Barca to honour Vilanova with Clasico mosaic

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Barcelona will pay tribute to their former coach Tito Vilanova ahead of Saturday's clash with Real Madrid with 98,000 fans to take part in a stadium mosaic bearing his name.

The mosaic that will be displayed in both Barcelona's red and blue colours, as well as the yellow and red of the Catalan flag, will spell out "For?§a Tito" the Catalan for "strength Tito."

Vilanova was forced to resign from his post as coach in July to continue his treatment for throat cancer.

"Once the Barcelona and Real Madrid players take to the field at 18.00 on Saturday, the Camp Nou public will form a mosaic which will read 'For?§a Tito', a message of support for the former coach of the club who had to leave his post with the first team in July 2013 to continue treatment for the illness that was detected nearly two years ago," said a statement on the Barcelona website.

Vilanova was only in charge of the first team for one season, but guided Barca to a record-equalling points tally of 100 as they cruised to a 22nd Spanish title in May.

The 45-year-old missed a significant period of the campaign, however, as he had to travel to New York for chemotherapy after suffering a relapse of the cancer in December last year.

Vilanova also played a significant role as assistant manager in Barca's glorious four-year spell under Pep Guardiola, in which they won 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles.

Cancer-hit Vilanova quits as Barcelona coach

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Cancer-stricken Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova quit on Friday to undergo further treatment for his illness, the president of the Spanish champions, Sandro Rosell, said.

The 44-year-old Vilanova had a tumour removed from a salivary gland in his throat in November 2011 and in December 2012 he suffered a relapse.

He underwent surgery again followed by 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

Vilanova returned to the helm of Barcelona in March and led the club to the Spanish league title.

"After evaluating the results of routine rests this week Tito Vilanova has been presented with the option of carrying out a treatment to continue to control his illness which will make it incompatible to carry out the role of first team coach from now on," Rosell told a news conference.

"I want to ask everyone, especially the media, in the name of his family to show the maximum respect for the privacy of the whole process which will start now," he added.

Vilanova's replacement will be announced "probably in the beginning of next week," Rosell said.

Club officials met with the squad and the team decided they would not travel to Poland to face Lechia Gdansk in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, he added.

"I want to say that life goes on, this is a huge blow, a very hard blow, for Barcelona but Barcelona has suffered many blows and we have always overcome those blows and today will not be an exception," added Rosell, who was flanked by the club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

Several Barcelona players, including Argintine forward Lionel Messi and veteran defender Carles Puyol, attended the press conference in their kits.

Vilanova, who was under contract with Barcelona until June 2014, took over from Pep Guardiola as manager in June 2012, having previously worked as his assistant.

Last week Guardiola, who now coaches German and European champions Bayern Munich, accused Barcelona officials of using Vilanova's illness "to damage" him.

Without saying who exactly had made the accusation, Guardiola denied that he had missed a chance to visit Vilanova while he was being treated in New York for cancer. "I will never forget that they used Tito's illness to cause me damage, because it's a lie that I never saw him in New York," he said. Guardiola was living in New York at the time while on a year-long sabbatical after leaving Barcelona. Vilanova hit back at Guardiola's comments during Barcelona's first pre-season press conference on Tuesday, saying no one on the Barcelona board had used his illness to attack him.

"People aren't interested in personal matters, but Pep got it wrong and I'm surprised by his comments. No one on the board used my illness to attack him. The club tried to help me as much as possible," said Vilanova, who wore the collar of his white t-shirt raised so as to cover his neck.

"He visited me once in New York when I had just arrived, but during my recovery from the operation I was there for two months and I didn't see him. He's my friend and I needed him, but he wasn't there for me. I would have done things differently. I won't say anything else about this."

Vilanova to leave Barcelona due to cancer relapse - press

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Barcelona have called a news conference for later on Friday amid news reports that coach Tito Vilanova is to step down because he has suffered a relapse of cancer.

