Oh dear - Barca boys Eric Abidal and Yaya Toure have been diagnosed with H1N1, more commonly known as swine flu. The club's medical staff are doing everything they can by way of treatment as well as prevention for the other players; but other reports suggest that Rafael Marquez may have already caught it. Click to continue reading...

Well now! A lot has gone down with the Barca boys during our little hiatus, from Gerard Pique coming out number two in Don Balon's sexiest Spanish footballers - hell yeah! - to Argentine fans deciding that Leo Messi should go Maradona with his hair - the thought of which is making us shudder.
We once read that Pep takes to calling his players at their homes at random hours of the night, to make sure they're tucked away in bed getting their much needed rest and not off partying somewhere; and he's also prone to forbidding them from attending endorsements and other events when there's a tight match schedule. Click to continue reading...

Barca Captain Carles Puyol has officially put pen to paper and signed his new contract with the club, until 2013. Puyol's as happy as could be, and thanked everyone for having the confidence to keep him. As if it could be any other way!
Meanwhile, Puyol's fellow centerback Rafael Marquez is very close to signing his own brand new deal with the club. Click to continue reading...

"Tevez: � Pippo! If both of us marry, a kid with my work rate and your goal rate would be born who would go onto become one of the finest strikers in the world. What do you think?

Pippo: But what if the reverse happens you fool?"� �

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � An excerpt from the book "As gay as it gets"� � � � � � � � �

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� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � A LETTER TO CASTROL

Dear officer concerned,

� I can understand that this entire manufacturing of lubricants is a boring business.

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Nothing wrong with this picture whatsoever. It's a novel idea compile a ranking which will help determine the world's best player. Castrol did it for the Confederations Cup and now they're unleashing for all of world football. Well, by "world football" they mean "Europe's top 5 leagues" Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France. Click to continue reading...

Joigaram pelas eliminatórias da Concacaf, na Cidade do México, no estádio Azteca, para um público de 104.000 pessoas, as seleções do México (18º no ranking da FIFA) e El Salvador (82º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
Copas do Mundo: 07-06-1970 - México 4x0 El Salvador
Eliminatórias Copa do Mundo: 8 jogos, 5 vitórias México, 0 empates, 3 vitórias El Salvador, 18 gols México e 8 gols El Salvador
Copa Ouro: 2 vitórias México - 3 gols do México
Amistosos: 15 jogos, 13 vitórias México, 1 empate, 1 vitória El Salvador, 48 gols México, 8 gols El Salvador. Click to continue reading...

Javier Aguirre desbordó alegría al comparecer ante los medios tras la clasificación mexicana al Mundial de Sudáfrica 2010 y dentro de sus agradecimientos y comentarios del partido dijo:

En México tenemos ídolos futbolísticos, gente que tiene ese don que le agrada al mexicano, ese es mi Cuau, aunque sea pedote, aunque sea lo que sea, ése es nuestro Cuau.

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PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images

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.

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Y si Rafael Márquez dijo lo contrario, sus razones tendrá. Yo creo que no fue un error, y lo creo por la declaración de un jugador mexicano que desenmascaró la más pura verdad del fútbol mexicano:

Sabemos que los mexicanos debemos estar detrás de uno para que lo hagan, Eriksson tenía la mentalidad de trabajar con el europeo que le dices una cosa y la hace, y aquí necesitas estar detrás de uno para que lo haga

.

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Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has said that he could sign an improved deal with Barcelona within the next two weeks. Barca have been working hard to tie their bunch of treble winners to long-term deals.

They have already improved the contracts of Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes and Xavi while talks are ongoing with Carlos Puyol, Rafael Marquez and coach Pep Guardiola.

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Tirar la piedra y esconder la mano es de cobardes, eso lo tengo muy claro, pero no tener los pantalones suficientes para decir que los culpables de que el boleto a Sudáfrica no fueron nuestros seleccionados de la época de Sven-Göran Eriksson es cosa de infames.

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AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

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.

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There were once a bunch of douchebags who were openly laughing at Puyolita at a dingy pub we went to. One our amigas couldn't help it so she yelled : "He's a Spanish and European champion. Are you?!!!!" We left early that night.

Anyway, Goldilocks is so important to the club that Xavi wants him to put pen to paper now and renew his contract!

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The highly anticipated Champions League showdown between Barcelona and Inter, Ibrahimovic and Eto'o, and Guardiola and Mourinho ended in a scoreless stalemate, but what if it continued?

97′ Barca's fluorescent orange kit is discovered to be emanating high levels of radiation when Rafael Marquez spontaneously grows a baby arm out of his forehead.

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Perhaps one of the most exciting matches we will see all season, our first Champions League test has us facing Inter Milan, where players from both sides will be set against their old teams and Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola go head to head...
This match promises excitement and entertainment, we're sure it'll be a hell of a spectacle given the circumstances. Click to continue reading...

This match has got us both excited and nervous. The first, because it's been a while since we last saw the boys play, and we've missed it. The second, because no way is this going to be easy.
Getafe are a tricky team, and we usually have a hard time against them. The fact that most of our squad is just returning from international duty doesn't help either, especially with our star Leo Messi bound to be feeling glum what with Argentina's qualification struggles. Click to continue reading...

