Electronic Arts UK Community - View Single Post - F.C. Barcelona

chiboygeorge · 25-10-2008, 05:25 AM

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Defenders
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Daniel Alves
Position RWB
Overall 86
Age 25
Price $13,000,000

Story:
Dani Alves is one of the strongest, most intense and athletic right sided players in the world. He arrived at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2008, aged 25 and after six seasons with Sevilla.
He was born on May 6, 1983 (Juazeiro, Brazil). Daniel Alves joined the Andalusian club in 2002 (signed from Bahía of Brazil), but it was in 2003/04 that he really came into his own. Alves played 29 games as he became the club’s first choice right back and helped his side to qualify for Europe.

Over time, Alves became one of the lynchpins of the Sevilla defence, but also contributed to the attack, and in 2005/06 won the UEFA Cup. He was named by UEFA as the player of the tournament in the 2005/06 season, and a few months later featured in the Sevilla side that beat FC Barcelona in Monaco to win the European Super Cup.

In the 2006/07 season, the Brazilian was once again a central part of the Sevilla team, and as well as the Spanish Super Cup, his side retained the UEFA Cup in Glasgow and also collected the Copa del Rey.

The year before signing for Barça the Brazilian won the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid and made his Champions League debut, with Sevilla surviving the group stages before going out to Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe. In the 2007/08 season, Alves played 33 league games, with only Navas making more appearances.

Alves has also made his mark on the Brazilian national side. In the summer of 2007 he played a major role in the Copa America winning team.

PROFILE
He may be 173 cm tall and weighs 64 kg but Alves is a physical presence on the pitch, and is able to bite anywhere on the pitch. He rarely tires, and like the typical Brazilian full back, patrols the whole right side of the pitch, participating as much in defence as attack. He has scored eight league goals for Sevilla during these trademark advances up the pitch, which have come as much with his left foot as with his right, and he is also lethal from dead ball situations.

HONOURS

Sevilla
2007/08 Spanish Super Cup
2006/07 Copa del Rey
2006/07 UEFA Cup
2006/07 European Super Cup
2005/06 UEFA Cup

Brazil National Side
2007 Copa America

Individual Titles
2005/06 best Player in UEFA Cup

Carles Puyol
Position CB
Overall 88
Age 30
Price $19,000,000

Story:
Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía.

He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender.

In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup.
However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp.

During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005.

At the end of the following season in 2006/07 (in which he played in 35 of 38 League games), Carles Puyol suffered the worst injury of his career when the League was already over. He damaged ligaments in his knee in a friendly played in Pretoria on 20 June 2007 and this kept him out until 29 September. Despite missing the first months of the competition, the club captain finally played in 30 League games in the 2007/08 campaign.
Carles Puyol is also a fixture in the Spanish national side, with which he played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and in the European Championships in 2004 and 2008. In the latter he was key figure as Spain won the title in Vienna.

CHARACTERISTICS
Carles Puyol started off in the first team at right back but has since developed into a great central defender. He stands out for his tremendous fitness levels and his discipline on the pitch. He's a perfect example of a team player and he never over-complicates the job when he has to cut off an opposing attacking move.

He can also adapt to the left back position when circumstances dictate. Although he is not particularly tall (178 cm), his physical strength makes him very strong in the air and he is capable of man-marking opposing forwards who are taller than him. He also likes to get up in attack, especially for corners and free kicks.

More than anything else, Carles Puyol is a reference point for the rest of the squad due to his character and qualities of leadership and because of his pride in the Barca colours and his total identification with the Club.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006/07 Spanish Supercup
2005/06 Champions League
2005/06 League
2005/06 Spanish Supercup
2004/05 League

Spanish national team
2008 European Championship 2000 Silver medal. Sidney Olympic Games

Rafael Marquez
Position CB
Overall 83
Age 29
Price $6,900,000

Story:
Rafael Márquez is the first Mexican ever to play for Barça, having arrived in the 2003-2004 close season as one of the principal reinforcements in defence.
His youth and the progress he's enjoyed in the last few years have combined to make him one of the most promising defenders in Europe.

Beginning his career at Atlas Guadalajara (1996-99) he made his debut in the Mexican first division when he was just 17 years old. Three years later he signed for AS Monaco where he soon fit into the demands of the European game. In 2000 he won the French League title and was named as the league's top defender.

