The 2017–18 season was Futbol Club Barcelona's 118th in existence and the club's 87th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. This was also the first year under head coach Ernesto Valverde.
The team produced a solid season, clinching the domestic double, going undefeated in the league up until match day 37, where Barça lost to Levante 4–5, and producing an emphatic 5–0 victory over Sevilla in the Copa final. However, in the Champions League, Barcelona crashed out in the quarter-finals for the third year in a row, losing to Roma 0–3 and being eliminated on away goals as a result (after a 4–1 home victory). The season was the first since 2013–14 season without Neymar, who departed to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Season overview May On 29 May, the club announced Ernesto Valverde would be the new Barcelona coach following the departure of Luis Enrique at the end of the previous season.
On 29 May, Barcelona and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen negotiated a five-year contract extension lasting until 30 June 2022.
June On 14 June, Fluminense centre-back Marlon Santos signed a three-year contract.
On 30 June, goalkeeper Jordi Masip's contract expired; he was not resigned and was therefore released.
On 30 June, the club activated a buyback clause for Everton's Gerard Deulofeu.
On 30 June, the club announced they have reached an agreement with Real Betis for the transfer of Cristian Tello for €4 million.
July On 7 July, Barcelona and Jérémy Mathieu agreed to mutually terminate the defender's contract. Mathieu subsequently joined Portuguese club Sporting CP on a free transfer.
On 13 July, Barcelona and Benfica reached an agreement for the transfer of right-back Nélson Semedo for €30 million.
On 21 July, Barcelona defeated Juventus 2–1 in a pre-season friendly. Neymar notched two impeccable first-half goals as the Catalans rolled past the Italian champions before 82,104 fans at a sold-out MetLife Stadium in the 2017 International Champions Cup. Giorgio Chiellini pulled one back for Juventus in the 63rd minute, not enough to keep the Ernesto Valverde era from beginning with a convincing win.
On 26 July, Barcelona won 1–0 against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly. Neymar scored in the 31st minute.
On 29 July, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–2 in their final match of the U.S. tour, winning the United States edition of the 2017 International Champions Cup. Messi, Ivan Rakitić and Gerard Piqué each scored one goal.
August On 3 August, Barcelona confirmed the unilateral termination of Neymar's contract as Neymar's legal representatives paid his €222 million buyout clause. In turn, Barcelona announced a turnover of operation details to UEFA so as to allow UEFA to determine any disciplinary responsibilities that may arise. Neymar subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year contract.
On 4 August, Barcelona drew 1–1 with Gimnàstic in a pre-season friendly game in Tarragona. Manu Barreiro put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute only for Paco Alcácer to score the equalizer for the Blaugrana from a free-kick in the 79th minute.
On 7 August, Barcelona defeated Chapecoense 5–0 in the 52nd edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy. Gerard Deulofeu, Sergio Busquets, Messi, Luis Suárez and Denis Suárez were the scorers for Barça; Messi and Deulofeu also assisted two goals each. Busquets was named the Man of the Match.
On 13 August, Barcelona lost 1–3 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the 2017 Supercopa de España. The first half of the match ended goalless. Five minutes into the second half, Marcelo fired a cross that deflected off Piqué's foot, resulting in an own goal. In the 77th minute, Luis Suárez was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, resulting in a penalty which was converted by Lionel Messi. Messi's hit marked his 25th goal in the fixture. In the 80th minute, Real Madrid scored their second through a counterattack when Isco assisted Cristiano Ronaldo, who shot into the top right corner from the edge of the box. Ronaldo was booked for removing his shirt as part of his celebrations. Two minutes later, he was booked again for a dive in the penalty box, which resulted in a red card and a subsequent suspension for the second leg. Real's last goal was scored in the 90th minute in similar fashion to the second, when Marco Asensio shot into the top left corner following an assist from Lucas Vázquez.
On 14 August, Barcelona announced they had reached an agreement with Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao for the transfer of Paulinho for €40 million. His release clause was set at €120 million.
On 16 August, Barcelona lost 2–0 (agg. 1–5) to Real Madrid in the second leg of the 2017 Supercopa de España. The first goal of the match came quite early through a Real throw-in the fourth minute which resulted into getting the ball to Marco Asensio, who scored from long range. Nine minutes after the half-hour mark, Marcelo crossed in for Karim Benzema to control, who finished it with a half-volley into the net which was enough for the win for Real.
On 20 August, Barcelona defeated Real Betis 2–0 in their first Liga match of the season, following an own goal from Alin Toșca and a second within three minutes by Sergi Roberto.
On 24 August, Barcelona confirmed the transfer of Sergi Samper to Las Palmas on a season-long loan.
On 25 August, Barcelona announced they had reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of Ousmane Dembélé for €105 million plus add-ons. The player signed a five-year contract and his buyout clause was set at €400 million.
On 26 August, Barcelona defeated Alavés 0–2 at Mendizorrotza. Messi scored both goals, although having a penalty saved by Pacheco. Paulinho made his debut for Barcelona.
On 29 August, Nice and Barcelona reached an agreement for the loan of Marlon for two years, with a buy-back option for Barcelona after the first year.
On 31 August, Barcelona and Benfica reached an agreement for the loan of Douglas until the end of the 2017–18 campaign.
