barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to _ barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take _ barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take a _ barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take a pay _ barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take a pay cut - barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take a pay cut to - barcelona? well, he did in fact offered to take a pay cut to at l offered to take a pay cut to at barcelona but the problem is it appears that barcelona has lost more than £a00 million in the last calendar year and even with his offer activities his offer for wages by half but then he offered to have been spread over five years to allow the club an opportunity to catch up in terms of the cash payment. that would still exceed the salary cut that spanish football. hahn would still exceed the salary cut that spanish football.— would still exceed the salary cut that spanish football. how can psg afford him? _ that spanish football. how can psg afford him? do _ that spanish football. how can psg afford him? do we _ that s

lionel messi bids an emotional goodbye to barcelona. we look at what his next move might be. hello and a warm welcome to bbc news. the taliban has captured three more provincial capitals this time in northern afghanistan as they intensify their offensive to seize power following the withdrawal of western troops. the three cities appear to have largely fallen to militants within hours of each other. the biggest of them is kunduz, a city of more than a quarter of a million. provincial capitals are also now largely in militant hands. the government in kabul insists its forces are fighting back to retake lost ground. here is our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. fire and confusion in the centre of kunduz. taliban pictures appear to show yet another city falling under their control. this is their biggest prize so far — a large city, economically and strategically important, and it seems to have fallen easily. afraid of the fighting as much as the taliban, civilians are fleeing, some of them heading south for kabul. a government spokesman says the taliban will soon be ousted,

as to what messi means to barcelona, here is our correspondence. he means to barcelona, here is our correspondence.— correspondence. he is the most valuable asset _ correspondence. he is the most valuable asset that _ correspondence. he is the most valuable asset that not - correspondence. he is the most valuable asset that not only - valuable asset that not only barcelona and the spanish league has. he gives you a guaranteed return in terms of people waking up in the middle of the night in the far east, that asian audience, the return that asian audience, the return thatis that asian audience, the return that is guaranteed and they can have him now for half the price that they've been paying for him, but they have to say goodbye to him in order to keep on paying on those assets who haven't given them a return. it really is almost suicidal, you would have thought, not only from barcelona but from the spanish league, the spanish league was built around the real madrid, barcelona rival, christiana rinaldi will on —— christiana rinaldi will on �

barcelona said it was letting him go because they couldn't afford to pay his wages. the 34—year—old did not say that he planned to do next but acknowledged a move to p56 do next but acknowledged a move to psg was a possibility. what you're hearing in the background is a standing ovation for him as he expressed his deep affection for the club where he had spent so much of his life. translation: many beautiful things happened to me here. bad too. but all this helped me to grow, improve, and may be the person i am today. we have had very good moments, bad ones too. but the affection of the people has been constant, i always felt it. the recognition, the love. ifelt it it. the recognition, the love. i felt it towards them too and the club. and we'll do all my life, i hope. lionel messi. joining me from rio dejaneiro is tim vickery, the south american football correspondent. he will remember the affection and love because there is enough of it for him in barcelona. but is it as simple as money?- in barcelona. but is it as simple as money? yes, it is, he has been _ sim

and lionel messi leaves barcelona. he's no longer at barcelona, where is he going to go? as birmingham city fans, i'm hoping we wiii— as birmingham city fans, i'm hoping we will with— as birmingham city fans, i'm hoping we will with them, but i can guarantee you he will not. on the other— guarantee you he will not. on the other side — guarantee you he will not. on the other side of the city, over £100 million — other side of the city, over £100 million to— other side of the city, over £100 million to spend on new players commanded think it's probably inevitable that he was going to leave _ inevitable that he was going to leave a — inevitable that he was going to leave a fantasy of the next year, so you may— leave a fantasy of the next year, so you may as— leave a fantasy of the next year, so you may as well capitalise on the money— you may as well capitalise on the money while he's got a few years on his contract, — money while he's got a few years on his contract, but what is interesting about this movie is that gareth— interesting about this m

he competed at every 0lympics since 1992 in barcelona and thatis since 1992 in barcelona and that is another record in athletics. well done to him. i can also tell in the last few moments we have had two more medals handled out. the beach volleyball final just finished between the women and the usa have clinched that two sets— love against the australians. gold for the us they that make usa there and silver for australia. the bronze medal match women's hockey is ongoing and that is great britain who have won that, 4—3, defeated india. you can see some indian players on their knees and crying there. it had been such an historic run for india in this tournament. the further as they have ever gotten so a huge success for them butjust success for them but just missing success for them butjust missing out on a medal by the narrowest of margins there. we saw their men's team yesterday winning the bronze medal, the first medal in men's hockey since 1980. i mentioned the heat and it is something that many athletes have been battling and earlier i spoke to the new zealand rugby star ruby

