… Begiristain le dijo a Hristo Stoichkov en su primer partido en España que cuando saliese al campo le tenía que decir al arbitro "¿Qué tal c****n? ¿Y tu p**a madre?", el bulgaro se lo tomó muy en serio y no dudo en decirselo?

¡Hola de nuevo!

Esta mañana, al leer las declaraciones de Hristo Stoichkov sobre Louis van Gaal y Johan Cruyff, me ha venido a la cabeza un ‘spaghetti western’ que dirigió a mediados de los sesenta Sergio Leone y protagonizaron Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef y Elli Wallach. En España se estrenó como ‘El Bueno, el Feo y el Malo’ y su título se adapta de forma excelente al FC Barcelona. De hecho, uno de los grandes de nuestro periodismo deportivo, Tom Hernáez, lo parafrasea desde hace décadas en una de las secciones de su ya histórico ‘Bloc de Notas’. Voy a plagiar al maestro y diré que, a día de hoy y en clave blaugrana, Josep Guardiola es el bueno, Johan Cruyff el malo y Louis van Gaal el feo.

EL TIO LOUIS Ya sabéis que todo lo relacionado con el FC Barcelona se trata con desmesura y sin matices: o blanco o negro. De ahí que ‘escuchar’ en boca de Stoichkov (un tipo de reacciones primarias, excelente futbolista, entrenador cuestionable) que “Van Gaal tiene la cabeza grande, pero el cerebro pequeño”, encaje perfectamente para una parte del entorno blaugrana. “Es un necio total, es ridículo. Me ponía a jugar de lateral cuando toda mi vida fui delantero". En fin, que para Hristo es "una mentira futbolística sin valor alguno que cree ser tan grande como un Van Gogh".

Van Gaal, como Stoichkov, son personajes sin medias tintas. De comportamientos lineales y previsibles incluso en sus explosivas salidas de tono. Por su histrionismo y suficiencia Van Gaal arrastra el cartel de persona desagradable por mucho que sus íntimos digan que en familia es excelente -¡Faltaría más!-. Si no pertenecen a tu tribu, a estos tipos rápidamente les colocas el cartelón de ‘feo’ de la película porque son zafios, engreídos y sus exabruptos tapan sus innegables méritos. En el guión de una película, son papeles difíciles de interpretar. Normalmente recaen en grandes actores secundarios que disponen del arte y del oficio que se precisa para elaborar a personajes tan complejos.

MAQUIAVELO JOHAN De igual modo, su paisano Johan Cruyff es percibido por amplios sectores del Barça como el Maquiavelo que mueve los hilos del laportismo desde las sombras, el que contaminó la imagen de Ronaldinho y Deco, impuso a Txiki Begiristain en la secretaría técnica y a Frank Rijkaard y Pep Guardiola en el banquillo. Cruyff ha sido tan buen futbolista -uno de los cuatro mejores de la historia- tan buen técnico –con una década en el Ajax y el Barça tuvo bastante para marcar una época y ganarlo todo- es tan listo –y se vanagloria de serlo- que sus detractores apenas le soportaron en sus años gloriosos en Can Barça y sembraron una leyenda negra a su marcha. Aunque parezca increíble, todo lo que huela a ‘Dream team’ y ‘cruyffismo’ causa rechazo entre muchos barcelonistas. Cruyff es el malo de la película, la mano que mece la cuna, el que siembra la cizaña, aunque las discordias blaugrana daten, como mínimo, de los años cincuenta-sesenta y las guerras entre ‘kubalistas’ y ‘suaristas’. Más agradecido que el papel de malo, estos papeles suelen recaer en viejas glorias del celuloide que conservan la patina y el estilo.

EL CHICO DE LA PELI Y en este ‘spaghetti western’ blaugrana Josep Guardiola es el Clint Eastwood de Santpedor, el bueno. El rescatador de un Barça que tras dos años de sequía y dilapidar una plantilla de ensueño quiere llevarse alguna alegría a la boca. Sin embargo, ‘el chico de la película’ tiene claroscuros: como entrenador lleva colgada la ‘L’ de prácticas. Trabaja mucho, defiende a muerte su propio estilo y ha devuelto la ética del trabajo al vestuario, aunque el precio haya sido palmar en Soria contra el Numancia y empatar en casa frente al Racing. Los triunfos contundentes frente a los modestos Sporting –el Clube de Portugal y el de Gijón- dan a Pep un respiro de cara a sus críticos –que ya los tenía cuando era futbolista y que le esperan con el rifle cargado- y refuerzan su imagen ante sus defensores –todo un ‘lobby’ en el estricto sentido del término-. El papel de bueno está reservado a la estrella del momento, al que garantiza la taquilla. Leído en el guión, siempre es un chollo.

Al final, como en la película de Sergio Leone, los tres personajes tienen mucho en común. Son –o han sido- entrenadores que dependen de que los once futbolistas que salen al campo tengan la calidad necesaria y sepan –y quieran- aplicar sus instrucciones. Cruyff y Van Gaal se cansaron de ganar títulos durante años y aún así, cuando llegaron las derrotas tuvieron que hacer la maleta. Tampoco en este sentido, la Liga española no es la Premier League. Guardiola tira de la libreta de Van Gaal y del espíritu mesiánico de Cruyff para seguir su propio camino. Así que los partidos frente al Betis, el Espanyol -¡ay!- el Shakhtar Donetsk, el Atlético -¡ay,ay,ay!- y el Athletic Club serán los que dicten si Guardiola sigue siendo el chico de la película para la ‘Gent blaugrana’ o tiene que salir a uña de caballo del Estadi.

¡Salud!

JOAN GAMPER

Founder of FC Barcelona on the 29th of November 1899 and five times president of the club between 1908 and 1925.

The man from Switzerland was a true example of what a sportsman should be; Joan Gamper (Winterthur, Switzerland, 1877 - Barcelona, 1930) had success in swimming, rugby, cycling, athletics and above all, football. He arrived in Barcelona in 1898 and practised the sport in the streets of Sant Gervasi and by 1899, football had been born in Barcelona.

He founded the club and was captain of the team, however, he did not take on the presidential role until 9 years later. His level was superior to that of most others at the time and left many people marvelling at his skills. He was a forward player and scored a tally of goal unthinkable in modern times.

THE NUMBERS
-Season at the club: 1899-1903
-Games played: 51
-Goals scored: 120
-Trophies:
Macaya Cup 1901-02
Barcelona Cup 1902-03

PAULINO ALCÁNTARA

Paulino Alcántara (Iloilo, Philipines, 1896 – Barcelona, 1964) is the highest goal scorer in the club’s history with 357 goals in 357 games.

His characteristic deceptive appearance made him popular with the fans to the point of being the first star of the club in the golden ages of the twenties, alongside Samitier, Zamora, Sagi, Piera and many more.

His ability to hit the most powerful of shots crossed frontiers on the 30th April 1922 when, in a game between Spain and France, he hit a shot so hard that it ripped right through the net. For many years after, children from Barcelona would recall that moment and would wish to do the same as the man from the Philipines.