In 2003 his team won the French League Cup. Captain of the Mexican national team he played in the 1999 and 2001 Copas de America and the 2002 World Cup.
Márquez has gained the complete respect and trust of Frank Rijkaard and has become a regular in the Barcelona team. In his first season at the club he was one of the key figures as the side earned direct qualification for the Champions League.

In 2004-05, he demonstrated his versatility. The knee ligament injuries to Edmilson and Thiago Motta meant that Márquez was asked to step away from his usual role in the centre of the defence and play as a defensive midfielder, as he had done for both Monaco and Mexico in the past. He proved to be outstanding in front of the defence as he helped the side win the league title.

Márquez played in 34 League games and 6 Champions League fixtures, scoring 3 goals. In the 2005-06 season Márquez partnered Carles Puyol in the centre of the defence and together they become one of the best central defensive pairings in Europe. He was out for a month with a muscle strain in his right leg. In the year of the double, Márquez played in 25 League games and 8 Champions League encounters.

Injuries limited the Mexican’s contribution in the 2006/07 and 07/08 seasons. In total he played in 21 and 22 League games respectively. With the arrival of Touré Yaya, Márquez once again moved into the centre of the defence where he formed a fine pairing with Gaby Milito.

Captain of Mexico, and in addition to winning the Copa Confederaciones in 1999 and the Copa de Oro in 2003, he has also played under all the national team’s coaches in recent years. He played in the Copa América in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2007, and in the World Cup in 2002. He was also a key player for Mexico in the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

CHARACTERISTICS
Right footed and very skilful, he reads the game well and has a great ability to launch his team in counter attacks. In addition he's a great free kick taker and strong in the air.

Known as the "Kàiser of Michoacán" for his elegance on the ball, dependability and skill coming out of defence, Marquez can also do the business as a central midfielder and has been compared to Franz Beckenbauer.

In the defensive midfield role, Márquez can impose his strength in the air as well as helping to build the play from the back as well as breaking up opposition attacks with his tackling.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2006/07 Spanish Supercup
2005/06 Champions League
2005/06 League
2005/06 Spanish Supercup
2004/05 League

Monaco
2002/03 French League's Cup
1999/00 League

Mexican National Team
2003 Golden Cup
1999 Confederation Cup

Gabriel Milito
Position CB
Overall 85
Age 28
Price $12,000,000

Story:
Gabriel Milito is the twentieth Argentinian to wear the Barça shirt. He is a central defender who started out at Independiente in Avellaneda, and then spent four years at Zaragoza before coming to the Camp Nou.

Gabriel Milito was born in Bernal (Buenos Aires), on September 7, 1980. He came up through the youth ranks at Independiente, making his top flight debut aged 17 with the Avellaneda based club. 'El Mariscal', as he is known, led the side’s defence despite his young age, but his promising future was almost cut short by a serious injury. He tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee in 2001 and was out for nine months. And shortly after his return, he was injured for another four months, this time with a broken meniscus in his right foot.

Once he was back to full fitness, Gaby Milito was one of the main reasons for Independiente’s Opening Championship victory in 2002. He was named Argentinian Player of the Year and in the summer of 2004 made his move to Spain.

Milito was originally headed for Real Madrid. However, before signing his contract the club’s doctors concluded that he was not fully recovered from his knee injury and warned against signing the player. Milito went instead to Zaragoza, and that season won the Copa del Rey at Montjuïc, ironically beating Real Madrid. Later that year, Zaragoza also won the Spanish Super Cup and Milito was heralded as one of the finest defenders in the league. In four years at Zaragoza, he never failed to please.

In the 2005/06 and 2006/07 season, Gaby was joned by his older brother, Diego, at La Romareda. The Milito brothers were the stars of a side that won back to back UEFA Cups.
Gaby Milito has also found his way into the Argentina national team. He made his international debut in 2000 and played at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and in the 2007 Copa America, where he was a regular feature in Alfio Basile’s side, which reached the final.

In the 2007/008 season he became a fixture at the heart of Barça’s defence. He played in 27 League games, scoring a goal and consistently turning in fine performances. In the return leg of the Champions League semi-final in Manchester, Milito tore a ligament in his right knee which will keep him out of action for months.

PROFILE
The Argentinian international, known as 'el Mariscal', is a respected, authoritarian, imposing and well-positioned centre back. He also a skilful playmaker and can help in attack. Although he is not particularly tall (1.79 m.), Milito is good in the air and can be dangerous from dead ball situations. He also has a very strong personality, and is a natural leader.

