Barcelona claimed their 27th LaLiga title and first for four years last season led by coach Xavi Hernandez, relying on a mixture of young talent and seasoned veterans like striker Robert Lewandowski who was the league's top scorer.
- Real Madrid are banking on the arrival of England midfielder Jude Bellingham to regain the LaLiga title from Barcelona and challenge seriously for a record-extending 15th European Cup.
Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield on Sunday and strike the first blow in this season's rivalry between the two clubs.
Arsenal enjoyed an eight-point lead over City until mid-March but lost it at the end of April and will now look to seek revenge in Sunday's traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season at Wembley.
City, who won their first Champions League title in June, will kick off their 2023-24 season against runners-up Arsenal on Sunday in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season.
The Spaniard who took over the then struggling club in October last year, led Leverkusen to a sixth place finish and a Europa League semi-final spot last season.
The performance titled 'Messi10', after his favored jersey number, showcases the rise of the striker from his early childhood in Rosario to his iconic moment as world champion.
City have been in no rush to bolster their squad with only midfielder Mateo Kovacic signed for 25 million pounds ($31.89 million) from Chelsea as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.
Since United last won the Premier League title under Alex Ferguson in 2013, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed to revive former glories - but Ten Hag appears to be making progress.
The signings of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United for about 100 million pounds ($127.50 million), Kai Havertz from Chelsea for 65 million pounds and defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam for 40 million euros ($43.90 million)has significantly strengthened Arsenal's core.
Liverpool have to fill a gaping hole in midfield with skipper Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moving to the Saudi Pro League while James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left for free with nothing more to offer.
Kickoff was delayed by 95 minutes because of a thunderstorm, but once the match got under way, Messi took little time to settle down and opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
The French forward went down clutching his leg after a challenge in the ninth minute of the 1-1 draw, but Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame the state of the pitch, which was less than ideal following the concert.
Jesus missed much of the second half of last season after he underwent surgery on his right knee in December following an injury he sustained while playing for the national team at the Qatar World Cup.
Chelsea have signed teenage midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes on a seven-year contract with an option of another year, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich's Senegal forward Sadio Mane has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after one season with the Bundesliga champions, both clubs said on Tuesday.
Fluminense's former Brazil international Marcelo was sent off in tears after his lunge at Luciano Sanchez during a Copa Libertadores match in Buenos Aires left the Argentinos Jrs defender with a horrific injury on Tuesday.
Liverpool have appointed Virgil van Dijk as the club's new skipper, with fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold taking on the vice-captain's role, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
Brazil midfielder Fabinho has joined Al Ittihad from Liverpool on a three-year deal, the Saudi club announced on Monday.
Besiktas have signed Croatian winger Ante Rebic from AC Milan on a two-year deal, the club said on Monday.
