Puyol: "It is not finished yet" /Puyol: "Esto aún no ha terminado"

Carls Puyole, the Barcelona captain, wanted to send a message of optimism and ensured that the League ruled to focus on the Champions Cup and would be a "grave mistake. Bajaremos not arms," Puyol proclaimed in an attempt to mitigate the environmental pessimism , because "the distance from the leader is important, but not impossible to cut. This is not yet finished.

While conceding that the Barcelona and does not depend on itself, Puyol believes that "the first step should give players, believing that this is possible, and then wait for Real Madrid crashing. Anímicamente If one is good, the rest things are better. as we believe in giving the lap is very important and must be the first step, "he added. Although Barcelona admitted that no longer depends on itself, Puyol believes that "the first step should give players, believing that this is possible, and then wait for Real Madrid crashing. Anímicamente If one is good, the rest things are going better. believe it give us in the back is very important and must be the first step, "he added. "The Cup and the Champions are there, but also the League, and it would be a very serious mistake aparcarla. Must strive to win all matches," he insisted. "The Cup and the Champions are there, but also the League, and it would be a very serious mistake aparcarla. Earn We must strive by all parties," he insisted.

Puyol, unlike some colleagues who are demanding a more practical soccer, said that "we want to win and, if we can play well. Our players to do both. Sometimes should be practical, but we like to look for the result playing well" . Puyol, unlike some colleagues who claim to football more practical, said that "we want to win and if you can play. Our players to do both. Sometimes should be practical, but we like to look for the result by playing well." According to the captain, equipment failure "at the time of killing parties." According to the captain, the team fails "when killing parties.

Seeking solutions Seeking solutions
"The clothing is always looking for solutions when the team will not leave things as they would like. Work to do to win and enjoy the people, I am convinced that we can do," said one Puyol sure that the arguments of past successes "still remain valid. " "The Locker Room always looking for solutions when the team is not leaving things like like. Work to return to win and enjoy the people, I am convinced that we can do," said a Puyol sure that the arguments of past successes " remain valid.

The captain azulgrana assessed the possibility that Barcelona will launch a campaign similar to that last year prompted the Madrid had the title. The captain azulgrana assessed the possibility that Barcelona will launch a campaign similar to that last year Madrid was pushed to the title. One must be very united and we have to believe, but if a campaign, that I do not know. Left up to them well and do not have to discard anything. " One must be very united and we have to believe, but if I will do a campaign, that I do not know. They went At the well and not have to discard anything. "

Puyol called for a "stop work and enjoy" Ronaldinho, whose return is imminent. Puyol called for a "stop work and enjoy" Ronaldinho, whose return is imminent. "This is a player who will bring much reference to the team and that will give us the pleasure that may be missing is us." "This is a player who will make reference to the team and will give us much to the joy that can be our is missing.

Finally, Puyol recalled the importance of the match before the Copa Villarreal - "if not wins, the atmosphere will be more complicated - and rejected rumours that placed as the next coach Jose Mourinho azulgrana:" It is not good that there is talk of this. " Finally, Puyol recalled the importance of football before the Villarreal match - "if not wins, the atmosphere will be more complicated - and rejected rumors that Jose Mourinho has put as coach next azulgrana:" It is not good to be talk of this. "

Carles Puyol, capitán del Barcelona, quiso lanzar un mensaje de optimismo y aseguró que la Liga descartar para centrarse en la Champions y la Copa sería a "grave error. Bajaremos no los brazos," Puyol proclamó en un intento de mitigar el pesimismo del entorno , porque "la distancia con respecto al líder es importante, pero no imposible de recortar. Esto aún no se ha terminado.

