Lionel Messi today was announced as this year winner of France Football magazines
prestigious Ballon d'Or easily beating out runner-up and last years recipient Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Messi received 473 votes far ahead of Ronaldo who received 233.
Both Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic took part in Friday's training session for Barcelona as
both players recover from injury.
There is great concern going into the Real Madrid match this Sunday as to both players
availability. With both players completeing training today the likelyhood of both taking part in El
Clasico is more likely.
On Wednesday FC Barcelona defender Eric Abidal signed a one year extension with the team.
Abidal's previous contract ended in 2011 with a buyout clause of 90 million euros. The buyout
clause on the French international will remain at 90 million with the next contract.
The H1N1 virus is taking its toll on FC Barcelona with both Eric Abidal and Yaya Toure out of
commission after contracting the virus.
You can now add Rafa Marquez to that list, though test results have not yet been confirmed, but
the Mexican defender is displaying all the common symptoms.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Barcelona's big money signing in the summer with Samuel Eto'o and a
reported £40 million going in the opposite direction to Inter Milan. Few can doubt that
Ibrahimovic has ability and on his day is one of the best forwards in the world, however many have
criticized him for his work rate and not everyone was convinced he would cut it in Spain.
Barcelona received the bad news that they were dreading today regarding defender Eric Abidal.
Team doctors confirmed the left leg injury that Abidal suffered in France's World Cup playoff match
against Ireland.
The injury comes at a very bad time with the matches coming up in the next week against Inter
Milan and Real Madrid.
Dmytro Chygrynskiy on Thursday received clearance to return to training following a knee injury
back on Sept. 26 against Malaga.
Chygrynskiy completed his first full training session on Friday since the injury and was
immediately examined by doctors. Following the examination the medical staff gave Chygrynskiy a
clean bill of health and was given clearance to return to the team.
Barcelona fans can breathe a little easier this morning because the team has announced that they
have reached a tentative agreement with captain Carles Puyol for a contract extension until 2013.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation that had Puyol leaving the Camp Nou for the Premiership
or Serie A when his contract expired in June.
FC Barcelona's heart and soul in the midfield is questionable for Saturdays big match up against
Valencia. The Spanish international returned back to Barcelona early from his international duty
following a knee injury suffered in Spain's 2-1 victory over Armenia.
Xavi participated in training sessions on Wednesday following the confirmation by team doctors
that in fact he had suffered a knee injury.
According to Sport.es Barcelona have become increasingly concerned about Carles Puyol
and Rafael Marquez contracts and have issued an ultimatum to the defensive pair. The two have been
exteremely loyal to Barcelona in the past but as January 1st approaches the players can begin to
talk to other team about contracts for next season.
Rafael Marquez spoke to the media in Mexico as he prepares for international duty with the
Mexican national team in World Cup qualifying. Marquez talked about his contract with FC Barcelona
which ends in June of 2010.
Marquez has seen less playing time over the past season and a half due to injury and the
emergence of Gerard Pique.
In the second half of FC Barcelona's victory over Racing Santander, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered
an ankle injury. The Swedish striker suffered the injury as he challenged Henrique for the ball,
coming down awkwardly on his right foot. Ibrahimovic continued in the match for a few minutes
following the injury but was then replaced by Pedro.
FC Barcelona today secured the best player in the world until 2016 when Lionel Messi signed a
two year contract extension. The new deal will see that the Argentine international play what will
likely be his most productive years at the Nou Camp.
Messi was under contract with the blaugrana until 2014 with a large 150 million euro buyout
clause on his contract.
Lionel Messi is ready to sign a seven year contract extension at FC Barcelona making him not
only the top paid in Europe but keeping with the blaugrana for years to come.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been in negotiations with Lionel's father and agent Jorge
and according to Laporta an agreement is "now close to being concluded.
The heart and soul of FC Barcelona, captain Carles Puyol, who has been with the team since the
age of 17 has brought questions as to whether or not he will be signing a new contract with the
team.
The Spanish international and the rock in the Barcelona backfield is under contract until the
end of this season.
FC Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito arrived in El Prat Airport on Wednesday after spending four
months in Argentina recovering from a right knee injury suffered back in April 2008. Since joining
Barcelona from Zaragoza in July 2007 Milito has only appeared in 27 matches for the blaugrana.
For FC Barcelona's second match of the La Liga season Pep Guardiola will have two of his stars
back on the roster. Both Andres Iniesta and Rafa Marquez will receive medical clearance on
Wednesday meaning that they will be on the roster against Getafe. Guardiola has already confirmed
that both players will start on the bench this weekend after receiving medical clearance.
In an interview with Radio Gazette FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta made it clear
that captain Carles Puyol will be signing a new contract with the team that would have him retiring
at the Camp Nou. Laporta commented "we have already met with Puyol's agent and soon there will be a
renewal, the coach is counting on him and the board is very proud to have Carles Puyol as
captain.
Tonight the transfer deadline passed with FC Barcelona making three moves, all of which were no
surprise.
Since the end of last season there had been talk that Eidur Gudjohnsen would be leaving the club
because he was unhappy with the amount of playing time he was receiving under Pep Guardiola.
