Barca players busy as bees

Spanish giants Barcelona’s star players, including four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, barely had time to put their feet up on the second day of their pre-season tour in Bangkok.

The Catalan club players showed they meant business by going straight to the training field only hours after taking a long-haul flight on Monday from Israel, where the club hosted an event to promote peace in the Middle East.

After their first training session at the Thai Army Sports stadium, Barca players had to get out of bed early to start the day with some practice at the same venue. Having finished the session soaked in sweat, the 26-year-old Messi and other big names of the club found no time to rest as they were scheduled to take part in a number of promotional events throughout the day.

The diminutive Argentine, who has enhanced his status as the world’s best player with a phenomenal scoring feat over the last few seasons, and reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto then had a chance to meet children with disabilities in an event hosted by Unicef at the team hotel.

The organisers allowed the children to ask questions to the two players and the Argentine forward made a huge impression for the way he engaged himself with the kids intimately. 

Asked by one of the kids whether he had a chance to play football with children with disabilities before, Messi replied in Spanish: “Yes, of course, but I don’t feel like they are different from others.”

Another was curious to know what the Argentine wanted to do most when he was not on the pitch and Messi simply said that he just wanted to be with his family which was very important for him. On a question of how he could develop himself to become a world-class player, Messi said keeping your head down in training was the key to success.

“You need to work hard in training and set your target. Only hard work would help you achieve your target,” said the Argentine, who scored a total of 60 goals in all competitions for the Catalan club.

One kid, who will take part in the Global Unified World Cup next year in Brazil, asked Messi for his advice in preparing for the event. The Argentine said he just wanted him to enjoy the experience, which was the most important thing at this stage of life. Barca’s new marquee signing, Brazilian forward Neymar, who linked up with his new team-mates shortly before the club left for the pre-season trip, also faced a busy day, just like Messi – who he idolises. The former Santos player attended an event at True Coffee in Siam Square to launch Nike’s Hypervenom – a new pair of football shoes in whose development he was involved – by giving some input.

The 21-year-old Brazilian, who played a starring role in Brazil’s title triumph in the Confederations Cup last month, was happy to join a select group of players to become a presenter for the boot, just as Cristiano Ronaldo did for Nike’s Mercurial and Andres Iniesta for Nike’s CR360.

“I’m very happy. I feel privileged to join with the company and be a part of representing the Hypervenom. It’s really a wonderful pleasure,” Neymar said through a translator.

When asked about his expectations for the new season with his new club, Neymar said he just hoped to play his part in the team.

“I have expectations for myself and the team. I hope to have a good performance in the new season. I’ll try to gel with the team.”

In the evening, Barcelona, who have returned to this country for the first time since 2002, conducted an opening training session ahead of today’s sold-out match against Thailand’s under-23 side at the Rajamangala National stadium.

Meanwhile, a total of Bt3,980,000 was raised at an auction during a gala dinner attended by five Barca players: Cesc Fabregas, Neymar, Pedro, Alex Song and Dani Alves on Monday night at Okura Prestige hotel. Paintings by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Barca footballs and jerseys signed by the five players were on auction. The proceeds will be used to construct football pitches for students in border areas.