FC Barcelona Records

 

     FC Barcelona Records

       Team & Individual Records

 

 

Team records  

• World

• Year with most official titles: 2009, with 6: Copa del Rey, Liga, Champions League, Spanish Supercup, European Supercup and Clubs World Cup.

• European

• Only team to have played in every season of European competitions since they started in 1955.
• Team with most European Cup Winners Cups: 4 (1979, 1982, 1989, 1997).
• Team with most Fairs Cups: 3 (1958, 1960 and 1966). Also won super final in 1971 to decide trophy outright.
• Team that have played most European finals: 17 (7 in European Cup / Champions League, 6 in Cup Winners Cup and 4 in Fairs Cup).
• Team with most European Cup-League doubles: 4 (1992, 2006, 2009 and 2011).
• Team with most points in the history of major European leagues: 99 points in La Liga 2009/10.

• Spanish

• Only team, along with Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, to have always played in the First Division.
• Only team to have won all the official competitions it has played in at least once: since the Copa Macaya (1902) to the Clubs World Cup (2009).
• Team with most official Spanish titles: 109.
• Season with most titles: 1951/52, with 5: Liga, Copa, Copa Latina, Trofeo Eva Duarte and Copa Martini-Rossi.
• Only Spanish team to win the treble: Won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Champions League in the 2008/09 season.
• Team with most Spanish Cups: 25.
• Longest winning period in La Liga: 16 games from game 7 to 22 in La Liga 2010/11.
• Team with most points and goals after the first half of La Liga: 52 points and 61 goals (17 wins, one draw and one defeat) by game 19 of La Liga 2010-11.
• Team with most away points in a Liga season: 46 points (14 wins, 4 draws and one defeat in la Liga 2010/11).
• Team with most goals scored in official competitions in a season: 2008/09, with 158 goals in 62 games.
• Most wins in a Liga season: 31 wins in la Liga 2009/10, along with Real Madrid in the same season.
• Most away wins in a Liga season: 14 games. Liga 2010/11 (14 wins, 4 draws and one defeat en 19 games).
• Most consecutive away wins: 13 games. Between September 21, 2008 and January 11, 2009, FC Barcelona got 13 consecutive away wins in official matches. There were 8 in la Liga (Sporting Gijón, Espanyol, Athletic Club, Malaga, Recreativo, Sevilla, Villarreal and Osasuna), 3 in the Champions League (Shakhtar, Basel and Sporting Lisbon) and 2 in the Copa del Rey (Benidorm and Atlético Madrid).
• Most consecutive wins and best away start to La Liga: 10 games in la Liga 2010/11, winning away to Racing Santander, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Zaragoza, Getafe, Almeria, Osasuna, Espanyol, Deportivo and Hercules.
• Most consecutive games unbeaten away from home in la Liga: 23 away games from February 14, 2010 (At. Madrid 2 Barça 1) to April 30, 2011 (Real Sociedad 2 Barça 1), with 18 wins and 5 draws.
• Only team in Spanish League to have won all away games in the first half of the season: In la Liga 2010/11 won away to Racing Santander, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Zaragoza, Getafe, Almeria, Osasuna, Espanyol and Deportivo. A total of nine games.
• First team to score in all away games in a league season: 19 games in la Liga 2010/11.
• Team with most goals scored away from home in la Liga: 49 goals in la Liga 2010/11.
• Team with best goal difference in la Liga: +74 in Ligas 2009/10 and 2010/11.
• Biggest away win in la Liga: UD Las Palmas 0 - FC Barcelona 8 (25/10/1959) and UD Almeria 0 FC Barcelona 8 (20/11/2010).
• Longest scoring period in a season: 34 consecutive games in season 2009-10 (27 in Liga, 5 in Champions League and 2 in Clubs World Cup).
• Longest unbeaten run in official matches: 28 games en season 2010/11 (23 wins and five draws in 17 games in Liga, 5 in Copa and 6 in Champions League).
• Most clean sheets in a season: 31 games in season 2009/10 (20 in Liga, 6 in Champions League, 1 in Spanish Supercup and 1 in European Supercup).
• Most wins in a season: 45 wins in a total of 59 games in official competitions in season 2009/10 and 45 wins in a total of 62 official games in 2010/11.
• Best average number of goals a game in first half of La Liga: 61 goals in 19 games at halfway stage of La Liga 2010/11 (average 3.2 per game).

