Estiarte: "Pep cannot say that he's the best"

Barcelona head of external relations and close friend of Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola gave an interview to Catlan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo. Some excerpts.




Tell the truth. Did you and Pep ever think about winning the treble before you started?
Not at all.

What did Pep thought when he took over the team?
Before I joined Barcelona, he spoke highly about this Barca. And sometimes, at dinner and after drinking a glass of wine, he jokingly he said that he sensed something. And that feeling grew as time went by.

In Rome , when the celebrations were almost finished, the giant screen captured you at the time that you embraced, exited, like brothers. What did Pep say to you at that moment?
It remembered me of the Copa del Rey in Mestalla. There he said to me "We're rolling Manel".

And in Rome ?
Well, he said "We rolled". That is his phrase, that is so him, he repeats it often when we win, it's his way to express his happiness, like when we won 2-6 in Madrid. The thing is that there in Mestalla he exclaimed it with deep joy, watching so many people happy, celebrating the first title.

How did he experience it? Because it seems as if he internalizes things.
Pep is aware of things, he often says when nobody is around that he is so lucky to be able to live this. Even in Rome, in a moment of maximum joy, with thousands of people cheering he never, I repeat to make it very clear, never something like "Oh, I'm so good", not even something like "How good we are!". No, he expresses things differently, he says "This is beautiful, how lucky we are, let's enjoy the moment". Always with modesty. It is not a show, because at those moments you are yourself, you can not hide your feelings or reactions. Although of course nobody could blame him if he would say "I'm the best", he cannot do it.

What is clear is that he seems quite sure about what he is doing.
Sometimes he comments how he will approach a particular issue and he says to me "Manel, I see it like this". I remember Soria, after losing the first league game against Numancia, he was silent for two hours on the bus. When he finally opened his mouth it was to say that he was not going to change anything, that he would continue with his ideas. If he strongly believes in something he will go all the way.

But there will be moments of doubt.
Well, he always tries to reason a lot. And before deciding, even though it seems that he gets carried away by instinct, he's thinking about things. Sometimes you're talking to him and you see that he is not listening because suddenly he is pondering something in all his aspects.

If Pep is sanctioned, he asks you to sit besides him in the stands. Why does he prefer to have you near at that moment?
He asks. As in the field of Bayern. He tells me to fix it with protocol to be together. Why? Well, he talks to me about football. And talks. I guess it's a confidence problem. There I felt that my presence helped him, especially before the game. UEFA forced him to be there an hour and a half earlier. Lonely moments, without being able to go to the dressing room, which was close. The nerves ate him and I tried to distract him until the game started, then he relaxed. It was the longest half hour of my life.

How are you with the players?
The "capi", Puyol, asked me to sit with him at Stamford Bridge too. And he said what would happen! Incredible! When Essien scored, his comment was "Manel, don't suffer, we will score when they won't be able to react". His words comforted me, yes, but the minutes kept going. When there were only 10 minutes left, he repeated that I should not worry. After 90 minutes, I didn't say anything and in the 92nd minute when Iniesta scored he shouted "I told you! I told you!". These are unrepeatable moments, Andrés ran down the sideline and I embracing the captain who even gave me kisses.

What is the goal now?
The same. We have something that we didn't have a year ago, the certainty of knowing that this Barça is a great team individually and collectively. The team knows it. That's positive. Half of the work is done, the quality football is there now. There is quality, there is work, there is security and confidence.

translated by: barcagirl

Messi: "Everything is the merit of Guardiola"

Barcelona player Lionel Messi gave an interview to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.



Tell us something about Barça. What is Guardiola adding to this squad?
Everything. What he transmits, what he knows, the attitude he has, the desire with which he is working with us, everything that is happening is his merit, the five cups are his merit. I admire Guardiola, I admire his ability to lift up a squad that was humiliated, a squad that was doing really bad. It's a unique coach.

And Maradona?
He's the idol of the Argentinian people. The only time I saw Maradona play was when I was a kid. My father and my uncle took me to the stadium of Newell's. I had already seen the goals of Diego so many times at home... In Argentina, when there's some gathering, people always end up watching the goals of Maradona against England. I don't remember almost nothing of that game at the stadium of Newell's, but now he's here, as national team coach, of a team in which I am the number '10'. He's a great motivator. If Diego talks, everyone is listening because we know we are hearing the voice of football.

Brazil-Argentina: what a game!
Yes, and at home. Of course we have the qualities needed to beat the Brazilians. The team is united, Rosario is involved with the team and we need to win because we want to be at the World Cup. The Brazilians also play good football, they can count on my friend Dani Alves who is a phenomenon. But this has to be our game.

