Abidal: “The first objective is La Liga”

Abidal: “The first objective is La Liga”

FC Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal has the honour of closing the final press conference of the year at the club today.

The session opened for the player with a question about which of the six cups that is more important to him, and his answer was: “I’ll take the victory in Abu Dhabi because it was the cup that was lacking for the club, and it was also the first time I saw the boss wept with joy. Everything was perfect.”

Asked if the team is able to replicate their successes, the Frenchman said, “We do not know yet if it is possible to repeat (the year), but it sure is going to be very difficult. We can continue to work with the attitude that we have in the trainings, and work the way we always do. We can always try but the road is still very long, and we know it is never easy to win a title. If in the end we are able to do it that would be perfect.”

Continue reading »

Caption This: Carles Puyol

Caption This: Carles Puyol

Last time, Cristiano Ronaldo apparently had skin issues, self esteem problems and a whole host of other things to worry about. This time, it is our dear Captain Puyol, who’s in the crosshair. Is he enjoying a cool-down during the summer, or is this a cruel punishment from Guardiola, as staff-member Cerridwen noted? You tell us!

Cani: “We have scored at the Camp Nou two years in a row”

Cani: “We have scored at the Camp Nou two years in a row”

Villarreal midfielder Cani (28) shared his thoughts with Catalan sports paper Sport. He hopes to find the back of the net as the “Yellow Submarine” look to sink Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday night. After a horrendous start to the season, Villarreal are back in the top half of the table and are currently riding a three match winning streak in La Liga. Cani wants that winning trend to continue in the new year as he hopes to pick up a vital result against Barcelona. Continue reading »

Eto’o and other former 2009 players invited to join in celebration

Eto’o and other former 2009 players invited to join in celebration

According to Spanish news agency EFE, FC Barcelona is going the parade all six of the cups that they won in 2009 at the Camp Nou on Saturday before the match against Villarreal. And the club is planning on celebrating the event with everyone – including all of its former players who played a part and were responsible for the haul.

Thus, Eto’o, Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho, Hleb, Caceres and Jorquera are invited to attend the event – where all the players will enter the pitch carrying the cups, a final destination after their rolling display through 110 Catalunya municipalities. It is the Catalan club’s way of commemorating the 110th anniversary of its formation.

Some, if not most of these players may fail to be there however, as some are having to play a match of their own that day and that includes Sylvinho who currently plays for Manchester City (FA Cup against Middlesborough), and Albert Jorquera of Spanish Segunda Division side Girona (league match against Recreativo Huelva).

Picture of the Day: Carles Puyol & Pep Guardiola

Picture of the Day: Carles Puyol & Pep Guardiola

Carles Puyol & Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona.

Genoa interested in Marquez

Genoa interested in Marquez

Italian sports publication La Gazzetta dello Sport today reports that Italian Serie A side Genoa is interested in Barcelona’s Mexican defender Rafael Marquez (30), with the paper claiming that the Blaugrana is the main objective of the club’s president Enrico Preziosi next summer.

No bid offer has yet been set by the Serie A mid-table team.

Barcelona paid French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco 5 million euros for the Mexican international back in 2003, and the player has recently renewed his contract, that will see him remain with the club until June 2012. The Catalan club has set his buy-out clause at 100 million euros. Continue reading »

Alves: “Pep is the key to this team”

Alves: “Pep is the key to this team”

“If we continue with this coach, we can go very far,” was the prediction made by Barcelona’s right-back Daniel Alves made about his boss, Pep Guardiola, in a press conference held yesterday at the club.

“He is a coach who always transmits positive feelings in the players. He is the key that enables this team’s success. He has the ability to extract the best from each and every one of us.”

“What is certain is that there will be no slowing down, because he always instils in all of us that everything is possible.”

Continue reading »

Quote of the Day: Andres Iniesta

Quote of the Day: Andres Iniesta

“But it was destiny that kept us in the game. It was destiny, that saw Valdes save a shot from Drogba, with his foot; that Toure played a great game, when he had to cover for Abidal, and that we played with 10 men for more than 20 minutes. This goal was scored by everyone.”

Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona

Video of the Year: FC Barcelona


The Front: El Mundo Deportivo (31.12.2009)

‘WE WILL WIN MORE TITLES’

‘The Champions League final in Bernabéu is  an important extra motivation’

Márquez has arrived, so almost all the players will be available to play against Villarreal.

The individual ratings of this mystic team.

The Guardiola’s humane details.

The Front: Sport (31.12.2009)

‘WE WANT TO KEEP ON WINNING AND MAKING HISTORY’

INIESTA BRINDS A TOAST TO  A SUCCESSFUL  2010

Ready to return. Today he will be tested to know if he’s ready to play against Villarreal.

Pep stars in the new Estrella Damm spot.

[Non Barça Related]

Madrid: Guti will leave the club in 2010 and Raúl could be the next.

Barcelona interested in Anderlecht starlet Lukaku

Barcelona interested in Anderlecht starlet Lukaku

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that several European top clubs, including Barcelona, would be interested in Anderlecht forward and Belgian youth international Romelu Lukaku (16). His contract with his current club Anderlecht ends in the year 2012, but several top clubs from English Premier League, Serie A and Spanish La Liga would be ready to make offers for the young striker.

Continue reading »

Barcelona tracking Marek Hamsik (UPDATE!)

Barcelona tracking Marek Hamsik (UPDATE!)

Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona would be interested in Napoli midfielder and Slovakian international Marek Hamsik (22). Hamsik has played in Serie A since 2004, where he has played in Brescia and Napoli. During this time he has scored 26 goals in 86 league appearances, and his excellent performances have attracted the interest of several European top clubs, including Barcelona.

Continue reading »

Invincible Valdés

Invincible Valdés

The presence of the goalkeeper from L’Hospitalet in the Azulgrana goal is insurance for the interests of Barça. There doesn’t exist in the world a keeper who can finish a year winning six titles.  Victor Valdés can say it, because as a component of the Barça squad he is a fundamental part of an historic success, even though he only intervened directly in five of the successes, since in the Copa del Rey it was Pinto who always defended the Barcelona goal.

Medical: Iniesta, Keita, Jeffren progressing well

Medical: Iniesta, Keita, Jeffren progressing well

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is not ruling out the inclusion of midfielder Andres Iniesta for this Saturday’s match against Villarreal, but is expected to keep him benched.  It is assumed that the coach would want to reserve him for the home-leg Copa del Rey Round-of-16 match against Sevilla on Wednesday. Iniesta was seen doing field training with one of the club’s physiotherapist Emili Ricart yesterday.

Iniesta was diagnosed as having a torn anterior rectus fascia in his left leg on 17 December, the day after the CWC semi-final match against Atlante – an injury that usually takes about two weeks to heal.

Continue reading »

Picture(s) of the Day: Gabriel Milito

Picture(s) of the Day: Gabriel Milito

There’s a few pictures awaiting after the jump, which portrays the teams training session yesterday.

Continue reading »

TotalBarca.com Best Player Of This Historic Season (2008-2009)

TotalBarca.com Best Player Of This Historic Season (2008-2009)

In 2009, a Football Club along with its mastermind Pep Guardiola, managed to engrave an amazing history into the record books and onto the hearts of all fellow Cules around the world, when they managed to win six cups in one year! It wasn’t easy though, because this club had to go through the suffering of all the criticisms, of all the hatred, of all the injuries, but most importantly of all the doubts that the new players and the new couch could not possibly lift this club where its supposed to be at. Hence, many gave up on the team when they heard that a player named Ronaldinho would leave, that a second league coach would take the reigns, and that later a hunger filled lion by the name of Eto’o would be sold to an Italian Club. But Oh, how they were wrong! Because this football club known as FC Barcelona surpassed and won EVERYTHING, making them righteous to receive the title: The Best Team Of The World!

But of course, The Best Team Of The World has to have a best player. That is why this poll has been created. You all know that this magnificent year is coming to a close, but with it, we are taking a fond and jubilant memory: 6 Tournaments played and 6 Tournaments won, what a magnificent year! But everyone here at TotalBarca.com wants to hear what you have to say about this year. That is why TotalBarca.com is asking you, Who has been the Best FC Barcelona Player this year and why? Which player caught your eye on the pitch? Was it Xavi’s great passes? Ibrahimovic’s powerful shots? Dani Alves’ amazing centers? Iniesta’s demolition of Stamford Bridge? Messi’s decisive goal against Manchester United and his jaw-dropping dribbling and skills? Puyol’s fearsome defense against Real Madrid? The amazing rise of a young superstar named Pedro? Or the genius behind Guardiola? Have your say in this poll, go ahead vote. But think about it well. (And don’t let Messi’s awards fog your minds.)

Continue reading »

Quote of the Day: Carles Puyol

Quote of the Day: Carles Puyol

And what if you see a kid wearing one (shirt) with your name on it?

That would be wrong. He should wear one with Messi, Andrés or Xavi… But I’m sure I would be glad and proud.

Carles Puyol, FC Barcelona

Pep has aged beyond his years by conquering all; Or has he?

Pep has aged beyond his years by conquering all; Or has he?

The trials and tribulations of coaching are sure to age anyone’s appearance, even more so if they are set on extracting every little bit of advantage that they have over other teams and work with that. Yes the talents on show do decide the outcome on the pitch but as with all team sport, it is the coach who is responsible for turning the plethora of skills into a working single unit. And that is what Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona coach had done, all in a span of 18 months.