He hung up his boots on the 5th July 1927 in order to become a doctor. However, this was not his goodbye to football. He was on the board of directors between 1931 and 1934 and Alcántara was one of the first footballers to write memoirs of his playing days.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1912-27
- Games played: 357
- Goals Scored: 357
- Trophies:
5 Spanish Championships (1912/13, 19/20, 21/22, 24/25 i 25/26)
10 Catalan Championships (1912/13, 15/16, 18/19, 19/20, 20/21, 21/22, 23/24, 24/25, 25/26 i 26/27)

JOSEP SAMITIER

Considered the most emblematic player in the history of FC Barcelona and the best European forward of his times, Josep Samitier (Barcelona 1902-Barcelona 1972) led the terrific Barça in the golden age of the twenties.

His acrobatics and amazing jumps captivated the Barcelona fans who very quickly made him into their idol calling him “lobster man” and “magician”. The first “boom” of football crowds, came about thanks to him. A football team was created around him due to his exceptional technique and great football skills. Eventually the football field became too small to cater for the crowds and “Las Corts” was built in 1922.

With Samitier Barça acheived twelve Catalan Championships, five Spanish Championships and the first Spanish league that began in 1928-29. Despite starting out as a midfielder he is remembered as an excellent centre forward. The figures are significant: he scored 326 goals wearing the blue and claret shirt which made him the second greatest goalkeeper in the history of the club after Paulino Alcántara.

Samitier also was a trainer between 1944 and 1947, winning the 44-45 Spanish League and the Eva Duarte Cup in 1945. As Club Manager (position which he cccupied until his death) he was responsible for the signing up of Kubala in 1950. On the 16th September 1993, his name was given to one of the streets near “Camp Nou”.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1918-33
-Played matches: 454
-Scored goals: 326
-Trophies:
12 Catalonia Championships (1918/19, 19/20, 20/21, 21/22, 23/24, 24/25, 25/26, 26/27, 27/28, 29/30, 30/31, and 31/32)
5 Spanish Championships (1919/20, 21/22, 24/25, 25/26, and 27/28)
1 Spanish League (1928/29)

VICENÇ PIERA

Known by the nickname of “The Witch”, Piera (Barcelona 1903-1960) was born in the Barcelona district Santos and was one of the best right wing players in the history of Spanish football.

A Player with special skills he stood out for his multiple facets like his technique, his elegant style, his speed, his headers and his precise centres which as was said at the time guaranteed a goal.

He was one of the basic pilars of the great Barça of the twenties. He made his debut on the first of January 1921 after playing a match in the morning with the young team and convincing Joan Gamper of the skills of his game. That same afternoon he played with the first team as a substitute for the injured Alcántara against Arenas de Getxo and scored two of the goals bringing victory to Barcelona 3 -1. From that day, Piera played in all the matches with Barça until his retirement.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1920 – 33
-Matches played: 395
-Goals: 123
-Trophies:
1 League (1928/1929)
4 Spanish Championships (1921/22) 24/25, 25/26, and 27/28)
10 Catalan Championships (1920/21, 21/22, 23/24, 24/25, 25/26, 26/27, 27/28, 29/30, 30/31, and 31/32)

JOSEP ESCOLÀ

The gentleman of football, Escolà (Barcelona 1914 – Barcelona 1998), was a forward who would finish up many plays started from behind.

He had exquisite technical abilities and an exceptional shot which helped him become the fifth highest goal scorer in the club’s history with 223 goals. He was admired and respected by many due to his clean and fair play; tempers never flared when he was around.

He came to Barcelona in 1934 and formed part of the forward set up which also included Ventolrà, Raich, Escolà, Fernandez and Munlloch. He fled to France during the civil war and returned in 1940 and achieved success in the blaugrana colours. However, his career was cut short due to sustaining many injuries to his hip and knee.

Years later, he returned to the club to coach the lower division teams where he enjoyed a successful time.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons at the club 1934-49
-Games played: 253
-Goals: 223
-Trophies:
3 Leagues (1944/45, 47/48 i 48/49)
1 Latin Cup (1949)
1 Spanish Cup (1941/42)
1 Gold Cup (1945)
1 Eva Duarte Cup (1948)
3 Catalan Championships (1934/35, 35/36 i 37/38)

GONZALVO III

Marià Gonzalvo (Mollet del Vallès, 1922 - Barcelona, 2007), known as Gonzalo III (his other two brothers also played for FC Barcelona), is one of the best players to ever have worn the blaugrana colours.

From the middle of the pitch he was able to demonstrate his superior qualities and vision. He possessed a good head and could also notch up a few goals to help the team along. His commitment to Barcelona during his lengthy spell was a tribute to his love of the city; having turned down enormous offers from Torino. He left the club in 1957 at the age of 34.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1942-55
- Games played: 331
- Goals scored: 56
- Trophies:
5 Leagues (1944/45, 47/48, 48/49, 51/52 i 52/53)
1 Latin cup (1949 i 1952)
3 Spanish cups (1950/51, 51/52 i 52/53)
1 Gold cup (1945)
3 Eva Duarte cups (1948, 1952 i 1953)

CÉSAR RODRÍGUEZ

One of the best players in the history of FC Barcelona, an extraordinary striker with a great head for scoring.

Cesar (León 1920 – Barcelona 1995) is the third highest goal scorer in the history of the club; he was the league’s highest scorer in 1948-49 (28 goals in 24 games), came second three times, and was the highest scorer for the club for seven consecutive seasons (between 1944-45 and 1950-51). He was one of the legendary forwards of the five cups (1951-52) with Basora Kbala, Moreno y Manchón.

Known as ‘el Pelucas’, Cesar fought hard and had an impressive ability to anticipate plays. He was famous for his ability to score goals from corners.

He returned to Barcelona s coach in 1963, however, these were not the best of times for the club and so he left his position the following year.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons at the club: 1942-55
-Games played: 433
-Goals: 294
-Trophies:
5 Leagues (1944/45, 47/48, 48/49, 51/52 i 52/53)
2 Latin Cups (1949 i 1952)
3 Spanish Cups (1950/51, 51/52 i 52/53)
1 Gold Cup (1945)
3 Eva Duarte Cups (1948, 1952 i 1953)

ESTANISLAU BASORA

Basora (Colònia Valls, Barcelona, 1926) is considered one of the best wingers in the history of Spanish football.

He was one of the famous forwards of the Five Cups (Basora, Kubala, César, Moreno and Manchón) and the fans idolised him. A right winger great technical abilities, great pace and ability to lose his marker. His abilities allowed him to operate in the smallest of spaces and his goal tally was unusually high for a winger.

He was known as the ‘Monster of Columbes’ due to his performance in a friendly game against France where he bagged a hat-trick. He was regarded as being one of the best players of the 1950 World cup in Brazil. He retired in 1958.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1946-58
- Games plaed: 373
- Goals scored: 153
- Trophies:
4 Leagues (1947/48, 48/49, 51/52 i 52/53)
2 Latin Cups (1949 i 1952)
4 Spanish Cups (1950/51, 51/52, 52/53 i 56/57)
3 Eva Duarte Cups (1948, 1952 i 1953)
1 Fires cups (1955/58)

ANTONI RAMALLETS

Antonio Ramallets (Barcelona, 1924) was one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Barça and the whole of Spanish football signed up from Europa.

He was initially the substitute for Velasco until 1949 when the team´s goalkeeper became seriously injured and he was given the opportunity to play.