the financial situation of barcelona is terrible. as you said, they don't have money for it and after that it was a matter of looking around. the fact that neymar is there and other friends, it's a competitive team that can win things.— that can win things. paris st germain _ that can win things. paris st germain are _ that can win things. paris st germain are going - that can win things. paris st germain are going to - that can win things. paris st germain are going to have l that can win things. paris st i germain are going to have the that can win things. paris st - germain are going to have the same team next season. all—rounder moeen ali has been added to the england squad, for the second test against india, which starts on thursday at lord's. he last played in a test match in february, during england's tour of india, but he's been in great form as captain of birmingham phoenix in the hundred, helping them to the top of the table. he'lljoin up with the england squad for training this afternoon. it was a decision we took yest

what it seems to me that barcelona are doing is issuing a warning to spanish football. remember, there is an offer on the table from a private equity fund who want a 10% stake in la liga. think two or three years ago. the body barcelona are issuing is this, we have agreed terms with the player, the player wants to stay, do you really think it is in the interest of spanish football to let go the biggest name, the biggest staff in world football because of bureaucratic reasons? i am far too far away from it and i think some of these financial affairs are well above my pay grade but, think two or three years ago, real madrid, and barcelona. la liga has already lost one, can la liga afford to lose lionel messi as well? from my point of view, i think barcelona can make a pretty convincing case that it is in the interest of barcelona and spanish football as a whole to retain the services of the man who could be the greatest player, some would argue the greatest player in the world ever, surely it is not time to show him the door. now let's get an update from the olympics in t

think two or three years ago, real madrid, and barcelona. la liga has already lost one, can la liga afford to lose lionel messi as well? from my point of view, i think barcelona can make a pretty convincing case that it is in the interest of barcelona and spanish football as a whole to retain the services of the man who could be the greatest player, some would argue the greatest player in the history of the world, is it time to giv e him the key to the door? surely it is not time to show him the door. to the olympics, david thomas of poland won the gold medal in the walking. he powered through the walking. he powered through the heat in sapporo, finishing ahead. our correspondent has been looking at the effects of the heat. they were really battling the heat and that early morning race, the 50 kilometres. they started at 5:30am local time in order to try and give the athletes as much respite as they could. and you could see it as they were making their way through the laps they were taking on, lots of water, hydration, they had isis carbs th

barcelona kept spending, spending, spending. you know what happens if at home you spend more that you have, you cannot afford certain things. so, right now, if you look at what happened last season with a87 million euros in debt, just from last season, plus the wages of the players, it's110% of what comes in, so technically barcelona are bankrupt. and paris saint—germain was perhaps always the most likely destination, a club backed by qatari money and already littered with stars, including kylian mbappe and his former barca team—mate, neymar. barcelona are now moving on without their biggest star. for messi, a new story is beginning. katie gornall, bbc news. there'll be no champions league for rangers this season, after they were beaten 2—1 on the night at ibrox and 4—2 on aggregate by malmo in the third qualifying round. 2—1 down from the sweden leg, rangers began well and made the tie all square through alfredo morelos. then, despite having a man sent off malmo began to regain control, and antonio cholak restored the

almost recreating what he had a barcelona a few years ago with neymar and suarez. that seems to be where he is going and already discussions have taken place between the messi camp and paris st. germain edges seems a question of time of what will be announced that he is heading to paris. ., ~' , ., announced that he is heading to paris. . ~ i. announced that he is heading to paris. . ~ . ., announced that he is heading to paris. . . ., ., paris. thank you so much for “oining us on this momentous * paris. thank you so much for “oining us on this momentous point _ paris. thank you so much forjoining us on this momentous point in - us on this momentous point in football history. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines... virtually the entire population of wuhan, the chinese city where the pandemic first started, is said to have been tested after the delta variant of coronavirus was detected there. the authorities say more than 11 million people have undergone testing since tuesday, after seven cases of the delta variant were found in the community

the moment proving too overwhelming for the greatest player barcelona has ever known. lionel messi would have preferred his time here to end with a standing ovation in front of a packed stadium about the covid pandemic and the financial woes of barcelona put paid to those aims. the atmosphere outside the ground as lionel messi is a packed stadium but the covid pandemic and the financial woes of barcelona put paid to those aims. ., .,, , ., , aims. the atmosphere outside the round as aims. the atmosphere outside the ground as lionel— aims. the atmosphere outside the ground as lionel messi _ aims. the atmosphere outside the ground as lionel messi said - aims. the atmosphere outside the i ground as lionel messi said goodbye inside. translation: i gave everything for this club, for the shed. from translation: i gave everything for this club, for the shed.— this club, for the shed. from the first day i — this club, for the shed. from the first day i arrived _ this club, for the shed. from the first day i arrived until _ this club, for the shed. from the first day i ar