• Club records

• Biggest attendance at Camp Nou: 120,000 for FC Barcelona v Juventus. Quarter final of the European Cup, first leg (5/03/1986).
• Most consecutive Ligas: 4 (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94). (National record: Real Madrid, 5 consecutive Ligas between 1960 and 1965 and between 1985 and 1990).
• Longest unbeaten run in la Liga from first game: 21 first games of La Liga 2009/10, with 17 wins and 4 draws. (National record: Real Sociedad, 32 games unbeaten in la Liga 1979/80).
• Longest unbeaten run in la Liga: 31 games from 3rd to 33rd of La Liga 2010-11 (national record: 32 games by Real Sociedad in la Liga 1979-80).
• Most points in second half of La Liga: 50 points in la Liga 2009/10 (national record: Real Madrid, 52 points in second half of La Liga 2009/10).
• Liga with most goals scored: 2008/09, with 105 goals in 38 games. (National record: Real Madrid, 107 goals in la Liga 1989/90).
• Liga with Least goals conceded: 1968-69, with 18 goals in 30 games. (National record: Real Madrid, 15 goals conceded in 18 games in la Liga 1931/32).
• Longest unbeaten home run in la Liga: From game 25 of 72-73 (4-3-1973) to game 21 of 76-77 (20-2-1977), a total of 67 games played, with 55 wins and 12 draws, 155 goals for and 37 against.
• Longest home winning period in la Liga: 39 games between game 22 of 1957-58 (16-2-1958) and the eighth of 1960-61 (6-11-1960).
• First half of La Liga unbeaten: 19 games of La Liga 2009-10 (15 wins and 4 draws).
• Most home wins in a Liga season: 19 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in la Liga 1986/87.
• Liga with fewest defeats: Only one defeat in la Liga 2009/10 (in game 22 with Atlético Madrid by 2-1). National record: Athletic Club and Real Madrid unbeaten in Ligas 1929/30 and 1931/32 respectively.
• Longest scoring run in la Liga: 36 games between the ninth of 1942/43 (21/11-1942) and the 18th of 1943/44 (6-2-1944).
• Longest scoring run in la Liga at home: 88 games between game 22 of la 1951/52 (02/10/1952) and the 18th of 1957/58 (01/19/1958).
• Biggest home win in la Liga: FC Barcelona 10 - Gimnàstic Tarragona 1 (11/09/1949).
• Biggest win in any competition: Copa Macaya: Tarragona 0 - FC Barcelona 18 (03/17/1901).
• Biggest win in friendly: Smilde (Holland) 1 - FC Barcelona 20 (6-8-1992).
• Most consecutive wins in European Cup / Champions League: 11, in season 2002/03.
• Longest run of consecutive wins in games in official competitions: 18 games in season 2005/06 (13 in Liga, 3 in Champions League and 2 in Copa del Rey) between 22/10/2005 and 22 / 1 / 2006.
• Longest run of games unbeaten in European competitions: 17 games, between seasons 1988/89 and 1992/93 and also between seasons 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• Biggest home wins in European competitions: FC Barcelona 8 - Apollon Limassol (Cyprus) 0 (European Cup Winners Cup, 15/09/1982); FC Barcelona 8 - Matador Púchov (Slovakia) 0 (UEFA Cup. 15 / 10/2003).
• Biggest away win in European competitions: Hapoel Beer Sheva (Israel) 0 - FC Barcelona (UEFA Cup. 12/9/1995). 

 Individual records

• World

• Only player to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi trophy and Golden Boot in same season: Leo Messi in season 2009/10 .
• Only time ever that three player from the same team’s youth system were the nominees for the Ballon d’Or: Messi, Xavi and Iniesta were the candidates for Ballon d’Or 2010.
• Record Ballons d’Or from same club: Eight, along with Juventus and Milan.

• National

• Most scorer in official matches in a season: In 2010/11 23 Barcelona players scored at least one in official competitions.
• Most goals scored by players from the youth system: In season 2010/11 of the 152 goals scored by Barça, 110 were scored by players from the youth system (53 Messi, 22 Pedro, 9 Iniesta, 7 Bojan, 5 Xavi, 4 Piqué, 3 Thiago, and 1 Busquets, Jeffren, Puyol, Bartra, Nolito, Fontàs and Víctor Vázquez).
• Players with most consecutive wins in la Liga: Sergio Busquets with 25 wins and Carles Puyol with 21 wins between Ligas 2009/10 and 2010/11.
• Goalkeeper with most Zamora trophies: Antoni Ramallets with five (1951/52, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1958/59 and 1959/60).
• Player with most titles won as player and manager: Josep Guardiola, player (1990-2001) and manager (since 2008), has won with Barça 29 titles, 19 as a player and 10 as manager.

