Messi is in Barcelona

Leo Messi ended his vacation and arrived this afternoon in Barcelona to meet with peers and start Asian tour. Leo Messi's presence at the airport of El Prat has generated great excitement among people around, in fact, the Barcelona player had to leave El Prat escorted by airport security.
Here are some photos:

Márquez bids farewell - photos

Maybe some of you had enough of Rafa-related post today on this blog, but I think such important player and true legend of Blaugrana deserves it. Here are some nice photos from official farewell that took place at Camp Nou today.

I think this one is just perfect, picture of winners of Champions League 2005-2006 (in Paris) in the background, and Rafa just next to his photo with trophy is priceless!

His smile made me happy too!


Nice picture, I guess they were watching that great video about Rafa (see ealier post to watch it too! -click)





Thanks once again Rafa!

Videos from official farewell

Here are some great videos for official farewell that took place in Sala Paris
There is cool compilation presented, Rafa is legend :)

Part 1: Speach of Mr.Sandro Rosell, President of FCB, short clip about Rafa's career in Barcelona, speach of player,


Part 2: pressconference


So just tu sum up it a little bit:
Rafa Marquez received an emotional farewell in a ceremony held at the Sala Paris of Camp Nou, in the presence of several members of the board and the coaching staff of the club. Accompanied by Club President Sandro Rosell, Josep Guardiola and captain Carles Puyol, Rafa Márquez explained his motives for leaving after seven years at the club.

Sandro Rosell done a short a review of the player's history in FC Barcelona and announced that the club will participate in a future tribute to the player.
"Rafa leave his print in this club and we want to thank you for your contribution to this institution," the president said, pointing to Marquez that "you always have the doors open at this club." President concluded: “friends forever, Barca fans forever and Rafa Marquez forever!”

The Mexican, surprised by the long applause that all gave him after watching a video with the best moments, said that it is not a final goodbye to our club. "Here I have lived the best moments of my football career. The most important part of my life is here in Barcelona where I spent many good moments." “I’ll always be a Barca fan. This is just au revoir. I’ll definitely be back at this club!” Marquez also thanked the club members, fans and the press “because although you had your doubts at the start of my time here, my hard work and quality made you change your minds and that made me feel a part of this team”.

Marquez had words of appreciation for all Barcelona fans and wanted to especially thank the support received at the time by Frank Rijkaard, Ten Cate, as well as the old board as well as Pep for the confidence the two managers showed in him, as well as President Sandro Rosell who “really went out on a limb for me” in 2003. I’d also like to thank him for organising this act for me, because not every player has the chance to leave with such a great send off”.

Asked about the reasons for his departure when the contract was still in force, the player admitted that the lack of minutes last season has been the key to his decision. He said “last season I didn’t play as much as I’d have liked and before the season ended I spoke to Guardiola, who told me the choice was in my hands. I think my time here has come to an end - I’ve always been ambitious and I want to be a regular starter. That can’t happen here, so it’s a good time to leave with my head held high and start a new challenge”. Rafa admits he would have liked to finish his career as blaugrana, but added “farewells are said to be sad affairs, but I’m leaving happy in the knowledge of everything I have won here and everything I have. I’d have loved to retire here, but things don’t always turn out as you’d like them to. I’m still not sure where I’ll be going, I’m weighing up the options”.

Rafa Márquez is not known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, but he was close to tears after his farewell speech when he received a long standing ovation from all present. Márquez also admitted that his most special memory at the club was the 2006 Champions League win in Paris and the huge mural celebrating that win on the wall of the Sala Paris proved a fitting backdrop to the farewell of a player who gave so much to the club.

He received a commemorative plaque from President Rosell, with the inscription: “with all our affection and in recognition of the example you gave, your brilliant career, and particularly for your contribution to this club”.


p.s.My favourite part is when Rafa said: “for the rest of my life, I will always be a Barca fan. I’m sure that I will one day return to Barcelona and to this institution”. So see you Rafa!

Guardiola will take 28 players on the Asia Tour

Leo Messi and Dani Alves, who returned from their holidays on Saturday, are both included in the squad alongside first team colleagues Pinto, Milito, Maxwell, Víctor Sánchez, Adriano, Ibrahimovic, Keita, Abidal and Hleb.

