MADRID: With his move to Barcelona finally official, striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is hoping his experience can help a team that is badly in need of a spark.
Barcelona secured a deal with the 32-year-old former Arsenal forward just before the transfer deadline on Monday but it wasn’t announced by the Catalan club until Wednesday.
“I have experience. I have played in top leagues and I am coming here to help and give my all for the team,” Aubameyang told the Barcelona website.
The Gabon previously also played in the French and German leagues. He scored 92 goals in 162 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.
He was released by Arsenal for free after being stripped of the team’s captaincy for disciplinary reasons. He signed a contract with Barcelona until June 2025 with an out-clause option in 2023 and a buyout clause of 100 million euros ($113 million).
“I am really happy to be here and I am looking forward to getting out on the field at Camp Nou,” he said.
TRAORÉ PRESENTED
Adama Traoré, another forward signed by Barcelona in the winter transfer window, said he was “happy to be back home” after being away for seven years.
The 26-year-old Traoré, who came through Barcelona’s youth squads, returned to the club on loan from Wolverhampton until the end of the season.
“I have changed physically, I have gained experience but I have never lost that Barça essence,” he said after being officially presented by the club. “If Adama today is the same as the Adama of yesterday, that is a lost day. Getting better every day is really important to me.”
DEMBÉLÉ’S DOUBTS
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said it will be “difficult” Ousmane Dembélé to get back into the team but that it will be up to coach Xavi Hernández to decide whether he gets playing time.
The club had asked Dembélé to leave but the France forward rejected offers to renew his contract and to leave on loan until the end of the season.
“He has a contract and, if available, the coach will decide if he will play or not,” Laporta said. “But he probably won’t stay with the club and it will be difficult for him to play because we are in the process of rebuilding our team.”
Barcelona hosts Atlético Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday. The Catalan club sits fifth in the league standings, one point behind fourth-place Atlético and 15 points behind leader Real Madrid.
In its first season without Lionel Messi, Barcelona has already been eliminated in the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
ALVES OUT
Barcelona left Dani Alves out of its Europa League squad because it could only add three new signings from the winter transfer window.
Instead, it added Aubameyang, Traoré and Ferran Torres.
Dembélé stayed on the list despite the uncertainty surrounding his situation at the club.
Barcelona hosts Napoli on Feb. 17 in the first knockout round of the Europa League.
Aubameyang pledges to help Barcelona with his experience
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Aubameyang pledges to help Barcelona with his experience
- Barcelona secured a deal with the 32-year-old former Arsenal forward just before the transfer deadline on Monday
- I have played in top leagues and I am coming here to help and give my all for the team,” Aubameyang told the Barcelona website
Iran cannot participate in World Cup, sports minister says
- “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said
- “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist“
TEHRAN: Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against the country alongside Israel, killing its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, leading to a region-wide conflict in the Gulf.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” the minister told state television.
The World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
In the draw last December, the Iranians were grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. All three of their Group G matches were scheduled to take place in the US, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta.
Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.
