The 34 year-old who now plays his football in his native Argentina insisted Andres Iniesta cannot be rivaled by his opposition once he steps on the football pitch.

“Iniesta does things that nobody else does. He is just incredible,” he told Radio Marca.

Riquelme, who had an underwhelming spell at the Catalan club between 2002 and 2005, praised the strength in depth of the Tito Vilanova’s Barca team and also paid particular tribute to Lionel Messi and Eric Abidal.

“Barcelona are a great side with outstanding footballers in their ranks. In my opinion, when Abidal was playing, he was the best left-back in the world. Barca play as they train and they are amazing,” he went on to say.

“Whenever Leo Messi doesn’t touch the ball for Argentina for 10 minutes we think that he’s playing badly. We want him to constantly have the ball at his feet. Messi is unique and always plays well.

“I like watching Bayern Munich, too. They’re another great side, like Barcelona. I love how they play”.

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“I dedicate it to Barca [and] the work we do,” said 28-year old Iniesta, after receiving 10.9% of the Ballon d’Or  votes to come in third place behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Iniesta, who has been at Barcelona since the age of 12, had already been named as the best player in Europe for last season , despite Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Chelsea but he was not surprised to see Messi pick up the award and he was quick to congratulate the Argentinian. “I congratulate Leo again for his fourth golden boot, which makes it unique. It is not a matter of giving it to others, it is a matter of recognising the best there is – that is what happened,” Iniesta said. “If he continues then Leo will get a fifth [Ballon d'Or],” he added.

In addition to the recognition he received for his Champions League performances, Iniesta also broke the record for the longest run of unbeaten La Liga appearances back in March when he was undefeated in his 51^st straight league match. Iniesta was also a key member of the Spanish national team who triumphed in the European Championships in 2012 and his success at both club and international level has left him hungry for more silverware. “In this game you have to enjoy your time playing at the top. And hopefully, I can do that for a long time and win more trophies” he said.

Barcelona look set for another successful season on the domestic front, with the Spanish side dominant in the bet365 football betting odds, and will be hopeful of being crowned Champions of Europe once again. A successful season for Barcelona will rely heavily on contributions from the likes of Messi and Iniesta and if they can deliver then they will certainly be challenging for the Ballon d’Or again in 2013.

Even before Messi scored 91 goals in the calendar year of 2012, obliterating Gerd Müller’s previous record of 85, there were not many players in history who could claim to be as good as him. In the eyes of many, Messi has overtaken Pelé and his idol Diego Maradona to become the greatest player the world has ever seen. I foolishly backed against Lionel Messi to win the Balon d’or for a fourth year running and now I am forced to sell my stuff for cash. A harsh lesson learned though – never write off little Leo.

A long time has passed since the little lad from Rosario made his first appearance for Barcelona. Always having confidence in his own ability, Messi strived to achieve greatness and from the moment he made his debut at 17 years old, everybody knew he would be a star. Scoring his first senior goal on the 1st of May 2005 against Albacete, he showed his intelligence and ability when he put the ball into the net for the first time after great play from Ronaldinho – although it was wrongly called offside. Ronaldinho showed his confidence in the Argentinian again to put him through and, once again, Messi chipped it over the Albacete keeper for his first official goal.

If Barcelona had not taken Messi on as a youngster he may not have made it as a footballer. Due to a growth hormone deficiency, Leo had to have expensive treatment which his family could not have afforded, so Barcelona offered to pay it. The deficiency would not have stopped Messi’s growth but could have stopped him playing football if it was not dealt with.

Now 25, the Barça number 10 is playing better football than anybody on the planet. Winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or a 4th time on January 7th 2013, Messi has been as modest as ever. Upon being announced the winner, he said, “To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable, the fourth award that I have had is just too great for words.”

When moved to a ‘false 9′ position under Pep Guardiola, Messi’s true talents were discovered. Given a free license to roam on the pitch, he is not a typical centre-forward. Messi thinks for the team, not for himself and does his best to join in, creating moves for Barcelona as much as he finishes them.

Of the relatively small number of people I have spoken to that don’t like Messi, most say that he is successful due to Iniesta and Xavi. Together, the midfield maestros only assisted 14 of Messi’s 91 goals in 2012. Yes, they have played a huge part in his career and they have a part to play in a lot of Barça goals, but Leo Messi can do it himself. Bursting with talent, the 25 year old can beat a player with ease, create a chance from nothing and put it into the net with various difficult techniques that he makes look simple.

