REUTERS - The Catalan parliament will meet on Wednesday in a first step toward forming a local government after December’s elections but questions remain over whether the wealthy northeastern region will continue to push for a split from Spain.

AFP - Philippe Coutinho officially signed with Barcelona on Monday and thanked the club for its patience after the disappointment of the failed negotiations last year.

AFP - Lionel Messi has ensured he could become a free agent if Barcelona no longer plays in a major European league as a result of Catalan independence, Spanish media wrote on Friday.