Let's talk about another coach, José Mourinho.
(laughs) I never had problems with him. I keep on saying what I have always said. It seems a great coach, who makes his team play in a very disciplined way, a winner as he has shown with several teams. And he's a lucky guy because he can now count on a centre forward like Samu. The games against Inter will be entertaining. I really hope Samu will do great at Inter. We all want him to have a great time, a lot of us still have a great relationship with Samuel.

There's someone in this Barça who is irreplaceable?
We live as a team and we work as a team, but if there is one then maybe the captain, Carles Puyol. As a person, as a captain, how he helps the team in every moment. He has helped me a lot. And well, as a player I don't have to reveal anything, there's nobody like him, he's a '10'.


Read the first part of this interview here:
Messi: "I am great because of my team-mates"

Messi: "I am great because of my team-mates"

Barcelona player Lionel Messi gave an interview to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.




One month into the new season and already two trophies...
Everything has gone very fast. You start and the next thing you know you're already competing for two trophies as a result of the hard work of last season. It's good to start like that, although it's hard. If you look at the calendar, we won't have a moment to breathe until January or February... Pfff, we will have to make the best of it because it will be a tough season.

But it is less tough when you enjoy yourself...
We are having a good time and you can see that, right? We are having a good time because the football we play is made to make the footballer have fun. But we are also suffering, of course. Nobody should think that we aren't exhausted at the end of a game.

How does it feel to be the best player in the world?
This team has made me big. This Barça has made me grow and makes me better every day. All those with whom I had the honour to play have taught me something and this group makes you better. For me, that is very clear: I am great because of them. All those individual trophies should have copies, reproductions, one for each team-mate. That's the way we work, as one, we are one and that way it is easier to stand out and to do what you like to do. Someone is covering for you when you are trying to make an action that could be decisive but that also carries some risk. It's great to ba part of a team like this Barça.

What is Iniesta lacking to win individual trophies?
There's nothing lacking, he's a crack already! But because he does everything with such ease, it seems like there's nothing to it. But he has everything needed to win win individual prizes.

How is Ibrahimovic doing?
Very well. Ibra knows that Barça is a new world. It wasn't easy for him to adapt to a team that plays by heart, with an enormous quality, that has won everything last season... He wants to learn from the group and this is valued. He has a lot of qualities and he will add a lot of things to the team. He's acting in a modest way and he has adapted very well to the group.

The group is missing Eto'o?
Of course we miss him, every team would miss him. What Samu gave us on the pitch was incredible, he was the first one to put pressure, always going forward and scoring goals like nobody can. He was very important for the team. But now he's at Inter and I'm sure he will do great. I talk with Samu every now and then, I like to know how things are going for him.


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Pedro: "The national team? Why not?"

Barcelona player Pedro gave an interview to Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife.





Tell us about your new contract. What does it mean to be a professional Barça player now?
First of all, it's a dream come true. It means being a full part of the first team, so it's not possible to play with the B team anymore. It's another chance and I hope to take it. It's a new opportunity to learn even more.

Who told you the news?
The coach publicly said that he wanted me to stay and then my representatives started negotiating with the club.

And then you had to sign the contract. What did Laporta tell you?
He congratulated me and said he was proud of my work, especially because I was another youth player that became a part of the first team.

The contract proves you right in a way. You have always said you thought you had a place in this team and now you're there...
Yes, I have always said that. I had this mindset for quite a long time and look where it has gotten me, I have reached my goal. But things don't stop here. You have to continue.

Where is your limit? Is playing with the national team a realistic desire?
The national team? Why not? It is very difficult, there is a lot of competition and the coach seems to have a more or less fixed squad but I always want more.

You are very modest but at the same time very ambitious.
Of course, you have to be ambitious and long for more if you want to keep on making progress.

You have never had it easy, but will it be easier this season now that Barcelona didn't buy a winger?
No. I have always said that I am relaxed about that because I am used to competition. And not just some competition, but competition from the best players in the world. In that cases you have to look to the future with optimism, believe in your qualities and be aware that the coach also believes in you. I don't see competition as something negative. It's good for the team and in my opinion also good for the individual player.


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Chygrynskiy: "This transfer was destiny"

New Barcelona player Dmytro Chygrynskiy gave an interview to the club's official media.



Welcome. I suppose your first few days with Barça have been long ones.
They have been very emotional days, since I landed in Barcelona I have been astounded by the way Barça and the fans have treated me. It has all been very nice.

How did the negotiations go?
I had to be a realist, ever since I learned of Barça's interest I remained prudent. In fact I only started believing it once it was official, before that it was all just rumours.

Is there any past or present Barcelona player that you have admired?
A player I'd single out, from about 7 or 8 years ago, was Luis Enrique. As for the current players, they're my colleagues so I don't want to say I like one player better than another. But the first time I played against Barça, a year ago, I was impressed by the way Iniesta played.