HONOURS

Independiente Avellaneda
2002/03 Trofeo Apertura

Zaragoza
2004/05 Spanish Super Cup
2003/04 Spanish Cup

Argentinian national team
1999 South American Under-20 championship

Gerard Pique
Position CB
Overall 77
Age 21
Price $2,900,000

Story:
Gerard Piqué returned to FC Barcelona, the club where he started as a boy, in the summer of 2008, after three seasons with Manchester United and one with Real Zaragoza.
Gerard Piqué was born on 2 February 1987 and since that day he has been a club member of FC Barcelona. Since he was very young he has been involved with the club and when he was 10 years old he joined the youngest boys’ team at the club (Alevín B).

From then on he passed through the various under-age levels, picking up titles along the way and winning plaudits in all age categories (Alevín A, Infantil B and A, Cadete B and A and Juvenil B and A). When playing at Cadete B level Tito Vilanova was his manager, and he will meet up with Vilanova once again on his return to the first team. In all this time of development and learning, Gerard Piqué showed a great ability to adapt to different positions on the field and gained a reputation for goal scoring, despite his defensive position.

At the end of the 2003/04 season, Gerard Piqué took a break from his life as an azulgrana and left for Manchester United. He made his debut for the English side on 26 October, only three weeks after arriving, in a Carling Cup match against Crewe Alexandra. He was also with Alex Ferguson’s team for the 2005/06 season before being loaned out to Real Zaragoza for the 2006/07 season.

In his only season with the Aragon side, Piqué played quite a lot as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. The catalan played 22 league games, eighteen of which he started, and scored to goals. During this time he played alongside Gabriel Milito, who he will also meet up with again on his return to Barça.

Season 2007/08 saw Piqué return to Manchester United and he was able to celebrate the double of Premiership and Champions League. He had a memorable season in the Champions League, especially in the initial league phase, scoring two goals.

With regard to his international experience, Piqué is a regular for the U-21 side, as he was with the younger under-age teams. He played in the 2007 U-20s World Cup in Canada, the 2006 U-19s European Championships in Poland (which Spain won) and the 2004 U-17s European Championships in France (which Spain finished as runners-up).

PROFILE
The Catalan is a big defender (1.92m tall and weighing 85 kg). His physical size and good technical ability make him strong in the air. He also knows how to put these qualities to use in attack, especially from dead ball situations. Apart from centre-half, Piqué can also play in front of the back four, as he showed during his time with Real Zaragoza.

HONOURS

Manchester United
2007/08 Premier League
2007/08 Champions League
2005/06 Carling Cup

Spain
2005/06 European Champion U-19
2003/04 European runner-up U-17

Martin Caceres
Position CB
Overall 81
Age 21
Price $5,500,000

Story:
José Martín Cáceres signed for Barça in the summer of 2008 after a good season with Recreativo Huelva. The young Uruguayan defender had had, until then, a short, but intense, sporting career.
Martín Cáceres (7 April, 1987) started his career in the junior ranks of Defensor Montevideo and made his debut in the Uruguayan first division for the club in 2006. He played seventeen games, scored four goals and was shown five yellow cards. In the following season he would only play nine games with Defensor because his professional career would take a big step forward in the summer of 2007.
First, he took part in the South America U-20s championships where he helped Uruguay to third place as well as being named the tournament’s best defender. Cáceres repeated his fine performances in the U-20s World Cup in Canada and so generated interest from some European clubs.
Villarreal signed him in August 2007 but loaned him out to Recreativo. Martín Cáceres played a huge role in keeping the Andalusian side in the first division. Wearing the number 4 shirt, he played 34 games, scoring two goals and receiving ten yellow cards.
His fine season in Huelva brought him some recognition. He was included in UEFA’s team of upcoming stars for the 2007/08 season, along with Bojan Krkic. He also became a permanent fixture in the Uruguayan national side. His progress attracted FC Barcelona, who signed him in the summer of 2008.

PROFILE

Martín Cáceres, who stands at 1.82m, is noted for his aerial power, speed, aggression and bravery. And as well as playing as a central defender he can also play at full back or in a holding midfield role. With both Defensor Montevideo and Recreativo, as well as the Uruguayan national side, he has shown great leadership skills in defence, despite his young age.

