Sports

The three games played by Barça in the USA attracted a total of 212,694 people, an impressive figure that reflects the interest in the team in North America.

Kobe Bryant and Pep Guardiola pulled on Barça shirts and took part in a charity game in Washington DC organised by Club ambassador Mia Hamm on Sunday

Barça’s social commitment has taken on a further global character with the agreement signed with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to work towards eradicating Polio. Mr Gates expressed his personal satisfaction at working with the Club.

Barça beat Bayern Munich 2-0 and won their first trophy of the season. Two goals from Thiago Alcantara in the 41st and the 74th minute decided a game that Barça dominated from the start

Barça needed a penalty shootout to beat Inter of Porto Alegre, after the 90 minutes of their Audi Cup semi-final ended 2-2. On the basis of opportunities created and control of play, Guardiola’s side deserved to win by a large margin.

Barça drew against Hajduk Split in the first pre-season game. Despite their clear superiority in terms of play, possession and chances, Pep Guardiola’s team was unable to get past Subasic in the Hajduk goal. Villa, Soriano, and Jeffren however came close on a number of occasions.

The Chilean striker has been handed his number 9 shirt and was presented on Monday as a new member of the first team. Alexis has admitted that he is very happy to have become a Barcelona player

Known as the 'boy wonder', Alexis Sanchez (22) is the right-winger capable of playing in any of the three attacking positions. Fast and skilful, the Chilean also stands out for his tactical discipline.

Pedro Rodríguez spoke to reporters after training on Thursday and explained that the squad is excited about the season ahead and already working hard to ensure another successful campaign

The FC Barcelona first team was back at training on Monday, 51 days after the final at Wembley. There were 15 players involved in the first session of the season.

Sports director Andoni Zubizarreta has recognised that the negotiations to sign Alexis Sánchez and finalise Bojan Krkic's departure are almost complete. On Cesc, he insists that the negotiations have been clean.

The squad will be back in training on Monday –exactly 50 days since their Champions League triumph at Wembley. During their holiday break, the Club have made three important contract renewals and five of the players have won European international honours.

There has been a 400% increase in attendance of official Barça summer schools (FCB Camp) with respect to last year. More than 18,000 children are enjoying the summer camps organised by FC Barcelona.

FC Barcelona will face Girona FC in Tarragona’s Nou Estadi, in the semi finals of the Copa Catalunya on Monday, August 8. The other semi final is between RCD Espanyol and Nàstic de Tarragona.

On Monday FC Barcelona’s pre-season begins with five friendly matches, or to be more accurate, in the words of Barça’s coach Gaurdiola, with five non-official matches. Pep Guardiola has shown that he wants to win every match.