• Club

• Top goalscorer in history: Paulino Alcántara, with 357 goals in 357 games, between the seasons 1912-27 (215 goals in friendly games, 5 in the Spanish Cup, 98 in the Catalonian Championship, 35 in the Spanish Championship, 3 in the Pyrenees Cup, 1 in the Copa Barcelona).
• Top goalscorer in official competitions: César Rodríguez (1942-55), with 235 goals.
• Top goalscorer in la Liga: César Rodríguez (1942-55), with 195 goals.
• Top goalscorer in a season: Clemente Gràcia (1921-22), with 59 goals in 50 games (35 goals in friendly games, 19 in the Catalonian Championship, 5 in the Spanish Championship).
• Top goalscorer in a season in official competitions: Leo Messi with 53 goals in the 2010/11 (31 in la Liga, 12 in the Champions, 7 in the Cup and 3 in the Spanish Supercup. Equals Cristiano Ronaldo, also with 53 goals in the same season.
• Top goalscorer in a league season: Ronaldo Nazario (1996/97) and Leo Messi (2009/10), both with 34 goals. Overall record: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) with 40 goals in la Liga 2010/11).
• Longest goalscoring run in la Liga: Mariano Martín scored 18 goals in 10 consecutive games from number 19 of La Liga 1942-43 (14-2-1943) to the second game of 1943-44 (30-10 - 1943).
• Longest goalscoring run in official competitions: Mariano Martín scored 21 goals in eleven games (8 in Liga and 3 in Cup) between February 14 and May 9, 1943.
• Top goalscorer in international competitions: Messi (2004 -...), with 39 goals (37 in the Champions League and 2 in the Clubs World Cup).
• Top goalscorer in one game: Joan Gamper, 9 goals three times: Franco-Espanyol 0 v FC Barcelona 13, in the Copa Macaya (10-2-1901); Tarragona 0 v FC Barcelona 18, in the Copa Macaya (17 -3-1901); FC Barcelona 13 v Club X 0, in the Copa Barcelona (1-2-1903); Escolà, 9 goals in the game FC Barcelona 11 Real Unión Irún 1 (7-7-1935).
• Top goalscorer in a game in Liga: Ladislao Kubala, seven goals in the game FC Barcelona 9 Sporting Gijón 0 (10-2-1952).
• Top goalscorer in a game in Cup: Eulogio Martínez, seven goals in the game FC Barcelona 8 - At. Madrid 1 (1-5-1957), return leg of cup round of sixteen 1956-57.
• Only player in the history of the club to score in six official competitions in a year: Pedro Rodríguez scored in 2009 in the Spanish Supercup, European Supercup, Champions League, Liga, Copa del Rey and Clubs World Cup.
• FC Barcelona players that have won the Pichichi trophy: Mariano Martín (1942/43, 32 goals in 23 games), César Rodríguez (1948/49, 28 goals in 24 games), Cayetano Re (1964/65, 25 goals in 30 games), Carles Rexach (1970/71, 17 goals in 28 games), Hans Krankl (1978/79, 29 goals in 30 games), Enrique Castro, "Quini" (1980/81, 20 goals in 30 games), Enrique Castro "Quini" (1981/82, 26 goals in 32 games), Romario da Souza (1993/94, 30 goals in 33 games), Ronaldo (1996/97, 34 goals in 37 games), Samuel Eto'o ( 2005/06, 26 goals in 35 games) and Leo Messi (2009/10, 34 goals in 35 games).FC Barcelona players that have won the Pichichi trophy: Mariano Martín (1942/43, 32 goals in 23 games), César Rodríguez (1948/49, 28 goals in 24 games), Cayetano Re (1964/65, 25 goals in 30 games), Carles Rexach (1970/71, 17 goals in 28 games), Hans Krankl (1978/79, 29 goals in 30 games), Enrique Castro, "Quini" (1980/81, 20 goals in 30 games), Enrique Castro "Quini" (1981/82, 26 goals in 32 games), Romario da Souza (1993/94, 30 goals in 33 games), Ronaldo (1996/97, 34 goals in 37 games), Samuel Eto'o ( 2005/06, 26 goals in 35 games) and Leo Messi (2009/10, 34 goals in 35 games).
• FC Barcelona goalkeepers that have won the Zamora: Juan Zambudio Velasco (1947/48, 31 goals conceded in 26 games), Antoni Ramallets (1951/52, 40 goals conceded in 28 games), Antoni Ramallets (1955/56, 24 goals in 29 games), Antoni Ramallets (1956/57, 35 goals conceded in 29 games), Antoni Ramallets (1958/59, 22 goals conceded in 28 games), Antoni Ramallets (1959/60, 24 goals in 27 games) , Josep Manuel Pesudo (1965-66, 15 goals in 22 games), Salvador Sadurní (1968/69, 18 goals in 30 games), Miguel Reina (1972/73, 21 goals in 34 games), Salvador Sadurní (1973/74 , 22 goals in 30 games), Salvador Sadurní (1974/75, 19 goals in 24 games), Pedro María Artola (1977/78, 25 goals in 29 games), Francisco Javier González Urruticoechea (1983/84, 26 goals in 32 games), Andoni Zubizarreta (1986/87, 29 goals in 43 games), Víctor Valdés (2004/05, 25 goals in 35 games), Víctor Valdés (2008/09, 31 goals in 35 games), Víctor Valdés (2009 / 10, 24 goals in 38 games) and Víctor Valdés (2010/11, 16 goals in 32 games).
• Only time the Zamora and Pichichi trophies were both won: Liga 2009/10, by Víctor Valdés (Zamora) and Leo Messi (Pichichi).
• FC Barcelona players that have won the Ballon d’Or: Luis Suárez (1960), Johan Cruyff (1973 and 1974), Hristo Stoichkov (1994), Rivaldo (1999), Ronaldinho (2005), Messi (2009 and 2010).
• FC Barcelona players that have won the FIFA World Player: Romario da Souza (1994), Ronaldo (1996), Rivaldo (1999), Ronaldinho (2004 and 2005), Messi (2009).
• FC Barcelona players that have won the Golden Boot: Ronaldo (1996/97, 34 goals) and Messi (2009/10, 34 goals).
• Goalkeeper with most minutes without conceding a goal in la Liga: Miguel Reina went 824 minutes without conceding a goal in la Liga in the season 1972-73 (from minute 53 of game 14 to minute 67 of game 23).
• Goalkeeper with best average goals conceded in la Liga: Víctor Valdés in la Liga 2010/11 with an average of 0.50 goals (16 goals in 32 games). National record: Liaño (Deportivo) in la Liga 1993/94, with an average of 0.47 goals (18 goals in 38 games).
• Only FCB goalkeeper to ever score a goal: Was Ricardo Zamora, who on December 14, 1919 scored a penalty in the Catalonian Championship game Barça v Internacional (2-1).
• Player with most appearances: Miguel Bernardo Bianquetti, "Migueli". 664 games (1973 to 89).
• Player with most appearances in official competitions: Xavi Hernández (1998 -...), with 577 games.
• Player with most appearances in Liga: Miguel Bernardo Bianquetti, "Migueli". 391 games (1973 a 89).
• Player with most appearances in international competitions: Xavi Hernández, 136 games from 1998, as follows: 117 in the Champions League, 13 in the UEFA Cup, 2 in the European Supercup and 4 in the Clubs World Cup.
• Youngest player to debut with the first team: Paulino Alcántara, 15 years, 4 months and 18 days. His debut was on February 25, 1912 in the game FC Barcelona 9 - Català 0 in the Catalonian Championship, and he scored three goals.
• Players with most titles: Guillermo Amor and Josep Guardiola, both with 19. National record. Paco Gento (Real Madrid), with 23 titles.
• Most total years as manager: Jack Greenwell, 9 years (1917-1924 and 1931-1933).
• Most consecutive years as manager: Johan Cruyff, 8 years (1988-1996).
• Manager with most titles: Johan Cruyff, 11 titles between 1998 and 1996 (1 European Cup, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 European Supercup, 4 Ligas, 1 Copa, 3 Spanish Supercups).
• Manager with best percentage of titles: Josep Guardiola, 10 titles won out of 13 possible from season 2008/09.

