Real Madrid and Barcelona started its journey with great disappointment in the new edition of the Spanish League before losing to Deportivo La Coruna (2-1) and Numancia (1-0), respectively, on the first day, after which the athlete Kun Agüero was Madrid's first as leader.

Throughout merengue played since booting Gonzalo Higuaín and Gabriel Heinze (Gago was on the bench and not joined), but little could be done to bolt the "curse" of coruñés of Riazor stadium, where sum and six consecutive defeats and his last victory dating back to the 1991-1992 campaign. Mista to Depor ahead and although Van Nistelrooy tied in the second half, the final goal from Lopo justified the superiority in the development of the match and affix the final victory.

For its part, Barcelona lost as a visitor in his debut before the newly promoted Numancia by 1-0. Lionel Messi was incumbent on the team Guardiola and used the ten in the back, but was far from his better standard and hardly could unbalance in some situations. At 12 the first time, Mario got the only goal of the match for the local and sealed the scoring and victory.

Moreover, the athletes Madrid, who had left behind in the week to Schalke 04, to overcome the previous round of the Champions League, the party continued yesterday at the Vicente Calderon with goals including: 4-0 at Malaga. With Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Agüero from the boot, was an athlete machine, and was found at the Uruguayan Forlán, author of two goals.

Meanwhile, the Almeria had a dream debut. Vence as a visitor to Athletic de Bilbao in its first game in First Division after moving up last season. It was 3-1 and had a role Argentine. It is that the account was opened thanks to Argentine defender Hernan Pellerano, former Velez.

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.

Although the TAS has offered the opportunity to Barcelona to claim the return of the player, the selection argentina wants to remain part of the team which revalidated the gold in Athens 2004.

The coach of the Olympic selection argentina, Sergio Batista, said today that Messi "wants to stay with the team throughout the tournament" and confirmed that tomorrow will vest in the debut of the albiceleste against Ivory Coast. "Lionel (Messi) told me he wants to keep the campus" Argentine explained the technician at a press conference, adding that "I will not get into legal issues, but I know that will continue playing for us throughout the championship."



Batista said that the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) "in total tranquillity", despite statements by Messi, who a few days ago said that if needed Back to Barcelona, would return. "Lionel what could have said at that time," said Batista, but "now says that stays here with the rest of the team." Messi "requests the Barcelona who understands their situation," added the coach, who believes that "people Barca means to Lionel and I do not think there will be no problem."

The Barcelona wants Messi is not involved in the JJOO and joins the team for the preliminary phase of Champions, about what they felt that Batista "We know well what they were playing Barcelona, but I do not think you feel angry about the decision we might take the player, nor that it can move to higher". Batista pointed out that he would like to chat with Pep Guardiola, the coach of Barcelona, "to explain the urge that Messi has to stay" and what that is happy with Argentina.

The AFA says that Messi is left to play Games
The president of the Association of Wrestling (AFA), Julio Grondona, and Argentine selector, Sergio Batista, assured today that the striker Leo Messi will stay with his selection in China to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing, despite the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has determined that no FC Barcelona is obliged to release the player for the Olympic tournament. Grondona said the Argentinian channel TN that "Messi plays and stays in Beijing", while Batista also stated that the first footballer to play tomorrow partido de la argentina selection in the Olympic Games, before Ivory Coast, and that "the player will be responsible for Barcelona to express their desire to be here." "Messi is going to be tomorrow and will play throughout the tournament with us, although I am not going to get into legal issue," he said.

"I am calm and confident because I spoke with the player and I know his thinking. The will to Barcelona express its wish to be here," Batista said in a press conference in Shanghai, as reflected various means Argentines. In addition, noted that no cree "Barcelona to claim that call." "I have great faith and also thought the player is all we want," said the coach of Argentina. Batista has also explained that "understood" that Barcelona can not cause any problems "Messi if he got with the selection and that if he were coach of Barca," never denied anyone playing with the selection. " With regard to statements Messi week Last, which ensured that Barca to go back to if they ruled the TAS, said: "I read what could have said in a moment, but I DJI who will speak with executives."

In its resolution, the TAS has the right to FC Barcelona to rule today that clubs have no "legal obligation" to cede their players to teams for the Olympic Games, so that the club could claim the player for the round Prior to the Champions League. The ruling also supports the TAS to Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen in the cases of their respective players and the Brazilian Rafinha Diego.