the argentina star was pictured in a private plane, about to leave barcelona for paris. messi confirmed his exit from barcelona in a tearful farewell on sunday, after 21 years with the club. katie gornall reports. for the first time in his career, lionel messi knew he would start the season somewhere other than barcelona, but where he would go to next had been the subject of much talk. fans of paris st—germain were confident their city was the most logical destination. since yesterday, they have gathered at the parc des princes stadium, waiting. after all, psg, a club backed by qatari money are one of the few who can afford a 34—year—old master like messi. the record six time ballon d�*or winner is set to play alongside killian mbappe and former barca tea—mate neymar in what will surely be the most fearsome attack in world football. you have to go to social media for the latest already in the street is it is the best trio ever in history? i say at the moment, perhaps luis suarez, neymar and messi at barcelona that won everything but they are in history now and

their life was in barcelona. now it's in paris. it's a move no—one, including the messi family, saw coming this time a week ago. behind the smiles, how's it been for the man at the centre of one of the biggest football transfers in history? translation: it was hard to sleep. it was hard to rest. these past days, i was anxious about the uncertainty, and the change for the family was complicated until we could get things going and make progress on the agreement with paris. from there, it was about thinking ahead — a new chapter, a new experience that will be really nice for my family — so now i'm looking forward for it to start. it helps that he's alreadyjoining them the club has fewer excuses if they don't win the champions league. the prize that club owners and players want so badly. there's a lot of people wondering how you can afford to have such an amazing squad and stick within ffp. can you tell us, please? we follow the financial fair play regulation from day one that we started. if you see that we're signing leo, that m

the moment proving too overwhelming for the greatest player barcelona has ever known. lionel messi would've preferred his time here to end with a standing ovation in front of a packed camp nou but the covid—19 pandemic and barcelona's financial woes put an end to that hope. a funeral atmosphere outside the ground as messi said goodbye inside. translation: i gave everything for this club, for this shirt. - from the first day i arrived until the very last and the truth is that i am leaving. i am so grateful for the care the people have shown me. i would love to be able to go a different way. i never imagined having to say goodbye because i never thought of it. it has been a busy summer for the argentine superstar — fresh off of leading his country to the copa america crown. his first ever senior international honour, messi was all set to sign a new five—year contract with the spanish club. but behind the scenes, barcelona's financial troubles have been apparent for some time. messi's new deal was dependent on the club trimming their wage bill to satisfy the la liga

barcelona kept spending, spending. _ him. barcelona kept spending, spending, spending. _ him. barcelona kept spending, spending, spending. you - him. barcelona kept spending, spending, spending. you know him. barcelona kept spending, - spending, spending. you know what happens if that home you spend more that you have, you cannot afford certain things. so, right now, if you look at what happened last season with a87 million euros in debt, just from last season, plus the wages of the players, it's debt, just from last season, plus the wages of the players, it'5110% of what comes in, so technically barcelona are bankrupt. fiend of what comes in, so technically barcelona are bankrupt. and paris st-germain _ barcelona are bankrupt. and paris st-germain was _ barcelona are bankrupt. and paris st-germain was perhaps - barcelona are bankrupt. and paris st-germain was perhaps always i barcelona are bankrupt. and paris i st-germain was perhaps always the st—germain was perhaps always the most likely destination,. a club backed by qatari money and littered with stars including killia

he came over from barcelona last night and several— over from barcelona last night and several hundred fans arrived outside the stadium this morning to try and catch— the stadium this morning to try and catch a _ the stadium this morning to try and catch a glimpse of their new signing _ catch a glimpse of their new signing i— catch a glimpse of their new signing. i spoke to some of them outside _ signing. i spoke to some of them outside the stadium today, and they said they— outside the stadium today, and they said they had to be here to show their— said they had to be here to show their love — said they had to be here to show their love and respect for lionel messi, — their love and respect for lionel messi, and said it isjust a historic— messi, and said it isjust a historic day for the club to have signed — historic day for the club to have signed one of if not the greatest player— signed one of if not the greatest player of— signed one of if not the greatest player of all—time. what a difference a few days a lucrative contract — difference a few days a lucrat

well, barcelona are victims of terrible _ money, who does? well, barcelona are victims of terrible mismanagement, i victims of terrible mismanagement, spending more than $1 million on transfers, more than any other club in football, ending up with an ageing squad with little value. the best hand in this are paris st. germain, he wasjust best hand in this are paris st. germain, he was just on holiday with several paris players, including neymar, and psg was putting together a bid. the other club who might have the finances do not want to stop what you've written that book about barcelona, i sawjust behind you. you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi? what you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi?— you tell us as you wrote that book, how important is messi? what i wrote the book, how important is messi? what i wrote the book. or — how important is messi? what i wrote the book. or my _ how important is messi? what i wrote the book, or my questions _ how important is messi? what i wrote the book, or my que

