Barcelona's David Villa faces five months out after breaking shinbone

Barcelona have confirmed David Villa is set to be sidelined for between "four and five months" after the Spain striker broke his shinbone in Thursday's 4-0 Club World Cup semi-final victory over Al-Sadd.

The 30-year-old was carried off on a stretcher six minutes before half-time and Barça announced soon after that he had suffered a "fracture to the tibia in his left leg". The player was taken to hospital in Yokohama for further tests.

An updated statement on the Barça website read: "In the coming hours, Villa will return to Barcelona, via Frankfurt, to be operated on. He will be accompanied by doctor Ricard Pruna and Manel Estiarte. The approximate time he will be sidelined is between four and five months."

Villa remains optimistic he will be back in time for the European Championship, and also hopes he will be able to feature in the Champions League final in Munich on 19 May if the defending champions get that far.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, Villa said: "Hello everyone. Thanks for your support. The injury is a tough blow, but I'm sure that I'm going to recover as soon as possible, thinking about playing the final in Munich (I know my team-mates will take me there) and the European Championships.

"I'm going to work hard for it. I want them to count on me. Tomorrow I'll be in Spain. A big hug."

The news means Villa is likely to miss the majority of Barça's La Liga and Champions League campaigns, but could be available to world and European champions Spain for Euro 2012, which begins in June.

On Wednesday Guardiola had denied the club had been actively trying to sell the 30-year-old Villa only 19 months into the four-year deal agreed following his €40m (£33.5m) transfer from Valencia.

Villa has scored five times in 15 league appearances this season, following his 18 goals in 34 games as Barça won the Primera División title last season.

source:www.guardian.co.uk

Why Arsenal and Barcelona hate each other – and it’s not just about Cesc Fabregas

It was a bitter transfer war that raged for more than a year, sparking hostility between two of Europe's grandest clubs. 

The source of the hostility is simple - the Spanish giants have never forgiven Gunners boss Arsene Wenger for spiriting Fabregas away at 16.

But that 2003 swoop was just the start of the incredible rift that now exists between these European titans. 

The loss of four more starlets to Arsenal since then has led to a total meltdown in relations - a chasm only widened by Barca's bid to take Fabregas 'home'. 

Arsenal have been dismayed at how the Spaniards pursued their captain since last year and the stunts that were pulled to try and force through a deal. 

Like Nou Camp stars using Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning celebrations to try and parade Fabregas in a Barcelona shirt. 

Like Spanish team-mate Xavi hailing Fabregas as his 'successor' and revealing how Fab was 'suffering' because his dream move to his boyhood club was being blocked. 

Yet Barcelona vehemently claim they are the injured party, arguing Fabregas was the first of five youngsters they groomed only for Arsenal to controversially whisk them away. 

Fabregas was followed by Fran Merida, Ignasi Miquel, Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral - much to the dismay of the Spaniards who had invested heavily in their development. 

So no wonder the protracted negotiations for Fabregas have been so acrimonious.

A Barcelona source said: "It's true the negotiations have been fraught and full of recriminations. 

"Arsenal keep complaining, they say we are trying to sign Cesc on the cheap and keep asking for more cash. 

"But we feel we have far more reason to feel aggrieved. 

"The reason we won't pay any more is because so many of our youngsters have been ghosted away on the cheap by Arsene Wenger - after years of being developed and trained by us at great expense."

source: Thesun.co.uk

The next Chicharito' - why Real Madrid and Barcelona are fighting for Carlos Fierro

Carlos Fierro's rapid ascent to stardom could not have been possible without the splendid summer that he has enjoyed along with the rest of Mexico's star-studded Under-17 World Cup-winning roster.

While originally billed in Mexico as a Jared Borgetti-type striker - lanky, powerful and most likely to add to his goalscoring tally via his aerial ability, Fierro showed the world that his speed, instinct and finishing qualities were second to none in the recent youth championship on home soil.

The youngster's understanding with fellow Chivas product Giovani Casillas, who was also close to signing with Real Madrid in 2009, is unique. The wide man Casillas can easily exchange positions with Fierro on the pitch to provide a confusing yet lethal combination for opposing defenders.

With four goals in Mexico's seven-game road to the championship, Fierro raised eyebrows from the beginning, attracting reported interest from teams such as Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. His speed, skill set, tactical flexibility and killer instinct made him hot property over the summer.

 source: goal.com


Video showing Fierro's skill

Barcelona concerned by slow progress of Fabregas move

Cesc Fabregas reported back for training on Tuesday amid increasing uncertainty over whether his prospective move back to Barcelona will be completed ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to Asia. 

There is a sense on all sides that it would be beneficial for the deal to be finalised before Arsenal travel to Malaysia on Sunday but, as of Tuesday night, no agreement had been reached.

