“Lionel Messi has, deservedly, become a household name all over the world thanks to his unbelievable skills on the football pitch and low-key, humble attitude off it. While it was clear that the 16-year-old who made his Barcelona first team debut at the Do Dragao stadium against Porto a decade ago had plenty of potential, the truth is that nobody could have predicted the legendary impact that the tiny Argentinean wizard has made in the club’s history since.” ESPN

“Atletico Madrid’s record-setting 1-0 win over Real Madrid brought an emphatic end to its crosstown rival’s 14-year unbeaten league run in their Spanish capital derby on Saturday. On-form Diego Costa struck in the 11th minute and not even Gareth Bale in his home debut for Madrid could help it rally. Atletico’s big win came after Lionel Messi scored before being substituted due to injury to help Barcelona win 2-0 at Almeria. Barcelona and Atletico set club records by staying perfect through seven rounds to start the season, opening up a five-point gap over Madrid.” SI

“It is not that Neymar didn’t try to crown his home debut with a goal. In the 45 minutes he spent on the pitch in Barcelona’s 8-0 drubbing of FC Santos in Friday night’s friendly, the Catalan club’s new signing had three shots on goal and almost began celebrating before realizing he had actually hit the bar. His true mission, though, was somehow accomplished. With a classic tee-up for a wondrous Cesc Fabregas strike, Neymar provided an assist and showed with his feet what he had already said in his pre-match news conference: He’s happy to take one for the team.” ESPN

“With all eyes on Neymar teaming up with Lionel Messi, let’s not forget about the other wing position: right-wing. Pedro and Alexis need to have solid seasons, or else they could be on their way out at FC Barcelona.” Barca Blaugranes

“It has this week revealed what has been in the pipeline for around 18 months now, Neymar will join Barcelona. On the surface this move is incredibly exciting. A 21 year old wonder kid that has been on the radar of Europe’s elite for years, signing up to play with the new La Liga champions alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. The move however has raised a few eyebrows. It doesn’t feel as exciting as it was a year ago. Barça’s season has a cloud of doubt and negativity hanging over it. This is despite Barca being on course to equal Real Madrid’s record league total of 100 points (they will if they beat Malaga on Saturday). This negativity is mostly down to their demolition at the hands of Bayern in the semi-finals of the Champions League and in particular what it means: Barça are no longer the best, in fact, they look quite far from it.” Think Football

“Barcelona completed the circle on 28 May 2011. Wembley again, back where it all began. The perfect expression of a team that some considered the finest there has been and at the perfect location too. When Barcelona defeated Manchester United 3-1 in London to win their second European Cup in three years under Pep Guardiola, and their third in six, Sir Alex Ferguson called the Catalans the best team he had ever faced. ‘No one,’ he said, ‘has ever given us a hiding like that.’ But it was about more than just the performance; it was about the symmetry and symbolism too.” Guardian

“Barcelona secured their 30th victory of the La Liga season on Sunday, seeing off the threat of Miroslav Ðukić’s Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou. Pedro Rodriguez put the Blaugrana ahead on 21 minutes, slotting the ball under Jaime after a delightful through ball from Xavi, and Marc Valiente (own goal) doubled Barcelona’s lead with a little under five minutes remaining in the first half. Despite creating a number of chances, Barcelona couldn’t find a third and conceded a late consolation from the penalty spot after Martin Montoya’s foul on Manucho.” Barca Blaugranes

“Barcelona achieved a valuable 1-0 win against Levante at the Camp Nou in Matchday 32 of La Liga. Cesc Fabregas scored the goal for the Blaugrana, who enjoyed 78 percent of possession, created 18 goalscoring chances and attempted 13 shots, nine of them on target. This result helps the Catalan side maintain their 13 point lead at the top of the table over Real Madrid.” ESPN

“Barcelona achieved a draw against Celta de Vigo at the Estadio Balaidos in Matchday 29 of La Liga. Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi scored the goals for the Blaugrana, who enjoyed 71 percent of possession, created eight goal-scoring chances and attempted five shots, three of them on target. Surprise, surprise: Once again, Barcelona was considerably hurt by the international break. As a result of their efforts to try to achieve qualification for Spain for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Xavi Hernandez and Jordi Alba are now suffering from strained hamstrings and Pedro Rodriguez has sustained a tear in his right calf muscle.” ESPN (Video)

“Barcelona achieved a valuable 2-0 win against Deportivo La Coruna at the Camp Nou in Matchday 27 of La Liga. Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi scored the goals for the Blaugrana, which enjoyed 71 percent of possession, created 12 goal-scoring chances and attempted 12 shots, seven of them on target. This result helps the Catalans keep their comfortable lead at the top of the table for yet another week.” ESPN

“Comparisons between past players and present all-stars always come out fuzzy. On the one hand, everybody gripes that ‘the competition has improved’ and the past player would get suffocated by modern defenses. On the other hand, we have to admit that the past player would have had access to superior training techniques and diet, and just may have upped his or her game. In sum, we’ll never know. History only leaves us statistics, records, images, and (if we’re lucky) videos.” futfanatico

“Barça needed a pick-me-up after the painful Milan loss (and before Clásico week begins), and instead they got a hard-won victory, which points-wise amounts to the same, but not when it comes to reassure the worried fans. Roura has finally discovered rotations, and yesterday he indulged quite a bit, playing VV, Alves, Mascherano, Piqué, Montoya, Song, Thiago, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi and Villa. There were surprised comments from some non-Barça sources at seeing Piqué, Iniesta and Messi starting, but a) Messi always starts; b) it’s a Liga match against Sevilla, not a meaningless friendly where you can rest everyone; c) even in non-crucial matches before crucial matches, it’s always been the custom to play at least one ‘first XI’ player per line, so as to not lose shape completely.” The Offside (Video)