FC Barcelona beat Valencia thanks to goals from Cesc and Xavi

Barça midfielder Cesc Fàbregas talked about the post-match atmosphere: “We’re happy, very happy. The objective was to reach the final and we achieved that. I’m enjoying the moment.”

Isaac Cuenca

“I’ve always enjoyed getting to a final and this one all the more, it’s a special match, plus it’s with Barça.”

Alexis

“I always want to play. I’m never satisfied with what I do, I always want to keep on winning." 

Moment of truth....

It's still only early February, but what Barça face today is one of the most decisive games of the whole season. It's the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi final. 

 

This is just one of a tough series of matches ahead for FC Barcelona. In the league they have trips to Osasuna and Atlético Madrid this month, as well as welcoming back Valencia, this time in the league, and travelling to Leverkusen in six days time for the first Champions League match of the new year.

One of the most positive notes is the return of players from injury. Xavi, Alexis, Busquets, Pedro and Iniesta are all working their way back into the team.

FC Barcelona wins Laureus World Team of the Year Award

FC Barcelona was adjudged the World Team of the Year by the Laueres Award comittee, in a grand ceremony held in London. This is the first time FC Barcelona is winning the prestigous award, which in some circles is called "The Osacr of Sporting World". Club president Sandro Rosell received the award for Barca. Two Barcelona players who were in contention for individual honours in the night unfortunately lost out. Lionel Messi, lost out to Novan Djokovic in the World Sportsman of the Year category. The Serbian Tennis No.1, Novan Djokovic now join an esteemed list of Sportsmen, Roger Federer , Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher, Usain Bolt, Lance Armstrong and Rafael Nadal who all have previously won this award. Many Barca fans believed that Messi will win it this year and seems to have been disappointed big time. But I have predicted this earlier - The Farce called Laueres Award, it was clear from the start that Messi will not win this one. We football fans will be lucky if we see atleast one from the footballing world win this award in our life time.
Eric Abidal, also was nominated for the Best Comeback of the Year category but lost out to Golf start, Darren Clarke. The complete list of awards presented are as follows:

World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (tennis)

World Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot (athletics)

World Team of the Year: Barcelona (football)

World Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy (golf)

World Comeback of the Year: Darren Clarke (golf)

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oscar Pistorius (athletics)

World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater (surfing)

Lifetime Achievement: Sir Bobby Charlton (football)

Sport for Good Award: Rai (football)

FC Barcelona transfers since 12.01.2008 to 31.08.2009

31/08/2009 E. Gudjohnsen - Barcelona --> Monaco

31/08/2009 Henrique - Barcelona --> Racing

27/08/2009 Dmytro Chygrynskiy - Shakhtar --> Barcelona

26/08/2009 Jorquera - Barcelona --> Girona

24/08/2009 Sylvinho - Barcelona --> Man City

14/08/2009 Víctor Sánchez - Barcelona --> Xerez

06/08/2009 José Martín Cáceres - Barcelona --> Juventus

30/07/2009 Aliaksandr Hleb - Barcelona --> Stuttgart

28/07/2009 Keirrison - Barcelona --> Benfica

27/07/2009 Eto'o - Barcelona --> Inter

27/07/2009 Zlatan Ibrahimović - Inter --> Barcelona

23/07/2009 Keirrison - Palmeiras --> Barcelona

15/07/2009 Maxwell - Inter --> Barcelona

08/07/2009 Córcoles  - Barcelona --> Recreativo

17/06/2009 Xavi Torres - Barcelona --> Malaga

02/09/2008 Iago Falqué - Barcelona --> Juventus

29/07/2008 Ezquerro - Barcelona --> Osasuna

16/07/2008 Aleksandr Hleb - Arsenal --> Barcelona

16/07/2008 Ronaldinho - Barcelona --> Milan

02/07/2008 Daniel Alves - Sevilla --> Barcelona

30/06/2008 Deco - Barcelona --> Chelsea

27/06/2008 Lilian Thuram -  Barcelona --> PSG

21/06/2008 Dimas - Barcelona --> Numancia

12/01/2008 Marc Crosas - Barcelona --> O. Lyon

Lionel Messi - 2011 - Skills and Goals