Neymar Agrees to Five-Year-Deal with FC Barcelona

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Neymar is heading to Spain…

Futbol Club Barcelona has agreed to a five-year-deal worth a reported $36.12 million with the 21-year-old Brazilian striker, wooing him away from his club in Brazil, Santos.

“FC Barcelona and Santos have agreed terms for Neymar. The 21-year old is one of the most promising footballers on the planet,” said FC Barcelona in a statement.

“On Monday, I sign a contract with Barcelona. I want to thank the fans of Santos by these incredible nine years,” wrote Neymar on Instagram.

The statement in Portuguese added: “My feeling for the club and the fans will never change. Titles, goals, dribbling, celebrations and songs that fans created for me will be forever in my heart.

Neymar had been considering his future after Santos revealed they had accepted two offers for their star player, with Barcelona confirmed as one of the bidders and Real Madrid widely assumed to be the other.

His contract with Santos was due to expire at the end of next season.

Neymar will say goodbye to the Santos fans at Sunday’s season-opening game against Flamengo before joining Barcelona after the Confederations Cup, which starts in Brazil on June 15 and finishes on June 30.

The signing ends years of speculation about which team would be the first to persuade the player to make the move to Europe.

As well as Real Madrid, he has also been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United since making his debut for Santos in 2009.

Neymar led Santos to their greatest run since Pele stopped playing for the club in the 1970s, helping the team win the 2010 Brazilian Cup, the 2011 Copa Libertadores and three straight Sao Paulo state championships.

He’s the club’s leading scorer in the post-Pele era with 138 goals in 229 matches.

Neymar is also considered Brazil’s key player for the 2014 World Cup.

Xavi Signs Two-Year Contract Extension with FC Barcelona

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Xavier “Xavi” Hernandez doesn’t have plans to change his team jersey anytime soon…

The 33-year-old Spanish midfielder has signed a contract extension that will keep him with Futbol Club Barcelona through June 2016, according to team officials.

Hernandez has been with Barça since the start of his professional career, appearing in a record of 659 official matches for the club.

Hernandez signed the two-year extension in the presence of club President Sandro Rosell, Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta.

“This is a special day because it means I’ll spend more years at Barça, this is where I want to be,” said Hernandez, who has been capped 119 times for the Spanish national team. “My first choice was always to stay here. The club has made an effort and I am grateful.”

Hernandez declined to speculate about how long he’ll remain with FC Barcelona.

“I know how demanding it is but I’d like to stay many more years,” he said. “There are many players that are able to play in my position and they’ve shown that they can do it. Barça will continue to perform when I’m not around.”

Shakira Gives Birth to Her First Child…

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

The stork has arrived at Shakira’s place…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer and new The Voice coach gave birth to a bouncing baby boy,Milan Piqué Mebarak, at 9:36 p.m. January 22 in Barcelona, Spain, according to an announcement on Shakira’s website.

It’s the first child for Shakira and her boyfriend Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, who recently announced plans to host a virtual baby shower for charity.

“The name Milan means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification,” the announcement says. “Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth.”

Shakira and her boyfriend, a central defender for Futbol Club Barcelona, announced in September that she was pregnant and revealed the sex of the baby in October.

Shakira will be one of two new coaches on NBC’s The Voice when the show returns for its fourth season in March. She and Usher are replacing Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. While pregnant, Shakira filmed some parts of the show, including the blind auditions.

During a press event for The Voice in late 2012, the Colombian singer told reporters that her maternal instincts had already starting kicking into high gear when it came to nurturing her contestants.

“I don’t know if because I’m pregnant or what, but I’ve got maternal instincts, and I feel like, you know, they are somehow my kids,” she told reporters. “I have to look after them and protect them.”

Messi Wins Record Fourth Ballon d’Or

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is officially in a league of his own…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol has become the first four-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s Player of the Year award, after breaking the world record for most goals in a year with 91 goals for Barcelona and Argentina.

