FC Barcelona has unveiled special jerseys designed by a fan with Down syndrome to promote awareness. Artist Anna Vives created the unique designs in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day.

 Fans of FC Barcelona may have noticed the team sporting a distinctive kit during their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Newcastle United on March 18.

The iconic blue-and-red striped jerseys were redesigned with a bold, unique typeface created by Anna Vives, a fan and artist with Down syndrome.

FC Barcelona partnered with Anna Vives in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, marked annually on March 21.

The occasion was made even more memorable as Barça recorded an emphatic 7–2 win over Newcastle United.

Ahead of the match, FC Barcelona shared the news on X, posting an image of Anna Vives’ design featured on Lamine Yamal’s kit.

“A special jersey with a purpose, honoring International Down Syndrome Day and celebrating the talent of Anna Vives, an incredible artist with Down syndrome,” the club wrote.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDs_z85WoAAR-_u?format=jpg&name=900x900

In a press release, FC Barcelona explained that the collaboration with Anna Vives was made possible through the FC Barcelona Foundation, marking the second time the two have partnered.

“It is not the first time Barça have used Anna’s inclusive typeface,” the statement read. “The club previously backed the initiative during the 2013 Joan Gamper Trophy clash against Santos FC, underscoring its commitment to increasing visibility for people who are often overlooked.”

Marcus Rashford’s limited playing time raises new concerns over his future at FC Barcelona.

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 15: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona warms up during the Spanish league, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on March 15, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)

 Europa Press via Getty Images

Marcus Rashford’s recent lack of playing time has sparked fresh concerns in the Spanish media about his future at FC Barcelona beyond the current campaign.

The England national football team forward had been expected to remain at the club after an impressive start to life in Catalunya, but his influence has dipped in recent weeks, fueling speculation over what comes next.

A report from Marca, titled “Something’s going on with Rashford,” points out that he has not played a single minute in Barcelona’s last two matches—something they describe as unusual under manager Hansi Flick.

His form has also come under scrutiny. Rashford has managed just three goals and one assist in his last 15 appearances, a drop-off from the seven goals and eight assists he recorded in the previous 20 games.

The report adds that Barcelona are still keeping a close eye on Abde Ezzalzouli and Dani Rodríguez Virgili, while also scouting Andreas Schjelderup of SL Benfica.

Meanwhile, Diario AS has also weighed in, suggesting that “the continuity of the English striker could be in danger,” noting that he may remain on the bench due to the return to form and fitness of Raphinha.

Just a few weeks ago, Rashford’s future at Barcelona seemed almost certain, but the narrative has since shifted. He will be hoping for minutes against Rayo Vallecano this weekend before linking up with England for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Should Joan García of FC Barcelona be Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper at the FIFA World Cup 2026? A look at the Barça star’s prospects.

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 18: Joan Garcia of FC Barcelona acknowledges the fans during warm ups prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

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Joan García, the FC Barcelona goalkeeper, received a boost on Friday after earning a call-up to the Spain national football team squad for their March friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.

Despite delivering standout performances for Barcelona, Joan had been overlooked by manager Luis de la Fuente throughout the season. Now, he finally has the opportunity to prove his quality to the national team coaching staff.

This could be his only real audition ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but his club form makes a strong case for him to challenge Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro for the starting role this summer.

So, today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is: Should Joan García be Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup?

Now it’s over to you—share your thoughts, predictions, and opinions in the comments below!

Barcelona have submitted a fresh request to Manchester United regarding the £26m transfer of Marcus Rashford.

 Barcelona are reportedly interested in keeping Marcus Rashford beyond his current spell and are planning to approach Manchester United about extending his stay for an additional season.

The England forward, who made the switch from United last summer, has enjoyed an impressive campaign, registering 10 goals and 13 assists across 38 appearances.

As part of the original deal, Barcelona have the option to make the move permanent this summer for €30 million (£26.3m). However, instead of activating that clause immediately, the club are said to prefer negotiating another loan that would keep Rashford at the Camp Nou until 2027.

The report also suggests that Barcelona could attach a mandatory £26m purchase clause to any extended deal, meaning they would be required to complete the transfer next year.

Speaking recently, the club’s sporting director, Deco, addressed questions about whether Rashford’s move would be made permanent at the end of the season. He explained that the club already has a clear stance on the player and understands what needs to be done to keep him. However, he noted that several factors — including financial fair play regulations, team priorities, performance levels, and the manager’s decision — are all being considered, adding that the timing is not yet right to finalize anything.

Meanwhile, reports from Spain last week indicated that Barcelona are also weighing up other options, with Chelsea winger Pedro Neto emerging as a possible alternative to Rashford.

Record books show 1-1 could be enough

Barça has qualified for the next round on six of the eight occasions when the Club has drawn 1-1 away from home in the first leg of a Spanish Cup tie.

But the only time this has happened against Real Madrid, Barça was beaten 1-2 in the Camp Nou and knocked out of the competition.