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be presented tomorrow with the Footballer of the Year award
in Monaco.
Messi beat out fellow teammates Xavi, Iniesta, Valdes and ex-striker Samuel Eto'o. With his
brilliant performance last year helping his team complete the treble he dethrones this year nominee
and last year winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
The deal manager Pep Guardiola wanted most is finally complete after weeks of negotiation. 22
year old Ukrainian international and ex-Shakhtar Donetsk center back Dmytro Chygrynskiy will be
coming to the Camp Nou. Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Akhmetov agreed to the terms of the
transfer after Joan Laporta was determined to satisfy Guardiola's desire for a defender.
Word out of Barcelona this morning is that midfielder Andrés Iniesta will receive medical
clearance to rejoin the team. According to statements on the player's official website, Iniesta
excepts to be with the team for the UEFA Supercup on Friday against Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco.
FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Albert Jorquera today decided to cancel the players contract with
the team. Jorquera's contract was scheduled to expire in June 2010 but FC Barcelona manager Pep
Guardiola had decided that they will part ways with the 30 year old.
Jorquera had been part of the Barcelona system for 15 years, six with the senior squad and nine
with the youth squad.
Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma today signed an improved contract with FC Barcelona that secures his
inclusion with the senior squad until 2014. The release clause of the contract has also been raised
now to 75 million euros.
Pedro came up under Pep Guardiola on the youth squad and last year got his first taste of the
senior squad playing six league matches, four Champions League matches and three in the cup.
We have waited for three weeks and the wait will soon be over. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make his
debut for the blaugrana on Wednesday when the team takes on Manchester City at Camp Nou.
Ibrahimovic signed for FC Barcelona on July 27 but due to a broken hand was unable to take part in
any of the teams preseason matches.
Barcelona officially announced that midfielder Victor Sánchez was transferred to newly promoted
Xerez. Sánchez can however be bought back on June 30, 2010 if the team desires at no cost, as part
of the deal worked out between the two teams.
Sánchez joined Barcelona in 2005 playing under Guardiola on the B team.
FC Barcleona has finalized a not so secrect deal between Martin Cáceres and Juventus. The deal
will send the 22 year old defender to the Italian side for a one year loan deal. There is also an
option in the clause for the team to buy the player outright at the end of the year for €11
million plus €1 million in variable payments.
Pep Guardiola announced today that the decision as to whether or not Lionel Messi will be
available for Tuesday's very important Champions League matchup against Inter Milan will be made
just before kickoff.
Messi suffered a leg injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao and was substituted
in the 75th minute of the match.
Ahead of Barcelona's match against Athletic Club Bilbao the team was handed another blow going
into a very important week for the team. Eric Abidal was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus also known
as "swine flu" on top of already being sidelined for up to three weeks with a leg injury.
Thierry Henry is doubtful for Tuesdays Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev after
suffering a muscle strain early in the first half of Saturdays match against Malaga. The absence of
Henry from the lineup along with Bojan Krkic still out due to injury has opened the door for
youngster Gai Assulin to be named to the first team roster.
The ankle injury sustained by Zlatan Ibrahimovic this past weekend against Racing Santander does
not look to be as bad as originally feared. The Swedish striker was diagnosed with an ankle sprain
following the team victory over Santander and was to miss this weekends match.
It was reported yesterday by Barcaloco.com that Lionel Messi would be taking home the UEFA
Footballer of the Year award and it was confirmed today in Monaco. Messi also won the UEFA forward
of the year for his great performance in Champions League play last season with nine goals.
Lionel Messi today has been given medical clearance to play in the Gamper on Wednesday against
Manchester City. Messi had been sidelined since last week when he suffered a left thigh injury in
practice. He was not able to play in the Argentine friendly or this past Sunday against Athletic
Club Bilbao.
UEFA announced the 12 nominees for their Football Player of the Year award and six of the
nominees are/were FC Barcelona players. Samuel Eto'o is nominated for his run of goals last season
but has since moved on to the San Siro.
The list of players nominated for the award to be handed out on August 27 in Monte Carlo
include:
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester
United)
Defender: Gerard Pique (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)
Midfielder: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona)
Forward: Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi (both Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester
United)
Late in the second half of yesterdays Champions League defeat against Rubin Kazan Dani Alves
came up limp following a routine play. No contact was made with Alves but following a pass he
hobbled and then went down. Guardiola immediately substituted Busquets in for the injured
Alves.
According to reports this morning from El Mundo Deportivo, manager Pep Guardiola is
willing to have just two keepers on the squad this season. Reportedly, Guardiola has asked the club
to terminate Albert Jorquera's contract. Jorquera was told at the end of last season that his
services were no longer needed, but since then the 30 year old keeper has turned down every offer
that has come his way this summer.
Today Mexican defender Rafa Marquez signed a contract extension until 2012 ending speculation
that he would be leaving for possibly the MLS or the Mexico Primera.
Marquez who is 30 years old signed with FC Barcelona back in 2003 from Monaco.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a slight leg strain back on Nov. 7 against Mallorca that kept the
striker out of international duty with Sweden this past week. Ibrahimovic began training this week
in preparation for Saturday's match on the road against Athletic Club Bilbao.