September On 1 September, Barcelona and Alavés reached an agreement for the loan of Munir until the end of the 2017–18 campaign.
On 5 September, midfielder Carles Aleñá signed a new contract, keeping him at the club for a further three years with an optional extra two years.
On 9 September, Barcelona defeated Espanyol 5–0 in the Derbi barceloní. Messi scored a hat-trick while Piqué and Suárez topped off the scoring. Ousmane Dembélé made his debut, coming on as a substitute for Gerard Deulofeu in the 68th minute; he set Suárez up for the final goal.
On 12 September, Barcelona beat Juventus 3–0 in their first game of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, following a brace by Messi and another goal by Rakitić.
On 16 September, Barcelona defeated Getafe 1–2 in a hard-fought game at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Shibasaki scored a stunning goal for Getafe in the first half while both of Barcelona's goals came in the second half from substitutes Denis Suárez and Paulinho, the latter of whom scored his maiden Barcelona goal.
On 19 September, Barcelona defeated Eibar 6–1, with Messi scoring four and Paulinho and Denis Suárez getting the other goals. Eibar's only goal was scored by Sergi Enrich.
On 23 September, Barcelona defeated Girona 0–3 in their first ever Catalan derby. Girona captain Aday and goalkeeper Iraizoz inadvertently steered the ball into their own net to give Barcelona a two-goal lead, before Luis Suárez topped off the scoring.
On 27 September, Barcelona defeated Sporting Lisbon 0–1 on the 2nd matchday of the Champions League, at the Estádio José Alvalade. Barça were dependent on a lone own goal by Sebastián Coates.
October On 1 October, Barcelona defeated Las Palmas 3–0 in a game played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou, due to violence in Catalonia relating to an ongoing independence referendum. Sergio Busquets scored through a header, while Messi topped off the scoring with a brace. Prior to the game, two directors, Jordi Monés and Carles Vilarrubí, handed in their resignations in protest to the game being played.
On 3 October, Barcelona joined the country-wide strike called by ‘Taula per la Democràcia’ (Table for Democracy) and therefore the club offices remained closed. None of the professional teams nor the youth teams at FC Barcelona trained. The Tour Camp Nou Experience and the Museum as well as the OAB were also closed.
On 6 October, midfielder Andrés Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with Barcelona, keeping him with the club for the remainder of his career.
On 14 October, Barcelona were held by Atlético Madrid to a 1–1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, which effectively ended their winning streak. Saúl scored early into the game to give Atlético the lead, but Luis Suárez saved Barça's day with a last-gasp header.
On 18 October, Barcelona won against Olympiacos 3–1 at home. The Catalans maintained a perfect start thanks to an early own-goal, Messi's 100th European goal, and one from Digne, although the visitors did pull one back at the last minute. Barcelona had a goal ruled for offside and one deemed to have touched Piqué's hand and entered the net, resulting in his second yellow of the night, and his suspension for the return game.
On 21 October, table-toppers Barcelona defeated winless Málaga 2–0 at home. Deulofeu controversially grabbed an early goal, while Iniesta added a second later in the final half.
On 24 October, Barcelona defeated Real Murcia 3–0 in their Copa del Rey opener. Paco Alcácer scored a header just before the break, while Deulofeu scored in the second half and Barça B youngster José Arnaiz quickly added the third on his debut with the first team.
On 28 October, Barcelona won against Athletic Bilbao 0–2 away at the Nuevo San Mamés. Goals from Messi and Paulinho split the teams in Bilbao to ensure the Catalans stay four points clear at the top of the Liga table.
On 31 October, Barcelona were held by Olympiacos to a goal-less draw at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.
November On 4 November, Barcelona defeated Sevilla at a rainy night at the Camp Nou. Paco Alcácer opened the scoring with a goal early in the game, while Pizarro headed in the equaliser in the second half, Alcácer netted his second and also the match deciding goal few minutes later.
On 18 November, Barcelona won against Leganés 0–3 at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Suárez ended his 5-game goalless streak with two strikes from rebounds, while Paulinho added the final touch. Piqué received his 5th yellow card of the season, meaning he misses Barça's next match.
On 22 November, Barcelona were held to a 0–0 draw against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, thereby qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
On 25 November, Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona, keeping him with the club till the end of the 2020/21 season. His buyout clause was set at €700 million.
On 26 November, Barcelona tied with Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium. A Messi shot was dropped into the goal by Neto, but was disallowed by the referee. In the second half, Rodrigo put Valencia in the lead, but Jordi Alba scored through a Messi assist in the dying minutes.
On 29 November, Barcelona thrashed Real Murcia 5–0 (agg. 8–0) at the Camp Nou. Paco Alcácer, Piqué, Aleix Vidal, Denis Suárez and José Arnaiz, were the scorers.
December On 2 December, Barcelona were held to a 2–2 draw by Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou. Iago Aspas scored at the 20-minute mark, but Messi equalized within a few minutes. Luis Suárez put Barça in the lead in the second half, but again, the score was equalized by Maxi Gómez.
On 5 December, Barcelona defeated Sporting Lisbon 2–0, with a goal from a Paco Alcácer header, and an own goal from ex-Barça player Jérémy Mathieu.