FC Barcelona face Athletic Club Bilbao in the Spanish Supercup final in the 'Estadio de la Cartuja' in Seville on Sunday night.

Barca have a major doubt over the fitness of Leo Messi, who missed Wednesday's nerve-wracking semifinal win over Real Sociedad after a penalty shootout with a hamstring strain.

The Argentinean wasn't even on the bench on Wednesday and didn't train on either Thursday or Friday, to leave his presence very much in doubt.

Also read: Pele congratulates Messi for equalling goal record

Less than two weeks ago, Messi scored twice and hit the woodwork as Barcelona beat Athletic 3-2 in their La Liga clash in San Mames and his understanding with Pedri was vital in that game.

If Messi doesn't recover Barca coach Ronald Koeman is likely to field an unchanged side in the final with Ousmane Dembele's pace down both flanks as one of his side's key arguments in attack, while Ter Stegen continues to be a colossus in goal.

Athletic qualified for the final on Thursday after beating Real Madrid 2-1 in Malaga with a performance that showed just how much they have progressed under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral in the 10 days since their defeat to Barca.

Also read: Messi fit for World Cup qualifiers, says Argentina boss

Marcelino has a couple of injury doubts ahead of the game with left back Yuri Berchiche still sidelined, while his replacement, Mikel Balenziaga suffered cramps on Thursday as did Iker Munian.

Inigo Lekue and either Jon Morcillo or Alex Belenguer would be the most likely replacements if Balenziaga and Muniain fail to recover.

Athletic and Barca have met several times in Cup finals in recent history, with Barca beating Athletic in the 2009, 2012 and 2015 Copa del Rey finals while Athletic hammered Barca 5-1 over two-legs in the 2015 Supercup.

Also read: Lionel Messi staying with Barcelona this season

Thursday's win was a huge morale boost to the Basques after a tough first half to the season. Even though nobody can travel to the game, fans have decorated their balconies with red and white flags and replica shirts to show their support.

Barca will be favorites, but Athletic will think they have a chance and if Messi isn't fully fit, that belief will only grow stronger.

Wayne Rooney has ended his playing career to become full-time coach at English Championship club Derby County.

The 35-year-old had been acting manager since the sacking of Philip Cocu in November, leading Derby to three wins and four draw in nine league games in charge. The club had taken six points from their first 11 games of the campaign under Cocu's guidance.

Also read: Toronto advances, ends Wayne Rooney's MLS career

The decision to sign a two and a half year deal with the Championship side ends Rooney's playing career after 763 senior appearances for 4 different clubs, during which time he won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three EFL Cups, a Champions League, a Europa League and became England's all time maximum goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances for his country.

Also read: Wayne Rooney returning to England from DC to play for Derby

"To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honor and I can promise everyone in involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club. Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me," said Rooney after his permanent appointment.

Also read: No goal for Wayne Rooney in 120th, final England appearance

Former champions  Sheikh Russel KC made a good start in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football beating Brothers Union Club by 2-1 goal in their first match at the floodlight Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Friday.

All the three goals of the match were scored in the first half.

Also Read: BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings make flying start beating Uttar Baridhara

In the day's match, M Abdullah put Sheikh Russel KC ahead in the 13th minute by good shot,  utilizing a free kick (1-0) 

Brazilian Giancarlo Lopez Rodrigues doubled the winner's margin just three minutes later by a header, off a Baktiar cross (2-0).

Also Read: BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani manage 1-0 win over Police

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​​​​​​​Also Read:  BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani concede first defeat losing to Ctg Abahani 0-2

S Zunapio reduced the Brother's margin in the 34th minute from a penalty (2-1).

Brothers Union Club played a better brand of football against their superior rivals Sheikh Russel KC, especially in the 2nd half, but failed to take its fruit.

​​​​​​​Also Read:​​​​​​​ BPL Football: Ctg Abahani advance to top slot shocking Bashundhara Kings 4-3

Federation Cup finalists Saif Sporting Club will start their BPL campaign taking on Rahmatganj MFS in Saturday's lone match, will kick-off at 8:pm at the same venue.

The six times champions Dhaka Abahani managed a 1-0 win over Bangladesh Police in their first match of the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football on Thursday.  

Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings make flying start beating Uttar Baridhara

As the match was almost heading for a draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Abahani’s Haitian striker Kervens Belfort scored the match-winner in the 85th minute, using a lapse at the back from Police.

And Abahani, who managed to clinch only one trophy in their last five competitions, failed to impress their fans.

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However, The Sky Blue Brigade failed to field their best team in day’s match in absence of regular players like Rayhan Hasan, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Jewel Rana and Sohel Rana, who missed the game due to injury and suspension.

But the Federation Cup champions Bashundhara Kings made a flying start beating Uttar Baridhara Club 2-0 in the league opener on Wednesday, featuring two goals from Argentine striker Raul Oscar Becerra and local booter Mohammad Ibrahim.

Also read:  Fed Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings reach final eliminating Dhaka Abahani

And Sheikh Russel KC will play Brothers Union on Friday at 8pm at the same venue.