The 45-year-old had a cancerous tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 and in December 2012 he suffered a relapse and underwent surgery again followed by 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

He returned to the helm of Barcelona in March and led the club to the Spanish league title.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and the club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will give a press conference at 8:30 pm (1830 GMT), the club said on its website without giving further details.

But several Spanish media outlets said the club would announce that Vilanova has had a relapse and was leaving his post.

"The coach has recently undergone tests which confirmed the bad news," the online edition of Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo said.

Top-selling daily El Pais said Vilanova's latest tests "revealed complications of the disease".

Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola as manager in June 2012, having previously worked as his assistant.

Vilanova pays tribute to Barca

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Tito Vilanova has expressed his gratitude to Barcelona's players and staff for the support shown to him throughout his reign and vowed to continue working for the club he loves in some capacity after stepping down as head coach.

The Catalan giants confirmed on Friday that the 44-year-old would not be able to continue in his role as he continues to receive cancer treatment.

In an open letter published on the club's official website, Vilanova wrote: "After five wonderful years as part of a team that has made dreams come true for any coach, it's time to face a change in my professional life and focus my energy on continuing to fight the disease I was diagnosed with a year and a half ago.

"The doctors recommend that, with the treatments that I must follow from now on, I cannot devote 100 per cent to the tasks of head coach as required by FC Barcelona. But I will continue to work closely for the club that I love on other sporting tasks."

Vilanova was Pep Guardiola's assistant before being promoted to the top job last summer when the record-breaking coach decided to take a one-year sabbatical from the game after winning 14 trophies in four seasons.

In his one campaign in charge of the club, Vilanova led Barca to their fourth Primera Division title in five years, becoming only the second team after Real Madrid to reach the 100-point mark.

He acknowledged it was difficult to stand down from his position, saying: "It is not easy to leave this very special group of players, fellow staff and friends with whom I shared many memorable experiences. I'll be eternally grateful for everything you have given me and the affection you have shown."

Vilanova had a tumour removed from his throat in late 2011, but suffered a relapse a year later. He underwent another operation on his parotid gland in December before beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York, where Guardiola was taking a year-long sabbatical after leaving the Nou Camp hot-seat.

Vilanova, who earlier this week claimed Guardiola "wasn't there for me" during his rehabilitation, went on in his letter to thank club officials and doctors for their support.

"I also want to especially thank the president (Sandro Rosell), the board and the sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta for the confidence they put in me and, above all, the unconditional support, both sporting and personal," he wrote.

Tito Vilanova confirms Cesc wants to stay at Barca

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has said that Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas wants to stay at the Spanish champions.

On Monday, United made a bid for the midfielder, who has failed to secure a regular starting spot at Barca since returning to the club from Arsenal two years ago.

However, Barca insisted the 26-year-old was not for sale and Vilanova has now confirmed that Fabregas is not wanting to move on either.

Vilanova said at a press conference: "I'm aware there have been offers, I had a conversation with him and he told me that he wanted to continue here and that he didn't want to go to another big club.

"He wants to succeed here."

Confirmation that Fabregas is committed to the club will come as a boost to Vilanova following the departure of rising star Thiago Alcantara.

The Spain international is currently finalising his move to Bayern Munich after the European champions reached an agreement with Barca last weekend to sign the 22-year-old for a fee which could rise to 25million euros (£21.6m).

More good news for Barca came with the announcement that midfielder Sergio Busquets has signed a contract extension which ties him to the Nou Camp until June 2018.

Vilanova insists Barca seat is safe

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova insisted Friday he would still be in charge of the newly crowned Spanish champions next season despite press rumours to the contrary.

Vilanova missed two months of the current season after heading to New York for cancer treatment.

He was replaced during that time by his assistant Jordi Roura.

But the 44-year-old says reports of his imminent professional demise are grossly exaggerated.

"I have nothing to clarify. I can repeat what I've already said louder but not clearer," said Vilanova. "I will be coaching Barcelona next season.

