News for 'xavi'

Messi, Mourinho spoil Spanish party at FIFA Ballon D'Or

Messi, Mourinho spoil Spanish party at FIFA Ballon D'Or

Rediff.com11 Jan 2011

Argentina's Lionel Messi won the World Player of the Year for the second time in a row on Monday and Jose Mourinho walked off with the coach's award, leaving Spain's World Cup winners disappointed.

Kings Cup: Fabregas sizzles as Barcelona reach final

Kings Cup: Fabregas sizzles as Barcelona reach final

Rediff.com9 Feb 2012

Barcelona set up a King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao when Cesc Fabregas scored one goal and created another for Xavi in a 2-0 win over 10-man Valencia in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Neymar says his goodbyes to Barca, reserves special thanks for Messi

Neymar says his goodbyes to Barca, reserves special thanks for Messi

Rediff.com4 Aug 2017

In a video, released on Thursday, Neymar thanked his famous former Argentine teammate and the Catalonian club for the wonder years.

Messi wins World Player of Year award again

Messi wins World Player of Year award again

Rediff.com10 Jan 2012

Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, still only 24, won the World Player of the Year award for the third time in a row on Monday.

Images: Messi sparks Barca triumph over United

Images: Messi sparks Barca triumph over United

Rediff.com29 May 2011

Lionel Messi mesmerised Manchester United into submission on Saturday as his dazzling Barcelona team claimed an emphatic 3-1 win in the Champions League final to bag their third European crown in six seasons.

Nine-goal Barca enjoy King's Cup romp

Nine-goal Barca enjoy King's Cup romp

Rediff.com23 Dec 2011

Barcelona, fielding a side full of youngsters from the club's academy, routed Catalan neighbours Hospitalet to complete a 10-0 aggregate win over the third-tier side to reach the last 16 of Spain's King's Cup on Thursday.

Messi leads Barca to Club World Cup title

Messi leads Barca to Club World Cup title

Rediff.com18 Dec 2011

Lionel Messi scored two wonder goals as European champions Barcelona thrashed Brazil's Santos 4-0 to win their second Club World Cup in two years on Sunday.

El Clasico: Luck not on our side, laments Mourinho

El Clasico: Luck not on our side, laments Mourinho

Rediff.com11 Dec 2011

Jose Mourinho attributed a large part of Barcelona's 3-1 'Clasico' victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday to luck and dismissed the idea that it would damage his side's morale in the La Liga title race.

PHOTOS: Meet Mr and Mrs Messi!

PHOTOS: Meet Mr and Mrs Messi!

Rediff.com1 Jul 2017

Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo's wedding.

Merciless Messi hits three as Barca win 8-0

Merciless Messi hits three as Barca win 8-0

Rediff.com18 Sep 2011

A hat-trick by Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to an 8-0 rout of Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday as the champions responded with a devastating performance after a poor week by their high standards.

Football Focus: Barcelona buy Pjanic for Arthur

Football Focus: Barcelona buy Pjanic for Arthur

Rediff.com30 Jun 2020

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.

'C'est fini', says tearful Casillas as he quits Real Madrid

'C'est fini', says tearful Casillas as he quits Real Madrid

Rediff.com12 Jul 2015

"C'est fini". With those few words in French a tearful Iker Casillas brought to an end his farewell statement on Sunday to the Real Madrid fans he has served as first-team goalkeeper and captain for 16 seasons.

India lose 1-4 to Spain in practice game ahead of Rio

India lose 1-4 to Spain in practice game ahead of Rio

Rediff.com28 Jul 2016

Indian men's hockey team witnessed a disappointing start to its final preparatory campaign ahead of the Rio Olympics after it went down 1-4 to Spain in the first of the two practice games in Madrid. For eight-time champions India, the loss against Spain couldn't have come at the right time as they give final touches to their preparation before flying directly to Rio from here in search of an Olympic medal that eluded the country for 36 years. India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980.

Hockey WC: Minnows France stun Olympic champs Argentina

Hockey WC: Minnows France stun Olympic champs Argentina

Rediff.com6 Dec 2018

After New Zealand and Spain played out a 2-2 draw earlier in the day, World No. 20, the lowest ranked side in the competition, France needed an outright win to qualify for the cross-overs and they came out with intent to achieve the goal.

El Classico: 'We were superior to Real Madrid'

El Classico: 'We were superior to Real Madrid'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2011

Barcelona playmaker Xavi has dismissed the idea that Real Madrid's battling performance with 10 men in La Liga on Saturday would give them a confidence boost for Wednesday's King's Cup final.

Iniesta suffered bruised pelvis at Champions League match vs PSG

Iniesta suffered bruised pelvis at Champions League match vs PSG

Rediff.com17 Apr 2015

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta could miss Saturday's La Liga game at home to Valencia after tests on Thursday confirmed he suffered a bruised pelvis in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League win at Paris St Germain.

Messi inspires Barca to 3-0 win at Mallorca

Messi inspires Barca to 3-0 win at Mallorca

Rediff.com27 Feb 2011

Lionel Messi conjured a magical headed goal to set a depleted Barcelona on their way to a 3-0 win at Real Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday that stretched their lead over Real Madrid at the top to eight points.

'Ronaldo's departure has liberated Man United'

'Ronaldo's departure has liberated Man United'

Rediff.com26 May 2011

Barcelona believes Manchester United is a better side without Real Madrid star winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to welcome back Ronaldo to Old Trafford.

Football Briefs: Ronaldo discharged from Ibiza hospital after heavy flu

Football Briefs: Ronaldo discharged from Ibiza hospital after heavy flu

Rediff.com14 Aug 2018

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

Inspired by Cruyff, De Jong keen to make mark at Barca

Inspired by Cruyff, De Jong keen to make mark at Barca

Rediff.com29 Jul 2019

De Jong is proud to join the likes of compatriots Ronald Koeman, Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert in heading to the Nou Camp, having dreamed of wearing Barca colours.

