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Pedro and Jordi Alba lead Spain to win in Belarus | FC Barcelona
Spain brushed aside Belarus 0-4 on Friday night with a goal from Jordi Alba and a hat trick from Pedro. Del Bosque started with five Barça players -Alba, Busquets (who played at centre half), Cesc and Pedro, who all played the full 90 minutes, as well as Xavi who was subbed on 75 minutes by David Villa. Iniesta also came off the bench to play the last 35 minutes.
Messi stars in Argentina win | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi played a key part in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Uruguay in the eighth game of the qualifying stages for the 2014 World Cup, scoring the first and third goals and starting the move that led to Kun Aguero’s second.
Abidal: The pain and suffering has been worth it to play for Barcelona again - Goal.com
"I have to work hard, it is difficult, but to get back to my level I have to go this route because otherwise I will not get there," he said. "Physically I'm suffering, but I need it. I have to be strong mentally, so you have more stamina and I'll recover soon."
Three tough tests passed with flying colours | FC Barcelona
Barça made an excellent start to the league season, with 19 points from the first seven games and wins in Pamplona and Getafe -where they lost last season – as well as a draw against Real Madrid in contrast to last year’s 1-2 defeat at the Camp Nou.
Iniesta: "I have been and continue to be in the ideal club" | FC Barcelona
"I have been and continue to be in the ideal club to grow as a player - this is why I’m the player I am today. I have no doubt," said Andrés Iniesta in an interview with Barça Magazine on Thursday. The midfielder also touched on the evolving nature of football, his decade-long career with FC Barcelona and the importance of winning within a football philosophy.
Mourinho picks Ronaldo over Messi for Ballon d'Or - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
"When someone with the same responsibility as me comes out and says: 'Mine is the best on the planet' then I have to say: mine was not born in Madeira, he was born on Mars; he is not from planet Earth, he is the best in the universe," Mourinho told Portuguese daily A Bola in an interview.
Athletic Bilbao chief confused by leaked recordings - ESPNFC
The Argentine is heard to give a damning verdict on the side's poor end to the season as well individual performances, during both the Barcelona loss and the earlier defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final. He goes on to tell his players that they have disappointed the club's fans and are "premature millionaires".
Giuseppe Rossi will be a bargain, says agent - ESPNFC
Giuseppe Rossi's agent has said the Villarreal striker, who is recovering from knee surgery, can be a bargain for someone in January, with a host of clubs monitoring his fitness.