F.C. Barcelona fans club

Q&A with Spain's Andres Iniesta

2011-06-03T01:52:00.000-07:00

Diminutive midfielder Andres Iniesta will always be remembered for scoring two of the biggest goals in the history of FC Barcelona and Spain's national team: in the 2009 Champions league and 2010 World Cup. SI.com's Richard Deitsch and María Poveda Lloret recently caught up with him:

SI.com: What is your favorite story of someone telling you what winning the World Cup meant to them?

Andres Iniesta's exploits
for Spain were commemorated
by the unveiling of a wax figure

Iniesta: I've been told a lot of stories, and none of them have left me indifferent. Some of the stories were funny, others affectionate, and there were even amazing ones. There are people that got hurt celebrating the goal because others threw chairs into the air in the pubs, or climbed to the pub's bar. There are others that came to me explaining that they have dreamed about me scoring a goal the night before of the final game. There have been a lot of sincere and true stories. But if I have to pick up one among all these stories this would be the story of a family that got back together to celebrate Spain's victory at the World Cup. It was a divided family that made it up to celebrate the victory.

SI.com: What is your reaction when people say this Barcelona squad is among the finest to ever play soccer. Is that a fair statement?

Iniesta: Hearing this from people from the world of soccer is a big praise ("halago" in Spanish) to us. I think this should motivate us. And we should use it to try to better ourselves and keep people saying these nice things about us in the future. This team can keep on winning titles. Every year winning titles becomes a more difficult task and, because of that, winning must be a challenge that we have to overcome year after year. Only time will be able to confirm if we did it or not.

SI.com: Barcelona's dominance of possession is the identity of the club. Xavi said, "Combine, pass, play. That's football for me." Do you agree with him? Explain why?

Iniesta: I totally agree. This is what we have learned since we were children and started to play in "la cantera" (cantera means the club's youth team). So for us, this is soccer, the soccer we like and the soccer in which we believe and lead us to victory. We have grown up with a way of playing soccer and, fortunately, we keep it, we haven't lost it and we can accomplish it as well in the "first team" That's Barça's main victory.

SI.com: What do you enjoy most about playing on this current Barcelona team?

Iniesta: I enjoy small things: trainings, colleagues, other people from the "vestuario"( locker room). To me, it's not just the game itself; it is daily life what is most important.

SI.com: How many times have you re-watched the World Cup final against Holland? How does it make you feel when you see it again?

Iniesta: Well, I cannot tell you a number. Actually, I haven't watched the whole game many times. But what it is true is that I have revisited some plays or parts of the game many times. When I'm revisiting the game, a million of feelings, all of them wonderful, come to me. Winning was something awesome, incredible, beautiful, and very important for all of us.

SI.com: You have always been honest about how you're not fond of talking in public. How have you dealt with the increased demands on you to be more public since winning the World Cup?

Iniesta: Yes, that is true. I have always admitted that I prefer playing soccer than speaking in public, but doing this doesn't mean a problem for me. I mean, I know that it is a part of my job. What I do when speaking in public is trying to do it as best as possible and trying to make everybody comfortable with my words. Sometimes getting this is very difficult, but I try my best.

SI.com: Why did you decide to invest in the wine business?

Iniesta: This is a family business. My family has owned some vineyards for years and we used to pick personally these fruits (grapes). This is something very typical and characteristic from the region of Spain where I am from (region:Castilla-La Mancha. His town is called Fuentealbilla). Now, we've got the opportunity to make a winery to elaborate our own wine. It's true that making wine is a business, but I see it as a business to enjoy. The world of wine is very interesting. There are a lot of things that you don't know, and you get surprised when you get to know them. I can say that I'm getting to love the world of wine and am thankful to my family that I got in on it. I wish people could enjoy my wine when they taste it. I have put huge work on this project and I have to thank all the people that are helping me on it.

SI.com: Which players do you most enjoy watching on television when you are not playing and why?

Iniesta: I like to watch soccer, no matter what teams or players are in the field. I think I can learn from everybody, regardless what their names are. In the past, I had my idols but today I enjoy learning from all the soccer I watch.

SI.com: How often have you traveled to America? Do you have a favorite place in the States?

Iniesta: I rarely travel to America, only with the team to play some preseason game ("pretemporada" in Spanish) or for some special occasion.

Barcelona are ready to go to £40 million for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

2011-06-03T01:48:00.001-07:00

Barcelona are ready to go to £40 million for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Daily Star says Champions League winners Barcelona have been trying to land Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas for two years but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly made it clear he has no desire to sell his captain.

But the Spanish champs just refuse to go away and have agreed to up their bid by £10m in an attempt to prise him from Arsenal’s grasp.

A source close to Barca said last night: “They still have not spoken formally to Arsenal about him.

“They had wanted to do it while they were in London for the Champions League Final but it never happened. But they will not give up.”

As well as the improved cash offer for Fabregas, Barca would also allow Arsenal to choose one of their young players as part of any deal.

SOURCE: Tribalfootball

Barcelona will of course push to sign Cesc Fabregas this summer but as previously there is no compunction for Arsenal to sell so a lot depends on the Gunners captain and whether he pushes for an Emirates Stadium exit and one wonders if it makes sense for the Spanish international to leave for the Nou Camp when he would surely just end up warming the bench until Xavi calls it day, which appears to be no day soon.

This source doesn’t state which Barcelona players would be on offer to the North London club as part of the deal but the likes of Bojan, Thiago Alcantara, Nolito and Jonathan dos Santos and Ibrahim Afellay have been linked with moves to Arsenal in the past.

Wenger has his work cut out keeping Arsenal’s top players at the club with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy both stalling on signing new contracts so he will surely do all he can to prevent his skipper leaving this summer. Pep Guardiola has stated his admiration for Fabregas but the Catalan club is apparently on a slightly uneasy financial footing and can therefore not make huge offers, hence the need to add players into the deal.

Given that Fabregas has spent eight years at Arsenal, mounting up over 300 appearances, but has managed to secure one solitary FA Cup success in the process, so one can understand if Cesc decided to leave the club but a move to Barcelona may end up being a mistake given that first team football may well be a difficulty.

Barca: Afellay is good, says Xavi

2011-06-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

FC Barcelona is a team from another planet but it’s also a club like any other club. Whenever a new player enters the practice, he will be tested. Immediately. Let’s see if this lad can play ball. You never know. The Barca players have seen it before. Good players who ended up hiding, afraid to get the ball. Even if they were signed on for millions of euros.

