Barcelona to sign Jasper Cillessen - Report

FC Barcelona have chosen to sign Jasper Cillessen as goalkeeper to replace Bravo

The stories are never-ending in the summer transfer window for FC Barcelona. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is on the verge of joining Manchester City and Barça are in the market to sign his replacement. Previous names linked are Pepe Reina and Diego Alves but it now seems like Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will be the one to join Barça this summer, according to Barcelona based source Mundo Deportivo.

It looks clear that Barça have decided to make young goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen the main starter for the season and Claudio Bravo is not happy with the situation which would mean he'll sit on the bench most of the time, this has forced the Chilean goalkeeper to seek his way out of the club and a fee of around 20-25 million Euros has reportedly agreed on by Barça and Manchester City fro the player's transfer.

This has led Barça to shop in the market for a replacement and reports over the past few days suggested that Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves is the main candidate with a pre-agreement reached. However, Mundo Deportivo said in an exclusive article that the club won't sign Diego Alves who also has an offer from Sevilla as they have chosen Ajax 27-year old shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen.

According to the report Barça have been following the goalkeeper for some time now and analysed their options before picking him to serve as a backup for Ter Stegen for the new season. Barça can get the services of the Holland number one for a fee of around 10-12 million Euros. Negotiations between the club and Ajax are well advanced and will be sped up and announced if Claudio Bravo leaves for Man City. The club hopes to see developments in negotiations by Monday.

Jasper Cillessen is Holland number one goalkeeper who plays for Ajax in the Dutch EredIvisie. He is 27-year old and has 30 caps for The Netherlands national side. He fits the club's profile perfectly as he is good with his feet and can facilitate attack.

Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla: Catalans win Spanish Super Cup

Messi and Arda Turan on target as Barcelona beat Sevilla to win Spanish Super Cup

FC Barcelona won their first trophy of the 2016/2017 after beating Sevilla 3-0 in their Spanish Super Cup second leg tie at the Camp Nou to ensure a 5-0 aggregate score line thanks to a fantastic brace by Arda Turan and a Messi header.

The Turkish captain played on the wing and scored a goal in each half while Lionel Messi scored a magnificent header in the second half to hand Barça their third title of the year 2016.

Luis Enrique made suprise changes to the starting XI from the first leg, resting Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez whilst starting Aleix Vidal, Samuel Umtiti, Andre Gomes and Munir El Haddadi instead. Arda and Messi played wide while Digne and Denis Suarez replaced the injured Mathieu and Iniesta with Jordi Alba on the bench.

Sevilla started the brighter team and got their first clear chance as early as the first minute but Claudio Bravo kept the score at 0-0 with a fantastic reflex save to deny Ben Yedder. Jorge Sampaoli's men came immensely close three minutes later after a cross found Ben Yedder in the box, the strike unleashed a powerful header but once again, Claudio Bravo was on hand to party into the post, still 0-0.

It was Barça who took the lead with their first real chance and it was thanks to Arda Turan. New signing Andre Gomes combined superbly well with Messi before the Argentine talisman made a fine through ball to set up Turan who coolly placed a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 with just ten minutes on the clock.

Barça came close again moments later and this time it was Lionel Messi. Aleix Vidal met a beautiful long pass from Arda Turan to set up the star but he couldn't do much to keep his shot on target in what could have been an amazing goal.

Samuel Umtiti conceded a penalty after half an hour after he handled the ball in the Barcelona box and was given a yellow card, although the booking seemed a harsh one as it was 100% unintentional. The Frenchman will have Claudio Bravo to thank after the Manchester City bound shot-stopper did well to party Iborra's spot kick and keep the tie at 1-0. It was an inspirational performance from Bravo in probably his last game for Barça.

Sevilla grew into the game and came close one again just at the stroke of halftime. Lionel Messi lost the ball in the Barcelona half and Sevilla capitalized on that, a cross found Argentine player Mercado on the left, the player's header beat Claudio Bravo but hit the crossbar and it was the last kick of the half.

Barça started the second half with full force and it was only a matter of seconds before Arda Turan got his and Barça's second. The star found the ball in his path on 46 minutes and unleashed a beautiful shot from outside the box to beat Sergio Rico. Although it was a deflected shot, it was a beauty of a goal.

