Afellay in Holland’s shorlist for Euro 2012

FC Barcelona player Ibrahim Afellay, who spent almost seven months of 2011-12 out because of a knee injury, has reason to be jubilant as he was named in Holland’s 36-member preliminary squad  for next month’s European Championships. The nation’s team coach Bert van Marwijk chose Afellay in the list of players who will assemble for the pre-Euro 2012 camp that starts next week. ”We still have the Dutch play-offs, foreign leagues and cup finals as well as the final of the Champions League,” said Van Marwijk. ”Furthermore, there are players coming back from injuries. But it is a great opportunity to see these players close up.”
Van Marwijk will eliminate nine players after a two-day training camp in Hoenderloo on 14 and 15 May and then cut a furthermore four players from his side by 29 May, the deadline set by UEFA. Holland is part of what many believe is this Euro’s “group of death”, which also features Denmark, Germany and Portugal. See the shortlist after the jump.

Messi is the best

Messi is the best player in history of Football.

Shakira: The girlfriend of Barça player Pique!

Shakira, The girlfriend of Barça player Pique!

Beautiful Girl...

Lionel Messi was man of the match vs Espanyol

Leo Messi score 4 goals vs Espanyol and was the man of the match.Amazing perfermance.2 goals scored with penalty,firt goal with a direct free kick and onother beautiful goal.Messi has scored this season 72 goal and he is in first ranking . He beats record of Gerd Muller (70 goals).Messi can try to score more goals

The legend will live on

 We love you, Pep! Barcelona fans pay tribute to Guardiola on Saturday

But that journey is now nearing its end. After four fantastic seasons, 13 titles and many more memorable moments along the way, Guardiola departs this summer. It's not over yet, of course, with two more matches still to play and the real chance of ending in sumptuous style with a 14th trophy - the Copa del Rey - later this month. On Saturday night, however, Guardiola bade a fond farewell to Camp Nou, wiping away the tears as he addressed the fans after the 4-0 win over Espanyol (his last game as coach at the club's famous home) and later paying his final respects to the hallowed turf with his wife and children, well after midnight, with the stadium now empty.

Xavi: Messi will be the best player in the history of football

Xavi believes that his Blaugrana colleague is well on his way to surpassing the exploits of legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona.

“If he continues like this then I think Messi will be the best player in the history of football,” the Spain international told FIFA.com.

Xavi admitted that he is blessed to be a part of a Barcelona side which is being lauded as one of the finest the game has ever seen.

However, he did admit that there are a few legends he would love to have played alongside.

“I would like to have played with [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldo. But I have been lucky enough to play for Barcelona and the national team so I have worked with many top players as well as great people and coaches who have taught me well,” Xavi said.

“You always want to meet great stars and personalities in the world of football.

“I would have liked to be trained by [Johan] Cruyff to see how he worked because I have heard so many great things,” he confessed.

Puyol: "Tito is the best news"

The Barça captain has revealed the players’ satisfaction at Tito Vilanova’s appointment: “He knows the team and our philosophy better than anybody and has been working alongside Guardiola the whole time” 

Puyol went on to add: “He’s the ideal person to take this project forward” 

Puyol believes that Josep Guardiola "has marked a ‘before and after’ in football” 

He confirmed that the players “wanted Pep to continue” but on learning of his decision and the reasons behind it, he explained: “The fact that Tito will be the manger is the best news we could get. He’s the continuation of a project and has the support of all the players”.