Ibrahim Afellay came in the winter break. A no-name player, in Spain. A bit unloved even. Except for football fanatic Xavi Hernandez who follows every competition and knows every player. There were the first greetings and polite conversation and then the warm up. After the warm up came the rondo. The eternal, trusted rondo. The gameplay that Barca perfected to the highest form of perfection.

Afellay, 25 years old, saw his first ball coming towards him. Low, as it is supposed to be, and very hard. You have to actually watch a practice session live to be able to see how fierce the passing is. We used to call it passing the ball, but at Barca it’s as if every player fires the ball with maximum strength, straight into the feet of a team mate. Or sometimes a tad to the left or right, to direct a team mate into a certain direction.

Xavi: “It was clear from the start, with Ibi. He knows what he’s doing. He didn’t just take the ball and controlled it, he was immediately looking for the best next pass. And never to the player closest, but to the player most deep. Good genes, this lad.”

Afellay grins but quickly adds: “I wasn’t able to participate that well, mind you. We did rondo’s at PSV but never this fierce and sharp. It took some adjustments. Even if I had only trained with this group I would have been grateful. Simply training with these guys make me a better player.”

But, there is a second test in the tightknit squad of Barcelona. It’s almost a cult with Pep as their spiritual leader. Xavi: “A player at Barca also needs to be a good man. That’s how we are raised in our youth development system. Respect is important. No one is more or less than another. Not in attitude. Maybe in football, yes, but not off the pitch.” And they did have to suffer a couple like that at Barca. Some players had severe issues with being one of the team. Thierry Henry was the superstar at Arsenal. He didn’t think it was easy to adjust. Or Zlatan, prima donna at Inter, couldn’t cope with it at all and left after one season.

But Afellay was ok. They could see it in his eyes. A player who came to develop, to grow. A nice bloke. Ali Afellay, Ibi’s older brother, watched his brother become part of Barcelona. “It’s unbelievable how normal the Barca stars are. They’re all nice guys.”

Ibi has had quite a first half year in Spain. Four clasicos against Real, the title and now the CL finals against Man United. He is on the journey, in the plane, the hotel, the dressing room, the bench and the pitch. Ibi was part of 27 games already, of which five in the Champions League. And Ibi scored two goals.

“Cool eh? First season at Barca and immediately a CL finals. I’m preparing like I normally do. I won’t do anything different, although I do realise only so many Dutch players get to this level. I knew I wouldn’t start but I did hope for some playing time.
I know a lot of people criticised my move to Spain but I’m happy. I came onto the pitch in the game against Real and had the assist on Messi…. That tells me enough.

Barcelona Are the Best Football Team in the World

2011-06-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Barcelona's victory over Manchester United in Saturday's Champions League Final proved one thing—they are the best football team in the world.

There is currently no national or club team better than La Blaugrana. They have been the most attractive team on the planet and deserve to be called the world's best team.

Under Guardiola, Barcelona have won two Champions League titles and become the gold standard for possession-based football. With world-class talent all over the field, Barca have emerged as the top footballing team of 2011.

The Catalan side will undoubtedly enter next season as the team to beat.

Barcelona have played the best football, beaten their strongest European competition in Madrid and United and have emerged Champions League winners once again.

Without doubt, at this moment in time, Barcelona are the best football team in the world

Champions League Final 2011: 5 Winners and Losers From Barcelona's 3-1 Victory

2011-06-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Was there any doubt that Barcelona wouldn't provide a spectacle in the UEFA Champions League final? Nonetheless, it was a feel good moment to see the Barcelona players allow Éric Abidal to lift the trophy.

When it comes to a final, there'll always be a winner and a loser, and this post will look at the five winners and losers from Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Manchester United.
Winner: Barcelona’s Beautiful Football

Pep Guardiola was 11 years old when he watched Telê Santana’s Brazil arrive in Spain, and define Joga Bonito (the beautiful game) during the 1982 FIFA World Cup—though Santana’s Brazil left Spain empty handed.

Almost three decades later, Guardiola’s Barcelona not only demonstrated the beautiful game to millions of people, but won their second UEFA Champions League in three seasons.

Loser: Sir Alex Ferguson's Calculated Gamble

In El Clásico I, there were some eyebrows raised when José Mourinho started Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil—three players devoid of any defensive ability. Real Madrid endured a humiliating 5-0 thrashing, which was soured by a senseless Sergio Ramos red card.

How did Mourinho react? He reverted back to his blueprint of a contemporary version of catenaccio, where his team would park the plane in front of their goals, adopted a zonal approach to defending, flooded the midfield in order to force Xavi deep and were very physical especially to Lionel Messi.

With the use of those seemingly agricultural and blue collar tactics, in El Clásico II, III and IV, Mourinho's Real Madrid won one, drew two, lost one and conceded four goals.

Utilising anti-football isn’t a revolutionary tactic, it’s one born out of pragmatism by conceding the other team is far superior football team, but your team may be the tactically more astute, defensively more organised and physically more imposing.

Chelsea, Rubin Kazan and Real Madrid have had varying degrees of success against Barcelona by playing anti-football, so one wonders why Ferguson decided not to play anti-football.

Perhaps starting Chicharito, Ferguson hoped the Mexican would get the better of the slow centre back pairing of Javier Mascherano and Gerard Piqué.

Though, playing Chicharito came to no avail, as he spent large portions of the game chasing Barcelona shadows.

It would have been more tactically shrewd to have played an extra central midfielder rather than start Chicharito; then again, it’s always easier to judge in hindsight.

Winner: Fair Play Is What We Want to See

In the most important game of the footballing season, both teams played fairly—especially important since Barcelona have a history of unfair play—and certainly were model professionals tonight.

Though to play devil’s advocate, aside from Michael Carrick’s lunge on Andrés Iniesta, Manchester United were not physical to the degree of Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Plus, Barcelona were always controlling the game and didn't need to start diving about, with the aim of getting Manchester United players sent off to swing the balance towards their side.

Loser: O Dimitar, Dimitar, Where Art Thou, Berbatov ?

Talk about insult to injury—not only did Dimitar Berbatov fail to make the starting 11, he didn’t even make the bench.

You’d think Sir Alex Ferguson would be able to reserve a spot for a forward who has scored 21 goals this season, but apparently not.

Berbatov’s replacement on the bench, Michael Owen, didn’t even make a cameo.

Winner: Lionel Messi's Brilliance

Fifty-three goals and 24 assists in 55 games explains itself.

What a time for Lionel Messi to score his first goal on English soil!

Messi was always in a position to receive the ball. Time after time, he sumptuously glided past Manchester United players with such consummate ease that the late Garrincha would be applauding in approval.