B team youngsters: Miño, Oier, Ilie, Sergi Gómez, Martí Riverola, Jonathan dos Santos, Jonathan Soriano, Armando, Dalmau, Benja, Edu Oriol, Muniesa, Nolito, Sergi Roberto, and Tello all travel, as do Víctor Vázquez, Fontàs, who are still recovering from injury, but have begun training.

Bojan and Jeffren have both been called up for Spain’s under-21 European Championship qualifier against Finland on August 11th. The Spanish squad will meet up on August 5th and the Barca staff decided the two would be better served by staying on in Barcelona to train, rather than having to make a break in the Tour, which would mean three long trips – to Korea and back and then to Finland, in a short period of time.

Dani is back!

Dani Alves was back with the first team squad this morning, going through a series of medical tests and greeting the rest of the players on his return from his post World Cup break. Leo Messi has his medical this afternoon.

Dani Alves began the morning with the medical check up, which all the players go through on their return to pre-season training, before going over to the training pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, where he was able to greet his teammates, though he took no part in the training session they had been involved in since 09.00.

p.s. I love clothes that Dani wore at meeting with team, he looked soo cool with stylish hat and dark shirt:)

And here are photos from his first training

Final session before Asia Tour

Blaugrana squad had a final training session at Ciutat Deportivo this morning ahead of tomorrow’s start to the Asia Tour. Players will fly out to Korea on Sunday afternoon.

Session was unique because of welcome and farewell that took place during it. There were two contrasting faces of the game at the session, with Dani Alves welcomed back after his holiday and Rafa Marquez dropping by to say his farewells after the announcement of his move to the States.

The session was split into two parts: the first focussing on fitness and the second on ball control and skills work, climaxing in a practice match. Andreu Fontàs and Víctor Vázquez both trained with the main group as their recovery from injury continues apace.

Rafa said goodbye to team

Apart from official farewell ceremony, Rafa Marquez came to morning training session to say goodbye to team mates. I think such photos don't need any comments.





And here is good news, Dani Alves came to session to meet with team and to also to say goodbye to Rafa.

Messi freed from friendly against Ireland?

Few days ago on official FBC website was news that Messi will play with Argentina team on August 11 (click to go to this news).
Yesterday Sport (click to read full article) published news that Argentina has released FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (23) from any obligation to play in the August 11th friendly against Ireland.

To tell you the truth I trust official news more that those in newspapers.

Thank you Rafa!

Sad to share this news with you, it's official" Marquez is leaving Barcelona after 7 years and 242 games for the Club,

As official website report: 'FC Barcelona and Rafa Márquez have reached a mutual agreement to rescind the player’s contract, which was due to run until 30th June 2012.'



A farewell ceremony will be held in the Camp Nou this Saturday at 6 pm. Club president Sandro Rosell will represent Barça and the whole event will be broadcast live by Barça TV.





Rafa’s superb career with the FC Barcelona which he joined in 2003. As a Barça player he’s won four league titles, two Champions Leagues, the World Club Cup, the European Super Cup, the Spanish Cup and three Spanish Super Cups.



The 31-year-old Mexican international defender has played 242 games for the Club, which puts him eighth in the ranking of foreign players. He’s been a fixture in the plans of both of the Barça managers he’s served under at the Club, Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola.



Sad to say goodbay, thank you Rafa for all once again! You will always have a place in hearts of cules:) Good luck!

On official website of FCB there is speciall gallery with great ptohos (click to visit) My fave are:






Here are some really nice photos of Rafa in blaugrana and Mexican team:

Andres and Gerard recieved tribute

Yesterday it was the turn of Andrés Iniesta in Albacete and in his hometown in Fuentaibilla and Gerard Piqué in the town where his father was born, Sant Guim de Freixenet (Lleida) to celebrate World Cup again.

