SEVILLE, Spain -- Barcelona missed the chance to end the season with the double as they went down to a surprise, 2-1 defeat against Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday at the Benito Villamarin. The result will lead to more questions about Ernesto Valverde's future despite the backing he received from Lionel Messi and other players ahead of this game.

Valencia raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through strikes from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo. Barca rallied after...

Spanish champions Barcelona clash with Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday in Seville (live on ESPN3, ESPN Deportes at 2:30 p.m.). Sid Lowe tells you all you need to know.

A little bit of history ... and politics

Spain's oldest competition, the "Campeonato nacional de Espana," started as a five-team tournament held at the Estadio del Hipodromo to mark the coronation of Alfonso XIII in May 1902. The 1902 trophy is not included in the official records, but the occasion was the start...

Lionel Messi scored twice as Spanish champions Barcelona ended the La Liga season with a 2-2 draw at Eibar on Sunday. Ernesto Valverde's side ended the campaign 11 clear of their nearest challengers, Atletico Madrid, in a season marred by a shocking Champions League exit to Liverpool in the semifinals that took some of the gloss off their runaway league title win.

Positives

There was nothing for either team to play for on the pitch, but Messi is still in a race for the European Golden Shoe. His...

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TOP STORY: Real begin pursuit of Salah

Real Madrid's desire to bring Eden Hazard to the Bernabeu is well documented, but the Mail reports that there's another Premier League attacker in their sights -- Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool star...

But for the madness at Anfield in the Champions League semifinal, Barcelona might still be on track for a Treble. It's worth remembering this when assessing the squad and what the club might do this summer. Instead, they've won La Liga and face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, but Ernesto Valverde's future is still far from secure. We have analyzed the squad based on the premise that he stays: Obviously, should he be replaced by a very different manager, the club's strategy might be very different,...

Antoine Griezmann will have plenty of suitors now he's announced his departure from Atletico Madrid this summer: Manchester United tried hard to sign him in 2017 but need him now more than ever, while he would amplify the trophy chances of PSG, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid without any question.

Even if you are cynical about a guy who drew out the "is he or isn't he?" saga for an eternity a year ago before using the daft "The Decision" video to announce that he wasn't going anywhere, you...