Soccer Star Iniesta to Make Film Debut in the Comedy “Who Killed Bambi?”

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He may be known for bending it like David Beckham, but Andrés Iniesta will be kickin’ it in a different role in the very near future…

The 29-year-old Spanish soccer star, who scored the winning goal that ensured Spain the World Cup title in 2010, will make his film debut with a cameo appearance alongside Ernesto Alterio in Santi Amodeo‘s comedy Who Killed Bambi?

The film, produced by Rodar y Rodar, will be distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing Spain and tells the story of two friends who must find a way to return the president of their company to his home safe and sound after discovering him half-naked in the trunk of their car.

Iniesta, who plays for Futbol Club Barcelona when not sporting the national team’s jersey, is considered Spain’s most beloved player, not only for his famous winning goal, but for his soft-spoken, good-sportsman-like manner.

In soccer-crazed Spain, Iniesta is one of the few players that the whole country supports.

Further details about Iniesta’s cameo aren’t immediately clear yet.

Bambi is scheduled for release in Spain on November 15.

Fàbregas Has No Plans to Leave Futbol Club Barcelona

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Francesc “Cesc” Fàbregas isn’t planning to go anywhere…

The 26-year-old Spanish footballer has confirmed that his plan has always been to remain with Futbol Club Barcelona, ending speculation about a possible move.

“I’ve never thought about leaving, I haven’t doubted for a single moment,” said the midfielder during a press conference in Malaysia, the latest stop on Barça’s pre-season tour.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester United have approached Barcelona twice in recent weeks with offers for Fàbregas, who signed with London club Arsenal in 2003 and became one of the top players in England before a transfer to FC Barcelona in 2011.

“It cost me a lot to return (to Spain). I’m happy in Barcelona and my dream is to triumph with Barça. No one will change this,” he said Thursday, denying that he’d talked to anyone at Man United.

“When such an important team makes two offers, it flatters you, but at no time did I speak with anyone from United,” said Fàbregas.

Tello Agrees to Lucrative Contract Extension with Barcelona

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Despite being targeted by clubs in Great Britain, Cristian Tello is staying put in his native country…

The 21-year-old Spanish professional soccer player, a winger for Futbol Club Barcelona, has signed a contract extension with the team until 2018.

Tello’s lucrative new deal includes a 25 million euros buy-out clause, which could rise to 35 million euros depending on appearances.

Negotiations between Barça and Tello have been ongoing throughout the summer, and on Thursday both parties reached an agreement.

“I am very happy to announce that I have extended my contract with Barça until 2018,” Tello wrote on Twitter. “I will continue to give my all for this shirt.”

The Spain Under-21 international played 22 league games last season, scoring seven goals and contributing four assists.

The arrival of Neymar means even more competition in the squad, but Tello told a press conference earlier this summer that he was up for that challenge.

“I haven’t wanted to even listen to offers from other clubs. All I want is to be a success here,” he said.

Martino Named Futbol Club Barcelona’s New Manager

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo Martino is Barcelona bound…

The 50-year-old Argentine soccer manager and former midfielder, nicknamed Tata, Gerardo Martino is Barcelona bound…

The 50-year-old Argentine soccer manager and former midfielder, nicknamed Tata, has agreed to a two-year contract with Futbol Club Barcelona.

Martino, who led Newell’s Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season, was appointed to the post after it was announced on Friday that Tito Villanova would be stepping down after a recurrence of his throat cancer.

“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to appoint Gerardo Martino as the new coach of the football team for the next two seasons. This agreement is pending the drafting and signing of the contract,” read a club statement.

Several coaches had been linked with the vacancy at the Liga champions, including Luis Enrique, Andre Villas-Boas, Marcelo Bielsa, Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink, who resigned as coach of Anzhi Makhachkala on Mohas agreed to a two-year contract with Futbol Club Barcelona.

Soccer Star Xavi Weds Fiancee Nuria Cunillera

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Xavi Hernandez is officially off the market…

The 33-year-old Spanish soccer star, a midfielder for Futbol Club Barcelona, has married his fiancée Nuria Cunillera.

The couple tied the knot in a ceremony at the Marimurtra Botanical Garden in the Spanish city of Blanes on Saturday night before some 180 invited guests, including most of the soccer team.

Following the ceremony, Hernandez and his new wife held the reception at the neighboring building “El Convent,” a 16th century structure.

The Barça star’s nuptials attracted about 100 curious members of the public who cheered Hernandez when he arrived at the botanical garden, which offers several magnificent views of the Costa Brava.

Among the guests at the ceremony were Barça midfielder Sergio Busquets, former players Santi Ezquerro, Oleguer Presas, Gabri Garcia and Albert Jorquera, as well as former Athletic Bilbao player Joseba Etxeberria.

The last guests to arrive, accompanied by their spouses or girlfriends, were Cesc Fabregas, Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano, Pedro Rodriguez, Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta, who all showed up together in one vehicle and sparked a frenzy among fans who were waiting at the door.

Cunillera was the last to arrive riding in an antique Bentley.

The newly married couple are said to be planning a honeymoon in the Seychelles this summer.

Villa Moving from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

David Villa is switching teams…

The 31-year-old Spanish international soccer star will be leaving Futbol Club Barcelona to play for Atletico Madrid.

It’s all part of a deal potentially worth $6.55 million, according to Barça officials.

Copa del Rey winner Atletico will pay the defending La Liga champion 2.1 million euros this season, with the promise of another 2.1 million if Villa continues to play in 2014-2015, Barcelona said in a statement.

Atletico will have to hand over an additional 1 million euros if Villa remains with the club into the 2015-2016 season.

Barcelona also retains a claim to 50 percent of any future transfer fee for Villa.