lionel messi leaving barcelona and signing for psg. the leaving barcelona and signing for ps6. the winner has been talking to the world for the first time as a paris st. germain player. their life was in barcelona, now paris. it's a move no one including that i know nothing for many saw coming this time a week ago. behind the smiles, how has it been for the man at the centre of one of the biggest football transfers in history? it was hard to sleep. it was hard to rest. i was anxious about the uncertainty. and that change for the family was complicated until he could get things going and make progress on the agreement with paris. from there it was about thinking ahead. a new chapter and an experience that would be nice for my family for so now i am looking forward for it to start. it family for so now i am looking forward for it to start.- forward for it to start. it helps that he is _ forward for it to start. it helps that he is doing _ forward for it to start. it helps that he is doing an _ forward for it to start. it helps that he is doing an already - that he is doing an alr

one of the world's great footballers, lionel messi, is leaving barcelona, the club he's been at all his life. i am sarah mulkerrins live tokyo on day 14, where steven gardiner won 400—metre gold to secure the bahamas' first medal of the games. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. it's 6am in the morning here in singapore and 2:30am in the morning across afghanistan, where the government is mobilizing its forces to try to repel taliban fighters as they move in on several big cities. this map shows you some of the key areas of the fighting — in kandahar, herat and lashkar gah. this is the situation earlier on thursday in herat, with taliban fighters reportedly moving at will in much of the city. here are the thoughts of some of the residents. translation: the situation is tough. our houses have all been destroyed. people have all fled. there are eight or nine taliban on the roof of our house. if the security force hit there, everything will be destroyed. then where should we go?

barcelona said it was letting him go because it could not afford to pay his wages. the 34—year—old did not say what he planned to do next, but acknowledged that a move to paris st—germain was a possibility. he also expressed his deep affection for the club where he'd spent so much of his life. translation: many beautiful things happened to me here, bad too, - but all this helped me to grow, improve and made me the person i am today. we've had very good moments, bad ones too, but the affection of the people has been constant — i always felt it, the recognition, the love. i felt it towards them, too, and the club, and will do all my life, i hope. we are now messy. ——lionel messi. bbc science correspondent went to meet a woman who has been told she may not live beyond 30 but is now celebrated her birthday in good health and is with her family. celebrated her birthday in good health and is with herfamily. this health and is with her family. this is like with _ health and is with her family. this is like with cystic _ health and is with her family. try 3 is l

barcelona said it was letting him go because it could not afford to pay his wages. the 34—year—old did not say what he planned to do next, but acknowledged that a move to paris st—germain was a possibility. he also expressed his deep affection for the club where he'd spent so much of his life. translation: many beautiful things happened to me here, bad too, - but all this helped me to grow, improve and made me the person i am today. we've had very good moments, bad ones too, but the affection of the people has been constant — i always felt it, the recognition, the love. i felt it towards them, too, and the club, and will do all my life, i hope. amsterdam has marked the 25th anniversary of its first pride parade. around 10 thousand people carried rainbow flags celestina olulode reports. car horns toot. a demonstration of equality with a clear message. all chant. a walk through the historic city centre is how thousands marked the 25th anniversary of amsterdam's pride festival. and while the party atmosphere gripped the streets... cheering and applause. ..some

an emotional lionel messi as he confirms he's leaving fc barcelona. a warm welcome to tokyo where the olympics has entered its closing day. the closing ceremony has just started. it's been such a memorable games inside and outside of the arena, all set with the backdrop of the pandemic. in a moment, we will hear reflections on what these games have meant forjapan. first, let's bring you up—to—date with the biggest sporting action of the day. and there's been plenty of action so far with a good final haul for team gb that started with a gold medalforjason kenny in the men's kieren cycling event in the velodrome. that now makes kenny britain's most successful male athlete with a total of seven olympic gold medals under his belt, a total of nine olympic medals in all. in the boxing ring a gold for lauren price in the women's boxing middleweight final. she beat china's li qian in a 5—0 points victory. price is an amazing athlete who has played international football for wales and is a former kick—boxing champion. also in the boxing ring, irish box

