After returning back from their Asian pre-season tour two days ago, the bulk of FC Barcelona’s squad were joined in training yesterday by Lionel Messi, Gabriel Milito and Rafa Marquez, the three players who had been following a separate preparation plan after their participation in the Copa America. Many expectant fans gathered at La Masia to witness the session, finished off with a training match in which the only goal was scored by Leo Messi.

Barça will travel to Germany today for their next preparatory game: the Franz Beckenbauer Cup, to be played against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena tomorrow. The clash is intended as a testimonial for Bayern’s player Mehmet Scholl.

The new Spanish season will bring forward what is no less than a dream team in Football. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the four best attacking players in the modern football era playing together and probably fighting for places in the starting line-up. Many believe than one of the stars might be traded to avoid conflict within the team.

Eto’o is rumored to be on the verge of a move to AC Milan as a result of Henry’s arrival from Arsenal.

No matter what media reports say, one young Barca player thinks that the fabulous foursome can start together and put up a great show. Argentina born Barcelona star Lionel Messi believes Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and himself can all play together in the first team line-up.

Talking about media speculations about his clubs new signings Messi said: 

“I am very happy and hopeful thanks to our new signings. Most of all, I am happy for (Diego) Milito and I want to get to know my new team-mates. We are armed to be one of the best teams in the world and to fight for all titles.

“I think that we can play together, it would be spectacular for the fans, but everything will depend on (Frank) Rijkaard. To my view, I would kill to have a place in the eleven.”

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi does not believe his place in the Barcelona starting line-up is under threat despite missing the club’s tours of Scotland and Asia. The superstar was given extended leave by Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard in order to recover after having represented his country at the Copa America Cup. In Messi’s absence players like Giovani Dos Santos and Bojan Krkic showcased their talents with some impressive performances.

When asked if he had been thinking about being pushed to the bench, he told the club’s official website, www.fcbarcelona.com: “I am relaxed in that sense.

“It is the boss who will decide who plays. We need to think about the group, about the team, and it doesn’t matter who plays or gets left out.

“I have known them (Giovani and Krkic) both for a long time and have seen what they can do.”

Lionel Messi is the only player who can eclipse Ronaldinho

Diego Maradona met the talented Barcelona forward and fellow Argentinean Lionel Messi yesterday in Rosario. Speaking about the young Messi, he said, “Leo is a player without limits. He should get ‘10 ‘ one day. He has championships, he has personality, he is only going to get better.

“He’s the only player who can eclipse Ronaldinho.”

Messi just could not believe that these words were coming from the same man whom he has idolized for all these years. Messi said, “When I was small, my dad showed me videos of you. My mother’s dream was that you’d teach me one day.”
Maradona, then said to Messi, “We’re both left-handed, we both hit the heights while young, we both play for Barcelona… and we both scored with a hand that the referee didn’t see,” he laughed.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi told reporters that he is confident that Barcelona will be “very strong” title contenders next season. According to Messi, Barcelona have all the necessary ingredients to win a championship and he also said that he is really excited to play with some of the greatest players of the modern era like Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.

Barcelona’s new signings for the new season include the likes of Thierry Henry from Arsenal, Gabriel Milito from Real Zaragoza, and Eric Abidal from Olympique Lyon.

Messi, who is one of six forwards vying for a first team place this season, firmly believes that current team is very powerful in all the positions and the strong competition in the squad, particularly in the attack, will definitely be a big boost for the side as they look to win both the Spanish first division and the Champions League next season.