"Obviously when someone has been ill, as I have, there are certain routine tests to be done that will mean I will have to be absent a few days next season. But the club knows that and they believe in me."

Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer of the saliva glands in December, the second time he had contracted the illness.

Barcelona's form dipped during his absence, although they still cantered to the Spanish La Liga title.

Upon his return, Vilanova insisted he would honour his contract until the end of next season but press rumours suggest he will be replaced either by former Barca youth team coach Luis Enrique, who left the club for an unsuccessful year at the Roma helm in Italy last season, or Valencia's Ernesto Valverde.

Vilanova hopeful of Valdes stay

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has said he hopes to hold onto goalkeeper Victor Valdes for at least the final year of his contract.

The Spanish international confirmed on Friday that he plans to leave the Spanish champions when his current deal expires in 2014.

And the 31-year-old was an unused substitute as Barca sealed their title triumph by matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points tally with a 4-1 win over Malaga.

"Victor didn't ask me to play the game. We spoke and we decided that (Jose Manuel) Pinto would play," Vilanova told a press conference afterwards.

"I said once the league was won the minutes would be shared around.

"Valdes is the only one who has said he is not going to renew his contract. If he stays I would be delighted and if he doesn't we will look for a goalkeeper. I think Victor has explained everything perfectly."

Valdes himself raised suspicions on Saturday that he could stay in the Catalan capital to see out the final year of his deal.

"We will see each other next year to together continue making Barca even greater," he wrote on his facebook page.

Vilanova meanwhile was delighted to have reached the century points mark and believes they have coped well with the emotional turmoil of both his own absence as he travelled to New York to receive cancer treatment and that of Eric Abidal, who returned to first-team action in April after successfully recovering from a liver transplant.

"It was important to reach the best points tally in the history of the club and equal the mark of Madrid last year.

"In general, with all the things that have happened during the season, it has been good. We have finished the season on a very good level overall."

Abidal made his final Barca appearance as he came on for the final 15 minutes against Malaga after announcing on Thursday he would be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

And Vilanova it was an emotional evening for everyone involved as his entrance was greeted by a huge ovation at the Camp Nou.

"It is something very emotional for us. It is hard to live through these moments without becoming emotional."

Neymar didnt join Barca for money - Vilanova

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has expressed his delight at the club's capture of Brazilian international Neymar.

The Catalan club confirmed on Sunday that the 21-year-old will join them on a five-year contract in a deal that is expected to cost the Spanish champions around 50 million euros ($65m, £43m) and Vilanova hailed the player for not choosing the option to earn more money at other clubs.

"We have to congratulate the secretarial team for the signing of Neymar," he said at a press conference after Barca's 2-0 defeat of Espanyol on Sunday night.

"He is a significant signing and we have been very aware of him for a long time because we knew he could receive better offers from others.

"I also congratulate Neymar for choosing a sporting project and not an economic one. I have confidence that he is going to do well in Europe and he is going to help us be better."

And Vilanova also dismissed claims that Neymar is more of a flashy player, more capable of eye-catching flicks and tricks than delivering effectively for the team.

"If they say Neymar is a Youtube player that is a good thing because he scores great goals and makes great plays," he added.

"He has chosen Barcelona because he thinks he can adapt well to this style of play. It is a dream to have a striker like this. The more better players we have, the better our chances will be of winning.

"Now we have to combine everyone in the best way, like we have done in the past."

Barca's victory in the Catalan derby also eased them to within three points of Real Madrid's record 100 points tally from last season, a record that Vilanova is now keen to match when they host Malaga next weekend.

"When I started to hear about this record we were very far away from it and it was best not to talk about these things.

"Now we are just one game, one victory away and we have to try and do it."

Vilanova hopeful of Valdes stay

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has said he hopes to hold onto goalkeeper Victor Valdes for at least the final year of his contract.

The Spanish international confirmed on Friday that he plans to leave the Spanish champions when his current deal expires in 2014.

