FC Barcelona News: 8 May 2012; Knee Injury Sidelines Puyol for Six Weeks, Barça Named Team of the Decade

Puyol injury puts Euro in doubt - Yahoo! Eurosport
The shaggy-haired centre back damaged the knee in Saturday's La Liga match at home to Espanyol and will have the operation on May 12, Barca said in a statement on their website. The estimated time he will be out of action is around six weeks," the statement said, adding that he would be unavailable for the King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25.

Spain physio 'optimistic' about David Villa's chances of making Euro 2012 - Goal.com
"Villa will have to join the group for regular training action, and has to continue to improve. We met with him a few days ago, and his recovery is on schedule. I am optimistic about his chances," Minano stated to Efe.

FC Barcelona named world's best team of the decade by the IFFHS | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona was awarded seven awards at the IFFHS World Football Gala which took place this Monday evening in Barcelona. Barça was named the ‘The World’s Club of the 1st Decade’ (2001 through 2010) and the best team of 2011. The ceremony, which took place at the W Hotel, was attended by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, director Jordi Mestre and football director Andoni Zubizarreta.

Lionel Messi: "Pep will always have my respect. I will always cherish him" | FC Barcelona
After the match, Sandro Rosell, FC Barcelona President, said that "it’s important our heroes can leave through the front door. We’ve matured as a Club and as supporters." Hours after posting on Tencent, Messi noted, this time on Facebook, a statement that rings true for any Barça fan: "it's been a great pleasure to share so many good moments with Pep over these last few years!"

Messi, the perfect scorer | FC Barcelona
Two against Rayo, three against Malaga and four more against Espanyol on Saturday: that’s nine goals in his last three games for Leo Messi - his second best run since he debuted with the first team, only bettered by the 10 goals he scored against Valencia (5-1, 4 goals), Atletico Madrid(1-2, 1 goal) and Bayer Leverkusen (7-1, 5 goals).

Vilanova to pits his wits against Guardiola in Barcelona charity match - Goal.com
Tito Vilanova will get an almost immediate opportunity to prove himself a worthy successor to outgoing Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola in a charity match later in May. Guardiola will take charge of one half of the Barca squad, and Vilanova the other, for a game TV3 and Radio Catalunya have organised to raise funds for a marathon charity event aimed at ending poverty.

Guardiola´s dad backs decision - Soccerway
"Pep was absolutely exhausted and overworked. He was thinking about football 24 hours per day, and always thought about the fans and the people who care about the club. It was a big responsibility for him," Valenti Guardiola told Catalunya Radio. "I don't know what he will do next, but I do know that he will enter his next job with the same commitment that he showed at Barca."

Kiko Femenía, out of action for 7 to 10 days | FC Barcelona
Kiko Femenía will be out of action for 7 to 10 days due to an elongation of the semitendinosus muscle in his right leg, sustained in Saturday’s match against Elche (1-0). The player was replaced by Gerard Deulofeu on 56 minutes. Kiko will miss this Saturday’s match away to Almería (16:00), he could also miss the match against Valladolid on the following Wednesday.

Complimenting Barcelona makes you a traitor at Real Madrid, says Valdano - Goal.com
"Complimenting Barcelona makes you a traitor in Madrid," Valdano told TV show Despertate de Una Vez. "Real Madrid are a team who are tremendously competitive. They do not develop in the same way as Barcelona because their players must entertain the fans.

Athletic Bilbao desperate for Bielsa to sign contract extension - Goal.com
Athletic Bilbao sporting director Jose Maria Amorrortu feels it is imperative that the club persuades coach Marcelo Bielsa to sign a contract extension. The Argentine's current deal expires in the summer and he was heavily linked with Barcelona before the Catalans decided to appoint Tito Vilanova to succeed the outgoing Pep Guardiola as boss.

Valencia announce Mauricio Pellegrino appointment - ESPN Soccernet
Club president Manuel Llorente told the club's official website: "The board have signed and ratified the agreement reached this past Friday with Mauricio Pellegrini, who will be the first-team manager for the next two seasons." A Valencia spokesman had earlier revealed an approach had been made for Andre Villas-Boas but that the Portuguese had accepted a job elsewhere.