FC Barcelona’s injured striker Lionel Messi was seen today exercising, under the supervision of physiotherapist Juanjo Brau, on the beach in front of the Shangri-La hotel where the team is staying during the tournament. The Argentine with a bandage on his right ankle was doing rehabilitation exercises, at times with a beach volleyball, on the sand for an hour to strengthen the muscles of the affected area. The player is expected to train with the team this afternoon.

Messi’s training at the beach, with its soft and uneven surface, has been used as a way to assess the stability of his ankle and to further strengthen the injured joints, and is called ‘Proprioception exercises’.

N.B. Pain caused by sprained ankles and a variety of other injuries common to highly trained athletes often have nothing to do with strength, joint flexibility or physical endurance. More often than not, sprains and strains have to do with balance. ‘Proprioception exercises’ or balance exercises can help the injury recover more quickly and should be performed as part of a prevention program. Poor balance is a good predictor of future ankle sprains.

Speaking to the press entourage yesterday, FC Barcelona central defender and team captain, Carles Puyol said this Blaugrana team has already made history no matter what happens in the Club World Cup tournament.

“I believe the team has already made history but we always want more, and that is why we are here,” said the ambitious Spanish international. He confessed that the team is not “obsessed” with the only cup missing from the club’s trophy cabinet but insisted they came into the tournament “with a lot of desires and enthusiasm, considering that we already had a chance to win it but failed (2006). We hope it won’t happen again.”

Puyol lamented the long trip that the team’s flight had to take to reach Abu Dhabi, and said they felt physically and mentally worn out after spending unnecessary hours on the plane. Nevertheless, he is confident that the players have enough time to recover before their first match on Wednesday: “We are used to playing a lot of matches with barely enough time to rest and it is not something new for us.”

One thing that the captain welcomed is the UAE climate, especially its 25 degree Celsius temperature: “The warm condition here is a welcomed change. This is good for us. The temperature is just perfect.”

Meanwhile, his defensive teammate, Ukrainian Dmytro Chygrynskiy, acknowledged that even though he came from a cold country, the gulf state temperature has not affected him: “After being in Barcelona for three months, where it is like a permanent summer for me, I won’t find it difficult here.”

Asked if he thinks the team will really go all out to win the trophy, Chygrynskiy said, “We want to win this title. When you win it’s always like a ‘dope’, you always want more, for the club and for every one of the players. That is why this trophy is so important for us.”

“Personally, this could be the first title for me with Barcelona, and it is necessary that I get to play in this tournament,” he confessed.

Chygrynskiy also complained about the long flight but just like Puyol, think they will be ready by Wednesday: “We did have a light training today (Monday), but we have two days to prepare ourselves for the match.”

Both Catalan sports papers, Sport and El Mundo Deportivo today carry as their main stories Barcelona’s assumed last ditch effort to sign Manchester City’s and former Real Madrid striker, Robinho (25). With a substantial number of the Catalan’s club big brass, including its president Joan Laporta convening in Abu Dhabi for the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, it is believed that some sort of meetings between them and the English team’s owners could be held in the next few days; a rumour that has been going on and off for months.

This rumour is further exacerbated with reports that Sheikh Mansour Zayed Al Nahyan, Manchester City’s owner will also be in the city for an oil producers meeting this week.

Before any negotiations are to be held however, it is reported that the president will first seek the opinion of Pep Guardiola, who is said to have no objection to such a move. It is assumed that Robinho will be used to further strengthen his team’s left wing, but is also of the opinion that the player’s inclusion is not that crucial, as he already has players who can play in that position, and had done well.

It is believed that Barcelona is seeking to take the Brazilian player on a loan until the end of the season worth between 3 to 5 million euros – with a full transfer option if they are satisfied with his services. Nevertheless, should both sides agree to the full switch, Barcelona has already insisted that it is only willing to pay between 25 and 35 million euros for him, and no more.

Another stumbling block is Manchester City’s refusal to let him go half way through the season, with its manager Mark Hughes repeatedly asserting that the player is happy at the club, and is an integral part of his plan this season.

Robinho moved to the EPL club in September 2008 from Real Madrid for a transfer fee of 42 million euros, with wages reputedly to be in the region of 175,000 euros per week. After having a reasonably good first season, scoring 15 goals from some 40 matches in all competitions, he was sidelined for much of this season due to an ankle injury, and was only cleared to play since the last few weeks.

ROBINHO, LAST ASSAULT

Barça and the Sheik owner of Manchester City will meet in Abu Dhabi to finalize or rule out the loan.

All the tickets to watch Barça’s match are sold out.

Messi trained alone on the beach and will be rested.

Puyol: ‘We’ve been waiting to win this trophy for some time’

Estudiantes - Pohang Steelers (17h)

Luxurious hotel for the azulgranas.

[Non Barça Related]

Catalan national team: 6 Barça players and Cesc are called by Cruyff to play against Argentina

Madrid: Casillas’ dip in performance is worrying and unsure if they need to sign a replacement for Pepe (6 months out).

‘WE CAN’T LOSE’

This is the message from Guardiola to his players.

A meeting with history: Barça has lost the two Club World Cup finals that they have played.

“Robinho’s operation” cools down. Last try to loan the player from Manchester City.

Luis Suarez – linked with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona – has reiterated his desire to stay at Ajax until the end of the season, but has confessed his ultimate dream is to play for the Catalan giants.

The Uruguayan international has continually been linked with a move away from Holland but has re-emphasised his intention to stay with the Amsterdam Arena outfit ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

However, Suarez conceded on Spanish radio station La Lliga a RAC1 that his “dream is to play at Barcelona.”

The 22-year-old admitted: “signing for the Blaugrana would be an opportunity that he could not refuse and would realise one of his dreams.”

Ajax have refuted numerous reports suggesting their prized asset will be leaving and Suarez maintains he will be staying in the Eredivise during the January transfer window.

“I am not going to move anywhere for the moment,” he told Radio Carve.

“I thank any team that is interested but my idea is to stay at Ajax at least until the end of the current season.

“Maybe when this season ends I will accept a move somewhere.”

Speculation recently surfaced that Suarez had signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea to move to Stamford Bridge in early 2010.

The forward, however, denies he has received any contact from Carlo Ancelotti’s side and is focussed on performing well for his current employers ahead of next summer’s global showpiece.

“Chelsea? There is nothing at all,” he said.

“I don’t know where the press get some information. If it’s true, I thank them that they are interested.

“I have said to everyone at Ajax that I want to stay here because I nearly always play and I want to be in good shape for next year to play for Uruguay in South Africa.

“I am going to stay at Ajax at least until June.”