FC Barcelona News: 1 March 2012; Messi Scores Hat-Trick for Argentina, Iniesta Scores Against Venezuela

Messi savours special moment with Argentina - Yahoo! Eurosport
Lionel Messi has long had to contend with the criticism that he saves his best for Barcelona but his first hat-trick for Argentina proved a perfect riposte against those who doubted his international credentials. "I had been waiting for a long time for this moment because on a lot of occasions things didn't work out for me," he told Argentine television after Wednesday's 3-1 win over Switzerland.

Soldado hat-trick in Spain romp - Yahoo! Eurosport
Roberto Soldado's hat-trick helped Spain produce a dominant display to beat Venezuela 5-0 in a friendly at La Rosaleda in Malaga. Goals from Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Soldado’s first strikes for his country made the difference as they outclassed their South American opponents.

Former Barcelona Director: No feeling between Guardiola and Rosell - ESPN Soccernet
"The current board is not making it easy for Guardiola to renew," Perrin said. "There is not a good atmosphere. They don't defend him - it is Guardiola who has to make statements when it should be the president. These things eat away at you. There is no feeling between Rosell and Guardiola, at least not like before."

Guardiola, on the verge of equalling Michels and Rijkaard | FC Barcelona
Josep Guardiola keeps on reaching for greater heights. The manager is very close to breaking two more records at FC Barelona: he’s only one victory away in the Liga to equalling Marinus Michels and he’s a solitary goal away from reaching the all-time goal tally that the team set with Frank Rijkaard. This Saturday, against Sporting Gijón, both these records are within his grasp.

Barca missing Messi for Sporting clash - Yahoo! Eurosport
Lionel Messi is suspended for the first time in his La Liga career when Barcelona resume their pursuit of leaders Real Madrid at home to struggling Sporting Gijon on Saturday.The three-time World Player of the Year picked up a fifth yellow card of the campaign at Atletico Madrid last Sunday, when his quick-thinking earned Barca a late 2-1 victory, and misses his first league game this season.

Four League matches on 29th of February | FC Barcelona
Since its foundation, FC Barcelona has experienced 27 leap years and has played four League matches on February 29th. Here we review these matches and the circumstances that surrounded them.

Spain has no time for nostalgia as it drops Fernando Torres from squad -- Graham Hunter - ESPN
If there is one thing in football that not only sells stories but also gives off very nearly the same degree of endorphins as a brilliant live match, it is nostalgia. We drink to it, we daydream of it, and like a life belt in a sea of mediocrity, it can salvage something beautiful from the stormiest of times for your club or country.

José Mourinho's London visit shows a manager in control of his destiny | Sid Lowe | guardian.co.uk
Pictures have appeared all over the media both in Spain and in England – some of them from fans who encountered the Real Madrid coach on his travels, some of them from press photographers. The snappers were not exactly hiding in the bushes and Mourinho was not exactly sneaking about in a false moustache, cap pulled down over his face.

City linked to Spain starlet | Sky Sports
Manchester City have been linked with a summer move for Atletico Madrid's Spain Under-21 goalkeeper Joel. The 21-year-old began his youth career at Getafe before moving to the Vicente Calderon in 2005. He has made two senior appearances for Atletico to date and was sent out on loan last month to Rayo Vallecano until the end of the season.