Arsenal remain determined to reach a valuation of around £40 million for Fabregas while Barcelona, who have been in regular contact with Arsenal over the past fortnight, do not want to pay more than £35 million.

The stand-off is causing frustration in Spain and there is even a fear in Barcelona that other clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea, could move to try and take advantage of the situation.

Fabregas did not train with the rest of the squad and instead had treatment on his hamstring.

Fabregas reported back to Arsenal's London Colney base yesterday but did not train with the rest of the squad and instead had treatment on his hamstring.

However, Arsenal will not want to show any sign of weakness in their negotiations and, as much as possible, want to give the impression that their preparations are unaffected by the saga surrounding their captain.

Yet if Fabregas does travel to Asia, the uncertainty about his future will inevitably cast a shadow over Arsenal's first big commercial tour under Arsène Wenger.

Meanwhile, Nasri has already strongly hinted that he wants to leave, with Manchester United poised to make a £20 million offer. Both Manchester City and Chelsea are also interested.

source: Telegraph

City step up Sanchez bid

MANCHESTER CITY will make a last-ditch bid today to capture Chilean wonder boy Alexis Sanchez from Udinese.

The Eastlands top brass are refusing to concede that Sanchez, 22, has his heart set on a £35million move to European champions Barcelona.

Reports from Chile last night suggested the winger was ready to fly out to Spain for a medical and sign a five-year deal worth around £90,000 a week.

The Catalans will cough up a £25m down-payment with another £10m linked to results. But City are prepared to offer far bigger wages.

Sanchez has also been tracked by Manchester United who were confident last week of clinching a £27m deal with Serie A Udinese.  But the lure of playing alongside Leo Messi and Co may prove overwhelming.

Source: Thesun.co.uk

Barca nick Cesc from Arsenal

BARCELONA stars Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol have finally nicked Cesc Fabregas back from Arsenal.

The pair — Fabregas' close pals — risked the wrath of Arsene Wenger by fooling around with a Fabregas picture at the Gunners' training ground.

Pique and Puyol infamously forced Fabregas to wear a Barca shirt in the World Cup celebrations last summer. 

And they may well have overstepped the mark again.

The Gunners have been kind enough to let Barca use their training facilities at London Colney this week.

Barca were forced to fly to London two days early to beat the Icelandic ash cloud.

And though clearly meant as a bit of fun, Pique and Puyol's actions in the Arsenal dressing room are sure to raise eyebrows.

Pique posted the picture on his Twitter account, with the message: "Puyol and I stealing a picture of Cesc in the Arsenal dressing room."

It will do nothing to ease the tension that exists between the two clubs over Barcelona's long-standing pursuit of Fabregas.

The end of another disappointing season for the Gunners has sparked more intense speculation about Fabregas' future.

A summer move to Barcelona has once again been mooted.

But Gunners boss Wenger is desperate to keep Cesc and he is certain to be frothing at the mouth at these antics.

Source: Thesun.co.uk

How to stop Lionel Mess

ALEX FERGUSON will head for Wembley armed with the most detailed dossier EVER compiled about any player in a bid to stop Lionel Messi

Ferguson has tapped into his wide network of scouts, staff and contacts - including his brother and Manchester United's chief European scout, Martin - to study Barcelona and Messi over the last two years.  

Ever since United lost the 2009 Champions League final to Messi and Barcelona, Ferguson has wanted revenge.

Now they meet again in the final at Wembley on May 28. And the Old Trafford boss could not be better prepared to negate the threat from the world's greatest player.

Ferguson has statistics and information even the Argentinian maestro may not know about himself.

He knows how Messi gets the ball, what he does when he gets it, how to stop him getting it and how to neutralise him when he does.

In fact, he has been preparing for their next meeting since the final whistle blew on United's disappointing 2-0 defeat in Rome two years ago.

Ferguson was so annoyed that Barcelona had undone him because he felt his players simply did not follow orders.

The United boss has stopped Messi before. The Barca star was completely shut out over two legs of the 2008 semi-finals when United held the Catalans to a goalless draw in the Nou Camp and then won the return 1-0.

But it was a different story in Rome's Olympic Stadium when the little maestro scored the second goal in Barca's 2-0 win.

The United boss will not rely just on his staff at Old Trafford.

He will also talk to close friend Jose Mourinho whose Real Madrid side were dumped by Barca in the other semi.

And Ferguson, 69, has also used his own eyes, too, rather than take in live games or replays on TV and recordings.

After United beat Schalke 2-0 in the first leg of their semi in Gelsenkerchen on April 26, the team stayed over in Germany rather than fly straight back to England after the match as they normally would.