Eric Abidal
Position LB
Overall 84
Age 29
Price $7,900,000

Story:
Éric Abidal’s arrival in France will be the first experience of professional football outside of France for this player born in Lyon. He was signed as a replacement for Gio.

Before coming to Barça, Éric Abidal (Lyon, 11-7-1979) played for four French sides. His first professional club was Lyon-la-Duchère, in the French CFA2 division in the 1999-00 season. A year later he moved on to Monaco in the French Ligue 1, making his debut on September 16, 2000 against Toulouse. He stayed in the principality for two years, consolidating his role as an important member of the team.

In summer 2002 Éric Abidal was transferred to Lille, where he played for two seasons and almost doubled his number of league appearances, playing in 35 of Lille’s 38 league games in the 2003-04 season.

At the end of that season, the full back returned to his hometown to play for Olympique Lyon, where he would stay until signing for Barcelona. In 2004 Abidal also made his international debut for ‘Les Bleus’ on August 18 against Bosnia.

He played at the World Cup in 2006, playing 90 minutes of six of his country’s seven game, in which France finished runners-up. Abidal played for three very successful seasons in Lyon, last season competing in 31 games in yet another title-winning season for his club, while also playing in seven Champions league matches and 10 internationals during his final season in France, 2006-07.

Éric Abidal joined FC Barcelona in the summer of 2007. The Frenchman played 30 League games, 10 in the Champions League and 6 in the Cup, sharing left-back duties with Sylvinho although on more than one occasion Frank Rijkaard used him as a central defender. At the end of the season he played for France in Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

PROFILE

Éric Abidal is a natural left back, although given his size (186 cm, 75 kg) he can easily slot in at centre back too. He likes to make runs up the wing as far as the opposition’s area, supplying crosses to the forwards. He is a very skilful and tactically aware player, and is noted for his ability to position himself well on the pitch.

HONOURS

Olympique Lyon
2006/07 Ligue 1
2005/06 French cup of champions
2005/06 Ligue 1
2004/05 French cup of champions
2004/05 Ligue 1

French national team
2006 World Cup Runners Up

Sylvinho
Position LB
Overall 79
Price $2,300,000

Story:
Sylvio Mendes Campos 'Sylvinho', has tried his luck in three of the most important leagues in the world: the Brazilian, English and Spanish. He has always been successful.
His professional career started back in 1994 in Corinthians, one of the clubs of his home town, Sao Paulo. After shining at club level, Mario Zagallo called him up to the national team for his 1997 debut against Russia.

His quality and consistence opened the doors to European football and in 1999 he left Corinthians for the Premier League and Arsenal. Following two seasons at Arsenal, where he quickly became a crowd favourite, he moved to Celta Vigo for the 2001-02 season. There he became an integral part of the team that in the 2003-04 season qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Sylvinho arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 2004 and since then he has always given sterling performances. In the 2004-05 season, however, he was sidelined for a month with torn knee ligaments. Once he had recovered, Sylvinho played in 21 League games and 3 in the Champions League.

In the 2005-06 season Sylvinho was virtually a fixture in the League yet rarely appeared in the Champions League where he was on the pitch for just 21 minutes in the Chelsea v Barça game when Gio van Bronckhorst got injured. Curiously enough Sylvinho won the League and the Champions League against two of his former clubs, Celta and Arsenal.
In the 2006-07 campaign the Brazilian continued to share the left back slot with Gio Van Bronckhorst. When the Dutchman left and Éric Abidal arrived, Sylvinho continued to alternate in the position but this time with the Frenchman. He even played on the wing in the 2007-08 season, for instance in the Champions League fixture with Schalke 04.
Sylvinho’s effort and commitment was rewarded with a one-year extension to his contract up to 30 June 2009.

CHARACTERISTICS
All Brazilian players, almost by genetic default, are touched by magic and graced with an attacking flair. Sylvinho, despite playing at left-back, is no exception to this rule.

