The Manager

Frank Rijkaard

Personal details
Name :Frank Rijkaard
Place of birth :Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Date :30-09-1962
Height : 1.90 m
Coach since:2003

The Blaugrana trainer employs an attack-minded strategy to the team, with the mark of the Dutch style, with the emphasis placed heavily of applying pressure and using the wings. He has also not forgotten the role of a tight defence instilled in him during his spell as a player with AC Milan, where he spent five seasons.

During Rijkaard's first season at Barça, the team had an outstanding second half to the campaign as they finished in second place and qualified for the Champions League. That was the first sign that the team had entered a new phase under the Dutchman. The following year Barcelona confirmed themselves as the best team in Spain as they eased to the league title.

In 2005-06, the team went one step further as Rijkaard guided Barça to the league title, again, and also won the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup. By winning the European Cup in Paris, Rijkaard became only the fifth person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach, joining Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti, Miguel Muñoz and Giovanni Trappatoni, who have all achieved the feat.

As well as the trophy haul, Barça's performances under Rijkaard have seen them rediscover and identity and style that has seen the club rejoin the elite of the game, at both national and international level.

He started his managerial career in the 1998 World Cup as assistant to Guus Hiddink in the Dutch national squad. He took over as Dutch manager between 1998 and 2000 and then moved to Dutch league side Sparta de Rotterdam for the 2001-02 season. At FC Barcelona he will be assisted by fellow countryman Henk Ten Cate, formerly manager of Dutch side Nac Breda.

Rijkaard had an outstanding playing career. He was a product of the inexhaustible supply of young talent developed by Ajax and played for the Amsterdam club between 1980 and 1988. In 87-88 season he also spent a few months in the Spanish league with Real Zaragoza, where he played 11 games. His greatest years were spent at AC Milan from 1988 until 1993. He finished off his playing career at Ajax between 1993 and 1995.

As a player, he won a European Nations Cup medal (1988, with Holland), three European Cup medals (88-89, 89-90 and 94-95), a Cup Winners Cup medal (86-87), three European Super Cup medals (1989, 1990 and 1995), two Intercontinental Cup medals (1989, 1990), five Dutch league medals (81-82, 82-83, 84-85, 93-94 and 94-95), two Italian league medals (91-92 and 92-93), two Italian super Cup medals (1989 and 1994) and three Dutch Cup medals (82-83, 85-86 and 86-87).

He was voted best player in the Italian league in 1992. He played 337 matches with Ajax, 201 with AC Milan and was capped 73 times for Holland.

Messi

19 Messi

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Position: forward
Place of birth: Santa Fe (Argentina)
Date: 24-06-1987
Heignt: 1'69
Weight: 67

Lionel Andrés Messi

This Argentinian striker's footballing career started in 1995 at Newell's Old Boys, where he played until the year 2000. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Barcelona, and joined the Under 14s.

Messi made spectacular progress at each of the different age levels, climbing through the ranks of the different youth teams and then Barça C, followed by Barça B and the first team in record time.

In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).

With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old. That record would eventually be beaten by Bojan.

At the Under 20 World Cup in Holland, Messi not only won the title with Argentina, but was also the leading goalscorer and was voted best player in the tournament. Aged 18 years, he had become one of the hottest properties in the world game. Shortly after, he made his first full international appearance in a friendly against Hungary.

His breakthrough as a player came in the 2005-06 season, starting with an amazing performance in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Juventus. He was also outstanding at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Barcelona's unforgettable 3-0 win, and also at Stamford Bridge, in the Champions League match against Chelsea. Injury kept him sidelined for much of the latter stage of the season. Messi played a total of 17 league games, 6 in the Champions League and 2 in the Copa del Rey. Messi scored eight goals.

CHARACTERISTICS

Messi is an unusual player. He is highly creative, and has the skills to take on defenders with ease. He is a versatile left-footed player who can play either in the middle or on either wing, or even as a centre forward.

Although he is quite short, he is so fast and physically strong that he can cope with larger opponents. He is incredibly powerful, and a specialist in such dead ball situations as corners, free kicks and penalties.

Leo Messi is cool-headed and able to assume several responsibilities in times of need. He is a player who is destined to have a very successful career in football.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Argentinian National Team
2004-05 World Cup Under-20

Bojan

27 Bojan

Name: Bojan Krkic Pérez
Position: forward
Place of birth: Linyola (Catalonia)
Date of birth: 28-08-1990
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 65 kg

Bojan Krkic Pérez

Bojan Krkic joins the senior squad for the 2006-07 season at the tender age of 16. In just one year he has progressed from the youth side to Barça B and now the first team.

Bojan Krkic was born in Linyola (Catalonia) on 28th August 1990. In just one season, from 2006-07 to 2007-08, this promising young forward has made the leap from Juvenil A to the first team. Along the way he played the second part of the season with Barça B in Second Division B.

Bojan joined Barça in 1999 becoming part of the Benjamí A boys squad. His rise through the ranks of the Barça academy teams was meteoric: Aleví B (2000-01), Aleví A (2001-02), Infantil B (2002-03), Infantil A (2003-04) and Cadet B (2004-05). He started the 2005-06 season with the Cadet A team but was soon promoted up to Juvenil A. The pattern was repeated in the 2006-07 season, which he began with Juvenil A and finished with Barça B.

During his half season with Barça B, he scored 10 goals and became the team’s top scorer.

His big breakthrough came in 2007 when he won the European under-17 Championship with Spain, scoring the winning goal in the final against England (1-0). He also made his first team debut with Barça on 24th April against Al-Ahly in Egypt, scoring Barça’s second goal.

On 5th June 2007, at the age of just 16, he played his first match with the Spain under-21 team.

