The Future Has Arrived

There’s some thing special happening at the Nou Camp. Something Once-In-A-Generation special.

Lionel Messi, one of football’s all-time great prodigies, is not only adding his name to short list of top-tier superstars in today’s game, he looks poised to enter football lore as this generation’s transcendent star. To watch him make the incredible seem mundane is to know that you are watching greatness. Messi’s game does not feature the step-overs and theatrics that we’ve come to see from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. His greatness is defined by a combination of speed, agility, maneuverability, and ball control that only comes around once in a generation.

Going back to the mid-20^th Century, roughly once every decade, a phenomenal talent whose star outshines those of his contemporaries emerges. In the 1940s and 50s it was another Argentine, Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid and River Plate; the 1960s belonged to the legendary Pele; Johan Cruyff dominates the 1970s for Ajax and FC Barcelona; the 1980s brought the brilliance of Messi’s countryman, Diego Maradona; and the 1990s and early-21^st Century brought the greatness of Zinedine Zidane. More than any other player in the world today, Lionel Messi has the look of world football’s next legend.

At just 20 years of age, with just 90 senior level matches under his belt (75 for FC Barcelona, 15 for Argentina), Lionel Messi has cemented himself among football’s most electrifying players. He is often compared to Argentine legend Diego Maradona, not the least of these comparisons coming from Diego Armando Maradona himself. His Argentina side won the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup (Messi was both top scorer in the tournament and named its most outstanding player), he is the youngest Argentine to appear (and score) in the World Cup, he’s played 3 seasons of top-flight club football in Spain with FC Barcelona, having scored 32 goals in 75 games with the club (including 6 goals in 6 games so far this season), he is the youngest goal scorer in Barcelona’s history and the owner of two Primera Liga winner’s medals as well as a European Champions’ League winner’s medal. He has been named 2005 Argentine Player of the Year and 2006 Young Player of the Year by both World Soccer magazine and FIFPro. In June 2007, he won the EFE Trophy, awarded to the top Ibero-American (Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Central and South America) player in Spain.

Did I mention that until June 24, he was still a teenager?

While his resume compares favorably to any 20-year-old footballer in history not named Pele, the true magic of Lionel Messi’s game cannot be quantified. It’s even difficult to put into words. What makes him so special? The way the ball sticks to his feet? The way he slithers through, and flies past, world-class defenders, making them look like their stuck in cement? The way he always seems to make the right decision at just the right moment? Yes… but there’s more.

Maybe it’s his size, or rather, his lack of size that makes him relatable to average fan. Due to a growth hormone deficiency, he stands just 5’7” tall and weighs about 140 lbs., but his abilities command the attention of every defender on the field. His counterparts, not to mention his own uniform, which often appears several sizes too big for him, dwarf him, but he never seems overmatched. It’s as though the football gods thought it unfair to couple his otherworldly speed and skill with an imposing physique.

He commands the attention of everyone watching, from opposing defenders to television viewers thousands of miles away. Whether he’s playing for a championship or in a preseason exhibition, Lionel Messi not only lives up to the hype, he exceeds it. From his hat trick on March 10 against Real Madrid (the first in a Barça-Real match since 1994-95), to his awe-inspiring, Maradona-like goal against Getafe in the Copa del Rey semifinal, to his two goal performance in Barça’s must-win season finale against Gimnastic, Messi seizes the big moments in a way that only the truly special ones do, often in spectacular fashion.

All this before his 20th birthday.

This past summer, while playing for Team Argentina in the 2007 Copa America tournament, Lionel Messi continued his run of outstanding play, establishing himself as the premiere talent in Latin American football. Despite Robinho’s goal scoring binge for Brazil en route to the tournament title, and the presence of top-class talents like Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Tevez on his own star-studded Argentina side, Messi established himself as the must-see star of the tournament.

