Thursday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: For the second time this week, Neymar was Barcelona's match winner as they beat Manchester United 1-0. 

- Nicolas Otamendi, Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Brahim Diaz scored the goals as Manchester City eased past Real Madrid 4-1 at the Memorial Coliseum. 

- Mark Ogden on the lessons we learned from City's big win over the European champions. 

-Claudio Marchisio scored...

If there's a downside to being Lionel Messi, it probably manifests itself in contract negotiations. Earlier this month, less than a year away from free agency, he signed an extension tying him to Barcelona through 2021.

Ordinarily, you'd expect a GOAT candidate running down his contract to foster endless media speculation. Is he looking for a new challenge? What does he want from the club? Can somebody make him an offer that can't be refused?

Not here, and not Messi. It was about as anti-climactic...

ESPN FC is "OnScene" in the United States for the International Champions Cup preseason tournament.

Stay in touch with everything we've been getting up to ahead of Barcelona vs. Manchester United in Washington, D.C., and Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in Los Angeles. 

The man of the moment scores again!

NEYMAR!!!

He scores from close range and Barcelona take the lead! 1-0! pic.twitter.com/hhvKaIlJn2

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 27, 2017

Time to eat

Real Madrid v Manchester City, pre-match meal, LA.

A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 26, 2017 at 4:21pm PDT

Welcome to FedEx Field!

Good even mix of Man Utd and Barça fans here, both well supported in the States pic.twitter.com/AFahdD5mya

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 26, 2017

A glimpse into LA's soccer future

LA FC, set to kick-off in MLS in 2018...

A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 26, 2017 at 12:16pm PDT

Talking transfers?

Wonder what Neymar and his dad are chatting about pic.twitter.com/gfMZJfTLJ4

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 25, 2017

Neymar on the spot

Neymar practicing penalties on his own (with a goalkeeper) at the end of Barca's session pic.twitter.com/iDNejxntMO

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 25, 2017

Messi = popular!

Lionel Messi has a lot of fans here... #ICC2017 pic.twitter.com/enPKH1gFJ3

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 25, 2017

Mark on the streets of LA

8.30pm, Downtown LA, in all its faded glory...

A post shared by Mark Ogden (@markogden_) on Jul 25, 2017 at 8:39pm PDT

Danny boy trains with his new team

Danilo was training with his new City team-mates in LA today... pic.twitter.com/JuXp41CYYf

— Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) July 26, 2017

Madrid...

LANDOVER, Md. -- Neymar's dilemma is real. If you try to look at the situation objectively, it's easy to understand why he would want to move to a team where he's promised the world and more. Top billing and a handsome contract at Paris Saint-Germain would be attractive to many players. On the other hand, who would want to leave Barcelona, perhaps Europe's best team over the last decade, and the luxury of playing alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi?

It's certainly not black and white. Many people...

NEW YORK -- "Visca Catalunya," was the shout from the back of Smithfield Hall. It came from a solitary voice but was soon joined by the rest of the 150 people enjoying the free bar on West 25th Street in New York. Friday's event was not for Catalan independence, though, but for The Official NYC FC Barcelona Penya to celebrate Barca's stay just outside the city, at the Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey. Moments later, on the eve of the club's International Champions Cup opener against Juventus,...

The football world is awash with gossip! Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.

TOP STORY: Arsenal raise Lemar stakes

Monaco are being taken apart in this window it seems: Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy have left for Man City and Tiemoue Bakayoko is off to Chelsea. And now Arsenal have recommitted to their pursuit of versatile attacker Thomas Lemar.

The Telegraph reports that Arsenal are prepared to up their...