FC BARCELONA

Jose Manuel Pinto took over from Valdes in goal at the weekend and speaking to the press today he insisted: “Tito Vilanova has the strength and character” to take charge next season.

Pinto wants Messi to win the Pitxitxi: “if he wins, the whole team wins”.

Josep Guardiola’s farewell and Tito Vilanova’s appointment was at the heart of José Manuel Pinto’s press conference this morning and the keeper explained: “I completely understand what Guardiola has done. He takes everything very seriously and that takes a big toll mentally. You can’t compare them, but Tito has the character and strength, as well as our full backing”..

Asked if the changeover would affect the team’s performance, Pinto replied: “I don’t think much will change because the two of them share the same vision. We are all relaxed about it and we are right behind Tito and his way of looking at football”. Pinto didn’t want to hear talk about the end of an era, insisting: “Only time will tell”.

Pinto did admit however, that: “all of us have been affected by the news and we’ve all felt bad about it”.

The keeper also believes that Messi can win the Pichichi as the league’s highest scorer this season: “I want Messi to win –if he wins, the whole team wins. If he scores, it’s down to the work the whole team have put in”. Pinto also insisted that Víctor Valdés, who is guaranteed the Zamora as the keeper who’s conceded least goals this season if he plays no more league games this campaign: “is the keeper who most deserves it”. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

After the match in Mestalla, the FC Barcelona players José Manuel Pinto and Isaac Cuenca completed an anti-doping control. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The Barça keeper says that his team has the faith and confidence to keep fighting for the league and cut down the difference between them and Real Madrid.

Jose Manuel Pinto was optimistic despite the difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid now being seven points. The team is still alive in three competitions and is not throwing in the towel in any of them. "The message coming from the squad is one of faith and confidence... we have very little margin for error, but we're not giving anything up ... Challenges emerge every day, and that's nice. We are excited about excelling ourselves and achieving every target we have".

The Barça keeper knows how professional the players are and that the draw at El Madrigal won´t affect them. "The squad has always shown that it can stay strong despite any setbacks. The team is optimistic and looking forward to the cup".

Pinto also spoke about fitness, saying "we aren´t tired. We have good coaches and physios but it is hard for everything to work out perfectly every day ... But the team is fully committed".

Although he is an ever-present in the Copa del Rey, Pinto does not consider himself the first choice keeper in the competition. "I treat every training session as if I'm going to play. I have all the patience and ambition in the world ... Valdés is the best goalkeeper in the world ... I am working to improve and win my place from Víctor". (via FCBarcelona.cat)

At midday on Tuesday the goalkeeper signed the renewal of his contract with FC Barcelona until June 30, 2013. He looked back positively on his four years at Barça.



As announced a few days ago, goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto has agreed to stay on at Barça until June 30, 2013. He was joined for the signing of the document by president Sandro Rosell, vice president for sport Josep Maria Bartomeu, director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta and director of football Raül Sanllehí.

Pinto told Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat that "it is marvellous to stay at such a great club ... I came here for six months and I've stayed quite some time ... The balance is very positive. It is in terms of titles and personally I am thoroughly enjoying being part of this squad".

He even said he'd like to retire in the city of Barcelona. "It is a very special moment and both my family and me are really happy to be here" he said.

Pinto started out as a professional in the Betis B team in 97/98 and made it into the first team. He then joined Celta Vigo a year after, where he played for 10 years and ended up as team captain, even winning the Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeping record in the league in the season of 2005/06.

A serious injury to Albert Jorquera in the 2007/08 season led to his arrival at FC Barcelona on loan, with the club having the option to purchase the player outright at the end of the season. Pinto has been first choice keeper in all Copa del Rey matches, and therefore played a key role in the treble winning season. He has renewed his contract every year he has been here, and has won the confidence of Pep Guardiola and the affection of his team-mates. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The keeper was visibly happy during his interview with ‘El Marcador’ on Barça TV after Barça’s victory over Osasuna. Coincidentally, news of his contract renewal was also announced this week.