Do you know Luis Enrique also wore 21?
No, I didn't know Luis Enrique had the same shirt number as I have now. It's nice to know, I like that.

Do you think the way Barça play will suit you?
Barça play the best football in the world right now. And I am sure players' careers progress much faster when they play for a club like Barça.

Tell us briefly about how you started in football.
I've always played football. It's as if I was born with the ball in my hands, if I can put it like that. There was a school in my town, but it was small. When I was thirteen I went to study in a more professional school, I made a lot of progress there and when I was 14 I joined the Shakhtar youth set-up.

Curiously, your first European game was against Barça.
Life brings these odd coincidences. It must be symbolic that when I was 17 or 18 my first five minutes were against Barça. I like to think that in a certain way it was destiny and that's why I am where I am now.

What kind of person is Dmytro Chygrynskiy?
I can't describe myself objectively. Only others can do that. But I have always tried to keep a cool head and be relaxed in any situation, without going to extremes.

What are your hobbies?
I like to read, but it depends on my mood. I have a university education, a finished Company Management degree, specialising in finance, and I'd like to carry on studying all my life, just getting better every day.

read the full interview here


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Vice president Yuste: "I felt sad for Villa"

Barcelona sports vice president Rafael Yuste gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





Which transfer operation was your debut?
The sale of Ronaldinho. That's where I learnt that a football player always ends up playing where he wants to play. For us, the best option was Manchester City, but he wanted to go to Milan and he ended up in Milan.

What do you think of this world of football?
Well... Complicated. It's about persons, so there's a human factor you should be able to manage. And then you have the clubs, coaches, intermediaries, press... It's very complicated.

You had signed Villa?
The boy wanted to come. We went to Madrid to close the operation with Valencia but at the last minute they asked an exaggerated sum of money that was above our budget. I felt sad for Villa that it didn't go through.

So then you went after Ibrahimovic...
He was the dream of Guardiola. And ours, but it always seemed something far, impossible, until we decided to actually try it.

That suddenly crossed your mind...
I've always been very persistent and I think nothing is impossible. I thought there was a possibility if we could convince Eto'o. We had one advantage: we knew that the dream of Ibra was to play at Barça.

And so you went to Milan...
That's where we already had a series of circumstances that helped us. Moratti was in Milan, we could land at the airport that same afternoon when we returned from Ukraine and the president negotiated very well. You can see the result - Ibra seemed impossible but we signed him.

Let's see if the same happens with Ribéry...
No, Bayern doesn't want to sell him. The day they put him on the market, we'll be the first to be informed.

What about Mascherano, Chygrynskiy, Cesc...?
We know that the priorities of Pep are a centre-back and a midfielder. We'll make a decision when the moment is there. To uptouch a Picasso is very difficult.

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Sergi: "I want them to enjoy playing football"

Barcelona Juvenil B coach Sergi Barjuan was interviewed by Barcelona's official website.





How come you became the coach of Juvenil B team?
I received a call from a director of the football base, Alexanko and we agreed that I could take over the reins of this youth team. We spent one week to get a first impression of what it takes to become a coach. I’m already acquainted with the dynamics and functions of the football base here so it’ll be easier for me to adapt to it.

Is the objective to get new "Sergi's"?
I don’t know about that. The first day I came I met Olmo who was also the reference of his era, training players and trying to make them better. I will also try to help the kids and most importantly I want them to enjoy playing football. It is also important that they mature on the personal and human level while progressing through the youth system. This is also something we'll try to achieve.

What kind of a coach will Sergi be?
We need to know people on a personal level as well, hence I’ll strive to develop a good rapport with the kids. I'll try to help them solve issues even if they are beyond football. I want a relationship based on trust, like a family.

Do you think you arrived at the best time of the cantera?
I think a good cantera takes around 20 years of careful development. You have to nourish that kind of approach, go step by step and now we can reap the fruits of our work. Titles aren’t the most important thing, our goal is also to promote as many players to the first team as possible. You can see that many youngsters who have gone through the youth system make a living playing football and some have become coaches.

translated by quini

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Txiki: "The Barca model is beyond discussion"

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain gave an interview to the club's official magazine. Some excerpts.





Pep Guardiola as a team manager. What's the secret?
Everything in Pep is order and planning. What we've done is great. He works hard and works a lot. He plans every training session, analyses tactics, is immersed in football all the time.

There's no such thing as "Pep the manager" and then another Pep who's not associated with football. He's got the board and the ball in his mind all the time. He loves his job because he loves football.

When did you realise that Pep would fit in soon?
As soon as he came. Pep is a man of football, and footballers know him. But they're professionals too and, above all, they're men. If the team accepted the new standards and method, it was because they saw the amount and the kind of work before them. A manager is a football project's mirror. Working a lot and working hard is his key to success. Being obsessed with details is another key.