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  Callejón and Jordi Alba / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ-FCB

1-1 is a good score line for Barça, though the draw has left a bittersweet taste in the mouth. The team could have come back from the Bernabéu with a win and inclined the tie even more in Barça’s favour. Nevertheless, an away 1-1 draw is usually a guarantee of success in the second leg: Barça has qualified for the next round on six of the eight occasions when the Club has drawn 1-1 away from home in the first leg of a Spanish Cup tie.
A year ago
We only have to look back to last year to find the first example. In the semifinals, Barça drew 1-1 away to Valencia and went on to clinch the tie with a 2-0 win in the Camp Nou. In the 2007/08 season, a goalless draw in the second leg away to Sevilla was enough to see Barça through to the quarterfinals.
Defeat in the only precedent against Real Madrid
However, there’s no room for complacency. A 1-1 draw in the 1992/93 season – a semi-final first leg in the Bernabéu – was followed by a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid in the Camp Nou. The same happened against Celta in the 1977/78 season. These are the only two occasions when Barça hasn’t gone through to the next round of the Cup after drawing 1-1 in the first leg.
50:50 for Real Madrid
Strangely enough, Real Madrid has also draw 1-1 eight times at home in a Cup tie first leg. The final outcome of these ties is split evenly 50:50 – four times eliminated and four times successfully through. On the last three occasions Real Madrid has been eliminated from the Cup after drawing 1-1 at home in the first leg.
Slightly better record for Barça
Putting aside the Cup for one moment, recent contests in all competitions against Real Madrid in the Camp Nou show that neither side can be considered a clear favourite, though Barça has a slightly better record. Since the 2008/09 season, a repeat of any one of five score lines would see Barça through to the Final (2-0 in 2008/09, 1-0 in 09/10, 5-0 in 10/11, all in league matches, and 3-2 in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 Super Cups), two would favour Real Madrid (1-2 in the league in 11/12 and 2-2 in the Cup in 11/12) while one result would take the tie to extra time (1-1 in the Champions League 2010/11).

Alves: “We deserved to win at the Bernabéu”

Dani Alves admitted that he and his teammates "are unhappy with the result" from last night's match but he notes that the tie will be resolved at the Camp Nou: "it's a marvelous opportunity for us"

"We're fighting against racism but the racial abuse still happens. For me it's a lost war," says the Brazilian

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  Dani Alves / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

“I know that we’re fighting against racism, but for me it’s a lost war"

Dani Alves is a footballer that isn’t afraid to say what he thinks. The Brazilian admitted this Thursday that the team “left the Bernabéu unhappy because of the circumstances of the game.” He added, “we didn’t take advantage of the chances we had and now the tie will be decided at the Camp Nou. It’s a marvelous opportunity for us. We deserved to win and return from Madrid with a better result.”

Alves isn’t surprised that Madrid are celebrating the draw more than FC Barcelona: “Barça are the team to beat. Everyone wants to play he game of their life against us. The only thing I’m concerned with is playing a good return leg and qualify for the final.”

Pushing the limits of fair play

Alves explained that since he arrived at Barça that “Real Madrid have always tried to play beyond the rules of the game.” He added, “we play football. I don’t think we can do anything in this regard.” Turning his focus specifically to yesterday’s match against Madrid, he said, “I still don’t understand how Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t booked. If that play had been reversed I would have been given a red card. But, of course, it seems as though we can’t have a Clásico without Cristiano.”

In any event, Alves said that he’s “vaccinated” against that type of football and that “whatever happens on the pitch stays on the pitch, beyond dirty play or any attempt to provoke.”

Upset with racial abuse

Without specifically mentioning Wednesday’s match, the FC Barcelona defender confessed that he’s upset with the racial abuse he was subjected to: “I know that we’re fighting against this type of behaviour, but for me it’s a lost war. I’ve been playing in Spain for 10 years and it’s been going on since the first day.

“Drastic measures need to be taken. For example, clubs should be drastically penalized - something beyond [the current] 1,000 or 2,000 euro fine. We need to go further. In England this doesn’t happen and when it does, the penalty is exemplary,” explained Alves.

Confident in himself

Finally, the Brazilian said he never lost his self confidence: “all of the injuries that I’ve never had in my career hit me at the start of the season. I’ve always tried to be good enough to play for this team and I think I’m managing to do that well. I’m not too concerned with what people think of me. I’m doing what I enjoy and those that are close to me know how much this profession means to me.”

FC Barcelona’s standout players against Atlético Madrid: Messi, Adriano and Busquets

Barça established a new goalscoring record in a calendar year thanks to goals from Messi, the Brazilian defender and the Spanish international
Messi isn’t the only one breaking records in 2012. FC Barcelona managed to break the 170-goal mark that was set last season. In fact, Tito Vilanova’s men have netted 172 times this year: 118 were scored in La Liga, 26 in the Champions League, 24 in the Cup and 4 in the Super Cup. Here’s an overview of Barça’s standout players against Atlético Madrid:

Adriano Correia:

Falcao opened up the scoring and gave Atlético Madrid the lead thanks to a beautiful chip over Valdés, but FC Barcelona struck back thanks to an absolutely sublime curling shot from Adriano. The equalizer was Adriano’s sixth goal of the season.

The Brazilian defender has scored two goals with his right foot, and four with his left. Against Valencia, Adriano scored a beautiful goal, however, that one was with his right. He’s fundamental for Barça on both sides of the pitch.

Sergio Busquets:

Sergio Busquets proves his worth every game he plays for FC Barcelona. He's the fundamental link between Barça’s offence and defence. This time, against Atlético Madrid, the FC Barcelona midfielder gave his team the go-ahead goal right before the break.

Lionel Messi

The Argentine forward is making sure to notch up as many goals as possible in 2012. With his brace this evening against Atlético Madrid, he has 90 goals this year. In addition, Leo has scored 25 goals so far this season in La Liga, a mark that sees him clear of his immediate pursuers for the Pichichi trophy. It’s worth mentioning that Atlético Madrid are the team that Messi has scored against the most: 20 career goals, 17 in La Liga.