Sometimes Pique, You Know, Turns The Head

I don't mean to be mean due to Guardiola's surprisingly good English given his complete lack of playing time in an English speaking nation. But his explanation of the infamous Barca-shirt-on-Fabregas incident after the World Cup is hilarious. Enjoy

Ronaldinho Video Tribute

Ronadinho was back at the Camp Nou as a Milanista today, and the Blaugrana didn't disappoint with an absolutely brilliant video homage to the buck-toothed wonder. ¡Que homenaje!

Barca Could Face Fine If Messi Doesn't Play

Barcelona is in South Korea right now, and in true MLS fashion, they are playing a friendly against the K-League All-Stars. Now, while American fans were thrilled to see any Man U players (and I'm sure many Houstonians were thrilled to see Chicharito), Barca could face a 200,000Euro fine if Messi does not play 30 minutes tomorrow. I'm sure this was in the print somewhere, but this is rather absurd. I can understand the South Koreans desire to see arguably the best player in the world at least make a cameo, but this is one part of the money-grubbing side of football that really rubs me the wrong way. Obviously he's very well-paid for his troubles, but this has a distinct "DANCE MONKEY DANCE" feel to it. Yet again, these games are purely for Barca to make cash that they (apparently so desperately) need, but still, this is all going to look pretty stupid if some overzealous South Korean snaps his ankle off.

Bored with terrestial dominance, Messi moves to the sea

Messi (and his lovely lady) doing a little R+R swimming with the Dolphins.

Marquez Joins Red Bull-olution

Rafa Marquez has joined the New York Red Bulls, definitively proving that the MLS is apparently good enough for all squad/bench players of Barcelona. Vaya Bojan! Apparently, Henry and Marquez drew the short straw compared to Yaya Toure's mega-money signing with City, but regardless, it is quite a coup for a team that just last year was a total and utter joke, but in the dynamic world of MLS, NYRB are now in 2nd in the East, and just happened to add some world-class talent to their side. I know I wrote a rather negative account of Henry's move, but I am big enough to admit I might be overly-negative. Instead of slowly losing their grip on dominance, and fading dimmer and dimmer into the limelight, a shell of their former selves, maybe stars will now play for a big, final payday in the States while they are still at 80% of their powers. This is not complaining; this is progress! I remember hearing in an interview Drogba entertaining the idea, and while I wouldn't believe it then, why not now? One thing that cannot be escaped is that for very rich people, the good ole US of A is not too shabby. Perhaps due in part to the relative anonymity they can receive here, but I feel like in a large percentage of stories I read about player vacations, they vacation here. Cristiano Ronaldo with the LA Galaxy? After Portugal's ignominous exit from the 2018 World Cup, COUNT ON IT. That's right. Take that to the bank.

Could this be a random blip, soon to be forgotten? Perhaps. But I honestly believe the tide is turning. I lived in Barcelona for 6 months, which was enough time for all of Barcelona to convince me that Henry was, in fact, a washed-up has-been. This is probably wrong. Even so, has-been Henry is still a lot better in-his-prime Buddle. And Marquez is better than Goodson, even in a decade. So, we're becoming a way for players to leave on top in Europe, and continue playing the game they love, in front of thousands of fans while being paid comparable salaries to back home (they are DP's after all, not squad-MLSers). The competition is good, and they might even have to break a sweat to win some trophies. But most importantly, everyone in Europe is starting to know some MLS. Every football fan in Europe now knows TWO MLS teams. As I said, this is not complaining. This is progress.

Dani Alves is just happy to be here

Barca kicks off their Asian tour, and Dani Alves could not be more excited: