Santos star Neymar can't split Messi, Ronaldo

Fri, 03/30/2012

Santos star Neymar can't split Barcelona ace Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar has been linked with both clubs.

"I have both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as my idols. If I can take a little of each player's game and make it my own, I would be very happy," said Neymar.

Edmilson says current Barcelona success inspired by Ronaldinho

Fri, 03/30/2012

Former Barcelona defender Edmilson feels Ronaldinho deserves great credit for the team's current success.

Edmilson claims Ronaldinho laid the foundations for what Barca are achieving today.

"He was an exceptional player at Barca," Edmilson told Band. "I do not know what happened to him in his last months at the club.

"He arrived at the club in a critical moment, he won everything and changed Barca's history.

"What Barca is now is 80 per cent because of him. He decided to leave to join Milan, but unfortunately he could not keep the same level he had shown at Barcelona."

Sanchez joined Barcelona to become best in world

Fri, 03/30/2012

Barcelona ace Alexis Sanchez admits he has big ambitions for his career.

The Chile international moved to Barca last summer from Udinese.

"I would like to end my career as one of the best players in the world and to have brought the name of Chile to the world," he told the National Association of Professional Football (ANFP).

"But life is a challenge and most importantly, I am aware that I have not done anything yet and just have to carry on.

"So, I'll stay quiet and when I finish my career, I'll see what I did right and what I did wrong.

"It all depends on the mentality, and sometimes the mentality of the Chilean player is weak and gets carried away by many things.

"Sometimes he thinks he has already done everything even though he has not done anything. Chilean players are very good, but we need the right mentality."

Barcelona captain Puyol counting on fans for AC Milan return-leg

Fri, 03/30/2012

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has called on fans to roar them to victory against AC Milan for the Champions League return-leg.

Puyol helped his side keep a clean sheet in Italy and believes Barca's fans can help them win the second leg in the Nou Camp.

Puyol said of the return leg: "It will be one of the best games.

"They are aware of what is at stake and I'm sure they'll be with us from the first minute," he added of the Barca fans on the club website.

AC Milan dismiss Barcelona pitch complaints

Fri, 03/30/2012

AC Milan have dismissed complaints from Barcelona over the state of the San Siro pitch.

Barca blamed their 0-0 Champions League draw on the ground.

In response to this, the Rossoneri have issued a reply through their official website.

“In reference to the official protest presented to UEFA by FC Barcelona regarding the conditions of the San Siro pitch, AC Milan communicates that:

1) The watering of the field, to be done within one hour prior to the game as agreed in the organisational meeting yesterday morning and per the regulations of the UEFA Champions League in section 14.15, has not been carried out due to the conditions of high humidity on the field.

2) The general conditions of the field, on which FC Barcelona had trained on the night before [pictured above] without raising any questions, have been deemed suitable by both the referee and the delegate from UEFA during their site visit yesterday morning.”

Man Utd boss Ferguson has Champions League regrets

Fri, 03/30/2012

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he's disappointed not to still be in the Champions League.

Having watched Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich claim Champions League wins in midweek and a fascinating duel between Barcelona and AC Milan, Ferguson admits to missing continental competition.

"We have been used to playing midweek games for so long that you do miss it," said the United boss.

"The players miss it too. Yes, we do get freshness but you can't have it all ways. We would rather be in the Champions League."

Liverpool chief Comolli closing in on Barcelona striker Tello

Fri, 03/30/2012

Liverpool are closing in on Barcelona striker Cristian Tello.

The Mirror says Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli is keen on Barcelona rising star Tello.

The 20-year-old has a deal until 2014, but the Spaniards are likely to decide this summer whether to keep him or loan him out to gain experience.

Justin Tuck a Leo Messi

Justin Tuck bows to Messi / La reverència del jugador de futbol americà Justin Tuck a Leo Messi / La reverencia del jugador de fútbol americano Justin Tuck a Leo Messi

AC Milan chief Galliani dismisses Barcelona talk for Thiago Silva

Sat, 03/03/2012

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists they won't lose Thiago Silva.

The Brazil defender has been linked with Barcelona.

“Thiago Silva has a long contract with us until 2016, so I don’t think he can be abducted byBarcelona,” said Galliani.

Pedro insists Barcelona not giving up on Liga title

Sat, 03/03/2012

Barcelona players have not given up on the Liga title, insists winger Pedro.

Barca trail leaders Real Madrid by ten points.

"The truth is that we are 10 points behind. We have to try and not lose any more and wait for Madrid to drop points to cut into their lead," Pedro told a press conference.

"If their lead increases, the league will be very complicated. We won't give up on this title and we'll fight until the end."

Barcelona must face Sporting Gijon without Messi

Sat, 03/03/2012

Barcelona face Sporting Gijon this weekend without Lionel Messi.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell insisted this week they have not given up hope of a fourth successive title.

"The word impossible should exist, but not for this case," said Rosell. "Impossible is when mathematics say so. Meanwhile, nothing is impossible."

Agent says Serie A clubs should forget Tottenham star Bale

Sat, 03/03/2012


Italian clubs have been told to forget about Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Juventus and Inter Milan have been linked with the Welsh ace.

“It’s impossible that Bale would arrive in Italy,” agent Peppino Tirri told TMW on Friday. “A lot of clubs in Italy like him, but none of them can afford him.

“If a team like Barcelona is forced to give up on a player then it means that he will stay where he is. His £50m price-tag is prohibitive for all.

“Real Madrid don’t need wide players, while he could be of interest to Chelsea and Manchester City. However, I don’t think Tottenham would sell to them.”

Barcelona coach Guardiola won't follow Cruyff to Chivas

Sat, 03/03/2012

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has ruled out a move to Chivas Guadalajara.

Guardiola has been linked with Chivas after Johan Cruyff joined the club as an adviser.

He said: "I have been in Mexico before, but I do not plan on returning in the short term.

"It is a league with very good players, and Johan can only make their football better."

Man City, Tottenham joined by Barcelona in Llorente battle

Fri, 03/02/2012

Manchester City and Tottenham are being linked with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

AS says Barcelona face competition from City and Spurs for the Spain international.

Barca could be willing to hand Llorente a bumper offer at the Nou Camp which would represent a significant payrise on his current deal at Bilbao.

But Spurs and City might also be tempted to hand him a chance in the Premier League by offering him deals of their own.