And the 31-year-old was an unused substitute as Barca sealed their title triumph by matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points tally with a 4-1 win over Malaga.

"Victor didn't ask me to play the game. We spoke and we decided that (Jose Manuel) Pinto would play," Vilanova told a press conference afterwards.

"I said once the league was won the minutes would be shared around.

"Valdes is the only one who has said he is not going to renew his contract. If he stays I would be delighted and if he doesn't we will look for a goalkeeper. I think Victor has explained everything perfectly."

Valdes himself raised suspicions on Saturday that he could stay in the Catalan capital to see out the final year of his deal.

"We will see each other next year to together continue making Barca even greater," he wrote on his facebook page.

Vilanova meanwhile was delighted to have reached the century points mark and believes they have coped well with the emotional turmoil of both his own absence as he travelled to New York to receive cancer treatment and that of Eric Abidal, who returned to first-team action in April after successfully recovering from a liver transplant.

"It was important to reach the best points tally in the history of the club and equal the mark of Madrid last year.

"In general, with all the things that have happened during the season, it has been good. We have finished the season on a very good level overall."

Abidal made his final Barca appearance as he came on for the final 15 minutes against Malaga after announcing on Thursday he would be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

And Vilanova it was an emotional evening for everyone involved as his entrance was greeted by a huge ovation at the Camp Nou.

"It is something very emotional for us. It is hard to live through these moments without becoming emotional."

Vilanova insists Barca seat is safe

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova insisted Friday he would still be in charge of the newly crowned Spanish champions next season despite press rumours to the contrary.

Vilanova missed two months of the current season after heading to New York for cancer treatment.

He was replaced during that time by his assistant Jordi Roura.

But the 44-year-old says reports of his imminent professional demise are grossly exaggerated.

"I have nothing to clarify. I can repeat what I've already said louder but not clearer," said Vilanova. "I will be coaching Barcelona next season.

"Obviously when someone has been ill, as I have, there are certain routine tests to be done that will mean I will have to be absent a few days next season. But the club knows that and they believe in me."

Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer of the saliva glands in December, the second time he had contracted the illness.

Barcelona's form dipped during his absence, although they still cantered to the Spanish La Liga title.

Upon his return, Vilanova insisted he would honour his contract until the end of next season but press rumours suggest he will be replaced either by former Barca youth team coach Luis Enrique, who left the club for an unsuccessful year at the Roma helm in Italy last season, or Valencia's Ernesto Valverde.

Vilanova to undergo further treatment

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has confirmed he is returning to New York this week to undergo further cancer treatment.

Vilanova had been scheduled to have the "pioneering treatment" this summer but it has been brought forward, with Barca having won the Primera Division title with three games to spare.

The 44-year-old spent two months in New York earlier this year undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for cancer, having twice had surgery on his parotid gland in Spain over the last 18 months.

He returned to America for follow-up tests a fortnight ago and for his upcoming trip is set to be away from Barcelona for five days.

Barcelona said on their website: "Tito Vilanova has confirmed at a press conference that he will have further treatment for cancer next week in New York. The pioneering treatment has been developed at a specialised centre and is proving particularly effective.

"It was originally planned for this summer but as Barca has now clinched the league title it has been advanced to next week. Tito Vilanova will be away from Barcelona from Monday to Friday."

Barca, who were crowned Spanish champions for the fourth time in five years last weekend, play host to Real Valladolid on Sunday before completing their season against Espanyol and Malaga.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."

Neymar didnt join Barca for money - Vilanova

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has expressed his delight at the club's capture of Brazilian international Neymar.

The Catalan club confirmed on Sunday that the 21-year-old will join them on a five-year contract in a deal that is expected to cost the Spanish champions around 50 million euros ($65m, £43m) and Vilanova hailed the player for not choosing the option to earn more money at other clubs.

"We have to congratulate the secretarial team for the signing of Neymar," he said at a press conference after Barca's 2-0 defeat of Espanyol on Sunday night.

