Random: Vacations and Videos

- Lionel Messi returned to spend the last days of his United States vaycay in California, where he picked up the ESPN Deportes Latino Athlete of the Year award yesterday in LA. He'll be spending the rest of his holiday in Cali with his family, before it's time to head back to Barcelona for preseason.

- The best video ever. Various footie figures getting their groove down on the dance floor... including Joan Laporta. And Ronaldinho kicking it Michael Jackson style. And Pep Guardiola... oh Pep. We have no words.

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- Hot B-teamer Albert Botia has left on loan to Sporting Gijon. We don't like. Ah, well. At least it's just a loan, and he will ultimately return.

- Rafael Marquez is starting a football school for kids. If you were born between the years of 1993-1996, sign up now!

- Barca boys Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets starred with basketball players Juan Carlos Navarro and Ricky Rubio in a new add for Nike - watch it here.

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- Barca captain Carles Puyol, like Andres Iniesta, is vacationing on the island of Formentera. The two were surprised to run into each other there.

- Bojan Krkic is spending his last few days of vacation in his home town of Linyola - mingling with fans and riding a bicycle. We like his shirt.

Transfer Talk: The Villa Mess

Last Monday's meeting between David Villa and his club was anything but freindly - tempers rose, strong words were exchanged, yelling ensued, and fists pounded on tables. We're not too surprised, either. Villa wants with all his heart to come to Barcelona, but his club persist in being stupidly stubborn and seem to think they can keep him there against his will.

The meeting was held in a hotel in Barcelona where Villa is currently staying. He left from there and went to meet Barca's sport's director, Txiki Begiristain, who was waiting for him in another room, depressed and enraged at his club, and Txiki had to console him.

Villa talked with Barca coach Pep Guardiola on the phone after that, and asked him for more time to convince his annoying club to let him go. Pep agreed, assuring Villa that he's included in his plans for the coming season.

The striker is returning to Valencia today for his pregnant wife's appointment with her gynecologist, and while he's there, hopes to find a way to convince or force the club to let him go.

There is another meeting scheduled for this Tuesday, and we just want this all to be settled once and for all. This is causing too much stress and pressure on Villa, especially with his wife nearing her delivery date and his forced distance from his family in order to meet with club officials.

Valencia have taken things too far, doing this to the poor guy. They can't make him stay against his will when all he wants to do is join Barca and be done with this whole mess! We're exceedingly fed up with them right now, what they're doing is ridiculous. But all we can do is wait and hope for them to come to their senses, and leave Villa to do what he wants.

Gossip on the Guys: Samu in Miami

While the club is in a tumult over what to do about Samuel Eto'o's future, the striker himself seems quite detached from it all, chilling poolside in Miami. He's there with his wife Georgette and their three children, and they seem to be having quite a nice time.

Reportedly, Samu will be back in Barcelona on Monday to start preseason with the rest of the team.

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Barca Buzz: Youngsters Called Up

Following the respective cups and qualifiers they participated in with their national teams, Barca coach Pep Guardiola is letting each of Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Puyol, Dani Alves and Messi prolong their vacation. These seven gents won't join the team right from the start of the preseason in London.

Consequently, Pep has included eight of the youngsters from Barca B in the preseason sqaud: Gai Assulin, Rochina, Botía, Oier, Miño, Espasandín, Fontàs and Thiago. Wonder-kid Marc Muniesa might also get the call up, however Pep hasn't decided yet, seeing as Marc suffered alot from injury last season.

Pep doesn't want him to be rushed, and niether do we, however we'd really like to see him on team soon. It's too bad that such a talented kid is so injury-prone, but we hope it gets sorted out soon!

Transfer Talk: Tolerating Valencia

It's not what we were hoping for, nor what we expected. The meeting on Villa between the two parties has been concluded, and Valencia president Manuel Llorente is being more of an annoying prick than we thought he could be, declaring that Villa won't leave Valencia for less than fifty million.

He is so dreaming though. What does he thinks he's doing, claiming that Villa would only be sold if an "outrageously outrageous" offer were made? He must realize that Barcelona are not Real Madrid. We actually have a sense of economy and we are wise in our transfer deals. We are currently offering for Villa more than we have ever paid for a single player, and Valencia should keep quiet and take it, if they know what's good for them.

