New Barca deal for Messi

Lionel Messi has agreed a new contract to stay at Barcelona until 2018, while Carles Puyol and Xavi have also agreed new deals until 2016.



Messi's current deal runs until June 2016 and the new agreement will keep him at the Nou Camp beyond his 31st birthday.



The forward has enjoyed an extraordinary year, even by his own remarkable standards, netting his 89th and 90th goals of 2012 at the weekend.



The 25-year-old had already surpassed Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year.



He is also in contention to claim a fourth successive FIFA Ballon d'Or crown, being named on a three-man shortlist alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Andres Iniesta.

Puyol: Elbow injury was the most painful experience

Barcelona centre-back, Carles Puyol spoke about the devastating dislocated elbow he suffered almost two months ago and despite the serious injury, will not change his style of play.

Puyol described the injury suffered in Barça’s 3-1 Champions League win over Benfica as the most painful experience he`s ever had and is described to be back in action.



“I’m pleased to be back and I’m pleased that we won, I’m happy that I’m getting back into the rhythm of things, the elbow injury was my worst experience as far as injuries go. It was very painful. I didn’t think it would be that bad.



“The only positive thing about an arm injury is that you can start physical training sooner. I just need to gain a bit of mobility and strength.



“You can’t think about what has happened to you in the past, If I stop myself from heading the ball or making tackles, it’s time to leave the sport. I always try to help the team and that was just an unfortunate play.”



The Catalan captain will be back in the starting line-up when the Blaugrana take on Spartak Moscow in Tuesday evening`s Champions League clash in Russia.




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Benzema: I’d rather face Ramos than Puyol

Real Madrid and French international striker, Karim Benzema spoke to the media prior to Tuesday evening`s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Spain at the Vicente Calderon.



He  would much rather face his own teammate, Sergio Ramos, than Spain`s two other centre-backs, Barcelona duo Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.

Benzema began by discussing his Real Madrid teammates, of which there are five, but mostly discussed centre-back Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas.



“I’ve been getting messages from a few of the lads, especially Sergio Ramos, who’s a good friend of mine. I would rather be up against him than Gerard Piqué or Carles Puyol, because I know him better.



“Casillas is one of the best players in the world, that’s all that needs to be said on the matter.”



The Frenchman then discussed the Spanish national team and losing to Spain in the Euro 2012 tournament.



“They are the best team in the world – they’ve won everything there is to win. I play with a lot of international players at Madrid, so I know what quality is. Having said that, I don’t think they are unbeatable, this is not mission impossible. It’s still 11 against 11.



“We lost this game [in June] but it doesn’t mean anything, that competition is now over. Now we have to try and win in the Calderón.



This game is different as it’s an international game, but the Calderón is always a difficult place to go, whether you are playing against Spain or Atlético Madrid.”

Puyol pledges loyalty to Barca

Carles Puyol is not interested in leaving Barcelona despite receiving lucrative offers from The United Arab Emirates and Russia.



Anzhi Makhachkala were one of the clubs believed to have offered Puyol a contract, having already managed to land Samuel Eto'o last summer.



The Barcelona captain has only ever played for the Catalan giants and wants to see out the rest of his career at the club.



The centre-back recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will require six weeks to recover.



Puyol will miss Euro 2012 due to his physical problems, but he has stressed more than once that he is keen to continue his playing career until he turns 40. He has a contract with Barcelona until June 2013.



The 34-year-old also said he had no intentions of retiring from international football insisting he aims to add to his 99 caps for Spain.