Fifty days since Wembley

Barcelona (FCB).- It’s been a relatively quiet summer break at the Club, with the majority of the squad able to enjoy a well deserved break after winning the Spanish Super Cup, the League and the Champions League last season. Only the South American players involved in the Copa America and the five Spanish Under 21 internationals, who won the European Championship, have been busy since that night at Wembley.

Three important contract renewals

Although there have been no new signings as yet, the Club’s offices have seen three important contract renewals to guarantee the presence of three of the Club’s home-grown talents. Thiago was first, his contract being extended to 2015, then, a few days later, it was announced that Fontas had been awarded a first team contract. Finally Pedro committed his future to the team, with an extension deal with the Club to 2016. In addition, Victor Sánchez and Cáceres, who had been out on loan, finally left the Club, whilst Henrique signed a new loan deal with Palmeiras.

On the coaching side, Juan Carlos Unzué has returned to the Club as the new goalkeeping coach and on the retirement front, two ex-Barça players who were important in the 2006 and 2009 Champions League winning teams –Belletti and Sylvinho – both announced they were hanging up their boots.

European title and the Copa America

On the field, five of Barça’s young talents - Miño, Montoya, Jeffren, Thiago and Bojan were involved in Spain’s successful Under 21 European Championship win in Denmark, with Thiago scoring a fabulous goal in the final against Switzerland, securing himself the title of man of the match.

After the success of the under 21s, it was the turn of the South American footballers at the Club to turn out in the Copa America Tournament. It was a disappointing end for the Argentinean trio of Milito, Mascherano and Messi (who played a personal best 66 games this year) as the hosts were beaten in the quarter finals, but Alves and Adraino are still in the tournament with Brazil.