Messi won for the fourth straight time, beating Real Madrid‘s Cristiano Ronaldo and his fellow Futbol Club Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta in voting announced Monday. His 91 goals topped Gerd Mueller‘s mark of 85 for Bayern Munich and Germany back in 1972.

Messi received 41.60 percent of the points in votes by national team coaches and captains plus selected media. Ronaldo got 23.68 percent and Iniesta 10.91 percent.

“To tell the truth, this is really unbelievable to get the fourth award. I am so nervous,” Messi said in Spanish, wearing a black tuxedo jacket and bow tie, both with a white polka-dot pattern in an unexpectedly flamboyant touch.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann and captain Carlos Bocanegra both voted Messi first, as did Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy.

Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo of Brazil were voted FIFA Player of the Year three times before the award merged in 2010 with France Football’s Golden Ball, given to the European player of the year. The Golden Ball, or Ballon d’Or, was won three times by Michel Platini of France and Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten of the Netherlands.

Vicente del Bosque was voted top men’s coach after leading Spain to its third straight title in a major tournament, the 2012 European Championship. Del Bosque got 34.51 percent to win over Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho (20.49), who won last year, and Pep Guardiola (12.91) who won in 2011 and retired from Barcelona last spring.

The three men’s Player of the Year candidates were on the World XI All-Star team chosen by the FIFPro group of players’ unions, comprising 50,000 members worldwide.

They selected a team composed entirely of players from Spanish clubs, with nine repeating their selection from one year ago.

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas was selected as goalkeeper, joined on defense by teammates Sergio Ramos and Marcelo and by Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Gerard Pique. Iniesta was joined in midfield by Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso. Messi led the attack with Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid‘s Radamel Falcao. Marcelo and Falcao replaced Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney from the 2011 team.

Messi Ends the Year with Record 91 Goals…

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

In what’s proved to be a banner year, Lionel Messi has extended his goal-scoring record…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambasador, who broke German great Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record for most goals in a year earlier this month, ended his record year this weekend with his 91st and final goal of 2012 in Fútbol Club Barcelona‘s 3-1 win at Valladolid, which the team dedicated to ailing coach Tito Vilanova.

Messi scored in the 59th minute by dribbling between a defender’s legs before making it 2-0 after Xavi Hernandez had opened the scoring two minutes before halftime.

Barcelona’s players wore T-shirts before the game with messages of support for Vilanova, who had throat surgery to remove a second tumor in two years on Thursday.

“This win is for Tito,” Barcelona defender Dani Alves said. “It’s a surprise and joy that he is home now. We are here to help him any way he can. Football is secondary now, he is fighting for his life.”

Barcelona remained perfect in nine away games and extended its record league start with its 16th win in 17 rounds. It opened up a nine-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid and a 16-point gap over Real Madrid after it lost to Malaga Saturday.

Messi Calls for Action to to End Infant Mortality

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He may be one of the greatest soccer players in the world…But Lionel Messi is still a human with a big heart…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star, the holder of the new record for most goals in a calendar year, is calling for action to end infant mortality.

Messi, the Futbol Club Barcelona striker, made that appeal in a video this week for the UN Children’s Fund.

Messi, who became a father for the first time this year, said in the UNICEF video that while the number of infant deaths fell from nearly 12 million in 1990 to around 6.9 million last year, “those boys and girls did not have to die, but they died.”

Despite advances, some 19,000 children worldwide under 5 die every day from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition, accoriding to UNICEF.

Predicted to receive a record fourth Ballon d’Or as the world’s top soccer player next month, Messi became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in March 2010 and has become an outspoken advocate for the most vulnerable children.

Messi Scores History-Making 86th Goal of 2012…

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s already considered one of the greatest soccer players of all-time… And Lionel Messi has just shown the world another reason why…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star broke German great Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record for most goals in a year on Sunday by scoring for the 86th time in 2012.

Messi scored twice to lead FC Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Real Betis in the Spanish league match.

His first was an individual effort in the 16th minute to tie Muller’s mark, and he eclipsed the 1972 milestone with a left-footed finish nine minutes later.

“As I have said many times, the record is nice but the important thing is the victory that keeps us on the path we want to continue on,” said Messi. “As I always say, my objectives are on a team level: to win the league, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey again.”