Bottom line is that Villa himself wants to leave the club. He told Llorente so, but the stubborn man just won't listen. However, all he's doing is wasting his time and ours, because Villa will ultimatley arrive in Barcelona.

Every year there's always one player who Barca have to court for ages to finally sign him. Last year it was Daniel Alves, the year before it was Thierry Henry. But no matter how long it takes, we always get our man. David Villa is only a matter of time, if you ask us. So for now at least, we're going to tolerate this ridiculousness from Valencia, and be patient.

Gossip on the Guys: Leo In Los Angeles

Seeing as it's offseason, and today just happens to be one of those days when there is really not much to report apart from boring transfer rumors, we're just going to post this even though it's old news, it having slipped us when still fresh... we hope you don't mind? Great then.

There was supposed to be quite an exciting friendly footie match taking place on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in LA on the fourth of July, featuring a team made up of South American stars - including Barca's Leo Messi - against a team of stars from the rest of the world, including such players as Materazzi, Camoranesi, Viera, etc...

The teams were set, all the arrangements were made, and then, FIFA unexpectadly decided to cancel it.

We find that very annoying; this is one match we would have wanted to see. But perhaps we are not bothered about this so much as Leo himself. He was called to attend a news conference in Los Angeles two days after the event was supposed to take place, for the sole purpose of announcing that it had been cancelled. Oh, and to pose in front of the coliseum.

This has suspicious written all over it. The cancellation was for no apparent reason, and FIFA offcials didn't even attend the conference. But ah well, what's over is over. At least we got this cute photo of Leo out of it - we like his shirt.

Random: Xavi For Fifa, Liga Fixtures & Eto'o To Stay

- Xavi Hernandez is going to be the face of the upcoming Fifa 2010 video game. He's excited about it, too: "For me it's an honor and I am very grateful for the opportunity to represent the new release of FIFA 2010 in Spain and be the image of the World Cup campaign."

- The picture is Xavi with his dog Tro (Catalan for thunder) that he got following Barca's treble victory.

- Reportedly, Rafael Marquez has reached a contract agreement with the club, and will soon be signing an extension until 2012. Comforting news, yes?

- The La Liga fixtures for the 2009-2010 season have been released! Some details: Barca's first opponent will be Sporting Gijon, and we face them at home; that's easy enough, Barca should have a good start to the season. The first Classico will be on matchday 12, November 29th, and Barca will play at home. See the full match schedule - including preseason games - here.

- Of course exact match times have yet to be set, however Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has proposed having the matches in the afternoon instead of at night. This way the timing will be more favorable to viewers in Asia, thus increasing the Liga's market in that area.

- Apparently Manchester City have given up on Eto'o. To quote City chief executive, Garry Cook: "The circumstances surrounding him were such that a deal couldn’t be completed." We're not sure quite where this leaves Barca, especially with the all but confirmed deal with David Villa, but whatever. We're not going to let the Eto'o story give us anymore headaches.

- Speaking of Villa, the lad claims that if he weren't a footballer, he'd be an air conditioning installer. And a hell of a hot one, too.

Gossip on the Guys: Messi Meets Mickey

Leo Messi's been hanging around Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the past week, and yesterday he was at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex attending a promotional event for the 'Disney Cup Youth International Soccer Tournament'.

Leo met with the young participants and kicked the ball around with them, also taking the time to sign autographs and pose for photos. He hung out a bit with Mickey Mouse too, showing off some of his coolest tricks. Note: Mickey was very impressed.

Link: Watch Leo do his thing with Mickey and the kids!

Gossip on the Guys: Summer Camp

Xavi Hernandez two days ago visited his very own “Campus Xavi”, a summer camp for kids that was launched eleven years ago on his father’s suggestion. The camp runs for two weeks for three hundred children under the direction of Xavi’s brother Oscar, and Xavi himself drops by once a week.

Xavi gave the kids football tips and pointers, took photos with them and told them stories about Barca’s wonderful season, and later expressed his joy at being there. Overall, the camp has been more successful than ever this year.

And as long as we’re on the subject, Barca’s Gerard Pique made an appearance at “Campus Cesc” with his bff, Cesc Fabregas, last week. The two sat down for a meet-and-greet with the kids, who got to ask them questions. And the smart little things actually went on to demand of Cesc why he hasn’t joined Barca yet, to which he answered: "I would like to, but I have a contract with Arsenal and it is necessary to respect it.”

