FC Barcelona News: 1 October 2011; Iniesta Takes Part in Training, Players Called Up for International Matches

Iniesta plays some part in training | FCBarcelona.cat
The 17 first team players were joined by reserve team youngster Isaac Cuenca. It was also the first time that a training session featured Andrés Iniesta since the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury against Milan. Carles Puyol trained in isolation after taking a knock to the ribs in the game with BATE Borisov.

Remembering Barcelona's 'greatest ever player' Ladislao Kubala - the Lionel Messi of his day - Goal.com
Kubala was a child of the inter-war muddle of central Europe. Born in Hungary, of Slovak parents, he played briefly for then-great Ferencvaros as well as the national team and was then tempted back to the family home in Bratislava to play for both the local club and for Czechoslovakia.

Barcelona star signs lucrative new deal - SportsPro Media
The former Arsenal captain will wear Puma's new PowerCat 1.12 boot this weekend in Barcelona's La Liga fixture against Sporting Gijon, and will be the face of the German sportswear brand's global marketing campaign for the footwear. The deal brings to an end Fabregas' long-term association with Nike, and according to British newspaper The Sun, is worth UK£16 million (US$25 million) over five years.

Adriano warns of El Molinón danger | FCBarcelona.cat
Two years ago, only a Pedro goal split the sides in Gijón, and last season a late Villa snatched a draw when defeat was looming at El Molinón. These are two good warnings for Sunday’s return to Asturias. Adriano Correia remembered that "we suffered there last year and struggled to win two years ago. It is a key game, because it comes just before the international break".

Del Bosque calls on nine Barça players | FCBarcelona.cat
Nine FC Barcelona players have been called up for national team duty by Vicente del Bosque for next week’s games with the Czech Republic and Scotland, They are Valdés, Puyol, Piqué, Sergio, Xavi, Cesc, Thiago, Pedro and Villa.

True team spirit and solidarity paved the way for Spain’s glorious World Cup coronation in South Africa - Telegraph
If you seek a fundamental difference between the Spanish and English templates, it lies in philosophy. Even when Del Bosque’s players lose their opening game against Switzerland, they pass it off as a freak outcome, instead remaining wedded to their commitment to entertain. Sure enough, they prevail in their next engagements against Honduras and Chile with a flourish as David Villa, their beloved El Guaje (The Kid) finds his irresistible range.

Pulled muscle sidelines Benzema | LFP
Real Madrid striker Karinm Benzema is suffering a pulled muscle, specifically the adductor in his left thigh, according to the medical report provided by the club. The injury was confirmed by tests carried out after the French forward asked to be substituted during Tuesday's Champions League clash with Ajax.

Real duo ruled out for Portugal - Yahoo! Eurosport
Portugal have lost key defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao because of injury for their decisive Euro 2012 qualifiers against Iceland and Denmark. The Real Madrid pair both have muscle strains but coach Paulo Bento, already missing defender Ricardo Carvalho who was banned from the national team for a year this month for abandoning the training camp without explanation, said he was not unduly worried.

Injury setback for Vela | LFP
Real Sociedad's Mexican striker Carlos Vela abandoned the team's Friday morning training session when he suffered a relapse of the knee injury that has been dogging him recently. The medical report provided by the club indicated a Grade I sprain in the right knee.