You know what they say: The manager with the best players is the one who wins...
The fact that they say this doesn't mean it's true. Of course you need a good team if you want to win. As good as possible. But having the dream team on your side is no guarantee of success. What you need to win –especially to win once and again– is a model, a concept of football.

And in this, the club is proud to have turned our way of understanding football into a well-established model. Barça is associated with a focused style of play, and our model is beyond discussion. Putting pressure on our rivals, snatching balls in their area, never speculating: this is what makes us unique. This is our trademark, and we've consolidated it with two different managers and a relatively short time.

Finally, what characteristics could we associate with Txiki Begiristain?
There's one that has a lot to do with my job. I keep my head cool. I always know what we have to do. Wise or unwise, you have to trust the people you've chosen. I believe this is what you have to do and to do it, you have to resist pressure from outside. Barça's Technical Secretary can't change his mind based on a game's results. You have to keep cool rather than get carried away by results or fear of failure.

read more excerpts here


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Ibrahimovic: "We'll do it like our lives are on the line"

Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.


Does the comparison between you and Eto'o bother you? Samuel's shadow at the Camp Nou can grow big.
I know how he moves, and I understand that the first days or weeks everybody wants to compare us. That's what the media is like, but I don't care about it. We are different and play in two different clubs. I hope he is happy and that he can achieve success at Inter since it's such a big club, and I wish him well. It's not fair to say that one is better than the other since we're both different.

Another name, Leo Messi. Do you think about what you can create together?
Leo is fantastic, he's one of the 'big' players. Everyone who gets the chance to play next to him will be better. I'm pretty sure it will be easy for us to understand each other. And to those who dream about sweet things, I hope I won't let them down.

Allow me to be critical. They say that one of your weaknesses is that you don't like to put pressure on the defenders. This was fundamental for Barcelona last season.
(Silence followed by a cold laughter) Each team has their own style and I am here to obey. If we are going to put pressure on a team, then we will do it like our lives are on the line.

You're know for being a person with a strong character. One of those who hates to lose.
And that's bad?

I understand that as a virtue. But there are some stories.
There are always these stories. People talk without knowing the person. I'm actually a normal person. I grew up in a family without big possibilities and in a difficult place. But I had belief. What people say is nonsense which comes from different media that I don't have any connection with.

For example Sweden?
There is a very significant newspaper from my country that I don't have any connection with. Once they printed something false, that hurt me very much, because they didn't respect me as a person.

Let's talk about football again. Does it scares you that you have arrived to a team that have won almost everything?
It's quite opposite. I look at it like a challenge. I came to Barca to win titles, and grow as a player.

But people will expect the team at a brutal level this year?
That's why we will work hard. Nobody wants to present us with anything. To repeat the historic season we need hard work, talent and attitude.

What would you like to tell me about Real Madrid?
Nothing. I have nothing to say about teams other than Barca. Let them do like they want, and buy whatever that interest them. My thoughts are with Barcelona. They are the ones who have to think about why Barca are the champions. The pressure's on those who did not win anything.

This was the second and final part of this interview.

translated by Sandvik

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Ibrahimovic: "It's like a movie with a happy ending"

Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





The first question is necessary. How are you?
I'll tell you that it's going pretty well, if you are thinking about my hand. Everything is going just like the doctors told me. And I hope I can run together with my teammates in a couple of days.

You're telling me that you miss the physical efforts?
Nobody can imagine my will to start to play and run. It's not comfortable to be on the sideline and do nothing.

You say that because it hasn't been easy to come to Barcelona?
What happened to me is like a film with a happy ending. My hope was that Barca would buy me, and here I am. Like it or not, whenever you arrive to a new dressing room, you will question how will it be, how will they meet you, and all situations like that. Now I'm a Barca player. Even if people don't have any belief in it, and think that I'm saying it to act good, but the truth is that everything and everybody have treated me wonderfully.

Let's talk about your adjustment. The coach won't stop repeating that you must learn the style of play and the system as fast as possible. Are you concerned it's so urgent?
No, absolutely not. I understand him. These questions don't worry me so much. I've reached a certain age, and played football in many years. People, my teammates knows how I play and how I can move on the pitch. I have also had the possibility to watch them plenty of times, and I know a lot about the details. I'm pretty sure everything will be pretty easy.

Can you give a short brief to us on how the deal happened? Even if you don't like to talk about these subjects, do you acknowledge that it has been controversial to get you here?
What matters is that I'm here. People have been talking about a lot of things, some things are true, and some things are not. I really don't want to talk about any of this. It's a part of the past, and I'm one of those who likes to live in the present. I have left Inter. I would like to say that I am grateful over everything that the club has given me and what I have experienced. But it's time to think about Barcelona. When all of this started and the negotiations developed, I really did not believe it would be a possibility. It went well, and that's how it is.