Aunque admitió que el Barcelona ya no depende de sí mismo, Puyol cree que "el primer paso lo deben dar los jugadores, creyendo que esto es posible, y después, esperar a que el Real Madrid falle. Si uno está bien anímicamente, el resto de cosas van mejor. Que nosotros creamos en darle la vuelta es muy importante y debe ser el primer paso", añadió. Aunque el Barcelona admitió que ya no depende de sí mismo, Puyol Cree que "el primer paso lo deben dar los jugadores, creyendo que esto es posible, y después, esperar a que el Real Madrid falle. If anímicamente uno está bien, el resto cosas van mejor. creamos Que nosotros en darle la vuelta es muy importante y debe ser el primer paso ", añadió. "La Copa y la Champions están ahí, pero la Liga también, y sería un error muy grave aparcarla. Debemos esforzarnos por ganar todos los partidos", insistió. "The Copa y están the Champions ahí, pero la Liga también, y sería un error muy grave aparcarla. Debemos esforzarnos ganar por todos los partidos", insistió.

Puyol, al contrario que algunos compañeros que reclaman un fútbol más práctico, aseguró que "queremos ganar y, si se puede jugando bien. Tenemos jugadores para hacer las dos cosas. A veces conviene ser prácticos, pero nos gusta buscar el resultado jugando bien". Puyol, al contrario que algunos compañeros que reclaman a fútbol más práctico, aseguró que "queremos ganar y, si se puede jugando. Tenemos jugadores para hacer las dos cosas. Ser A veces conviene prácticos, pero nos gusta buscar el resultado jugando well" . Según el capitán, el equipo falla "a la hora de matar los partidos". Según el capitán, falla el equipo "a la hora de matar los partidos.

En busca de soluciones En busca de soluciones

"El vestuario siempre busca soluciones cuando al equipo no le salen las cosas como gustaría. Trabajamos para volver a ganar y hacer disfrutar a la gente, estoy convencido de que podemos hacerlo", expresó un Puyol seguro de que los argumentos de pasados éxitos "siguen siendo válidos". "El siempre Locker Room busca soluciones cuando al equipo no le salen cosas como las gustaría. Trabajamos para volver a hacer y disfrutar ganar a la gente, estoy convencido de que podemos hacerlo", expresó a Puyol seguro de que los argumentos de éxitos pasados "siguen siendo válidos.

El capitán azulgrana valoró así la posibilidad de que en Barcelona se ponga en marcha una campaña similar a la que el año pasado impulsó al Madrid hacía el título. El capitán azulgrana valoró así la posibilidad de que en Barcelona se ponga en marcha una campaña similar a la que el año pasado al impulsó Madrid hacía el título. "Hay que estar muy unidos y nos lo hemos de creer, pero si se hace una campaña, eso no lo sé. A ellos les salió bien y no se tiene que descartar nada". "Hay que estar muy unidos y nos lo hemos de creer, pero si se hare una campaña, eso no lo sé. Ellos At the salió bien y no se tiene que nada descartar."

Puyol pidió que se "deje trabajar y disfrutar" a Ronaldinho, cuyo regreso es inminente. Puyol pidió que se "deje trabajar y disfrutar" Ronaldinho, cuyo regreso es inminente. "Es un jugador referencia que aportará mucho al equipo y que nos dará la alegría que puede ser nos esté faltando". "Es un jugador que aportará referencia al equipo y mucho que nos dará la alegría que puede ser our esté faltando.

Para finalizar, Puyol recordó la importancia del partido de Copa ante el Villarreal -"si no se gana, el ambiente será más complicado"- y rechazó los rumores que sitúan a José Mourinho como próximo entrenador azulgrana: "No es bueno que se hable de esto". Para finalizar, Puyol recordó la importancia de Copa del partido ante el Villarreal - "si no se gana, será el ambiente más complicado" - rechazó y los rumores que sitúan Jose Mourinho has próximo como entrenador azulgrana: "No es bueno que se of hable esto. "

Rijkaard lamenta las lesiones /Rijkaard regrets the injuries

El entrenador del FC Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, ha emplazado esta noche a sus jugadores a conectarse con la Copa del Rey y a prepararse "para hacer un gran partido mañana" contra el Villarreal, en la vuelta de los cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey.