Now, just over a month into the 2007-08 season in Spain, it is obvious that Messi has not only picked up where he left off last season, he’s taken his game to all new heights, occasionally delivering plays that seem to take the game to its highest elevation. From his first goal of the young La Liga season, an awe-inspiring combination of a flick and volley that left Sevilla keeper Andres Palop frozen in his tracks, to his amazing two-goals-in-six-minutes at the start of Barcelona’s match against Real Zaragoza just four days later, Messi’s play early in the La Liga season has emphatically sent the message that the future of football has arrived.

Despite my best efforts, it’s impossible to describe the nature of a feeling. One can only comprehend what separates Lionel Messi from his peers by watching him play. Only then does it become apparent that the smallest player in the game is its biggest star.

2007-08 La Liga Preview

We’re just four days from the kick-off of the 2007-08 Spanish La Liga season with the Madrid Derby at the Bernabéu, between Atlético Madrid and defending La Liga champions Real Madrid. There will be no shortage of storylines in Spain this coming season- From Barcelona’s spending spree, to the end of the “Galacticos” era at Real Madrid, to the departure of Fernando Torres from the only club he’s ever known, Atlético Madrid.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t know if should really be attempting a true La Liga preview. I must question my own ability to remain truly objective, as I am a huge fan of FC Barcelona, a title that carries with it certain implied biases and rivalries that are not easily put aside. With that said, I will do my best to look ahead and give you my thoughts on what to expect from the coming season in La Liga (by the way, Real Madrid will NOT repeat as champions!). Anyway, some thoughts on how the season will play out:

Who will represent the La Liga in the Champions League? FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Valencia, Real Madrid (In order). Coming off a heartbreaking season in which the club failed to win a major competition, and, following several weeks of lackluster play, fumbled away the league title on the season’s final day, Barcelona enters the 2007-08 season as the class of La Liga- not only in terms of talent on the pitch, but in terms of the players’ motivation to atone for their fans’ disappointment. With additions of Thierry Henry, defenders Eric Abidal and Gabriel Milito and defensive midfielder Yaya Toure, as well as the pre-season emergence of 18 year-old Mexican prospect Giovanni Dos Santos, Barcelona has retooled its already formidable squad which includes, among others, world-class striker Samuel Eto’o, perennial Player of the Year candidate Ronaldinho and the world’s top young player, Lionel Messi. Look for Barcelona to take no chances with the La Liga title this season. Atlético Madrid heads up the next tier of contenders in Spain. Despite losing star striker Fernando Torres to Liverpool this summer, the club has added a number of influential players, led by striker Diego Forlán (look for big things from him!), Benfica forward Simão Sabrosa and former Arsenal and Real Madrid man Jose Antonio Reyes. Atlético Madrid spent the proceeds of the Torres sale wisely and should be one of La Liga’s top clubs this season. Next, we have Valencia, who added talented Racing Santander striker Nikola Zigic to an attack that already boasts the likes of David Silva and Fernando Morientes, not mention all-world Spanish striker, David Villa. Real Madrid will be the recipient of La Liga’s final Champions League spot because, well, I guess the defending champions deserve to be shown some level of respect (although don’t be surprised if Sevilla takes this spot!). After a summer of Jose Calderon’s shameless tampering, artificially linking the club to everyone from AC Milan ’s Kaká to Premiership stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas, Real enters the season with Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder, former Barcelona striker Javier Saviola and Roberto Soldado to show for its transfer window activity. The final days of the transfer period could also see the arrival of Chelsea’s Arjen Robben at the Bernabéu. Make no mistake, Real Madrid has succeeded in bringing in some quality players this summer, but it seems somehow anticlimactic. Think of it this way- no matter how nice, a brand new BMW doesn’t seem all that special when you’ve been running around screaming about how you’re planning on buying a Ferrari.

Who will be the top player in La Liga at season’s end? Ronaldinho. Despite turning in the second-best goal-scoring season of his of his career (best in terms of league goals), Ronaldinho didn’t regularly control games with the spectacular, virtuoso performances that have been his trademark. Whether last season’s drop-off in form was the result of fatigue or complacency, a well-rested and highly motivated Ronaldinho will be on a mission to regain his throne as the world’s best footballer.

