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Leo Messi, best player of 2012 for "World Soccer" | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi has been chosen as 2012’s best player in the world by the magazine ‘World Soccer’, with 47,33% of the votes, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up 19,01% and Andrés Iniesta, who picked up 9,77%. Votes were cast by fans and a specialist jury.
European match of the weekend: Messi and Falcao go head-to-head | Pitchside Europe - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Two of the most prolific forwards in world football, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao, will come face to face when unbeaten leaders Barca host second-placed Atletico in La Liga on Sunday.
Messi and Falcao go head to head | FC Barcelona
Two goal-scoring machines, Leo Messi and Radamel Falcao face each other on Sunday evening(21.00), when second place Atletico Madrid visit the Camp Nou. The two lead the goalscoring table in La Liga with 23 and 16 after just 15 games – figures that reveal how important their goals have been for their two teams this campaign.
Keita: "I’m 33 in January, but I feel like a little kid" | FC Barcelona
With the Chinese season finished, Keita took the chance to train with Barça ahead of the African Nations Cup next month and explained: "I was on holiday and I called Tito to see if I could train with the squad for a while and he said there would be no problem. I’m 33 in January, but I feel like a little kid again being able to train here".
Spotlight on Atlético Madrid: Clash at the top of the table | FC Barcelona
Founded in 1903 by three Basque students, Atlético Madrid functioned as a youth-team offshoot of the Athletic Club Bilbao for nearly 20 years. The Madrid-based side broke off from their Basque club in 1921, the same year they made it to the Copa del Rey final; ironically against Athletic Club Bilbao.
Falcao trains, Adrian doesn’t | Football Espana
Both trained separate from the main group yesterday raising doubts over their availability for the weekend’s meeting with Barca. However, Falcao has returned to a full routine on Friday morning and now looks likely to be passed fit. Adrian, though, has trained in the gym and is considered a doubt for inclusion in the party travelling to Catalonia.
Atletico Madrid's Thibaut Courtois doesn't fear Lionel Messi - ESPN FC
"I am not scared of anyone," Courtois said. "It is up to us to focus on playing as well as possible at a ground as difficult as (the Camp Nou). Barcelona have a group of very good footballers."
Manchester City's hopes of signing Valencia's Fernando Gago dashed | Sky Sports
New Valencia boss Ernesto Valverde has no plans to allow reported Manchester City target Fernando Gago to leave in January. The Argentina midfielder expressed his dismay after former manager Mauricio Pellegrino was sacked by the Mestalla board and he had looked set to push for a move next month.