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Laia Cervelló Herrero

@laiacervello.bsky.social

1.3K followers 66 following 93 posts

Journalist | FC Barcelona correspondent at The Athletic

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Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · 1d

Aitana Bonmati collected the Ballon d'Or on Monday evening, and on Tuesday morning she was having breakfast in the café in Sant Pere de Ribes, her hometown, where she still lives.

We explore her roots and the places that shaped the player she is today.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati and the town that made her – where her name, face and legacy is everywhere

Bonmati is a global superstar after winning the Ballon d'Or for the third time in a row, but it all started in a place called Ribes

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · 4d

If there is anything close to a footballing Hogwarts, it is probably La Masia.

In this piece, we give you the names of the players who could be Barça's next young stars and why you should keep an eye on them.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Who will be Barcelona’s next breakthrough youngster?

Barca's production line never stops. Here, we break down the players looking to emulate Yamal and Co

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · 12d

Two fellow residents at La Masia were named the best young players for the season: Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez.

Their friendship and everything that unites them: Dembow, humble roots, uninhibited, cheerful, and both grew up memorising Neymar's moves.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez, a Barcelona friendship

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Cervelló Herrero

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 24d

Marcus Rashford was left out of Barcelona’s starting line-up to face Getafe on Sunday night after arriving late to training on the morning of the game.

Full story from @laiacervello.bsky.social ⬇️

Marcus Rashford left out of Barcelona line-up after arriving late to training

Hansi Flick has a policy of not selecting players who are late, with Raphinha and Jules Kounde among those to previously be punished.

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Sep 11

Barça will play their first home game at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. What do we know about the venue? What is it like?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Barcelona's 6,000-capacity emergency 'home' ground covering for the Camp Nou

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Sep 11

La Liga is back and Barça will play his 1st match at home this season at their 6,000-seat stadium will hold the game.

@polballus and I will be responding anything you want to ask us, so drop your questions in the link below.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Send in your Barcelona questions for our writers Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello Herrero

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Cervelló Herrero

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Sep 8

We still don’t know where Sunday’s match against Valencia will take place.

@polballus.bsky.social and @laiacervello.bsky.social explain the latest on where will Barcelona's home matches will be played, and much more, in this week's edition of Inside Barca.

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Sep 6

Last weekend Liga F debuted FVS, a simpler type of VAR that works on demand.

How does it differ from VAR?

What advantages and problems did it give on the first matchday?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

Liga F's 'VAR-lite' system and how it works: Two challenges per team, manager cards but long delays

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Sep 5

Oriol Romeu's departure has been made official today. FC Barcelona and the player have reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Barcelona confirm Romeu departure after contract termination

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Aug 18

Many people are asking what is happening to the Barça women's team these days. The sale of so many players, some surprising ones like Fridolina Rolfo. Here are some answers so you can understand what is going on.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

Why Barcelona only have 17 active player contracts - with more departures expected

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Aug 18

We are launching a new weekly series of articles to follow throughout the 2025-26 La Liga season.

We explain the latest on Barca’s player registration issues, their plans to finally return to the Camp Nou in September and more.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

Inside Barcelona: Your new weekly guide to the biggest talking points and latest info

This week, our writers explain the latest on Barca’s registration issues, their plans to return to the Camp Nou next month and more

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Cervelló Herrero

The Athletic @theathletic.com · Aug 16

@laiacervello.bsky.social explains what’s happening with the team, why players are leaving and if the financial issues are to be blamed on the men’s team.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

What’s happening at Barcelona?: Only 17 active player contracts and more departures expected

Barcelona Femeni are one of Europe’s elite teams. But despite the accolades, they have already said goodbye to six key players this summer

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Aug 15

Hansi Flick about Fermin Lopez: "I wasn't thrilled with him in pre-season, but he's improved a lot in recent weeks". 🤔

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Aug 15

FC Barcelona will kick off their season tomorrow at RCD Mallorca, so now is a good time to ask any questions you may have.

Write them all here and @polballus.bsky.social and I will answer them shortly.

👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

Barcelona 2025-26 season preview: Live Q&A with Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello Herrero

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Aug 12

Marc Bernal could be the new breakout of the season.

For Flick he is his 2nd choice at defensive pivot after De Jong and he has expectations on him.

He was supposed to be the breakout of last season but got injured.

Barcelona see him as the new Busquets.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Barcelona’s breakout star for 2025-26: Marc Bernal looking to put 346 days of injury hell behind him

The 18-year-old La Masia graduate midfielder suffered an ACL injury this time last year. Now, he is back and better than ever

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Cervelló Herrero

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Jul 28

The world champions may have lost to England in the final but this summer represents a huge step forward for the women's game in Spain.

📝 @laiacervello.bsky.social

Spain may not have won – but at least this tournament shows how much has changed

For years, Spain's players were hampered by a lack of off-field support. But Euro 2025 showed their fight for elite conditions has paid off

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Cervelló Herrero

Michael Cox @zonal-marking.bsky.social · Jul 25

Forgot to post this the other day...a profile of Patri Guijarro, probably the most consistent player at Euro 2025. With @laiacervello.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Will Patri Guijarro be the next Spain midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or?

In both the men’s and women’s game, Spanish midfielders have a hold over the award. Guijarro could be next in line

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 28

Spain did not win the final, but this Euro felt different.

The soundtrack in the dressing room was 'El principio de algo' (the beginning of something) by La La Love You and this is just what this Euro was.

All the changes Spain has made in 2 years.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Spain may not have won - but at least this tournament shows how much has changed

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 22

Paralluelo is in front of the chance of winning the only title she has yet to win, and at just 21 years old: the Euros.

Months ago she had to take a break, her body simply couldn't take any more.

I chatted with her about how giving up athletics affected her body.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Paralluelo interview: 'I couldn't give my all because of the pain. I had to stop'

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 18

One of the secrets of Spain's success is having a core group of players from the same team behind it, and that team is one of the best in Europe, FC Barcelona.

How many FC Barcelona players play for Spain?

Why is that, and what are the pros and cons?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

The Barcelona effect on Spain: The pros and cons of a club dominating the national side

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 17

Aitana Bonmati is in great shape for the final stretch of the Euro and we interviewed her before she faces Switzerland.

This is how she experienced the meningitis she suffered days before the start of the Euro.

How was her prodigious recovery?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Aitana Bonmati interview: 'I found myself in a situation of suffering. You feel alone'

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 17

The case of Laia Balleste is an interesting story. She has dual Spanish and Swiss nationality, and decided to play for Switzerland.

A Swiss grandfather who had to move to Catalonia due to illness.

An emotional debt to her maternal family.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

The Spain-born player who earned a last-minute call-up... for Switzerland

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 13

I keep thinking about Alexia's flick and Athenea's goal. Is it the best goal of this Euro so far? I wrote about it after the match.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...

Was Del Castillo's equaliser for Spain the best goal of the Women's Euros so far?

www.nytimes.com

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 9

Thanks for sharing!

Laia Cervelló Herrero @laiacervello.bsky.social · Jul 9

Barça will return to Camp Nou this season.

We explain what the return will be like and the questions that still remain to be answered.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Can Barcelona really return to the Camp Nou next month?

www.nytimes.com