When Ramallet became Barça´s official goalkeeper it coincided with an era of maximum glory for the team and he acheived many awards in the “Cinco Copas”(Five Cups) era as well as in the era of the trainer Helenio Herrera.

Swift, agile, and above all very smart. In short these were the best qualities of Antoni Ramallets who knew how to be spectacular and simple at the same time. He established himself definitively as a goalkeeper in the 1950 World Cup celebrated in Brazil. It was at this time that he was christened with the nickname “gato de Maracaná” (The cat of Maracana).

However his worst memory was certainly the unfortunate final of the European Cup in Berna in 1961. Barça played against Benfica and lost
3-2 after a match full of missed chances for the blue and clarets and in which Ramallet scored an own goal. This more than likely influenced his decision to retire.

On the 6th March 1962 Ramallet received an emotional homage from the Nou Camp fans in a match between Barça and Hamburg(5-1). In this match he was awarded the “Medalla de Mérito Deportivo” (a medal for sports excellence).

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1946-61
-Played matches: 473
-Trophies:
6 Spanish Leagues (1947/48, 48/49, 51/52, 52/53, 58/59, and 59/60)
2 Feria Cups (1957/58 and 59/60)
2 Latin Cups (1949 and 1952)
5 Spanish Cups (1950/51, 51/52, 52/53, 56/57, and 58/59)
3 Eva Duarte Cups (1948, 1952 and 1953)

JOAN SEGARRA

Known as “the great captain”, Segarra (Barcelona, 1927) was one of the moast charismatic players in the history of FC Barcelona.

The legendary defender was part of the Barça of the Five Cups in the 1950s and is the player who has made the fifth most appearances in the Barça colours, behind only Migueli, Rexach, Amor and Rifé.

Segarra was a true gentleman on the pitch, and his noble and very proper attitude won him the admiration of respect of the entire footballing world. He was a versatile player, although his natural positions were at half back or left back. He was brave and dedicated and would never stop yelling encouragement to his team mates. He had the perfect physical shape, tremendous skills, and was a solid marker. Although he played at the back, he also had a fine shot and scored several decisive goals.

He was unable to show the continent what he could do at the disappointing European Cup Final in Berne, 1961, because of an unfortunate eye injury.

After retiring, the ‘great captain’ stayed on at Barça as a youth team coach and in the 1979-80 season he was assistant first team coach to Helenio Herrera.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1949-64
- Games played: 528
- Goals: 30
- Trophies:
4 Leagues (1951/52, 52/53, 58/59 and 59/60)
2 Latin Cups (1949 and 1952)
2 Fairs Cups (1957/58 and 59/60)
6 Spanish Cups (1950/51, 51/52, 52/53, 56/57, 58/59 and 62/63)
2 Eva Duarte Cups (1952 and 1953)

LADISLAU KUBALA

A mythical figure of Barcelonismo (Budapest, Hungary, 1927 – Barcelona 2002), Kubala signed for FC Barcelona in June 1950, when he arrived with a team of refugee players from an Easter country called Hungary.

He had to go through a lot of bureaucracy before making his debut in April 1951. However, it was not long before he became idolised by the Barcelona faithful.

With Kubala came a golden age at the club. Kubala displayed his skills in the middle of the pitch, where his style of play also highlighted his: Phenomenal physique, technical ability, extraordinary vision of play and by the fact he was a free kick maestro and a leader on pitch.

With him, the team won absolutely everything there was to win in the 1951-52 season. In the years following, he was unable to repeat his form fully, however, this was due to the injuries he received from opposing defences (and the leniency from he referees). In any case, by the end of the decade he was able to flourish again under the coaching of Helenio Herrera. He retired in 1961, but returned a few months later and continued to 1963. In 1980 he took control of the team as coach, however, success was not achieved.

1993 saw an emotional homage paid to Kubala in the stadium in Montjuïc. He died in Barcelona on the 17th May 2002. In 2003 he was given the gold medal of merit in recognition of the work he carried out.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1950-61
- Games played: 345
- Goals scored: 274
- Trophies:
4 Leagues (1951/52, 52/53, 58/59 i 59/60)
1 Latin Cup (1952)
2 Fires Cups (1957/58 i 59/60)
5 Spanish Cups (1950/51, 51/52, 52/53, 56/57 i 58/59)
2 Eva Duarte Cups (1952 i 1953)

SÍGFRID GRÀCIA

Gràcia (Gava, 1932 – Barcelona, 2005) came from a barcelonista background, where his style of play was highlighted by the sacrifices he made on pitch.

In his position of left back he showed typical signs of security and regularity. All his traits made him a must in the eyes of all the coaches that led the team during his time at FC Barcelona; playing almost 50 games a season.

He was a valuable part of the defensive line up, although he never did the spectacular on pitch, his presence in the team was vital. He was a true player of the club.

Sigfrid Gràcia was loved and well respected by everyone. He has been one of the most talked about players in the history of the club whereby he is given credit for giving 100% in every game in order to walk away with a clear conscience.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1952-66
- Games played: 526
- Goals scored: 21
- Titles:
3 Leagues (1952/53, 1958/59 i 1959/60)
3 Fires Cups (1957/58, 1959/60 i 1965/66)
4 Spanish cups (1952/53, 1956/57, 1958/59 i 1962/63)
1 Eva Duarte Cup (1953)

FERRAN OLIVELLA

Olivella (Barcelona 1936) has been one of the biggest captains in the history of the club and one of the players who has played the most amount games for the club (500).

He was a defender on a grand scale; secure, simple and with excellent positioning.

He arrived as a young player in 1956, and in the following season he formed part of Doménec Balmanya’s team which also included Vergés, Gensana and Coll. It didn’t take him long to firmly establish himself as a first team regular (42 games in his first season) at full back. Later on, apart from the season of 1963-64, he took up the role of centre back and achieved the same success.

He was captain of the Spanish national team which won the European cup in 1964. Years later, between 1989 and 1993, he was on the board of directors with Josep Lluis Nuñez.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1956-69
- Games played: 500
- Goals: 1
- Trophies:
3 Fires Cups (1957/58, 59/60 i 65/66)
2 Leagues: (1958/59 i 59/60)
4 Spanish Cups (56/57, 58/59, 62/63 i 67/68)

SALVADOR SADURNÍ

Sadurni (L´Arboç del Penedès, 1941), considered the successor to the great goalkeeper Ramallets, always had a lot of competent players with him, firstly Pesudo and also Reina.

But most importantly he was always held in high esteem by the fans for his human quality and skill of his game. He stood out for his calm, confident manner and good positioning. He tended to shy away from unnecessary show in favour of efficiency.

He attained three Ricardo Zamora trophies for being the goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded in the Spanish league in the seasons 1968/69, 1973/74, and 1974/75.

He was also the hero of “the bottle final” in 1968, a Spanish Cup won by Barça in Santiago Bernabéu in an extremely hostile atmosphere.

In 1976 seeing that the trainer Weisweiler wasn´t interested in him, he decided to retire despite still being in excellent physical condition. On the 1st September of that same year, the club played a tributary, farewell match for him shared with Torres and Rifé. Barça played against Stade Reims and won 2-0.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons in the club: 1961-76
- Played matches: 464
- Trophies:
1Spanish League
3 Spanish Cups (1962/63, 67/68, 70/71)
1 Ferias Cup (1965/66)

JOAQUIM RIFÉ

“Quimet” Rifé (Barcelona 1942) has been one of the players in the history of Barcelona who has most worn the Barcelona shirt; A total of 535 played matches make up his impressive cv.

