This is not a news article or rumor about Barca, but this about a Barca fan who has full of talents. I was browsing barca-related blogs until I found hers, and got mesmerized by her talent to draw (using water colour). For more of her drawings visit her site.
Oleguer is leaving FC Barcelona (finally!). The rumor was confirmed after Ajax Amsterdam and Barca agrred to a fee worth 3 million euros + 2,25 million euros variables depending on Ajax's qualification for the Champions League for the next three seasons. I'm sure a lot of Barca fans will be happy with the news, but let us not forget that he was also a key member for the 2005 Liga, and the 2006 double. The news said he was recommended by ex-Barca manager Frank Rijkaard to the new Ajax coach, Marco van Basten. According also to some sources, his former Barca teammates Gabri (Ajax) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyennord) also did some recommendation.
In other news, Henrique Adriano Buss has comleted his 8 million euro (+2 million variables) move from Brazilian club Palmeiras to Barca. He already completed his medicals, where he met Xavi, Carles Puyol, and Andres Iniesta (who reported for their first day of pre season after given extended holiday due to their appearance at Euro 08 for the Champions, Spain), he signed for Five years, but will spend the first year on loan to German club Bayer Leverkusen for him to adapt to European football and lifestyle
After His departure to AC Milan for 21 million euros + 4 million variables here's what Ronaldinho can say about his stay at Barca:
"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the fans of Barça. I have always felt their affection. I was very happy in Barcelona because the people always gave me great feelings. I always felt these sensations on my path, and they gave me strength at all times. I enjoyed playing football for Barça and I loved the enjoyment of the fans. I felt close to the people of FC Barcelona, who have always shown me their affection. I remain with the dream of one day being able to say goodbye at Camp Nou."I am going to a great club, but with a sense of loss for having left a place where I was happy, in which we shared not just triumphs but, above all, emotions as well. Brazilians also play football to make people happy: that was a goal of mine and I'm glad to have succeeded."Also, I want to express my thanks for the support I received from each of the players with whom I shared a dressing room. For me it was an honour to play alongside footballers of both high professional quality but also of humility. We had a great group, and each member contributed to its success. No one player wins anything along. I owe thanks to my companions and the club for the individual trophies that I've won at this stage - it was especially gratifying to win the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player award. I thank you because here I experienced some of the best years of my life."I don't wish to forget the coaches, the masseurs, the doctors, the club workers, and the employees because they were also a part of our triumph. I give extensive thanks to the club directors who have supported me, and the press members who were alongside me for those long years."I am left with the best moments of an exceptional spell. There were many, many of them. I loved living happily in Barcelona and with Barcelona. I keep in my heart all the affection. Football is a game, it's a fiesta, it's a sport that gives joy and spreads joy. We need to play football with a smile. That's something we understand. Thank you for smiling with me."
Ronaldinho stayed at Barca for 5 years and won major trophies, such as two Primera Liga titles, two Spanish Supercups, the 2006 Champions League with the club during that time, and lifting the solo awards of the Ballon d'Or, the FIFA World Player of the Year (twice each), European Footballer of the Year, FIFPro World Player of the Year (twice), UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, UEFA Club Best Forward, EFE Trophy for Best Ibero-American player in Spain, and the Liga's Best Foreigner prize (twice) on an individual level.
Who do you think will follow the footsteps of Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Lionel Messi, and Bojan to be promoted from the B team and a regular for the first team. We all know that young prodigies Gai Assulin and Thiago Alcantara will spend at least another year for the reserves. The list of the reserves that Pep included for the pre-season are:
The fixtures for the 2008-09 season has been released, which will start on August 30 & 31 and will conclude on May 30 & 31. Barca start of with the newly promoted C.D. Numancia at Los Pajaritos, while rounding it of with Deportivo La Coruna in Riazor. El Clasico will be on December 13/14 at the Camp Nou and April 25/26 at the Bernabeu. The Barcelona Derby will be on September 27/28 and February 21/22 at the Montjuic and Camp Nou respectively Schedules for Rounds 13-16 and 32-35 will be tough as we get on Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid and Villareal in the same order.
For the full schedule, click here.
Alright, as of now we've had four new players arrived ( Keita, Pique, Caceres and Alves) and six players departed to other teams ( Edmilson, Giovani, Zambrotta, Thuram, Ezquerro and Deco). We are maybe just days away until Aliaksandr Hleb signs for Barcelona from Arsenal FC and Henrique from Palmeiras, who maybe loaned out to another European team. Others who may join us are Thiago Neves (Fluminense), Dmitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spartak Moscow). While the others that may leave are Eidur Gudjohnsen (?), Ronaldinho (Milan/Manchester City/Chelsea) and Samuel Eto'o (?). Others unwanted at the Camp Nou are Marc Crosas, who just returned after a loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais, and maybe Oleguer (at least by fans) who had an injury-struck season.
The projected signings that maybe over are: Andrei Arshavin, after two bids were rejected by Zenit St. Petersburg; David Villa and David Silva, after the new Valencia President insisted that they are not for sale; Hernanes, Sao Paulo still insist that they will only let him for 25 Million Euros.
And by the way I hope the "crisis" that our club faces will be over sooner rather than later.
