Club awaiting Eto’o response to new contract offer

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona are awaiting a response from Samuel Eto’o to their offer of a two-year contract extension. The contract would give the Cameroon striker two more years at the club, whilst maintaining the same salary.

The club made the offer yesterday evening once the player’s agent had made clear Eto’o’s desire to stay at the Nou Camp. If he accepts the new deal, Eto’o’s contract will run until June 30th 2012.

In a press conference held earlier today, Eto’o’s agent Josep Maria Mesalles explained that Eto’o “wants to stay and play out the year he still has left on his contract. He feels he can be useful at the club, but if the club or the manager doesn’t want him, he would be prepared to leave”.

Mesalles went on to confirm that Eto’o had been informed of the club’s new offer by phone, but that he wished to consult with him in person before giving a public response.

Alves adds to honours

David Puig / Jordi Clos

The Confederations Cup is Dani Alves’s 11th title between clubs and national teams. Only Henry, Eto'o and Márquez in the Barça squad have more.

He’s only 26, but Dani Alves has already picked up an enviable amount of silverware. The Confederations Cup won on Sunday with Brazil comes in addition to the Spanish Cup and League and the Champions League he helped Barça to win in May.

More titles with Seville, Brazil and SC Bahía

celebraciones_1.jpgIn addition to the competitions won in 2009 Alves also won two UEFA Cups, a European Super Cup, the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup with Seville. Playing for Brazil he won the Copa América in 2007. Finally he won the Brazilian Interestatal title in 2002 with his first team Sporte Clube Bahía. That means he’s racked up eleven team titles with clubs and his national side.

Most honours

The Barça players who have won most titles are Thierry Henry (15) and Samuel Eto'o (14). They are closely followed by Rafa Márquez on 13. Behind Alves comes Xavi Hernández (10) and then Leo Messi, Carles Puyol and Andrés Iniesta, who have 9 each.

Barça players do well in South Africa

Gerard Piqué played the most minutes in the Confederations Cup while Dani Alves was the only Barça player to score a goal.

The five Barça players who took part in the Confederations Cup were key in their teams though none played in all the matches. Gerard Piqué had most match time while Dani Alves was the only one to score despite playing least.

Piqué cements place

pique_spain_2.jpgGerard Piqué spent the most time on the pitch out of the four Barça players called up by Vicente Del Bosque, racking up 360 minutes. Piqué played in four complete games against Iraq and South Africa in the group stages, the semi-final against the US and the third and fourth place play-off against the host team. The Confederations Cup has cemented his place as an international and demonstrates that Barça have one of the world’s best defenders.

Puyol next

Carles Puyol is next in the list with 270 minutes against New Zealand and South Africa in the group stages and the semi-final against the US. Xavi Hernàndez, who missed the third and fourth place play-off with an allergy, clocked up 224 minutes against New Zealand, Iraq and the US, starting in each game.

Xavi next

Carles Puyol is next in the list with 270 minutes against New Zealand and South Africa in the group stages and the semi-final against the US. Xavi Hernàndez, who missed the third and fourth place play-off with an allergy, clocked up 224 minutes against New Zealand, Iraq and the US, starting in each game.

New experience for Busquets

Though he was only on the pitch for 179 minutes, Sergio Busquets has had a great experience in his first competition with the national side. The young midfielder was in the starting XI against South Africa in the group stages and in the third and fourth place play-off. He also came on for Xavi in the 81st minute against Iraq.

Alves only Barça goal scorer

Dani Alves was the only Barça player to score a goal when his strike against South Africa put Brazil in the final. He played in three games, starting only one against Egypt in the first match and remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. After not playing against Italy and the US in the group stages, he then had nine minutes in the semi-final against South Africa and came on for André Santos in the 65th minute of the final against the US.

Bronze in the end (3-2)

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Spain, with Piqué and Sergio Busquets in the starting XI, have come third in the Confederations Cup. Del Bosque’s side won in extra-time after 90 minutes’ play ended at 2-2 in an exciting finish.

Spain have won the Confederations Cup third and fourth place play-off against tournament hosts South Africa. After a slow start, the Spanish picked up the tempo of the game especially at the end of the second half.

Piqué and Busquets are starters

Despite speculation that coach Vicente del Bosque might give match time to players who haven’t had as many opportunities so far, there were few changes to the starting line-up. Both Xavi, who has had an allergy, and Puyol stayed on the bench, while the other two Barça players, Piqué and Busquets, were starters.

Poor first half

The early part of the game lacked rhythm and few chances were created. After David Villa saw his effort saved by the South African keeper, the other clear chance didn’t come along until 30 minutes later, evidence of the poor football on display in the first half.

Bronze in the end (3-2)

Spain, with Piqué and Sergio Busquets in the starting XI, have come third in the Confederations Cup. Del Bosque’s side won in extra-time after 90 minutes’ play ended at 2-2 in an exciting finish.

Spain have won the Confederations Cup third and fourth place play-off against tournament hosts South Africa. After a slow start, the Spanish picked up the tempo of the game especially at the end of the second half.

Piqué and Busquets are starters

Despite speculation that coach Vicente del Bosque might give match time to players who haven’t had as many opportunities so far, there were few changes to the starting line-up. Both Xavi, who has had an allergy, and Puyol stayed on the bench, while the other two Barça players, Piqué and Busquets, were starters.

Busquets goal disallowed

At the start of the second half Sergio Busquets had a goal disallowed for a non-existent offside, although it did show that Spain were getting into the game. However, the first gaol came from the hosts’ Mphela who stuck the ball past Casillas in the 74th minute.

Praise for Messi

Laporta was full of praise for one of Barcelona’s top stars, Leo Messi. “He’s the best there’s ever been, Barça’s ‘Messiah’,” said the club chairman. Another name to come up in the conversation was Mascherano, a great friend of Leo Messi’s and one of the other players Barça have been interested in. “We have the best midfield, but Touré and Keita will be off to the African Cup of Nations,” noted Laporta.
Laporta: “Eto'o has a stratospheric offer”
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‘Tarda Tardà', presented by the music expert Jordi Tardà, is one of the best programmes around for rock lovers. During their conversation, Joan Laporta revealed his taste in music: “Music can help you to overcome situations and grow as a person... music tames the beast”. His favourite singers include Bruce Springsteen and Catalan artist Joan Manel Serrat.