That is why I really found it interesting to look at the wikipedia page of La Masia to where it shows some of the big names that have come out of it that are still playing be it for Barcelona or even more so playing elsewhere in Europe and how they are still doing.
Congrats to Xavi, Messi and Iniesta on being the finalists for the Ballon D'Or. What a great day for La Masia. Remember what a slightly negative reaction we had when Busquets and Pique first broke in with the first team? Now look at them, they are world beaters. Pique really strikes me as the best centre half in Spain, and Busquets has been so solid its ridiculous. If we had to ask the question now....who is the better player Toure Yaya or Busquets, whom would you say? I guess my point is that the youth players need a little adjustment time but because they have played with the same philosophy since they were young, can they can quickly intergrate into the first team. Pique had to re-assimilate (is that a word?) after his Man U stint obviously. Pedro just hit the track running and hasn't looked back since.
I was curious and added up the time that the regular first team youth players have been with the club. Valdes, Puyol, Pique, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, and Messi combined have about 87 years of Barca education!
I saw that coming. I just hope that what ever sponsor they may end up with that it is done tastefully looking on the kit rather than some clubs with a sponsor inside of a box in a color that doesn't go with the rest of the jersey.
awww and here i was waiting for the unicef to be gone so the kit can just be the tick and the badge lol
Word. This is tough to take. Maybe "option 3" with the new sponsor on the a$$ of our shorts would be alright.
Rumors are Qatar Foundation for 150 million Euros for 5 years. http://www.qf.org.qa/ Can't complain about the price if the rumors are true. Aesthetically, the tree silhouette doesn't quite seem like it would work on a kit... FWIW, I'm one of those people who's bothered by the Unicef and Nike logos being there already.
New shirt sponsor Frankly, I'm disappointed. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...tion-pay-125m-to-share-space-with-Unicef.html
Re: New shirt sponsor Unlike many Barca fans who have gone livid about this I'm staying on the fence of reality. Years of overspending and financial woes will always catch up with you. Moreover the money that was offered would be idiotic to turn down, tradition or no tradition with respect to the capitalist world we live in. Add to the fact that the really couldn't have been a better sponsor. It is not an agreement with a commercial brand, but an agreement within the institutional area, specifically with the Qatar Foundation, and entity that promotes education, research, and human development. The foundation is almost like UNICEF, having looked at their mission and aims the only difference between this foundation and Unicef is that they'll be paying us 33M a year. I'm not in favor with this,but you have to look at it this way..we're keeping UNICEF, adding another foundation like it..one that doesnt sell anything or a betting company..and we get 180M over 6 years. Not the end of the world.
Barca have had TV3 and Nike on their shirts for how many years now? Sponsorless my ass IMO, it was always a vivacious saying. But that isn't to say I like this but financially who would turn such a deal down.
Re: New shirt sponsor I am dissapointed of them. It is like a TRADITION to have no sponsor in Barcelona! -just disappointed- but on the other hand they need money and this contract will be the biggest there has ever been of any sponsor!
We all knew it was going to happen eventually. Step 1: Nike swoosh Step 2: Unicef (so we could get use to seeing writing on the shirt) Step 3: all of a sudden the club is in dire straits and needs a sponsor, hey along comes a savior Step 4: flirt with idea of putting new logo on underpants, call in the underpants gnomes ... Step 6: Profit
Re: New shirt sponsor After the UNICEF deal, this was just a matter of time. As much as loved the clean shirt, and the ideals behind it, it was naive to think that the shirt would stay spotless forever. We have to compete with the other big teams in Europe, and any /all sources of income are necessary. Plus, the huge debt left by the previous administration made things more dire and desperate. As much as I will hate to see another logo on the shirt, I have to admit they got a good deal. It's the most anyone has ever paid to be on a football kit. Besides, it's a non-profit foundation dedicated to human development and education. Like UNICEF but with money And, hey, at least it's not a betting website.
Re: New shirt sponsor Better than BWIN of course but with UNICEF Barca was giving money to a non-profit charity in addition to promoting that organization, not taking money away. So there is a huge difference. Besides this Qatar foundation seems to only benefit one country - a country where the GDP/capita is about $120,000 per year. At least that's what I got from reading their website. IT's good to help people anywhere, but I wouldn't compare it to UNICEF which helps the most needy. I'm sure Barca will also lose money on shirt-sales and other merchandise items. Not €30,000/year but less than they earn now. Dumb move.
Ew. Not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, it's a crap load of money that would be dumb to turn down...AND I guess it's sort of an decent organization and not a betting website. On the other hand, it sucks. Yes Nike was on there, but haven't they ALWAYS (or at least for a few decades) had the clothing sponsor on there? And really, what legit NFP has 125M euros to throw at a team? Wouldn't that money be better spent re-investing it into the foundation? And who exactly are they marketing to? The foundation is obviously funded by the royal family...do they really need more donors? (I guess so). I'm sure we'll get used to it, but I for one am glad I bought the last un-sponsored Barcelona jersey (06/07)
The important thing about the shirt of the club I support is that it has Barca logo on the right side of the chest. What can be said about this? Understandable, kinda sad, saw it coming, doesn't make us any less special. No biggie. Better this than sell Villa or Iniesta to make some money.