BARCELONA, Spain -- There are three reasons why Barcelona is favoured to keep its Spanish league title. They are as concise as they are convincing: Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Neymar. Known for its passing, Barcelona can now field three of soccers most confounding and creative dribblers in the same starting 11 after Neymar joined the champions this off-season for $76 million, the eighth most expensive transfer in history. Looks perfect on paper. So what could go wrong? The soft-spoken Iniesta has always been happy to relinquish the leading role to Messi. But will Neymar, the bright and shining star of Brazil, be able to do likewise after being idolized as the next coming of Pele at Santos? The 21-year-old Neymar insisted repeatedly the day of his introduction that he had "come to add my part so that Lionel Messi continues to be the best player in the world." Weeks later, after his first game in Barcelonas burgundy and blue, he repeated his mantra of being happy in a secondary role. "(Messi) is a marvelous person. We talk every day. There wont be any problems," Neymar said. "The atmosphere on the team is better than I even hoped for. I knew that they were good, but when I arrived here I realized they were much better than I had thought." "Im fulfilling a dream of my childhood by playing beside Messi, Xavi (Hernandez), Iniesta, (Carles) Puyol," he added. "Im trying to adapt as quickly as I can." Yet Neymar, who Pele said could surpass the almighty Messi one day, will have to learn Barcelonas style, which until now has let only Messi and Iniesta freelance one-on-one against backpedaling defenders. And if Neymar does stay true to his word, Messi will still need to share enough of the ball -- and shots -- with Neymar to let him reach his full potential. Messi is the engine of the Barcelona juggernaut that won 14 of 19 possible titles under Pep Guardiola from 2008-12 and then tied a Spanish-league record of 100 points en route to the title last season under Tito Vilanova. Messi turned 26 in June and already is Barcelonas all-time goal scorer. Last season, he scored 46 goals in the league and was well on pace to break his own record of 50 goals from the previous campaign when he injured his right hamstring. The four-time world player of the year has outlasted a list of strike partners including Samuel Etoo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now David Villa, with whom he openly argued on the field before the Spain striker was sold this summer to Atletico Madrid. Neymar, however, is different. For the first time since Messi became its centerpiece, Barcelona has brought in a player who could represent its future in a distant post-Messi era. For that reason, the two standouts will need to understand one another. Otherwise, it could be a real problem for Barcelona after it invested major money in bringing the two together with Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. The task of making sure the two stars -- one firmly established as among the best in history, the other striving to join him -- get along will ultimately fall to new coach Gerardo Martino. The Argentine replaced Vilanova after Guardiolas former assistant unexpectedly stepped down in late July to focus on treatment for his recurrent throat cancer. "I cant imagine (Messi and Neymar) not being able to play together," Martino said at his presentation. "And if they cant play together it wont be their fault but rather a defect of the coach." The bottom line: If Martino can keep Messi and Neymar happy -- and that means piling up impressive goal numbers -- then the rest of the league should beware. 18:11ET 15-08-13
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Air Jordan 1 Baratas España .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious.
Air Jordan Retro 1 Baratas .ca! Kerry, Two nights after the Scott-Eriksson incident in Buffalo, the Bruins returned home to play San Jose. In that game, Zdeno Chara put a check on Tommy Wingels that clearly targeted his head. Tottenham held off late pressure to win 2-1 at Middlesbrough Saturday thanks to a brace from Heung-Min Son.Ben Gibson pulled a goal back for the hosts but ultimately it proved not enough. Spurs were the better side from the off and had a chance in the first minute with Victor Valdes denying Christian Eriksens curler. They didnt take long to open the scoring as Son exchanged passes with Vincent Janssen before beating Valdes in the far corner.Spurs upped the ante even more and doubled their lead midway through the first half. Once again Son did brilliantly to hold off pressure and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner with Valdes beaten all ends up.Spurs shouldve been out of sight at half time as Eriksen and DDele Alli wasted good chances of their own.dddddddddddd. Aitor Karanka made changes in the second half and introduced Jordan Rhodes and Adama Traore which sparked life into the hosts, and before long they were back in it.A free kick from Stewart Downing was met by Gibson who headed across Hugo Lloris and in. Boro then applied a stream of pressure but couldnt convert their chances.Rhodes should have scored but sent a free header straight at Lloris from nine yards, before Adam Forshaw could only volley wide late when unmarked in the box. Boro dropped to 15th while Spurs jumped up to second. ' ' '
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