Tag Archives: Barcelona

Thiago Alcántara, from outsider to star

In these times when each team was fighting for the best player, Barcelona got up from it bed before to late. Few expected that 2 months ago the Spanish-Brazilian Thiago Alcantara will reach to be a strong player in Spanish national team.

Thiago Alcántara was born in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy and grew up in Spain. His father is former Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho. He started at the lower levels of Flamengo and at the age of 5 he moved to Spain with his father, and started playing with Galician team Ureca. He returned to Flamengo aged 10 and, in 2005, once again moved back to Spain, to play for Barcelona.

Placed on the transfer list of Barcelona, Thiago chose to sign another contract to perform under the same colors the next season.

After a series of successes in friendly games where he scored 4 goals for the Catalans, Thiago will be called by Vicente del Bosque to play for Spain’s team in the friendly game with Italy.

The match will take place on August 10 in Bari, while Del Bosque said: “I cannot get over the good form of Thiago! I’ll call him to perform for the big team” after he went through all representative lots of Spain.

Share

Fabregas on heat list

Cesc Fabregas seems to be the hottest name on the transfers list. Barcelona’s offer of 36 million is very close to being exceeded. The new sum comes around on 41 million euro, an offer from a big club in Europe. AC Milan is ready to make a bid for Fabregas far superior to that of Barcelona.

Italians will provide 41 million euros (£ 35millions) for Arsenals captain, an amount very close to the one Arsenal asks for the player.

AC Milan’s interest is a serious one and the only hesitation of Fabregas in terms of transfer to Barca has always been the matter regarding a secure place in the first 11. At Milan, would not question especially after Pirlo’s departure to Juventus.

Fabregas is in the middle of a war between Arsenal and Barca, negotiations got Arsene Wenger very frustrated and not knowing if he can count on the player next season.

A close person to AC Milan said: “We watched closely the situation and we would be delighted if Fabregas will come here. And, of course, if the team will have the money to do seal the deal.”

Share

Fabregas at Barca, finally!?

Could it really be true? The rumors say that after a lot of long and hard negotiations, the Fabregas at Barcelona soap opera is almost to the end.

Arsenal is ready to let Fabregas to go to Barcelona but they want in return to receive 36 million euros, which is just last offer of Catalans, plus Thiago Alcantara!

The only thing is that the transfer will be up only with the condition that Alcantara will be part of this understanding. The media from UK reported that Barca’s vice president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, was in London to negotiate the transfer and put an end to all this theatre.

Arsenal is evaluating Fabregas around 45 million but are they are willing to accept a smaller amount as long as the Catalans offer includes Alcantara in the package.

The ball is now in Barcelona’s courtyard now and Guardiola must decide if he’ll let go of the international Spanish U21 which he said is part of his plans for the next season.

But after all, will this transfer do any good for Fabregas? Can Barcelona, and better said, Guardiola shape more from this diamond? Keep close!

Share

New top team in Primera Division?

During last seasons, the Primera Division supremacy was played between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the title was decided each time between the two groups. Besides the two giants, Valencia, Villareal and Sevilla served as strong followers for the Spanish giants. This year, another team will join in leading Primera Division.

It’s about Apono’s team, Malaga, the Primera team who made the most resounding purchases in this summer break. The big names are Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Joris Mathijsen, Jeremy Toulalan and Joaquin, players which will attack the Champions League places next year.

“We know that we are in the foreground team at this time. Who would have thought Malaga, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be the benchmarks of the Spanish football?” said Apono.

Is almost impossible to win the championship, but accession to the Champions League is a realistic goal. We just have to win every game in hand”.

Malaga has just extended Manuel Pellegrini’s contract, the coach of the band, until 2015. The only thing remaining is to see if they really can perform as they say they will. But the good side is we will find out after the first 2-3 games.

Share

Guardiola awarded

Barcelona’s coach, Pep Guardiola, will be rewarded in behalf of Parliament of Catalunya for his performance, both as player and as coach.

Nuria de Gispert, President of the Chamber, said that Guardiola will receive the “Gold Medal”: “For the values good to be taken as an example as sportsmanship, teamwork, effort and improvement, not only in terms of just personal but also the collective point of view.” he said.

Josep “Pep” Guardiola i Sala was born on 18 of January 1971 in Santpedor, Barcelona. Guardiola played as a defensive midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career with his soul team, FC Barcelona, whom he currently manages. He was part of Johan Cruyff’s dream team that won Barcelona’s first European Cup. Guardiola also played for Brescia Calcio and A.S. Roma in Italy; Al-Ahli in Qatar; and for Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico.

Among those who have received the distinction are included the economist Ernest Lluch, UN representative in Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell and Jordi Savall musician of Els Setze Jutges group .

Will he be able to squeeze even more juice from Barcelona? This award could only boost his desire for a new triple with Barcelona.

Share