Rifé started out playing as a winger. However in 1969 as a result of being knocked out of the “Recopa” against Cologne, he changed to the position of midfielder and finally established himself as a back without forgetting his vocation to attack . He scored 47 goals represented by his swift racing the length of the pitch.

One of the anecdotes about Rifé is that he was responsible for the famous false penalty to Velazquez which caused the Guruceta scandal.

On the 1st September 1976 the club played a tributary match for him Torres and Sadurni and those who had formed part of one of the best defenses in the history of Barça.

Following his retirement as a player, he became one of the team trainers and at the end of the season 1978-79 he took charge of the team along with Torres. This duo helped the team to attain The Recopa of Basilea. Unfortunately, the poor results of the 1979-80 season caused their dismissal At a later date between 2000 and 2003 he was the technical director of the football base of FC Barcelona.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1964-76
-Games: 535
-Goals: 47
-Trophies:
1 Spanish League (1973/74)
2 Spanish Cups (1967/68, 70/71)
1 Ferias Cup (1965/66)
Final of the Ferias Cup (1971)

CARLES REXACH

Born in Barcelona in 1947, Charly (also known as the Pedralbes' boy) is an institution in Can Barça where he has spent practically all of his sports life.

Son of the Barcelona breeding ground he played right wing with an exquisite technique, and stood out for his great dribbling, his excellent game vision, his masterly penalty throws and his free kicks.

However, he has on occasions been criticised by his fans for his apparently excessive sang froid. With 656 hard fought matches and 197 goals behind him, he is the second Barcelona player in this section and although he was not a center forward, he is the eighth greatest goal scorer in the history of the blue and clarets.

Retired in 1981, he has had a compact stage of training; team techniques, Firstly in the football base and then as second to Luis Aragonés (1987-88) and Johan Cruyff (1988-96. the glorious years of the ‘Dream Team’) and finally as the first trainer in the 2001-02 season, which was a difficult era for FC Barcelona.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons in the club: 1965 – 81
- Played matches: 656
- Goals scored: 197
- Trophies:
1 League (1973/74)
1 Recopa (1978/79)
1 Feria Cup (1965/66)
The Feria Final 1971
4 Spanish Cups (1967/68, 70/71, 77/78, and 80/81)

ANTONI TORRES

Antoni Torres (Balaguer, 1943-Barcelona 2003) was a stopper (even though sometimes he played right wing) he was the one who “marked the line” i.e. offensive and tough while also being disciplined and regular.

He was the most efficient defender atteh club for eleven seasons. He formed a duo with another player with similar characteristics which was very famous in the second half of the sixties and the beginning of the seventies.

He was an official player in the unforgettable League 1973-74 in which the official line-up of Barça was known as “los once hombres justos” (The right eleven men)After hanging up his boots he became a trainer for the club and in 1979 was next to Rifé when FC Barcelona won their first “Recopa” in Basel against Fortuna de Düsseldorf.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1965-76
-Played matches: 475
-Goals: 7
-Trophies:
1 Spanish League (1973/74)
2 Spanish Cups (1967/68 and 70-71)
1 Fairs Cup (1965/66)
Fairs Cup Final 1971

JOHAN CRUYFF

Cruyff (Amsterdam, Holland, 1947) is one of the best players in the world of all time and in his time, he was considered number 1.

His immense quality saw him win worldwide recognition and he won the Golden ball award three times (1971, 1973 and 1974).

‘The flack’ signed for FC Barcelona in August 1973 following lengthy negotiations with his former club Ajax. In his first season, Cruyff exploded onto the scene; using his technical brilliance and intelligence to help Barça win the league in 1973-74 – the first time in 14 years.

In the eyes of the fans, they will always remember many images of the goal he scored against Athletico Madrid in Camp Nou and the famous 0-5 victory over Madrid in the Bernabeu in 1974, which will go down in history. Unfortunately his level dropped in the following seasons and Barça only won the King’s cup in 1977-78. Cruyff left the club in 1978.

In 1988, he returned to the club as coach and put into motion the best era in the history of the club: winning 4 league titles among other and winning the European cup for the first time at Wembley in 1992 with the ‘Dream Team’. Cruyff then left the club in 1996.

In 1999 he was chosen as best player of the century in Europe and in September 2006 he was awarded the cross of Saint Jordi from the Government of Catalonia.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1973-78
- Games played: 227
- Goals: 83
- Trophies:
1 League (1973/74)
1 King’s Cup (1977/78)

MIGUEL BERNARDO BIANQUETTI “MIGUELI”

‘Tarzan’ Migueli (Ceuta 1951) is the player who has worn the blaugrana colours for the most amount of times in the history of the club (664). He has also been one of the best ever central defenders of the club.

Recommended by Domènec Balmanya, Miguel Bernardo Bianquetti, known as Migueli, arrived at the club in the season of 1973-74 despite only being able to play one game due to him carrying out his military service. The following season, however, he began to establish himself in the team. The Barça ‘3’ became a regular in the team for all the coaches with the exception of Udo Lattek, who incomprehensively left him on the bench in the season of 1981-82.

Migueli was a player with great pride; he played one final of the Recopa in 1979 with a broken collar bone. A brave, technical, relentless player with a great jump and head, which helped him both defend and attack. A true FC Barcelona legend.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1973-89
- Games played: 664
- Goals scored: 27
- Trophies:
2 Leagues (1973/74, i 84/85)
4 Cups (1977/78, 80/81, 82/83 i 87/88)
3 Recopes (1978/79, 81/82 i 88/89)
2 League cups (1982/83 i 85/86)
1 Spanish supercup (1983)

JOHAN NEESKENS

‘Johan II’ (Heemstede, Holland, 1951) arrived in Barcelona in 1974 from Ajax with fellow team mate Johan Cruyff.

Despite having to be a substitute for Peruvian forward Hugo ‘Cholo’ Sotil, who was very popular with the fans, Neeskens soon won over the crowd with his midfield performances.

Neekens was a classic player who had an impressive physique combined with absolute commitment. Famous for his impetuous headers and his penalty kicks; regarded as authentic canons. His devotion was appreciated by the crowd, which made their thoughts clear on many occasions by shouting “Neeskens, Neeskens”, which was heard even after he had left the club.

After being away for many years, Neekens returned to the club as number 2 to coach Frank Rijkaard.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1974-79
- Games played: 230
- Goals scored: 56
- Trophies:
1 Recopa (1978/79)
1 King’s cup (1977/78)

BERND SCHUSTER

Midfielder of exceptional quality, Schuster (Augsburgo, Germany, 1959) was the driving force of Barça throughout nearly all of the eighties.

He had outstanding football skills, but he also stood out for his physical strength, his exceptional dribbling and the power of his goal shooting. However his difficult character caused him many problems.

In 1981 he was seriously injured because of a severe tackle by Athletic de Bilbao defense Andoni Goikoetxea. However his recovery was complete and he formed a superb foreign partnership with Armando Maradona despite not achieving all the honours they had hoped for. It was in the winning League 1984/1985 however, after the Argentinian had already left Camp Nou that the best of Schuster could be seen.