Messi has scored 74 goals for Barcelona and 12 times for Argentina this year, and he still has three games left to add to his tally before the end of the year. Muller scored 85 for Bayern Munich and West Germany.

The 25-year-old Messi passed Brazil great Pele‘s single-season milestone of 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958 with his 75th and 76th goals of the year on November 11 to move into second place behind Muller.

“We won’t see another player like (Messi),” said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. “Not just because of his ability to score. But also for his ability to pass, play defense, and his understandings of the game. He is a global star that helps us in so many ways.”

Messi is one of the three finalists for the FIFA world player of the year award along with teammate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s won the Ballon d’Or for the past three years in helping Barcelona win three Spanish league titles and two Champions League crowns, along with several other competitions. He ‘s seeking to become the only player to win the award for a fourth time when the winner is announced on January 7.

“Leo is supernatural,” said Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. “He doesn’t have limits. We’ll always have to remember everything he gave us. We have to enjoy every minute we have with him.”

Shakira Shares Ultrasound Photo of Her Son…

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is embracing her pregnancy… And, she’s sharing every happy moment with the world…

The 35-year-old Colombian pop star has already revealed the baby’s gender. And, now she’s sharing something a tad more personal: an ultrasound photo of her son.

Shakira’s boyfriend, Gerard Piqué – central defender for FC Barcelona – posted the image to his WhoSay account, alongs with the caption: “His first pic! #excited #cute.”

Shakira – who will replacing Christina Aguilera on the next addition of NBC’s The Voice – and the 25-year-old Spanish soccer star haven’t been shy about sharing the details of her pregnancy on social media.

In September, Shakira confirmed the news that she was expecting her first child, writing on her official website, “Gerard I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby! At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days.”

Then in October she shared the first image of her growing baby bump, before posting a photo of the couple cuddling and showing off her bare baby bump.

“I could have another nine months like this,” the mom-to-be wrote at the time.

Messi ThisClose to Tying Record For Goals in a Calendar Year

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder he’s gunning for his fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or… Lionel Messi is thisclose to making soccer history for his ability to score goals.

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star is just one goal shy of German Gerd Mueller‘s record of 85 goals in a calendar year after scoring twice in FC Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Messi was again a key figure as Barcelona set a new record start to a La Liga season with 13 wins and a draw in their first 14 matches, surpassing the previous best by Real Madrid in the 1991-92 season.

Messi’s 11th double of the season leaves him one goal shy of Muller’s record for club and country in one year, set in 1972.

Messi Gunning for History-Making Fourth Ballon d’Or

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is one step closer to making serious soccer history this January…

The 25-year-old Argentine fútbol star has been named as a finalist for the 2012 Ballon d’Or, which honors the world’s best soccer player.

Messi, who claimed his second Golden Boot in October for being the top scorer in the European national leagues, will compete against Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Andres Iniesta for the honor, FIFA and France Football announced Thursday.

Messi has won the award for the last three years, while Ronaldo took the prize in 2008. First-time finalist Iniesta was the MVP of the 2012 European Championship. Should Messi earn his fourth consecutive award, he’d become the only player to win the award four times.

Iniesta and Messi are teammates at Futbol Club Barcelona, while Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid.

“We’re not at the level of the Oscars, but we’re not very far from that ceremony either,” Blatter said.

Nominated for Coach of the Year are Vicente Del Bosque of the Spanish national squad, Pep Guardiola – late of Barcelona – and Jose Mourinho, manager of Real Madrid.

Brazil’s Marta and two members of the U.S. team, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, will compete for the title of Women’s Player of the Year. The contenders for Coach of the Year in women’s soccer are Bruno Bini of France, Norio Sasaki of Japan and Sweden’s Pia Sundhage.

The Puskas trophy for goal of the year will go to either Colombian Radamel Falcao Garcia, Brazil’s Neymar or Slovak Miroslav Stoch.

The names of all the winners will be revealed at a January 7 gala in Switzerland.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Futbol Club Barcelona