Right, great reason Cescy. Not that the youngsters bought it, they then turned to Pique and asked him: "Why don't you convince Cesc to join Barca?”

And Pique is just as regretful as us concerning Cesc's stubborness. “I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to convince him, but there is no way… not for now.”

Yeah, and all Cescy can say to that is this: "I am the captain, and rest assured, I will continue at Arsenal."

Ah well. Next year perhaps? Anyway, we've included photos of the happy couple below. Yes, Pique’s shirt reads “get wet”. We’re not sure whether or not he thinks those torn jean capris are actually cool. We’re also cringing at the sight of Cesc’s elbow tattoo, but glad he got rid of the stupid hairdo (do we seem to be displaying too much interest in a player that is not our player? Soz, we just agree with the kids, he needs to come to Barca).

The Weekly Pick: Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta was contacted last week by the aunt of a young boy suffering from cerebral palsy, asking him to sign a shirt and poster to help raise money for treatments in the United States. And what does Andresito go and do, but send her the very boots he wore to Stamford Bridge, when he scored that decisive equiliser that took Barca to the Champions League final!

That's generosity if we ever saw it - Don Andres is just too amazing! When you think he couldn't be any more perfect, he goes and does something else to make you just fall in love with him. We were crushing on him after he scored that goal, and we fear that now, with this, he's taking over our hearts once again... Andres is just a hero.

We've also added the pictures of him celebrating when he scored that goal - he even took his shirt off. What did we tell you? Complete perfection.

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Gossip on the Guys: Fashion and B-Ball

Titi is on vacation now in New York, and it seems he's sticking to a set dress code: Skater shorts, slogan tees and flashy high-tops. Don't forget the sunnies! We're liking the look on him, despite being a bit doubtful about the shoes - but they do seem to complete his look.

And since we're talking about Titi and his fashion choices, we might as well mention the completely unrelated and probably quite irrelevent fact that he is best buddies with B-ball star Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and his wife, Eva Longoria. The pictures (below) are old but lovely... if you look past that simply ridiculous tux he's wearing. Eva doesn't seem to mind though, so maybe we shouldn't either.

In other Barca/basketball related news, Spanish basketballer Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (and yes, he is related to Pau Gasol, the two are brothers) announced that he's a fan of Barcelona as well as Espanyol. We don't see quite how he manages to love both Catalan rivals, but hey, whatever floats his boat. Anyway, Marc claims his favorite player is Gerard Pique, while he's also a fan of Andres Iniesta and of course, Thierry Henry.

Random fact: Pau and Marc both played for FCB's basketball team, Barca Regal, before being drafted by the NBA. They're both Catalan/Barca boys, and pals with several of the lads from the Spanish NT.

Random: Transfers, Baby Talk, and Botia Discovered

- Sporting Gijon want to loan out Barca-B defender Alberto Botia. He says he's honored by their interest because it means he's doing well, and that there's a 50% chance he'll go. We're mentioning this because it's suddenly come to our attention how incredibly hot he is - so we hope he sticks around on the team.

- Elsewhere in the world of transfers, unconfirmed reports claim that Barca has finally reached a deal with Valenica on the transfer of David Villa, and that the clubs will be announcing it soon. We'll have more news on this as soon as we get it. Other rumors suggest that we might sign Cesc and that Eto'o's off to Man City. So what's new?
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- Pique was the third Barca boy to visit the Nike Camp in Spain and give tips to the young participants. He also spent some talking about Barca, claiming that Villa would be an excellent addition to the team, that it will be tough for Barca to live up to what they have achieved this season in the coming one, but that they're looking forward to more titles; and that Real Madrid's ridiculous signings are nothing out of the expected. He also commented on how important Victor Valdes is to the club.

- Speaking of Vic, he did a recent interview for Sport and talked a bit about his due baby boy... saying that the baby has "changed his life" even if he hasn't been born yet, and that he's ready for this and looks forward to having more later on. The mama's seven and half months pregnant, and due on August 20th. Can anyone tell us who the mama actually is? Kudos to the couple for their success at lying low, because no one really seems to know.

- Vic signed his contract last week, finally. Commence celebration, everyone.

- Several Barca players participated in the unveiling/testing out of the new La Liga ball, the Nike T90 Ascente, yesterday. Deets on how it went+photos here.