Why didn’t Sir Alex Ferguson just instruct a player to man mark Messi? Why didn’t he just have a player within the vicinity of Messi? Why did he let Messi have such a free role? Didn’t he watch Pepe shut down Messi?

The notion that one player can be discussed about at such length, as to how to stop him influencing the game, is testament to how great of a footballer Messi is.

Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo—No Longer Numero Uno

Fifty-three goals and 16 assists in 54 games explains itself.

If there was one moral victory that Cristiano Ronaldo would have been claiming, it was being Europe’s top scorer.

Now he has to share that accolade with Lionel Messi, who not only had eight more assists, but won the UEFA Champions League.

Then again, perhaps it's fitting that both players ended up scoring the exact same goals this season.

Winner: Xavi the Orchestrator

There used to be a Brazilian who played for Reggina called Mozart, and it would have been perfect if Xavi's name was Mozart, because he is an artist when it comes to passing.

Tonight, Xavi was industrious as ever, given not only was he a safe passing outlet, but his vision allowed him to pierce through opposing defences, as was the case with Pedro’s goal. Bravo!

Loser: Ryan Giggs—a Week to Forget

It hasn't been a good week for Ryan Giggs, has it?

Having been named as the footballer who not only took out a £50,000 super injunction, but he did so because he cheated on his wife, to dealing with the repercussions at home plus the media scrutiny, to watching Barcelona pass their way to a UEFA Champions League title.

If there’s any consolation for Giggs, he provided an assist for Wayne Rooney’s goal.

Winner: Referee Viktor Kassai's Solid Performance

The 35-year-old referee, Viktor Kassai, became the youngest ever referee to officiate in a UEFA Champions League final since 39-year-old Pierluigi Collina.

That, itself, says something, because referee Kassai was solid tonight. He controlled the game, he didn’t issue any pointless yellow cards, let play go on and didn’t become a negative talking point.

Loser: Antonio Valencia's Poor Performance

Antonio Valencia profited from referee Viktor Kassai’s leniency, but aside from his persistent fouling, tonight he was just not a nonfactor.

Éric Abidal proved that even two or so months after removing a tumour from his liver, that he can still play football at the highest level. Abidal was too crafty for Valencia tonight

Knee surgery for Barca captain Puyol

2011-06-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is set to undergo an operation on his left knee on Wednesday, to deal with a problem that he has been suffering with for more than four months.

Carles Puyol could has been carrying an injury since January 22

Puyol, 33, was originally injured in a La Liga clash with Racing Santander on January 22 and has been struggling for fitness ever since.

He was initially out for three months but returned to play three of Barca's four El Clasico clashes with Real Madrid, only missing the Copa del Rey final defeat to Los Blancos.

The World Cup-winning defender was used sparingly in the Primera Division run-in and only came on for the final three minutes of the Champions League final, as Barca beat Manchester United 3-1 to win a third European Cup in five years.

Puyol handed the captain's armband to Eric Abidal at the full-time whistle and allowed to Frenchman the honour of lifting the trophy two months after undergoing surgery to remove a liver tumour.

A Barca statement read: "Carles Puyol will be operated on at 1400 (local time) on Wednesday, June 1 at the Clinica Quiron to resolve the problems he's been suffering with his left knee. Following the operation, Doctors Ricard Pruna and Ramon Cugat will speak to the media at the Ricard Maxenchs press room at the Camp Nou.''

Catalan-born Puyol has been at Barcelona since 1995 and is a graduate of the club's famous La Masia academy. He is third on the list of all-time leading appearance makers for the Blaugranas with 516 games under his belt; only Migueli and Xavi have played more times for Barca.

FC Barcelona Boss Pep Guardiola Is the Best Manager in the World

2011-06-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

A relative unknown in management when he started just three years ago, Barcelona boss Pe

Before the former Camp Nou playing legend stepped into one of the biggest managerial jobs in world football, he had just one season's experience as a manager: leading the Barca "B" team to the Tercera División title, the third tier of Spanish football.

So of course, more than a few complaints were made when the novice stepped up to replace Champions League winning manager Frank Rijkaard.

But, after securing an unprecedented Tripla Corona in his first season, followed by two more consecutive La Liga titles and another UEFA Champions League trophy, nobody was complaining anymore.

And after Guardiola became the first ever manager in European football to win the sextuple (following up his treble with the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the Supercopa de España), his footballing street cred reached an all new level.

However, despite having the best ever start to a management career than any other currently active manager, many have started doubted the managerial ability of Guardiola.

After all, the side he is managing has seven World Cup winners within its ranks, as well as Lionel Messi, the one player considered to be in the same bracket as Diego Maradona.

It's a message constantly thrown at Pep Guardiola by outsiders who expect success no matter what.With a squad of that much talent, how can you not win everything?

What people may not realise is the strain of managing such a club like Barcelona, who are always the hunted, not the hunters.

With teams getting more and more frustrated by Barca's simply superior style of play, opponents tend to lash out and play anti-football—anything just to stop this Barcelona juggernaut.

Lionel Messi, the fleet-footed goalscoring assassin of Barcelona, gets hacked and lunged at as his counterparts desperately try to prevent him doing the inevitable, i.e. tucking the ball into the back of the net.

And every time he gets taken down, he keeps his cool, gets back up again and just lets the football do the talking. Not only does it take a real man to do that, but it takes a real man to tell Messi to keep going.

Always the hunted, Pep Guardiola has kept his Barcelona team going in the face of adversity, even when the opposition do literally anything it takes merely to stop Barca and their superior footballing style.

It hasn't been easy for Guardiola at all this season. Anti-football, media attacks from Jose Mourinho ("the f**king boss, the f**king man"), accusations of doping and Eric Abidal's liver tumour are just some of the obstacles the manager, and his team, have had to push to one side.

Lionel Messi Scored 53 Goals This Season Under Guardiola's Guidance

And to put all that to one side, and win La Liga and the Champions League yet again, takes some doing. It takes a real man to focus on just the football, and it takes a real man-manager to get his team doing the same.

The very best managers in the world are perfect in two areas: tactics and man-management. We all know Pep Guardiola is one of the best tacticians in the game.

His unique 4-1-2-3 formation and tiki-taka style, modelled on Johan Cryuff's aforementioned Barca dream team, has been virtually unstoppable for the past three seasons.

Such ability to retain possession and execute perfect passing play, utilising to the absolute maximum the technical ability of the Barcelona players, is an unparalleled footballing philosophy in the sport at the moment.

And combined with the ruthless pressure applied by Barca when they lose the ball, putting the players' match fitness to the best possible use, Pep Guardiola has created the perfect tactical setup.

