A month after his departure to China, Messi again put under the command of Pep Guardiola as Olympic champion

Barca get their stars for the League

A month ago scarce, Barcelona and Messi lived a situation radically different from what yesterday was staged on the lawn of the estate. By then, Argentina called for the incorporation of a Barca player to Olympic team that was already concentrated in China.

Barcelona, called the right to try to impose Sports his judgement and the player lived a situation of tension hardly sustainable. This scenario, had nothing to do with the image that was yesterday when Messi was able to return to train with the team after missing 29 days. What could have been a crisis of confidence with unpredictable consequences ended yesterday culminate in a happy reunion.

As the Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola in Florence before leaving the tour of the United States in which Leo did not participate, "we hope that when it does come back happy and content with the gold medal round his neck. We you will receive with open arms because we are stronger with him. " And so it happened yesterday.

The return of Messi represents a strengthening of luxury for a team that knew how to do duties when his star was absent (qualify for the Champions) and that within four days can not fail in his visit to Soria in the first game of the season.

Messi arrives grateful to the club and committed to the full. The proof of their satisfaction is evident in statements that the Argentine made from China. "Thanks Barca, Pep thanks for giving me the chance to play this competition and fulfill my dream. I have helped a lot," said Leo nothing else placed under orders Sergio Batista and then repeated it after winning gold to Nigeria.

Of his commitment, nor doubt. The Argentine, after the final, not stayed in China to attend the closing ceremony, nor was the rest of his team to Argentina to be received as heroes. What was finishing his final shot and go out to Barcelona where he arrived last Sunday ready to cooperate in whatever.

The first thing we did was collect their mates and his coach and, with medal in hand, to thank the effort. Later, in private conversation with the technician, offered to travel to Krakow on Monday, despite beating the plane that accumulated.

Guardiola thanked him for the gesture, but opted to stay in Barcelona to overcome the jet-lag. " While his companions were in Poland, Leo was exercised on Tuesday along with Victor Sanchez and Juanjo Brau, the person who knows best the functioning of the body's best player in the world.

It was not until yesterday afternoon when the Argentine was able to reunite with the entire group. This team has done that while duties in the Champions while he was leading Argentina in Beijing, recognized as the leader who must pull the car in the remainder of the season.

Messi, as said Guardiola, has returned to Barcelona bigger than it was. And that is an asset that must Barcelona seized.

His triumph in the decisive participation of Argentina in the Olympic Games, coupled with the actions he did during last shot at Leo as a strong candidate to triumph in the dispute of the "Golden Ball" this year.

At the end of the season, seemed sung that Cristiano Ronaldo would be the candidate for the maximum award which rewards the best player in the world, but if facing irrelevant Euro Luso and the injury that still keeps him away from the playgrounds with the impressive participation in the Barcelona Games, it seems obvious that Leo is gaining ground at Manchester United player.

Therefore, the most experienced yesterday one day joyful. The crack Messi returned to training with his colleagues to pull the car. The crack is back home.

Nothing more landing at El Prat airport, went to Camp Nou to reunite with the dressing room and start thinking in key Barca

Messi is already at home. He arrived with the gold medal in the neck. Good news for FC Barcelona, despite his star to leave march to the Games, has virtually solved the ballot European smoothly. And good news for Barca template. The triumphant return of Leo, the crack of the new draft Guardiola, adds an extra motivation to footballer a few days to start of the League, a new really positive for the Barcelona dressing room.


Nothing more landing at El Prat and speak to the media, "the Flea" went to Camp Nou to reunite with his companions, each and every one of those in recent days have sent their best wishes for the Olympic adventure Messi. And so what thanked the footballer. Leo greeted the players and gave them the gold medal, an award that purports to be the first of a successful season. Immediately afterwards, the Argentine was brought in the gym waiting to return as soon as possible to group work.

I am already "here" with the medal and I am very happy for that. But now touches think everything that comes

<p class="quote"> I'm very motivated. Whether it was during the preseason ... and not least for the team we have, new players and the great illusion that has this template

I have learned so I was telling my family. And with what I've seen, I am very happy and very keen to be with the group and

Thanks to the club, the chairman and Guardiola was there, because if they have wanted should have returned. But it has not been the case. In the end, this whole "Follonica" that has been assembled I have been compensated. Power come with the gold medal is even more beautiful for me, my colleagues and the entire Argentina

I always like ... Although this medal has given me a lot of strength to try to keep growing, yes

There was a time not playing, it's normal that lacks pace. If it wins again be that the era.

The selection of Argentina, Sergio Batista, said today after winning the match to Nigeria for the gold medal in the Games "that the Beijing Olympics player of the albiceleste Leo Messi had ido" fewer than in this tournament "and that the Final has done "a great role

THE selection, satisfied with the performance of Barca

"Leo has done a great tournament, has fewer than ido. In the position he has played today we knew we could unbalance. There is at one with Agüero and with Riquelme, among others, and touch the ball very well, "said Batista.

The selection of Argentina stressed that this success was all the players, including alternates, who "collaborated on everything," he said. "Here there are a lot of quality players, some are better than others, but more than a player I would stress to the whole team, all are important," said

"We had humility and has worked very well, now we must enjoy this joy. Today has been a game played with a lot of heat and where we had to work a lot to win (0-1)," he added.

"I knew that Nigeria was going to be a tough opponent, one still remembers how it was lost in Atlanta. This has also been a difficult game, because they are a team very well organised, with players such as the 9 (Obinna) and 14 (Odemwinge) that are very dangerous, "he concluded.

A major goal of the Benfica player Angelo di Maria has become an Olympic gold - the second consecutive - the fate of Argentina.

