Keita strike hands Barcelona victory

Barcelona warmed up for Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Arsenal with an unconvincing win at home to struggling Real Zaragoza.

Seydou Keita, who had earlier seen an effort controversially ruled out for offside, scored the only goal of the game when he slid home Lionel Messi's low cross just before the break. But Barca, despite their superior possession, quality and number of chances, were unable to make the game safe and will have been happy to hear the final whistle in the end.

Matchday Result: Barcalone 1 - 0 Real Zaragoza

Seydou Keita was the unlikely hero for Barcelona as his goal edged the Spanish champions past Real Zaragoza and ten points clear at the top of La Liga.bKeita struck two minutes before the break after Lionel Messi's cross fell to him seven yards from goal and he swept it low into the net to give the Catalans a 1-0 victory at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona carved out a succession of chances but couldn't find what would have been a decisive second, as Zaragoza offered them little danger on the counter attack.

It signalled a fourth straight victory for Pep Guardiola's side who again extended the gap between themselves and Real Madrid in second. Jose Mourinho's men can close to within seven points when they take on Racing Santander on Sunday.

source:espn

Messi extends Barca advantage at summit

Lionel Messi's 28th league goal of the season gave Barcelona a valuable 1-0 victory over third-placed Valencia at Mestalla and saw the Catalans stretch their lead at the Primera Division summit to 10 points. Messi saw three shots kept out in one incredible move early on and missed two other good opportunities before popping up to settle a difficult match with 14 minutes remaining.

Xavi fit to face Valencia

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has been passed fit for his side's trip to Valencia on Wednesday. Xavi has been suffering from a calf problem but trained fully with the squad on Tuesday, as did Jeffren following his own recent injury problems.

Barcelona too strong for Mallorca

Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez were all on the scoresheet as Barcelona saw off Real Mallorca 3-0 to power on at the top of the Primera Division standings.

Guardiola signs new deal

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has officially put pen to paper on a new contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2012. Guardiola, who only signs one-year deals as a personal incentive to achieve, verbally agreed the deal at the beginning of this month and has now formally signed on.

Xavi out but should return for Arsenal

Barcelona midfielder Xavi will be out for seven to 10 days due to a slight calf strain, but should be fit to return for the Catalans' Champions League last-16 second leg against Arsenal. Xavi, 31, underwent tests and an MRI scan on Tuesday, with the club later announcing news of his likely absence on their website.

Arsenal agree deal for Barca kid

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal have once again plucked a talented midfielder from Barcelona's youth set-up after agreeing a deal with 16-year-old Jon Miquel Toral Harper. It is believed that Toral, who currently represents Barca's cadete A side, has agreed to move to London and that Arsenal will pay Barcelona €350,000 in compensation.

Guardiola laughs off Wilshere talk

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has laughed off suggestions he might try to sign Arsenal midfield Jack Wilshere.

Wilshere, 19, was one of the Gunners' best players in their 2-1 over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Emirates in midweek, more than holding his own against the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The England international even outshined his captain, Cesc Fabregas, whom Barcelona are eager to bring back to the Nou Camp. Guardiola, though, admitted he would not be making a move for Wilshere, and also hinted his side would find it tough to prise Fabregas away from north London.

Messi scored for Barca late winner

Lionel Messi was the hero for Barcelona on his 250th competitive appearance for the club as he scored a late winner to overcome a stubborn Athletic Bilbao side 2-1 at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona's David Villa celebrates with Lionel Messi for his
goal against Athletic Bilbao during their Spanish first
division soccer match in Barcelona

Barca went ahead within three minutes through David Villa, but the Catalans flattered to deceive for much of the rest of the game and Athletic levelled shortly after the break, when Andoni Iraola scored from the spot. And just when it looked as if Pep Guardiola's side would have to settle for a disappointing draw, Messi - who had two very good penalty shouts turned down - popped up with a priceless winner to keep Barca five points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid after 24 rounds of the Primera Division.

Barcelona had failed to win their previous two matches, having been held at lowly Sporting Gijon in the league last weekend and losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the first leg of the teams' Champions League last-16 tie. But any talk of a crisis at the Catalan club appeared to have been put to rest after just three minutes, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Brilliant comeback gives Arsenal edge

Robie Van Persie celebrates his. Arsenal 1 - 1 Barcelona.

Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin struck as Arsenal staged a brilliant late comeback to claim a 2-1 win and give themselves a real chance of progressing in the Champions League.

David Villa fired Barcelona, hailed by Arsene Wenger as the world's best team, ahead in the first half after combining with Lionel Messi.But their superiority faded after the break when Arsenal took control, with Van Persie starting the comeback in the 79th minute before Andrey Arshavin smashed home a superb winner.

Arsenel Revenges

Barcelona will take on Arsenal in 2nd round of European Champion League on this Wednesday night. The 1st leg will held at Emirates Stadium. I think most of you still remember how Barcelona kick out Arsenal from this competition last year by winning 4-1 in the 2nd leg after draw 2-2 in the first leg. Thanks to our beloved player, Lionel Messi who scored all four goal :).

Amazing Barca - Will Alves leaves Barca?

I just read the latest news about Dani Alves, who his future Nou Camp has become a speculation. Alves contract will expiry at the end of next season. The news reported that Alves is desperate to renew his contract as he want discussion to be made "as soon as possible".

The Battle: Messi vs Ronaldo

There is always interesting to discuss the battle between two greatest football player in the world, who else if not Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. What make this more interesting is both player are now playing in the same league la liga, representing “el-classico” clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. In fact, both Messi and Ronaldo currently are leading goal scorer with 24 goals.

Gijon hold Barca

Barcelona's record 16-match winning run in the Primera Division came to an end on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Sporting Gijon. The result also meant Barcelona failed to win away in the Primera Division for the first time this season.

Sporting Gijon celebrate David Barral's opening goal
against La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Relegation-threatened Sporting took the lead through a fine David Barral effort after 16 minutes, and looked as if they may hold on for a shock victory until David Villa's sublime chip against his former club rescued a point for the Catalans.

With his side's Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie at Arsenal coming up in London on Wednesday night, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola opted to rest several of his regular starters.

Awesome Messi Wallpapers

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Instruction.
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Lionel Messi Profile

Fullname: Lionel Andress Messi
Nickname: Leo, La Pulga, Messiah
Date Of Birth: 24 June 1987
Place Of Birth: Rosario, Santa Fe 
Nationality: Argentina - Spanish
National Team: Argentina
Height: 1.69m
Position: Attacking Midfielder (left, right, center), Foward
Preferred Foot: Left
Current Team: FC Barcelona 
Debut Year: 2004 ( FC Barcelona)
Awards: Ballon D'Or (2009,2010), Golden Boot (2010) Spanish League Top Scorer (2010), FIFA World Player (2009)