FC BARCELONA PLAYERS

• Name: Samuel Eto'o Fils - 9 Eto'o
• Position: delantero
• Place of birth: Nkon (Cameroon)
• Date: 10-03-1981
• Height: 180 cm
• Weight: 75 kg

Samuel Eto'o Fils made an impact on the world of football while still a teenager. He has exceptional physical qualities and made the leap to European football at the tender age of just 16 when Real Madrid signed him up and loaned him out to Leganés.

At the age of 17 years and 3 months he became the youngest player at the 1998 World Cup in France and was the only player who had been born in the '80's.

After Leganés, he went on loan to RCD Espanyol (1998-1999) but played very little and subsequently retuned to Real Madrid (1999-2000). In the 1999-00 season, he played a few times for RCD Mallorca, eventually spending four seasons there (2000-04), with the Balearic Island club sharing his rights with Real Madrid.

During his time with Mallorca, he became the highest ever league goal scorer in the history of the club, with 54 goals. He signed for Barca in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee of 24 million euros after a long series of three-way negotiations with RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, thus becoming the first Cameroonian player to defend the Barca colours. He made his debut for FC Barcelona in the first game of the season at Ràcing Santander, on August 29, 2004.

Since then, he has become a veritable goal machine, scoring 25 times in his first season and making a huge contribution to winning the championship. His goal against Levante clinched the league title. He has needed just 67 matches to reach the landmark figure of 50 goals, outstripping some of the great Barca legends of the past.

Since he joined the Club he has been chosen as African Player of the Year 2004, 2005 and 2006, and picked up third place in the FIFA World Player 2005. He is a full international and one of the outstanding players in the Cameroon team and has a huge popular following in his country.

In the 2005-06 season, he was the top scorer in the Spanish League with 26 goals. In the Champions League Final on May 17 in Paris, it was Eto'o who scored Barcelona's equaliser after the Blaugrana had gone a goal down to Arsenal.

CHARACTERISTICS

Fast, strong and direct, Samuel Eto'o, who is 1.80 tall and weighs 75 kilos, boasts considerable experience, despite still only being 23. He's a committed player, whose hunger for goals never gets in the way of his desire to do the best for his team.

Eto'o is fast footed and capable of leaving his markers flailing behind him, with a strong shot and is also an experienced penalty taker.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona

• 2006-07 Spanish Supercup
• 2005-06 Champions League
• 2005-06 League
• 2005-06 Spanish Supercup
• 2004-05 League

Real Madrid

• 1999-00 Champions League
• 1997-98 Intercontinental Cup

Real Mallorca

• 2002-03 Spanish Cup

Cameroon

• 2003 Confederation Cup runners up
• 2002 African Cup
• 2000 African Cup
• 2000 Gold medal Sidney Olympics

Individual Awards

• 2005-06 Spanish League top goalscorer
• 2004-05 Third place FIFA WORLD PLAYER
• 2004-05 African Player of the Year
• 2003-04 African Player of the Year
• 2002-03 African Player of the Year

link: FC BARCELONA Samuel Eto'o Fils

Lionel Andrés Messi, Lionel Messi photos, wallpapers 1024x716

PARIS (AP) -Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are the favorites to win this year's Golden Ball, awarded by France Football magazine to Europe's top player.

Ronaldo finished second to AC Milan midfielder Kaka last year, while Messi was third.

Kaka was again among the 30 nominees released Tuesday, but does not believe he will win this time.

''I am realistic. This one won't be for me. It's a shame, but it's logical,'' Kaka said. ''AC Milan did not have a good season.''

Kaka is touting United's winger to take the top prize.

''My favorite is Cristiano Ronaldo,'' Kaka said. ''He won two major titles with Manchester, and he scored a lot of goals.''

The 23-year-old Portugal winger scored 42 goals in all competitions to help United win the Premier League title and the Champions League.

The 21-year-old Messi was also in top form for Barca, scoring several breathtaking goals for the Catalan club, and also helping Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0 to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in August.

''He is the kind of player I really like,'' Kaka said. ''Like Cristiano Ronaldo, he dribbles, he scores. Messi often does it all on his own.''



Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is also among the nominees after helping Spain win the European Championship in June, scoring the lone goal in the final against Germany. Torres also scored 24 league goals in his debut season with the Reds.

Lyon striker Karim Benzema, one of only two French nominees along with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, told France Football that Torres would get his vote.

''He scores goal after goal,'' Benzema said.



source: The Associated Press

youtube Lionel Messi, videos Messi


Videos de Messi, Video Lionel Messi

Name: Thierry Henry
Position: forward
Place of birth: Les Ulis (Francia)
Date: 17-8-1977
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 83 kg

Thierry Henry is considered to be one of the best forwards in world football over the past decade. Elegance, ability and effectiveness are his main assets.

Born in Les Ulis (France) on August 17, 1977, he made his debut in top flight football with Monaco during the 1994-95 campaign, aged just 17. He began to show some of his ability on the right wing for the Principality-based outfit. After a brief spell at Juventus in 1998-99, Henry joined Arsenal, where he went on to show his true colours and become one of the best players in the history of the north London club.

Having moved into the centre of attack, Henry proved how lethal he was in front of goal at Arsenal even though he became known for drifting out to both flanks to pull his markers across the field. With him in the side, the label of 'Boring Arsenal' was forgotten as the Gunners became an attractive, attacking force in the Premiership and in Europe.

During his time in England he broke virtually every Arsenal club record. He became the Gunners' top goalscorer of all time with 214 goals and became the record scorer in the Premiership (since it was formed in 1992) with 164 goals as well as finishing as the scorer in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

His immense trophy haul includes a World Cup winners' medal as he was a member of the successful French squad in 1998. Two years after that he helped his country to win the European Championships in Belgium and Holland and then added the Confederations Cup to his collection in 2003. In ten years as a full international, up until the summer of 2007, Henry has played 92 games for France and netted 39 goals, just two less than the legendary Michel Platini, the French all-time record goalscorer.

At club level, Henry helped Arsenal win the Premiership twice (2002 and 2004) and the FA Cup on three occasions (2002, 2003 and 2005). On a personal note, he finished as Europe's top goalscorer and picked up the Golden Boot in 2004 and 2005.

PROFILE

Speed and technique are two of Henry's main characteristics, which he allies with efficiency and elegance. He is considered to be one of the most skilful players in the game with the ball at his feet as well as being an extremely intelligent footballer.

Despite having been moulded into a central striker under Arsène Wenger, Henry can play across the front line, which could well prove to be very useful as he vies for a place in the Barça team with Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi during the 2007-08 season.

HONOURS

Arsenal
2004-2005 FA Cup
2004-2005 Community Shield
2003-2004 League
2002-2003 FA Cup
2002-2003 Community Shield
2001-2002 FA Cup
2001-2002 League

Monaco
1996-1997 League

France
2006 World Cup runner-up
2003 Confederations Cup
2000 European Championship
1998 World Cup

Personal awards
2005-2006 Premiership top goalscorer
2004-2005 Premiership top goalscorer
2004-2005 Golden Boot
2003-2004 Premiership top goalscorer
2003-2004 Golden Boot
2001-2002 Premiership top goalscorer

10. Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander to Real Madrid)
Last Week: 7

What a capture! Barcelona seemed to have him in the bag, but hesitated a little too much as they waited for Frank Rijkaard to leave and a new coach to take charge. Madrid managed to snatch Sergio Ramos a few years ago, and what a signing that has turned out to be. This one may be no different.

9. Deco (Barcelona to Chelsea)
Last Week: 6
On the wrong side of 30, a first look suggests that he is past it, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is a fire that burns in him as we saw during Euro 2008, and he has a lot more to give to football. He is not what Frank Lampard is, as he will never score as many goals. But then, he is also everything Lampard is not. Superb creativity, a great eye for the game, and an ability to run the show that has seen him win the Champions League with two different clubs. Finally, Chelsea have a player who can orchestrate the pleasing football their owner wants. With Ballack and Essien set to play around him, it will be an ominous midfield.

