Lionel Messi Crowned The FIFA - Balon D'Or 2010 World Player of the Year

In an absolutely proud night for FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi won the inaugral FIFA- Balon D'OR World Player of the Year. The award was presented by Pep Guardiola . Everyone of us expected either Xavi or Iniesta to pick it up this year, but have to admit that it finally went to the Best Player in the World. Since this award has combined both FIFA WPOY and Balon D'Or together, he has successfully defended both the individual award he won last year.

Brazilian footballer Marta won The Women's World Player of the Year. This is her fifth World Player of the Year award. The Ferenc Puskas award for the most brilliant goal went to Hamit Altintop. The award was presented by the goalkeeper against whom he scored that brilliant goal. The FIFA Coach of the Year for Men's football went to Jose Mourinho. Have to admit in a World Cup Year he was a surprise pick.

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Deportivo - 0 , Barca - 4

FC Barcelona increased the lead at the top of the table to five points with a 4-0 win at Deportivo. Villa, Lionel Messi, Iniesta and Pedro all got into the score sheet on a very wet and cold night. Real Madrid has teh chance to reduce the lead back to two when they face third placed Villareal tommorrow night. Guardiola brought in a number of changes in the line up from what lined up against Bilbao. Xavi started from the bench and Busquets also joined him in the sideline. Iniesta, Keita and Mascherano made up the midfield. The front trio remained unchanged with Pedro, Messi and Villa. Pique and Puyol returned back to form the usual centre defnse partnership with Abidal as left back and Adriano as Right back.

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Little Masters Ready for Balon d'Or

Staying Alive in Copa del Rey

This has to be the most toughest match FC Barcelona has faced till now. Yes even bigger than the Clasico. This is the first Do or Die match we have to encounter this season. The home leg of ended in a goal less draw which perfectly places this tie in the balance. To an extent we have to say that Bilbao has a slight upper hand coming into this leg. They will have the home crowd wooing for them and also San Mames in recent times has been a tough place for us to visit. FC Barcelona but will be buoyed by the fact that they have won at San Mames earlier this season. Also with Messi back in the squad we should be confident to beat Athletic Bilbao tomorrow night.

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FC Barcelona - 2, Levante - 1

FC Barcelona welcomed 2011 with a hard fought victory

FC Barcelona started the new year 2011 with a good victory against Levante. It wasn't as easy as expected, but we managed to achieve our main objective which was the three points. Pedrito struck twice in the first half to put Barca ahead before Levante pulled one back to make way for a nervous finish. This was a special night for Xavi Hernandes who equalised the appearance record held by Migueli. Xavi made his 549th appearance for the club and had the honour of captaining the side tonight. As I wrote in the preview, Villa, Bojan and Pedro started upfront. Xavi, Iniesta and Mascherano in the midfield. The defense had Alves, Busquets, Abidal and Maxwell. I have to admit that the idea of using Sergio Busquets in centre of defense looked a bit strange. Why should not you not give Fontas or Batra or even Muniesa a start?

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FC Barcelona vs Levante Preview

Levante could be the perfect team to start another wonderful year in the right way. The last match Levante played was against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey, and that did end up with an 8-0 drubbing. Lionel Messi is not available for this match, but I don't think that is going to bother anyone. We have most of the team available except Messi and Puyol, and Pique due to suspension. Milito and Jeffren are officially declared fit for this match. With Puyol and Pique unavaillable we have to restructure the centre of the defense. With Abidal and Milito we have a very good centre half pair, but Levante could be the perfect time to try one of those kids from the Cantera. Everyone was expecting Fontas to give some time in this match, but Batra was the one who trained with the first team. Meanwhile the new signing, Ibrahim Afellay is ineligible to debut in this match. His debut most probably will happen at San Mames.

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Andres Iniesta, Our Own Sam

2010 Has Turned Into a Wonderful year for Andres Iniesta

What a wonderful year this Gentleman had! It started in a rather disappointing fashion missing most of the 2009-10 season, but now it all comes down to fate. It looks like somebody up above decided to get him rested so that he can do bigger things at the biggest stage of all. Going into the world cup Iniesta was meant to play the supporting cast. No one, I mean no one in their wildest dream imagined about him scripting the biggest triumph of his nation. Spain, a perenial under achiever in footballing history was catapulted into World Cup triumph by the one of the smallest of players. Iniesta may be small but he definitely got a big tough heart. Yes, I know that's only in the soccer field. You got some doubt, ask Cristiano Ronaldo. He picked up a fight with him in his first clasico and now it looks like that was the biggest mistake of his life. Remember the Pep push stuff that happened in the clasico. Everyone remembers Valdes getting under Ronaldo's skin during that incident, but watch carefully who started it all - Andres Iniesta.

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