In Albacete was huge celebration ( organized by the town hall of the city and by Albacete Balompié, Andres' first team) with about 7 000 people! Andrés recieved a gold medal from his former club and was also named an adopted son of Albacete and the ambassador for the feria. There was also funny moment when president of Albacete Balompié, Rafael Candel, joked that he would like to see Iniesta play for Real Madrid, since that is the club he supports. Andrés told us many times, he want to hang his boots in Barcelona, but in one TV interview he revealed the fact that he recieved proposition to play to RM (you can watch it here-click)

Iniesta spoke to people of Albacete and said that he felt very proud to make people happy, and that on July 11 he “touched the sky.” As always humble, Andrés added that he’s better with a ball than a microphone. President of the province described Iniesta as “the prince of La Mancha” and a replica of the World Cup with the words “Iniesta” and “Fuentealbilla” carved on the bottom was unveiled in the town. There were of course few funny moments, when officials spoke crowd was singing "Iniesta! Iniesta" when Andrés recieved medals people were siningig "¡Que bote Iniesta, que bote Iniesta!" and our hero started jumping on stage.

Here is short video from Albacete


Here is a little bit longer with funny "Que bote Iniesta" part (3:55)



Fuentealbilla (Andrés' hometown) prepared its own celebration, there was fireworks show and party. This little town honoured it's greatest hero.

Our next World Cup hero Gerard Pique recieved tribute in Sant Guim de Freixenet (the town where Gerard’s father Joan was born). He was accompanied by his parents and relatives.

Gerard signed the book of honor in the town hall and came out on the balcony to say a few words. He also the opportunity to inaugurate a Barcelona peña Piqué, and than had dinner with about 500 people. In the evening was party and dances, Gerard was cheered by crowd of supporters, many people was wearing blaugrana shirts with number 3.

Gerard said that: 'When you taste the victory you don't want to stop winning'. Pique, despite having won everything, remains motivated: "The future must be written and I will make every effort to keep winning'. Here you can watch short interview with our hero (click).

Here is really short video from

And here is a longer one

Training again

After free morning (due to Norway trip) players were training in the afternoon on Friday. Nothing very intresting about training session, but news of the day was that Pep shaved! :P Here are some pictures:

Messi and Alves return this Saturday

Last week, there was news in press (sport.es) that Leo and Dani will be on training today, I wrote also about this here (click). But acording to news posted today on official website of the club, two mentioned players will join mates tomorrow (Saturday 31st of July). Both players will undergo medical tests on Sunday and than travel with the rest of the team to Seoul.

After game FCB-Valerenga

Pep Guardiola was pleased with his team's first game of the pre-season campaign against Valerenga and explained that he felt fortunate to be able to call upon the services of such good youth players.

"We played everyone, we showed a good level and they showed that they were ready to play against us," Guardiola said. "The game was a very interesting chance to evaluate things."He added also that "it is very lucky that we have such a good youth system."


Guardiola also spoke about Adriano: "He will do well for us. I am delighted by the way he has settled in. He looks great going forward and will help us." Pep also praised Jonathan dos Santos': "He is attentive, disciplined and very intelligent."



Adriano Correia spoke about his debut game in Blaugrana shirt: "We have played well. It is important to start with a win and now we have to keep working.I felt comfortable out there because my team-mates and the coach have been great. He asks us to do things and we do them.I am calm and at the coach's disposal and I will fight for my place.The young players are very good. It is no coincidence that they have been promoted to Segunda A. I hope that they can stay in the team."

Rubén Miño: "I am delighted to have played with the first team. I have been at Barça since I was very young and today I fulfilled a dream. I felt calm on the pitch. Out of the three youth team goalkeepers it was my turn to step forward. I am working hard and I have to take advantage of any opportunities. We are preparing for the new season and it is great to train with the first team and to learn from them."

Seydou Keita: "The feeling is good. It is not easy to play after two weeks of training, but we have done well. We travelled for three hours and the pitch was heavy, but we won the game and it is a good way to start things off. The youngsters are like first team players as there is no difference when you play out there with them."

Sergi Roberto: "I am very pleased because this was my first game with the first team. The coach told us to play how we know how and that everything would turn out well. Now I must continue working hard and see if I have another chance to play for the first team."

Andoni Zubizarreta was presented today

New Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was officially presented with his new role at the club this morning.The former goalkeeper showered praise on the Blaugrana's previous regime and reserved special mention for his predecessor, Txiki Begiristain, who spent seven years as the club's technical secretary.

"I want to remember the people who have been here before me, starting with Begiristain," he said. "There have been many successes in the last era, and they have put together a great squad. I appreciate the work that has been done at the club, and the work of Begiristain has been exceptional."