8. Amantino Mancini (Roma to Inter)
New Entry

Jose Mourinho does not quite promote exciting football, but he does like a fast, aggressive winger forward at least on one flank. That is just what he has found in Mancini, who will be handed the license to thrill just as Arjen Robben was during the glory years at Chelsea. Tends to blow hot and cold, though, as Roma found out last season. Lack of consistency will not go down well with the 'Special One', so he does need to focus a lot more.

7. Amauri (Palermo to Juventus)
Last Week: 5

The Brazilian-Italian striker made it to number three after earning himself a long overdue move to a top four club, but now slips down to seven. He has already shown his potential with Palermo, and the prospect of him getting some top quality service from the Juve midfield is simply mouth-watering. Champions League, here he comes.

6. Daniel Alves (Sevilla to Barcelona)
Last Week: 4
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United – these are just some of the clubs that have queued up for him over the last 18 months or so. However, it is Barcelona who land him after some difficult negotiations with Sevilla. Perhaps a touch overpriced at 30 million euros (he would have been number one on this list at 20m), but then again, he is the best attacking full-back this world has seen since Roberto Carlos.

5. Samir Nasri (Marseille to Arsenal)
Last Week: 3
The highly rated French international is the latest to join the clan of young Gunners. Many view him as a replacement for Aliaksandr Hleb, while others go a step further and call him the next Zidane. He has had some problems with injuries, but let's hope those were exceptions as opposed to the rule. The prodigous playmaker is at number five.

4. Ronaldinho (Barcelona to Milan)
New Entry

A gamble? Yes. But given the chance, would you sign one of the all time greats of football for a third of his market price last summer? You bet you would. At 28, he is far from over. Some diet planning and some tough training, and he will give at least three or four good years to the Rossoneri. A gamble nonetheless, or he would definitely have been number one. Number four for the Gaucho.

3. Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham)
Last Week: 2
The hottest young Croatian was snapped up by Spurs despite the interest of clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, and what a signing it has already turned out to be. Looks set to become the jewel in Juande Ramos' midfield next season. He remains at the sharp end of our list.

2. Aliaksandr Hleb (Arsenal to Barcelona)
New Entry

A very shrewd buy, and what could very well turn out to be a stroke of genius from Barcelona. With Lionel Messi expected to run the show, what they needed was not a Ronaldinho, but a tireless, no-nosense attacking midfielder to offer support from the other flank - without hogging possession or the limelight. And they got him on the cheap too. A true critics' player in that while fans rave about others, he runs away with the technical plaudits.

1. Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal to Milan)
Last Week: 1

The underrated Frenchman was one of Arsenal's best players last season, and Milan's signing was nothing less than a coup. That it was a free transfer makes it even better. The smartest transfer this summer despite the number of high profile players on the move.

source: goal.com

Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona and AC Milan have reached an official agreement so the transfer of Gianluca Zambrotta to the Italian club can be completed. The 31-year-old defender will put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract with the Serie A outfit that will see him play at the San Siro until 2012. The transfer fee is €9m plus €2m more depending upon Milan’s performance in the Champions League over the next four seasons.

Zambrotta has played for Barcelona for the past two seasons after joining the club from Juventus in 2006 and helped the Blaugrana to win the Spanish Super Cup in his first season.

Holland goes through to the quarter-finals after beating France 4-1. Blaugrana Henry was the scorer of France’s only goal.

In one of the best games of the European Cup, Holland goes through to the quarter-finals after beating France 4-1. Blaugrana Henry was the scorer of France’s only goal, Thuram played the full 90 minutes whilst Abidal stayed on the substitute bench.