Bojan played the 2007-08 pre-season with the first team. But the Catalan forward missed out on the Asian tour due to his participation at the Under 17 World Cup in Korea. He scored five goals in the tournament, and was the star of a Spain side that finished second, while he was also named third best player of the tournament.

Back in Barcelona, Rijkaard handed the youngster his first chances both in the League and the Champions League. He set two records, becoming both the youngest Barça player ever to make his debut in the Champions league and the youngest player ever to score a league goal for Barça. The first record was achieved on September 19 2007, against Olympique Lyon, when he was 17 years and 22 days; the second was against Villarreal, on October 20 of the same year, when he scored aged just 17 years, 1 month and 22 days.

PROFILE

Bojan is fast and has the ability to go past his marker. Despite his youth, he is used to dealing with defenders that are stronger and more experienced than him. His bursts of speed and his skill with the ball at his feet are two of his virtues. However, his main strength is his killer instinct in front of goal.

HONOURS

Spain
2007 European under-17 Champion
2007 World Cup under-17 Runner-up

Jorquera

25 Jorquera

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Albert Jorquera Fortià
Position: goalkeeper
Place of birth: Bescanó (Spain)
Date: 03-03-1979
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 77 kg

Albert Jorquera Fortia

Jorquera joined the youth ranks of Barça on 2nd November 1994 from Vilobí CF. In the 96-97 and 97-98 seasons he played in the youth team and then moved on to Barca C (98-99) and Barca B (99-00).

He spent the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons on loan to second division B clubs AD Ceuta, and CE Mataró. He then returned to Barca B, also in second division B, as first choice keeper for the 2002-03 season.

He made the leap to the first team in the 2003-04 season as third choice goalkeeper behind Víctor Valdés and new signing Rüstü Recber, making a spectacular first team debut against Athletic Club Bilbao in the Nou Camp on 17th January 2004, where he put in a top performance. He then played four weeks later, also at home, this time to Atletico Madrid and was one of the stars in Barça's 3-1 win.

In the 2004-05 season, Jorquera had the chance to show his qualities in the last two games of the season, with Valdés being rested after securing the Zamora title for ending the season with the best goalkeeping record. The man from Bescanó has always performed well when called upon and has never complained about spending so much time on the bench.

In the 2005-06 season, Jorquera played 3 league, 1 Champions League and 4 Cup matches. In total, he let in 12 goals.

CHARACTERISTICS

Jorquera has made excellent progress since joining the Barca academy. Thanks to his hard work and determination, he has developed great reflexes, anticipation and agility.

He stands out for his positive attitude and cheerful character. He's sober and the complete keeper. Consistency is one of his main defining characteristics.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Touré Yaya

24 Touré Yaya

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Sokoura Bouake (Ivory Coast)
Date: 13-5-1983
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 90 kg

Touré Yaya

Gnégnéri Touré Yaya is the first player from the Ivory Coast to play for FC Barcelona and has brought with him immense international experience, having played in four different leagues across Europe during his career.

Despite being only 24, Touré Yaya (Sokoura Baouke, 13-05-1983) has had a remarkable route to Camp Nou. At 18 he began his time in European football in Belgium with Beveren, where he spent two-and-a-half years.

A transfer to Metalurg Donetsk in Ukraine followed in 2003, where he spent 18 months before opting to move on to Greece and join Olympiakos. During his year in the Piraeus-based club he played alongside former Blaugrana stars, Rivaldo, Haruna Babangida and Dani García as the team progressed in the Champions League.

Last summer, Touré was on the move once again as he signed for AS Monaco and went onto play 27 of the team's 34 league games during the 2006-07 campaign.

At international level, the 24-year-old is a regular in the Ivory Coast side and represented his country in their first ever appearance in the World Cup Finals last summer in Germany. He also appeared in the African Cup of Nations in the same year.

PROFILE

Touré Yaya is the first player from the Ivory Coast to play for Barça and is renowned for combining his strength and physical power in front of the back four with great technique. He is usually employed as a defensive midfielder and is capable of pushing forward to support the attack if required, as well as being adept at passing the ball at speed to keep moves flowing.

Despite standing at 1.87m-tall (6ft 2in), most of his goals have not come from his head. During his year with Monaco he netted five times in the league and nearly all of them came as he attacked the ball from the second line or from long range efforts.

Oleguer

23 Oleguer

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Oleguer Presas Renom
Position: defender
Place of birth: Barcelona (Spain)
Date: 02-02-1980
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 82 kg

Oleguer Presas Renom

Oleguer was born in Sabadell, some 20 kilometres from Barcelona. He started his footballing career with clubs in his home town, before moving to the nearby Division 2B side UEA Gramenet B.

He made his first team debut with Gramenet in the 1998-1999 season and stayed there for the next three seasons. He signed for FC Barcelona at the age of 21 in the 2001-02 season and went straight into the Barca B team.

The following season, Van Gaal gave him his first team debut on 24th August 2002 against Red Star (1-0) in the Joan Gamper tournament. His first competitive match was against Galatasaray (3-1) in the Champions League on 13th November 2002 in the Nou Camp.

Throughout the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons he alternated his appearances with the first team with those with Barca B. He made the definitive leap to the first team in January 2004 and since then has become one of the players most used by Frank Rijkaard. He played 36 games in the league and 7 in the Champions League. Oleguer also scored his only ever goal for the club in Malaga, the first in a 4-0 win on April 24, 2005.

In the 2005-06 season, Oleguer consolidated his position as a right back, sometimes also filling in as a centre back. The player from Sabadell appeared in 33 League, 11 Champions League and 3 Cup matches.

CHARACTERISTICS

Concentration and dependability are two of his main assets. He can play either in central defence or at right back. Incisive in man-to-man marking, he's also very good in the air thanks to his height.