Guardiola hits out at Mourinho as Clasico tensions build

April 27, 2011 -- Updated 1638 GMT (0038 HKT)

Guardiola has already won two Spanish League title, one Copa del Rey and one Champions League in three years as coach.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Barca coach Josep Guardiola has hit back at comments made by Jose Mourinho
• The Real Madrid coach accused Guardiola of criticizing referees when they are right
• Guardiola said he cannot compete with Mourinho in the media
• The two teams meet in the European Champions League semifinals on Wednesday

(CNN) -- Barcelona head coach Josep Guardiola hit back at his Real Madrid counterpart Jose Mourinho ahead of the European Champions League semifinal first leg between the two teams on Wednesday.
The tie at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu will be the third of four matches between the arch rivals, clashes which are known as "El Clasico", in 18 days across three competitions.
Real recently defeated Spanish first division leaders Barca 1-0 in the Copa del Rey final on April 20 and it is comments made by Mourinho in the wake of that match which aggravated Guardiola.
"Since he has chosen to to talk about me, I'll do the same," former club captain Guardiola said on Barcelona's official web site.
Is Jose Mourinho the master of mind games?

Barcelona set for battle

Real Madrid fan on third El Clasico

"[Wednesday] we'll face each other on the pitch. He's won his games off the pitch and I'll give him his personal Champions [League] for that -- just take it home and enjoy it."
Portuguese boss Mourinho used his press conference ahead of the match to accuse Guardiola, 40, of criticizing referees when they make correct decisions.
The former Inter Milan coach's comments related to the Copa del Rey final, in which Barca had a goal from Spain forward Pedro correctly disallowed for offside.
"There have been two groups of managers up until now," the one-time Chelsea coach Mourinho told Real's official web site.
"A quiet one who doesn't talk about referees and a louder one, such as myself, that criticizes the referees when they make significant mistakes.
"We have entered a new era following the statements made by Guardiola and there is now a third group. He is the only one in it as he criticizes the right calls made by referees. I had never seen anything like it before."

Off the pitch, against his media supporters, there's nothing we can do to fight that
--Josep Guardiola

RELATED TOPICS

• Josep Guardiola
• Jose Mourinho
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According to British newspaper The Guardian, Guardiola responded in strong fashion and said: "In this room [Real's press room], he is the chief, the f*****g man. In here he is the f*****g man and I can't compete with him.
"If Barcelona want someone who competes with that, then they should look for another manager. But we, as a person and an institution, don't do that."
Guardiola, who was a Barca player when Mourinho was part of the club's coaching staff between 1996 and 2000, was unhappy with his opponent alleging he had targeted match officials.
"I simply congratulated Madrid after the [Copa del Rey] final. If you think that his allegation that I always complain about the referees is true after you've all heard me over the last three years, well there's nothing I can do.
"Off the pitch, against his media supporters, there's nothing we can do to fight that. I've seen it before with Mourinho, he did it at Chelsea and now he's doing it here."
The Catalan club, who are three-time European champions, will be without Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta for the first match of the last-four tie.
The 26-year-old, who scored the winner for his country in the 2010 World Cup final against Netherlands, is out with an injury to his right calf, but club captain Carles Puyol should be fit for the match.
Real have won Europe's premier club competition on nine occasions, but will be without Sami Khedira for Wednesday's clash after the Germany international suffered a leg injury.
Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho will also miss the match through suspension.

The return leg is in Barcelona on May 3, with the winner advancing to face Manchester United or Schalke in the final at Wembley Stadium, London on May 28.

