Sports

This season, FC Barcelona’s first team will have eleven players that came up through the club’s youth system. Fifty per cent of the 2011/2012 team is from La Masia.

The new Barça number 4 said in his presentation that the club "has made my dream possible" and stressed that he’s fully prepared to "take on whatever role I’m given”.

Barça and Real Madrid have drawn 2-2 in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup. The visitors responded to Ozil’s opener with goals from Villa and Messi. After the break, Xabi Alonso converted Madrid’s equaliser.

Despite having the whole squad around for only the past two days, FC Barcelona coach, Josep Guardiola doesn’t want any excuses ahead of the Spanish Super Cup which starts this Sunday at Real Madrid’s stadium. "This is a final and whoever wins will be the best team" he said.

Speaking at a press conference Javier Mascherano insisted that the result of the Spanish Super Cup would not set the standard for the rest of the season, whilst accepting the importance of the clash

A second half hat-trick from Thievy Bifouma secured the 22nd Copa Catalunya for Espanyol. Playing back-to-back matches straight after their American tour was just too much for the Barça youngsters.

The final of the 22nd Catalan Cup will take place between Barça and Espanyol. FC Barcelona won Girona, with a team formed only by Barça B players and coached by Eusebio.

The final of the 22nd Catalan Cup will take place between Barça and Espanyol. FC Barcelona won Girona, with a team formed only by Barça B players and coached by Eusebio.

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