Gossip on the Guys: Geri in Vegas

What happens in Vegas isn't really staying in Vegas as far as Gerard Pique is concerned. He's out there with his mates and the pictures are leaking right out onto the net... and such yummy pictures they are too. Geri looks smoking hot, and quite happy! Seems to us he's having a hell of a good time. He's working up a tan, too - somebody catch us, we're about to faint.

Gossip on the Guys: Muniesa At Camp Nike

After Bojan made his appearance at Spain's Nike camp a week ago and helped out coaching the youngsters, yesterday it was Marc Muniesa's turn. The seventeen-year-old defender rocked out with the 280 children participating in the camp, alternating between the three groups of kids ranging from eight to sixteen years.

Reportedly, Muniesa took it quite seriously, just as if he were in an official competition, and the kids loved him. Next up, Gerard Pique will be stopping by the camp tomorrow, then Bojan will show up again on Saturday.

Gossip on the Guys: Andresito At The Beach

Andres Iniesta is off vacationing in where we're going to say is his hometown, Fuentebella, because again, that's where he always goes.

Anyway. Doesn't he look like he's having a lovely time with his girlfriend, Anna? They're too cute. And he's too pasty. Will nothing get this boy's skin to darken up just a little bit? Maybe to a nice olive-ish kind of shade, so he won't look so much like Casper the ghost?

Eh, who are we kidding. White-wash complexion is Andresito's trademark, it's what makes him him. That and scoring ridiculously awesome match-deciding goals.

But even though we know it won't happen, we're still praying that their time spent on the beach will give him a whisper of a tan.

Edit: As it turns out, Andres and Anna are vacationing on Formentera, the smallest of the Balearic Islands of Spain.

The Weekly Pick: Pep Guardiola

Pep's vacationing at the beach, at an undisclosed location which we're guessing is the Canary Islands. Because that's the only place he ever goes.

We never thought he'd be the type to go for waxing off his chest (and arm?) hair, but looks like we were wrong... because compared to the mat of hair on his chest pictured here (back when he was a player on Barca) which is, by the way, virtually the only other shirtless photo of him we have ever seen - he's looking quite hairless in the vacay pics.

And completely sizzling.

We can only conclude that he has truly reverted to waxing - unless he's also balding in those areas. Not that we much care by which way his hotness appeal comes, anyway. We're just going to sit here and drool over the pictures.

We love the jeans cut-offs, we love how low they slip down over his hips, and we love how in shape he is for a thirty-eight year old coach. We just love Pep, period.

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Btw: The baby on his arm is his girl Valentina. Cristina (his wife) and their other two kids, Maria and Marius, are mysteriously nowhere in sight.

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Gossip On the Guys: Footwear Fail

Ballers in high-tops: Epic fashion fail. Why are we bringing this up? Well you see, it's mainly because of Thierry Henry.

He's out, erm... somewhere. With some chick who we're going to say is his girlfriend Andrea (no seriously, we're pretty sure that's her). We like his outfit too - except that we're gagging at the sight of those shoes. Titi love, just because it's the same color as your shirt doesn't make it right. You've abviously been hanging out with Gerard Pique too much.

What does darling Geri have to do with it? Well, he's the one who started it with those awful gold-and-fushia things. As if it weren't enough that we have to put up with this kind of thing from him - his fashion choices being the single thing we have a hard time accepting from Pique - now it's spreading to the rest of the team as well. These lads really must be taught that there are just some things you can't do. And violently colored high-tops are one of them.

Barca Buzz: Working On The Camp

Following the U2 concerts on Barca's home stadium, Camp Nou, the pitch is now being replaced with new turf, imported from Bordeaux; a favorable type of grass the players have become used to over the last four years. The renovation will begin on July 7, and should be completed by the 25th. Read more about the process here.

Elsewhere, the club has announced that remodelling for the club's stadium and outer façade, which began about a year ago, will still be carried out despite the delay. Things should get kicking by 2010-2011, at the beginning of 2011 at most. Read more about the plans for the stadium here.

Random: Buddies with Bono

As it turns out, Barca coach Pep Guardiola was at the kickoff concert for U2 on Camp Nou last Tuesday. He and lead singer Bono are pals now - at Bono's request, the two were introduced and held a short meeting in the singer’s dressing room, where Pep presented him with a Barca shirt bearing his name and the number "1".