barcelona said it was letting him go because i could not afford to pay his wages. the 34—year—old said he did not know what he was going to do next but a move to psg was also a possibility. he also expressed his deep affection for the club where he has spent so much of his life. translation: many beautiful things happened to me here, bad too, - but all this helped me to grow, improve and made me the person i am today. we've had very good moments, bad ones too, but the affection of the people has been constant, i always felt it, the recognition, the love. i felt it towards them too and the club and will do all my life i hope. thousands of fans gave comedian peter kay a standing ovation as he made his return to the stage last night. after several years away, he put on two sold—out charity shows at the manchester apollo in aid of a local university student, who's undergoing treatment for brain cancer. peter said getting back on stage was like "getting in a hot bath". i assume that is a good thing. time now for a look at the weather. a real mix of weather out the

barcelona said it was letting him go because it could not afford to pay his wages. the 34—year—old did not say what he planned to do next, but acknowledged that a move to paris st germain was a possibility. he also expressed his deep affection for the club where he'd spent so much of his life. translation: many beautiful things happened to me here, bad too, - but all this helped me to grow, improve and made me the person i am today. we've had very good moments, bad ones too, but the affection of the people has been constant — i always felt it, the recognition, the love. i felt it towards them, too, and the club, and will do all my life, i hope. a drug to treat cystic fibrosis, that became available on the nhs in england last year, is transforming lives. medics at the royal papworth hospital in cambridge say kaftrio is having an impact that some have described as "mind—blowing". richard westcott went to meet laura — who had been told she might not live beyond 30, but who has now celebrated that birthday in good health, and has even started a family. this is

barcelona's life 15 minutes left on the clock. ba rcelona's life after 15 minutes left on the clock. barcelona's life after messi saw them beat gaddafi. memphis depay scored the winner, his goal coming after half—an—hour. the defending champions atletico madrid kicked off at home to villa realjust over 15 minutes ago. tottenham are top of the ingrid premier league. we are the ingrid premier league. we are the only side with a 100% winning record. they won 1— 01 sunday thanks to some's free kick. harry kane made his first premier league start of the season, so spurs lead the way on nine points going into the international break. meanwhile, manchester united beat wolves in their first game since announcing that they had reached an agreement to re—sign cristiano ronaldo. the portuguese forward was not there but the fans sang his name. ole gunnar solskjar's sign won six illegal. the -la ers solskjar's sign won six illegal. the players are _ solskjar's sign won six illegal. tie: players are excited, some solskjar's sign won six

so i don't know if it'll be quite barcelona as it was a few years ago, but it won't be far off. good luck to them, we are allowed to support another underdog. here are a couple of the other ties involving premier league sides tonight. norwich play bournemouth, brentford host forest green rovers, brighton travel to cardiff, everton go to huddersfield. leeds host crewe. there's an all—premier league affair bewteen watford and crystal palace, and wolves are at forest who are really struggling in the championship. let's catch up with some of the other sports news for you. a fall for primoz roglic during stage ten of the vuelta means that he has lost the red jersey to 0dd christian eiking. roglic has moved down to third. the stage was won by michael storer of team dsm — that's his second stage win of this years race. there's an exciting finish to the second test injamaica, west indies chasing an unlikely target of 329 for victory on the final day against pakistan. they are currently 113—5. denmark captain simon kjaer and the medical team that saved christian eriksen's life when

barcelona kept spending, spending, spending. you know what happens if at home you spend more that you have, you cannot afford certain things. so, right now, if you look at what happened last season with a87 million euros in debt, just from last season, plus the wages of the players, it's110% of what comes in, so technically barcelona are bankrupt. and paris saint—germain was perhaps always the most likely destination, a club backed by qatari money and already littered with stars, including kylian mbappe and his former barca team—mate, neymar. barcelona are now moving on without their biggest star. for messi, a new story is beginning. katie gornall, bbc news. that's it. now on bbc one, time for the news where you are. hello there. the weather is looking generally more unsettled as we head through the rest of this week. today, we had some much needed dry weather for many parts of the country with some sunshine, making it feel a bit warmer, as well. we did have some showers, some of them heavy and thundery across more northeast

in barcelona, this is their temple. it didn't take long for despondent fans to gather outside camp nou as news of lionel messi's departure hit home. translation: it's a soap opera from last summer. to this summer, and it has finished in a harsh way for the fans and the barca club members. it should've finished in a year without a pandemic, with people filling in the stadium, and the whole of spain applauding his presence. the 34—year—old has been a free agent since the 1st ofjuly, when his contract expired. two weeks later, he agreed a new deal with reduced wages, but it was still dependent on barca selling players to afford his salary. the shocking blow came on thursday, when barcelona announced messi's 21—year association with the club would be ending, putting the blame on financial and structural obstacles imposed by la liga. translation: it's a big loss, and football will generate - less money and we have less important players. we will notice that. so where might messi be heading? who does have the money? the