Exciting first half

In an exciting first half, France were overcome by Holland alter just ten minutes, when Kuyt headed home a corner from Van der Vaart. Holland had other chances, but France responded well, with Govou, Malouda and Ribery keeping Manchester United keeper Van der Saar busy in the opposite goal. Henry wasn’t in the game much, apart from a powerful shot which just missed. After a weak start, Thuram was more than able to keep Kuyt under control.

Classic second half

The excitement didn’t let up in the second half, and despite France’s dominance, sub Van Persie scored from Robben’s cross in the 59th minute. Hernry pulled one back for France in the 71st minute, touching home a cross from Sagnol, but Holland responded seconds later with a goal from Robben. Then, in injury time, Sneijder scored from a powerful 20-yard shot, making it 4-1. Holland have now won Group C and qualified for the quarter finals, but France and Italy still have to battle it out next Wednesday.


source: fcbarcelona.com

In what is labelled as a match worthy of the final itself, Spanish giant Barcelona will take on English juggernaut Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday night at the Camp Nou.

Although United hold a slight advantage in this match, you can never bet against Barca. Both teams have been unbeaten in the competition so far, and this match will be a showdown.

Let's have a look at the key battles on-field that might decide the match's outcome.

1. Lilian Thuram/Gabriel Milito vs. Wayne Rooney/Carlos Tevez:

Barcelona will be without their skipper, Puyol, and hence will be vulnerable at the back. However with the experience Thuram brings, there will be stability at the back, at least on paper.

Gabriel Milito has been great for the last two seasons and has filled Rafael Marquez's shoes very well. He will look to neutralise the threat of fellow compatriot Carlos Tevez.

On the other hand, Man United's two forwards will look to keep the two defenders busy and will pounce on any errors by Barca's backline.

2. Eric Abidal vs. Cristiano Ronaldo:

Stopping the best player in the world will be more than a walk in the park for Abidal.

His defending is as good as his attacking, but will he be able to handle hotrod Ronaldo?

My guess is that Ronaldo will keep him huffing and puffing, even if Abidal manages to keep him on a leash. This battle on the flanks will have a big impact on the tie. Because the winner here will probably be the winner of the tie.

3. Gianluca Zambrotta vs. Ryan Giggs:

Although the veteran winger Giggs is not what he used to be, he has the desire to win Europe once again. Zambrotta, on the other hand, is young, fast and a great crosser of the ball.

However, with experience on his side, Giggs will be a tough challenge for any right back. This battle in the wings is almost as important as the entire match itself, because if Giggs has a bad day at the office, then Patrice Evra will have the near impossible task of stopping Messi and Zambrotta.

So, it is absolutely essential that Giggs keeps Zambrotta busy.

4. Yaya Toure or Deco or Xavi vs Michael Carrick/Owen Hargreaves or Anderson/Paul Scholes:

The midfield is where most games are decided, and this one will be no different. Barcelona has great midfielders, such as two-time winner of the competition Deco and the experienced Xavi.

However, it will be great to see how Yaya Toure handles the pressure against the likes of Carrick and Scholes.

From United's point of view, Hargreaves will be the key man. He will have to keep a lot of attacking players at bay and will be almost sure to start.

Looking at the great form he is in, it doesn't seem a hard job after all.

5. Lionel Messi vs. Patrice Evra:

Patrice Evra will be United's equivalent of Eric Abidal, as he will have to stop a certain Argentinian called Lionel Messi. Messi is just returning from an injury and it will be some time before he comes back to full form.

However, he has a knack of scoring crucial goals and playing well in big games, so in short, Patrice Evra has a mountain to climb. But do not count out Evra just as yet.

His defending has improved a lot this season and he looks like a complete left back. In fact, he has been recently voted by many as the Premier League's best left back.

6. Andres Iniesta or Bojan Krkic vs. Wes Brown:

When Ronaldinho started flirting with injury, not many thought that Iniesta would be able to fit the bill. However, this season he has been Barca's best and most consistent midfielder.