He led the team, was in charge and shot penalties and fouls with great skill. He also encouraged his team members when things were not going well enough.

Unfortunately, in later years, relationships with the board of management started to deteriorate and he was on the sidelines during the season 1986-1987. Despite everything all the Barcelona fans remember him as a player of exceptional quality.

THE NUMBERS
-Seasons in the club: 1980-88
-Played matches: 295
-Goals scored: 106
-Honours:
1 Spanish League (1984/85)
1 Recopa (1981/82)
3 Copas del Rey (1980/81, 82/83, and 87/88)
2 Spanish League Cups (1982/83 and 85/86)
1 Spanish Supercopa (1983)

DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA

Considered the best player in the world in the 1980s, and one of the greatest of all time, Maradona was born in 1960 in Lanús, Argentina.

From a very early age, he was an obvious talent, with his golden left foot, his changes of pace, his speed and his dribbling skills.

'Pelusa', as he was known, arrived at FC Barcelona in 1982 from Boca Juniors. Unfortunately, Catalonia never got to see the best of the player, first due to hepatitis and then due to a serious injury. These circumstances meant that although the player went on to achieve so many great things in his life, the Camp Nou only got a few passing glimpses of his true potential. But there were some moments to cherish, such as his chipped goal against Red Star in the 82/83 Cup Winners Cup or the one he scored at the Santiago Bernabéu in the League Cup the same season, which even had some of the Madrid fans applauding.

His relationship with the Board deteriorated to the point of no return, and after Barça lost the Copa de Rey final to Athletic Bilbao in 1983/84, he moved on to Napoli in Italy.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1982-84
- Games played: 73
- Goals scored: 45
- Titles:
1 Copa del Rey (1982/83)
1 League Cup (1982/83)
1 Spanish Super Cup (1983)

ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA

Zubizarreta (Vitoria, 1961) was one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history not only of FC Barcelona, but of Spanish football in general.

He had an amazing career, winning 126 international caps and playing at 4 World Cups and 2 European Championships, and he holds the record for the most games played in the Spanish first division in his time at Athletic Bilbao, Barça and Valencia (588).

He had many qualities, including his level-headedness and superb positioning between the sticks. In 1986 he joined FC Barcelona as a replacement for the legendary Urruti. He was the mainstay of the famous 'Dream Team' and was, along with Koeman, the hero of the Wembley final with a series of miraculous, decisive interventions. Known as 'Zubi', he was also captain of the club for several seasons, and was noted both on and off the pitch for his serenity and psychological balance, which he was constantly able to transmit to the other players in order to get through the most difficult of match situations.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1986-94
- Games played: 490
- Goals conceded: 435
- Titles:
1 European Cup (1991/92)
1 Cup Winners Cup (1988/89)
1 European Super Cup (1992)
4 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93 and 93/94)
2 Copa del Rey (1987/88 and 89/90)
2 Spanish Super Cups (1991 and 1992)
2 Copa Catalunya (1990/91 and 92/93)

GUILLERMO AMOR

Amor (Benidorm, Alicante, 1967) was one of the most important players in the entire history of FC Barcelona, having made the third most club appearances behind only Migueli and Rexach.

He was brought up at La Masía from 1980, and on September 23, 1982, still as a youth player, he came on for Diego Maradona on the day that the Miniestadi was inaugurated.

He is one of the players that best symbolises the Barça youth system, and his promotion to the first team came at the same time that the Dream Team was being put together. He developed into one of the engines of that side, playing as a centre half, and constantly putting in solid performances in a quiet but tremendously effective way. Guillermo Amor was, undoubtedly, the ideal paradigm for a locally produced player that was unconditionally committed to the Barça colours.

Between 2003 and 2007 he was one of the people in charge of youth football at FC Barcelona.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1988-98
- Games played: 550
- Goals scored: 89
- Trophies:
1 European Cup (91/92)
2 European Super Cups (1992 and 1997)
2 Cup Winners Cups (1988/89 and 1996/97)
5 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93, 93/94 and 97/98)
3 Copa del Rey (1989/90, 96/97 and 97/98)
4 Spanish Super Cups (1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996)
2 Copa Catalunya (1990/91 and 92/93)

AITOR BEGIRISTAIN

Aitor Begiristain (Olaberria, Guipúzcoa, 1964), or 'Txiki' as he is known, was another of the key members of the legendary 'Dream Team'.

Signed from Real Sociedad, along with José Mari Bakero and López Recarte, he was a versatile striker who could play just behind the forwards or on either wing, although he always preferred to play on the left.

He was a classically quick-witted player, capable of producing both skill and fantasy. He was a perfect master of the one-on-one, and often finished off his moves with accurate crosses or powerful shots. Manager Johan Cruyff’s common solution for finding ways through in difficult matches was to tell his players to “get the ball to Txiki”. He was also a player with a very down to earth nature, and that won him the full affection of the fans.

Since 2003 he has been technical secretary of FC Barcelona.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1988-95
- Games played: 419
- Goals scored: 121
- Trophies:
1 European Cup (1991/92)
1 Cup Winners Cup (1988/89)
1 European Super Cup (1992)
4 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93 and 93/94)
1 Spanish Cup (1989/90)
3 Spanish Super Cups (1991, 1992 and 1994)
2 Copa Catalunya (1990/91 and 92/93)

RONALD KOEMAN

'Tintin' Koeman will always get a mention in FC Barcelona history for scoring the goal that handed Barça victory in the 1992 European Cup at Wembley.

The Dutch defender (Zaandam, 1963) was one of the central figures in the Dream Team, being a masterful player just in front of the defence and being the provider of amazing pinpoint passes that generated so many dangerous opportunities.

He will also always be remembered for being one of the most reliable penalty takers the sport has ever known, for his free-kick abilities, and for the record breaking power he could put behind the ball. He scored 102 goals in his six years at Barça, an incredible tally for a defensive player. Off the pitch, he was popular for his pleasant, down to earth nature, and he became one of the undisputed club idols of the era. He was part of the club’s coaching staff from July 1998 to December 1999.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1989-95
- Games played: 345
- Goals scored: 102
- Trophies:
1 European Cup (1991/92)
1 European Super Cup (1992)
4 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93, 93/94)
1 Copa del Rey (1989/90)
2 Spanish Super Cups (1991 and 1992)
2 Copa Catalunya (1990/91 and 92/93)

JOSEP GUARDIOLA

'Pep' Guardiola was one of the best players ever to emerge from the Barça youth system.

He was born in 1971 in Santpedor (Barcelona), and after representing the club at every level, he eventually made his first team debut for FC Barcelona in the 1990-1991 season.

He was an exquisitely talented midfielder with excellent vision, and was the central playmaker in the side, always donning the famous number ‘4’ on his back. His brilliant career coincided with one of the most brilliant periods in recent club history, the so-called Dream Team under the great Johan Cruyff, with many describing Guardiola as the Dutchman’s natural prolongation onto the field of play.

Guardiola shared the dressing room with some of the greatest players in the world in the 1990s: Romario, Laudrup, Bakero, Zubizarreta, Stoichkov, Koeman, Amor, Figo, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Luis Enrique, among so many others. The downside of his illustrious career was a serious injury in the 1997-98 season, which kept him sidelined for a year.

