Barcelona Atletic defender, Marc Muniesa (17) has yesterday signed his first professional football contract with FC Barcelona, which will last until 2011.

The youngster signed his new contract despite already having a one year youth contract with Barcelona, which shows that Barcelona is very much interested in securing the services of the young talented players from the academy.

Muniesa made his debut for Barça’s first team aged 17 years and 57 days on 23 May 2009, as a substitute in the 1–0 home loss against CA Osasuna, for the already crowned league champions. This appearance made him the second youngest player ever to feature for Barcelona, but he only played a few minutes, on what turned into a bitter sweet debut, he was sent off after a challenge on an opponent in the 80th minute.

Muniesa who has just recovered from an ankle injury, which has kept him out of action since the U-17 World Cup with Spain in November where he captained the team to thrid place, will now continue occupying one of the four CB positions at Barca Atletic, under the tutelage of Luis Enrique.

There is a small video below, with a few moments of Muniesa showing his journey at La Masia so far.

FC Barcelona midfieder Seydou Keita will be returning back to Spain in the next few days after his nation, Mali, was eliminated from the 2010 African Nations Cup yesterday.

Needing to win in their final game against Malawi in Group A – and hoping for an Angola win over Algeria – the Malian players went for the jugular as early as the first minute of play with a goal from Frederic  Kanoute. They doubled their advantage two minutes later through a Keita’s spectacular goal – his third in the tournament – before the match pans out until after the break, when Malawi got its consolation in the 58th, and Mali killing the match off with a 85th minute Bagayoko’s goal.

Nonetheless, the 3-1 victory was in vain as host nation, Angola played to a lacklustre 0-0 match against Algeria, giving both teams the advantage they needed. With the African-Arab nation beating Mali 1-0 on 14 January, it is through to the next round by virtue of the tournament’s regulations that state:

If two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria.

1 Points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;

2 Goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;

3 Number of goals scored in the matches between the teams concerned;

4 Goal difference in all group matches;

5 Number of goals scored in all group matches;

6 Fair play points system taking into account the number of yellow and red cards;

7 Drawing of lots by the organising committee.



While it is a disappointment for the player, FC Barcelona is sure to receive him with a hero’s welcome considering he had brought with him the club’s good image to the tournament by scoring the 3 goals in 3 matches, and doing so when he is not even expected to play in the group stages due to his recent thigh injury.  Pep Guardiola can sure use his services in midfield in light of the injury suffered by Busquets and the hectic schedule faced.

On another note, midfielder Yaya Toure will continue his journey in the tournament after the favourite, Ivory Coast, qualified to the quarter-finals after collecting 4 points, and currently tops Group B – a task made a bit easier with Togo’s withdrawal.

(ROONEY) I LOVE BARCA

The English striker(24) is excited to come and calls Pique

Rooney likes the sporting facilities just like in Man U –

a club that needs money, and might accept the idea of selling him

MESSI 5, RONALDO 0

LEO SCORES IN 2010, AND CRISTIANO’S MISSES

KEITA READY FOR VALLADOLID

RONADINHO’S RESSURECTION

(Non-Barca related)

Pellegrini, again in the pillory