their life was in barcelona. now it's in paris. it's a move no—one, including the messi family, saw coming this time a week ago. behind the smiles, how's it been for the man at the centre of one of the biggest football transfers in history? translation: it was hard to sleep. it was hard to rest. these past days, i was anxious about the uncertainty, and the change for the family was complicated until we could get things going and make progress on the agreement with paris. from there, it was about thinking ahead — a new chapter, a new experience that will be really nice for my family — so now i'm looking forward for it to start. it helps that he's joining an already formidable psg squad — among them, his former barcelona team—mate neymar and world cup winner kylian mbappe. manager, mauricio pochettino a fellow argentinian, will know that with the addition of messi, the club has fewer excuses if they don't win the champions league, the prize the club owners and fans so badly crave. there's a lot of people wondering how you c

psg are in talks with barcelona, it has become clear that barcelona are unable to honour of the reduced contracts they have agreed with lionel messi. a big shock in scotland, premiership champions rangers have been beaten in the first time in 17 months, they lost 1—0 to dundee united. they held on to claim all three points at tannadice. england captain joe root tannadice. england captainjoe root was leading by example on day three of the test at trent bridge. england started the day still 70 behind india. the two openers were disappointing. captain joe root hasjust openers were disappointing. captain joe root has just been bowled while approaching his century, on 96 there. the british and irish lions decisive third test in south africa has huge implications for the future of rugby, according to a former player. controversy has stolen the focus, and the slow paced second test did not offer much. lines are determined to bounce back. gregor townsend says the team needs to show what they are capable of. the team needs to show what they are ca able of. ~ i. the team needs to show what they

as he waved goodbye to his boyhood club barcelona. today he was unveiled at p56 barcelona. today he was unveiled at psg as their new star signing. he said he was very happy to be here. take a listen to what he had to say area. —— earlier. translation: i'm very happy to be here. - i'm eager to get going. i still want to play and still want to win just as much as when i started my career. with these players and the staff, i think the club is ready to fight for all of the trophies. i want to keep growing and winning titles, and that's why i have come to this club. well, it's died down here outside the park the plants. earlier there were a couple of thousand fans here to catch a glimpse of the new star signing. fans letting off flares and even knocking over barriers, so keen were they to get closer to him. many of them said they are so excited for this historic day for the club, to have one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player, playing for their club. he will be part of a formidable squad, perhaps the strongest front line ever assembled in football, alongside

the tissue used by lionel messi during his farewell adress to the spanish football club fc barcelona is being sold at auction. the tear—soaked kleenex was put on the market by an anonymous seller, with the price set at £1 million. messi announced earlier this month he would be leaving barcelona, ending his 21—year spell at the club. you can reach me on twitter — i'm tlvaughanjones. this is bbc news. hello. it feels a little like our weather has been sulking so far this week — kind of stuck in a rut of greyness and lingering cloud. it's not in a great hurry to get out of that position through today, either. we did see some sunshine on wednesday across central and eastern england, and i'm hopeful we will see some for at least a time today — this break in the clouds ahead of a weak weather front coming in from the west. so through the morning, some sunnier skies working their way eastwards, perhaps something a bit brighter behind that band of showery rain further west for the afternoon. but still, a lot of cloud for many of us, and temperatures a little down for the time of y

the argentina star was pictured in a private plane, about to leave barcelona for paris. messi confirmed his exit from barcelona in a tearful farewell on sunday, after 21 years with the club. katie gornall reports. for the first time in his career, lionel messi knew he would start the season somewhere other than barcelona, but where he would go to next had been the subject of much talk. fans of paris st—germain were confident their city was the most logical destination. since yesterday, they have gathered at the parc des princes stadium, waiting. after all, parc des princes stadium, waiting. afterall, pst, a parc des princes stadium, waiting. after all, pst, a club backed by qatari money are one of the few who can afford a 34—year—old master —like messi. the record six time ballon d'or winner is set to play alongside killian mbappe and neymar and what will surely be the most fearsome attack in world football. you go to social media and the latest already in the street is it is the best trio ever in history and i say at the moment, perhaps luis suarez, neymarand i

their life was in barcelona. now it's in paris. it's a move no—one, including the messi family, saw coming this time a week ago. behind the smiles, how's it been for the man at the centre of one of the biggest football transfers in history? translation: it was hard to sleep. it was hard to rest. these past days, i was anxious about the uncertainty, and the change for the family was complicated until we could get things going and make progress on the agreement with paris. from there, it was about thinking ahead — a new chapter, a new experience that will be really nice for my family — so now i'm looking forward for it to start. psg already boasted a formidable squad, including messi's former barcelona team—mate neymar and world cup winner kylian mbappe. the addition of messi on around half a million pounds a week, means there will be fewer excuses if they don't achieve their main goal of winning the champions league. it's also prompted questions about how the club can balance the books given football's financial fair play, o