Help me to solve a little mystery; did Guardiola convince you to come?
The contacts and negotiations started many months ago. I have trouble remembering it. But I did not talk to Guardiola. However it's true that I talked with Txiki and Raul Sanllehi, they told me their idea, and we agreed to take it calmly.

Let's talk about football. What feeling did you get when you watched Barca from Milan?
To watch Barca on TV last season was fantastic. Everyone saw a football that was magnificent and amazing. You knew the team was going to make history. I wanted to be a part of this, with my game, my experience and my effort.

And goals?
Yes, I hope I can score plenty of goals, even if that's not the most important thing. As long as it goes good for the team and we work as a group, then the goals will eventually come.

This was the first part of this interview. You'll be able to read the second part here tomorrow with Ibrahimovic among other things talking about the media and other Barca players.

translated by Sandvik

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Ibrahimovic: "I want to be on the Bernabeu photo"

Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an interview to Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.





How are your first days as a Barcelona player going?
I want to get rid of this plaster. I want to go out there on the pitch and train with my team-mates, touch the ball, laugh with them. They are all acting great. You know the best thing? Everything is so simple here, people are very natural, nothing is artificial. From the moment I arrived, they've welcomed me with open arms and that makes everything easy. With Guardiola I'm speaking Italian, he speaks it perfectly. He already gave me the first instructions about where he wants me to play, they will have to tie me down if they don't want me to start training.

Did you know Guardiola?
I knew what he was doing with Barca, what he transmitted to the group to get the player to respect the ball like they are doing. Of course, I also knew Pep as a football player. If you don't know and admire Guardiola, then you don't know anything about football.

Pep always trains with the ball…
Yes, Ajax has a similar culture of loving the ball, but Mourinho also trained a lot with the ball, José also like the ball. Here I've seen the intensity of the training sessions, how good everyone is training from the first minute. I like hard work, they train like this and that's why they play that good. Besides the quality, you always need to work hard.

What's the difference between Barça and the others?
I've joined a winning team. Do you know what this means? You have to get better each day. When you play for a winning team like Barça, every game, every opponent will give 200 per cent just because they face Barça. They want to play the game of their lives against Barça, they are motivated as never before and this forces you to be especially concentrated and prepared. There is no room to relax, you are the winner and you have to show it in every game. That's exciting.

What do you think about Messi?
Incredible. Messi is from PlayStation really, he is PlayStation! I don't know how he is able to do what he does, but it's unique and fabulous. It's Leo Messi! But then you look at the left and you have Henry, you turn your head and there's Iniesta, then Xavi, and then you think: they are all great players here.

It will be difficult to repeat last season's treble...
Yeah, well, difficult, but the mentality is there, we have the will to repeat the treble.

Ibra receives a poster published by El Mundo Deportivo from the Champions League final celebrations in Rome. The poster is enormous and he is looking at all the faces. He recognizes everyone, and not only the players but also those who work around the team.

I saw the final that day, I was on vacations. While on vacations, I try not to think too much about football. But I would have given anything to be one of them! But never mind, I will be on next year's poster. I will be on the Bernabéu poster (laughs). You'll see.

You don't know what it would mean to win the Champions League at the Bernabéu...
Yes, yes I know... I know the rivalry between the big teams from the same country. That's why I'm saying that I will be on the champion's picture! This is our mentality, it's our strength. It would be really beautiful to win at the Bernabeu...

And with Inter as the opponent...
That would be very special but... Barça is the strongest! So that wouldn't change the picture: Barça, this time with me on the picture, celebrating the Champions League title.

How will Eto'o do at Inter?
Very well, I'm sure he'll do very well. He is a great player, everyone knows that.

One last question: Ibrahimovic is with Barça because he believed in it more than anyone?
Without any doubt. We - my agent and I - believed more in a transfer than Barça did. Barça thought it was close to impossible, we knew it could happen, we just needed to help a little and keep on believing. The first time my agent told me about the interest of Barça, he said that they wanted me but that it would be very complicated. I told him that wasn't the case, it wouldn't be difficult, we would make sure it wouldn't be complicated. And here I am, happy, very happy, with the deisre to get rid of this plaster, motivated to start playing, to enjoy myself with this team, to be on the picture, on that picture of the Champions League, to win it... At the Bernabéu.


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Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave an interview to the club's official media.





How did it feel being presented in the Camp Nou?
Monday was a really busy day. First the medical, then after lunch I signed a very important contract that has made a lot of people happy, then came the presentation. It's difficult to put into words what I felt. These are emotions that can't be described.

