometown with him.

    • Illustrations by Freak City

    • Which LaLiga team should you root for?

      Spain's top flight has arrived on ESPN+ and, if you do not have a favorite team from LaLiga, here is a handy guide to all 20 to help you decide.

    • Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

    • How Man Utd got Cristiano Ronaldo to return

      In the span of 48 hours, Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus and, after seemingly agreeing a move to Man City, went back to Man United instead.

    • Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images

    • How Diego Simeone became King of LaLiga

      Simeone embodies everything that is cool about Atletico Madrid: Gritty, intense and a LaLiga champion, he tells ESPN what makes him tick.

    • Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images

    • How Messi came to leave Barcelona for PSG

      As August began, everyone thought Lionel Messi would remain a Barcelona player. Before the month reached its halfway mark, he was unveiled by PSG.

    • Alexander Wells

    • Messi at Barcelona: The ultimate history

      The unthinkable happened: Lionel Messi left Barcelona. But as this interactive timeline shows, he will be known as the club's greatest-ever player.

    • JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images

    • Denmark sends emotional message to Eriksen

      Following the national team star's shocking cardiac arrest, Denmark rallied in support of Christian Eriksen with a tribute-filled Copenhagen mural.

    • JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

    • Mara Gomez: 'Football saved my life'

      In 2020, Gomez became the first transgender woman to play professionally in Argentina. She talks to ESPN about her remarkable journey.

    • ESPN Illustration

    • The 39 best male players age 21 or under

      Welcome to the next generation! Players from 15 countries and six leagues are named by Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a former scout and sporting director.

    • Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

    • Stories from the pandemic season

      The 2020-21 Premier League campaign was unlike any other. ESPN talked to people around the game about their experiences and lessons learned.

    • ESPN Illustration

    • The 21 best female players age 21 or under

      Welcome to the next generation of women's stars. With Catarina Macario leading the way, our list is dominated by players from the U.S. and England.

    • Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

    • Joe Bryan on anxiety, fear and wanting to help

      The defender tackled his anxiety and mental health head-on at Fulham. Now he wants to help others do the same and normalise the conversation.

    • ESPN

    • ESPN FC Women's Rank: The 50 best players

      An American World Cup winner is No. 1, followed by an Australian star forward, in an ESPN FC and espnW celebration of the sport's elite.

    • Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images

    • How Barcelona signed Messi, 13, with a napkin

      On Dec. 14, 2000, Barcelona agreed a deal that would take Lionel Messi to Spain and change the course of soccer history. Here's how they did it.

    • ESPN

    • Why Haaland can become the world's best

      Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is writing history with every game he plays, and he is only 20 years old. But the Norwegian wants a lot more.

    • Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images

    • Trinity Rodman set to make her name in soccer

      "Moving forward, it's going to be nice to distinguish that yes, [Dennis] was a successful NBA player, but I am going to be a successful NWSL player."

    • ESPN Illustration

    • Who is your country's greatest male player?

      Messi or Maradona? Is Pele Brazil's No. 1? Dempsey or Donovan in the U.S.? What about England? We try to settle the debates.

    • AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli

    • Maradona, though flawed, was one of the best

      Diego Maradona is gone, but as Lionel Messi put it, "he'll be with us for eternity." As well as his legacy, the scope of his talent and humanity will endure.

    • ESPN Illustration

    • They wore that? All-time worst kits, ranked

      Man United's invisible grey, Liverpool's 'Crystanbul' attire, Barcelona's Tequila Sunrise; there have been some shockers. But only one had tassels...

    • Getty

    • Football can drive the social justice message

      My message is simple, writes Shaka Hislop: Whether you speak out or stay silent, show up and be a part of the movement.

    • ESPN Illustration

    • The worst Premier League transfers of all-time

      Look away now, Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli and Bebe; Bill Barnwell is back to reveal the worst moves in Premier League history.

    • Getty

    • Upcoming fixtures

      What's ahead in the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.

    • (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

    • Latest scores

      Updates, results from Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.

    • Alberto Saiz/AP Photo

    • League tables

      Updated standings from the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, MLS and more.

    Favourites

    Fantasy

    Customise ESPN