In the absence of R10, he has blossomed into a creative genius with feet that glide on the turf. However, Wes Brown is no rookie himself. He is as dogged as any defender could be, and he is also great in overlapping with Ronaldo.

Brown can also double up as a central defender. The absence of Gary Neville has not hurt United much, thanks to Wes Brown.

Bojan is another one of Barca's youth academy graduates and has been instrumental in many a win, but I doubt he will start given that Messi is returning.

7. Thierry Henry/Samuel Eto'o vs. Rio Ferdinand/Nemanja Vidic:

United fans will be rejoicing all around the world at the return of Vidic, but he will have the daunting task of stopping two of the world's most dangerous strikers in Eto'o and Henry.

With Ferdinand on his side, the job becomes a bit easier, as they have formed the best defensive partnership in Europe. Henry himself is no stranger to United and will try and exploit all mistakes made by the United's back two. All in all, this encounter will be thrilling.

Eto'o, who has been injury prone, will look to find the back of the net, but Vidic will be a man mountain to climb, to say the least.

GOALKEEPING

The goalies of the respective teams will have to be on top of their game to give their team the edge. The experienced Van der Sar seems to have an edge here, as he has been in great form this year. Valdes on the other hand has been accident prone.

• Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Position: forward
• Place of birth: Santa Fe (Argentina)
• Date: 24-06-1987
• Heignt: 1'69
• Weight: 67

This Argentinian striker's footballing career started in 1995 at Newell's Old Boys, where he played until the year 2000. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Barcelona, and joined the Under 14s.

Messi made spectacular progress at each of the different age levels, climbing through the ranks of the different youth teams and then Barça C, followed by Barça B and the first team in record time.

In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).

With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old. That record would eventually be beaten by Bojan.

At the Under 20 World Cup in Holland, Messi not only won the title with Argentina, but was also the leading goalscorer and was voted best player in the tournament. Aged 18 years, he had become one of the hottest properties in the world game. Shortly after, he made his first full international appearance in a friendly against Hungary.

His breakthrough as a player came in the 2005-06 season, starting with an amazing performance in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Juventus. He was also outstanding at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Barcelona's unforgettable 3-0 win, and also at Stamford Bridge, in the Champions League match against Chelsea. Injury kept him sidelined for much of the latter stage of the season. Messi played a total of 17 league games, 6 in the Champions League and 2 in the Copa del Rey. Messi scored eight goals.

CHARACTERISTICS

Messi is an unusual player. He is highly creative, and has the skills to take on defenders with ease. He is a versatile left-footed player who can play either in the middle or on either wing, or even as a centre forward.

Although he is quite short, he is so fast and physically strong that he can cope with larger opponents. He is incredibly powerful, and a specialist in such dead ball situations as corners, free kicks and penalties.

Leo Messi is cool-headed and able to assume several responsibilities in times of need. He is a player who is destined to have a very successful career in football.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Argentinian National Team
2004-05 World Cup Under-20

Barcelona's Argentina striker Lionel Messi will be out of action for six weeks after tearing a muscle in his left leg during Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Celtic.
The Catalan club confirmed on Wednesday that Messi will miss both legs of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final encounter.

It will also be a race against time for the 2007 World Player of the Year runner-up to be fit for the semi-finals if Barcelona get past an opponent who will be named after the draw on March 14.
Messi picked up the injury after 34 minutes during Barcelona's 1-0 win over the Scottish side, which booked their spot in the quarter-finals by easing through 4-2 on aggregate.

It is third time in the last three years that Messi has had the same injury, the last occasion being on December 15 against Valencia, which ruled him out of the 'El Clasico' derby the following week against Real Madrid.
In addition to his chronic problems with his left thigh, Messi has had four other significant injuries in the last two years which have caused him to miss a month or more.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was forced, under intense questioning from the media, to defend the club's medical services in the wake of Messi's latest injury on Tuesday night.
"To doubt that they are doing their best is an insult. The medical staff and the club in general are working to prevent these sort of problems. They are working hard but there is always a player that can be injured," said Rijkaard.