Are you nervous about everything that has happened?
I was a bit nervous because everyone said there were a lot of people there. Normally I'm quite relaxed but for me it’s a dream to come here. This is where I wanted to play. I made an agreement with the president of Inter that the only club they could sell me to was Barcelona. The others could ask but they wouldn't get a reply. The only one I answered was Barça. That gives me a special feeling. The transfer from Juve to Inter seemed like an important fact but it didn't change my mood... In contrast, this transfer has made me feel nervous.

Nervous... Why?
Barça has a historic tradition. Everyone wants to be part of this great club, they've made history and I want to be part of that history. For me Barça plays football the way other teams will play in ten years time. The way they play is the way I want to play and I believe the people that go to the stadium really enjoy this football and 50 per cent of football is the fans.

Will you fit into the Barça style?
I think I'll fit in really well because it's the way I want to play, the way I want to train, the way I want to learn, because this style of football is what I tasted at Ajax. It really suited me and I learned a lot.

Have you had good references from people that know Barça?
Everyone I’ve spoken to has spoken positively. I spoke to Larsson, Figo, Koeman... everyone I spoke to spoke really well of Barça. Nobody said anything negative, everyone agreed that if you get the chance to come here then take it. Mentally, I was already with Barça when I received news of the club's interest. Normally a club that wins everything doesn't buy. When they come to you it's something special. It means a lot and I'm here to continue winning titles.

You are Swedish but your parents are from the Balkans. Is your character marked by that?
Maybe. My father is Bosnian and my mother is Croatian and I was born in Sweden. I grew up as a Swedish child but my mentality is different, more similar to my father who has a strong personality.

What are your hobbies?
I really like martial arts, taekwondo in particular. I enjoy watching films. I'm very much a family person and I like travelling with them to explore the world.

Have you got any idols? You’ve been compared to Van Basten.
Capello compared me to Van Basten and that's real praise for me, but I think players can't be compared. Everyone has his talents. Van Basten is a legend. I like complete players that make the difference. Van Basten made the difference as did Ronaldo. As a historic sportsman my favourite is Mohamed Ali.

read the full and original interview and see a video of the interview here


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Marquez: "We're not going to relax after the treble"

Barcelona player Rafael Márquez gave an interview to the club's official media.





How's the recovery from your injury coming along?
I'm feeling good, happy to be back. I'm still not with the rest of the squad, but we're working to get me 100 per cent for the trip to the States.

What was it like at the end of last season to miss out on the big games? It must have really made you angry.
Yes, it certainly did. I felt such impotence at not being able to play in those big games, but at the same time I felt really happy about the fact that my teammates were winning.

Were you surprised at how superior Barca were in the Champions League final?
The truth is we thought it would be tougher. I think the team were mentally prepared to go out and play a simple game and that's what we did. We always had possession and the chances just came as a result of that.

There seems to be plenty of tension in the training sessions, is that what's needed to repeat last year's success?
Yes, that was key to us winning so much last year. Pep is very demanding in training and that's the way forward.

There are a number of players who were in the team that went through the season after Paris. Is that going to be a help?
Yes, I think so and with Pep we know that even though we've won plenty, he's going to be pushing for more. I don't think we'll go through that period of relaxation that happened after Paris.

Touré and Keita will both be away for the African Nations Cup. Do you see yourself fitting in in midfield?
I don't know, that's up to the boss. I just want to keep on playing, I don't mind where.

How do you think Henrique is adapting?
I think that just like any other player it's not easy to fit in at first. The first few months at a new club are not easy, but I think he's got the qualities needed to make a go of it.

And how do you reckon your fellow Mexican Jonathan Dos Santos is settling in?
Well, I'm thrilled that he’s with us. He’s a quality player and it's great to have another Mexican along.

read the full and original interview here


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Gudjohnsen: "I couldn't celebrate Iniesta's goal"

Barcelona player Eidur Gudjohnsen gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





Where were you on 27 May 2009 on 20:45 pm?
On the bench at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, from where I could see the match in perfect conditions. It's a day I'll probably never forget. I didn't play, but it was one of the happiest days of my life.

How many tickets did you have for the Cup final at Mestalla?
Let me think... I don't know, I think ten. And I had nine left!

Do you know Paris Hilton?
I know who she is, but I don't know her personally. The only really famous person I know personally is Messi. And Henry.

What do you prefer: the treble or the way of winning it?
For history, it's about the treble. For all the ones who saw it, it's about the way of winning it. And for me, it's about the friendship and unity between all the players.

What did you do when Iniesta scored at Stamford Bridge?
I felt strange. I was happy for my team-mates and for myself because we would play the Champions League final, but I couldn't celebrate it because we won at a place that had been my home for six years. My friends Terry and Lampard were devastated so I felt sadness and joy at the same time.

Who will win the world cup?
Don't write Iceland off, we'll be the underdog and we could surprise all the others.