Rijkaard ha protagonizado una nueva conferencia informativa ante los medios de comunicación de tono bajo y sin apenas ganas de dar pistas de lo que tiene preparado para mañana contra el Villarreal. Ni, incluso, se ha pronunciado acerca de si el nuevo portero, José Manuel Pinto, tendrá su primera oportunidad de ser titular.
Mientras el presidente del Barça, Joan Laporta, no ha disimulado en reclamar del barcelonismo el aliento para el equipo ("pediría y rogaría a la afición que venga con la predisposición de animar mañana"), Rijkaard ha mantenido la misma línea, aunque ha señalado a sus jugadores para que sean estos los que levanten a la hinchada, al señalar: "El equipo es el primero que tiene que transmitir, de tal manera que anime a los socios".

El regreso de Ronaldinho a la lista de convocados es para el técnico una buena noticia "porque puede ayudar al equipo", pero no quiso desvelar si estará en el once titular, igual que el reaparecido Rafael Márquez, que también ha entrado en la lista después de estar lesionado.

Una vez más, al serle preguntado por la situación del Barça, Rijkaard ha vuelto a apoyarse en la misma argumentación: "El equipo ha sumado muchos puntos y ha habido partidos complicados. Pero el equipo lucha. Ha habido muchas dificultades porque hemos tenido jugadores lesionados".

"Entre estos lesionados ha habido futbolistas importantes; toda la delantera. Cuando un equipo juega bien y le quitas a dos jugadores que marcan la diferencia, se nota. Pero el equipo siempre ha dado la cara. Está haciendo todo lo posible para agradar", añadió.

Frank Rikjaard ha agradecido las palabras de apoyo del presidente barcelonista, cuando éste ha asegurado que desearía que el técnico estuviese en el Barcelona hasta el final del mandado de Laporta (2010), y se ha mostrado sorprendido de que supuestamente la junta directiva pensase en Johan Cruyff, como ha publicado 'El 9 Esportiu', para sustituirle en el cargo, si finalmente era destituido.

Laporta ha negado categóricamente que el Barça contemplase la opción de llamar a Cruyff al banquillo. Mientras, Rijkaard ha dicho que le "sorprendería" que su paisano regresase a la dirección.

The FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has deployed tonight their players to connect to the Copa del Rey and prepare "for a big match tomorrow against Villarreal, in the round of the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey .

Rijkaard has been involved in a new conference before briefing the media pitch low and with little desire to give clues about what you have prepared for tomorrow against Villarreal. Ni, incluso, se ha pronunciado acerca de si el nuevo portero, José Manuel Pinto, tendrá su primera oportunidad de ser titular. Neither even has ruled on whether the new goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, will have its first opportunity to be the holder.
Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has not concealed in the claim barcelonismo encouragement for the team ( "request and would ask the fans to come up with the predisposition to encourage tomorrow"), Rijkaard has maintained the same line, although it has indicated their players to be those which lifted the bloated, noting: "The team is the first to have to pass on in such a way that encourages partners."

El regreso de Ronaldinho a la lista de convocados es para el técnico una buena noticia "porque puede ayudar al equipo", pero no quiso desvelar si estará en el once titular, igual que el reaparecido Rafael Márquez, que también ha entrado en la lista después de estar lesionado. The return of Ronaldinho on the list is called for the technical good news "because it can help the team," but did not want to reveal whether he would be in the eleven owner, as does the resurgence Rafael Marquez, who also has entered the list after to be injured.

Una vez más, al serle preguntado por la situación del Barça, Rijkaard ha vuelto a apoyarse en la misma argumentación: "El equipo ha sumado muchos puntos y ha habido partidos complicados. Pero el equipo lucha. Ha habido muchas dificultades porque hemos tenido jugadores lesionados". Once again, to be asked about the status of Barça, Rijkaard has returned to rely on the same argument: "The team has joined many parties and has been complicated. But the team struggle. Has been very difficult because we had players injured ".