Although he doesn't usually play the ball out of defence himself, he links well with the midfielders. Rarely seen in attacking positions.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Abidal

22 Abidal

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Éric Abidal
Position: defense
Place of birth: Lyon (France)
Date: 11-9-1979
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 75 kg

Éric Abidal

Éric Abidal’s arrival in France will be the first experience of professional football outside of France for this player born in Lyon. He was signed as a replacement for Gio.

Before coming to Barça, Éric Abidal (Lyon, 11-7-1979) played for four French sides. His first professional club was Lyon-la-Duchère, in the French CFA2 division in the 1999-00 season. A year later he moved on to Monaco in the French Ligue 1, making his debut on September 16, 2000 against Toulouse. He stayed in the principality for two years, consolidating his role as an important member of the team, and playing alongside future Barça team-mate Rafa Márquez.

In summer 2002 Éric Abidal was transferred to Lille, where he played for two seasons and almost doubled his number of league appearances, playing in 35 of Lille’s 38 league games in the 2003-04 season.

At the end of that season, the full back returned to his hometown to play for Olympique Lyon, where he would stay until signing for Barcelona. In 2004 Abidal also made his international debut for ‘Les Bleus’ on August 18 against Bosnia.

He played at the World Cup in 2006, playing 90 minutes of six of his country’s seven game, in which France finished runners-up. Abidal played for three very successful seasons in Lyon, last season competing in 31 games in yet another title-winning season for his club, while also playing in seven Champions league matches and 10 internationals during his final season in France, 2006-07.

PROFILE

Éric Abidal is a natural left back, although given his size (186 cm, 75 kg) he can easily slot in at centre back too. He likes to make runs up the wing as far as the opposition’s area, supplying crosses to the forwards. He is a very skilful and tactically aware player, and is noted for his ability to position himself well on the pitch.

HONOURS

Olympique Lyon
2006-2007 League
2005-2006 French cup of champions
2005-2006 League
2004-2005 French cup of champions
2004-2005 League

French national team
2006 World Cup Runners Up

Thuram

21 Thuram

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Lilian Thuram
Position: defender
Place of birth: Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadalupe)
Date: 01-01-1972
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 70 kg

Lilian Thuram

Born on the 1st January 1972 in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadalupe, Lilian Thuram started his professional career at AC Monaco. He made his debut in the season of 1990-91 which saw his team win the French cup the very same year.

Thuram played with Monaco until 1996, in his last season Thuram scored 5 goals. During his time at Monaco, Thuram faced Barça twice, losing on both occasions in the quarter final of the Champions league in the season of 1993-94.

In 1996, Parma coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to put in a bid for Thuram. Thuram signed on and became a player for Parma until 2001. With Thuram, Buffon, Cannavaro and Hernan Crespo, 1996 turned out to be the best ever year in the history of the club.

The season of 1998-99 couldn't have been better for Thuram. He had just won the world cup with France and was about to see a memorable year for Parma. With Alberto Malesani as coach, they won the Italian cup and Thuram tasted European success for the first time; Parma defeating Olympique Marseille 3-0 in the UEFA Cup.

The presence of Thuram for France in the European cup of 2000 proved to be vital in France achieving victory. This brought about interest from the major European clubs. Finally, Thuram chose to offer his services to Juventus in 2001, where he would play for the next 5 years. He would play under the watchful eyes of great coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti, Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello. 'Tutu', as he was known by his fellow players, went on to win the Scudetto 4 times, although due to scandal and corruption, he would be stripped of the last 2. The team from Turin also won the Italian supercup.

At the last world cup in Germany, Thuram achieved a new record as most capped international for France with 121 games.

As well as sport, Thuram has dedicated himself to various humanitarian projects in Africa, in particular, help in understanding the genetic susceptibility to 'sickle cell disease'.

Thuram arrived at Barça in the season of 2006-07 together with his team mate Gianluca Zambrotta with whom he had spent 5 seasons with at Juventus.

CHARACTERISTICS

Lilian Thuram is an excellent defensive player who combines great physical strength with high class technical ability. He possesses a whole wealth of experience at the highest level and therefore is at home in any top team in the world.

Thuram can play at centre back but also full back; where he has played the majority of his international football. Thuram is a player who is not only recognised for his on field activities, but also his off field attitude. Both of which has made Thuram one of the leaders of his generation of Footballers.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 - Spanish Supercup

Juventus FC.
2002-03 Italian Cup
2002-03 League
2002-03 Italian Supercup
2001-02 League

Parma
1998-99 UEFA Cup
1998-99 Italy Cup

French National Team
2006 World Cup runner-up
2003 Confederations Cup
2000 European Championship
1998 World Cup

Deco

20 Deco

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco
Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Sao Bernardo (Brasil)
Date: 27-08-1977
Height: 1'74
Weight: 73

Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco

Anderson Luis de Souza, known in the world of football as 'Deco', began his professional career in Brazil with Nacional Sao Paulo (1995-96 and 1996-97). He spent a brief time with Corinthians (1997) before making the leap to European football.

He signed for Benfica for the 1997-98 season but was sent to their reserve team, Alverca, in the second division. He had a good first season and came to the attention of Porto. He spent the 1998-99 season playing for another small club, SC Salgueiros but then moved definitively to Porto on the recommendation of coach Fernando Castro. He had five successful seasons with Porto from 1999 to 2004.

He attracted the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs and with José Mourinho at the helm won a Champions League medal in May 2004. In addition he was chosen as best player in the final against Monaco. He arrived in the summer of 2004 and made his debut for FC Barcelona in the first game of the 2004-05 season, away to Ràcing Santander on August 29. Soon won the fans over with his skilful and intelligent football. Rijkaard early on made him one of the pillars of the new Barca he was building and he figured in 35 of the league winning season's 38 games, contributing goals, determination and a winning mentality.