Messi's injury reopens the door for Thierry Henry to claim his place in the starting lineup.
The Frenchman has rarely impressed since his big-money move from English Premiership side Arsenal to the Spanish giants last summer.
Rijkaard also has other options to replace Messi on the right flank in the shape of Portuguese international Deco or teenage Mexican winger Giovanni Dos Santos.

reference: javno.com/en/sports/clanak.php?id=129366

Name: José Manuel Pinto Colorado
Position: Goalkeeper
Place of Birth: Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz)
Date of Birth: 15-11-1975
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 82 kg

José Manuel Pinto signed for FC Barcelona on January 18, 2008 after moving from Celta Vigo, where he spent the last ten seasons.

He arrived as cover for the injured Albert Jorquera after the Catalan keeper damaged knee ligaments during the festive break.

Born in Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz) on November 15, 1975, Pinto start his professional career in Andalucia. After spending three seasons with Real Betis's B side, he moved up to the first team and made his debut for the club during the 1997/98 campaign. A year later he agreed to move to Celta Vigo, where would spend the next decade before leaving to go to Camp Nou.

After being replaced by Toni Prats at Betis, Pinto opted to join Celta and it was there that he found stability and was awarded the captain's armband. He went on to play 126 games in la Primera, 56 matches in la Segunda A as well as appearing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup regularly with the club. As well as helping the side to qualify for the Champions League in 2003/04, Pinto won the Zamora Trophy as the best keeper in the league in 2005/06.

That year, Pinto conceded just 28 goals in 37 league matches (an average of 0.75 per game) and helped guide the team to sixth place in the top flight and into the UEFA Cup. The season before had seen Víctor Valdés win the Zamora.

PROFILE

Pinto is a strong goalkeeper, standing at 1.85m tall and weighing 82kg. His height and agility make him powerful in the air and he also has very quick reflexes to help him make a quick-reaction save when required. It is those reflexes that also make him a superb shot-stopper from close range, but he is not easy to beat from distance either.

HONOURS

Celta de Vigo
2001-02 Copa del Rey Runner-Up

Individual Awards
2005-06 Spanish League Zamora

Name: Gianluca Zambrotta
Position: defender
Place of birth: Como (Italy)
Date: 19-02-1977
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 76 kg

Gianluca Zambrotta was born on 19th February 1977 in Como (Italy). And it was in Como where he started his sporting career in 1994. With his home town team he competed in Serie B, putting in 48 performances and scoring 6 goals.

His opportunity to compete in Serie A came in 1997 with l?AS Bari. His debut coming on the 31st August 1997 at home against Parma. His performances over the course of 2 years were noticed by Juventus, who secured his services in 1999 in a deal worth 15.85 million Euros.

Having lost the Scudetto on the final day of his first season with Juventus, Zambrotta eventually won his first league title in 2002. It was with the then current coach, Marcello Lippi, who opted that Zambrotta changed to the position of full back.

Things didn´t change for Zambrotta with the arrival of Fabio Capello in 2004. With Juventus he played a total of 217 games, won the Scudetto twice and the Italian Supercup.

With the Italian national team, Zambrotta made his debut in 1999 which saw a 0-0 draw against Norway. Since then he has firmly established himself as first choice and has managed to take part in 2 European cups and 2 world cups. His greatest moment coming in Germany when they beat France on penalties to lift the World Cup.

Zambrotta arrived at Barça in the season of 2006-07 with his team mate Lilian Thuram with whom he had spent 5 seasons.

CHARACTERISTICS

Many adjectives can be used to describe the qualities possessed by Zambrotta; dynamic, creative, talented, eficient, etc. He can play on both sides at an equally high level and can also adapt to fill a midfield role if needed. By doing so, this has given him the ability to increase the options available when the team is on the attack.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup

Juventus
2002-03 League
2002-03 Italian Supercup
2001-02 League

Italian national Team
2005-06 World Cup