Pep Guardiola: Barcelona will fight to the end to get Cesc Fábregas

• Barça's main priority is landing Chile winger Alexis Sánchez
• Arsenal question how keen Catalan club are over Fábregas

• Jamie Jackson and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 19 July 2011 13.22 BST Article history 

The Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, has insisted that the club will do their best to land Cesc Fábregas. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters
Barcelona are ready to "fight to the end" to bring Cesc Fábregas back to the club, despite admitting that the Arsenal captain is not their main priority. Barça are in talks with Arsenal to buy the Spain midfielder, a long-term target for the Spanish and European champions, the manager Pep Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday, although their main objective is signing the Chile winger Alexis Sánchez. "This year Arsenal has agreed to negotiate and we are working on it," Guardiola said. "Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until 31 August and we'll try to reach an agreement," said the 40-year-old. "There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn't work out it will be kept in the box for something else. We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad." Fábregas, 24, came through Barcelona's youth academy at the same time as World Player of the Year Lionel Messi before joining Arsenal in 2003 at the age of 16. He has discussed his situation with Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger when he returned for pre-season training this month and did not join his team-mates on a tour of Asia due to injury. Wenger is trying to convince Fábregas there would be no greater achievement for him than to lead Arsenal to success and that it is not the right time for him to leave England. However, Peter Hill-Wood, the Arsenal chairman, has questioned how "keen" Barcelona are to sign Fábregas after no fresh bid was received by the club for the midfielder and Barcelona's insistence that their main target is Sánchez seems to back that up. Hill-Wood said: "I am not sure how keen they are. There are still stories in the [Spanish] press, but they don't talk to us. They've made one offer, which works out at around £26m, but that was ages ago. "At the moment our situation is very straightforward: we don't want to lose him. Obviously, if they come up with an offer which was a very good offer we would have to think about it. "We have told them [Barcelona] a number of times that what they are proposing is unacceptable and yet they haven't moved on it. I don't approve of what they are doing, but unfortunately it seems the way of the world right now. It has become a real bore and an unnecessary interruption to what we are trying to achieve." Guardiola added: "We need a forward. We have more players in midfield than in attack. Bojan [Krkic] and Jeffrén [Suárez] both want to leave, so the attack is more important." Regarding Samir Nasri, the French forward who is wanted by Manchester City, Hill-Wood said Arsenal do not want to lose him: "City seem to have more money than anybody else and they keep splashing it around all over the place. But our position is very straightforward: we don't want the player to leave."

Guardiola answers Mourinho

Pep Guardiola gave Jose Mourinho’s comments about him short shrift at tonight’s pre- match press conference and also insisted that Barça would go into the game at the Bernabeu: “proud to defend style of play”.

Guardiola replied to the Madrid boss’s earlier comments by declaring:“since he has chosen to to talk about me, I’ll do the same - tomorrow we’ll face each other on the pitch at 20.45. He’s won his games off the pitch and I’ll give him his personal Champions for that - just take it home and enjoy it. We can come up with plenty of examples too, but there’s no end to it, so tomorrow we are simply going to go out onto the pitch and play. I don’t want to compete with him in a press room –he’s the boss at that – a magician and I don’t want to play at making insinuations about him all the time”.

“We can’t fight his media supporters ”
Guardiola’s comments came in reply to Mourinho’s complaints about the Barça manager’s observations after the Spanish Cup final: “I’m not going to justify my comments –I simply congratulated Madrid after the final. If you think that his allegation that I always complain about the refs is true after you’ve all heard me over the last 3 years, well there’s nothing I can do. Off the pitch, against his media supporters, there’s nothing we can do to fight that”.

Guardiola’s disgust was heightened by the fact that the two worked together for four years when the Portuguese man was at Barcelona. The boss also referred to Sergio Ramos’s comments: “I saw them. It’s something his club told him to say. I’ve seen it before with Mourinho, he did it at Chelsea and now he’s doing it here”.

Confidence in the squad
Turning to the game itself, Guardiola confirmed the injury to Andres Iniesta and explained: “we hope to have him back for the second leg. It may change the way we go into the game – we’ll have to see. Maybe Madrid will finish with 10 men, but we will start with 11. I’m confident about the players we have. We are coming here proud to defend our style of play, with 12 home grown players and set to face a team in the semi finals who have 9 European Cups and seven great forwards”.

Tough tie ahead
Guardiola called the fourth successive semi final appearance of the Club: “a gift” and went on to forecast: “a very tough tie for both teams. It’ll be like the Inter game last year, the recent league game and the Cup Final. I’ve come here plenty of times and if you come to defend, they’ll destroy you. You can only dominate them by playing”. Finally, Guardiola commented: “I’ve never seen such an aggressive Madrid team”, as well as revealing: “the grass on the pitch is still long, but that’s what there is and we will go out and play on it”.

Pep Guardiola enters Barcelona history books with record 11th title as coach

Ever concentrated, Guardiola barely acknowledged that he had equalled Cruyff after a thrilling, ill-tempered 3-2 win over Real Madrid Wednesday. 

Barcelona, Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola, who had been one behind legend Johan Cruyff with 10 trophies, moved level with 11 medals as Barcelona coach after the Catalans' Super Cup win over Real Madrid Wednesday night.

But you won't find Guardiola loosening his hipster-thin tie or unbuttoning his collar just yet, not with the daunting task of repeating his successes heading into his fourth season in charge at Camp Nou. No, it's continued focus from the former midfielder.

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"We will remember this Super Cup for how it was, for the significance of the rival and for how everything has happened – not just in today's match, but for everything we have been doing," Guardiola said. "At the risk of being repetitive, the only thing I can do is congratulate this team."

Barcelona won the second leg by a 3-2 scoreline, giving it a 5-4 aggregate victory. Lionel Messi scored a brace Wednesday, but his genius is expected by now. The new ingredient was the insertion of Cesc Fabregas, who completed his annoyingly drawn-out transfer from Arsenal just days before. He entered in the second half and helped create the all-important third goal.

