Barcelona left-back Sylvinho has defended those Barcelona players who wish to continue their international careers despite the condemnation of president Joan Laporta.
The former Brazil international said, "Players love to play football and, if summoned by their country, they will gladly heed the call. Footballers are just looking to play, but it seems that we have the least to say on the subject."
Nonetheless, the veteran defender admitted that there are complications.
"It's a simple comment, but a complex issue," he conceded, adding that his time with the Brazil team - which coincided with his spell at Arsenal - had its difficulties.
Sylvinho is currently a squad player at the Nou Camp, with new signing Eric Abidal having made the left-back slot his own. The 33 year old, though, has not given up hope of regaining his place from the younger Frenchman.
"As a player, you want to play, and you're happy when you can," he began.
"I will continue to work hard in training in order to play my role well when the coach decides that it's time for me to do so."
On the subject of Lionel Messi's Golden Ball candidacy, he said, "Messi is a player without equal, and every day he gets better, but I prefer not to talk about who's the best in the world. I always say that there are four or five very good players, and Messi is one of them, like Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Cristiano Ronaldo."
Sylvinho, formerly of Celta Vigo, arrived at the Nou Camp from Arsenal in 2004. He has 6 caps for Brazil.
15 October 2007
Manuel Pablo of Deportivo La Coruna has not played for Spain since his 2001 horror injury but, now that he's back in the Depor lineup, has not given up on the chance of returning to the squad in time for Euro 2008.
Should Spain qualify for the Austria-Switzerland tournament, coach Luis Aragones may make a few surprise call-ups, and this has given him hope.
"Even I can fight my way back into the team," he said to As.
"I don't think that I've missed the chance to return, but it's not easy, because the squad is very settled and has been effectively closed for a long while."
Manuel Pablo suffered a dreadful triple leg-break during the derby match with Celta Vigo in 2001, but the player himself maintains that he's still shown plenty of talent in the subsequent seasons.
"I've done well since then," he insisted.
"I played in a Champions League semi-final [in 2004] and even returned to international consideration, but people only remember the earlier time."
The Canary Islands-born player agreed that new coach Miguel Angel Lotina has plenty to do with his return to the side - although, that may be down just as much to the departure of Joaquin Caparros.
"We're playing with confidence and authority now," he said.
"But I've always had the support of all coaches, except Caparros last year. We're very comfortable with Lotina's style of play, and now that the team's playing better, it shows the recent history of the club. Depor has always played well because we've had great players, and those days have remained."
Manuel Pablo has racked up well over 200 Liga appearances for Super Depor, as well as 13 caps - so far.
08 October 2007
Celta Vigo coach Hristo Stoitchkov has been fired by the Spanish second-division club, reports said Monday.
Stoitchkov, who played for FC Barcelona and is widely considered Bulgaria's greatest soccer player, was dismissed one day after Celta defeated visiting Xerez 3-1, Spanish National Radio and other media reported.
Former Real Madrid coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro will replace Stoitchkov, the reports said.
Confirmation from Celta was not immediately available but Spanish news agency Efe said club president Carlos Mourino will give a news conference later Monday to explain the decision.
Celta is 11th in the 22-team second division with 10 points from seven games.
The 41-year-old Stoitchkov was in charge of Bulgaria's national team between 2004 and his move to Celta in April.
Celta lost its first-division place at the end of last season after a two-year spell in the top league.
Stoitchkov won the European Cup in 1992 and four straight Spanish league titles in his first of two spells with Barcelona.
In 1994, Stoitchkov was the leading scorer at the World Cup in the United States, where Bulgaria reached the semifinals, and was voted European player of the year.
Stoitchkov spent his last four seasons as a player in Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire and D.C. United - where he was also the team's assistant coach.
08 October 2007
Romania boss Victor Piturca is down to the bare bones in some positions as he prepares his Romania side to face the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
A host of defensive injuries have left Victor Piturca reeling as he calls together his Romania squad to meet the Netherlands in Constanta and Luxembourg away from home.
Cosmin Contra and Mirel Radoi are definitely out, while Cristian Chivu and Gabriel Tamas are doubtful after injuries sustained for Inter and Celta Vigo (respectively) at the weekend.
What's more, 'keeper Danut Coman is injured, as are Razvan Cocis, Ianis Zicu and Recreativo's Laurentiu Rosu have been left out to recover from their respective afflictions.
There are some unusual names in the squad - George Ogararu and Florin Bratu, for example - but the Tricolorii are confident of picking up a vital win over the Netherlands to cement top spot in Group G.