Which player will take his game to another level in 2007-08? Lionel Messi. This will be its own article in the very near future, but it bears mentioning here that, more than any young player in the game, Lionel Messi has the potential to break into the Pele/Maradona class. He’s one of the most electrifying players in world football, and he possesses “it”- the ability to identify his genius and to maximize it. He may be the best player on the planet within six months. Oh, by the way, consider this: he stand all of 5’7”, weighs about 140 pounds and just turned 20 years-old in June. Amazing.

Which new acquisition will make the biggest positive impact for his club? Diego Forlán. One of the top players in the 2007 Copa America and a deadly striker in his days at Villarreal, Forlán will make an immediate impact on the Madrid attack this season. Since he doesn't have to adjust to playing in a new country or a new league, the Uruguayan striker could potentially exceed all of the production that the club lost with the sale of Fernando Torres this season- at just 2/3 the price.

Which new acquisition is most likely to disappoint his new club? Luis Garcia. A frustrating talent. Luis Garcia has the ability to be a world-class striker, but his inconsistent play on the ball and propensity for losing possession have always stood in the way of his excellent skill. At age 29, he undoubtedly has time to reverse this reputation, but by that age it can be argued that you are what you are. His talent will create expectations, but his inconsistency will create disappointment.

Whose departure will be the most damaging to his former club? David Beckham. This has as much, if not more, to do with Beckham’s fame, aura and persona, as it does with his on the field production. Un the day of his move to Real Madrid four years ago, it was reported that approximately $1 million worth of the teams merchandise was sold- that day! Additionally, Real Madrid sold over $600 million worth of merchandise in his four years at the club, a good chunk of that attributed to his commercial appeal. Real Madrid is the New York Yankees of Spain, where star power and persona are as big a part of the team’s presence as trophies and championships. Plus, they’re going to need to keep their revenues up in order to finance their next generation of huge-dollar purchases. With all of that said, it’s important to point out that the club didn’t start its charge to top of the La Liga table until Beckham was reinserted into the line-up- and, frankly, he played really well down the stretch! That’s not to say that he the sole reason for the club’s league title, but he certainly did provide them with a spark.

Who could exceed expectations and be a pleasant surprise? Sevilla. Coming off their defeat of Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, the two-time defending UEFA Cup champions, and winners of the 2007 Copa Del Rey, have the look of a side that could exceed expectations and finish #2 or #3 in La Liga. With Freddie Kanoute and Luis Fabiano in attack and former Ajax winger Tom de Mul in midfield, Sevilla could pose a serious threat to the traditional La Liga powers. Also, despite he stated desire to play for a bigger club, the lack of a deal (for now) to sell star right-back Daniel Alves means that he could be around until the January transfer window, if not all season. His attacking style of play from a defensive position would give the club a big boost.

Who will be the La Liga’s biggest disappointment? Real Madrid. Despite a spectacular season in attack from Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the return (as always) of captain Raúl, and the ready-to-break-out Brazilian star Robinho, Real Madrid has not improved and retooled like their fellow contenders in Spain. Standing pat while those around you improve is akin to regressing. Yeah, there’s still talent here, yeah they are still “Real friggin’ Madrid”, but don’t look now, other Spanish teams (beyond just Barcelona) have some money too and they are splashing it around at a clip previously reserved for only Real and Barca. Not only is this club is unlikely to challenge for the La Liga crown, they may have to fight for their Champions League spot.

Analogize This!

One of my goals is to contribute in some small way to the growth in popularity of soccer (or “football” everywhere else in the world) in the United States. True as it may be, pointing out that soccer is the world’s most popular game in every country other the United States is a little tired.