"Entre estos lesionados ha habido futbolistas importantes; toda la delantera. Cuando un equipo juega bien y le quitas a dos jugadores que marcan la diferencia, se nota. Pero el equipo siempre ha dado la cara. Está haciendo todo lo posible para agradar", añadió. "Those injured have been important players; entire front. When a team plays well and you take away two players who make the difference, it shows. But the team has always face. Is doing everything possible to please" he added.

Frank Rikjaard ha agradecido las palabras de apoyo del presidente barcelonista, cuando éste ha asegurado que desearía que el técnico estuviese en el Barcelona hasta el final del mandado de Laporta (2010), y se ha mostrado sorprendido de que supuestamente la junta directiva pensase en Johan Cruyff, como ha publicado 'El 9 Esportiu', para sustituirle en el cargo, si finalmente era destituido. Frank Rikjaard has appreciated the words of support from President barcelonista, when it would have been assured that the technician was at Barcelona until the end of the mandate of Laporta (2010), and has been surprised that supposedly the board we think in Johan Cruyff, as has published 'The 9 Esportiu', to sit in the office, whether it was ultimately dismissed.

Laporta ha negado categóricamente que el Barça contemplase la opción de llamar a Cruyff al banquillo. Laporta has denied categorically that Barça look at the option of calling Cruyff to the bench. Mientras, Rijkaard ha dicho que le "sorprendería" que su paisano regresase a la dirección. Meanwhile, Rijkaard has said that he "surprised" that his fellow countryman returned to the address.

Ronaldinho es convocado contra el Villarreal /Ronaldinho was summoned against Villarreal

Ronaldinho es convocado contra el Villarreal
Tras un mes alejado de los terrenos de juego, Ronaldinho ha vuelto a entrar en una convocatoria. Ésa es la principal novedad de la lista facilitada por Frank Rijkaard para la vuelta de los octavos de la Copa del Rey frente al Villarreal. El brasileño, que fue dado de alta el lunes, regresa a un partido oficial tras haber superado su lesión de rodilla.

Ronaldinho no juega desde la derrota del Barcelona ante el Real Madrid en el Camp Nou (0-1) el pasado 23 de diciembre. Una tendinitis rotuliana en la rodilla izquierda le ha tenido de baja casi un mes en el que se ha perdido cuatro partidos de Liga -tres victorias, ante el Mallorca (0-2), el Murcia (4-0) y el Racing (1-0), y un empate, ante el Athletic (1-1)- y otros cuatro de Copa -cuatro empates, uno ante el Alcoyano (2-2) y dos ante el Sevilla (1-1 y 0-0) en las anteriores eliminatorias, y uno ante el Villarreal-.

También ha entrado en la convocatoria Rafa Márquez, que ha superado una contusión en el muslo izquierdo que padeció en el partido de ida en el Madrigal, después de perderse el partido del domingo en San Mamés. Los que no han entrado son Edmilson, Oleguer y Gudjhonsen.

La lista de dieciséis jugadores barcelonistas para el partido contra el Villarreal: Valdés, Pinto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Márquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Milito, Deco, Messi, Thuram, Abidal, Zambrotta, Bojan, y Giovani dos Santos.
Ronaldinho was summoned against Villarreal
After one month away from the playgrounds, Ronaldinho has re-entered a call. That is the main novelty in the list provided by Frank Rijkaard for the eighth round of the European Champions League versus Villarreal. The Brazilian, who was discharged on Monday, returning to a match official after having passed his knee injury.

Ronaldinho not played since the defeat of Barcelona to Real Madrid at the Camp Nou (0-1) last December 23. Rotuliana Tendinitis in the left knee has been low in nearly a month which has lost four matches League-three wins, with the Mallorca (0-2), Murcia (4-0) and Racing (1 -0), and a tie before the Athletic (1-1) - and four other Cup-four draws, one with the Alcoyano (2-2) and two at the Seville (1-1 and 0-0) in previous playoffs, and one with the Villarreal.

It has also entered in the call Rafa Marquez, who has overcome a bruise to the left thigh suffered in the match round in the Madrigal, after the party lost Sunday at San Mames. Those who have not entered are Edmilson, Oleguer and Gudjhonsen.

The list of sixteen barcelonistas players for the match against Villarreal: Valdes, Pinto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Marquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Milito, Deco, Messi,

Barça history

On the 29th of November 1899, Joan Gamper founded the Football Club Barcelona ( Barça).
Joan Gamper (born Basel, Switzerland, November 22, 1877, died July 30, 1930, Switzerland)was a football pioneer, player and club president. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Catalonia (Spain)
In 1898 he went to Barcelona to visit his uncle, Emili Gaissert, who was living there but fell in love with the Spanish city and decided to stay put. He would later become a fluent Catalan speaker and adopt the Catalan version of his name,Joan Gamper.As sports columnist,
he worked for two Swiss newspapers.
He joined the local Swiss Evangelical Church and began playing football within the local Protestant community in the district of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
He also attended the Gimanasio Solé and helped publish a magazine, Los Deportes .

On October 22nd 1899 he placed an advert in Los Deportes declaring his wish to form a football club.
A positive response resulted in a meeting at the Gimanasio Sole on November 29 and Football Club Barcelona was born.
The founders included a collection of Swiss, British and Spanish enthusiasts.
Gamper chose the legendary club colours, blaugrana, after FC Basel(a Swiss football club based in Basel.)
[for this image]
Note published on October 22, 1899 in the magazine Los Deportes. With it, Joan Gamper requested players for the team that later became the Futbol Club Barcelona. The text says:

"SPORT NOTES

Our friend and partner, Mr. Kans Kamper, from the Foot-Vall Section of the <> and former swiss champion, wishing to organize some matches in Barcelona, requests that everyone who likes this sport contact him, come to this office Tuesday and Friday nights from 9 to 11."
THE MYTH IS BORN

[Image:The First Barça Team]

In the Solé Gym office, on the 29th of November 1899, Gamper met Gualteri Wild, Lluís d'Ossó, Bartomeu Terrados, Otto Kunzle, Otto Maier, Enric Ducal, Pere Cabot, Carles Pujol, Josep Llobet, John Parsons and William Parsons. Eleven sportsmen gathered in order to found a football club. Gualteri Wild was appointed President. The 1st match contested was at the Bonanova Cycle Track and they played against a group of English expatriates who were living in Barcelona. The Englishmen won 1-0. On the 14th of March 1909, the Club inaugurated its 1st own ground at c/Indústria, with a capacity for 6,000 people. At that time, the Barcelona FC obtained their first victories: The Catalan Championships: 1909-10, 1910-11, 1912-13, 1915-16, 1918-19 1919-20, 1920-21, 1921-22 and the Spanish Championships: 1909-10, 1911-12, 1912-13, 1919-20 and 1921-22.

LES CORTS STADIUM

The Les Corts ground (also known as "The Cathedral of Football") was inaugurated on the 20th of May 1922. That stadium had an initial capacity of 30,000 spectators but later doubled to 60,000. In 1924 the Club had already 12,207 members and a big number of supporters laid the foundations of the current social mass. During the season 1928-1929, Barça won brilliantly the 1st edition of the Spanish National League Title and ended, therefore, a period full of titles.

THE 30'S [Civil war (1923-1939)]

Joan Gamper died on the 30th of July 1930. The decade which was about to start had a fatal beginning and the Club entered a period of decline: institutional crisis, many members left the Club, bad sports results and the Franco's supporters political pressure. The Civil War in 1936 had disastrous consequences for the FC Barcelona. Josep Suñol, President of the Club, was murdered by Franco's soldiers near Guadalajara. However, the Barça kept alive and in 1936 decided to go on tour around Mexico and the USA, fact that would help the Club financial problems. In March 1938 the fascists dropped a bomb on the FC Barcelona Social Club and cause serious damage. In 1939, the Franco's troops created many problems to the Club because it had already become a symbol to the Catalan people. The number of members also dropped to 3,486.