He took Portuguese nationality and made his international debut with his adopted country on 29th March 2003, curiously enough against his country of birth, Brazil. He scored the only goal of the match and gave Portugal their first win over Brazil for 37 years. In the summer of 2004, he took part in the European Championship with Portugal, losing in the final to Greece (1-0).

In the 2005-06 season, Deco was one of the stars of the double winning squad. The Portuguese midfielder played 29 league games and 11 in the Champions League, scoring 5 goals.

CHARACTERISTICS

Deco is a versatile midfielder who gives his teams a variety of tactical options. He possesses good individual skills and is an excellent passer of the ball. He excels in creative duties and can play behind the striker or on the right or in the centre of midfield.

In addition to his skills as a playmaker, he is a tireless destroyer of the opposition's attacking moves. As such he combines perfectly with teammates who have a holding role in midfield.

Deco loves to run at opposing defenders and constantly looks for opportunities to shoot. He is an expert at free kicks near the box.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

FC Porto
2003-04 Champions League
2003-04 League
2002-03 UEFA Cup
2002-03 League
2002-03 Portuguese Cup
2002-03 Portuguese Supercup
1999-00 Portuguese Cup
1998-99 League
1998-99 Portuguese Supercup

Portugal National Team
2004 European runner-up

Individual Awards
2003-04 Silver Ball

Ezquerro

18 Ezquerro

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Santiago Ezquerro Marín
Position: forward
Place of birth: Calahorra (La Rioja, Spain)
Date: 14-12-1976
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 73 kg

Santiago Ezquerro Marín

Santiago Ezquerro is strong, experienced player who made his debut with Osasuna at 18 when the Pamplona-based side were in the second division.

After making his first appearance during the 1994-95 season, the Rioja-born forward earned a move to top flight side Atletico Madrid.

After spending two seasons at El Calderon, Ezquerro enjoyed a loan spell with Mallorca before moving to Athletic Bilbao, the club where he made his name. During his seven years at San Mames saw him evolve into a star and he went on to become one of the players with the most games under his belt in the Spanish top flight.

Ezquerro was a regular in the side and gained European experience as Athletic enjoyed campaigns in both the Champions League and the Uefa Cup. His arrival at Barcelona for the start of the 2005-06 season strengthens the squad immensely as gives the side more options in attack.

Santi Ezquerro made his FC Barcelona debut in 2005 in the second match of the league campaign against Mallorca. In his first season at the club he appeared in 11 league games and 4 in Europe. He scored 4 goals in all competitions, and was an integral part of the double winning side.

CHARACTERISTICS

Speed, strength, technical ability, versatility and eye for goal are just some of the characteristics that define Santiago Ezquerro. The Calahorra-born forward gives a wide of options with his ability to play in many positions.

Ezquerro started his career playing in the centre, but has proven over many years that he is just as comfortable playing in the wide positions. His speed in possession and his ability to beat a player have made him an exceptional winger.

With respect to his ability as a forward, Ezquerro is strong in the air and has proven every season that he can score goals at the highest level. His powerful shot is a huge asset and enables him to be a danger when taking free-kicks.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup

Giovani

17 Giovani

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Giovani Dos Santos Ramírez
Position: forward
Place of birth: Monterrey (Mexico)
Date of birth: 11-05-1989
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 77 kg

Giovani Dos Santos Ramírez

Giovani is only the second Mexican player to pull on a Barça shirt following on from Rafael Márquez. He joins the senior squad at the age of 18.

Giovani comes from a footballing family – his father ‘Zizinho’, was a professional player with Monterrey and his brother, Jonathan, has also been with Barça -, and has been learning his trade at the Club since 2002.

His progress through the youth ranks of the Club saw him play with Infantil A (2002-03), Cadet B (2003-04), Cadet A (2004-05) and Juvenil A (2005-06). Last season he played with Barça B.

Giovani Dos Santos made the definitive step up to the senior squad for the 2007-08 season, though he trained with first team in the previous summer, making his debut – goal included - against Aarhus in Denmark on 28th July 2006.

On the international stage, he won the World under-17 championship with Mexico in Peru in 2005, where he was chosen as the second best player of the tournament. He also took part in the World under -20 championship in 2007, where Mexico were eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals. This time he was chosen as the third best player.

PROFILE

Giovani has powerful legs and stands out for his speed and dribbling skills. This left-footed player is dangerous down either wing but can also play behind the main striker or as a centre forward. He usually takes his chances in front of goal.

HONOURS

Mexico
2005 Under-17 World Champion

Sylvinho

16 Sylvinho

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Sylvio Mendes Campos
Position: defender
Place of birth: Sao Paulo (Brasil)
Date of birth: 12-04-1974
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 66 kg

Silvio Mendes Campos, Sylvinho

Sylvio Mendes Campos 'Sylvinho', has tried his luck in three of the most important leagues in the world: the Brazilian, English and Spanish. He has always been successful.

His professional career started back in 1994 in Corinthians, one of the clubs of his home town, Sao Paulo. After shining at club level, Mario Zagallo called him up to the national team for his 1997 debut against Russia.

His quality and consistence opened the doors to European football and in 1999 he left Corinthians for the Premier League and Arsenal. Following two seasons at Arsenal, where he quickly became a crowd favourite, he moved to Celta Vigo for the 2001-02 season. There he became an integral part of the team that in the 2003-04 season qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Sylvinho arrives at Barça for the 2004-05 season hoping to avoid having to occupy one of the positions for non-European Community players.

Sylvinho has never disappointed in his two seasons wearing an FC Barcelona shirt. However, in the 2004-05 season, a partially torn knee ligament meant he missed out on three months of football. Once fit again, Sylvinho appeared in 21 league games and 3 in the Champions League.