He's immediately emerged victorious in psychological warfare, something which is rife in top-level football, before a ball is even kicked. Saturday night's Champions League final win overManchester United at Wembley is perfect proof of that.

As Xavi Hernandez once said of his manager, Pep Guardiola really is a "perfectionist" when it comes to tactics.

Xavi: Guardiola Is a Perfectionist

But everyone already knows and appreciates that. What they may not appreciate however, is the almost perfect man-management skills this man has.

FC Barcelona have lost just four matches this season. After their agonising Copa Del Rey final defeat to Real Madrid, many took the aura off Barca and gave their Madrid counterparts the backing to reach Wembley and the Champions League final.

What happened next? The Catalan giants rolled up to the Santiago Bernabeu and again stamped their superiority, rising up to anti-football and letting quality shine through.

Despite a brutal bombardment from Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola managed to get his players sticking to their principles, letting football do the talking, even if they too had to play dirty at times to ease their way through.

Throughout Europe, and even the world, Guardiola and his Barcelona team have been hunted like no other, yet every time they're under attack, this Barca side just seem to get closer, being more willing to work for the team, more willing to help out their teammates and more willing to win it for each other.

Pep Guardiola has instilled almost an unparalleled togetherness within this club, proved by the Champions League win on Saturday dedicated to Eric Abidal, the left-back with the fairytale story following life-saving surgery just three months earlier.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson may be the best overall manager currently active, given his track record. After all, football is a results based business, and remarkably, Sir Alex is still in his job because he's been delivering results consistently since 1990.

However, after Barcelona's 3-1 win over United in that final at Wembley, it seems like Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world at the moment.

Having unassailably the best tactics in football, combined with the best man-management in the sport, makes the man who back in March was hospitalised with a herniated disc, quite possibly the best manager in the world right now.

Guardiola to stay at champions Barca

2011-06-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Barca produced a masterclass to take home the trophy after a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Wembley, but there had been speculation the match would be Guardiola's last.

Josep Guardiola is thrown in the air in celebration

Guardiola, who signed a contract extension until the end of next season, had been linked with the vacant Chelsea hot seat and a new challenge in the Premier League.

However, after securing a fourth European Cup for Barca, the 40-year-old said: "I've the intention to continue one more year and after we will see. You have girls falling at your feet when you win but that can change overnight."

Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi - who scored Barcelona's crucial second goal - shone as Barcelona powered to the Champions League title and Guardiola admitted he might not have players of such class if he moved clubs.

"My future will be very tough as I'll be at another club with other players, thinking 'where are these kinds of players?' added Guardiola. "A coach depends on the players."

"I feel privileged to have these players. Everyone has worked towards this. We are very happy. But I have to look inside of me. I am happy to be here as coach of these guys. but it is not an easy job."

Guardiola also believes it is not realistic to try to emulate the 25 years opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson has been at the helm at Old Trafford in Spain.

"In England it can be 25 years, in Spain it is impossible," said Guardiola. "They are different ways. For him to be manager for 25 years and create new teams and new teams he has my admiration. I know it is difficult."

Guardiola has won 10 titles - including two European Cups - in his three years in charge of the club he served as a player for 17 years.

Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi in negotiation with Barcelona – agent

2011-06-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Federico Pastorello has revealed that his client has been formally approached by the Spanish and European champions, and that they have been told about the forward’s market price

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi's agent has revealed that negotiations with Barcelona have already begun over the transfer of the striker to Camp Nou.
The 24-year-old Italy international is one of the players reportedly on the Spanish and European champions’ radar and has said from time to time that he wants to play for a bigger club.
It now seems that Rossi’s dream of featuring for a European powerhouse could come true, as Barca have already made an approach for him, according to his agent Federico Pastorello.
“We are talking with Barcelona and Rossi would love to play for the club,” Pastorello is quoted as saying by Spanish daily AS. “His price-tag is between €25 million [£21.8m] and €30m [£26.2m].
“We are now waiting for news from Barca.”
Rossi joined Villarreal from Manchester United in 2007 and has played in over 100 Primera Division matches.
He had a productive 2010-11 campaign for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists in 36 league appearances, and helped them finish in the top-four in the table. He also played a key role in their run to the Europa League semi-finals.

Barcelona ready to bid £30 million for Fabregas

2011-06-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has launched this summer's attempt to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Guardiola has urged sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and president Sandro Rosell to go all-out to sign Fabregas and make Barcelona’s Champions League winners even better.

Barcelona have already agreed a £35million deal to sign Villarreal’s former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi and Guardiola is determined to get Fabregas.

But Barcelona do face a financial struggle to get Fabregas, especially as, even though the Spanish midfielder has made it clear that if he leaves Arsenal then it would only be for the Nou Camp, there is also strong interest from Manchester City.

Arsenal will do everything to rebuff Barcelona’s interest, which is likely to start around the £30m mark, but there is a feeling that if a huge offer, of around £50m, came in then they might be tempted to do business.

City boss Roberto Mancini’s admiration of Fabregas has already been documented, and their wealth could force the player's value up - and leave Barcelona struggling to compete.

Amid Barcelona’s Champions league final celebrations, veteran defender Carles Puyol made it clear the players want the club to sign Fabregas.

“I am convinced that Cesc will soon be playing with us,” he said.

Guardiola wants to make it happen as well, as he looks to make the best even better, and Zubizarreta and Rosell are now set to begin their operation to try and land Fabregas.

It would represent another attempt by Barca to keep Guardiola happy, as the coach dropped hints after their Wembley win that he may quit in a year’s time.

Rosell is determined to keep his coach and ensure Barcelona win more silverware.

Guardiola would be a target for Chelsea and Manchester United in the future, while 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar want to make him a megabucks offer to be national-team boss.

Rosell added: “Pep is with us and that is for sure. The money will not change his decisions.”

Barcelona's 11 Greatest Sides of All Time

2011-06-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

"More Than a Club" is the slogan for Barcelona FC.

Since its founding, Barcelona has been on a road of self-discovery. Some time along the way, the people of Catalonia started to envisage Barcelona as a symbol of their country—more than a club.

To some, especially in times of oppression under Fransisco Franco's long dictatorship in Spain, Barcelona FC was envisaged as the club who expressed the rights and freedom of the Catalonian people.

In history, the club has done its best to not disappoint the people who support it.

Through many faces, many sides of footballers led by managers with visions for the game as different as every sunrise, the L'equip blaugrana has always found a way to convey the concerns and believes of its supporters.

Some have managed to do it better than others.

Who are they?

Here are the 11 Greatest Sides in Barcelona's history:

11. The Cesar Menotti Transition to TerryVenables, 1982-85

How can I not mention the tenure of one of football’s greatest in the Catalan club, Diego Maradona?