José Manuel Pinto was the featured guest on El Marcador after the convincing victory over Osasuna (4-0) that leaves the Azulgranas one step closer to the quarter-finals. The Andalusian keeper, however, was prudent on the team’s chances: “It’s a good result but we always have to have our feet on the ground. We know what football can be like and we don’t want any surprises.”

Pinto, who put in another solid performance last night, has been the focus of attention this week after news of his contract renewal went public. The Club’s reserve keeper confirmed that he would be staying one more year in Barcelona. “I only need to sign, it’s almost symbolic at this point, because both sides are in agreement and we’ve given our word. I’m very pleased because, since I’ve been here, I’ve been very happy,” Pinto said.

The backup keeper, who takes to the pitch for Cup matches, explained that he feels the love from the supporters and that he doesn’t feel questioned: “Seeing that I renew year after year, it’s normal to hear about other keepers. On the first day I said I was coming to stay and in the end that’s true.” Guardiola has always put his confidence in Pinto and the keeper is appreciative: “It’s an honour every time he talks about me. It’s the reward for the work I put in, my dedication, for the commitment I’ve shown the team since I stated with the Club.”

Pinto, with his contract extension, will remain part of Guardiola’s history-making side next year. “All the players have hope, and it’s important that you never lose it, that’s what continues to give us ambition and keeps us competitive. We never get tired of winning and we never want to get tired of it,” said Pinto when asked about the secret to playing for this FC Barcelona team. The Andalusian explained another reason behind the team’s success, Pep Guardiola: “all the players want him to stay because his philosophy has infected us and we believe in him.”

Pinto also had words for Messi, saying that he has “never seen anything like” the Argentinean and was visibly pleased for both the Barça players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or: “it’s an honour for the whole team. It doesn’t matter who wins, I’ll feel a part of this Ballon d’Or. We all, one way or another, help this team. They wouldn’t do the things they do without us, nor us without them.”(via FCBarcelona.cat)

FC Barcelona have agreed to extend José Manuel Pinto’s contract for one more season, through June 30, 2013.

The Club will soon announce when the new contract will be signed. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Pinto can defend the Barca goal until February 8.

With the new year, Jose Manuel Pinto recover its share of limelight. The deputy Victor Valdes , 36, will remain in goal during the binge intersemanales Cup games waiting for the boat to the February 8 rounds if you exceed the semifinals, and it seems that in the near future, coinciding their entitlements butler must sign a new contract until 2013.

True to his philosophy in the knockout tournament whoever the opponent, Pep Guardiola will continue to rely on the Andalusian. On Wednesday (22.00 h.) will take part in the Camp Nou against Osasuna in the way of knockout. On Thursday 12 awaits the visit to Pamplona , a possible prelude to an explosive tie against Real Madrid . Although his recent answers and outbursts in the press denote that the criticism of certain attitudes, such as repeated whistles to mislead rivals, slips, Pinto knows that the pressure on him would be maximum at a crossroads over two legs against 'meringues'.

Do not forget that on Cádiz, whose penalty stopped Marti 'semis' Copa 2009 in Mallorca is a bit far, weighs the burden of having played only once against the Madrid of Mourinho and FC Barcelona have been the keeper in the only loss of the eight clásicos played so far against the whole of the Portuguese. Maybe when they can produce this double match against Madrid Pinto has already renovated, in a decision already made ​​and not depend in any case their athletic performance in the coming weeks, but much of the Barcelona still wondering what would have happened if Valdes would have been the goalkeeper in the last final of Copa de Mestalla . Nor does it have benefits in the brawl autoexpulsado the break in the first leg of 'semis' of Champions at the Bernabeu and let to Valdés without replacement on the bench for 45 minutes.

If two classics are given in rooms, Pinto claimed to want to keep continuity in the wrong place and agreed, which is added the condition factor in the locker room glue. (via MD)

Coaching staff seek to bring someone with future potential to invigorate competition in goal.

The first team of Barca 2012-2013 will have three goalkeepers. Mundo Deportivo has been reporting that the intent of the technical team to face Barca next season is somewhat different compared to previous campaigns, since the departure of Albert Jorquera left Victor Valdes and Juan Manuel Pinto as official gatekeepers.

