Golden boot for Messi and some random news

Leo Messi’s 34 league goals last season were enough to win him the award for topping the European club goalscoring charts. He recieved the trophy this afternoon at the Estrella Damm factory in Barcelona. Congrats!

intresting facts: The Golden Ball is awarded by France Football to the top scorer in European leagues. Since it was first presented, 1967, only Ronaldo Nazário (1996-97) has won it by scoring g goals for Barça. The Brazilian got the same tally of 34 goals that served for Messi to succeed him as an FC Barcelona winner. Leo Messi is the second player to win the Golden Boot while playing for Barça. Krankl, Stoitchkov, Pizzi, Larsson and Henry all won it and later joined the club.

Some photos from ceremony









Quick video:


Messi has new boots, golden adizero F50. Boots are very special and personalised, Adidas wants to give special tribute offering commemorative boots designed for the occasion of Golden Boot Award. Adizero F50 boots are in gold color with 34 balls, one for each goal scored (17 on each boot).



Eduard Manchón, a star of FC Barcelona's 5 Copes season, has died at the age of 80 after a long illness. The legendary forward combined with famous names such as Ladisalo Kubala, Emilio Aldecoa, Juan Velasco, Joan Segarra and Antoni Ramallets as the Blaugrana won the league title, the Copa de Generalisimo, the Copa Latina, the Copa Martini Rossi and the Copa Eva Duarte in the 1951/52 season.


Bad news about Xavi :
“For several weeks, the player has been suffering bilateral aquiline tendinopathy, which has reached an acute stage. The player, the manager Pep Guardiola, the FC Barcelona Medical Services and national manager Vicente del Bosque have decided that the best decision would be for him not to play with the Spanish national team in the games against Lithuania and Scotland in order for him to remain in Barcelona and do recovery work.
Tomorrow, in consideration of the player’s condition, we will decide whether Xavi Hernández will also miss the game against Mallorca next Sunday."

Get well soon Xavi!

FC Barcelona’s squad came back from Kazan straight after the game and didn't train on Thursday. Instead, the players will return to training on Friday morning at 11:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva as preparations begin for the visit of Real Mallorca at the weekend.

As conlaroja reports: "Several days ago, Andrés and David were visited in Barcelona by artists from the museum to get their measurements and take pictures. The statues will be ready in about two months time, and will join the replica statues of Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres in a new room in the museum dedicated to the world champions."




Guardiola vs Michael Laudrup: A Challenge of 'Dream Team'. Barça-Mallorca on Sunday will be historic. For the first time, Pep Guardiola as coach will face another former member of Dream Team Blaugrana in league match!


Like in previous years this season also we will probably have leading song. Ealier were 'Viva la Vida' and 'Human', this year it seems that the song 'Fire with fire' by Scissor Sisters will be theme song. Well it's acording to Sport.es, so we will see if this will be confirmed;)

Valdés, Guardiola, Ronaldinho and videos

Yesterday after trainig session Victor Valdés spoke with press. "We can’t allow ourselves to lose the taste for winning. We like to take things one step at a time. That’s the secret of our team. We can’t just accept what we’ve achieved nor look backwards” said our goalkeeper. If you want to read more click here.
And two photos from this press conference:



Today our players trained in the morning. Twenty two first team players and five Barca B youngsters (Oier, Miño, Fontàs, Thiago and Jonathan Dos Santo) trained under Guardiola in the second session of the week. Diego Simeone was again watching the session at which the players used the official ball of the new league season.



After training Pep Guaridiola held press conference. Coach answered questions about players, situtation in team, feelings before Gamper' game, Ronaldionho comeback to Camp Nou, new signings, Zlatan situation and so (more here)




And here is something very special, our ex-blaugrana player, Ronaldinho will play at Camp Nou with his team AC Milan. Players, coaches and Barca officials underline value of this player to the club. Ronaldinho wrote open letter. This message is meant for all the members, fans, board members, staff, players and friends at FC Barcelona.

"As you all know, I don't normally talk in public a lot and I'm not one for big farewells, but I would like to take advantage of this occasion to thank you all for everything we shared together during the five years I defended the Barca shirt. They were certainly the best years of my life, both professionally and personally. I honestly think we enjoyed so much whilst we were together.

I don't like farewells and I prefer to think this will be a chance to meet with old friends and renew friendships and relationships we had in the past.

Coming back to the Nou Camp is very special for me. This will always be one of my favourite stadiums and one where I enjoyed myself so much and hopefully helped the Barca fans to enjoy themselves too.

A sincere hug to all the Barca family and especially to Sandro Rosell.

Ronaldinho."


And here is great photo too

It's on Mundo Deportivo first page today with title 'pure Barca'

There is also nice article about Sergio and Pedro (click to read more)


And of course everybody think about Gamper Trophy too! Here is video (I shared it before but now it's in English)


And really nice video enitled 'Pep Guardiola, El Rey de Copas'

Márquez : "Barça is the club of my life"

On official website of FCB you can read interview with Rafa Márquez (click to go to article)

there is a video too:


And here are my favourite highligts:

You won 12 trophies with Barça. Which one stands out?
"The Champions League in Paris because I played in the final and it was special. It was the start of the new Barça when we began to see the new style of play. Of all the trophies that was the best."

The best game?
"The qualifying game against Chelsea in 2005/06. I think I played one of my best games then."


Last Satudray you went to the training ground to say goodbye. How did that go?
"I was sad. Saying goodbye after so many years is tough. Apart from my team-mate I said goodbye to all the coaches and all the people that I worked with every day and have helped me through the bad times. It is a sad moment, but I will stay in contact and will see them all again."


What does it mean to you to play for Barça?
"They have been the best years of my sporting career. I have given the club my all and Barça will always be very important to me."


How do you think Barça fans will remember you?
"As myself. I never pretended to be somebody I am not and I hope that people remember me as a gentleman both on and off the pitch."

With Guardiola did you recover you self-esteem as a player?
"I think that we were all criticised during 2008 and many changes had to be made. Guardiola arrived and talked to me and made me feel important by giving me more responsibility. That was crucial for me and I regained my confidence."

Who is the best player you played with at Barça?
"There are many. From Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol, Deco, Yaya Touré, Phillip Cocu, then Lionel Messi, Ronalinho, Samuel Eto'o. I have enjoyed playing alongside all of them every day in training and games. I have enjoyed myself, learned a lot and it has been a pleasure to work with them."


Which Barça will you miss the most?
"Puyol. He has been my team-mate in the dressing room and on the pitch. He is one of the people that I will miss most. Also, Xavi because he has given so much support."
in team."

What will you miss most?
"Everything. I was accustomed to life in Barcelona and to the people, my friends, the place, the climate. I enjoyed life here but I will be back in the future and would like to be continued to be linked to the club."

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!