Nearly all of the best forwards can at times be considered selfish – Ronaldo, Benzema, Falcao – but Messi is different. If he doesn’t believe he can create a chance by himself, he can pass and instantly accelerate into a different area to give his team-mates an extra option.

With Cristiano Ronaldo as probably Messi’s closest personal rival, Barcelona’s record goalscorer knows that he has to push himself to the max every game. I believe that Messi’s greatest challenge is widening the gap between himself and Ronaldo, so that he can be compared to no other current player.

In my opinion, Lionel Andrés Messi is the greatest footballer that has ever played. He has every quality that a team wants in a forward. Barcelona are lucky to have Messi, and he is lucky to be part of such a brilliant side. He is the present and foreseeable future of Barcelona and the Argentina teams. Hopefully we will see more magic from the little magician.

In 2010 the world was seemingly David Villa’s oyster. After helping his country triumph in the FIFA World Cup, the Spaniard landed the dream opportunity to play his football at the Nou Camp and started life as a Barca player in scintillating form, netting 18 in his first season at the club. But that was as good as things were ever going to get for the 31 year old.

The rise to prominence of club-mate Lionel Messi, a change of managers and a couple of prolonged injuries has left David Villa overlooked for first-team football by current Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova in recent times and whispers in the press suggest Villa may be searching for a new club should things not improve at the Nou Camp.

After seeing plenty of his La Liga counterparts such as Juan Mata, Michu, Santi Cazorla and many more make successes of themselves abroad in the English Premier League, the lure of of an exciting new challenge and the chance to join up with his Spanish amigos in new surroundings may prove too tempting for the Barca forward to turn down.

Online bookmaker Ladbrokes are already tipping David Villa to be a Premier League player next season and with clubs such as Swansea, Arsenal and Chelsea looking to the Primera Division for new talent in recent times, El Guaje will have no shortage of interested parties looking to bring him to England. So which clubs are most likely to land the Spaniard’s signature should he decide he’s had enough of Catalonia and wants to ply his trade in the English Premier League?

In terms of style of play, there’s no better club for David Villa than Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has been embedding his easy on the eye, continental style of play on the Gunners for years and with the likes of talented play-maker Santi Cazorla feeding him the chances, there’s no doubt Villa would relish a chance to play at the Emirates and fill the boots of recently departed striker Robin Van Persie.

Whilst not as attractive in their style of play, Chelsea could be another potential suitor to David Villa with new boss Rafa Benitez adding an extra Spanish factor into the mix. Mis-firing La Roja team-mate Fernando Torres also resides at Stamford Bridge which could be an added incentive for Villa and there’s no doubt defences up and down the England will be quacking in their boots at the thought of David Villa and Fernando Torres lining up against them, that is if Benitez can get the two amigos to rekindle their old form.

Whilst Ladbrokes may be wrong that David Villa is on his way to the Premier League next season, not many people will disagree with the fact that David Villa is too good a talent to be wasted on the bench, even at a club like Barca. But it’s true to say new boss Tito Vilanova is still getting a feel for his newly-acquired squad and David Villa may still get his chance in the coming weeks should Tito decide to rest and rotate his squad more frequently.

Messi’s two goals in Barca’s 2-1 victory over Real Betis last night was enough for the Barcelona number 10 to reach 86 goals and score the highest number of goals ever in a single year. The previous record had stood for forty years but once it was toppled there were no signs of bitterness from its previous holder, ex-German striker Gerd Muller who congratulated Messi in the manner of which he achieved this incredible feat.
“He deserves to supersede me,” declared the German legend last night before strangely adding; ”With the defences as they are [in modern times], people would score more.”

With Lionel Messi claiming yet another coveted prize in his bid to become the greatest player to ever live, surely a World Cup win in 2014 with his country Argentina is next on the deadly striker’s hit-list. His vast array of goals this season has meant Barca are now six points clear at the top of the La Liga table already, with rivals Real Madrid 11 points behind and now massive outsiders with bookmakers to keep hold of their La Liga crown at the end of the season.

See the highlights from yesterday’s match in which Messi’s brace gave Barca yet another victory over a Real Betis side who have been performing above expectations this season.

