FC Barcelona News: 6 January 2012; Fantastic Atmosphere at Open-Door Training, Rafa Márquez Returns to Barcelona

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Xavi - Who should win the 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or? - Goal.com
Reigning world player of the year Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina, last year's second runner-up Xavi of Barcelona and Spain, and 2008 winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal are the three nominees for the 2011 award ... the same three finalists in the 2009 edition.

Festive atmosphere at the open-door training session | FC Barcelona
The atmosphere was fantastic in what has become a traditional feature of the festive season. Just under 13,000 people turned up to watch the players go through their paces. The session focused on warming down from the efforts against Osasuna in the first leg of the last 16 of the King's Cup but with an eye on entertaining the fans.

Yet another Camp Nou clean sheet | FC Barcelona
After the 4 goals scored against Osasuna, Barça have reached a tally of 50 in the league, 20 in the Champions League, 14 in the Cup, 5 in the Spanish Supercup, 2 in the European Supercup and 8 in the World Club Cup – just one goal short of 100! Will Barça make the century on Sunday?

Busquets: "We try to add variants to our play so we can attack better and score more goals" | FC Barcelona
When asked if he believes if Guardiola’s Barça is innovating football world wide, the midfielder said: "The coaches and the players try to add variants to the team's play so we can attack better and score goals, which is the most important thing. I don’t know the extent of our innovation. It’s for those that follow football history to decide."

José Manuel Pinto: "I am very happy" | FC Barcelona
José Manuel Pinto was the featured guest on El Marcador after the convincing victory over Osasuna (4-0) that leaves the Azulgranas one step closer to the quarter-finals. The Andalusian keeper, however, was prudent on the team’s chances: "It’s a good result but we always have to have our feet on the ground. We know what football can be like and we don’t want any surprises."

Manchester United: Fergie's brother eyes Barca boy - ClubCall.com
Manchester United scout Martin Ferguson watched Barcelona winger Isaac Cuenca play against Osasuna on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old is out of contract in June and, although he says he wants to stay at the Nou Camp, remains an interesting prospect to several clubs until Barcelona can tie him down to a new deal.

Rafa Márquez returns to Barcelona to train | FC Barcelona
The presence of Rafa Márquez was the main talking point coming out of the Barça B training session on Thursday. The MLS is currently taking a break until March so the Mexican international central defender is using the facilities of his former club to keep fit. He worked out for the first time on Thursday with the youngsters of Barça B.

Real Madrid confirm Cristiano Ronaldo & Jose Mourinho not attending Fifa Ballon d'Or gala - Goal.com
Real Madrid have confirmed in an official statement that coach Jose Mourinho and attacker Cristiano Ronaldo will not be attending next week's 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or Gala in Switzerland as they have obligations with Los Blancos.

Real Madrid's Iker Casillas has street named after him in Mostoles - Goal.com
Real Madrid and Spain star Iker Casillas has had a street named after him in his native Mostoles. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who skippered Spain to victory in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, was invited by the mayor of his hometown to attend a special ceremony at which the 'Avenida de los Deportes' was officially renamed as 'Iker Casillas Avenue'.

Venezuela confirm friendly encounter with Spain - Goal.com
FVF president Rafael Esquivel released a press statement on the body's official website on Thursday, revealing that Farias' men will play the European and world champions on February 29. The site will be Malaga's La Rosaleda, the home of Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon in Spain.

Copa del Rey round-up | Sky Sports
Espanyol surprisingly came unstuck in the first leg of their fifth round meeting with second division side Cordoba. The Catalan outfit went down 2-1 on the road, meaning they will have to come out all guns blazing in the return leg. Valencia have struggled for consistency of late, but a 1-0 victory over Sevilla will have done their confidence no harm.

Sevilla sign Jose Antonio Reyes from Atletico Madrid - ESPN Soccernet
Reyes, 28, who had been a target for Galatasaray in the summer, has signed a contract with Sevilla until 2015 after a reported €3.5 million fee was agreed. The midfielder began his career with Sevilla and broke into the Spanish national team during his time with the club, but he left in 2004 for Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid set sights on Malaga's Diego Buonanotte - report - Goal.com
The Spanish capital club are believed to be in the market for a new attacking-minded player following Jose Antonio Reyes' transfer to Sevilla earlier on Thursday. Buonanotte joined Malaga from River Plate in the summer for an undisclosed fee, but has failed to hold down a regular place under coach Manuel Pellegrini.