His attacking instincts have allowed him to get down the wing throughout his career and he has a culture left-foot when it comes to crossing for the forwards.
As well as his solid defensive ability, the Brazilian is capable of slotting into the midfield. Sylvinho is renowned for his quality, tactical awareness and his concentration levels in every game.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona

2006/07 Spanish Supercup
2005/06 Champions League
2005/06 League
2005/06 Spanish Supercup
2004/05 League

Corinthians
1998/99 Paulista League
1997/98 Brazilian League
1996/97 Paulista League
1994/95 Paulista League
1994/95 Brazilian Cup

25-10-2008, 05:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
chiboygeorge Elite Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on Earth Gender: Male Posts: 8,715	***************** Defenders *************** Daniel Alves Position RWB Overall 86 Age 25 Price $13,000,000 Story: Dani Alves is one of the strongest, most intense and athletic right sided players in the world. He arrived at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2008, aged 25 and after six seasons with Sevilla. He was born on May 6, 1983 (Juazeiro, Brazil). Daniel Alves joined the Andalusian club in 2002 (signed from Bahía of Brazil), but it was in 2003/04 that he really came into his own. Alves played 29 games as he became the club’s first choice right back and helped his side to qualify for Europe. Over time, Alves became one of the lynchpins of the Sevilla defence, but also contributed to the attack, and in 2005/06 won the UEFA Cup. He was named by UEFA as the player of the tournament in the 2005/06 season, and a few months later featured in the Sevilla side that beat FC Barcelona in Monaco to win the European Super Cup. In the 2006/07 season, the Brazilian was once again a central part of the Sevilla team, and as well as the Spanish Super Cup, his side retained the UEFA Cup in Glasgow and also collected the Copa del Rey. The year before signing for Barça the Brazilian won the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid and made his Champions League debut, with Sevilla surviving the group stages before going out to Turkish outfit Fenerbahçe. In the 2007/08 season, Alves played 33 league games, with only Navas making more appearances. Alves has also made his mark on the Brazilian national side. In the summer of 2007 he played a major role in the Copa America winning team. PROFILE He may be 173 cm tall and weighs 64 kg but Alves is a physical presence on the pitch, and is able to bite anywhere on the pitch. He rarely tires, and like the typical Brazilian full back, patrols the whole right side of the pitch, participating as much in defence as attack. He has scored eight league goals for Sevilla during these trademark advances up the pitch, which have come as much with his left foot as with his right, and he is also lethal from dead ball situations. HONOURS Sevilla 2007/08 Spanish Super Cup 2006/07 Copa del Rey 2006/07 UEFA Cup 2006/07 European Super Cup 2005/06 UEFA Cup Brazil National Side 2007 Copa America Individual Titles 2005/06 best Player in UEFA Cup Carles Puyol Position CB Overall 88 Age 30 Price $19,000,000 Story: Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía. He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender. In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup. However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp. During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005. At the end of the following season in 2006/07 (in which he played in 35 of 38 League games), Carles Puyol suffered the worst injury of his career when the League was already over. He damaged ligaments in his knee in a friendly played in Pretoria on 20 June 2007 and this kept him out until 29 September. Despite missing the first months of the competition, the club captain finally played in 30 League games in the 2007/08 campaign. Carles Puyol is also a fixture in the Spanish national side, with which he played in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and in the European Championships in 2004 and 2008. In the latter he was key figure as Spain won the title in Vienna. CHARACTERISTICS Carles Puyol started off in the first team at right back but has since developed into a great central defender. He stands out for his tremendous fitness levels and his discipline on the pitch. He's a perfect example of a team player and he never over-complicates the job when he has to cut off an opposing attacking move. He can also adapt to the left back position when circumstances dictate. Although he is not particularly tall (178 cm), his physical strength makes him very strong in the air and he is capable of man-marking opposing forwards who are taller than him. He also likes to get up in attack, especially for corners and free kicks. More than anything else, Carles Puyol is a reference point for the rest of the squad due to his character and qualities of leadership and because of his pride in the Barca colours and his total identification with the Club. HONOURS FC Barcelona 2006/07 Spanish Supercup 2005/06 Champions League 2005/06 League 2005/06 Spanish Supercup 2004/05 League Spanish national team 2008 European Championship 2000 Silver medal. Sidney Olympic Games Rafael Marquez Position CB Overall 83 Age 29 