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There are many famous derbies throughout the world; The Old Firm in Scotland, the Milan Derby in Italy, and above all, El Clasico. El Clasico is the name given to the game between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and like all the big derbies it is steeped in political and cultural hostilities. Many see El Clasico as a re-enactment of the Spanish civil war.

Franco’s victims spread throughout Spain, but the geographical importance is significant as his power base was in Madrid and the Catalan region came in for much oppression. Membership of FC Barcelona was seen as a subtle way of expressing dissent for the regime, and many members suffered persecution.

Barcelona was a hotbed of political counter culture, and many of Franco’s Socialist and Anarchist foes were based there. Barcelona is still a unique culture, symbolised in its outlandish Gaudi designed architecture. It’s a city which demands individuality and recognition, and the football field is often the best place to stake their claim.

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, why not augment your journey with tickets to the Nou Camp? The Catalans associate the Castilians with centralising tendencies, taking power and resources away from the Catalan region. These political hostilities are played out on the football pitch in what can often be an explosive encounter. The Spanish national team is often an amalgamation of Real and Barca’s best players, and this has often been a bone of contention. In the early to mid 90s, Spain were mainly constituted of Real players and Raul was the golden boy of Spanish football. The Barca players often felt sidelined and inferior to their rivals in the national reckoning. Many argue that Spain’s fortunes changed when Raul was dropped.

The national team lost its possibly overbearing presence, and a new breed, led by players like Xavi, took up the baton. Rivalries lessened and Spain went on to be the team they are today: World Champions. The derby day hostilities are still as rife as ever and Madrid are desperate to regain the upper hand. Who is your money on to triumph when the two teams next meet? Based on current form it looks as though it’s an easy bet for Barcelona, even in these early days. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement in your betting, Visit Here to play a range of online casino games.

A late Barca comeback against Seville meant they could maintain the eight point advantage they have over rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga table but Mourinho’s side have been in a state of disarray these past few weeks and answered critics with a 5-1 demolition of newly promoted Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday.

Despite Madrid’s victory being a convincing one, many would argue that Barca were fortunate to come away with a victory against Seville after the winning goal from David Villa came in controversial circumstances. A Barca handball by Thiago in the build up to the winning goal was unseen by the match official and as a result condemned Seville to a disappointing defeat despite leading the game 2-0. Tito Vilanova was still adamant his side were worthy winners however stating his Barca side ‘created enough chances to win the game.’

What are your predictions for next week’s El Clasico? Feel free to write your predictions in the comment box below.

It is too early to say but Barca were a stark shadow of their former selves this evening as they were outplayed by a vibrant Madrid side. Makeshift defender Javier Mascherano and his defensive partner Gerard Pique struggled to deal with the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo and co and their lack of quality clearly showed through on a miserable evening for Tito Vilanova’s side.

Madrid created the better share of chances throughout the night and despite being five points behind Barca in the La Liga title race, it was evident on tonight’s performance that Madrid possess greater quality as well as the old football adage of ‘strength in depth.’

Madrid showed off their financial muscle as new signing Luka Modric made a brief cameo appearance, harrying and harrassing the Barca midfield, reminding them of perhaps how much Madrid have caught up with fierce rivals Barcelona over the past two years.

Missing Carlos Puyol to an unfortunate cheeky bone injury did not help but should Barca wish to make a fight back for their La Liga crown this year, Tito Vilanova may have to have one last dip in the summer transfer market.

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It took just four minutes for Barca to take the lead, albeit unconventionally as Carlos Puyol got his head on the end of a floated Xavi corner. Sociedad restored parity just a few moments later however after a dangerous ball allowed Sociedad attacker Castro to slip past Dani Alves and find the roof of the net with a timely finish.

The Basque minnows’ celebrations lasted barely two minutes however as yet again Barca took the initiative and usual suspect Messi was able to regain the lead for his side after a well taken poachers finish. From then on out it was a one team affair and another Messi tap-in, Pedro finish and an impressive link-up goal between Iniesta and Villa put the game beyond all doubt and completed Barca’s emphatic victory.

Rivals Madrid weren’t so clinical this evening however and succumbed to a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia meaning it is Barca who sit at the top of the La Liga table on the opening weekend of the new season.