He joined in 1982 after the World Cup, and a year later, he donned three medals on his neck. But his tenure in Barcelona was not an easy one. He suffered a broken leg and got infected with hepatitis. He left in 1984 for Napoli.

After the 1983 success, with the inauguration of Terry Venables as the new managers, midfielder Bernd Schuster grabbed the opportunity to shine. In 1985, Barca won the Spanish League for the first time in 11 years. Two years later, they snatched the Spanish League cup.

The English manager also took L'equip blaugrana to their second European Cup final, but after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in which six out of eight penalties were squandered, Romanian side Steaua Bucuresti lifted the cup in front of dispirited Catalan faces.

10. Bobby Robson’s Short but Fruitful Stint, 1996-1997

Bobby Robson’s surprising arrival to Barcelona in 1996 brought two other branded-to-become-famous faces: Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, who he previously worked with at Porto.

Although considered as a temporary solution to Barca’s managerial aspirations, Bobby Robson’s tactical acumen and Ronaldo’s best year of his career quickly paid off.

Three more cups were won: the Spanish Supercup in 1996 and Copa Del Rey and the European Cup Winners cup in 1997.

Bobby Robson was just the temporary man for the job until Louis van Gaal became available, but the results his side achieved in such a short period of time left many wondering what would have been his football side if he had more time to build it.

Nonetheless, Bobby Robson marked Barcelona history.

9. The Laszlo Kubala Influence, Part Two, 1958-61

In 1958, Laszlo Kubala persuaded two of his compatriots, Hungarian refugees, to come and play with him at Barcelona. The three Hungarians would form the nucleus of the team with Luis Suarez and Evaristo.

The Catalans’ success from the previous seasons poured uninterrupted. They won the double in 1959 and yet again the Spanish League and Inter-Cities Fair Cup in 1960.

With the beginning of the next decade, Kubala found himself fallen out of favor in the eyes of manager Helenio Herrera. Like Sauron without his ring of power, Barcelona suffered defeat at the hand of arch-rivals Real Madrid in the 1960 semifinals of the European Cup.

Herrero fired; Kubala restored to first team: revenge was served in the next year. Barcelona became the first club to beat Real Madrid in the European Cup competition.

Laszlo Kubala’s rein of Barcelona affairs ended soon after.

8. Louis Van Gaal’s Side, 1997-2000

With the arrival of Louis van Gaal from Ajax in 1997, a true Dutch colonization was instigated at Barcelona.

Slowly but surely, the Ajax stars that had taken over the world under Van Gaal started to rejoin him one by one. Reiziger, the brothers Frank and Ronald De Boer, Philip Cocu, Jari Litmanen, Patrick Kluivert and Boedewijn Zenden were among the army of colonizers led by Van Gaal.

From a Blaugurana perspective, the new Dutch manager might have seemed as one preaching a fundamentally different philosophy from theirs. This was bound to cause clashes, and it did.

Despite winning the La Liga twice and the Copa Del Rey once in his first two seasons of tenure, the failures of Barcelona on the European stage were enough to elevate the buried discontent of the fans to the surface.

He was not liked by the fans and by the media despite winning three trophies. Players often contradicted him. Brazilian star Rivaldo was one of those players. Overall, Van Gaal couldn’t brag with living through the best of times in his Barcelona tenure.

His positives were often overlooked, but in truth, Van Gaal’s side reaped some success, and most importantly, provided the favorable environment for players to emerge from the youth ranks. Xavi Hernandez, Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol were some of those players who were given the chance.

7. The Laszlo Kubala Influence, Part One, 1951-58

On June 15, 1950, two Hungarians joined Barcelona to signify the beginning of yet another transformation: Laszlo Kubala and new manager Ferdinand Daucik. They were the masterminds of the success to come.

In 1951, Kubala scored 26 goals in 19 games, breaking the La Liga’s record for most scored in a single match with seven against Sporting de Gijon. Along with his manager and the help of his teammates, Emilio Aldecoa, Juan Zambudio Velasco, Joan Segarra and Antoni Ramallets, Kubala won five medals this season—one of the most successful seasons in Barcelona history.

That side won eight trophies from 1951 to 1958: twice the Spanish League, four times the Spanish Cup and twice the Supercope de Espana.

6. Rinus Michels’ Side, 1973-78

"It is an art in itself to compose a starting team, finding the balance between creative players and those with destructive powers, and between defence, construction and attack—never forgetting the quality of the opposition and the specific pressures of each match.", Rinus Michels wrote about every manager’s fundamentals task.

It’s an art that he had perfected. He was the mastermind behind the Netherlands side of the 1974.

Michels had already been well-known for his successful employment of total football with Ajax and the Netherlands national side before he sat at the managerial stool of Barcelona.

He managed the club between 1971 and 75 and then from 1976 to 78. He had the time to build the side he wanted, and with his brilliant mind, he dove deep into the total football style to explore it.

Most of all, Johan Cruyff stood up from all the rest. He was the man who could make Michels' ideas materialize on the field. The team revolved around him. The two Dutchmen made things click for the Catalans. The Dutch connection had started. And it brought success.

Although the side won only two trophies, they ended the club’s 13-year trophy drought through the tactical ingenuity of Rinus Michels, skill and vision of Johan Cruyff and the support of quality players like Juan Manuel Asensi, Carles Recach and Hugo Sotil.

This makes them a historical football side and one of the best Barcelona has had.

5. Frank Rijkaard’s Side, 2003-2006

Having lastly won a trophy in 1999, Barcelona fans were desperate to see the dry period end. Their hopes focused on Dutch hero Frank Rijkaard, who assumed the position of Barcelona manager in 2003.

Times were ones of change, as the club had gone through a change in administration: Joan Laporta had seized control from his unsuccessful predecessor, Joan Gaspart.

With the new president focused on reviving the glory years of the past, Rijkaard had a strong backing and was allowed the freedom to implement his ideas to the squad.

Not much was changed initially. Relying on the inherited team, and with one new signing in Ronaldinho, Rijkaard pushed the Catalan team to the second position in Premiera Division. In the next year, the refurbishment of the team began. Ronaldinho was given a more central role and previously promoted from the youth division players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol re-established themselves.

Two back-to-back La Liga titles followed; a Supercopa the Espana and a Champions League trophy after beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final.

Rijkaard’s philosophy was in the mould of Johan Cruyff’s—a thing reminiscent of great times for Barcelona fans. The team played attacking and beautiful football, which proved to be successful.

