Random: Cruyff For Catalunya, Awards For Leo, Robinho For Barca?

- FC Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has been officially presented as the new manager of the Catalan national team. He's been given the full option to call up players from Barca, and for a man who's project is coaching a team that plays two matches year, he's pretty psyched about it: “Our style of play will depend, logically, on the quality of the players we have. We’ll try and play attractive football. I want to play the best in the world. I want to build a competitive team.” Obviously, there is no better man for the job.

- Lionel Messi has just been named best player of the 08-09 Champions League, in an award presented jointly by Spanish papers Marca and La Gazetto Dello Sport. Chosen by popular vote, Leo lead with 213, ahead of Alessandro Del Piero (193) followed by Andres Iniesta (167). See the full results here. He was also named Footballer of the Year 2009 by People magazine in its Spanish edition - congratulations!

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic is thinking of ending his international career. He's unsure about whether or not he wants to go on playing for the Swedish national team, and until he makes up his mind, the squad's new coach, Erik Hamren, is refusing to call him up, saying: “I’ve spoken with Zlatan and, until he has made a decision, I won't call him to the squad. You can lead a horse to the water, but he has to drink himself."

- All the talk about Robinho must have everyone's heads spinning. New rumors arise everyday, and with each one it seems like we're that much closer to signing him... or loaning him... or trading Yaya Toure for him... you can never be sure exactly. Last we heard, City coach Mark Hughes declared that Robby isn't going anywhere while Laporta assured everyone that Barca will have him by January. Other reports suggest that the two sides will be meeting up in Abu Dhabi this week to discuss the affair... so did anyone ever ask Robinho himself? Let us know when it's all resolved, please - all this ping-ponging back and forth is more dizzying then Iniesta dribbling triple figure eights around the penalty box.