"When he entered, with the match in a draw, he not only stepped in but also managed to give the difference the game needed and also participated in the third goal," Guardiola said. "We cannot ask for much more."

Fabregas also took central stage in the dying minutes when a scything Marcelo tackle ignited a scuffle between both teams. The benches and technical areas emptied as the game devolved into a shoving match. Eventually the referee handed out three red cards during the fracas – one to Marcelo for the initial challenge and one apiece to Mesut Oezil and David Villa for off-the-ball actions.

The handbags detracted from what had been easily the most thrilling game of this fledgling season. Guardiola defended his squad from accusations of dipping into the dark arts to sway referees.

"They think we always dive, and that we do these types of things, but we must be careful with these types of attitudes," the 40-year-old said. "Them as much as us, we have to watch out, because in the end, things will end badly.

"For our part, we will continue playing soccer. I won't say everything is their fault, but they will not convince us that we do things wrong."

Barcelona will continue doing things its way heading into the La Liga season, especially with the summer's biggest purchase being a former Barca youth player. However, that season might be delayed due to a league-wide strike.

If the campaign is pushed back two weeks, as looks probable, it would give Guardiola extra time to bring his team up to full fitness. The coach openly complained that the heat during his side's U.S. tour prevented the roster from training properly and, as such, that they are behind schedule with regards to fitness.

The Spanish press noted that his side looked sluggish in the first leg.

"These three days, we have been below our normal level, but we played a very good game and managed to win," Guardiola said. "That does not mean that Madrid is physically superior. Plus, the first leg was the one which enabled us to win this first trophy of the season."

Given Guardiola's record, it was the first of many.

Americans Abroad 2011-12

Check in on the top U.S. players in leagues around the world with Goal.com's running coverage of Americans abroad. 

Check out the latest stats and results of the top American players in the top leagues around  

Jozy Altidore

Age: 21 Club: AZ Season Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, 3 games. Position: Forward Last Game: Entered as a 75th minute sub as AZ lost to Aalesund Next Game: Aug. 21, vs. NEC Comments: Came on as a sub in AZ's first match of the season and scored in his debut for the club. Looks to be a regular contributor off the bench, for the time being.

DaMarcus Beasley

Age: 29 Club: Puebla Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 5 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Was subbed out just before the final whistle in Puebla's 1-1 draw with Tijuana. Next Game: Aug. 21 vs. UNAM Comments: Beasley is off to a strong start in Mexico and seems to have found a place to get regular minutes.

Alejandro Bedoya

Age: 24 Club: Rangers Season Stats: Position: Midfielder Last Game: Did not play for Rangers in loss to Maribor. Next Game: Aug 21, at Motherwell Comments: Bedoya completed his move to Rangers early, and will now join Maurice Edu at the Glasgow club.

Carlos Bocanegra

Age: 32 Club: Rangers Season Stats:  0goals, 0 assists, 1 game Position: Defender Last Game: Played 90 in Rangers' late loss to Maribor. Next Game: Aug 21, at Motherwell Comments: Bocanegra has joined international teammates Alejandro Bedoya and Maurice Edu at Rangers.

Michael Bradley

Age: 23 Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach Season Stats: none Position: Midfielder Last Game: Did not dress in Borussia's 1-1 home draw with Stuttgart. Next Game: Aug. 19, vs. Wolfsburg. Comments: Bradley is drawing interest from several clubs during the summer window and his agent revealed to Goal.com that Napoli and Roma are interested. He is clearly not in favor with his current club.

Edgar Castillo

Age: 24 Club: Club America Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 4 games Position: Defender Last Game: Played 90 minutes in America's 2-2 draw with Tigres. Next Game: Aug. 21 vs. Atlas Comments: Castillo continues to get regular minutes for Club America, but still is not a regular fixture in the starting lineup.

Timothy Chandler

Age: 21 Club: FC Nuremberg Season Stats: 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 games Position: Defender Last Game: Chandler started and played the full 90 minutes, grabbing an assist in Nurnberg's 2-1 loss to Hannover 96 Next Game: Aug. 20, at Dortmund Comments: Chandler had a breakout season last term and will look to continue his form in the 2011-12 season.

Steve Cherundolo

Age: 32 Club: Hannover 96 Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 2 game. Position: Defender Last Game: Played 90 in win over Sevilla. Next Game: Aug. 21, vs. Hertha Berlin Comments: Cherundolo and his Hannover side will be in Europa League action this season after a stellar finish in the Bundesliga last term.

Joe Corona

Age: 21 Club: Club Tijuana Season Stats: 2 goals, 0 assists, 5 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Corona played 68 minutes in Tijuana's 1-1 draw with Puebla. Next Game: Aug. 20, at Cruz Azul. Comment: Corona is an emerging star in the Mexican Primera for a club that just came up to the top flight.

 

Clint Dempsey

Age: 28 Club: Fulham Season Stats: 2 goals, 0 assists, 3 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Dempsey netted twice as Fulham ran out 3-0 winners over Dnipro in the Europa League Next Game: Aug. 21, at Wolves Comments: Dempsey continues to star for Fulham and will be looking to help Fulham back to the Europa League final this season.