The combined albiceleste of Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has won the finals (1-0) after suffering, and much, before an impetuous selection Nigerian deserved better after his monologue venture in the second half.

Mistake Referral to top

Nigeria has left the party far more cautious than bold, while his rival only lived Lionel Messi. The meeting has started cold, as infected by the atmosphere in the stands, that was pure ice and that contrasted with a suffocating room temperature.

Whenever Nigerians arrived, threatening right, with Sani Kaito, and each time it tried to strike, Argentina sought to Leo Messi between the lines.

Still missing in argentina a reference top selection, as Sergio Kun Agüero is not a battering ram nato and Messi can not always make the game of his life to bridge the "bottlenecks" which sometimes are generated on your computer.

CLAIM penalty

At 20 minutes of play, has claimed a penalty on the player of Barcelona and, shortly before Juan Roman Riquelme had launched a failure "to limbo."

Promisse Isaac, in minute 42, has had a golden opportunity for eagle Greens, who have finished the first part being a team faster, more vertical, more solvent and much more threatening than originally planned.

A shot by Di Maria has been the best until then, when the first part and agonizaba. Vanzekin has made an outstanding stop and the 0-0 has remained unchanged to rest.

/> Options goal

In the second half, Nigeria seemed much more vigorous. And it has been. Argentina has already suffered and all fiaba a move Lionel Messi, but there has been a solo and without consequences (min. 49).

Everything did indicate that Nigeria was closer to hang the gold and could consummate somewhat against all odds. At that time, Di Maria has appeared to resolve with a touch of masterly and subtle a pass from Messi. Thus, the extreme left-handed has chopped the ball over the goalkeeper and has achieved one of the most spectacular goals of the tournament.

Leo against all

Nigeria has ido up and was able to tie, but Obinna and Odemwinge have not been successful. Even so, Nigeria has ruled the middle field and has a tight neck Argentina, which has just breathed when Messi has taken control the ball and went to counterattack.

It was Leo and against all such battle, so uneven, has been on the verge of giving likewise the albiceleste (min. 81), but Nigeria was opposite to his glory minute.

The draw has not come because football is somewhat random and, today, the stars have been with Argentina, which has been taken thus the final revenge of the Atlanta-96. That day there was more spectacle, but the gold in Beijing is the same.

Fact Sheet:

Argentina -1: Sergio Romero, Ezequiel Garay, Luciano Monzon, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicholas Young, Fernando Gago, Juan Roman Riquelme, Angelo Di Maria (Banegas, min. 88), Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi (Lavezzi, min. 91) and Sergio Agüero (Sosa, min. 78).
-0 Nigeria: Vanzekin, Okonkwo, Apam, Adeleye, Adefemi, Kaito, Isaac (Ekpo, min. 69), Ajilore, Obinna, Okorow (Anichebbe, min. 63) and Odewige.
Referee: Viktor Kasai (Hungary). Reprimand of Obinna, Di Maria and Riquelme.
Goals: 0-1: Min. 57, Di Maria.
Incident: Party of the end of the football tournament Disputed Beijing 2008 Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

Friends yes, but rivals. Rivals now at all. Rivals with the selection, in the semifinals of the Olympic Games, competing in Europe, when AC Milan go into their añitos hell for not having qualified for the Champions League this season. Rivals and friends. So much so that there will be no shirt who asked, because it will share the rest. Because although you may not be Messi and Ronaldinho sending messages to answer calls, when in the Stadium of Workers kiss and teach the world that an Argentine and Brazilian share much more than football. We spoke with Messi of what goes through his head in the media after the match most of the time.

Does Ronaldinho against Messi?
No, Brazil against Argentina.

And who is better?
Both come from a large attrition in the extension of our parties quarter. Brazil has a equipazo, but ours is enormous. We play through the same thing, by qualifying for the gold medal, and last won the final. I still have anger in the Cup finals americas. Now we are left to us ...

Already, Brazil but never won the gold…
I do not. From our selection only what has won Mascherano. And we have come to a medal, this is our dream.

Strange to see him in front, as rival…
Difficult, I prefer to Ronnie on my computer. If you have against is a disadvantage because anytime you can liar. I know what I say, I played with him, I know what you can do at any time. You may be tired, he has played the last four games of the entire Olympic tournament, but Ronnie does not need to move marearte for clavarte a goal from outside the area without assistance or give you a look that is half goal…

He speaks as if still play together…
Already, Brazil is, I know, but that is many times I've Viewed do incredible things in the field…

And now, how he sees it?
The truth is we could not see almost nothing because, as all matches are played on the same day does not give you time to be by other things. Yes I have seen a summary and is happy, he sees always laughing, with the same smile Barcelona.

And when Ronaldinho smiles, danger!
Yes, because it means that it's going well and if he enjoys ago to enjoy others.

Do Pesa bringing the number 10 shirt with Ronaldinho at Barca?
Move 10 is a pride, but I will have to do very well in order to give as much as he has in the club. To lay all of what Ronnie least, is a genius. I still miss the most, because it's friend.

Now AC Milan will be…
Will, what do I know ... I am a team where Ronaldinho plays.

And Diego? /> Grande Do dresses?, 30 hours stuck plane to be with us, came the same day in the morning and evening were motivated in the dressing room, in the tier. When you're with us makes it happen barbaric, is a large.

A forecast for the semifinals…
I'm not giving results, but Ronnie: gold is for Argentina! It will be hard, it's always difficult against canarinha, but my dream is the dream of the whole Argentinian team. And now, Ustari, by my friend (seriously injured in the left knee)