Rather than focus on why Americans don’t look at soccer the way most Europeans do, let’s look at some similarities between sports and celebrity culture in the two regions. Both Europeans and Americans love sports and, by extension, the superstar athletes that play them. We are so fascinated by sports figures that details of their daily dealings regularly extend beyond the sports section and spill onto the front page and the tabloids. Despicable as he is, O.J. Simpson is not the first person in America to brutally kill people (allegedly). Kobe Bryant was not the first American man to have his named dragged through the mud by an avaricious woman. And yet we care. Deeply. We tune in for low-speed chases, watch 10-second clips of arraignments and “news” conferences that are little more than a series of clichés without any real content. We watch and we care. Why? Because anything we see from these people away from the field of play gives us a window into a party that we are simply not invited to, but desperately want to crash.

I watch ESPN and I’ve see the competitive lumberjacking, the World Series of Dominoes and competitive eating, but I cannot find a score to the Barcelona or Arsenal match to save my life. I can’t help but wonder why. America love sports, celebrities, and to exploit the resources of other countries! How is it that our national interest in these pastimes has not crossed over into soccer? Stars of the “beautiful game” are celebrated to a degree that American athletes cannot begin to imagine. Ronaldinho, Brazilian superstar, champion at FC Barcelona, and the best player in the world, receives the same treatment that Brett Favre does in Green Bay, WI, only on an international scale. It doesn’t have to be a slow news day in Barcelona for fans to know what he had for lunch! We dig this stuff!

The sport of soccer, as well as its great players past and present is not significantly different from those that Americans have followed so closely for generations. International soccer has produced countless compelling storylines over the decades:

• Pele (Brazil) & Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)- Simply put, these are the most perfect players to grace the field of play in each of their respective games. In terms of individual brilliance, highlight reel performances and team successes, they are in a class by themselves. When it comes to global fame and recognition however, consider this: A 1967 visit form Pele brought a two day ceasefire to Civil War in Nigeria. Until Michael Jordan mere presence halts a war, not even MJ can relate to life on Planet Pele.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/ Manchester United) & Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)- Both Kobe and Man U’s Cristiano Ronaldo are as talented as anyone in sports, accused, sometimes unfairly, of being excessively flashy and consumed with showing off their own individual skills. Hell, each was even accused (but never tried or convicted) of sexual assault in a hotel. Each brings amazing speed, quickness, and a flair for the spectacular to the game. Also, each has had a public conflict with a high profile teammate- Kobe’s well-publicized feud with Shaq and Ronaldo’s World Cup spat with England’s Wayne Rooney (his Man U teammate), which has since blown over. Selfish or not, these guys are overflowing with talent! The world's best at their respective games, Kobe and Cristiano Ronaldo are “Laugh out loud and text your buddies” good!

• Diego Maradona (Argentina) & Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants)- Two of the most talented players in the history of sports- both had several, and frequent, run-ins with cocaine (young, rich and famous in the 80s). What would these guys have done if they had never been introduced to cocaine? We’ll never know, but we do know that even with it, Maradona single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup for Argentina and became one of the two greatest players in soccer history and LT won 2 Super Bowls with the Giants and completely revolutionized the linebacker position.

• Johan Cruyff (Netherlands/Ajax/FC Barcelona) & Julius Erving (Philadelphia 76ers)- A pair of hard-luck heroes, each dominating in the 1970s and considered the greatest player of his generation. Unfortunately, each followed the "greatest ever" in his sport and preceded another "greatest ever". Cruyff preceded Argentine legend Diego Maradona and followed Pele, the King of international soccer. Dr. J’s dominance came on the heels of the Russell-Chamberlain era, was overshadowed by the Magic-Bird rivalry of the 1980s and came to an end as Michael Jordan (who patterned his game after Erving) was beginning to take off.

• George Best (Northern Ireland/ Manchester United) and “Pistol” Pete Maravich (New Orleans/Utah Jazz)- The most haunting comparison on this list. Two supremely talented, dazzling blurs on the field of play. Each man lived fast and fought his own lengthy battle with alcoholism. Each passed away prematurely. "Pistol" Pete Maravich died on January 5, 1988 from an existing heart condition; George Best, one of England's most transcendent and mythical players, died on November 25, 2005 from complications stemming from a liver transplant.

