Chris Paul visits training

There was a very special guest at FC Barcelona’s Wednesday morning training session. Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA came by the Ciutat Esportiva and also got to meet the likes of Gerard Piqué, Antoine Griezmann, Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto and enjoy a short kickabout on the pitch.

Griezmann even challenged the 34-year-old point guard to save a penalty. France 1 United States 0 was the outcome.

Formerly of the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers, and traded to the Thunder a month ago by the Houston Rockets, Paul also spoke to the Barça TV cameras, confessing that he and his kids are fans of soccer, and especially the blaugrana. “I follow the team from the US” he says. “Although they lost the first Liga game, I’m sure they’ll win on Sunday against Betis.”

Semedo back with squad

The news from the workout itself included Nelson Semedo being back with the main group, for which Ernesto Valverde all called upon Iñaki Peña, Carlos Pérez and Abel Ruiz of Barça B and promising young Guinea Bissau born striker Ansu Fati from the U19 team. Leo Messi, for his part, continued with his recovery from injury. 

Valverde has a second session scheduled for Wednesday, starting at 6.30pm CEST, as the team continues preparations for their first official fixture of the season at Camp Nou, against Real Betis on Sunday.