Lionel Messi made it 3-0 ten minutes later with another beautiful goal. Lucas Digne picked the ball on the left flank before crossing the ball into the box, Messi leaped higher than his marker and headed the ball past Sergio Rico to make it 5-0 on aggregate, scoring his first goal of the season, his 100th under Luis Enrique and his 12th in the Spanish Super Cup, extending his record as player with most goals in the competition's history.

Luis Enrique made a couple of changes in the second half with Lucas Digne coming off for Jordi Alba with an hour on the clock. Sergi Samper and Ivan Rakitic then replaced Sergio Busquets and Denis Suarez respectively on 73 minutes as Barça slowly approach the final whistle.

Javier Mascherano picked up an injury and was forced off with 10 minutes left on the clock, leaving Barça to play with ten men for the rest of the game as their three permitted substitutions have been exhausted. It didn't affect Barça whatsoever as the Catalans hung on to win their third title of the year and their first of the 2016/2017 season.

Player Ratings: Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla - Messi rules

Barcelona players celebrate a goal against Sevilla

FC Barcelona won their 7th Spanish Super Cup title in 11 years after they defeated Jorge Sampaoli Sevilla team 3-0 in the second leg of their encounter, beating the Andalusian side 5-0 on aggregate.

A brace from Arda Turan and a magnificent header from Lionel Messi ensured FC Barcelona win their first trophy of the new 2016/2017 season and their third in the year 2016.

The game saw new signings Samuel Umtiti and Andre Gomes make their official debuts as players of FC Barcelona and both players were convincing. Here are the players rated out if ten according to their performance in the game against Sevilla.

BARCELONA 3-0 SEVILLA - SPANISH SUPER CUP PLAYER RATINGS

CLAUDIO BRAVO - 9.0
The goalkeeper gave one of his best performances in a Barcelona shirt. He made two great saves early on to deny Ben Yedder from giving Sevilla an early lead and also covered the blushes of Samuel Umtiti after saving a penalty in the first half. Bravo is set to join Manchester City and he showed that Barça might be making a mistake by letting him go. A wonderful performance.

ALEIX VIDAL - 6.5
Wasn't bad, but wasn't spectacular either. He was close to setting up Lionel Messi but also had some bad moments of being caught out of position and giving the ball away. Will compete with Sergi Roberto for the right back spot.

JAVIER MASCHERANO - 6.0
Almost cost Barça a goal in the first half. Didn't do much in defence, picked up an injury and was subbed off with ten minutes left to play. Will be out for a week with a hamstring strain.

SAMUEL UMTITI - 8.0
A very good debut blemished only by the penalty he conceded by a careless hand ball in the box which saw him booked. Otherwise, he was awesome. His passing is sublime and he made a couple of important clearances and defensive blocks. Will help the team a lot.

LUCAS DIGNE - 8.5
Once again, he showed why Jordi Alba will be in trouble this season for that left back spot. Was very sharp, great in defence and dangerous in attack. Didn't do anything wrong and he got the assist for Messi's goal via a beautiful cross from the left flank. A good signing.

SERGIO BUSQUETS - 7.0
Still not 100% sharp but looked a lot better than he was in the first leg and the Joan Gamper game. Gaining match fitness as the games go by, will click soon. Replaced by Sergi Samper in the second half.

DENIS SUAREZ - 6.0
Put up a great performance in the first leg but didn't do so well in the second. Gave the ball away on numerous occasions and didn't create much. Was subbed off for Ivan Rakitic in the second half.

ANDRE GOMES - 7.5
Great official debut for the Portuguese. The star filled in for Andres Iniesta perfectly well and played with great composure. Played a crucial role in two of Barça's three goals and didn't get a foot wrong. Great game.

LIONEL MESSI - 9.5
Killed it once again. Was the best player on the pitch. Set up Barça's first goal and scored the third but also mesmerized irrespective of the goal and assist. Took total control without Neymar and Luis Suarez beside him and wowed the Camp Nou crowd who couldn't stop chanting his name. Great.

MUNIR EL HADDADI - 6.5
A good game for the youngster who started in central attack ahead of Luis Suarez. His confidence has really improved and some sections of the fan base want him to be the fourth striker.

ARDA TURAN - 8.5
Started on the wing in place of the unavailable Neymar and delivered his best performance since joining Barça. Scored twice, both goals products of great technique. Looks much better on the wing than in central midfield.