Clearly, two weeks before turning 30 years, Victor Valdes has great reference as the goal of the Camp Nou and that its experience and its place in the group dynamics, Jose Manuel Pinto will continue for another season keeping you shoulders because the same goalkeeper made ​​36 years gave their renewal shortly before enjoying their Christmas holidays.

The big news regarding the planning of Barca in terms of goal is the willingness to incorporate a new goalkeeper to gather some very specific virtues: first, obviously, a quality to match Barca, the second, his adaptability to the peculiar style of the team, and the third projection of their youth and dynamism to competitiveness. It never hurts to have more than one alternate, with a goalkeeper with real future potential to be a starter one day.

Incorporating this would not disrupt young goalkeeper as has happened from time to time the daily activity of the subsidiary, to recruit some of their porters occasionally. (via MD)

The goalkeeper admitted that he's "very happy" that an agreement with the Club to renew his contract for another season is very close.

Even though there are a few loose ends still to be tied up, José Manuel Pinto said during his press conference that negotiations with FC Barcelona are going well and that he is close to signing his contract renewal. “The renewal talks are advanced, it’s coming along. I’m very happy,” the keeper confirmed.

Pinto, who will start this Thursday against l’Hospitalet, doesn’t believe the tie is resolved: “We are ready for the match and it won’t be easy. Not only because of the fatigue after Japan, which I believe we’ll overcome, but because l’Hospitalet proved in the away game that they can play well and they will make it difficult for us. We’re mentally prepared.” It’s worth noting that Barça won the away game against l’Hospitalet by 0-1.

On David Villa, sidelined for the next four to five months due to the injury he picked up against Al-Sadd in the semi-final of the Club World Cup, the keeper admitted that he hasn’t had the chance to visit the striker at hospital, but he has exchanged messages with the striker: “I got up pretty late and I haven’t gone to see him yet. We’ve exchanged messages and I saw the video he posted. We know he’s a strong person and he’s very eager to return. I’m happy for him because the surgery went well.”

Pinto also explained Barça’s recipe for success: “To persevere, to have hope and to have a lot of ambition.” The keeper explained that some of his colleagues that have won every title possible “continue with the same eagerness as the youngsters from the reserve side.” On the importance of the recently won Club World Cup title in Japan, he keeper said, “for me all the titles are equally important, it’s respectable that others think otherwise.” (iva FCBarcelona.cat)

Sports Vice President says, "It is a pleasure that players like Neymar speak well of Barça".

In an interview with the program "El Club de la Mitjanit", Catalunya Ràdio, Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitido them movimientos Barça regard to Neymar , adelantados cited by the IA, and has highlighted that "muy buenos Rosell has contacts in Brazil." 'Barto' has been shown by these comments very agradecido the Brazilian behind the frontal end and its laudatory juego that the practice team for Guardiola. "It is a pleasure to futbolistas well as the speech of the club," he assured.

Bartomeu has also admitted, as he advanced Ona FM hours before that Pinto renewed shortly. "It is a guarantee for technicians and will continue one more year , "has unveiled the vice president, who minutes earlier had visited Villa after being involved in the Quiron Hospital in Barcelona. "We've seen David in high spirits and eager to play again, "he explained.

The full-back would put an end this way to several months of uncertainty and the goalkeeper would continue more one year.

According to Ona FM assured, Eric Abidal and Jose Manuel Pinto would be very close to extending their contract with FC Barcelona .

For the French, would mean the end of several months that its renewal had become an endless serial, full of uncertainty as to its conclusion.

Besides its importance for the great performance offered in the field, 'Abi' is one of the most beloved players in the stands of Camp Nou, more so since the completion of a liver tumor during last season, and thus meet its sixth year wearing Barca.

As José Manuel Pinto , despite being in the shadow of Victor Valdes and enjoy the title only in the Copa del Rey, the fact that one of the key pieces of clothing makes him a very important man for Pep Guardiola . Pinto signed for another year, serving his fifth year as FC Barcelona. (via mD)