• Franz Beckenbauer (Germany/Bayern Munich) and Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)- Consummate professionals and champions. Beckenbauer led both club (Bayern Munich) and country (Germany) to soccer highest honors, as did Bird, winning 3 championships with Boston in the 1980s and an Olympic gold medal with the 1992 Dream Team. Far from the most athletic or spectacular players of their eras (i.e., slow and ground-bound), they were leaders whose only concern was winning and bringing the best out of their teammates.

• Paolo Maldini (Italy/AC Milan) and Elgin Baylor (Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers)- The Co-Presidents of the “retired too early” club. Each just missed his sport's highest honor. For all his club glory with AC Milan, Maldini was the defensive anchor of the Italian national team for the better of two decades before retiring from international play in 2002, just before Italy won the 2006 World Cup. Elgin Baylor retired form the Los Angeles Lakers nine games into 1971-72 season, ending his Hall of Fame career without a championship. The Lakers proceeded to win the next 33 games, set a record for regular season wins (broken by the 1996 Chicago Bulls) and won the NBA championship.

Deco To Chelsea? What About Lamps?

Apparently Deco would like to play for Chelsea. At least that's what he told The Sun... Over, and over, and over again. In the same interview, the 29 year-old Barcelona midfielder provided all of the following statements. More accurately, he produced the following different versions of a single statement:

• "The Premier League is absolutely on par with La Liga- and playing there absolutely appeals to me."
• "The English league is a possibility and it would definitely be somewhere I'd like to play."
• "There's no doubt that you can compare Manchester United and Chelsea to Barcelona."
• "They are both huge clubs and playing for clubs like that would always be an attractive proposition."
• "The idea of working with Jose again appeals to me." (Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was Deco's manager on the 2003-04 Champions League winning Porto side)

That's not an interview, but a contrived, articulate tantrum. In Deco's defense, however, I can kind of see why he felt the need to do this- this may his best opportunity to dictate the next chapter of his career. It has been widely rumored that Deco could be on his way out of the Nou Camp in the summer transfer window, with Newcastle United having been mentioned as one possible destination. Staying at Barcelona could be the worst-case scenario for Deco, as his diminishing role at the club, along with club management's desire to overhaul the 2006-07 side that collapsed in the final weeks of the La Liga season and failed to win any hardware, hardly combine to create an ideal situation.

With that said, a Deco-to-Chelsea deal would create a whole new series of questions:

• With Deco's arrival at Stamford Bridge, what is the status of Frank Lampard, whose fiancée just happens to be of Catalan decent, who is still awaiting a new long-term deal the likes of which was given to team captain John Terry?
• Would Deco be brought in to serve as a replacement for Michael Ballack, who has been a disappointment at Chelsea and may be a possible target for Real Madrid?
• Despite repeatedly expressing his desire to stay at Arsenal, could Deco's departure free up both money and a place in the team for Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal's all-world playmaker?

Deco has been a joy to watch at Barcelona and is undoubtedly one of the most gifted midfielders in the world. However, if he's not happy at Barcelona, both the club as well as his performance on the pitch are likely to suffer. Whether the potential shuffling of prominent midfielders opens the door for Fabregas joining former Arsenal teammate, Thierry Henry, at the Nou Camp remains to be seen- it is, without a doubt, a long shot. And while hope springs eternal for such a move, the more realistic scenario of a simple swap of attacking midfielders between Chelsea and Barcelona could benefit each club significantly.

Given their similarities in age and quality, Deco and Frank Lampard likely carry similar values on the open market, making a potential Deco-for-Lampard swap plausible, without either club having to shoulder a large financial burden. Also, Deco proclamation of his strong desire to play at Stamford Bridge creates the perfect resolution to Chelsea's problem of what to do with Lampard, who is in hot pursuit of a new, big-money deal.

