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FC Barcelona News: 14 January 2014; Lionel Messi Second in FIFA Ballon d'Or Voting, Four Players in FIFPro World XI

Martin Rose

Leo Messi finishes second in FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013 | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi finished second for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or. The FC Barcelona player, who has won the last four editions of the prize and has been in the top three for the award for the last seven consecutive years, finished behind Cristiano Ronaldo this year. Frank Ribéry finished third. The 26-year-old Argentinian garnered 24.72% of the vote, while Ronaldo got 27.99% and Ribéry got 23.36%.

Leo Messi is pleased to be at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala | FC Barcelona
The FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala will start in just a matter of hours. Starting half an hour late, at 3.35 PM CET, the pre-Gala press conference with the Ballon d’Or finalists and the World Coach of the Year nominees got underway. Leo Messi, sitting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Ribéry, said, "for me it’s a dream, it’s a prize in of itself to be here for a seventh consecutive year."

An insider’s view of the trip to Zurich | FC Barcelona
The film of the trip to Zurich made by the Barça expedition on January 13, 2014 for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2013 Awards ceremony. Leo Messi came second and Dani Alves, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, were selected as part of the FIFA FIFPro/World XI. Neymar Jr also participated in the ceremony held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.

Alves, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi named in the 2013 FIFA/FIFPro World XI | FC Barcelona
Here is the complete team: goalkeeper: Neuer (Bayern); defenders: Thiago Silva (PSG), Ramos (Real Madrid), Lahm (Bayern), Dani Alves (FC Barcelona); midfielders: Ribéry (Bayern), Iniesta and Xavi (FC Barcelona); forwards: Ibrahimovic (PSG), Ronaldo (Real Madrid), and Leo Messi (FC Barcelona). Barça are the Club with the most players in the all-star team, ahead of Bayern Munich (3), Real Madrid and PSG (2).

FC Barcelona's stats halfway through the La Liga season | FC Barcelona
Barça are league leaders on 50 points, the same amount as Atlético Madrid, but the Blaugrana have a better goal average. Barça are also the team that have scored the most goals (53) and they are the team that have conceded the second-least amount of goals (12). Here’s an overview of the team’s stats from the first 19 rounds of the competition:

FC Barcelona demand legal action over Neymar signing be dismissed | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona have today formally presented to Central Court number 5 in Madrid, a legal affidavit demanding the action presented by a Club member referring to the transfer of Neymar da Silva Santos Junior be thrown out of court. The affidavit presented asks for the lawsuit to be dismissed as there is no illegal action in the events originally described in it.

Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona: different styles but similar lack of invention upfront | Zonal Marking
La Liga’s top of the table clash was intense and intriguing, but ultimately goalless. Diego Simeone named his expected side, with right-back Juanfran available after his suspension was overturned. Despite Lionel Messi’s return in midweek against Getafe, he wasn’t risked from the start – he joined Neymar on the bench, and Cesc Fabregas played as the false nine. A draw was a fair result – both sides’ gameplan was clear, but the defences came out on top.

Official FC Barcelona statement in reponse to the Fiscalia de l'Audiència Nacional | FC Barcelona
The prosecutor’s decision casts doubts on what was an impeccable operation and one which has allowed FC Barcelona, for 57 million Euros, to obtain the services of a much sought after player. It is also wrong that new actions are being taken for actions which will lengthen a process we have always considered baseless and unnecessary.

Five-star show from Villarreal | Sky Sports Football
Giovani Dos Santos and Ikechukwu Uche both scored twice for the hosts with Moises Gomez adding a fifth as the Yellow Submarine claimed their first home win in five. Imanol Agirretxe grabbed a consolation for Sociedad, who saw a five-game winning streak snapped and slipped to sixth in the table, two points behind their opponents.

Prospective owner Peter Lim promises Valencia 50 million transfer warchest - ESPN FC
Successful investor Lim, whose bid has been backed by current Valencia club president Amadeo Salvo, told AS that he wants a decision made as quickly as possible so that he can invest heavily in the team this month. "I hope my offer is accepted," Lim said. "Forty million euros for signings seems too small to me. I have 50 million to spend this month."

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