SUBSTITUTES...

JORDI ALBA - 6.0
Came on for Lucas Digne after the hour mark but didn't do much. It's his first game since last season so no problem.

SERGI SAMPER - 6.0
Replaced Sergio Busquets with 15 minutes left to play and didn't have the chance to perform as the game was already done and dusted.

IVAN RAKITIC - 6.5
Came on for Denis Suarez and was forced to play in central defence for the final ten minutes after Mascherano was brought off injured with all subs exhausted. Forced a save from Rico moments after coming on.

Messi sets three records after game against Sevilla

Lionel Messi sets three records after Barcelona Spanish Super Cup win against Sevilla

Lionel Messi scored once and provided an assist to help Barça win their first trophy of the season after they beat Sevilla 3-0 (5-0 on aggregate) in their Spanish Super Cup tie at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

Messi graced the Captain armband in the absence of Andres Iniesta and lifted his first trophy as Barça captain. The Argentine put up a magnificent display and as usual, broke and extended some records with his goal.

3 LIONEL MESSI RECORDS AFTER BARCELONA SUPER CUP WIN AGAINST SEVILLA

1. MOST GOALS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH SUPER CUP - EXTENDED

Prior to the game, Lionel Messi held the record for the most goals scored by a player in the history of the Supercopa de Espana with 11 strikes. The forward's headed goal in the second half took his tally to twelve, extending his record above his closest rival Raul Gonzalez who netted 7 for Real Madrid. This record is unlikely to be broken.

2. FIRST AND ONLY PLAYER TO SCORE IN SIX SPANISH SUPER CUP EDITIONS

With the goal against Sevilla, Lionel Messi became the first player to score in six different Supercopa de Espana tournaments, no other player has ever scored in more than four editions. Apart from the goal against Sevilla, Messi also scored in 2015 against Athletic Bilbao, 2012 against Real Madrid, 2011 against Real Madrid, 2010 against Sevilla (hat trick) and 2009 against Athletic Bilbao.

3. PLAYER WITH THE MOST NUMBER OF SPANISH SUPER CUP TITLES IN HISTORY

With the win against Sevilla, Lionel Messi achieved his 7th Spanish Super Cup title as a player, setting a new record of player with the most number of Supercopa de Espana titles in the history of Spanish football. Messi shares the award with club captain Andres Iniesta, both players have lifted the trophy on seven occasions: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016. The win against Sevilla is their 7th title in 11 years. Amazing.

Lionel Messi keeps on breaking records and it just seems like he breaks at least one record in every game he plays in. He broke three records against Sampdoria in the Joan Gamper trophy and he's broken three against Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup. There is no stopping this man.

Rio 2016 | Watch: Neymar nets fastest Olympic goal ever at 15 seconds Neymar after scoring Brazil's first goal against Honduras (Reuters)

Wed, 17 Aug 2016-11:35pm , Rio de Janeiro , Reuters

Neymar intercepted the ball, charged towards the Honduran side, tripped over the goalie and landed the ball into the net.

Brazil's Neymar has not yet won his country a gold medal, but on Wednesday he at least pocketed an Olympic record -- the fastest goal, at a dazzling 15 seconds into the game against overwhelmed Honduras.

The semi-final had barely kicked off when Barcelona forward Neymar intercepted the ball, charged towards the Honduran side, tripped over the goalie and landed the ball into the net, sending the Maracana stadium into a frenzy of cheers.

"It was amazing to just arrive in the stadium and watch a beautiful goal," said Filipe Deliza, a 19 year-old law student from Rio.

"I was expecting Brazil to win but I was not expecting it would be so easy," added Deliza, wearing a yellow Brazilian shirt, as Brazil took a 4-0 lead some 62 minutes into the game.

Deliza and other Brazilians were hoping the goal was an auspicious sign that their Olympic soccer hoodoo would be coming to an end. The South American powerhouse has been in the Olympic tournament 12 times but lost three finals, including at London 2012.
Team captain Neymar could also cement his status as one of Brazil's greatest players if he can lead his team to gold in Rio. In any case, he is already drawing comparison to other Olympic greats."Neymar's goal, 15 seconds in, is the fastest in the history of Olympic football, 5.42 seconds more than Usain Bolt," the Rio 2016 Spanish-language account tweeted in reference to the Jamaican sprinter.