Finally, we have Mr. Lampard's personal life. In this instance, he's not a millionaire footballer, but a guy who presumably does not want to de dumped by a woman he loves, and with whom he already has a family. Lampard’s fiancée, and the mother of his two daughters, Elen Rives, was recently rumored to have broken off the couple's engagement. What better enticement could he give her to reconcile than making the move to her homeland?

This may all be idle speculation that culminates in nothing except me looking like I may need to institutionalized. Who knows? But you must admit that it makes at least a little sense all the way around.

Milito Passes Medical Exam, Signs Contract

Gabi Milito passed his medical examination at Barcelona and has signed a 4-year contract that will pay him €4 million ($5.5 million) per year. The contract includes a buy-out clause of €90 million.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, Milito tol Barca TV "It's a privilege to be here" and that FC Barcelona were “always option number one” and that his arrival in Barcelona comes “at the best moment of my career”.

With regard to his knee, in which Milito tore a ligament in 2001, Barcelona's team doctor said “Since then he’s worked on the muscles and done specific training that has permitted him to play quite normally during the last few years. At present he has to keep working on the knee but he’s fit to play top flight football”.

After Huge Success with Barça, Giuly Departs for Roma

FC Barcelona has agreed to the transfer of Ludovic Giuly to AS Roma for an up-front fee of €3.2 million ($4.4 million), with an additional fee of €1.2 million fee to be paid if Roma qualify for the UEFA Champions League each of the next three years. Giuly, who spent the past three seasons at the Nou Camp, will reportedly sign a 3-year contract that will keep him at Roma through 2010.

Giuly joined Barcelona for €7 million in 2004, after seven years with AS Monaco, where he reached the final of the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League, and was a member of sides that won the French league title in 2001, the League Cup in 2003.

Giuly was vital to Barcelona’s 2004-05 La Liga championship, scoring 11 goals (second on the club to Samuel Eto’o’s 24), despite an injury-plagued season that only saw him play 29 league games.

In Barcelona’s magical 2005-06 season, Giuly captured another Spanish title side, as well as the second Champions League title in the club’s history. Though he was off the pitch even more than in the previous year, scoring seven goals in just 23 games in all competitions, Giuly was one of the keys to Barça’s European glory, as he managed the club’s lone semifinal goal against A.C. Milan.

It dod not take long to determine that the 2006-07 season would be his last in Barcelona, as Giuly started just 15 matches, scoring just 3 league goals. Combined with his declining, the promotion of Lionel Messi from the club’s youth side (which seems to have worked out well) sealed Giuly fate at the club.

As Ludovic Giuly says farewell to the Nou Camp, fans of the Blaugrana must collectively express our sincere gratitude to the pacey Frenchman with whom we’ve two league championships and one Champions League title.

Barça Agrees to Milito Transfer Terms

FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to acquire center back Gabriel Milito from Real Zaragoza, where he spent the past four seasons, for €20.5 million ($28.3 million). Milito, currently participating in the Copa América with Argentina’s national team, is scheduled to travel to Barcelona for a medical examination at the conclusion of the tournament, after which he will sign a contract and be presented as a Barcelona player.

Of Milito, Txiki Begiristain said “We know him well… He has played in the Spanish league for four years at a very high level. He is a leader both on the field and in the dressing room as well as being a great professional with so many qualities. He is aggressive, quick, strong in the air and has a good left foot." At the conclusion of the club’s search for a new central defender, the club has no doubt that it has added the right player.

Gabi Milito started his professional career in 1997, at 17 years of age, in his native Argentina, with Independiente. Milito’s career was nearly jeopardized by a serious knee injury in 2001 which kept him out of action for nine months. However, Gabi returned to action triumphantly, helping Independiente to the 2002 Argentine Apertura title. In his time with the Independiente (1997-2003), Milito played 123 games and scored three goals.

