FC Barcelona News: 11 March 2012; Barça Face Racing Santander Today, (Real) Ronaldo Says Messi Not a Legend

Xavi - Messi is the best | Sky Sports
"He is the best player in the world - maybe the best of all time,'' said the Spaniard. "Football is moving on, but he stays the same. "He deserves the admiration of any sportsman. He is incomparable, a one-off. There is no other player who can make such a difference - he'll break all the records.''

Messi is great but needs international success to become a legend, declares former Brazil star Ronaldo - Goal.com
"Messi is great but for me to become a legend like Zidane or Maradona, he must achieve success with the national team. We can not compare him with these great champions," Ronaldo told Bundesligapremier. "Until Messi lifts the World Cup with Argentina, he will remain as only an excellent player."

Neymar cools Messi comparisons | Sky Sports
The youngster netted an impressive hat-trick against Internacional in the Brazilian league on Friday, three days after Messi bagged a five-goal haul against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League. But Neymar insists he is a long way off reaching the Argentina international's level. "Messi is above everyone, there is no use comparing me with him," he said.

FC Barcelona arrives in Santander | FC Barcelona
The team was received by 300 Barça supporters who didn’t want to miss their chance to see the first team. The coaching staff and the 18 players named to the squad, plus Carles Puyol, who doesn’t have the medical all-clear, including vice-president Javier Faus, director Pilar Guinovart and football director Andoni Zubizarreta form the Barça expedition.

Spotlight on Racing | FC Barcelona
Racing are based in the Cantabria port of Santander and although they have become something of a fixture in La Liga over the last few years, they have generally been at the wrong end of the table – something that is happening again this season as they currently lie 17th.

Messi´s cousin one to watch - Soccerway
"My grandsons who play in Paraguay are very good. I want them all to succeed, all three of them." But Antonio Cuchitini noted that the young Argentine is still not thinking about following in the footsteps of Messi, who left his homeland at the age of 11 to pursue his career in Europe.

Mourinho responds to Guardiola after Real Madrid's win at Betis: I don't hide my faults or my errors; others are smarter than me - Goal.com
"[Guardiola's] tone seemed normal. What I can say is that I'm full of imperfections as everyone knows," said Mourinho after the match. "I choose not to hide my faults and my errors. As imperfect as I am, if I see something I don't like, I say it. Others use a third party."

Madrid handed win at Betis - Yahoo! Eurosport
A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo fired Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Real Betis in a fantastic Liga match in Seville, although Jose Mourinho's side escaped two penalty appeals when their players appeared to handball.

Cervera handed Racing job | Sky Sports
Racing Santander have appointed Alvaro Cervera as their new coach following the sacking of Juan Jose Gonzalez earlier this week, the club have confirmed. Gonzalez departed the Spanish strugglers on Wednesday after just four months at the helm, with Racing third-bottom of the Primera Liga.