In the 2005-06 season, Sylvinho was a regular starter in league games, but was almost entirely ignored in the Champions League, where he only got to play 21 minutes in the game at Chelsea as a substitute for the injured Gio van Bronckhorst. Curiously, Sylvinho won the League and Champions League titles while facing his two former clubs, Celta Vigo and Arsenal.

CHARACTERISTICS

All Brazilian players, almost by genetic default, are touched by magic and graced with an attacking flair. Sylvinho, despite playing at left-back, is no exception to this rule.

His attacking instincts have allowed him to get down the wing throughout his career and he has a culture left-foot when it comes to crossing for the forwards.

As well as his solid defensive ability, the Brazilian is capable of slotting into the midfield. Sylvinho is renowned for his quality, tactical awareness and his concentration levels in every game.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Corinthians
1998-99 Paulista League
1997-98 Brazilian League
1996-97 Paulista League
1994-95 Paulista League
1994-95 Brazilian Cup

Edmílson

15 Edmílson

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: José Gomes Edmílson Moraes
Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Taguaratinga (Brasil)
Date: 10-07-1976
Height: 1'86
Weight: 75

José Gomes Edmílson Moraes

José Gomes Edmílson Moraes, known in the world of football as Edmílson, started his footballing career with Sao Paulo, making his debut in 1994. His performances grew in stature until he became a fixture in the centre of the Sao Paolo defence.

In the summer of 2000, Edmílson signed for French club Olympique Lyon where he was an undisputed first choice during four seasons and won three league championship medals. In July 2004 he signed for FC Barcelona.

Luiz Felipe Scolari handed him his international debut with Brazil on 18th July 2000 against Paraguay. Together with Ronaldinho and Belletti he won a World Cup winner's medal in 2002.

Edmílson signed for FC Barcelona in the summer of 2004 and made his league debut in the third game of the season at the Vicente Calderón (Atlético Madrid 1-Barça 1). He was Frank Rijkaard,s first choice defensive midfielder, but was seriously injured on October 3 in a game between Barça and Numancia. The Brazilian tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee and was sidelined for six months. He did not return until the second to last game of the season against Vila-real.

In the 2005-06 season, Edmílson was one of the stars of the Barça side that conquered both the League and Champions League. He played 28 league games and 9 in the Champions League.

CHARACTERISTICS

Edmílson is an extremely skilful central defender who enjoys playing the ball out from defence. He reads the game superbly and uses this ability to make long passes from deep positions. Although he has usually played in defence, he can also play in the defensive midfield holding role.

He is very effective in the air. Thanks to his height (186 centimetres) he is dangerous at dead ball situations in attack and a dominating presence in defence. Although he doesn't score many goals, football fans everywhere remember the fantastic goal he scored against Costa Rica in the 2002 World Cup.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Olympique Lyonnais
2003-04 French League
2002-03 French League
2002-03 Champions Trophy
2001-02 French League
2001-02 Champions Trophy

Sao Paulo
1999-00 Paulista Championship
1997-98 Paulista Championship
1993-94 Conmebol Cup

Brazilian National Team
2002 World Cup

Thierry Henry

14 Henry

Name: Thierry Henry
Position: forward
Place of birth: Les Ulis (Francia)
Date: 17-8-1977
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 83 kg

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry is considered to be one of the best forwards in world football over the past decade. Elegance, ability and effectiveness are his main assets.

Born in Les Ulis (France) on August 17, 1977, he made his debut in top flight football with Monaco during the 1994-95 campaign, aged just 17. He began to show some of his ability on the right wing for the Principality-based outfit. After a brief spell at Juventus in 1998-99, Henry joined Arsenal, where he went on to show his true colours and become one of the best players in the history of the north London club.

Having moved into the centre of attack, Henry proved how lethal he was in front of goal at Arsenal even though he became known for drifting out to both flanks to pull his markers across the field. With him in the side, the label of 'Boring Arsenal' was forgotten as the Gunners became an attractive, attacking force in the Premiership and in Europe.

During his time in England he broke virtually every Arsenal club record. He became the Gunners' top goalscorer of all time with 214 goals and became the record scorer in the Premiership (since it was formed in 1992) with 164 goals as well as finishing as the scorer in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

His immense trophy haul includes a World Cup winners' medal as he was a member of the successful French squad in 1998. Two years after that he helped his country to win the European Championships in Belgium and Holland and then added the Confederations Cup to his collection in 2003. In ten years as a full international, up until the summer of 2007, Henry has played 92 games for France and netted 39 goals, just two less than the legendary Michel Platini, the French all-time record goalscorer.

At club level, Henry helped Arsenal win the Premiership twice (2002 and 2004) and the FA Cup on three occasions (2002, 2003 and 2005). On a personal note, he finished as Europe's top goalscorer and picked up the Golden Boot in 2004 and 2005.

PROFILE

Speed and technique are two of Henry's main characteristics, which he allies with efficiency and elegance. He is considered to be one of the most skilful players in the game with the ball at his feet as well as being an extremely intelligent footballer.

Despite having been moulded into a central striker under Arsène Wenger, Henry can play across the front line, which could well prove to be very useful as he vies for a place in the Barça team with Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi during the 2007-08 season.

HONOURS

Arsenal
2004-2005 FA Cup
2004-2005 Community Shield
2003-2004 League
2002-2003 FA Cup
2002-2003 Community Shield
2001-2002 FA Cup
2001-2002 League

Monaco
1996-1997 League

France
2006 World Cup runner-up
2003 Confederations Cup
2000 European Championship
1998 World Cup

Personal awards
2005-2006 Premiership top goalscorer
2004-2005 Premiership top goalscorer
2004-2005 Golden Boot
2003-2004 Premiership top goalscorer
2003-2004 Golden Boot
2001-2002 Premiership top goalscorer

Pinto

13 Pinto

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: José Manuel Pinto Colorado
Position: Goalkeeper
Place of Birth: Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz,Spain)
Date of Birth: 15-11-1975
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 82 kg

José Manuel Pinto Colorado

José Manuel Pinto signed for FC Barcelona on January 18, 2008 after moving from Celta Vigo, where he spent the last ten seasons.