Coach bans Spain footballers from tweeting

Coach bans Spain footballers from tweeting

Rediff.com25 May 2010

There is unlikely to be a tweet out of the Spain players at the World Cup after coach Vicente del Bosque banned them from using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook during the tournament.

Messi celebrates Ballon d'Or with Cup hat-trick

Messi celebrates Ballon d'Or with Cup hat-trick

Rediff.com13 Jan 2011

Lionel Messi celebrated a second successive World Player of the Year award with a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed second division Real Betis 5-0 in a King's Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Barcelona trio in running for FIFA Ballon D'Or

Barcelona trio in running for FIFA Ballon D'Or

Rediff.com9 Jan 2011

Barcelona's Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta are on the shortlist for the first FIFA Ballon D'Or award for the best player in the world to be presented on Monday at a ceremony that gets bigger by the year.

La Liga: Barca crush derby rivals Espanyol 5-1

La Liga: Barca crush derby rivals Espanyol 5-1

Rediff.com19 Dec 2010

Leaders Barcelona scored five goals away at their city rivals Espanyol for the first time as they made light of a potentially tricky city derby on Saturday.

Villa double leads Barca to 5-0 rout of Real

Villa double leads Barca to 5-0 rout of Real

Rediff.com30 Nov 2010

David Villa struck twice to lead Barcelona to a 5-0 rout of Real Madrid on Monday with a scintillating performance which put the champions two points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of the Spanish La Liga.

Villla keen on having Fabregas at Barca

Villla keen on having Fabregas at Barca

Rediff.com23 Jul 2010

Barcelona striker David Villa has said that he will do everything he can to persuade Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to join him at the Nou Camp.

Spain reaping benefits of Dutch influence at Barca

Spain reaping benefits of Dutch influence at Barca

Rediff.com10 Jul 2010

Spain owe a large debt of gratitude to their World Cup final opponents Netherlands because of the strong Dutch influence at Barcelona down the years, according to midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Barca rally to beat Valencia, Real go top

Barca rally to beat Valencia, Real go top

Rediff.com17 Oct 2010

Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol scored to help Barcelona to a 2-1 comeback victory at home to Valencia on Saturday, but it was Real Madrid who moved to the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win in Malaga.

La Liga: Barca thrash Depor 3-0, extend lead

La Liga: Barca thrash Depor 3-0, extend lead

Rediff.com15 Apr 2010

Barcelona took another step towards retaining their La Liga title when goals from Bojan Krkic, Pedro and Yaya Toure fired them to a 3-0 home win over Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday.

Messi, Ronaldo in race for Ballon d'Or award

Messi, Ronaldo in race for Ballon d'Or award

Rediff.com29 Nov 2009

The list of candidates to win the 2009 Ballon d'Or award was reduced to 10 men on Sunday, with Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi the overwhelming favourite.

Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Rediff.com4 Mar 2014

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol will leave the club at the end of the season following a persistent battle with a knee injury.

Puyol's semi-final winning goal 'made in Barcelona'

Puyol's semi-final winning goal 'made in Barcelona'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2010

Carles Puyol's match-winning header against Germany in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final was the fruit of a move worked out on the training ground at Barcelona, the defender said on Thursday.

Images: Puyol heads Spain into maiden final

Images: Puyol heads Spain into maiden final

Rediff.com8 Jul 2010

A headed goal by defender Carles Puyol carried Spain to their first World Cup final on Wednesday when they beat Germany 1-0 in the semi-finals.

Puyol takes Spain past Germany to final

Puyol takes Spain past Germany to final

Rediff.com8 Jul 2010

Spain needed a 73rd minute goal from defender Carles Puyol to edge past Germany 1-0 on Wednesday and set up a World Cup final against Netherlands.

Villa goal earns Spain quarter-final spot

Villa goal earns Spain quarter-final spot

Rediff.com30 Jun 2010

A goal by striker David Villa earned Spain a 1-0 win over neighbours Portugal and a World Cup quarter-final place after an entertaining match on Tuesday in which the Portuguese also created several chances.

PIX: Record-breaking Messi lifts Barca to big win; Ibrahimovic makes history

PIX: Record-breaking Messi lifts Barca to big win; Ibrahimovic makes history

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho scored two poacher's goals as they beat Manchester United 3-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday to set up a last-four clash against Southampton.

Messi inspires Barca to 4-0 win at Deportivo

Messi inspires Barca to 4-0 win at Deportivo

Rediff.com9 Jan 2011

Lionel Messi scored a stunning freekick and helped set up two more goals as Barcelona swept hosts Deportivo Coruna aside 4-0 to surge five points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday.

La Liga: Messi double puts Barca back on track

La Liga: Messi double puts Barca back on track

Rediff.com2 May 2010

Lionel Messi scored twice to help Barcelona shake off the disappointment of their midweek Champions League semi-final exit with a 4-1 victory at Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.

Champions League: Mourinho's Inter facing mission 'Stop Messi'

Champions League: Mourinho's Inter facing mission 'Stop Messi'

Rediff.com27 Apr 2010

Jose Mourinho and his Inter Milan players managed to stifle Champions League holders Barcelona last week at the San Siro but repeating the feat at the Nou Camp on Wednesday is a different proposition altogether.

Bayern snap up Spain under-21 midfielder Thiago

Bayern snap up Spain under-21 midfielder Thiago

Rediff.com15 Jul 2013

European champions Bayern Munich have strengthened their midfield by agreeing to buy sought-after Spain Under-21 international Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona for a fee of 25 million euros.