FC Barcelona News: 21 August 2011; Maxwell Joins Training, LeBron Visits, Gamper Game Played as Scheduled

Bench Cesc? That's a bit rich | The Age
This man is sublimely gifted, young, reliable and not only hasn't fallen victim to the increasingly regular tendency for multimillionaire players to behave like utter clowns, he is dedicated to improving himself, representing his club and country with dignity and achieving everything that god's gifts have left him in a position to win.

Strike brings pain to Spain over players' demand for emergency fund | The Guardian
Fans of Spanish football from Madrid to Manchester looking forward to a weekend watching the silky skills of Barcelona's Lionel Messi or Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo will be disappointed after a decision to go on strike for the first time in nearly three decades.

Maxwell trains for part of the group session | FCBarcelona.cat
The Barça players, in a voluntary session, trained this morning, in preparation for the European Super Cup to be held next Friday in Monaco, against Porto. The best news was the return of Maxwell Scherrer to the group, although he was only able to complete part of the session with his teammates. The Brazilian has been suffering from an abdominal strain for the last few weeks.

The Last Word: The eyes have it: Jose's on his last legs - The Independent
Where will it all end? Real fans may like the fact that Mourinho stands up to their greatest rivals, but theirs is a club that likes to win with style and lose with dignity. Poking a coach in the eye is hardly the Real deal. Working for Real surely requires certain standards of behaviour and Mourinho is falling beneath them.

Napoli: The sensation of the Calcio | FCBarcelona.cat
Barça's rival in the Joan Gamper Trophy finished third in Serie A last season and will play in the group stage of the Champions League. With only one preseason defeat, the Italians will make their League debut next weekend, at home to Genoa.

LeBron James, with the first team | FCBarcelona.cat
The second session of the day, voluntary just like the morning one, which started at 19.00, behind closed doors, had a star guest, LeBron James. 'King James', who is in Barcelona as part of a tour with the clothing brand he wears, trained in the new sports pavilion, and the end of his training exercises coincided with the final part of the Barça first team session.

Spurs close on Diarra | Sky Sports | Football | Transfer Centre | Possible Deal
Skysports.com revealed earlier this month that Spurs had made a move for Diarra - who wants to seal a switch back to England. The French international has already played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth in the Premier League and now he looks set to join his fourth club. A deal, worth around £10million, is now believed to be close to completion.deal

Maccabi Haifa's Tsepo Masilela joins Getafe on season-long loan - Goal.com
South Africa international Tsepo Masilela has joined Getafe on a one-year loan deal, with the Primera Liga outfit having the option to make the deal permanent during the season. The left-back joins the Madrid-based club from Maccabi Haifa and is expected to be unveiled by his new club in the coming days.