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� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Photo by ISIphotos.com

As important as Saturday night's match vs. El Salvador is to the U.S. national team's quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, another match that night will also have serious ramifications.

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� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Photo by ISIphotos.com

As important as Saturday night's match vs. El Salvador is to the U.S. national team's quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, another match that night will also have serious ramifications.

Click to continue reading...

- Looks like Leo Messi's been feeling kind of frisky lately - apparently, this photo of Xavi was taken by Leo himself, having snatched the camera from one of the photographers at a recent training session to snap a picture of his teammate. Leo couldn't possibly be any cuter, and he's got some serious camera skills too! Click to continue reading...

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

With only three days rest following their win in the UEFA Supercup, FC Barcelona was back to work this time opening up their 2009/2010 La Liga season at home against Sporting Gijon.

Manager Pep Guardiola was without key players Lionel Messi, Rafael Marquez, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry, who started on the bench.

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FC Barcelona will travel to Monaco today in preparation for their match against Ukranian side Shaktar Donetsk on Friday in the UEFA Super Cup.

For those not familiar with the Super Cup, it is a yearly match that takes place at the beginning of the European domestic season between the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of the UEFA Europa League (formerly know as UEFA Cup).

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Joleon Lescott was introduced as Manchester City's latest signing on Wednesday and wasted no time having a go at former Everton manager David Moyes.

No, Lescott didn't do a Tevez and completely bash his former manager, but he did take issue with comments made by Moyes during the whole transfer process, including denying claims that he disrespected Everton and his former teammates during the process.

Click to continue reading...

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Joleon Lescott was introduced as Manchester City's latest signing on Wednesday and wasted no time having a go at his former boss, Everton� manager David Moyes.

No, Lescott didn't do a Tevez and completely bash his former manager, but he did take issue with comments made by Moyes during the whole transfer process, including denying claims that he disrespected Everton and his former teammates during the process.

Click to continue reading...

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Both Andres Iniesta and Rafael Marquez will not take part in tomorrow's match against Athletic Club Bilbao in the return leg of the Supercopa. Iniesta and Marquez are still recovering from injuries but Pep Guardiola will have a full squad with no other injuries to players.

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Barcelona are in talks with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez on renewing their contracts, sporting director Txiki Begiristain said yesterday.

The European and Spanish champions have already agreed new contracts with other key players including goalkeeper Victor Valdes and midfielders Xavi and Yaya Toure and Begiristain said it was important to "keep the basic unit from last season".

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The time has finally arrived. The U.S. men's national team is in Estadio Azteca today to take on Mexico in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Mexico City.

The Americans have never beaten Mexico in Mexico, but come in riding the confidence of a strong showing in this summer's Confederation's Cup.

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The time has finally arrived. The U.S. men's national team is in Estadio Azteca today to take on Mexico in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Mexico City.

The Americans have never beaten Mexico in Mexico, but come in riding the confidence of a strong showing in this summer's Confederation's Cup.

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Mexico's form in World Cup qualifying has been less than stellar. After qualifying for the Hexagonal based solely on goal difference, El Tri now finds itself in fourth place in the final qualifying group.

On its third manager in 17 months, Mexico desperately needs a victory. Javier Aguirre has recalled the veteran hands of Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Guille Franco to lead the attack for El Tri.

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Tal como publica el diario SPORT, el defensa Rafael Márquez acaba de cumplir 10 años en el futbol europeo, algo que en el medio mexicano solo pueden presumir él y Hugo Sánchez. Además ha ganado varios títulos en los dos clubes en los que ha jugado en el otro lado del charco.

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Why, just why? What have we done to deserve this? What has Barca done, what has Rafa done? Why does he have to get injured about twelve times per season, and be out for a minimum of two weeks every time? Heck, it isn't even the season yet, and already he's out. We really can't take much more of this. Click to continue reading...

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Mexican national team captain Rafael Marquez suffered a torn calf muscle and is expected to miss Mexico's World Cup qualifying showdown vs. the United States on Aug. 12.

Marquez suffered the injury while training with FC Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's exhibition vs. the Seattle Sounders.

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Mexican national team captain Rafael Marquez suffered a torn calf muscle and is expected to miss Mexico's World Cup qualifying showdown vs. the United States on Aug. 12.

Marquez suffered the injury while training with FC Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's exhibition vs. the Seattle Sounders.

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Ahead of tonight's match between FC Barcelona and another MLS team (the Seattle Sounders), here is a little post-game action from the FC Barcelona vs LA Galaxy match.
In English, we have Maxwell (talking about Real Madrid) and Stefani Miglioranzi (on Beckham being a great guy; on Beckham handling the incident well with the LA Riot Squad, LA Galaxy depth) in English y en Espanol. Click to continue reading...

After being knocked back in their pursuit of Vidic, Pepe tries to snap up another United talent!

Barcelona are planning an audacious move for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
The La Liga club sounded out a move for Nemanja Vidic earlier this summer but were given short shrift by Sir Alex Ferguson.

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REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

FC Barcelona kicked off their US summer tour with a bang on Saturday night as the team took the pitch in front of the second largest crowd to every witness a football match on US soil. Guardiola fielded a mix of both A and B team players to start the match with Rafael Marquez making his first appearance after recovering from a knee injury suffered last season.

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