The Argentinean and the Colombian, who face each other at the Camp Nou on Sunday at the FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid game, are unquestionably the top two strikers in the Spanish League. The two lead the goalscoring table in La Liga with 23 and 16 after just 15 games – figures that reveal how important their goals have been for their two teams this campaign.
Cristian Tello has extended his contract with FC Barcelona until June 2016. The release clause has been fixed at €10 million. Tello, born in Greater Barcelona, is a product of the Catalan club’s school and youth system. He debuted with Barça’s first team in November 2011 and from 2002 and 2007 he played in the club’s youth ranks.
In Cordoba, yet another brace from Messi has put the Spanish Cup quarter finals well within reach for FC Barcelona. It was a wonderful all-round performance for Barça at the Nuevo Arcángel in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Barça they will still have to make sure of qualification when the sides meet again at the Camp Nou on January 10.
The Spanish League leaders get their eighth straight win on the road and in all their 14th of the season. Messi put Barça ahead with two early goals to beat Müller’s record. Betis pulled a goal back before the break and hit the post three times in the second half. Messi and Jordi Alba also hit the wood work.
The day after a serious shock in the Benfica match, Leo Messi has described how he felt in the 84th minute, when he had to be stretchered off the pitch. “When I first felt the pain, I imagined the worst – that I’d be out for months. After tests and learning that it is not a long-term injury, I’m feeling a lot better”. Describing the action, in which he stumbled against the keeper but still carried on trying to score, he said “I thought it might be the last ball I’d touch for a long time and I wanted to go for it”.
Barça closed the group stage of the Champions League with a goalless draw against Benfica. This should have been a night of celebration for Leo Messi as he closed in on Gerd Muller’s scoring record, but it ended badly with the injury to the World Number One. Messi had started on the bench and Tito Villanova didn’t bring him on until after the break. Shortly afterwards, the Argentinean had to come off with a knee injury. Before Messi’s appearance, Pinto had been the centre of attention with a series of saves that helped ensure the Portuguese team bowed out of the Champions League.
The Brazilian has explained that Barça have plenty of reasons to take the Benfica match seriously, even though they have already won the group The man who has played in every position in defence is having a terrific season so far. Asked about his versatility, he said “right now I don’t where I like playing the most. The most important thing is to play. I like being on the pitch and helping the team and the boss. It is an honour that he trusts me so much and I am just trying to improve”.
Goals from Adriano and Villa (2) won Barça a convincing victory despite Alavés scoring first. It meant a 6-1 win on aggregate, sending FC Barcelona into the round of sixteen, where they will face second division Cordoba.
Barça host Alavés in the Round of 32 return leg of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday (21:30 CET). Barça claimed a 0-3 victory in the away leg. Tito Vilanova, who will rest five key first team players, has named five Barça B men to the side.
With a full 11 players who have come through the Masia – FC Barcelona’s school, Barça put four past Levante on Sunday, with Messi (2), Iniesta and Cesc scoring the goals. FC Barcelona now sit 11 points ahead of Real Madrid and threeahead of Atletico who they meet in three weeks’ time.
Shell and the charity Football Club Barcelona Foundation have decided to enter a partnership to run football programmes in support of youth in Iraq, Oman and Qatar. The programme, named ‘Futbol Net’ will be launched in 2013 by the FC Barcelona Foundation and will use sport to promote skills of teamwork, accountability and leadership in children between the ages of eight and seventeen.
Barça Manager Tito Vilanova put his squad through their paces in Moscow on Monday evening and the players had their first chance to check out the artificial pitch Spartak’s stadium. The preparatory session for Tuesday’s Champions League game was held in freezing conditions.
Barça won their eleventh game of the twelve Spanish League games this season, beating Zaragoza 3-1 with two goals from Messi and Song’s first for the team. This means that Tito Vilanova’s men have taken 34 of the first 36 points in play in La Liga. Barça finished the game with ten home grown players on the pitch.
The contract signed by Qatar Sports Investment and FC Barcelona foresaw the possibility of including a new sponsor on the shirt of the club’s football first team from the third season of the agreement. FC Barcelona’s President Sandro Rosell has welcomed Qatar Airways, “an ambitious brand with global aspirations, always commitment to the utmost excellence in its field.” The Qatar Foundation now becomes FC Barcelona’s Official Human Development Partner, which “will allow them to continue promoting their shared values”, states the Catalan club.
Tests have confirmed that the Chile international player has damaged a ligament in his right foot. FC Barcelona’s player Alexis picked up the injury in Wednesday’s friendly between Chile and Serbia in Switzerland.