With 56 goals in 92 appearances, Villa is Spain’s leading scorer in international play, despite his missing the 2012 European Championship due to an injury.

He was an integral part of the Spanish squad that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Villa joined Barça in 2010 and kicked 48 goals in 119 official matches with the club, but he had a hard time getting back into the starting lineup after the broken leg he suffered in 2011 kept him off the pitch for months.

Barcelona’s recent signing of Brazilian sensation Neymar left Villa’s future with the red-and-blue even cloudier.

Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United were said to be interested in Villa, but Atletico – anxious to replace departed striker Radamel Falcao – beat the English sides to the negotiating table.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are to meet next month in the Spanish Supercup.

Alcântara Signs Three-Year Contract Extension with Barcelona

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Rafinha Alcântara is staying put…

The 20-year-old Brazilian soccer pro, the brother of Thiago Alcântara, has signed a three-year contract extension with Barcelona.

Rafinha had been considering all his options, including a potentia loan move to Celta Vigo.

Luis Enrique, Celta coach and former Barca B boss, was keen to take both the 20-year-old and his teammate Jonathan Dos Santos to Balaidos, while Rafinha’s father, Mazinho, represented the La Liga side from 1996-1999.

However, the younger of the two Alcantaras opted to put pen to paper on a deal to keep him at Barca until 2016 instead, although he has made it clear that there is still a chance he could be representing a different team come next season.

“I am very happy to continue to be attached to the club but I am open to the possibility of going out on loan,” he told the press after signing his new contract. “If I need to do that in order to get minutes then that’s not a problem.”

Rafinha, who has chosen to represent Brazil at the international level, played 36 games for Barca B last season, netting 10 goals.

Lopez: The World’s Most Powerful Latina Celebrity

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She may not be sitting at the top of the perch of Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list this year, but Jennifer Lopez is still the world’s most powerful Latina celebrity.

This year, the 43-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer ranks No. 12 on the magazine’s official list of the world’s most powerful celebrities.

Lopez, who ranked No. 1 on last year’s list, earned $52 million in 2012. But after quitting her gig as a judge on American Idol, she lost the hefty $12 million salary that came with it.

Lopez, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this month, is earning at nearly the same rate though, thanks to her lucrative world tour that grossed over $1 million per night and a starring role in the Latin talent competition Q’Viva. Lopez continues to give back through her foundation and is the first female spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in its century-and-a-half history.

But Lopez isn’t the only Hispanic celebrity list…

Lionel Messi is next on the list, coming in at No. 39. The 26-year-old Argentinean soccer star won FIFA’s world player of the year award for a record fourth year in a row after scoring 91 goals in all competitions last year to break a 40-year-old world record held by Gerd Muller.

His team, Futbol Club Barcelona, rewarded him with a record contract extension through 2018 that will pay him more than $20 million annually. In addition, Adidas launched his icon signature line in 2013. It is only the second time they have done so for one of their brand ambassadors.

Other Hispanic celebrities include:

Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis star, No. 51
Sofia Vergara, Colombian actress, No. 54
Charlie Sheen, part-Spanish American actor, No. 67
Gisele Bündchen, Brazilian supermodel, No. 81
George Lopez, Mexican American actor/comedian, No. 93
Louis C.K., Mexican American comedian/actor, No. 97

Alcântara Leads All-Star UEFA European Under-21 Championship Squad

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Thiago Alcântara is the leader of the pack at the European Under-21 Championship.

The 22-year-old half-Brazilian soccer player, Spain’s Under-21 captain and reported Manchester United target, has been named player of the tournament for the European Under-21 Championships in Israel.

Alcântara, a midfielder for Futbol Club Barcelona, was instrumental throughout La Rojita‘s victorious campaign and hit a first half hat-trick in the 4-2 final win against Italy.

A statement on UEFA’s official website read: “As captain of the title winners, Thiago displayed leadership qualities on and off the pitch and, throughout the tournament, was an influential figure in his team’s performance with impressive box-to-box work; exceptional ball control even in the tightest of situations; ability to dictate the tempo of play; intelligent ball-winning based on anticipation rather than tackling; and outstanding playmaking skills based on a wide variety of short and long passing.

“His three goals in the final represented a unique individual achievement and reward for his contributions to his team’s success.”

Thiago is free to leave the Camp Nou this summer if his release clause of €18 million is met and is being trailed by United and their Premier League rivals Chelsea.

He was also named in the 23-man squad of the tournament, alongside 10 of his Spain teammates, including Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, Manchester City and Real Madrid target Isco and Golden Boot winner Alvaro Morata.

Neymar Signs Papers for His Transfer to FC Barcelona

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Neymar is headed to España…

The 21-year-old Brazilian striker made his move to Futbol Club Barcelona official on Monday, signing the papers for his transfer from Brazil’s Santos FC to this year’s Spanish champion.

Next on the agenda is a visit to the office of Barça club president Sandro Rosell, where Neymar will ink his five-year deal.

The club expects to present Neymar to the fans next week, though the exact day will depend on his commitments with the Brazilian national team.

Barcelona has yet to reveal how much the team paid for Neymar, but some media accounts have mentioned a transfer fee in the realm of 100 million euros ($129.3 million).

Neymar still had a year left on his contract with Santos, which last Friday accepted offers from both Barça and archrival Real Madrid and left it up to the striker to decide where he wanted to go.

The latest soccer phenom to come out of Brazil joined the Santos organization as a youngster and was promoted to the senior squad in 2009.

Neymar’s 138 goals in 230 matches have been a big part of why Santos has won six titles, including the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Libertadores, in the last four years.

At Barça, he will be part of a lineup led by Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the world’s best player.

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