He stayed at Barça until the 2000-01 season, when he decided to try his luck elsewhere at Italian club Brescia. His greatest achievement at international level was the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1990-2001
- Games played: 472
- Goals scored: 10
- Trophies:
1 European Cup (1991/92)
1 Cup Winners Cup (1996/97)
2 European Super Cups (1992 and 1997)
6 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93, 93/94, 97/98 and 98/99)
2 Copa del Rey (1996/97 and 97/98)
4 Spanish Super Cups (1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996)
3 Copes de Catalunya (1990/91, 92/93 and 99/00).

HRISTO STOICHKOV

Hristo Stoichkov was born in Plovdiv (Bulgaria) in 1966. He left CSKA Sofia to join Barça in 1990 and stayed until 1998, although for one season, 1995-96, he was at Parma in Italy.

Hristo was one of the stars of the Dream Team and one of the fans’ most popular players of the 1990s, both for his football and his extraordinary fighting spirit. He was versatile, and could play either on the left or in the middle, making him a highly efficient forward player, with great speed and a goalscoring instinct. He was considered one of the best players in the world for his time, and is the only Barça player to have won the European Cup (1992), the Golden Boot (1990) and the Balon d’Or (1995)

He was a charismatic person both on and off the pitch, and sincerely felt the Barcelona colours, which he was always ready to bravely and intensely defend.

THE NUMBERS
-Season with the club: 1990-95 and 1996-98
-Games played: 336
-Goals scored: 162
-Titles:
1 European Cup (1991/92)
1 Cup Winners Cup (1996/97)
2 European Super Cups (1992 and 1997)
5 Leagues (1990/91, 91/92, 92/93, 93/94 and 97/98)
2 Copa del Rey (1996/97 and 97/98)
4 Spanish Super Cups (1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996)
2 Copa Catalunya (1990/91 and 92/93)

ROMÁRIO DE SOUZA

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1966, Romario came to FC Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven in 1993.

The Brazilian striker immediately justified his transfer in the 1993-94 season, when he produced a spectacular 30 goals in the 33 league games he appeared in.

His qualities were nothing short of magical, and manager Jorge Valdano was once moved to describe him as “a cartoon player”. He could dribble, he was fast, and he could change his pace, lose his marker and shoot on goal in superlative fashion. He was the final piece of the ‘Dream Team’ jigsaw, a high-scoring striker. In the summer of 1994, after winning the league with Barça, Romario also had a wonderful FIFA World Cup in the USA, winning the title with Brazil and being named Player of the Tournament.

Unfortunately, there was a controversial side to the player too. He regularly took more days holiday than he was allowed and that led to his premature departure from the club in 1995, whereupon he signed for Flamengo.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1993-95
- Games played: 82
- Goals scored: 53
- Trophies:
1 League (1993/94)

LUIS ENRIQUE MARTÍNEZ

The popular ‘Lucho' (Gijón, 1970) came to FC Barcelona in the summer of 1996 as a free agent after having played at Real Madrid for five seasons.

Despite his Madrid past, he adapted quickly to his new club, and soon became one of the most charismatic players ever to represent FC Barcelona.

He was a born leader, and highly committed, for which reason Luis Enrique was one of the team captains. His finest quality was his versatility, the characteristic that best describes his way of playing, although there were so many more. He normally played as a linkman with the out and out striker, although he would also play in wider positions, or even as centre forward.

He was a skilled and tireless worker, and a great goalscorer too, especially when coming from behind, where he was never was one to throw in the towel, even in the most difficult of situations. He would constantly encourage his colleagues, and was an important squad member both on and off the pitch. The character and flair of this Asturian set an example for the fans to admire. He stayed at Barça until he finally hung up his boots in 2004.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1996-2004
- Games played: 354
- Goals scored: 123
- Trophies:
1 Cup Winners Cup (1996/97)
1 European Super Cup (1997)
2 Leagues (1997/98 and 98/99)
2 Copa del Rey (1996/97 and 97/98)
1 Spanish Super Cup (1996)
2 Copa Catalunya (1999/00, 2003/04)

RONALDO LUIZ NAZARIO

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1976, Ronaldo joined Barça in 1996 from PSV Eindhoven, as an outstandingly promising young striker.

He was only at the club for one season, but certainly proved his worth, scoring 48 goals in 51 games, the kind of stats you rarely see in the modern game.

The ‘Phenomenon’ was an uncommonly burly player, with sublime skills, a powerful sprint and a fantastic finish. In the 1996-97 season, under Bobby Robson he helped Barça to a Cup Winners Cup, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, and the goals he scored in Compostela and at the Camp Nou against Valencia were nothing short of sheer brilliance.

At only 20 years of age, he looked destined for big things at Barça, but an unfortunate series of episodes involving the Board of Directors and his own agents led to him leaving for Inter Milan.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1996-97
- Games played: 51
- Goals scored: 48
- Titles:
1 Cup Winners Cup (1996/97)
1 Copa del Rey (1996/97)
1 Spanish Super Cup (1996/97)

VITOR BORBA FERREIRA 'RIVALDO'

Rivaldo (Recife, Brazil, 1972) was signed from Deportivo la Coruña at the start of the 1997-98 season as a direct replacement for his compatriot Ronaldo, who had left for Inter Milan after an exceptional year in Catalonia.

And Rivaldo was able to fill the role. A tall, sturdy player, he had the kind of abilities that had rarely been seen before, with tricky dribbling skills, a powerful shot and an amazing talent for converting free kicks and penalties, all off his left foot.

He was not an out and out striker, but more of a left winger or attacking midfielder, but still managed to rack up an incredible tally of goals in his time at Barça: 136 in 253 games. He was a serious and discrete footballer, who preferred to do his talking on the pitch and was rewarded in style for his achievements with the Balon d’Or in 1999.

THE NUMBERS
- Seasons at the club: 1997-2002
- Games played: 253
- Goals scored: 136
- Trophies:
1 European Super Cup (1997)
2 Leagues (1997/98 and 98/99)
1 Copa del Rey (1997/98)
1 Copa Catalunya (1999/00)

1. Graeme Souness
2. Egil Olsen
3. Hristo Stoichkov
4. Ossie Ardiles
5. David Platt
6. Glenn Roeder
7. Alan Ball
8. The England 1986 World Cup Squad
9. Claude Anelka
10. Jim Fallon

Most West Ham fans I know are less than complimentary about Roeder, but the sixth worst manager seems more than a little harsh doesn't it?

Viene a mi memoria aquel día del '94, Mundial de USA, partido contra Bulgaria, con un Hristo Stoichkov -casi nadie, ¿no?- algo mayor y haciendo el panorama antojable para que México jugara, por fin, el bendito quinto partido. Los mexicanos eran mayoría en el estadio, 'Zague' se veía muy solo en ataque y Mejía Barón llamó a Hugo a calentar... más nunca lo metió. El final ya todos lo sabemos: 'el Tri' cayó en penales y se perdió la oportunidad de seguir avanzando en esa copa mundial. Ni los gritos de los mexicanos vitoreando "¡Hugo, Hugo!" hicieron que Mejía Barón le diera entrada al césped. Todo esto quedó como cuenta pendiente, para Hugo, claro está. Cuenta pendiente que, a mi sentir, el 'Pentapichichi' buscaría saldar siendo técnico. Incluso hizo que nos olvidáramos de como es que Hugo llegó a la Selección, de todo lo que habló mal de Lavolpe. 'El Macho' se valió de jugarretas, tales como fuertes críticas y especulaciones hacia el 'Lavolpismo', para situarse en una supuesta mejor posición que él, en cuanto a capacidad de dirección técnica se refiere. Pero claro, todos teníamos esa esperanza de que él cumpliera las cosas que decía.

