Ivan Rakitic has labelled Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar "football magicians".

Argentina were below-par all evening and finally slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Ecuador in Buenos Aires, as the absences of Messi and Aguero were felt keenly up-front.

Barcelona have released a statement defending Lionel Messi following the news their star man will stand trial over allegations of tax fraud.

Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi and his father will stand trial on tax fraud charges, a court in Spain has said.

Sergio Aguero will adopt the No. 10 shirt for Argentina while it is left vacant due to the injury of its usual wearer, Lionel Messi.

Barcelona prosecutors have cleared Lionel Messi in a tax fraud case but are seeking an 18-month prison sentence for his father, Jorge.

Javier Mascherano has called upon his Argentina team-mates to pull together and move forward in the absence of Lionel Messi.

A Barcelona side without the injured Lionel Messi head to face Sevilla at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, desperate to move back to the summit of La Liga.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique launched a staunch defence of his players after they came from behind without the injured Lionel Messi to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Tuesday.

The Barcelona star has hinted that there is more magic to come after he celebrated 100 games in Champions League.

A stunning strike from Alessandro Florenzi gives Roma a 1-1 draw with holders Barcelona.

Having helped the Blaugrana to four titles, the Argentine attacker is already the finest footballer to play Champions League.

A goal from substitute Lionel Messi saw Barcelona record a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in Saturday's La Liga encounter at the Vicente Calderon, reports Goal.com.

The former Real Madrid coach is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will once more be crowned La Liga top scorer in 2015-16.

Luis Suarez believes Barcelona's formidable attacking trio works so well because there is no "jealousy" between himself, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to the club's sporting director Robert Fernandez.

Argentina play their first fixture since losing to Chile in the Copa America final when they go up against Bolivia.

Barcelona ace Neymar has said he wants to make history with his side as they look to build on last season's European and domestic treble.

Lionel Messi is a further step closer to being tried for tax fraud after Barcelona's highest court rejected his latest appeal.

"Messi is more for the team, preparing the game and assisting, but Ronaldo is maybe more like the Brazilian Ronaldo and scores more. But in my team I would decide Messi, but both are fantastic. Messi now is playing completely different to Ronaldo. Ronaldo plays only in front," says Pele.