Milito was thought to be headed to Real Madrid following the 2002-2003 season, however, the deal fell apart when Madrid’s doctors refused to sign off on the state of Milito’s knee in the aftermath of the 2001 injury. As a result, Milito wound up going to Real Zaragoza, where he was a member of that season’s Copa del Rey winning side; the victory was likely made infinitely sweeter for Milito, as Zargoza beat Real Madrid in the final.

Gabi Milito has been a fixture for Argentina on the international scene. He was a member of Argentina’s 1999 Under-20 team, and has appeared 32 times for Argentina’s senior team, taking part in the 2005 Confederations Cup, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as the current Copa America.

Milito Likely to Join Barca Defense

With FC Barcelona looking to solidify the center of the defense, it has been heavily speculated that the club will look to add AS Roma star and captain of the Romanian national team, Christian Chivu- but he may not be the leading candidate to line up next to Carlos Puyol, with Real Zaragoza center back and Argentina international Gabriel Milito emerging as the likeliest addition.

When asked about Barcelona’s reported interest in Gabriel Milito, Begiristain confessed that a deal with Milito is "the closest and we are working on that", but added that "there are alternatives", presumably referring to Chivu. Begiristain also said that Milito himself "had the desire" to join FC Barcelona, though he also added that "We are continuing to try and close a deal and, from there, we hope that everything goes well."

Milito, a strong, disciplined center back, looks to be fantastic fit for FC Barcelona. In addition to being a force in front of his keeper, in classic Barça style, Milito possesses strong technical skill and, though not an accomplished goal scorer, is capable of moving forward and supporting the attack. By adding Milito, Barcelona will certainly be adding an anchor on the pitch, but Milito’s attitude and leadership could prove to be as valuable to the team.

Barça Remains Active in Transfer Market, Strengthens Midfield

A day after adding all-world striker Thierry Henry to the squad, FC Barcelona has added some much needed strength to the midfield by signing Monaco’s Yaya Toure, younger brother of Arsenal's Kolo Toure. Yaya, a member of the Ivory Coast team that participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, signed a four-year contract with the Catalan club worth €8.7 million ($12 million), with a possible future payment of €3.9 million ($5.4 million), contingent on results.

Txiki Begiristain, sports director at FC Barcelona, said of Toure, “He is a strong player with a great physical presence and an ability to distribute the ball well. He’s a ball winner and is good in the air.” Begiristain went on to add that he is “similar in style to [Inter Milan midfielder and World Cup champion with France] Patrick Vieira”, a player that Toure has great admiration for and views as a role model.

The addition of Toure is a significant step toward improving the versatility and all-around quality of the Barcelona midfield. For Barça, bolstering its talented but, at times, soft midfield was an even more pressing need that adding another prolific goal scorer. While the addition of Henry will likely grab the lion’s share of headlines, the contribution of Yaya Toure could prove to be equally significant in Barcelona’s return to the Spanish throne.

It should be noted Barcelona does not appear to be finished in the transfer market. It has been reported that the club is also looking for defensive help, is pursuing Romanian defender Christian Chivu, currently in Italy’s Serie A with AS Roma. The fee for his transfer will likely exceed €14.5 million ($20 million)

Van Bronckhorst Departs Barcelona, Returns to Holland

FC Barcelona fullback and Dutch international Giovanni van Bronckhorst will continue his career in Holland, returning to Feyenoord. Despite being under contract through 2008, van Bronckhorst, 32, was granted a release from his Barcelona contract due to clause allowing him to opt out of his contract early in order to return to Feyenoord. In his four years at Barcelona, van Bronckhorst won two Primera Liga titles and was a member of the 2006 European Cup winning side.

Henry to Barca; More Fallout to Come?

Over the weekend, Barcelona and Arsenal agreed to the transfer of superstar striker Thierry Henry. With this deal, Barça has not only added a world-class striker to an attacking corps that already boasts the likes of Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o, but it has done so at a significant discount. Thanks to an injury-plagued 2007 season, the ₤16 million ($32 million) fee that it took to bring Henry to the Nou Camp is slightly more than half the ₤30 million ($60 million) that it likely would have taken to acquire the Frenchman just a year ago.

