FC Barcelona Presents Their 5 Trophies To Camp Nou

On Wednesday, FC Barcelona played the last match of year 2015 against Real Betis, but it was an historic occasion.

Prior to the match, Barca presented to Camp Nou the five trophies won through the year 2015. These titles are: La Liga cup, Copa Del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World cup.

The players of Betis gave a guard of honour stand to the Blaugrana as the stepped out to the pitch.

It was also the 500th appearance of the Argentine forward Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona.

All in all the club had a phenomenal year with a total of 180 goals, of which 137 goals were scored by the three forwards- Messi(48), Suarez(48) and Neymar(41).

And on this note, I wish all Footballing fans a very happy and victorious NEW YEAR. May life's pitch treat you with opportunities and assist you in scoring all your goals and adding on to your personal trophies. Have a very sporty 2016!


La Liga winners 2015

FIFA Club World Cup winners 2015

UEFA Super Cup 2015

UEFA Champions League winners 2015

Copa Del Rey winners 2015

 

FC Barcelona Are Champions For The Fifth Time!

On Saturday, 6th June, UEFA Champions League Final was played between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC. It was quite a showdown that ended with FCB rising to the occasion and winning the league title for the fifth time.

The evening began with an opening ceremony with colourful performances and a choir that sang the UCL anthem.

Opening ceremony at Olympiastadion, Berlin

The match was between the two awaiting treble winners- Serie A, Coppa Italia winners Juve and La Liga, Copa del Rey winners FCB. Both teams were zealous to become the champion of champions! the match began with an early goal by Ivan Rakitic with in the first five minutes. This goal was a joint effort by Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Neymar and Andreas Iniesta for who it was the third assist in UCL final.

The game seemed to subside in Barca's favour with a lead and domination in the first half. The Italian side were losing their patience as back fall in first half wasn't exactly their plan.

The second half began with a new and aggressive Juve who seemed determined to get and equalizer. Alvaro Morata came out to be the hailing saviour who scored one for Juve at 55th min.

Alvaro Morata scores the only goal for Juve

But the joy was short lived as Luis Suarez gain back the lead for Barca, all thanks to Messi. Messi charged in for a shot at goal which was wonderfully denied by Gianluigi Buffon. The threat wasn't over yet as Suarez wisely played to the opportunity and nicked the rebound in at 67th min.

Barca made sure that they would maintain the lead with good defending from Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique. A third goal was conceived a few minutes later by Neymar which was not given because of handball.

The match continued as both teams kept on punching on each others defence for another goal. But were unsuccessful. Match went on to extra time where Juve almost had a chance for a second goal but was denied. Neymar scored a late winner with a combo between Messi, Pedro and Neymar against Buffon. The match ends with the late 97th min goal.

Tevez, Pogba, Vidal each took multiple shots on goal but missed. Messi, though he couldn't score any goals, he was the magic maker who made these goals happen.

In the end, Juve just couldn't make the cut, resulting Barca to be the treble winners with 3-1 lead. It was a perfect ending to Xavi Hernandez's Barca career. A legendary ending fit for a legend. On the other hand, Andrea Pirlo who was also playing the last match for Zebre had to settle for duplet.

Xavi and Pirlo exchanging hugs post-match

The match followed festivities and celebrations. FC Barcelona were La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League winners of 2015.

For Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5jOb_Gb8pU

Barca hoist the CL cup



Xavi takes home the cup and the ball



Enrique celebrates with the team



MSN- Mess, Suarez and Neymar- proved to be the best forwards

FCB with the Copa del Rey cup, CL cup and La Liga cup



Neymar with a thankful prayer

Will FC Barcelona loose Messi?

FC Barcelona had been in news in 2014 for all good reasons like signing of Luis Surez and being the top in La Liga alongside Real Madrid, but it seem the glory streak didn't follow in 2015. With reports of Lionel Messi planning to leave the club and Enrique under fire for varied reasons, Barça fans are confused and heartbroken.
The opening of transfer window in January saw a shift in loyalty, players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are in the list of players who swapped there jerseys from Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC accordingly. Will Messi join them? He has been playing for Barça for past 14 years, the very idea of seeing him play for another club hurts!

Lionel Messi after match against Elche

The news of Messi wanting to leave first arose after he started following Chelsea FC on Instagram and that Cesc Fabregas was talking to the four time Ballon d'Or winner for a move. But this news was scraped after Chelsea refused to shell out £500 million, which is the price tag put on by Barça.
One of the major reason why Messi wants to leave Barça is none other than Luis Enrique, the current coach of the team. Reports of heat between Messi and coach started after Enrique benched him for the first match of 2015 against Real Sociedad, which FC Barcelona lost. The dispute continued to training sessions, at a point it reached to a level that Neymar Jr had to intervene.

Now it seems that coach Enrique is under fire by the club authorities after two loses and the whole Messi row. Rumors have it that Braça is already looking for replacement and Messi has recommended ex-coach Dutchman Frank Rijkaard.
From one point of view it seems as  though Luis Enrique is slaughtered to keep Messi, after all who would wanna lose the present Ballon d'Or contender. On the other it seems that Enriques schemes are not working after two consecutive loses against big leagues.
It will be worth watching whether Barça fans will have to bid adieu to just Luis Enrique or bare double loss and say goodbye to Messi as well.

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique

"As far as I know, these problems all started about two years ago. Messi is only still at Barcelona because he promised it to Tito Vilanova at his deathbed."

-Ten Cate told De Telegraaf.