Price $6,900,000 Story: Rafael Márquez is the first Mexican ever to play for Barça, having arrived in the 2003-2004 close season as one of the principal reinforcements in defence. His youth and the progress he's enjoyed in the last few years have combined to make him one of the most promising defenders in Europe. Beginning his career at Atlas Guadalajara (1996-99) he made his debut in the Mexican first division when he was just 17 years old. Three years later he signed for AS Monaco where he soon fit into the demands of the European game. In 2000 he won the French League title and was named as the league's top defender. In 2003 his team won the French League Cup. Captain of the Mexican national team he played in the 1999 and 2001 Copas de America and the 2002 World Cup. Márquez has gained the complete respect and trust of Frank Rijkaard and has become a regular in the Barcelona team. In his first season at the club he was one of the key figures as the side earned direct qualification for the Champions League. In 2004-05, he demonstrated his versatility. The knee ligament injuries to Edmilson and Thiago Motta meant that Márquez was asked to step away from his usual role in the centre of the defence and play as a defensive midfielder, as he had done for both Monaco and Mexico in the past. He proved to be outstanding in front of the defence as he helped the side win the league title. Márquez played in 34 League games and 6 Champions League fixtures, scoring 3 goals. In the 2005-06 season Márquez partnered Carles Puyol in the centre of the defence and together they become one of the best central defensive pairings in Europe. He was out for a month with a muscle strain in his right leg. In the year of the double, Márquez played in 25 League games and 8 Champions League encounters. Injuries limited the Mexican’s contribution in the 2006/07 and 07/08 seasons. In total he played in 21 and 22 League games respectively. With the arrival of Touré Yaya, Márquez once again moved into the centre of the defence where he formed a fine pairing with Gaby Milito. Captain of Mexico, and in addition to winning the Copa Confederaciones in 1999 and the Copa de Oro in 2003, he has also played under all the national team’s coaches in recent years. He played in the Copa América in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2007, and in the World Cup in 2002. He was also a key player for Mexico in the World Cup in Germany in 2006. CHARACTERISTICS Right footed and very skilful, he reads the game well and has a great ability to launch his team in counter attacks. In addition he's a great free kick taker and strong in the air. Known as the "Kàiser of Michoacán" for his elegance on the ball, dependability and skill coming out of defence, Marquez can also do the business as a central midfielder and has been compared to Franz Beckenbauer. In the defensive midfield role, Márquez can impose his strength in the air as well as helping to build the play from the back as well as breaking up opposition attacks with his tackling. HONOURS FC Barcelona 2006/07 Spanish Supercup 2005/06 Champions League 2005/06 League 2005/06 Spanish Supercup 2004/05 League Monaco 2002/03 French League's Cup 1999/00 League Mexican National Team 2003 Golden Cup 1999 Confederation Cup Gabriel Milito Position CB Overall 85 Age 28 Price $12,000,000 Story: Gabriel Milito is the twentieth Argentinian to wear the Barça shirt. He is a central defender who started out at Independiente in Avellaneda, and then spent four years at Zaragoza before coming to the Camp Nou. Gabriel Milito was born in Bernal (Buenos Aires), on September 7, 1980. He came up through the youth ranks at Independiente, making his top flight debut aged 17 with the Avellaneda based club. 'El Mariscal', as he is known, led the side’s defence despite his young age, but his promising future was almost cut short by a serious injury. He tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee in 2001 and was out for nine months. And shortly after his return, he was injured for another four months, this time with a broken meniscus in his right foot. Once he was back to full fitness, Gaby Milito was one of the main reasons for Independiente’s Opening Championship victory in 2002. He was named Argentinian Player of the Year and in the summer of 2004 made his move to Spain. Milito was originally headed for Real Madrid. However, before signing his contract the club’s doctors concluded that he was not fully recovered from his knee injury and warned against signing the player. Milito went instead to Zaragoza, and that season won the Copa del Rey at Montjuïc, ironically beating Real Madrid. Later that year, Zaragoza also won the Spanish Super Cup and Milito was heralded as one of the finest defenders in the league. In four years at Zaragoza, he never failed to please. In the 2005/06 and 2006/07 season, Gaby was joned by his older brother, Diego, at La Romareda. The Milito brothers were the stars of a side that won back to back UEFA Cups. Gaby Milito has also found his way into the Argentina national team. He made his international debut in 2000 and played at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and in the 2007 Copa America, where he was a regular feature in Alfio Basile’s side, which reached the final. In the 2007/008 season he became a fixture