Ya en el puesto deseado, la famosa frase "llevaré a México a ser campeón del mundo" fue su carta de presentación. Su tiempo de vida en la selección fue característico por su cantidad de fracasos. Su primer error: hablar de más, prometer y especular. Ninguno de aquellos aires de grandeza que de su boca se escucharon salir fueron alcanzados en mínima cantidad. Teniendo ya el poder, y con algo de avaricia, se dijo a sí mismo: ¿por qué no me subo al carrito del triunfo?; así fue como se adjudicó una generación que venía en ritmo ascendente y la redujo a una camada más que quedó en el intento, siendo este su mayor y más escandaloso fracaso. Les pondré el panorama: perder el boleto a Juegos Olímpicos, en un grupo donde México se midió ante Canadá, Guatemala y Haití -sin menospreciar a los mencionados- y, teniendo en sus manos a la selección valorada como "La Generación Dorada", esa que está destinada a darnos alegrías que se sumen a lo ocurrido en Perú en el 2005.

Es por eso que este lunes 31 de Marzo del año en curso, Hugo Sánchez dejó de ser el estratega del 'Tri', cerrando un capítulo más en la historia de la escuadra azteca con pocas alegrías para recordar. La batuta de la Selección Mexicana la tomará provisionalmente el Sr. Jesús Ramírez, antiguamente encargado de las selecciones menores y responsable del mayor logro de 'la verde' a nivel de combinados nacionales. 'Chucho' será el encargado de dirigir a la selección en los próximos encuentros amistosos contra China, Argentina y Perú, todos ellos en sedes estadounidenses. A mi parecer, Jesús no sólo es temporalmente el encargado, sino que también está a prueba. Deberá superar con alta calificación estos exámenes para aspirar a quedarse en definitivo con este puesto. Los directivos, después de los tres amistosos, evaluarán el trabajo hecho y darán el veredicto final. Además, aparte de Jesús Ramírez, existen otras posibilidades. Las más sonadas son:

1) Javier Aguirre. Actual técnico del Atlético de Madrid. A pesar de que aun tiene contrato, su futuro con los 'colchoneros' depende en gran parte de si logran permanecer en puestos de Champions. Ya ha dirigido al 'Tri', llevó al conjunto azteca a Corea-Japón 2002. Es el favorito de los directivos, ya que es el mexicano con mayor proyección en el viejo continente.

2) José Néstor Pekerman. Esta siendo considerado por la Federación debido a su gran trabajo con selecciones menores en Argentina -3 títulos mundiales lo avalan-. Llevó a la albiceleste al Mundial de Alemania 2006, lo cual lo hace apto y con experiencia para tomar un equipo que busca llegar a Sudáfrica 2010 a como dé lugar. Tiene cierto conocimiento del fútbol mexicano y actualmente es entrenador de los Diablos Rojos del Toluca.

3) Luis Felipe Scolari. "Modesto currículum": Campeón del Mundo con Brasil en el 2002 y, con Portugal, no ha hecho mal las cosas: un Subcampeonato en la Euro 2004 -que suena a fracaso, ya que fue ante la sorpresiva Grecia y de anfitriones- y semifinalistas de la pasada Copa del Mundo Alemania 2006. Algo que me impresiona, más que su palmarés, son sus declaraciones. Esta mañana, los noticieros mexicanos mostraban imágenes del brasileño refiriéndose a la selección como "un equipo competitivo que para aspirar a más, debe aumentar el promedio de estatura de sus jugadores". Yo no sé si la tortilla no nos da suficiente vitamina o de plano nuestra genética no nos brinda un poco más, pero a menos que se permita el uso de esteroides o el de tacones, esto no cambiará mucho -lo sentimos Scolari, por no estar a "tu altura"-.

Y no son sólo estos tres candidatos, han sonado más, aunque sólo estos últimos han aceptado contactos con la Federación Mexicana. Así es que, todo pinta para un nuevo caso donde se da un acto de malinchismo*, volviendo a desconfiar del talento local que, tal vez no exista en abundancia, pero lo poco que puede haber, es de muy buena calidad (Daniel Guzmán del Santos, Efraín Flores de las Chivas, etc.). Sólo queda la esperanza de que los responsables tomen las decisiones correctas y sensatas y, de esta manera, no frenen el progreso que el balompié azteca ha estado teniendo hasta el momento.

Habiendo repasado todo esto, queda una incógnita más: ¿qué va a pasar con Nery? Castillo "defendía hasta la muerte" a Hugo y, hoy que ha muerto (futbolísticamente hablando), ¿qué sucederá con el ariete del Manchester City? Si esa es tu actitud, joven Castillo, toma tus maletas y sigue a Hugo.

No habrá más que hacerle. Tanto Nery como Hugo son de aquellos jugadores con inmensas facilidades de cara a puerta.

Ahora, 'Hugol' acaba de toparse con otra puerta, desconocida para él,... la de atrás.

*Malinchismo es un término muy mexicano para enfatizar la preferencia de lo extranjero frente a lo nacional

Kevin Flores - 01.04.2008

    Lilian Thuram

Imagen encontrada en: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080118/noticia_53428236513.html

Con siete puntos por detrás del Real Madrid en la clasificación, el Barcelona aún confía en proclamarse campeón de Liga, según Thuram "es posible alcanzar al Madrid. Es verdad que no siempre juega bien, pero gana, aunque no siempre será así y lo importante es que nosotros seamos capaces de ganar nuestros partidos". "Hace tiempo que juego al fútbol y creo que es posible ganar la Liga pese a los siete puntos", ha insistido el francés, que ha apelado al "ejemplo del año pasado", cuando el Madrid protagonizó una meritoria remontada para alzarse con el título.

Cuestionado sobre el nuevo estilo del equipo, más práctico que estético, Thuram ha negado "que el Barça esté jugando peor". Contra el Sevilla (0-0), en la Copa del Rey, "necesitábamos jugar bien y lo hicimos para pasar la eliminatoria".

Sobre Ronaldinho, que continúa con su plan de recuperación, Thuram ha afirmado que el brasileño "está trabajando bien para estar a tope físicamente", y ha valorado además el buen momento de juego de Thierry Henry. "Está mejor, y el equipo lo nota".

El zaguero francés también ha explicado que una de las claves de la mejoría defensiva del equipo, el menos goleado de la Liga, es que se trabaja "mejor que la pasada temporada", además de la llegada de jugadores "como Milito y Abidal, hombres muy importantes para el equipo". "Pero para defender bien necesitas que todo el equipo trabaje intensamente", ha recordado. Thuram, que ha admitido no conocer al nuevo portero del Barcelona, José Manuel Pinto, ha asegurado que todavía no se ha planteado si continuará en el Barcelona al término de la temporada, pese a que su contrato vence el 30 de junio de 2008.