The Dutchman stayed for two more years, but failed to win more trophies. Despite that, he gave Barcelona the glory they sought after six years of drought and an emerging player, Lionel Messi, the foundation for development he needed

4. The 1944-49 Barcelona Side, a Snowdrop Finds Its Way Through the Snow\

In those difficult times for Spain—it was under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco—the Catalan club suffered repressions. Football was not as important as what it could relay.

And that’s exactly what Barcelona did for the Catalan people.

In 1943, Barcelona played Real Madrid in the Copa del Generalisimo (yes, there were football tournaments in George Orwell’s 1984; can you believe it?). They won with a result of 3-0 in the first match. Before the second leg, they had a visit from Franco’s head of state to remind them they were only playing due of the “generosity of the regime."

Real won that match 11-1.

Despite the endured oppression, having players like Cesar, Antoni Ramallets and Juan Zambudio Velasco coached by Barca legend Josep Samitier meant Barcelona would inevitably succeed on the meadow.

From 1945 to 49 the Catalans added their second, third and fourth Spanish League titles.

What makes this side special was they played football and won during dangerous of times for everyone with a slightly different mindset than Franco’s—the Catalans had one and demonstrated it on the field.

They were on the rise.

3. The Sides of the 1920s, the End of the Club’s First Golden Age

The 1920s were times of self-discovery for Barcelona. It was by that time the club started to recognize its symbolic meaning to the Catalan people.

It was at the time the club began to become more than a club. Jack Greenwell, the then manager, was the one who laid the foundation for success on the field.

In the team he built, the Barcelona all-time top goal-scorer played alongside the club’s second best top goal-scorer, Paulino Alcantara and Josep Samitier respectively.

The Catalans also boasted players like Ricardo Zamora, Emilio Sagi, Felix Sesumaga and Franz Platko.

The period marked the embarking of Barcelona on a long journey of success.

They won the Spanish Cup six times, the Catalan Championship five times and the club’s first Spanish League title in 1929.

2. Pep Guardiola’s Side, 2008-Now

In 2008, an ex-Barca player who had played under Johan Cruyff was appointed the new manager of the club. Pep Guardiola’s opinions diverged from those of previous manager Frank Rijkaard. He was quick to act by offloading three of the club’s stars: Ronaldinho, Sammuel Eto’o and Deco to Milan, Inter-Milan and Chelsea respectively, to add to the list of players not included in his plans.

On that list, the names of Giovani Dos Santos, Edmilson and Lilian Thuram were already written.

The voids were filled by Daniel Alves and Seudou Keita from Sevilla, Martin Caseres from Villarreal, Gerrard Pique from Manchester United and Alexander Hleb from Arsenal. Three players were promoted from the youth ranks: Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez and Jeffren Suarez.

Pep’s own version of Johan Cruyff’s “tiki-taka” initiated.

He won an amazing of six trophies that year. Johan Cruyff might have stirred in his sleep: Maybe the disciple is better than the master?

The success story continued up to a few days ago when Pep Guardiola added another Champions League trophy to raise the number of trophies he has won to 10 so far.

Pep, however, was very lucky to have a real gem already in the squad prior to his arrival—the short Argentinean boy Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi, targeted by midfield generals Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, has made sure Pep Guardiola’s tactics would work like a charm.

For that reason, Pep Guardiola remains second after the man who inspired him in his coaching ways—Johan Cruyff.

Undeniably, Guardiola’s Barcelona are on their way to become the best one the club has ever had.

1. Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team, 1990-1994

Following a difficult period for Barcelona football club, in 1988, a man who had provided inspiration in the past, by being the footballer he was, was burdened with the responsibility of bringing about positive change.

That man was no other than the Flying Dutchman, Johan Cruyff.

On the field, Cruyff was the reason the Netherlands’ national team played “total football." He would often move freely on the field, and total football allowed for his teammates to adjust to his movements. And he would always yell orders on where a player is supposed to be positioned and when to move.

As a manager, the very same vision he possessed was to give birth to a football side of Barcelona that was branded “The Dream Team”—a side that would forever change the direction the club would go.

Under Cruyff, Barcelona became a hugely successful blend of home-grown and proven international players dancing under the tune of their visionary manager.

The tune would later be called “tiki-taka," a branch of the “total football” school.

Players like Josep Guardiola, Albert Ferrer, Txiki Begiristain, Hristo Stoichkov, Romario, Michael Laudrup and Ronald Koeman seized their fortune to gain the status of club heroes.

Between 1990 and 1994, four consecutive La Liga titles were won. Pillage in the form of three trophies from European conquests also travelled to adorn the Barcelona trophy halls. The Copa Del Rey was won in 1990 and the European Supercup in 1992, along with three Supercopa de Espana between 1990 and 1994.

Eleven trophies in total stretched over an eight-year long period of Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona tenure (but the accomplishments were really achieved inside five years; in the other three, Cruyff didn’t win anything). The Dutchman broke the records for the club’s longest serving and most-successful manager.

In the later part of his career, past glory could not cancel out two years of trophy-drought, and in 1996, the club’s president relieved Johan Cruyff from his position.

His legacy though would have a much longer effect than expected. His “Dream Team” had already done what it was supposed to do: shape the mentality of the club to one of winners.

2011-05-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

HAPPINESS FOR ALL FC BARCELONA FANS AS WE CLAIM THE FOURTH UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY BEATING MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1

UEFA Champions League 2011 Champions

Extraordinary match, deserved victory, euro goals etc. but all come at one point SUPER BARCA 2011 UEFA Champions League Champions.

Barcelona 3 Manchester Utd 1
Lionel Messi scored one goal and created another today to lead Barcelona to a 3-1 win over Manchester United and a third Champions League title in six years.

Barcelona dominated possession at Wembley with trademark one-touch passing but needed the Argentina striker to conjure a 54th-minute solo strike from the edge of the area to take the lead for the second time.

There seemed to be no space as Messi was tracked across the 18-meter (yard) line by fullback Patrice Evra, but the two-time world player of the year spotted a gap between the central defenders and hit a shot down the middle, beating goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for pace.

Messi followed his 53rd goal of a remarkable season with a feint and run that eventually led to David Villa receiving possession on the edge of the area, from where the Spain striker curled a shot into the top corner.

With Pedro Rodriguez scoring Barcelona's opening goal midway through the first half from an imaginative through ball from stand-in captain Xavi Hernandez, the win was as comprehensive as its 2-0 victory over United in the final two years ago.

ALL HAIL JOSEP GUARDIOLA

The performance was so comfortable that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was able to bring on regular captain Carles Puyol for the last few moments, giving the injury-hit defender the chance to play a part in a memorable triumph.