Do you know where will you be next week?
Well, I think that I will be in the United States, doing the tour together with the rest of my teammates... I'm referring to my Barça team-mates.

Michael Jackson: homicide or accident?
Natural death. I would say it is natural that he would die, like all of us will.

Have you already said goodbye to Eto'o?
No. I hope to do it later, but I haven't yet said goodbye to him.

What will you remember from the parade in the streets of Barcelona after winning the three trophies?
Well, that I probably, although I could be wrong, will not live something like that again in my life. It was a special feeling. A unique day of joy.


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Henrique: "A presentation would have been nice"

Barcelona player Henrique gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





Where were you on 27 May 2009 on 20:45 pm?
At my home in Germany, watching the final, supporting Barça like a madman. I was very nervous, I felt part of that team. I was very happy at the end.

What impressed you most: winning the treble or the way in which it was won?
The way they did it was impressive, but what impressed me most was the quality of the whole group. You could see a cohesion among all of them that I have now also felt. It's one big family and you see that on the pitch.

You know Paris Hilton?
I'm very much a family man. I always stay at home with my family, I don't like to go out. I know who she is, but I didn't meet her.

The transfers of Madrid give you...
A lot of motivation. I'm living a dream and I won't start worrying about Madrid.

Who do Brazilians think will win the world cup?
Brazil, of course. But there are also other teams, like Spain, who can win the world cup.

What about the FIFA World Player and the Ballon d'Or?
Although I'm Brazilian, I can only admit that Messi is at this moment the best player in the world. There's nobody like him and there's no comparison possible.

It hurts that you are the only player of the squad that doesn't have a club cartoon?
No, that's not important for me. An official presentation would have been nice, but that cartoon doesn't affect me.

Michael Jackson: homicide or accident?
That's the question the whole world is thinking about. I don't know.

You knew Eto'o?
No, and it's a shame. I admire him a lot.

Which Brazilian team you dislike most?
As ex-Palmeiras player, the answer is obvious: Corinthians is like Real Madrid.


Read more:
Henrique's blog: part 4
Official players' pictures (part 1)
Henrique and Gai on first team debut

Abidal: "I'm not worried about Maxwell's arrival"

Barcelona player Eric Abidal gave an interview to Spanish sports paper El Mundo Deportivo.





What have you done during your vacation?
I have travelled a lot with my family. I've been in Miami, New York, Italy, Tunisia, Mallorca, France and Barcelona.

Are you worried about having to compete with Maxwell?
I am not concerned about Maxwell's arrival. He will make the team better and that is fine by me. The more competition there is, the higher the level will become within the team.

Any thougths on Maxwell?
Vieira has told me about him. He is another type of player, he is technical and a quality player that often joins the attack.

This is your third season in the club. What do you like best about Barcelona?
Everything. The club is perfect, the food, and people who are very nice to me, not just at the club but everywhere I go.

What food do you like?
That must be 'pa with tomaquet' (literally: bread with tomato), with potatoes and pasta at Negro. I've never tasted anything like it. It's splendid.

Since we talk about food, have you thougth about expanding your restaurant business to Barcelona?
Not to Barcelona yet, but to Paris. At the moment me and my partner are looking for a place in Paris. We want another 'Cafe dels Negociants' as the one in Lyon, in Paris.

An old friend and colleague of yours in Lyon, Benzema, will now be your rival in Real Madrid. You know him well, will you ask Guardiola to mark him?
No, I won't ask anything. He tells me where to play, either as a full-back or central defender, but we're having many good players in the centre, so it might be better they mark him.

Another friend of yours is Ribery. Do you think it's more likely to see him at Real Madrid than at Barca?
I think that he likes both teams because the football style suits him and he would have friends in either club. It's not so much that he prefers to go to Madrid, but his wife prefers Madrid over Barcelona. I have sent pictures to him via my mobile phone of all the pretty houses here, but it is difficult to convince him. Besides, he has the same agent who used to represent Zinedine Zidane. 'Zizou' is now at Madrid and as he's a reference for all the French players that can also play a role. But it seems like Bayern won't sell.

Have you tried to convince him to join Barcelona?
I told him that it would be better if he signed for Barca, a club that is perfect for him because we will come back and win another treble, and he can play alongside Leo Messi, the next Ballon d'Or winner. That's my dream, and I'm convinced we will win at least two or three titles. Besides, Anelka also already warned him that Real is not an easy club to play for.

translated by: Sandvik


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Video: Messi gives Barça 'pep' talk

Note: Video from Uefa.com

Maxwell: "My biggest hobby is playing football"

New Barcelona player Maxwel gave an interview to the club's official media.





When you arrived at the airport, you were met by loads of cameras. Are you starting to realise what Barça is about?
Yes, you start feeling the climate, people coming up to you, cameras coming up to you, that's when you realise how important this club is. I was just hoping to pass my medical and be able to officially become a Barça player. It's a great feeling.