Pinto ya está en Barcelona

José Manuel Pinto, nuevo portero del Barcelona, llegó anoche a la capital catalana y será presentado hoy por la tarde tras pasar el preceptivo reconocimiento médico. El club pagará al Celta 500.000 euros por la cesión del meta, que viene a sustituir al lesionado Albert Jorquera, hasta final de temporada.

El Barça se reserva además una opción de compra, sin coste añadido, que deberá hacer efectiva ante del próximo 31 de mayo. El propósito de Pinto, de 32 años, es convencer a Frank Rijkaard de que puede ser un suplente de garantías de Víctor Valdés y prorrogar su contrato con el Barça hasta 2010, fecha en el que expira el que firmó en su día con el Celta.

Al portero José Manuel Pinto Colorado (Puerto de Santa María, 8-11-1975) le ha llegado su gran oportunidad a los 32 años, en que da el salto al FC Barcelona para suplir la baja del lesionado Albert Jorquera, tras una década defendiendo la portería del Real Club Celta de Vigo y con 126 partidos en Primera División a sus espaldas. Formado en las categorías inferiores del Real Betis, el nuevo jugador del Barcelona, al que llega para ser el suplente de Víctor Valdés, ascendió al primer equipo en la temporada 1997/98 como suplente de Toni Prats. Debutó en la jornada 37 en un partido que el Betis perdió en el Benito Villamarín ante el Racing de Santander por 0-2.

Un 'Zamora' avalado por la experiencia

A finales de aquella temporada, el Celta que dirigía Javier Irureta le hizo una oferta para formar parte de la plantilla celeste. En principio, Pinto, cuya experiencia era sobre todo de sus años en el filial del Betis en con Javier Irureta  tendría más posibilidades de ser titular, pero el fichaje del francés Richard Dutruel le relegó nuevamente a la suplencia. Sin embargo, en la temporada siguiente las malas actuaciones del guardameta francés hicieron que Victor Fernández le diera la titularidad en la segunda vuelta del campeonato y formara parte del memorable 4-0 a la Juventus en la Copa de la UEFA, considerado por muchos analistas el mejor partido en la historia del Celta.

Cuando parecía que Pinto estaba asentado en el once inicial del Celta, el club fichó al internacional argentino Pablo Cavallero, procedente del Espanyol. En las siguientes tres temporadas Pinto volvió a ser suplente, pero se convirtió en uno de los pesos pesados del vestuario y uno de los jugadores más queridos por la afición de Balaídos. Con el descenso a Segunda División en la campaña 2003/04, Pinto, ya como capitán de la plantilla, recuperó la titularidad y lideró al Celta tanto en su retorno a Primera como a las competiciones europeas en la campaña 2005/06, en la que alcanzó la cima de su carrera al lograr el Trofeo Zamora al mejor portero del campeonato.

Esta temporada, el portero gaditano ha sido básico tanto para el entrenador Hristo Stoichkov, despedido hace unos meses, como para el actual técnico celeste, Juán Ramón López Caro. Lleva 16 partidos jugados, en los que ha encajado 21 goles, con un Celta que marcha séptimo en la Liga, y sólo se ha perdido un encuentro, por culpa de una tarjeta roja.

Dankzij de wonderen van YouTube kunnen we alle drie de slotdagen nogmaals in al hun glorie herleven.

Seizoen '91-'92

Real Madrid ging als koploper de laatste speeldag in. De Madrilenen stonden onder leiding van Don Leo Beenhakker (hij was eindelijk weer thuis) en hadden één punt voorsprong op Barcelona. De twee wedstrijden tussen beide ploegen waren in 1-1 geëindigd en het doelsaldo van Barcelona was aanzienlijk beter. Om kampioen te worden, moesten de mannen van Leo dus hetzelfde resultaat behalen als Barcelona.

Real Madrid ging op bezoek bij het Tenerife van oud-Madridspeler Jorge Valdano, dat moest winnen om promotie-degradatie wedstrijden te vermijden. Barcelona

Na amper negen minuten in de wedstrijd kopte Hierro (toen nog aanvallende middenvelder, goed voor 21 goals en de tweede plek op de topscorerslijs!) op voorzet van Gica Hagi de 0-1 binnen voor Madrid. Dezelfde Hagi schoot na een half uur spelen van grote afstand een vrije trap binnen voor de 0-2. Voor rust scoorde Tenerife nog 1-2, maar de titel leek veilig voor Madrid. Ook omdat Barcelona thuis nog op 0-0 stond.

Ik kan me nog herinneren dat de wedstrijd(en) toen door RTL4 live werden uitgezonden. Ik zat totdat moment helemaal in mijn nopjes te kijken. Maar wat na de rust gebeurde is tot op dit moment nog de naarste ervaring wat ik als Real Madrid supporter ooit heb gehad.

Barcelona kwam na rust op vorosprong en vlak daarna maakte Tenerife gelijk. maar er was nog genoeg tijd om voor de winst te gaan. Sanchis maakte echter aan alle hoop een eind door zijn subtiel tikje terug (waar was die in hemelsnaam mee bezig!?) naar Buyo, wat leidde tot de 3-2 voor Tenerife. Een van de grootste choke-optredens van Madrid was daarmee een feit en Cruijff kende zijn eerste lucky escape.

Seizoen '92-'93

Een jaar later deed zich dezelfde situatie voor: laatste speeldag, Madrid één punt voorsprong op Barcelona, maar Barcelona beter doelsaldo terwijl het odnerling resultaat weer gelijk was. Bijzonder was dat Real Madrid (nu onder Benito Floro; Don Leo was alweer elders thuis gekomen) weer naar Tenerife (nog steeds onder Valdano) moest voor de laatste wedstrijd en ook dit jaar moest Tenerife vol voor de winst gaan (dit keer om een UEFA Cup plek te veroveren). Zou er sprake van revanche zijn, of was de trauma van het jaar daarvoor nog niet verwerkt?

De trauma zou uiteindelijk alleen maar groter worden. Na tien minuten scoorde Dertycia (wie kent hem nog!) voor Tenerife. Tegelijkertijd bracht Stoichkov Barcelona op voorsprong. Real Madrid probeerde daarna alles maar kwam niet meer tot scoren, terwijl Tenerife vlak voor rust dat nog wel deed. Kampioenschap naar Barcelona.

Seizoen '93-'94

Dit seizoen was Deportivo de La Coruña de koploper op de laatste speeldag met één punt voorsprong op Barcelona. De Catalanen hadden echter een beter onderling resultaat, dus bij een gelijke stand zou de titel naar hun gaan. Barcelona won hun thuiswedstrijd (tegen?) gemakkelijk, zodat alle druk al snel bij Deportivo kwam te liggen. In hun thuiswedstrijd tegen Valencia kwamen de Galiciërs echter niet verder dan 0-0, totdat ze in de blessuretijd een strafschop mee kregen. Miroslav Djukic had vanaf 11 meter de kans om de titel binnen te halen, maar de keeper (Palop volgens mij, nu bij Sevilla) redde zijn inzet en BArcelona werd voor de 4e keer op rij landskampioen.

Op youtube helaas alleen maar beelden van de strafschop:

NB: Wil tot slot nog even opmerken dat het zo opgehemelde Dream Team van Cruijff dus drie kampioenschappen te danken had aan (jammerlijk) falen van de concurrenten. Mijn mening is natuurlijk gekleurd, maar ik wilde het toch even gezegd hebben.