FC Barcelona News: 28 December 2011; Six Barça Players in L'Équipe All-Star Team

More than half of L’Équipe's all-star team is made up of Barça players | FC Barcelona
The L'Équipe reporters, the co-organisers of the Balon d'Or, traditionally pick their team of the year at the end of the year, and as has become almost traditional in recent editions, Barça players have once again dominated in 2011. Dani Alves at right back, Gerard Piqué as centre back, Sergio Busquets in the middle with Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta on either side and Leo Messi up front are the FCB players named.

Cesc: "It feels like my career has started all over" | FC Barcelona
It was always Cesc Fàbregas' dream to come back to the club where he learned so much, and he knows the significance of being here. "When you leave FC Barcelona, it is almost impossible to ever come back. The day I was presented at Barça was one of the happiest of my life.

Iniesta tips Ballon d'Or to stay in Barcelona - Sportal India
Iniesta's Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez have been named on the three-man shortlist for the award along with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with the winner to be announced at a special gala in Zurich on January 9. And Iniesta, who finished second behind Messi for the award in 2010, made no apologies for favouring his club team-mates ahead of the profilic Portugal forward.

The year in numbers | FIFA.com
46 goals was the new Spain national team record set in March by David Villa. The Barcelona striker, who has since reached the half-century mark, needed just 72 matches to surpass Raul as his country’s foremost marksman. Nor was Villa the only Roja record-breaker this year, with Iker Casillas setting a new benchmark for appearances.

Snarling Simeone to put bite back into Atletico - Yahoo! Eurosport
Former Argentina captain Diego Simeone promised to put the bite back into Atletico Madrid at his presentation as their new coach. The 41-year-old, who was an uncompromising defensive midfielder often described as having played with a knife between his teeth, has been brought in to replace Gregorio Manzano following the Spanish club's erratic start to the campaign.

Bilbao hopeful over Llorente | Sky Sports
Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been linked with the Spanish international over the past 12 months. But the 26-year-old, who has spent his whole career with Bilbao - is in talks over a new contract at the San Mames at a time when his current deal has 18 months left to run.