He arrived as cover for the injured Albert Jorquera after the Catalan keeper damaged knee ligaments during the festive break.

Born in Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz) on November 15, 1975, Pinto start his professional career in Andalucia. After spending three seasons with Real Betis's B side, he moved up to the first team and made his debut for the club during the 1997/98 campaign. A year later he agreed to move to Celta Vigo, where would spend the next decade before leaving to go to Camp Nou.

After being replaced by Toni Prats at Betis, Pinto opted to join Celta and it was there that he found stability and was awarded the captain's armband. He went on to play 126 games in la Primera, 56 matches in la Segunda A as well as appearing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup regularly with the club. As well as helping the side to qualify for the Champions League in 2003/04, Pinto won the Zamora Trophy as the best keeper in the league in 2005/06.

That year, Pinto conceded just 28 goals in 37 league matches (an average of 0.75 per game) and helped guide the team to sixth place in the top flight and into the UEFA Cup. The season before had seen Víctor Valdés win the Zamora.

PROFILE

Pinto is a strong goalkeeper, standing at 1.85m tall and weighing 82kg. His height and agility make him powerful in the air and he also has very quick reflexes to help him make a quick-reaction save when required. It is those reflexes that also make him a superb shot-stopper from close range, but he is not easy to beat from distance either.

HONOURS

Celta de Vigo
2001-02 Copa del Rey Runner-Up

Individual Awards
2005-06 Spanish League Zamora

Zambrotta

11 Zambrotta

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Gianluca Zambrotta
Position: defender
Place of birth: Como (Italy)
Date: 19-02-1977
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 76 kg

Gianluca Zambrotta

Gianluca Zambrotta was born on 19th February 1977 in Como (Italy). And it was in Como where he started his sporting career in 1994. With his home town team he competed in Serie B, putting in 48 performances and scoring 6 goals.

His opportunity to compete in Serie A came in 1997 with l?AS Bari. His debut coming on the 31st August 1997 at home against Parma. His performances over the course of 2 years were noticed by Juventus, who secured his services in 1999 in a deal worth 15.85 million Euros.

Having lost the Scudetto on the final day of his first season with Juventus, Zambrotta eventually won his first league title in 2002. It was with the then current coach, Marcello Lippi, who opted that Zambrotta changed to the position of full back.

Things didn´t change for Zambrotta with the arrival of Fabio Capello in 2004. With Juventus he played a total of 217 games, won the Scudetto twice and the Italian Supercup.

With the Italian national team, Zambrotta made his debut in 1999 which saw a 0-0 draw against Norway. Since then he has firmly established himself as first choice and has managed to take part in 2 European cups and 2 world cups. His greatest moment coming in Germany when they beat France on penalties to lift the World Cup.

Zambrotta arrived at Barça in the season of 2006-07 with his team mate Lilian Thuram with whom he had spent 5 seasons.

CHARACTERISTICS

Many adjectives can be used to describe the qualities possessed by Zambrotta; dynamic, creative, talented, eficient, etc. He can play on both sides at an equally high level and can also adapt to fill a midfield role if needed. By doing so, this has given him the ability to increase the options available when the team is on the attack.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup

Juventus
2002-03 League
2002-03 Italian Supercup
2001-02 League

Italian national Team
2005-06 World Cup

Ronaldinho

10 Ronaldinho

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Ronaldo de Assís Moreira, Ronaldinho
Position: forward
Place of birth: Porto Alegre (Brasil)
Date: 21-03-1980
Height: 1'81
Weight: 80

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira

Ronaldinho signed for Barca in the 2003-04 season following in the footsteps of a number of illustrious fellow countrymen who had enjoyed successful careers with the club: Evaristo, Ronaldo, Romario and Rivaldo.

Ronaldinho began his footballing career with Gremio de Porto Alegre, where his burgeoning talent soon brought him to the attention of the international football world. During the four seasons he spent there, from 1997 to 2001, Ronaldinho also started to claim a place in the Brazilian international side. He won the Copa America in 1999 scoring six goals, including a memorable effort against Venezuela.

In 2001, Ronaldinho decided to try his luck in European football and signed for French league outfit PSG though his debut was delayed due to a financial dispute between the two clubs. Although his time with PSG was not as successful as he would have hoped, Ronaldinho continue to prosper with the international team, winning a World Cup winners' medal at the 2002 Japan-Korea championships.

Right from his very first match in a Barca shirt, the fans were seduced by Ronaldinho's spectacular brand of footballing magic. His ability to change the course of a match with a brilliant solo effort made him the reference point of the Barca attack and one of the truly great footballing icons of the opening decade of the new millennium.

In his first season, the team strung together a sensation run of seventeen consecutive matches without defeat and finished in second place in La Liga, thereby achieving direct qualification for the Champions League. This impetus carried on to the 2004-05 season and Ronaldinho and the rest of the Barca squad soon established a lead at the top of the table that would take them to the league title. In addition, the Brazilian's tremendous talent has received public recognition with individual awards such as the FIFA World Player 2004 and 2005 and the Ballon d'Or 2005.

Since then, Ronaldinho has become the leader of the mighty Brazil side, with which he won a Confederations Cup winners' medal in Germany 2005.

However, the season of 2005/06 was dominated by Ronaldinho and Barça. With the Brazilian at the helm, the blaugrana won La Liga and the Champions League; mesmerizing everyone in the world of football with his agile, rapid and above all, efficient displays. To cap it all off, Ronaldinho was chosen Best player of the Champions League, by UEFA.