the tissue used by messi during his farewell adress to the spanish football club fc barcelona is being sold at auction. the tear—soaked kleenex was put on the market by an anonymous seller, with the price set at $1 million. messi announced earlier this month he would be leaving barcelona, ending his 21—year spell at the club. a supermarket shopper in sydney got more than she was expecting when she was searching for spices. take a look at this... this 3 meter long diamond python slithered out from a supermarket shelf and came face to face with helaina alati. luckily the diamond python is not poisonous and ms alati is a wildlife rescuer. so she popped home, retrieved her snake bag and then returned to the shop where she caught the snake and released it back into the wild. that is pretty impressive. this is bbc news. hello. it feels a little bit like our weather has been sulking so far this week — kind of stuck in a rut of grayness and lingering cloud. it's not in a great hurry to get out of that position through today, either. we did see some sunshine on wednesday across central an

a figure in barcelona under the terms of the agreement, even with a 50% pay cut can't afford that figure based on the rest of the place of god in the squad. so, it really was sticker twisted that point in the came to the leagues regulations. once their iconic attacking trio, they have left the club and even inspired by his new athletic co. to win the spanish title last season, they are third in their lowest finish since 2008 and they look now instead to the new player who signed for manchester city, an 18—year—old who played for spain both the euros and the olympics this summer. but such of this clubs problems even after letting him go, they had to off—load more star players to reduce that gigantic wage. a quick round up now of some of the day's other football stories now and... manchester city defenderjohn stones has signed a new five year deal with the premier league club. his contract at the etihad was due to expire next year, but the england player will stay with the club until 2026. sarina wiegman will take charge of her first england match next month as the lionesses take on

barcelona says its star player lionel messi will leave this summer — after more than 20 years with the club. and, one of the biggest arts festivals in the world, the edinburgh fringe, finally gets underway today — after its cancellation last summer because of the pandemi. and coming up on the bbc news channel: for the third olympics running, team gb's women hockey players win a medal and say a bronze was beyond their wildest dreams just a few months ago. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the cyclist laura kenny has become britain's most decorated female olympic athlete, after she and teammate katie archibald won the women's madison event in the velodrome. the pair dominated the 120 lap race, winning 10 of the 12 sprints. it means kenny has won gold in three consecutive olympic games, and archibald in two. elsewhere, after their gold in rio, britain's hockey women have taken bronze in tokyo, with a narrow victory over india. our sports editor dan roan is in tokyo— where i believe we've just won another gold medal. that's right. kate french, in the modern pentathlon. she hasjus

the argentine confirmed his exit from barcelona in a tearful farewell on sunday — after 21 years with the club. katie gornall reports. we will bring you that report a little later. let�*s speak to the football journalist guillem balague who is outside psg�*s stadium — when do we expect him to turn up there? look at the fans were really excited by this, aren�*t they? it�*s look at the fans were really excited by this, aren't they?— by this, aren't they? it's the place to be. it certainly _ by this, aren't they? it's the place to be. it certainly has _ by this, aren't they? it's the place to be. it certainly has been i by this, aren't they? it's the place to be. it certainly has been since l to be. it certainly has been since this morning when we realise something good happened today and everything will happen tomorrow. it has been passed quite clearly, he wants to get to know them so he joined the team in the hotel where they will be in tonight and tomorrow, at 11 o�*clock year, they�*ll be a press conference where your child will explain why he is here. br; your child

barcelona have lost two strikers, for a time anyway. sergio aguero will be out for ten weeks because of a right calf injury. in a statement, barca say tests on the argentine forward have confirmed a tendon injury. aguerojoined barcelona from manchester city on a two—year contract injune after ten years at city. southampton have had a bid accepted for blackburn striker adam armstrong thought to be worth more than £20 million. southampton are in need of a striker after selling danny ings to aston villa earlier this month. armstrong is expected to have a medical tomorrow. england forward george burgess is returning to australia to play for the nrl side st george illawarra dragons. he was released by wigan in february and had surgery on a hip injury, which ruled him out of the 2021 super league season. all—rounder moeen ali could come back into the england side for soon. the second test against india starts on thursday at lord's. head coach chris silverwood says he's keen to get more balance and moeen's batting and spin bowling could m

