Rabu, 06 Januari 2010

World Cup 2010: Argentina Need To Take Advantage Of Lionel Messi's Talent - Carles Puyol

Iniesta - Messi - Puyol - Barcelona
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Iniesta - Messi - Puyol - Barcelona


Barcelona captain Carles Puyol did not hesitate in issuing a recommendation to Argentina coach Diego Maradona when commenting about his friend and team-mate Lionel Messi in an interview with France Football.

"The Argentinians need to take advantage of his immense talent. Leo [Messi] is an incredible player, an essential piece of our Barca. With him, Barcelona is much stronger. It is only logical that he be the same for Argentina."

Argentina is one of the national teams that Puyol ranks among the favourites for the World Cup title next summer along with "the usual suspects" like Brasil, Germany, England, or Italy.

As for Spain, "we will modestly try to change the established order. We are coming off our European Championship, which is not an easy title, and this should demand at least a little respect."

South Africa 2010 will be Puyol's third World Cup of his career and the Barca captain confirmed that he will contemplate retiring from La Seleccion after the competition, although he has not yet made a decision.

"It is something I am thinking about, but is a decision I will not make alone," he explained.

"In Spain, once you have passed the 30-year mark, they think you are finished. It is an opinion and one can respect it. But it can also serve as a form of motivation to demonstrate that even at 30 or 31 years of age, one can continue playing at the highest level."

Speaking of the Spanish national team, Puyol assured that "one should not confuse Spain's success with Barcelona's and say that Spain is winning because Barcelona is winning. Although there are similarities in the style of both teams, the group of players that come from Barca are just as important as the group that comes from Valencia or from Real Madrid since every element is important to the whole.

"Along with Barca's players like Victor [Valdes], [Sergi] Busquets, Xavi [Hernandez], [Andres] Iniesta, [Gerard] Pique, and myself, there are a number of excellent players like Cesc [Fabregas], [Iker] Casillas, [David] Silva, [Juan] Mata, Fernando Torres, or [Joan] Capdevilla, players that are very important that do not come from Barcelona."

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Referee Saw Something I Didn't In Nullifying Our Goal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Barcelona  (Globoesportes)
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Barcelona (Globoesportes)
Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remained only slightly euphemistic when discussing referee Perez Burrull's decision-making in last night's Copa del Rey 2-1 loss to Sevilla at the Camp Nou.

"In our nullified goal, the referee saw something that I didn't, but I do not want to speak of the referee, only my play and that of my team-mates", declared the big Swede in his post-match comments, reported by Sport.

The Barca number 9 has faith in his team's chances of reversing the first leg result at the Sanchez Pizjuan and believes that if Guardiola's team recovers their style, they will progress to the next round of the competition.

"There is still another match in the tie and we will give everything to progress. We can come back and if we play our style of play, we will succeed".

Barcelona Defender Gaby Milito Happy To Return To First Team Action Despite Sevilla Defeat

Gabriel Milito, Barcelona (Getty Images)
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Gabriel Milito, Barcelona (Getty Images)
Barcelona defender Gaby Milito says he felt good after returning to first team football in the Blaugrana's 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the first leg of their fifth round Copa del Rey tie at Camp Nou.

The 29-year-old Argentinian has not featured in a competitive fixture for Barca since rupturing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during the UEFA Champions League semi final defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2008 and subsequently had to watch from the sidelines as his team produced the greatest season in the club's history last year.

He admitted afterwards that he dreamed of making a return for Barcelona at Camp Nou but said that the defeat spoiled the return. Goals from Alvaro Negredo and Diego Capel either side of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal ensured the Andalusian side go into the second leg in pole position to book a place in the quarter finals.

"The truth is that I feel good. I still lack football, but that will improve with minutes and games," he told AS.

"I had dreamed of this, in our stadium, with our people. Too bad it has been a bit tarnished by the result."

Barcelona? That's Not Up To Me - Valencia's David Silva

David Villa, David Silva, Valencia (MARCA)
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David Villa, David Silva, Valencia (MARCA)
David Silva, who could reappear in Valencia's Copa del Rey match against Deportivo La Coruna after recovering from an extended injury, has spoken of a potential transfer away from Los Che in a press conference, as reported by the Spanish sports daily Sport.

The Spanish international has already been quoted as saying that he would adapt better to Barcelona's style of play than to Real Madrid's, but today the midfielder declared that he is "in the middle of the Liga and Copa del Rey competitions and am centred on my team".

"Right now I am only thinking of fighting for Valencia to be in a Champions League place next season. Further, signing for Barca is something that does not really depend on me", finished the player, who did not want to enter into more speculation about the future.

Sevilla President Jose Maria Del Nido Hails 'Greatest' Barcelona Side Of All Time

Jose Maria Del Nido, Sevilla (Peace Cup)
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Jose Maria Del Nido, Sevilla (Peace Cup)


Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido has declared that the current Barcelona side are the greatest team of all time.

The Andalusian outfit will try to put an end to Barca's reign as Copa del Rey holders when the sides meet in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at Camp Nou on Tuesday night and Del Nido insists his team are a match for the six times champions.

"This Barca team is the greatest of all time. Nobody has ever won all six titles that they competed for in a year and with such authority, but Sevilla are obliged to go out and try to win in all venues. We come with hopes of qualifying," he told a press conference.

Sevilla enter the first leg with just 14 first team players available due to injuries and African Cup of Nations commitments but Del Nido has faith in his side's ability to take on the best.

"We have to get the strength to stand up to the best team in the world and the best of all time. We will go with faith that we can make it," he remarked.

Barcelona Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain To Study Henrique & Keirrison Loan Deals - Report

Keirrison, Barcelona (Marca)
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Keirrison, Barcelona (Marca)

Barcelona's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is set to study the loan deals of Keirrison (Benfica) and Henrique (Racing Santander) in the January transfer window to search for alternatives for the players who have found minutes difficult to come by at their respective clubs.

In a report released by Sport, Keirrison, who has been all but discounted in his loan deal at Benfica, will find another club this winter with the Barca director set to study an offer already on the table from La Liga side Real Zaragoza. In Portugal, the striker has only appeared in seven matches during the first half of the season.

In Henrique's case, Brazilian side Corinthians is reportedly keen on employing the young central defender. While he has failed to impress in Europe, the youngster is very highly regarded in Brazil and could begin to blossom in the comforts of his home country.

Henrique could make the move this winter if Racing is flexible. Otherwise, a summer loan deal looks to be the other option.