Lionel Messi and Antonella Rocuzzo Holidaying After WC 2010 - Pictures

Lionel Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo at Rio de Janeiro beach Holidaying after World Cup 2010

Messi and his girlfriend Antonella taking sunbath

Lionel Messi and his girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo leave the Rio de Janeiro beach after the arrival of photographers

Barcelona To Launch MLS Franchise Bid

Spanish club Barcelona are set to launch a bid with a Bolivian entrepreneur to become co-owners of a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.

The MLS plans to add two teams to its league for the 2011 season.

"The idea is to set up an investee company involving FC Barcelona and a Bolivian entrepreneur, Marcelo Claure. Claure is the chief on an investment group featuring Americans and citizens of different South American countries," read a statement on the club's website.

The MLS currently has 14 teams but is set to expand with Seattle joining in 2009 and Philadelphia in 2010 before a further two franchises are included a year later.

Miami Fusion played in the MLS from 1998 to 2001 before losing its franchise.

Oleguer Presas Signs For Ajax From Barcelona

Barcelona 28-year-old defender Oleguer Presas signs for Dutch club Ajax. The defender has signed a 3-year-deal with Ajax, where Ajax pay 3 million euros to Barcelona. If the Amsterdam giants qualify for the Champions League in one of the next three years an extra 2.25 million will be paid.

Presas will sign a three-year deal worth 750.000 euros per season. He is the fourth signing of Ajax after the transfers of Ismael Aissati, Miralem Sulejmani and Dario Cvitanich.

Barcelona FC Pre-Season Schedule 2008-2009

(Thu 24th July 2008) Hibernian FC v/s Barcelona FC

(Sat 26th July 2008) Dundee United - FC Barcelona

(Wed 30th July 2008) - ACF Fiorentina - FC Barcelona

(Mon 04th Aug 2008) Chivas - FC Barcelona


(Wed 06th Aug 2008) New York Red Bulls - FC Barcelona

(Sat16th Aug 2008) FC Barcelona - Boca Juniors

Barcelona Between Messi and Olympics

Spanish club Barcelona said on Tuesday that would like to play Argentine striker Lionel Messi in their Champions League preliminary round ties despite his selection for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Barcelona has written to AFA, stating that the rules are on Barcelona's side and Messi should play for them in Champions League preliminary round.

"We have made inquiries, we have had meetings with the AFA and at the end of the day, the decision will be based on the rules. If the rules are on our side, Messi will play the Champions League preliminary round, but we will see if we are forced to let him go or not." -Barcelona

But Messi insisted that he wants to play for Argentina in Beijing Olympics.

"It's up to me and the Olympic Games are something that I am not going to be able to play ever again." - Lionel Messi.

Please Barcelona...leave Messi..you just can't shatter anyone's dream for the Olympics.

São Paulo's Hernanes Now Worth €25m

Barcelona's top executives flew to Brazil on Tuesday in order to have face-to-face talks with São Paulo and clinch a deal for the 23-year-old Anderson Hernanes.

After bidding for Hernanes €10m last week and also after Hernanes' agent claimed that €11m would be enough, the Barcelona delegation were surprised that São Paulo are now claiming €25m, more than double the amount they lodged for Hernanes.

São Paulo president Juvenal Juvencio was adamant that there would be no deal for less then €25m and nothing less that that would make them leave Hernanes for Europe.

"Talk of €11m for Hernanes is despicable. We will not consider even talking for less than €25m," São Paulo said.

Reports are also saying that Hernanes has also been linked with AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Hernanes Gets €10m Offer From Barcelona

Inter Milan and Ac Milan have just showed interest..Barcelona has already offered €10m.
Barcelona have made a opening bid of €10m to Brazilian Hernanes who now plays for Sau Paulo. They are actually flying out to watch him in action before they tie up a deal. Barcelona hope that they have taken the upper hand against the Milan based clubs and that the latest bid will actually make them talk with Hernanes, even Barca know they they have to pay much more.

Barcelona club's technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain will fly to Brazil to see this youngstar play against Argentina for the World Cup qualifier.

Chivu Commits To Inter Milan

Romanian Christian Chivu has committed himself to Italian club Inter Milan. Speculations were on that he might be going to Barcelona.

Barcelona chief Pep Guardiola had asked his board that if Barca could take in the 28-year old, but no offer has been made to Chivu and he wants to play for Inter Milan.

Chivu admitted that he was excited by the prospect of working with new Inter boss José Mourinho and believes that he will be part of the squad and the team next term.