french side paris saint germain is just one possibility, after ending his 21—year association with barcelona, who cannot afford to keep him. well, fans in paris think they have their man. hundreds of them waited outside an airport in paris yesterday, hoping messi would arrive. there's been no sign of him yet, but plenty think he's on his way. the queen has congratulated team gb as the final olympians arrived back to heathrow, after the tokyo games came to a close yesterday. team gb enjoyed one of their most successful games with 22 golds and 65 medals in total, matching the achievement of london 2012. laura kenney, who won a gold and a silver, and also carried the flag in the closing ceremony, led the team off the plane with her husband, jason, now britain's most decorated olympian after his gold in the men's. well, inside the terminal, one of the biggest receptions was afforded to boxer galal yafai, who won gold in the flyweight division. and as you heard, his friends and family were in fine voice. his fellow boxer lauren price won britain's 22nd and final gold of the games yesterday mornin

barcelona have announced that the argentinian star lionel messi will have to leave the club. it's believed the terms of a new contract would break financial rules. and here, manchester city have smashed the transfer fee record for an english club, signing the midfielder jack grealish from aston villa for £100 million. that surpasses the 89 million paid by manchester united for paul pogba in 2016. well, our sports correspondent nesta mcgregor is at manchester city's etihad stadium for us tonight. hi, there, nesta. hello. there is that well-known _ hi, there, nesta. hello. there is that well-known phrase - hi, there, nesta. hello. there is that well-known phrase that - hi, there, nesta. hello. there is that well-known phrase that you j that well—known phrase that you can't put a price and quality. clearly when it comes to football but is not the case. like you say, manchester city tonight breaking the british transfer record. £100 million grealish. this, the etihad stadium, will be his new home. he had been at aston villa, he is 25, he had been there since he was six and sa

there�*s a theory that argentina�*s messi is the ultimate bargaining chip between barcelona and la liga. if spanish football loses its star player, the whole competition is devalued, runs that argument. yeah, but where could he go next? paris is logical. a club backed by qatari money, psg could afford, in that city of art, a 3a—year—old master. joe wilson, bbc news. to sydney now, and some amazing images of swimmers in the sea off bondi beach. what they don�*t often know is that they�*re sometimes swimming quite close to sharks. each day before sunrise, jason iggleden films aerial shots of the stunning sea life. he says his footage often helps to reduce people�*s fear of the creatures and acts as a warning system. take a look at this. this guy might be in for a fright. yeah, no—one�*s about. he�*s not going to see. he�*s going to go and say g�*day to this crew, are you? he just likes to say g�*day to everyone. look at this! i fly around in the bondi area. i�*m out there about 20 minutes before sunrise, every morning, without fail. norman, don�*t scare people. n

elsewhere, tottenham have signed the barcelona full back emerson royale on a five year deal. the brazilian has spent the past two seasons on loan at real betis. the fee is worth just over £25 million. here are some of the other deals completed today by premier league sides. a late confirmation of odsonne edouard's move from celtic to crystal palace. he joins on a four year deal and is patrick vierra's seventh signing of the window. plenty more happening and you can find more on the bbc sport website. arsenal are 90 minutes away from returning to the women's champions league group stages, after a 3—0 win against slavia prague in the play—off first leg this evening. nikita parris scored afterjust 92 seconds before goals from captain kim little and vivianne miedema sealed the home win. manchester city meanwhile conceded in the second minute of injury time to draw 1—1 with real madrid. britain's emma raducanu has eased through to the second round of the us open with a comfortable straight—sets victory over switzerland's stefanie vogele. this was raducanu's debut at flush

he is at barcelona airport. we have just had the news that joining his move to paris st germain has now been confirmed, we had that from the bbc sport centre. quite a crowd there to see him off from barcelona. of course, he was part of that press conference, where he bid farewell to his team and all of his fans and a very tearful farewell it was as well. if we get better pictures, we will bring them to you. but we saw him get off that bus there with his family, heading to paris, we suspect. now it's time for a look at the weather with there are still a few showers in the forecast. some in the west drifting eastwards today. some could be heavy and potentially thundery across the north—east of scotland. in between, a lot of dry and bright weather and some sunshine with highs of up to 23 or 24 degrees. through this evening and overnight, we will hang on to some of the showers across the north—east. we will see some mist and fog patches forming across other eastern areas. the wind will pick out towards the west,

the players camp contacted psg as soon as it was clear barcelona could not honour his contract. chelsea are closing in on sealing the return of lukaku, the deal could be worth £97 million, just short of the £100 million record paid forjack grealish on thursday. england, in the third day of the test, both openers fail early. captain joe root test, both openers fail early. captainjoe root is approaching a century at the moment. british and irish lions decisive third test has implications for the future of rugby sees a three times champion. the second test did not offer much flowing rugby. lines are determined to bounce back. when you put it in context of the last eight weeks and the challenges we have gone through, and south africa, but obviously we are a long way from our families for a long period of time, it would be a massive achievement. it is about what happens on the field. the players focus this week has looked really sharp. last week, in that second half, it was not the performance i would have liked. all set to be an exciting test. firefighters are continuing to battle