FC Barcelona News: 16 November 2011; Internationals Play, Messi Favorite to Win Ballon d'Or

Messi inspires Argentina in Colombia - Yahoo! Eurosport
Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez, club mates at Barcelona, sparkled as Argentina and Chile put behind them a weekend to forget with victories in the South American 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Messi led the fightback for a 2-1 away win over Colombia as Argentina fielded a world class trident in attack by bringing on Sergio Aguero to join Messi and Gonzalo Higuain for the second half.

Toothless Spain held in Costa Rica - Yahoo! Eurosport
After losing 1-0 to England on Saturday, the Spanish looked toothless in attack and vulnerable in defence in the first half of a rain-lashed match in San Jose, falling two goals behind at the break before raising their game in the second.

Michel Platini: Barcelona's Lionel Messi will win the Fifa Ballon d'Or & break my record - Goal.com
Uefa president Michel Platini has tipped Barcelona's Lionel Messi to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or. The Argentina international has made the 23-man shortlist for the prestigious award, with the winner to be revealed on January 9, 2012, at the Zurich Kongresshaus.

Sandro Rosell: "We aim to stay the world's best club" | FC Barcelona
During the Aspire4Sport conference in Qatar, Sandro Rosell said that Barça’s objective is to "remain the world’s best club." When asked what future challenges the Club faces, the Barça President said, "our challenge is to maintain this position, both on and off the field."

Barcelona's Sandro Rosell: Fifa should pay players during World Cup - Goal.com
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has stated that the European Club Association (ECA) wants Fifa and Uefa to pay their players during major tournaments. Rosell feels that the current situation, where clubs pay their players although they are not available, is unfair and is hopeful that football's governing bodies are open to change.

Inter deny Guardiola link | Sky Sports
Inter Milan have denied that they have been in contact with Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola about becoming their new manager. The club have also dismissed claims that they have spoken to out-of-favour Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.

Afellay, still recovering, returns to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper | FC Barcelona
For the first time since his operation on October 3, and as part of his expected six month recovery programme, the midfielder returned on Tuesday to the Ciutat Esportiva. Like on Monday, there were only four first team players at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper - Fontàs, Pinto, Maxwell and Keita - for a shared session with Barça B.

Ex-Barça B players, Edu Oriol and Abraham Minero return to the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
Both players made their top flight debuts this season for Real Zaragoza. Both are Catalan, Edu Oriol is from Cambrils and Abraham Minero, form Granollers. The Zaragoza players also share a similar past in FC Barcelona. Oriol and Abraham were both integral to Barça B’s stellar performance under Luis Enrique last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo after Euro 2012 qualification: Portugal are better than Bosnia & Herzegovina - Goal.com
Cristiano Ronaldo said that Portugal were the better team in their Euro 2012 play-off against Bosnia & Herzegovina following Tuesday's 6-2 second leg victory at the Estadio da Luz. The Real Madrid ace put on an impressive display as he scored two of Portugal's six goals to help the Seleccao pick up a comfortable result.

Valencia's Roberto Soldado: We want revenge against Real Madrid - Goal.com
Valencia striker Roberto Soldado is eagerly anticipating Saturday evening's Liga match versus Real Madrid as he is determined to make up for the heavy 6-3 loss in the 2010-11 campaign. Both sides last met on April 23 when the Blancos humiliated Valencia at Mestalla and Soldado is gunning for revenge at the weekend.

Hamstring tear sidelines Weligton | LFP
Málaga defender Weligton will be out for a month owing to a grade two tear in his right hamstring. The Brazilian was injured while training with his team-mates and underwent tests on Tuesday morning.

Mallorca unveil Ogunjimi | LFP
Marvin Ogunjimi was unveiled as a new Real Mallorca player on Thursday. The Belgian, who was on loan to K.R.C. Genk, has been brought in before December, when it was foreseen he would come, at the express request of Joaquín Caparrós.