CHARACTERISTICS

Skilful, agile, extrovert, fast, inspired, magical. That's Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, known by the nickname of 'Ronaldinho Gaucho'. The Brazilian star grew up with a football glued to his feet in the heart of a family with strong footballing traditions, where both his father and his brother have been successful players.

Ronaldinho's greatest assets are speed and boundless technical skills. His natural position is behind the striker though with the ball at his feet he moves well anywhere in the attack. Although he is not principally a goal scorer, his outstanding ability enables him to score from the most unlikely situations.

Indeed, his reserves of tricks and dribbling skills seem to be inexhaustible and the fans are constantly surprised by his range of seemingly impossible moves. His combinations with the rest of his team mates in attack increase the team's attacking potential enormously.

He is also an outstanding practitioner of the free kick, with the ability to curve the ball around the defensive wall and place the ball in any part of the goal beyond the keeper's reach.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

National Team of Brasil
2005 FIFA Confederations Cup
2002 World Cup
1999 America Cup
1997 World Cup Under 17

Individual Awards
2004-05 FIFA WORLD PLAYER
2004-05 Ballon d'Or
2003-04 FIFA WORLD PLAYER

Samuel Eto'o Fils

9 Eto'o

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Samuel Eto'o Fils
Position: delantero
Place of birth: Nkon (Cameroon)
Date: 10-03-1981
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 75 kg

Samuel Eto'o Fils

Samuel Eto'o Fils made an impact on the world of football while still a teenager. He has exceptional physical qualities and made the leap to European football at the tender age of just 16 when Real Madrid signed him up and loaned him out to Leganés.

At the age of 17 years and 3 months he became the youngest player at the 1998 World Cup in France and was the only player who had been born in the '80's.

After Leganés, he went on loan to RCD Espanyol (1998-1999) but played very little and subsequently retuned to Real Madrid (1999-2000). In the 1999-00 season, he played a few times for RCD Mallorca, eventually spending four seasons there (2000-04), with the Balearic Island club sharing his rights with Real Madrid.

During his time with Mallorca, he became the highest ever league goal scorer in the history of the club, with 54 goals. He signed for Barca in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee of 24 million euros after a long series of three-way negotiations with RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, thus becoming the first Cameroonian player to defend the Barca colours. He made his debut for FC Barcelona in the first game of the season at Ràcing Santander, on August 29, 2004.

Since then, he has become a veritable goal machine, scoring 25 times in his first season and making a huge contribution to winning the championship. His goal against Levante clinched the league title. He has needed just 67 matches to reach the landmark figure of 50 goals, outstripping some of the great Barca legends of the past.

Since he joined the Club he has been chosen as African Player of the Year 2004, 2005 and 2006, and picked up third place in the FIFA World Player 2005. He is a full international and one of the outstanding players in the Cameroon team and has a huge popular following in his country.

In the 2005-06 season, he was the top scorer in the Spanish League with 26 goals. In the Champions League Final on May 17 in Paris, it was Eto'o who scored Barcelona's equaliser after the Blaugrana had gone a goal down to Arsenal.

CHARACTERISTICS

Fast, strong and direct, Samuel Eto'o, who is 1.80 tall and weighs 75 kilos, boasts considerable experience, despite still only being 23. He's a committed player, whose hunger for goals never gets in the way of his desire to do the best for his team.

Eto'o is fast footed and capable of leaving his markers flailing behind him, with a strong shot and is also an experienced penalty taker.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Real Madrid
1999-00 Champions League
1997-98 Intercontinental Cup

Real Mallorca
2002-03 Spanish Cup

Cameroon
2003 Confederation Cup runners up
2002 African Cup
2000 African Cup
2000 Gold medal Sidney Olympics

Individual Awards
2005-06 Spanish League top goalscorer
2004-05 Third place FIFA WORLD PLAYER
2004-05 African Player of the Year
2003-04 African Player of the Year
2002-03 African Player of the Year

Andrés Iniesta Lujan

8 Iniesta

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Andrés Iniesta Luján
Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Fuentealbilla (Albacete, Spain)
Date: 11-05-1984
Height: 1'70
Weight: 65

Andrés Iniesta Lujan

Andrés Iniesta joined Barca as a twelve-year-old in 1996 after scouts had spotted him at the Brunette Tournament playing for Albacete.

From the start he progressed rapidly through the club's various youth teams and was promoted to the Barca B team for the 2000-01 season, where he almost immediately became the team's main playmaker under coach Josep Maria Gonzalvo.

Andrés' dream of making the first team finally came true in October 2002 when he was picked to play in the Champions League game against Bruges in Belgium. Van Gaal's Barca won that evening and Andrés made an excellent impression.

Now an recognised squad member, Iniesta has established a place for himself through hard work allied to his undoubted natural skills. In the shadow of some of the team's bigger names, Andres became a key piece of the League winning 2004-5 team, winding up as Rijkaard's most used player, figuring in 35 of the 38 league games. Iniesta also played 8 Champions League matches, scoring twice.

It was in the 2005-06 season that he made his big break into the first team. Playing in the middle of the field as the replacement for Xavi, who was suffering from a long term injury, Iniesta became one of the keys to Barcelona's successes both at home and in Europe. The player from Fuentealbilla appeared in 33 league games and 11 in the Champions League, scoring once. So impressive were his performances that he earned a call-up to the national side for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

CHARACTERISTICS

Iniesta is fast, direct and reads the game superbly. He started playing in Barca B in a holding role in midfield but has gradually adopted a more attacking position in his first team appearances. Van Gaal began to use him in the hole behind the striker and Frank Rijkaard has, on occasions, given him a wider role on the right.