After a promising 2008 Champions League home-leg play-off match against Wisla Krakow (4-0, 13 Aug 2008), Guardiola lost his next two matches and drawing the fourth (Wisla Krakow 1-0; Numancia 1-0; 1-1 Racing Santander), results that sow doubts on Joan Laporta’s decision to turn down Jose Mourinho – a safe choice, and is putting his bet on the untested former Barca Atletic’s coach – who had a one-year reserve squad coaching experience, albeit a very successful one.

Continue reading »

Video of the Day: Gerard Pique


The Front: El Mundo Deportivo (30.12.2009)

THE SIX CUPS, WILL BE ON TOUR

From today, the bus with the best Barça’s titles will go all over Catalunya

Until April, culés from 41 regions will vibrate in 110 stages.

The champion returns. Barça is training again and Alves, Milito and Maxwell arrived earlier than expected.

Interview MD: Godall wants to disassociate himself from Laporta.

The Front: Sport (30.12.2009)

GUARDIOLA’S MESSAGE

PEP HAS DRAWN A SET OF RULES ON THE FIRST DAY OF TRAINING

1 – From now on, we can’t play thinking about what we did.

2 – Focus on working and forget about the six titles.

3 – Past is past; in our minds should only be the Villarreal match.

The elections could be held in April 3rd or 4th. Laporta will decide.

The six cups will go all over Catalunya. They will pass through 110 towns.

Result: December Man Of The Month

Result: December Man Of The Month

It is in no doubt that 2009 has been Messi’s year. He has won every possible individual award out there and won an astonishing 6 cups with Barcelona, and not taking into importance his young age. Thanks to his hard work, Messi is now toping the TotalBarca.com Man of The Match and Man Of The Month charts. As of now he has accumulated 6 Man Of The Match Awards, and 2 Man Of The Month Awards: September and December.

Messi has even reached grand heights here at TotalBarca.com by receiving the highest percentage in a poll toping 90% leaving the second and third placed players with a mere 5%. As of now all TotalBarca.com users have casted a whopping 8,959 votes regarding who has been the best player in each game played since the launch in September.

Continue reading »

Carles Puyol’s 2010 outlook

Carles Puyol’s 2010 outlook

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo yesterday interviewed FC Barcelona’s captain Carles Puyol regarding a host of issues regarding the hexacampeon team as well his outlook for the year 2010.

Here is the interview:

Have you awoken from the ‘dream’?

Yes. I realised that what we have achieved is something almost impossible, it was very difficult. But it is done, and now it is necessary to look ahead to try to continue this path, but we are aware that maintaining this level of success is difficult but we will try.

Okay, but now what?

Continue reading »

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

We know we’re quick, but you readers should be used to it by now!

Follow the link and greet all your fellow Culés a happy New Year. Inside, you can also read about how far totalBarca has come as well as what we have in store for you in 2010!

Continue reading »

(UPDATE) Eto’o Foundation players’ future uncertain

(UPDATE) Eto’o Foundation players’ future uncertain

According to Catalan sports paper Sport, incorporated in La Masia are 15 players from Africa – all under the sponsorship of a football foundation set up by former Barcelona’s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o – whose future stay with the Catalan’s club academy may be in jeopardy. That is because the partnership inked between the two parties is set to expire on 30 June 2010, and there is yet to be a confirmation of an extension or renewal of that agreement.

Of these students, the case of Gael Etock and Armand Ella can be a bit tricky, as according to all the reports submitted by the club’s technical staffs, both 16-year-olds are said to have great potentials, and the club is sure to want to hold on to them.

Continue reading »

Quote of the Day: Joan Laporta

Quote of the Day: Joan Laporta

“The next player to sign a new deal, will be Pique because he deserves it. Today Gerard is one of the best central defenders in the world.”

Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona

Video of the Day: Andres Iniesta


Thanks to our tipster, Anup Ghatage!

(UPDATE) Four Atletic’s players told to report for first team training

(UPDATE) Four Atletic’s players told to report for first team training

UPDATE

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that all the Americas players are now back in Barcelona except for Argentine Lionel Messi, who is given four extra days off by Pep Guardiola, and who still carries a slight discomfort in his right ankle.  The last to arrive is Brazilian right-back Dani Alves, and he is expected to join the training session this afternoon, even though all players coming from across the Atlantic are not required to.

———————————————————–

Continue reading »

Picture of the Day: Bojan Krkic

Picture of the Day: Bojan Krkic

Bojan Krkic in front of La Masia. There’s a few more select picture from Bojan’s time at the academy, waiting after the jump.

Thanks to our tipster, Nozbleed!

Continue reading »