LA COPA LATINA (The Latin Cup)
During the 40's, Barça gradually recovered despite their internal difficulties. In June 1943, the scandalous game against Madrid in the Chamartín ground, saw the Barca players threatened by referee and police and Piñeyro, a fascist supporter, but honestly disgusted at the treatment his team had received, resigned from the presidency of the Club (which he had held since 1940). Better times were to come. Barça won the National League Titles 1944-45, 1947-48 and 1948-49 and the Latin Cup Title 1949, a competition which preceded the European Champions Cup Title, the FC Barcelona 1st international success. It was the time of César, Basora, Velasco, Curta, the Gonzalvo brothers, Seguer, Biosca o Ramallets. Barça celebrated their 50th anniversary reaching member numbers of 24,893.





KUBALA

Ladislao Kubala arrived in Barcelona in June 1950 and made the FC Barcelona become an unbeatable team thanks to their magic forward line: Basora, César, Kubala, Moreno and Manchón. Between 1951 and 1953, Barça won every competition on offer (Spanish Leagues 1951-52 and 1952-53 and Spanish Cups 1950-51, 1951-52 and 1952-53). From that golden period, it is important to emphasize the season 1951-52, in which they obtained the Five Cups: Spanish League, Spanish Cup, Latin Cup Eva Duarte and Martini Rossi trophies.








THE CAMP NOU, 1957

Kubala was too huge a figure for Les Corts and soon Francesc Miró-Sans promoted the building of the Camp Nou Stadium, which got inaugurated on the 24th September 1957. The new stadium had a capacity of 90,000.

Barça won the Spanish Leagues 1958-59 and 1959-60, and the Fairs' Cups 1957-1958 and 1959-60, coached by Helenio Herrera with such excellent players as Kocsis, Czibor, Evaristo, Kubala, Eulogio Martínez, Suárez, Villaverde, Olivella, Gensana, Segarra, Gràcia, Vergés and Tejada. The 60's were a period of crisis (they won the Spanish Cups 1963 and 1968 and the Fairs' Cup 1966, only). However, it was then that the sentence "more than a Club" was born. Barça was over the sports level: the Club and its colours became a way to defend the Catalan national identity.

CRUYFF

In 1973, the signing of Dutch Johan Cruyff put the finishing touches to a golden forward line of Rexach, Asensi, Cruyff, Sotil and Marcial, who led the league winning side of 1973-74. Coinciding with the Club's 75th anniversary, there were now 69,566 members, making it the most powerful sporting club in the World. Joan Miró did the commemorative poster of that event

JOSEP LLUÍS NUÑEZ
In 1978, Josep Lluís Núñez became President of the FC Barcelona. The Club then began a considerable period of social and financial expansion. The increase in member numbers reached the 100,000 and many supporter's clubs were founded. The FC Barcelona was becoming the sports most important entity in the world. Barça were also provided with emblematic sports facilities: the Camp Nou expansion (with a capacity of more than 100,000 spectators), the building of the Miniestadi, the Palau Blaugrana, and so on.

The Núñez era constitutes without any doubt the most brilliant sports moment in the Barça history: Basilea Cup Winner’s Cup, the Spanish League 1984-85, under Terry Venables, the Dream Team (1990-1994) under Johan Cruyff (four consecutive Spanish Leagues, the Cup Winners' Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup, and the European Champions Cup at the Wembley Stadium). Then came Bobby Robson, who won the Cup Winner's Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup in the 1996-97 season and Louis van Gaal's consecutive League Titles in 1997-98 and 1998-99, when the team won the double for the first time in 39 years.

TODAY'S BARÇA

The FC Barcelona is currently a sports entity which includes basketball, handball, hockey, athletism, ice-hockey, figure skating, indoor football, rugby, baseball, volleyball and women's football sections. The football team are the only side to have qualified for European competition every year since its inauguration in 1955. There are now a total of 105,706 members and 1,508 supporters clubs.

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