And the following day, Ferguson did not travel back with the team - but instead was on a plane to Madrid to watch Messi, 23, score both goals against Madrid in the first leg of the other semi.

Many may think Mourinho is not the best sounding-board, having been well beaten by Barca in the semi-finals and thrashed 5-0 in the Nou Camp in La Liga earlier this season.  But Real blotted out Messi in the Copa del Rey final - which they won 1-0 - and also in the most recent league meeting, a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.

Tottenham legend Ardiles admitted: "For some time I thought that Diego could never be surpassed, nor Pele. But no longer.

"I would now say that Lionel Messi will go down in history as the No 1 player of all time, the best that there ever was.

source: The Sun (www.thesun.co.uk)

Lionel Messi out for two Barcelona matches

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will miss at least two matches with an ankle injury picked up in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

The Argentine was carried off in second-half injury time after a tackle by Atletico defender Tomas Ujfalusi. 

Tests confirmed ligament damage to the Argentina forward's right ankle. 

Messi, the World Player of the Year, will miss the games against Sporting Gijon and Athletic Bilbao, with further tests to follow at that point.

Barcelona take on Rubin Kazan in the Champions League on 29 September.  Messi will hope to be back for the Champions League trip to Rubin Kazan

Despite Ujfalusi being shown a straight red card for the tackle, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was critical of referee David Fernández Borbalán. 

"We are happy with the win but sad about Messi," said Guardiola at a post-match news conference.

"The TV pictures speak for themselves. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players." 

Messi had put Barcelona ahead in the 13th minute at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, but Raul Garcia equalised 11 minutes later. 

The Spanish champions spurned several second half chances before Gerard Pique secured the points with a powerful strike from close range.

source: BBC news

Real Madrid president Florentino: I’d sign many Barcelona players

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez admits he would've liked to have signed several of Barcelona 's stars in the summer.

Before last night's defeat at the Nou Camp, both Perez and Barca counterpart Joan Laporta attended a president's function in the afternoon.

Among the activities was an open forum and one of the questions asked was who each president would like to sign from the opposing team.

Florentino answered: "Many Barca players. They are a great team and most importantly as a whole. In the last year they've had a great season."
In contrast, Laporta replied: "Madrid has a great players but we are very happy with what we have."

source:www.tribalfootball.com

Who is Leonel Messi?

Who is Leo Messi? Where does he come from and why is he famous? Let know about him more.

Full name: Luis Lionel Andrés Messi
Birth day: June 24, 1987
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
Other nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 169 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward

Born in the Santa Fe province of Argentina in a family where soccer was king, Lionel Messi started kicking the ball at an early age and when he was just 5 years old, he joined the training sessions of the club his father was coaching at that time, Grandoli.

Although he was close to his father at Grandoli, they both knew this club would not be one to offer the young boy a future as a soccer player, so his father decided to take him to one of the most prestigious youth academies in Argentina, that of Newell's Old Boys. This happened in 1995, when Leonel Messi was just 8 years old.

Three years later, Messi was already showing promise and he was considered a huge future talent, but unfortunately he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that could be treated, but its cost would be around $700 per month and the Messi family simply did not have that kind of money.

River plate wanted to pay for Messi's treatment, but they couldn't afford it either, with the Argentinean economy collapsing. Fortunately for the young player, FC Barcelona learned of his problem and decided to help out and put the life of Leonel Messi back on its rightful track. Messi soon signed with Barcelona's youth team and moved to Spain for his treatment.

Despite his small frame, he managed an impressive 35 goals in 30 matches and in 2004 he made his official debut for the senior squad of the Catalan team, in a local derby against Espanyol Barcelona. He was 17 years and 3 months old on his debut. He didn't play in a lot of other games in that season, but in May 2005, he managed to score his first official goal, against Albacete, becoming the youngest player to ever score a game for Barcelona in a league game.

From that moment, he was almost indispensable in Barca's first squad and although several thigh injuries kept him away from the pitch, he came back in force in the 2006-2007 season. Probably his most memorable match and the one that truly made him the big star that he is today was the El Clasico duel on March 10th 2007, where Barcelona met arch-rivals Real Madrid on Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi became the latest teen superstar of Argentine soccer in 2005. That year he was named the player of the tournament at under-20 World Cup; played his first game for the Argentine national team (against Hungary on 17 August); and scored his first goal (on 1 May) with the professional team FC Barcelona. That year Messi also turned 18. He was soon being compared to an earlier Argentine soccer hero, Diego Maradona. Like Maradona, Messi is an attacking, goal-scoring forward; Barcelona's official site calls him "highly creative." Messi was a member of Argentina's 2006 World Cup team.