It always pains me to be writing about the departure of a canterano, a player who came up through
the youth system of the club. Thiago (pictured above with fellow canterano Messi and good friend
Ronaldinho) appeared more than 100 times for Barca B before he was promoted to the first team in
2001.
The fact that during 6 seasons in the first team he only managed 138 appearances tells its own
story about his misfortunes.
The so-called 'FIFA virus' strikes again. Personally, I've got nothing against international
football - in fact, I love it - but I just wish the federations and FIFA would schedule things a
bit better. It's unfortunate that this international break comes two weeks into the La Liga (and
Serie A) season. 14 Barca players have been called up this time:
friendies
Ronaldinho (Brazil, vs Mexico and USA)
Giovani dso Santos (Mexico, vs Panama and Brazil)
Gabi Milito and Leo Messi (Argentina, vs Australia)
competitive matches
Xavi and Iniesta (Spain, Euro 08 qualifiers vs Iceland and Latvia)
Lilian Thuram, Eric Abidal and Thierry Henry (France, Euro 08 qualifiers vs Italy and Scotland)
Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy, Euro 08 qualifiers vs France and Ukraine)
Eidur Gudjohnsen (Iceland, Euro 08 qualifiers vs Spain and Northern Ireland)
Deco (Portugal, Euro 08 qualifiers vs Poland and Serbia)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, African Nations Cup qualifier, Gabon)
Samuel Eto'o had his operation, and it was apparently a success.