Mikkel Diskerud

Age: 20 Club: Stabæk Season Stats: 3 goals, 0 assists, 21 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Diskerud started and played the full 90 minutes is his team's 2-0 win at Strømsgodset Next Game: Aug. 21, vs Brann Comments: Diskerud continues to be a regular starter for his club and is a consistently solid performer at the club level.

Maurice Edu

Age: 25 Club: Rangers Season Stats: 1 goals, 1 assist, 6 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Edu played 90 in Rangers' loss to Maribor in the Europa League. Next Game: Aug 21, at Motherwell Comments: Edu continues to be a major contributor for one of Scotland's top two teams.

Brad Friedel

Age: 40 Club: Tottenham Season Stats: none Position: Goalkeeper Last Game: Friedel dressed but did not play in Spurs 5-0 win over Hearts in the Europa League. Next Game: Aug. 22, at Manchester United Comments: Friedel is expected to be a regular for Tottenham as the club looks to get back into the Champions League.

Josh Gatt

Age: 19 Club: Molde Season Stats: 4 goals, 1 assist, 20 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Gatt started and played 120 minutes in cup loss to Fredrikstad. Next Game: Aug. 22, vs. Lillestrøm Comment: Gatt was back in Molde's lineup at right back, and scored his third goal of the season against Valerenga on July 30.

Herculez Gomez

Age: 29 Club: Estudiantes Tecos Season Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, 4 games Position: Forward Last Game: Gomez started played 75 minutes in a win over Atlas. Next Game: Aug. 19, vs. Pachuca Comment: Gomez continues to be one of the USA's shining stars in Mexico.

 

Clarence Goodson

Age: 29 Club: Brondby Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 6 games Position: Defender Last Game: Goodson played 90 minutes in Brondby's 2-2 draw with SønderjyskE. Next Game: Aug. 21, vs. Aarhus. Comments: Goodson is now with arguably the biggest club in Scandinavia and has seemingly found a comfortable spot in the starting group.

Stuart Holden

Age: 25 Club: Bolton Wanderers Season Stats: none Position: Midfielder Last Game: Did not dress due to injury in Bolton's 4-0 win at QPR. Next Game: Aug. 21, vs. Manchester City. Comments: Holden is still recovering from the injury that ended his 2010-11 season early.

Tim Howard

Age: 32 Club: Everton Season Stats: none Position: Goalkeeper Last Game: Everton's match vs. Tottenham was postponed due to the London riots. Next Game: Aug. 20, vs. QPR Comments: Howard is set for another season in goal for Everton, where he is a fan favorite and regarded as one of the top keepers in the EPL.

Jermaine Jones

Age: 29 Club: Schalke 04 Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 2 games. Position: Midfielder Last Game: Was not in the 18 for Schalke's loss to HJK in the Europa league. Next Game: Aug. 21 at Mainz Comments: Jones, who fell out of favor at Schalke last season and was loaned to Blackburn, is back in Germany for the time being.

Sacha Kljestan

Age: 25 Club: Anderlecht Season Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, 3 game Position: Midfielder Last Game: Kljestan played the full match as Anderlecht topped Bursaspor 2-1 in the Europa League. Next Game: Aug. 21, vs. RAEC Bergen Mons Comment: Kljestan showed improvement with the USA over the summer and will be looking to continue his good form throughout the season for his club team.

 

Eric Lichaj

Age: 22 Club: Aston Villa Season Stats: none Position: Defender Last Game: Was not in the 18 for Villa's 0-0 draw at Fulham Next Game: Aug. 20, vs. Blackburn Comments: Lichaj is unlikely to be a regular starter for Villa, but could see increased minutes with the first team over last year, or could once again be loaned out to find regular starts.

Oguchi Onyewu

Age: 29 Club: Sporting CP Season Stats: none Position: Defender Last Game: Onyewu was not part of Sporting's 0-0 draw with Nordsjaelland Next Game: Aug. 21, at Beira Mar Comments: Onyewu has shown well in the preseason for his new club and looks close to being back to his pre-injury best.

Jose Torres

Age: 23 Club: Pachuca Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 4 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Played 69 minutes in Pachuca's 3-0 win over Toluca. Next Game: Aug. 19, at Tecos Comments: Torres is still a regular for Pachuca and shows the potential to be a star in Mexico's top flight in the near future.

Zak Whitbread

Age: 27 Club: Norwich City Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 1 game Position: Defender Last Game: Played 72 minutes in Norwich City's 1-1 draw vs. Wigan Next Game: Aug. 20, vs. Stoke Comments: Whitbread helped his club reach the top flight and now faces a tough season in one of the best leagues in the world.

Daniel Williams

Age: 22 Club: SC Freiburg Season Stats: none Position: Defender Last Game: Williams was not part of Freiburg's 2-1 loss to Mainz Next Game: Aug. 20, at Werder Bremen Comments: Williams is another German-born defender/defensive midfielder who is starting to make a name for himself in the Bundesliga and should become a solid contributor this season.

 

Ronaldinho back in Brazil squad for first time in nine months

The playmaker's fine form at club level earns him a recall to the team for friendly against Ghana, but Maicon is left out due to injury

 

Ronaldinho is back on the Brazil squad for the first time since October 2010 as coach Mano Menezes has recalled the Flamengo star for the friendly against Ghana in September.

The former AC Milan ace last played for Brazil in a friendly against Argentina and since then he was often overlooked, recently missing the Copa America.

However, it seems his nine goals in 15 games for Flamengo this term has changed Menezes' stance over the playmaker.

