It was, essentially, a day to celebrate excellence, a day in which there wasn’t a whole lot to say except “Duh.”

So Lionel Messi, in a result that should have surprised no one, won the FIFA Ballon d’Or this year, beating out one Thong Boy. I won’t get into what the Ballon really celebrates, or that I think Xavi should have won last year, and been in it with much more of a shout than a distant third place this year. Because as we know, this award celebrates goals.
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Terrible news out of Japan today as our Guaje David Villa broke his left shinbone (tibia). At time of writing, he is at a local hospital undergoing tests. The fear is 6 months out, but it’s been confirmed to be 4-5 months. Images show his protruding bone (not for the squeamish).

[UPDATE]: Pep has confirmed Villa had a stress fracture for some time and had been playing through pain. He will fly back to Barcelona immediately for surgery.

Pep: “Villa will be out for a long time. This kind of loss makes you sick. It gives you no sense of joy.” [@fcblive]

“[the] huge effort [Villa] has been making to play for a number of months with a stress fracture in the tibia is a factor.” [Sid Lowe in The Guardian]

“The locker room is very empathetic. Villa is very dear to us.” [@fcblive]

“Signing substitute for Villa? Let’s show some respect. Someone got injured and will have surgery. We can talk about that later.” [@barcastuff]

Other updates: “Masche has some bruise and Alexis has a bit of muscle discomfort. We will do tests tomorrow to see what they are.” [@fcblive]

Video below (via allasFCB2):

Make no mistake, this is a huge blow, for everyone, but none more than David himself.

Anims Guaje.

[Update] Villa’s message on Facebook:

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your support!!! The injury is very bad news, but I’m sure I’m going to get over [it] as soon as possible. [Now I'm] focusing on playing the final in Munich (I know my mates will get me there) and on the UEFA Euro 2012. I’m going to work hard to get there. I want them to count on me! I’ll be on Spain tomorrow. A big hug!

He won’t be making the trip to Japan with the team next week, but Tito Vilanova was back with the team and should make the trip to the Bernabeu. Such fantastic news! Hopefully Mourinho doesn’t look up what a parotid gland is and then try to poke him in that.

Some pictures:

"Human Potential achieved, captain."

I might just get this tattooed to my face I love it so much.

Awww x infinity plus Guardiola kicking the ball like a small child and going "shucks"

Injuries are bad, but illness is terrible and Tito’s recovery is fantastic on a lot of levels. Obviously the team needs him, though they’ve turned in some stellar performances without him, so his return is good for the squad. More importantly, it’s good for Tito (and his family) that he’s healthy and able to get back to work.

And what work there is to do. El Clásico awaiteth, after all.

[All pictures via the official site, by Miguel Ruiz]

So, we should be discussing possibilities, who’s starting, the curse of the No. 9, etc.

Instead, we’re sitting on our tushies, watching old Barca matches on the DVR and dreaming of better times ahead. Or something.

Because the LFP players are on strike. Here’s the quick and dirty lowdown on what’s going on.
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Well, the deal that I didn’t think was going to happen, has happened. And we have lots coming up for you, including Linda waxing eloquent on why this deal rocks, and Euler’s tactical dissertation on what Fabregas will mean for us.

I have something simpler planned, a glancing blow at all of this. It’s also something that I know many looove to see me doing, and that’s eating crow. So here we go.

“We understand Cesc’s desire to move to his home-town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “We have been clear that we didn’t want Cesc to leave and that remains the case. We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success.”
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