This demonstrates what is perhaps Iniesta's greatest strength his versatility and professional attitude towards whatever job the coach hands him. Andres is not a showy player, an attribute that matches his off the field persona, but gives a guarantee of practicality and elegance.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen

7 Gudjohnsen

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Eidur Gudjohnsen
Position: forward
Place of birth: Reykjavik (Island)
Date: 15-09-1978
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 82 kg

Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen

Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen is the first player to play for Barca from Iceland, a country perhaps better known in sporting circles for handball or cross country skiing than football.

Gudjohnsen began to make his mark as a footballer from a young age, perhaps inspired by his father, who was also an Icelandic full international. When he was just 16, Eidur made his debut in the Icelandic league and ended up with 7 goals in 17 games - a return that caught the eye of PSV Eindhoven for whom he played for the following two seasons.

Gudjohnsen returned to his native Iceland to play for KR Reykjavik in the 97-98 season before signing for the Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, where he played for two seasons before joining Chelsea. He left the London club to replace Larson at Barca with a record of 62 goals in 219 games in his 6 years at Stamford Bridge, am experienced player with an impressive cv at the highest level.

CHARACTERISTICS

Gudjohnsen has developed his style in the English game and a a Northern European he not surprisingly is a bustling centre forward particularly strong in the air and with both feet. But Gudjohnson also brings an excellent technique and clever ball skills and a versatility which allowed him to show his abilities both up front and in midfield for Chelsea. His skills in midfield helped to convert him into one of the leading assist providers in the English game.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup

Chelsea FC
2005-06 League
2004-05 League
2004-05 Carling Cup
2000-01 Charity Shield

PSV Eindhoven
1996-97 League
1996-97 Supercup
1995-96 Cup

Xavier Hernandez Creus

6 Xavi

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Xavier Hernández Creus
Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Terrassa (Spain)
Date: 25-01-1980
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 68 kg

Xavier Hernandez Creus

Xavi has spent all his footballing life at the Nou Camp, having joined Barcelona when he was only 11 years old. The progress he made was always very quick and in season 97-98 he moved up from youth team to Barca B.

In Barça B, he became the brains of Jordi Gonzalvo's team which won promotion to the second division.

Xavi's dream of making his official debut with the first team squad became true when he played in the Spanish Super Cup against Majorca in the summer of 1998. He was in the starting line up and scored: a better debut he could not have asked for. Xavi also played an important role in the league-winning season of 1998-99 with Van Gaal as manager, most notably with an important goal in the Nuevo Zorrilla, which turned round the team's fortunes.

Season 1999-2000 was a good one for Xavi as due to the injury to Guardiola he was the first choice number 4 for a large part of the season. After the legendry captain left for Italian football he became the playmaker of the team and has continued to demonstrate the full range of his talents in this position.

With Van Gaal, Reixach, Antic and Rijkaard in charge of the team, Xavi has always been a key member of the team - a fact made clear by the 300 official games he completed whilst still only 25 years old.

With Rijkaard, Xavi has shown that he can not only play at the heart of midfield, but is also more than able to cover any position in the center of the team, an ability reflected in the fact that he was the most used player in the League winning 2004-05 season, playing 36 games in all.

Xavi was at the 2002 World Cup and the Euro 2004 championships and is a regular member of the Spanish national team.

CHARACTERISTICS

Xavi is the playmaker of the team in every game and shows no nerves whatsoever as he guides the team with an extraordinarily cool head. Since taking on the mantle of playmaker at Barca he has shown incredible vision on the pitch. He is another example of the good work being carried out in the youth teams of Barcelona, especially in the position referred to as number 4 and as he has matured he has shown an increasing ability to adapt himself to different positions in the midfield when his manager has called on him.

His passing to the forwards and his ability to take the pressure off and protect the ball better than almost any other player around, have turned him into one of the focal points on the pitch. He also stands out for his defensive capabilities and his capacity as a ball winner.

In addition he has shown himself more than able at dead ball situations, where his potent shot has brought a number of important goals.

Xavi will always remember December 2, 2005. During training in front of La Masia,the Terrassa-born midfielder suffered a bad injury to his left knee as he ruptured his ligaments. Within five months he was back in action. On April 29, 2006 returned to play against Cádiz and stated "I feel like a football player again". He was able to celebrate winning the title and the Champions League with the rest of the squad.

The Barça playmaker was a regular in Luis Aragonés' Spain team during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where the team progressed to the second round before being beaten by France.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League
1998-99 League

Spanish National Team
2000-00 Silver medal. Sidney Olympic Games
1999-99 Under 20 World Champion

Carles Puyol Saforcada

5 Puyol

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name: Carles Puyol Saforcada (

Lleida,Catalonia,Spain)

Position: defensa
Place of birth: La Pobla de Segur
Date: 13-04-1978
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 80 kg

Carles Puyol Saforcada

Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía.

He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender.

In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup.

However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp.

During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005.

Carles Puyol is a regular in the Spanish national team and took part in the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Nations Cup and in the World Cup Finals in 2006.

CHARACTERISTICS

Carles Puyol started off in the first team at right back but has since developed into a great central defender. He stands out for his tremendous fitness levels and his discipline on the pitch. He's a perfect example of a team player and he never over-complicates the job when he has to cut off an opposing attacking move.

He can also adapt to the left back position when circumstances dictate. Although he is not particularly tall (178 cm), his physical strength makes him very strong in the air and he is capable of man-marking opposing forwards who are taller than him. He also likes to get up in attack, especially for corners and free kicks.

More than anything else, Carles Puyol is a reference point for the rest of the squad due to his character and qualities of leadership and because of his pride in the Barca colours and his total identification with the Club.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006-07 Spanish Supercup
2005-06 Champions League
2005-06 League
2005-06 Spanish Supercup
2004-05 League

Spanish national team
2000 - Silver medal. Sidney Olympic Games