Barcelona's Pre Season Plans

July 14- All the players reurn to Nou Camp and spend a week undergoing tests and fitness camp

- Stars that have appeared in Euro 2008 maybe given special dispensation to stay away longer

July 24 Against Scotland side Hibernian

-(Date not mentioned) Against Dundee United at Tannadice

July 30 Against Italian side Fiorentina

August 3 Against CD Guadalajara in Chicago

August 6 Against New York in Giants Staduim

August 12 and 13 Champions League Qualifier

August 15 Against Boca Juniors for the Joan Gamper Trophy game

August 26 and 27 Champions League 2nd Leg Qualifier

Frank Rijkaard Away From Football For A Year

Dutch coach and former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard has said that he is prepared to take a year off from football and dedicate more time to his children. He aslo said that he will review offers from football clubs only if it is exceptional.

Rijkaard's son Mitchell and daughter Lindsay are said to be enjoying in Barcelona and he is keen on his stay in Barcelona city and also allow his son to stay in his current school.

After spending some time in the United States and Holland, Rijkaard has returned to Barcelona and watched Holland's victory over Italy on Monday.

Barcelona who has sacked Frank Rijkaard has agreed to pay him half of his salary for the remaining year that he had on his contract with the club.

Deco-Mourinho Duo To Spark Inter Milan

According to reports in Italy, Deco has confirmed to play for Inter Milan and signing is just hours away.

The 30 year old, Portuguese, had a very disappointing season in Barcelona and is definite to leave Barcelona. Latest reports in Italy says that Italy's Inter Milan has agreed to pay Spanish club Barcelona 12 to 13 million Euros, with Deco signing a three year contract worth 5 million Euros per season.

As per reports, Deco will wear number 20 in Inter Milan and will again renew his relationship with his former Porto coach Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho has started his work with Inter...Come on Arsene Wenger..do something...go for the Dutch players.

Henk Ten Cate Wants Presas And Gudjohnsen

53-year-old Henk Ten Cate has asked Greek giant Panathinaikos to try and take Oleguer Presas and Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona.
Presas, who thinks that his chances in Barcelona is limited as regular eleven, but first would like to talk with Barcelona in-coming chief Pep Guardiola before going to Panathinaikos.
Henk Ten Cate is yet to officially sign contract with Panathinaikos, but reports say that he has agreed take over Athens based club. Panathinaikos has offered Oleguer Presas €2m.
Gudjohnsen is unlikely to come to Greece as he has more lucrative offers from EPL clubs like West Ham united.

West Ham United Targets Eidur Gudjohnsen

Last year, West Ham United failed in their attempt to sign the 29 year old Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen, but manager Alan Curbishley is now determined to rope in the unsetteld Barcelona man.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is himself keen on returning to Premiership club, West Ham United largely to the fact that West Ham supremo Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is his compatriot.

Barcelona Prepares To Sign Italy's Pirlo

SKY Italia reported that Barcelona are preparing to take AC Milan's Pirlo for a massive transfer bid. Barcelona are taking the advantage of Pirlo's unsettled San Siro future.

Pirlo had a poor domestic season last year and is also unhappy with the lucrative contract that Mathieu Flamini received. Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola is a huge admirer of Pirlo and hopes that Pirlo will surely play for Barcelona for the coming season.

Pirlo is now with the Euro 2008 Italian squad.

Samuel Eto'o Headbutts A Journalist: Could Face Lengthy Imprisonment

Samuel Eto'o could face a lengthy imprisonment if he is found guilty after he reportedly attacked a journalist in Cameroon last week.

Authorities have opened an investigation and a lot of people came forward stating that they will testify against the Barcelona striker. Other journalists who were present during the incident are outraged by Eto'o's actions and are calling for him to face strong punishment.

The journalist's name is Philippe Boney and he was left with two fractures and severe bruising on his face after being headbutted by Eto'o.

The problem started when journalists refused to ask questions in protest that Cameroon were holding a private training session ahead of the game against Cape Verde. Eto'o was unhappy at the silence and began to insult the journalists.

Hleb Way To Barcelona F.C.

Spanish media are reporting that Alexander Hleb might come to Barcelona FC from Arsenal. Even though Hleb is having a contract with Arsenal, the medias are reporting that both clubs have agreed a deal to be worth approximately 20 million Euros.

Gerard Pique set for Barcelona

Defender Gerard Pique has been sold by Manchester United to Barcelona. The 21 year old defender has been sold on Tuesday. Pique left Barcelona in 2004 to join the Red Devils.

Pique played for Manchester United 14 matches in the starting eleven and as 9 subsitutes. He scored 2 goals. The Spanish media reported that transfer fee for Pique was US$8 million.




Also reported that Barcelona paid Sevilla 14 million Euros (US$22.1 million) for Seydou Keita (Mali Midfielder) for a 4 year contact.