Members of the Barcelona squad have acknowledged that the team was not in top form this season and have vowed to approach next season with greater dedication and resolve. While this alone might have been enough to signal improvement for next season, the addition of Henry could provide an added spark that will return the Catalan club to the top of world football. Following a disappointing season that saw them fail to advance deep into the Champion League and stumble down the stretch and lose the La Liga crown on the season’s last day to Real Madrid, management at FC Barcelona has taken the initiative and sent this message to its supremely-gifted-but-sometimes-complacent team: We will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to field a championship team. Now, you do your part!

Thierry Henry’s much-speculated move of to Barcelona may just be the latest in a chain of events whose impact will be felt around the world of football. First, the sudden departure of former-Arsenal Vice Chairman David Dein, whom Henry respected and admired a great deal, calling Dein “Mr. Arsenal”, was a severe blow to Henry’s relationship with the club. Additionally, Arsene Wenger, Henry’s countryman and the only manager he’s known at Arsenal, as well as the coach that gave him his first big chance at the age of 15 at French club Monaco, does not have a contract beyond the upcoming season. Henry had been clear that in order to maintain his services, Arsenal would have to extend Wenger’s contract, which never happened. Most recently, Franck Ribery, Henry’s friend and teammate on the French national team, was transferred to Bayern Munich for ₤17.5 million ($35 million), despite both Henry and Wenger’s obvious interest in having Ribery join them at Arsenal.

For supporters of the club, the truly frightening thought is that, for all the collective damage that has already been done to the team, the worst may still lie ahead. Conceivably, Arsenal may have a mass exodus on its hands. In this scenario, here is a possible global domino effect:

• With Thierry Henry’s arrival, there will be an embarrassment of riches on the Barcelona frontline. This will likely lead to sale of one of Barça’s talented attackers. With Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Anderson Deco firmly entrenched in the lineup, and the club reportedly in pursuit of Rodrigo Palacio of Boca Juniors, either Samuel Eto’o or Eidur Gudjohnsen could be pushed out. Given his, relatively speaking, moderate salary, Gudjohnsen, who is a fine striker coming off of a disappointing season, is an ideal backup attacker for Barcelona. This leaves the young and very gifted Eto’o, who is prone to disagreements with teammates and club management, is the object of AC Milan’s desires, and has also expressed his admiration for Liverpool and the English Premier League. His sale would net upwards of ₤20 million ($40 million) on the open market, more than double what the sale of Gudjohnsen would fetch.

• In the wake of the departures of both Dein as well as Henry, it now appears less likely that Arsene Wenger will keep his post at Arsenal beyond the upcoming season, perhaps even following Henry to Barcelona, where manager Frank Rijkaard, despite repeated statements expressing his commitment to Barcelona, is the subject of persistent rumors suggesting that he may be the future manager of AC Milan.

• Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal’s 20 year-old Spanish midfield playmaker supreme, who left Barça’s youth system to join Arsenal, has openly stated that he would one day relish the opportunity to return to Barcelona, saying in a recent interview “I hope there is a chance to return (to Barça). People who know me already know this… There is always hope.” Following Herny’s move, Fabregas could be even more inclined to return to the Catalan club. In the same interview, Fabregas expressed his desire to continue playing with Thierry Henry saying, “If it was up to me, Henry and I would play together for the rest of our lives.” Despite being under contract with Arsenal through 2014 and public overtures from Spanish giants Real Madrid, the departures of his manager and most-talented teammate could hasten Cesc Fabregas’ return to Spain.

• Another Frenchman and friend of Thierry Henry, Arsenal defender William Gallas, who has also stated his desire for the club to be more competitive, is unlikely to be encouraged by this latest development. This could lead to Gallas request a transfer away from Arsenal, likely to one of the large clubs in either Spain (Barça or Real Madrid) or Italy (Juventus, AC Milan or Inter-Milan).