at the heart of Barça’s defence. He played in 27 League games, scoring a goal and consistently turning in fine performances. In the return leg of the Champions League semi-final in Manchester, Milito tore a ligament in his right knee which will keep him out of action for months. PROFILE The Argentinian international, known as 'el Mariscal', is a respected, authoritarian, imposing and well-positioned centre back. He also a skilful playmaker and can help in attack. Although he is not particularly tall (1.79 m.), Milito is good in the air and can be dangerous from dead ball situations. He also has a very strong personality, and is a natural leader. HONOURS Independiente Avellaneda 2002/03 Trofeo Apertura Zaragoza 2004/05 Spanish Super Cup 2003/04 Spanish Cup Argentinian national team 1999 South American Under-20 championship Gerard Pique Position CB Overall 77 Age 21 Price $2,900,000 Story: Gerard Piqué returned to FC Barcelona, the club where he started as a boy, in the summer of 2008, after three seasons with Manchester United and one with Real Zaragoza. Gerard Piqué was born on 2 February 1987 and since that day he has been a club member of FC Barcelona. Since he was very young he has been involved with the club and when he was 10 years old he joined the youngest boys’ team at the club (Alevín B). From then on he passed through the various under-age levels, picking up titles along the way and winning plaudits in all age categories (Alevín A, Infantil B and A, Cadete B and A and Juvenil B and A). When playing at Cadete B level Tito Vilanova was his manager, and he will meet up with Vilanova once again on his return to the first team. In all this time of development and learning, Gerard Piqué showed a great ability to adapt to different positions on the field and gained a reputation for goal scoring, despite his defensive position. At the end of the 2003/04 season, Gerard Piqué took a break from his life as an azulgrana and left for Manchester United. He made his debut for the English side on 26 October, only three weeks after arriving, in a Carling Cup match against Crewe Alexandra. He was also with Alex Ferguson’s team for the 2005/06 season before being loaned out to Real Zaragoza for the 2006/07 season. In his only season with the Aragon side, Piqué played quite a lot as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. The catalan played 22 league games, eighteen of which he started, and scored to goals. During this time he played alongside Gabriel Milito, who he will also meet up with again on his return to Barça. Season 2007/08 saw Piqué return to Manchester United and he was able to celebrate the double of Premiership and Champions League. He had a memorable season in the Champions League, especially in the initial league phase, scoring two goals. With regard to his international experience, Piqué is a regular for the U-21 side, as he was with the younger under-age teams. He played in the 2007 U-20s World Cup in Canada, the 2006 U-19s European Championships in Poland (which Spain won) and the 2004 U-17s European Championships in France (which Spain finished as runners-up). PROFILE The Catalan is a big defender (1.92m tall and weighing 85 kg). His physical size and good technical ability make him strong in the air. He also knows how to put these qualities to use in attack, especially from dead ball situations. Apart from centre-half, Piqué can also play in front of the back four, as he showed during his time with Real Zaragoza. HONOURS Manchester United 2007/08 Premier League 2007/08 Champions League 2005/06 Carling Cup Spain 2005/06 European Champion U-19 2003/04 European runner-up U-17 Martin Caceres Position CB Overall 81 Age 21 Price $5,500,000 Story: José Martín Cáceres signed for Barça in the summer of 2008 after a good season with Recreativo Huelva. The young Uruguayan defender had had, until then, a short, but intense, sporting career. Martín Cáceres (7 April, 1987) started his career in the junior ranks of Defensor Montevideo and made his debut in the Uruguayan first division for the club in 2006. He played seventeen games, scored four goals and was shown five yellow cards. In the following season he would only play nine games with Defensor because his professional career would take a big step forward in the summer of 2007. First, he took part in the South America U-20s championships where he helped Uruguay to third place as well as being named the tournament’s best defender. Cáceres repeated his fine performances in the U-20s World Cup in Canada and so generated interest from some European clubs. Villarreal signed him in August 2007 but loaned him out to Recreativo. Martín Cáceres played a huge role in keeping the Andalusian side in the first division. Wearing the number 4 shirt, he played 34 games, scoring two goals and receiving ten yellow cards. His fine season in Huelva brought him some recognition. He was included in UEFA’s team of upcoming stars for the 2007/08 season, along with Bojan Krkic. He also became a permanent fixture in the Uruguayan national side. His progress attracted FC Barcelona, who signed him in the summer of 2008. PROFILE Martín Cáceres, who stands at 1.82m, is noted for his aerial power, speed, aggression and bravery. And as well as playing as a central defender he can also play at full back or in a holding