Bono declared their newfound frienship onstage during the concert: “U2 has a new friend now. His name is Pep and he has personally given me a Barça shirt." And he turned around, showing off the shirt to the fans.

"Congratulations on winning the treble," he continued, addressing Pep. I" want to thank the club for all the aid it has given us for this concert and above all the dedication it has shown to humanitarian causes such as the UNICEF advertising on the jersey without any economic benefit to themselves. You are an example in a struggle that concerns us all."

And Pep responded: "We are very thankful to U2 for choosing this city and the state as a starting point for the world tour."

Bono was also very enthusiastic about Barca's collaboration with UNICEF: “FC Barcelona is the only football club in the world that wears UNICEF on their shirts."

Aside from Pep, Barca president Joan Laporta was also present, as well as Gerard Pique, Rafael Marquez, and former Barca defender Juliano Belletti.

And to everyone's surprise, Bono was actually linked up to the International Space Station from the stadium, and spoke to the astronauts live via the giant video screen. One of the astronauts was wearing a UNICEF shirt and declared: “Barcelona looks fantastic from up here in space!"

Anyway, U2 held their second and final concert on Camp Nou yesterday, before heading off to continue the rest of their world tour, with Laporta again attending the concert. Read more about it here.

Reports are that the city of Barcelona might fine the band for rocking too loud and too long during their rehearsals, following district complaints; yet they claim they're proud to be hosting the kickoff of the band's world tour.

Transfer Talk: Getting Closer...

We almost fell off our chair when we heard this. Barcelona and Valencia have reached a contract agreement in regards to David Villa? Can it be? Is it possible? Somebody tell us it's true...

Catalan authorities Sport have revealed what they claim to be the set contract between the two clubs. Details run thus:

- The contract is for five years, until 2014

- Villa's salary would be 7.5 million euros a year

- He could get up to two million euros in incentives depending on next season

- The buy-out clause is 120 million euros

We want to believe this. Badly. That's why we're so unsettled about the fact that the club have yet to actually announce anything.

Elsewhere, Barca's supposed soon-to-be-signed forward Keirrison has announced that he will be giving a press conference next week on the story of his transfer. "Next week, me and my agents want to hold a press conference to explain everything. I want to tell everyone what is going on and how things happened in the recent days. It was all very sudden. Meanwhile, I'd rather not comment on anything."

We're quite interested to hear what it is Keirrison wants to "explain", and we'll be glad once his signing is finalized as well!

Random: U2 On Camp Nou, Leo Talk & Transfer Reports

- Yesterday U2 kicked off their 360° world tour on Camp Nou before 90,000 viewers, opening the show with Snow Patrol. They also dedicated one song to recently passed away Pop star Michael Jackson and sang bits of two Jackson songs. Read more about the full concert here.

-The band are scheduled for another concert on Camp Nou tomorrow, before travelling to Milan, Italy to continue their tour.

- Lionel Messi will be sharing the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 with Liverpool star Fernando Torres. Both players appear in all promotional materials for the game, which will offer versions for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP and Xbox 360, PC and mobile phone.

- Newly signed Real Madrid star Ricardo Kaka claims that he thinks Messi is the main candidate for 2009's world player of the year. Oh really Kaka? You don't say... well of course he is, he's the best on earth right now, and there's no denying it.

- Barca's midfield ace Xavi claims that Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn't be tolerated on Barcelona. "As for Ronaldo, I wouldn’t want him here. At Barca, we do not have room for players who fill gossip magazines. We are hard workers and sportsmen but he, on the other hand, is uncontrollable.” Bit extreme of him? Frankly, we think Xavi's got a point.

- The never-ending Eto'o story continues as Manchester City have reportedly announced that they're giving a deadline for Eto'o to decide if he'll join them, in light of the club's recent offer of a contract renewal to the striker. Now's the time, Samu must choose bewteen one or the other.

- As for Brazilian star Keirrison, his contract with the club is close to being finalized, and he will reportedly be in Barcelona by July 13.

- How eager are Barca fans to have David Villa join the club? The striker's homepage was allegedly hacked by a fan calling himself "Nemesis", and a statement was posted on the page demanding of Villa why he hasn't come to Barcelona: "For the love of God Villa, what is a player of your class waiting for to come to the best team in the world? We are waiting for you ace :) I am a simple supporter of F.C. Barcelona, fan of Villa."

We promise, it wasn't us.