The bulk of the squad is made up from familiar faces such as Julio Cesar, Lucio, Robinho and Pato. But Inter's Maicon is not in the team as he needs surgery to a recent injury he sustained while training for the Italian outfit.

Here is the full list of players who are expected to feature against the African side.

Goalkeepers:  Julio Cesar, Fabio, Jefferson

Defenders: Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Adriano, Danilo, Dede, Lucio, Marcelo

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Ronaldinho, Elias, Fernandinho, Lucas, Ralf, Luiz Gustavo

Strikers: Robinho, Neymar, Alexandre Pato, Hulk, Leandro Damiao.

The game takes place at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Sept. 5.

THE YOU... you SEE, IS THE YOU... you WILL BECOME

Nothing is as real as a DREAM.
The world around YOU can change, but your DREAM will not change.
Your DREAM is within you, no one can take it away from you.

Positive DREAMS reaps positive results.
Your future lies in your dreams.
What you see is what you get.
Positive DREAMS will take you to the highest heights, while negative dreams will take you to the lowest depth.
Dreaming good is the first step to success in life.
Who you will be tomorrow is who you are in your dreams today.

Nothing happens unless you first DREAM IT.
It is then that you can dream your future into existence.
It is only when you have a dream that you can make a dream come true.

However, there is a world of difference between DREAMER and people who have DREAMS;
DREAMERS are many
People who have dreams are few
DREAMERS may hatch up wild plans and ideas, but you never see them happening.
People who have dreams may not blow their trumpet too loud, but if you watch, you will see it happen. These kinds of people are driven by their dreams.
DREAMERS lack discipline, but
People who have dreams have high level of self discipline.

If YOU can DREAM IT, you can do it
If YOU can see your goal in your mind, you can make it a reality.
If YOU can see yourself happy, successful, healthy and loving life, you can make it happen.
The CHOICE is yours.
You can dream your future into existence.

I REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD

My God, my heavenly father, see through my heart and see the cry to help people. I want to serve humanity, I want to change the world. I really want to and I believe you are in charge of everything; I commit myself to You. Take care of my life, protect me and help me with my dreams. I can't depend on any man but You. I had before, but I was disappointed, and I know that You can't disappoint me...

Your Everyday Needs....

Only him can supply your needs...it is by him alone you can live the life you want, you can achieve your dream and your destiny for real.....who is these?....JESUS

Run Your Own Race.......

Run Your Own Race.......

“There are treasures in darkness

Riches hidden in secret places,

Diamonds lie buried under the

Burden of earth”

Success is the achievement of purpose. When you have achieved God given purpose you have succeeded no matter popular opinion dictates. Even the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh would have been considered a failure by some. He built no house, had no wife nor offspring and his life was cut short at thirty three. Now, posterity attest to it that success is not in the abundance of possessions nor in longevity, for no man who lived or will yet live, can be as successful as that man from Galilee. Paul the Apostle was meant to suffer for Jesus and be his witness before Kings. To the natural mind, it was a downhill slide from an illustrious legal career to a seedy jail in downtown Rome. But the creator, the one who designed Paul saw success for he had proclaimed before hand “I will show him what he must suffer for my sake:”

Find out why you are on earth. What stirs your emotions, love, anger, hatred? Do you hate racism?- so did Martin Luther King Jr. Do you see poverty everywhere? God may use you to bless thousands. Do you love making people laugh? You may lift the spirits of a hopeless multitude. Never underestimate your nascent talents. Things you excel at naturally and enjoy doing are clues to your purpose. Most of us work and make money from jobs we hate. That’s how Monday morning got to be notorious and “thank God it’s Friday (TGIF) so popular”. God intends that we should enjoy the work we do and prosper thereby. He makes provision for his vision. He will provide for us as long as we stick to our purpose. There are too many pastors who should be farmers, too many business people who should be teachers. It does not matter how common or stage your abilities are. It is amusing that some people enjoy fighting and others pay to watch them breaking each others bones! Often we say “enjoy your work” our disposition, temperament, build and design are dues to our destiny. Saul’s legal training was to prepare Apostle Paul to stand and present Jesus in a rational, logical manner to kings and leaders. His position in society lent credibility to his determination. His unassuming form ensured all the glory went to God. His celibacy ensured no family ties distracted him from his mission-He was an itinerant missionary. You are designed the way you are to fulfill your destiny. Contact the power source-God. Receive the power to be his child and enter into your destiny.

  

                     Written by: Prince Ajayeoba Adedayo Oluwanifemi

            

                          

Discover True Hope

A TRUE FRIEND

     Friends are people we spend time with and talk to about our problems. They listen to us and tell us the truth even if sometimes it hurts. They are interested in our well being. 

     But our friends may let us down sometimes. Not because they want to but because they might not have the right words to say, or are not there for us. There is only one friend that will never let you down. 

     He believe in you, loves and cares affectionately for you. He is there for you every step of the way, guiding you through the difficult times. 

     He has already proved His love for you by paying the price for your sins, faults and mistakes, so you don't have to pay. 

     That friend is JESUS! He desires to live inside of you and give you direction and light in life. You can invite Him into your life by saying this prayer. 

     "Oh Lord God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner and I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I receive you into my heart to be the Lord of my life. In Jesus name, Amen". 

     If you just said that prayer, Welcome to God's family.