midfield role. With both Defensor Montevideo and Recreativo, as well as the Uruguayan national side, he has shown great leadership skills in defence, despite his young age. Eric Abidal Position LB Overall 84 Age 29 Price $7,900,000 Story: Éric Abidal’s arrival in France will be the first experience of professional football outside of France for this player born in Lyon. He was signed as a replacement for Gio. Before coming to Barça, Éric Abidal (Lyon, 11-7-1979) played for four French sides. His first professional club was Lyon-la-Duchère, in the French CFA2 division in the 1999-00 season. A year later he moved on to Monaco in the French Ligue 1, making his debut on September 16, 2000 against Toulouse. He stayed in the principality for two years, consolidating his role as an important member of the team. In summer 2002 Éric Abidal was transferred to Lille, where he played for two seasons and almost doubled his number of league appearances, playing in 35 of Lille’s 38 league games in the 2003-04 season. At the end of that season, the full back returned to his hometown to play for Olympique Lyon, where he would stay until signing for Barcelona. In 2004 Abidal also made his international debut for ‘Les Bleus’ on August 18 against Bosnia. He played at the World Cup in 2006, playing 90 minutes of six of his country’s seven game, in which France finished runners-up. Abidal played for three very successful seasons in Lyon, last season competing in 31 games in yet another title-winning season for his club, while also playing in seven Champions league matches and 10 internationals during his final season in France, 2006-07. Éric Abidal joined FC Barcelona in the summer of 2007. The Frenchman played 30 League games, 10 in the Champions League and 6 in the Cup, sharing left-back duties with Sylvinho although on more than one occasion Frank Rijkaard used him as a central defender. At the end of the season he played for France in Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. PROFILE Éric Abidal is a natural left back, although given his size (186 cm, 75 kg) he can easily slot in at centre back too. He likes to make runs up the wing as far as the opposition’s area, supplying crosses to the forwards. He is a very skilful and tactically aware player, and is noted for his ability to position himself well on the pitch. HONOURS Olympique Lyon 2006/07 Ligue 1 2005/06 French cup of champions 2005/06 Ligue 1 2004/05 French cup of champions 2004/05 Ligue 1 French national team 2006 World Cup Runners Up Sylvinho Position LB Overall 79 Price $2,300,000 Story: Sylvio Mendes Campos 'Sylvinho', has tried his luck in three of the most important leagues in the world: the Brazilian, English and Spanish. He has always been successful. His professional career started back in 1994 in Corinthians, one of the clubs of his home town, Sao Paulo. After shining at club level, Mario Zagallo called him up to the national team for his 1997 debut against Russia. His quality and consistence opened the doors to European football and in 1999 he left Corinthians for the Premier League and Arsenal. Following two seasons at Arsenal, where he quickly became a crowd favourite, he moved to Celta Vigo for the 2001-02 season. There he became an integral part of the team that in the 2003-04 season qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Sylvinho arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 2004 and since then he has always given sterling performances. In the 2004-05 season, however, he was sidelined for a month with torn knee ligaments. Once he had recovered, Sylvinho played in 21 League games and 3 in the Champions League. In the 2005-06 season Sylvinho was virtually a fixture in the League yet rarely appeared in the Champions League where he was on the pitch for just 21 minutes in the Chelsea v Barça game when Gio van Bronckhorst got injured. Curiously enough Sylvinho won the League and the Champions League against two of his former clubs, Celta and Arsenal. In the 2006-07 campaign the Brazilian continued to share the left back slot with Gio Van Bronckhorst. When the Dutchman left and Éric Abidal arrived, Sylvinho continued to alternate in the position but this time with the Frenchman. He even played on the wing in the 2007-08 season, for instance in the Champions League fixture with Schalke 04. Sylvinho’s effort and commitment was rewarded with a one-year extension to his contract up to 30 June 2009. CHARACTERISTICS All Brazilian players, almost by genetic default, are touched by magic and graced with an attacking flair. Sylvinho, despite playing at left-back, is no exception to this rule. His attacking instincts have allowed him to get down the wing throughout his career and he has a culture left-foot when it comes to crossing for the forwards. As well as his solid defensive ability, the Brazilian is capable of slotting into the midfield. Sylvinho is renowned for his quality, tactical awareness and his concentration levels in every game. HONOURS FC Barcelona 2006/07 Spanish Supercup 2005/06 Champions League 2005/06 League 2005/06 Spanish Supercup 2004/05 League Corinthians 1998/99 Paulista League 1997/98 Brazilian League 1996/97 Paulista League 1994/95 Paulista League 1994/95 Brazilian Cup __________________ Vamos Brasil.** Last edited by chiboygeorge; 25-10-2008 at 07:20 AM..