How did your transfer come about?
I had heard I had a chance of coming here some time ago. The final stages were finished very quickly, but it all started months ago and I was always interested in coming. I was delighted to come. I didn't think twice. I want to thank everybody that has made this possible, the lawyers, the president, everybody that formed part of the project.

Who has given you references about Barcelona?
I have to publicly thank Koeman and Figo, who told me the most about the city, the club, the footballing tradition here, it all helps with my adaptation.

What did you learn in your time at Ajax?
I was very young back then, a novice. We played big games, in the Champions League, against big clubs, and I gained experience. In European football I learned a lot, about tactical discipline in your game, the technical qualities of passing, it has made me a more complete footballer.

Barcelona play a similar game to Ajax, because Cruyff imposed his style of play. Do you think that will help you adapt to Barça?
I hope everything I learned at Ajax will help with my adaptation. I expect a similar kind of game. Of a different quality, but the style of play will be similar. And I'll have to concentrate because of the quality of football and the speed as well.

You were originally a midfielder and then moved into defence. How did that change happen?
At Cruzeiro and Ajax, depending on the game, the coach sometimes opted to play me at full back. I started adapting and learned more about defensive duties and it made me a more complete footballer. Always learning, trying to get better. I ended up adapting to it and now I play as a full back much more than I do in midfield.

Such an attack minded player as you ended up playing in the very defensive Italian league like the Italian. Did you learn much there?
In Italy you learn a lot about defensive aspects, especially tactics, and that's basic for a defender. The first thing you do is learn, the first two years were mainly about adapting to Italian football.

You’re taking over from Sylvinho, a player that liked to move up into the attack. Are you similar to him?
I am a Brazilian full back, and we generally like to support the attack. Of course, I have learned a lot about defending, so I am going to try to use both options: attacking and defending.

What kind of a person is Maxwell?
I am a quiet, reserved person. I try to spend my free time with my family at home. I hope to make lots of friends here.

What are your hobbies?
My biggest hobby, crazy as it sounds, is playing football. I like fishing, doing sport on the beach, by the sea. But my biggest hobby is playing football. When I meet my friends, it's what we do, it's what I get most fun out of.

read the full interview here

Video Interview: Piqué living the dream

Note: Video from Uefa.com

Xavi: "Players aren't part of the world of showbizz"

Barcelona player Xavi gave an interview to Catalan sports paper Sport.





The world cup for clubs will be something special?
We're looking forward to it, especially after having already played a final and having lost it. I'm very motivated to take part and to try winning it.

The loss in Japan in 2006 meant the start of the decline of the team. You think this could happen again?
It won't happen again. Most of us were there and have more experience now. We need to work, not lose our modesty, keep the same sacrifice and work-rate. If you don't work in the world of sports, others will get better than you.

Transfers are needed to keep the group motivated?
It would be good because they stimulate the competition within the group. Although things are going well, we're used to make two or three changes and I can imagine that it will be the same this year.

Would it be an uncomfortable situation that another pre-season would start with the future of Samuel Eto'o being uncertain?
We're lucky to have intelligent people at this club. Last year, we've solved this issue in a good way. If you talk to Samu face-to-face, there's no problem. We know what he's capable of. This year we've also won for him. He's a key player. I don't know what Txiki or Pep want to do. We don't know anything, although when it was only up to us, we all consider him to be the number one striker.

The best players in the world are playing for Barça?
Leo Messi is the best player in the world and that's not up for discussion. If you have the best player in the world, you can do anything. If you also have Iniesta, Henry, Eto'o... That's a luxury situation.

The worst thing for them for Madrid will be that Cristiano Ronaldo will bring the showbizz press and the paparazzi with him?
I wouldn't like that this would happen here. Players aren't part of the world of showbizz, we need to work, we're sportsmen. But it's something you cannot control.

You feel that this Barca can mark an era by, for example, winning two or three consecutive Champions League titles?
We have to go step by step. We had a great season, it was spectacular, maybe the best season in Barca's history. We would love to mark an era like that. We would sign for that right away, there's no lack of motivation. This group is very engaged and we will work hard to reach that goal. I believe in the philosophy of focusing on what comes first. We have two supercups, in December we travel to Abu Dhabi. It could be a very interesting season.

With the climax of the Champions League final at Santiago Bernabeu. That's a motivation...
We would be very excited to play that final, also because it is at the Bernabéu stadium. Winning the Champions League is the best thing, like we saw in Paris or Rome. But it's obvious that for all Barcelona fans it would of course be extra special to win it in the Bernabéu.


this was the second and last part of this interview, you can read the first part here:
Xavi: "I look forward to playing for six trophies"

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