http://www.mail.com/in-en/people/20028-xavi-hernandez.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/in-en/people/20028-xavi-hernandez.html http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2096020-barcelona-toasts-title-with-win-valladolid.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Newly crowned Spanish champion Barcelona celebrated winning the league title in front of its home fans by easing to a 2-1 victory over Valladolid on Sunday. While rain and dropping temperatures threatened to dampen the party in the stands, Barcelona had little trouble keeping alive its bid to equal Real Madrid's 2012 record haul of... Sun, 19 May 2013 22:28:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2096020-barcelona-toasts-title-with-win-valladolid.html 2013-05-19T22:28:43Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2087662-lionel-messis-hamstring-injury-hurting-barcelona.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi's hamstring injury has hurt more than just a muscle in the Argentine's right leg, and it's still smarting. The Barcelona forward scored 60 goals in all competitions this season, enough to ensure the team wins the Spanish league title yet again. But with Messi struggling to recover from the injury he picked up in the Ch... Wed, 15 May 2013 16:37:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2087662-lionel-messis-hamstring-injury-hurting-barcelona.html 2013-05-15T16:37:51Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2056988-bayern-munich-lines-up-cl-final-with-dortmund.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona star Lionel Messi watched from the sideline as Bayern Munich completed its dismantling of the Spanish side with a 3-0 win on Wednesday, lining up the first all-German Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. With its all-time leading scorer out after he aggravated a right hamstring injury, Barcelona failed to ser... Wed, 01 May 2013 23:11:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2056988-bayern-munich-lines-up-cl-final-with-dortmund.html 2013-05-01T23:11:45Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2047144-column-why-barcelona-more-than-club.html Every team loses, but no team loses quite like Barcelona. They get "hammered," ''knocked out," or rendered "unrecognizable." And that's just the good news. This is what happens when a team sets the bar as high as Barcelona has: Every loss in a big game is immediately pronounced the end of an era. Every moment not spent hoisting another trophy must mean th... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:58:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2047144-column-why-barcelona-more-than-club.html 2013-04-26T16:58:17Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2044270-barcelona-madrid-routed-german-clubs.html STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — The expectation of seeing Lionel Messi line up against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League final, of watching Barcelona and Real Madrid fight for supremacy in the ultimate "Clasico," has been all but washed away. Instead of seeing Spain's two biggest teams play for the biggest trophy in club football, it's much more likely ... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:30:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2044270-barcelona-madrid-routed-german-clubs.html 2013-04-25T15:30:53Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2037164-barcelona-unclear-whether-lionel-messi-will-play.html MUNICH (AP) — Barcelona still can't say for sure if Lionel Messi will start against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. On the eve of the match, assistant coach Jordi Roura was as circumspect about Messi's chances as teammate Xavi Hernandez was confident. Roura says Messi is making good progress from a right hamstring injury... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:10:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2037164-barcelona-unclear-whether-lionel-messi-will-play.html 2013-04-22T18:10:41Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2027598-barca-madrid-to-warm-up-champions-semifinals.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona and Real Madrid both play at home on Saturday in the Spanish league looking to make their final adjustments while resting some weary legs for the Champions League semifinals set to start next week against a pair of German rivals. Barcelona hosts a struggling Levante side with Lionel Messi doubtful to play as he tries to f... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:52:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2027598-barca-madrid-to-warm-up-champions-semifinals.html 2013-04-18T09:52:22Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2011604-messi-returns-to-help-barca-reach-semifinals.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi has never been short on late-game heroics, and not even a sore hamstring stopped him from going on as a substitute to help Barcelona rally for a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain and a place in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday. Barcelona advanced on the away goals rule after its 2-2 draw in Paris last week ... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:49:11 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2011604-messi-returns-to-help-barca-reach-semifinals.html 2013-04-10T22:49:11Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2007852-messi-question-2nd-leg-psg.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With or without Lionel Messi on the field, Barcelona is already playing games with Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday. Messi picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw last week in the first leg, and the Argentina midfielder missed Saturday's 5-0 win over Mallorca in the... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:45:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2007852-messi-question-2nd-leg-psg.html 2013-04-09T18:45:49Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1995392-column-football-fate-take-beckham-full-circle.html PARIS (AP) — Football, fate and his own refusal to take age lying down are carrying David Beckham back to the scene of his greatest triumph as a footballer. Beckham's hair has changed — repeatedly — since that famous night in the Camp Nou in Barcelona in 1999 when he fired in the corner that won the European Cup for Manchester United. What hasn't changed ... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:37:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1995392-column-football-fate-take-beckham-full-circle.html 2013-04-03T14:37:05Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1993878-psg-twice-to-draw-2-2-with-barcelona.html PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain showed it has the guts to go with the wallet as the ambitious big spenders twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to four-time champion Barcelona in the first leg of their eventful Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday. Blaise Matuidi's deflected shot crept into the net in the fourth minute of injury time ... Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:51:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1993878-psg-twice-to-draw-2-2-with-barcelona.html 2013-04-02T22:51:15Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1990358-psg-faces-huge-task-to-topple-barcelona-cleague.html PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic described Barcelona as "the best team ever on this planet," saying limiting the amount of mistakes his team makes is the key to winning their Champions League quarterfinal. PSG will have a clearer idea of its realistic ambitions this season in the home first leg on Tuesday. PSG made world headlin... Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:38:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1990358-psg-faces-huge-task-to-topple-barcelona-cleague.html 2013-04-01T17:38:29Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1989226-barca-welcomes-coach-vilanova-xavi-alba.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona will have midfielder Xavi Hernandez and defender Jordi Alba available for Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal at Paris Saint-Germain, and the club says coach Tito Vilanova plans to be on the touchline. Barcelona said on Sunday that Xavi had recovered from a right leg muscle injury, while Alba's right leg had also heal... Sun, 31 Mar 2013 11:41:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1989226-barca-welcomes-coach-vilanova-xavi-alba.html 2013-03-31T11:41:51Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1988414-barcelona-madrid-held-to-draws-cl-quarters.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi's 19th straight scoring effort in the Spanish league wasn't enough to stop Barcelona from drawing 2-2 at Celta Vigo, as the leaders stumbled on Saturday before their Champions League quarterfinal with Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid, meanwhile, also sputtered to a 1-1 draw at Real Zaragoza despite Cristiano Ronaldo's ... Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:12:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1988414-barcelona-madrid-held-to-draws-cl-quarters.html 2013-03-30T23:12:50Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984162-lionel-messi-eyes-scoring-milestone.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With a goal against Celta Vigo on Saturday, Lionel Messi can become the first player to score against every Spanish league opponent in consecutive order. Barcelona's all-time leading scorer netted a record 73 goals in all competitions last season, and hasn't let up with 55 so far this campaign. Barcelona, along with Real Madrid and... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:23:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984162-lionel-messi-eyes-scoring-milestone.html 2013-03-28T12:23:34Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984294-barcelona-midfielder-xavi-injured-list.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona says Xavi Hernandez's nagging hamstring injury will rule him out of Saturday's Spanish league game at Celta Vigo. The Spanish leader says Xavi's progress will determine his return. Barcelona visits Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the opening leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Xavi has been on and off the injure... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:10:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984294-barcelona-midfielder-xavi-injured-list.html 2013-03-28T12:10:58Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981004-spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying.html PARIS (AP) — Spain bounced back from its mini-slump and dismissed early talk of a decline by beating France 1-0 on Tuesday to return to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Pedro Rodriguez bundled home the winner from close range as Spain moved one point ahead with three games now remaining in Group I. The reigning world and European champion was ... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:55:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981004-spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying.html 2013-03-26T23:55:02Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981138-spain-beats-france-to-revive-world-cup-campaign.html LONDON (AP) — Spain put its World Cup defense back on track Tuesday by beating France to seize control of their qualifying group, while Germany and the Netherlands claimed big victories to push them closer to the finals in Brazil. Pedro Rodriguez scored the Spain goal that secured a 1-0 victory in Paris and lifted the reigning champions out of a slump fol... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:42:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981138-spain-beats-france-to-revive-world-cup-campaign.html 2013-03-26T23:42:56Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1976246-group-supremacy-stake-world-cup-qualifying.html PARIS (AP) — Group supremacy will be on the line in World Cup qualifying when reigning world and European champion Spain travels to play France and England goes to Montenegro in Tuesday's standout games. The teams currently in first place were not expected to be, with France two points clear of Spain and England lagging behind Montenegro by the same margi... Sun, 24 Mar 2013 11:27:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1976246-group-supremacy-stake-world-cup-qualifying.html 2013-03-24T11:27:39Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1969486-glimpse-spains-future-match-vs-finland.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Missing four of its veteran players, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque could offer a glimpse of what the future holds in store for the world champions when they host Finland on Friday in a World Cup qualifier. Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Fernando Torres — all four played key roles in Spain's run to the 2010 World C... Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:25:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1969486-glimpse-spains-future-match-vs-finland.html 2013-03-21T09:25:20Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1956744-spain-drops-torres-france-finland-wcup-games.html MADRID (AP) — Spain coach Vicente del Bosque left out Fernando Torres on Friday from his squad for two World Cup qualifiers, including the critical match against France. Del Bosque said Torres's inconsistent form since moving from Liverpool to Chelsea in 2011 has created doubts that he is the right player to lead the attack. Torres made the squad for all ... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:46:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1956744-spain-drops-torres-france-finland-wcup-games.html 2013-03-15T11:46:27Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1954162-barcelona-targets-real-madrids-point-record.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Back on track in Europe, Barcelona will return to chasing history in the Spanish league with Real Madrid's point record still in reach. Barcelona is well on its way to dethroning Madrid for the league title with a 13-point lead with 11 games to go, but the Catalan club will need a near perfect run-in to surpass Madrid's milestone o... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:50:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1954162-barcelona-targets-real-madrids-point-record.html 2013-03-14T11:50:27Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1949936-messi-leads-barca-to-oust-milan-with-4-0-win.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hailed as perhaps football's greatest team ever, Barcelona faced a challenge no club had overcome: advancing in the Champions League after a 2-0 first-leg loss on the road. Lionel Messi & Co. came through in spectacular fashion with another record-setting night. Messi started the revival with a pair of first-half goals as Barcelona... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:53:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1949936-messi-leads-barca-to-oust-milan-with-4-0-win.html 2013-03-13T02:53:45Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1945852-barcelona-goals-ac-milan.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Winning by a three-goal margin may be too much even for Barcelona. Three weeks after losing to AC Milan 2-0 in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League, Barcelona will have plenty of work to do on Tuesday at the Camp Nou. "I'm fairly optimistic despite the 2-0 from the away leg," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said... Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:16:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1945852-barcelona-goals-ac-milan.html 2013-03-11T17:16:33Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927064-madrid-beats-barca-2nd-time-week.html MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid beat Barcelona for the second time in five days, a 2-1 win on Saturday which will do little to prevent its fierce rival from reclaiming the Spanish league title but should boost Jose Mourinho's team for its Champions League trip to Manchester United. Sergio Ramos netted the winner in the 82nd minute when he rose up to head in Luk... Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:01:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927064-madrid-beats-barca-2nd-time-week.html 2013-03-02T23:01:24Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1925076-barcas-xavi-to-madrid-trip-doubt-milan.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona says midfielder Xavi Hernandez has a right thigh injury that will rule him of Saturday's game at Real Madrid and put him in doubt for the match at AC Milan. The club says the Spain international will be sidelined for 10 to 15 days. Barcelona visits Milan on March 12 needing to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of t... Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:23:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1925076-barcas-xavi-to-madrid-trip-doubt-milan.html 2013-03-01T17:23:29Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1905372-barcelona-aiming-to-regroup-loss-to-ac-milan.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Reeling from its loss at AC Milan, Barcelona will host a resurgent Sevilla in the Spanish league on Saturday needing to quickly regroup in time for its upcoming clash with Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Barcelona was beaten 2-0 at San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday. Now, Barcelona must use the Sevilla match to fine-tun... Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:57:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1905372-barcelona-aiming-to-regroup-loss-to-ac-milan.html 2013-02-21T15:57:34Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1896552-messi-nets-300th-301st-goals-barcelona-win.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi scored his 300th and 301st career goals for Barcelona and extended his record-scoring run to 14 Spanish league games in a 2-1 comeback win at Granada on Saturday, four days before it visits AC Milan. Messi pounced on a rebound of Cesc Fabregas' strike five minutes after halftime to cancel out Odion Ighalo's opener that... Sat, 16 Feb 2013 23:08:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1896552-messi-nets-300th-301st-goals-barcelona-win.html 2013-02-16T23:08:04Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1875232-barcelonas-messi-inks-2-year-contract-extension.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi signed a two-year contract extension with Barcelona on Thursday, tying him to the Spanish club for the better part of his already stellar playing career. With his previous contract set to expire in 2016, Messi will now remain at Barcelona until June 2018. The 25-year-old forward joined Barcelona when he was 13, and deb... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1875232-barcelonas-messi-inks-2-year-contract-extension.html 2013-02-07T20:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1861534-fernando-torres-left-spain-squad-friendly.html MADRID (AP) — Fernando Torres was left off the Spain squad Friday for the team's upcoming friendly with Uruguay. Last year, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque dropped the Chelsea striker for friendlies against Venezuela and Panama. Torres has made the squad for all three of Spain's World Cup qualifiers, but has only played in one, coming on late against Franc... Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1861534-fernando-torres-left-spain-squad-friendly.html 2013-02-01T12:49:00Z