But in a gesture symbolizing Barcelona's team ethic, Puyol handed the armband over to Eric Abidal -- whose place in the team had been in doubt after he had surgery this season to remove a liver tumor -- and the France defender lifted the famous trophy.

United improved upon its 2009 final performance in Rome and did equalize in the 34th through Wayne Rooney, but could do little to disrupt Europe's dominant footballing force.

Commentators had said before the game that Barcelona, which had already won a third straight Spanish league title, would be ranked among football's truly great sides with victory over United.

Now, only Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona's fierce rival Real Madrid have won more European Cups than the Catalan club's four.

After a shaky opening, Barcelona simply outclassed the English champions.

Xavi orchestrated play from in front of Sergio Busquets, while Andres Iniesta and Messi tormented United with the pinpoint accuracy of their passing.

For half an hour, the match followed the same pattern as the 2009 final. United unsettled Barcelona with constant pressure on the man in possession and dominated the first 10 minutes before the Spanish league champions burst into life.

Barcelona's short-passing game pushed the United players deep into their own half and kept them there, with Xavi, Villa, Iniesta and Messi finding space where none seemed to exist.

But Barcelona had to wait 17 minutes longer for its opening goal than it did in 2009. Xavi created the chance as he drew four opponents to him by dribbling to the edge of the area.

The midfielder laid a diagonal pass through that crowd of players into the path of Pedro, who arrived down the right channel to hit a firm shot past Van der Sar at his near post.

United responded in the only way it seemed able, returning to the pressing game that served it well in the opening stages. It yielded a goal within seven minutes as, from its own throw, Barcelona gave away possession on the right touchline - sparking a five-player move as skillful as any in the match.

Rio Ferdinand, Fabio da Silva and Michael Carrick were all involved before Rooney carried the ball to the edge of the area and, slipping it to Ryan Giggs with the outside of his right boot, continued his run.

The veteran Giggs controlled with one touch and knocked it back to with his second, giving Rooney the perfect opportunity to curl a shot past the reach of goalkeeper Victor Valdes and in at the far post.

In one sublime Champions League final, football got two emphatic answers.

One: this Barcelona squad, absolutely without question now, is among that small fistful of teams that can legitimately be considered the best club sides ever.

Two: Lionel Messi is as good as Pele and Diego Maradona ever were.

No ifs, or buts, or maybes. Just facts. Proven on the green pitch of Wembley and by the shattered hearts of Manchester United.

The final scoreline on Saturday said 3-1. But that was kind. It could have been worse, far worse, for Alex Ferguson's players. They weren't just beaten, they were humbled. Not merely outplayed and outthought, but utterly outclassed, too.

"In my time as manager, it's the best team I've faced," said Ferguson, who is a quarter-century, and counting, at the United helm.

Not that there's any shame in being overshadowed by perfection. United's white-shirted worker-ants, as one expects of any team fielded by Ferguson, a master motivator, did not surrender, did not stop running, did not let their heads droop.

They dignified themselves by not losing their tempers, which would have been so easy because Barcelona rarely shares the ball. Barca's winning recipe includes a big dollop of selfishness.

Once it had snuffed out United's spirited start to the match, Barca's triumph quickly started to take on an air of inevitability. Even Wayne Rooney's cleverly worked and sweetly struck goal on 34 minutes could only delay, not change, United's fate.

Ferguson once coined the term "carousel" to describe Barca's dizzying passing game. At Wembley, it span ever quicker as the match wore on. Between them, Barca's super-trio of Messi and midfield partners Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez completed 305 passes - four more than the entire United team.

So if Barca can do this to mighty United twice in three years, then what hope is there next season for them and all the other teams in Europe?

Not much. Not, that is, if Pep Guardiola sticks around.

The Barca manager has done more than take an already good team and make it nigh-on unbeatable, he is presiding over what looks like the makings of a dynasty. In three years, Guardiola has 10 titles. He spoke wearily before the match of the mental and physical toll exacted by leading a club of such high expectations, which fueled suspicions that he may move elsewhere. Still, it's not a stretch to think that in another three years, his title-tally could be doubled if he stays.

Messi, remember, only turns 24 next month. There are plenty more goals, plenty more goal-making passes, left in the speedy little legs of the Argentine who finished as the Champions League top scorer for the third season running and who must now be a dead-cert for a third consecutive world player of the year award.

Messi conjured his goal at Wembley out of nothing, really. A pass from Iniesta, a sprint into the box, a shot so fast that it caught everyone off-guard. It was now-you-see-it, now-you-don't magic and gave Barca the lead for good. That made 12 goals in the Champions League this season for Messi, matching Ruud van Nistelrooy's single-season record of 2002/2003.

"Lionel is the best player I have seen and probably the best I will ever see," said Guardiola.

Amen to that.

For United, the future looks less certain. Ryan Giggs won't get any younger, nor will Paul Scholes, and Edwin van der Sar didn't get the winner's medal he hoped for in his last match.

Ferguson has rebuilding work to do.

Barcelona has hegemony to enjoy.

For all of you that didn't watch the match LIVE here is a link to download it with a torrent program http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/6431353/FC_Barcelona_vs_Manchester_United_-_verbateen[dbdrip][spanish]

From the mesmerising skills of Lionel Messi to the boundless enthusiasm of fans at the UEFA Champions Festival, the week leading to FC Barcelona's fourth success at European football's top table proved a memorable experience.

London's Hyde Park played host to fan-related activities throughout the week, with supporters inspired to participate as well as to record their link to the game's elite level by having photographs taken with the UEFA Champions League Trophy.

The UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy was also on parade and would be held aloft by Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday evening at Craven Cottage, the French team having dethroned 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam.

A pulsating atmosphere at Fulham FC was followed by one at the Wembley showpiece, where 87,695 witnessed a scintillating spectacle on Saturday evening. Before that, the Ultimate Champions had played out their own entertainment with a legends match at the UEFA ChampiImpostazioni

ons Festival.

Party day ends for players with Shakira

The Barça players rounded off the celebrations for the winning of the Champions League on Sunday with a VIP visit to Shakira’s concert at the Olympic Stadium.

Gerard Piqué, Xavi, David Villa, Bojan and Busquets all came out onto the stage during the concert and Víctor Valdés, Éric Abidal and Dani Alves were also in attendance at the concert held at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadiums.

When the song, ‘Whenever, Wherever’, mixed with some licks from ‘Unbelievable’ began, Shakira brought out the Barça number 3 and he was followed by Xavi, Pedro, Villa and Busquets. Shakira declared herself to be thrilled to be “alongside half of the best team in the world”.

The players tried their best to follow Shakira’s dancing and with a cry of ‘Visca el Barça!’ one of the top international artists of the entertainment world put an end to a fantastic day of parties for all the Barça players and fans.

2011-05-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Levante UD vs FC Barcelona

Latest results Levante vs Barcelona

02.01.2011 D1 FC Barcelona 2-1 Levante UD

24.02.2008 D1 FC Barcelona 5-1 Levante UD

29.09.2007 D1 Levante UD 1-4 FC Barcelona

29.04.2007 D1 FC Barcelona 1-0 Levante UD

02.12.2006 D1 Levante UD 1-1 FC Barcelona

Head-to-head

Barcelona win 71.43%
5

draw 28.57%
2

Barcelona lose 0%
0

Barcelona to win over 2.5-under2.5

over 2.5	60.34%	35
under 2.5	39.66%	23

2011-05-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

UEFA Champions League final

28 May 2011 19:45

Barcelona VS Man.United Wembley Stadium, London

Wembley Stadium is a football stadium located in Wembley Park, in the Borough of Brent, London, England. It opened in 2007 and was built on the site of the previous 1923 Wembley Stadium. The earlier Wembley stadium, originally called the Empire Stadium, was often referred to as "The Twin Towers" and was one of the world's most famous football stadiums until its demolition in 2003.

The 90,000-capacity venue is the second largest stadium in Europe, and serves as England's national stadium. It is the home venue of the England national football team, and hosts the latter stages of the top level domestic club cup competition, the FA Cup. It held UEFA five-star stadium status which was superseded by a new system of classification. It is owned by English football's governing body, The Football Association (The FA), through their subsidiary Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL).

Designed by Foster and Partners and Populous (then HOK Sport), it includes a partially retractable roof. A signature feature of the stadium, following on from the old Wembley's distinctive Twin Towers, is the 134 metres (440 ft) high Wembley Arch. With a span of 317 metres (1,040 ft), this steel arch is the longest single span roof structure in the world and, uniquely for a stadium, requires beacons for low flying aircraft. The stadium was built by Australian firm Multiplex at a cost of £798 million. The old Wembley closed in October 2000, with demolition originally intended for that December and the new stadium due to open in 2003. After delays to the project, with demolition first started in September 2002, the old Wembley was not completely demolished until February 2003, with the new stadium scheduled to open in time for the 2006 FA Cup Final. After further delays, the stadium was delivered nearly a year late, leading to legal disputes between WNSL and Multiplex, who ultimately made a significant loss on the project. The stadium was handed over on 9 March 2007, in time to host the 2007 FA Cup Final.

In international football, the stadium was a central component of the English 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids. In 2012 it will host the football finals of the London Olympics. In club football, in addition to the FA Cup the stadium also hosts the showpiece season opening game the FA Community Shield match, played in August between the winners of the FA Cup and the top-level Premier League. In mid-season it also hosts the finals of the Football League Cup and Football League Trophy. At the end of the domestic season the stadium also hosts the latter stages of the Football League play-offs. In European football, it is due to host the 2011 Champions League Final. In friendly tournaments, since 2009 it has been the venue of the summer Wembley Cup.

Wembley Stadium also called the venue of legends will attend on 28 May the legends of this years Champions League after a long and difficult way to get to London proud.

Wembley Stadium

Match ball

As with the previous ten UEFA Champions League finals, beginning with the 2001 final, the match ball will be provided by German sports equipment company Adidas. Revealed on 3 March 2011 at Wembley Stadium, the Adidas Finale London features the "Starball" design synonymous with the UEFA Champions League. In reflection of the St George's Cross seen on the flag of England, the ball itself is white with red stars, connecting to a central, bright orange star. Technically, the ball shares its structure with the Adidas Finale Madrid, which was used for the 2010 final.

I will keep you informated for all the latest news about the Wembley Champions League final. But for now I would thank our Pep Guardiola and say to him :"Guardiola look forward to the 2011 UEFA Super Cup because we are the champions of this 2010/11 UEFA Champions League".

Tomorrow coming Levante UD vs FC Barcelona statistics.

2011-05-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to create a real Fc Barcelona fans club made and devepoled by the real fans.
First I would like to start with some things all of their fans know about catalans.
Fc Barcelona (Futbol Club Barcelona), called Barca by the fans, is professional soccer spanish team. They play in La liga.

Carles Puyol holds La Liga

Carles Puyol holds La Copa del Rey

Leo Messi and A.Iniesta holding the
UEFA Champions League trophy

Fc Barcelona was founded in the 1899 by some swiss, english and spanish footballers. 111 years of history told the the world that Fc Barcelona is "Més que un club"(more than a club).The official anthem of Barca is "Cant del Barca" written by Jaume Picas and Josep Maria Espinas. Barca is the second richest footbal club and the only one club that has never put on their uniform profit logos. The Catalans have an eternity rivalry with Real Madrid and matches between the two teams are referred to as "El Classico" the greatest rivalry on the history of professional soccer and I should say as we are talking for It ALL HAIL THE LAST EL CLASSICO.In 2009 Barca became the first club in Spain to win the treble La Liga,Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. Same year Catalans won also UEFA Super cup, Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA World Cup, that means six out of six competitions for this spectacular club.
At this time our generation will spectate the peak of Fc Barcelona, the peak that will never fall but will only go up and up forever.

Barcelona Staff :
President : Sandro Rossel (39th president of Barca)
Coach : Josep Guardiola
Players : GK V.Valdes (3rd captain)
DF D.Alves

Puyol holding Spanish Super Cup

DF G.Pique
DF C.Puyol (1st captain)
MF X.Hernanez ( 2nd captain)
FW D.Villa
MF A.Iniesta (4th captain)
FW B.Krkic
FW L.Messi
FW J.Suarez
GK J.Pinto
  MF J.Mascherano
  MF S.Keita
  MF S.Busquets
  FW P.Rodriguez
  DF G.Milito

Xavi Hernandez and
Carles Puyol holding
UEFA Super Cup trophy

  DF M.Andrade
  MF I.Afellay
  DF A.Correia
  DF E.Abidal
  DF A.Fontas
Players on loan :

FW Z.Ibrahimovic
DF M.Caceres
DF Henrique
MF V.Sanchez
MF A.Hleb
FW Keirrison

Official lineup :

Messi holding FIFA World Club Cup

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Adriano, Busquets, Abidal, Alves; Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro.

Subs: Pinto, Bojan, Keita, Milito, Maxwell, Afellay, Thiago.

Ground :
Camp Nou (99, 354 seats)

Camp Nou attending Chelsea

The six trophies of Barca 2009-2010

More than a club, Barca moto on
Camp Nou