"He is a significant signing and we have been very aware of him for a long time because we knew he could receive better offers from others.

"I also congratulate Neymar for choosing a sporting project and not an economic one. I have confidence that he is going to do well in Europe and he is going to help us be better."

And Vilanova also dismissed claims that Neymar is more of a flashy player, more capable of eye-catching flicks and tricks than delivering effectively for the team.

"If they say Neymar is a Youtube player that is a good thing because he scores great goals and makes great plays," he added.

"He has chosen Barcelona because he thinks he can adapt well to this style of play. It is a dream to have a striker like this. The more better players we have, the better our chances will be of winning.

"Now we have to combine everyone in the best way, like we have done in the past."

Barca's victory in the Catalan derby also eased them to within three points of Real Madrid's record 100 points tally from last season, a record that Vilanova is now keen to match when they host Malaga next weekend.

"When I started to hear about this record we were very far away from it and it was best not to talk about these things.

"Now we are just one game, one victory away and we have to try and do it."

Vilanova insists Barca seat is safe

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Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova insisted Friday he would still be in charge of the newly crowned Spanish champions next season despite press rumours to the contrary.

Vilanova missed two months of the current season after heading to New York for cancer treatment.

He was replaced during that time by his assistant Jordi Roura.

But the 44-year-old says reports of his imminent professional demise are grossly exaggerated.

"I have nothing to clarify. I can repeat what I've already said louder but not clearer," said Vilanova. "I will be coaching Barcelona next season.

"Obviously when someone has been ill, as I have, there are certain routine tests to be done that will mean I will have to be absent a few days next season. But the club knows that and they believe in me."

Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer of the saliva glands in December, the second time he had contracted the illness.

Barcelona's form dipped during his absence, although they still cantered to the Spanish La Liga title.

Upon his return, Vilanova insisted he would honour his contract until the end of next season but press rumours suggest he will be replaced either by former Barca youth team coach Luis Enrique, who left the club for an unsuccessful year at the Roma helm in Italy last season, or Valencia's Ernesto Valverde.

Vilanova hopeful of Valdes stay

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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has said he hopes to hold onto goalkeeper Victor Valdes for at least the final year of his contract.

The Spanish international confirmed on Friday that he plans to leave the Spanish champions when his current deal expires in 2014.

And the 31-year-old was an unused substitute as Barca sealed their title triumph by matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points tally with a 4-1 win over Malaga.

"Victor didn't ask me to play the game. We spoke and we decided that (Jose Manuel) Pinto would play," Vilanova told a press conference afterwards.

"I said once the league was won the minutes would be shared around.

"Valdes is the only one who has said he is not going to renew his contract. If he stays I would be delighted and if he doesn't we will look for a goalkeeper. I think Victor has explained everything perfectly."

Valdes himself raised suspicions on Saturday that he could stay in the Catalan capital to see out the final year of his deal.

"We will see each other next year to together continue making Barca even greater," he wrote on his facebook page.

Vilanova meanwhile was delighted to have reached the century points mark and believes they have coped well with the emotional turmoil of both his own absence as he travelled to New York to receive cancer treatment and that of Eric Abidal, who returned to first-team action in April after successfully recovering from a liver transplant.

"It was important to reach the best points tally in the history of the club and equal the mark of Madrid last year.

"In general, with all the things that have happened during the season, it has been good. We have finished the season on a very good level overall."

Abidal made his final Barca appearance as he came on for the final 15 minutes against Malaga after announcing on Thursday he would be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

And Vilanova it was an emotional evening for everyone involved as his entrance was greeted by a huge ovation at the Camp Nou.

"It is something very emotional for us. It is hard to live through these moments without becoming emotional."

Vilanova a someterse a más tratamientos

Entrenador Tito Vilanova de Barcelona ha confirmado que es regresar a Nueva York esta semana para someterse a otro tratamiento contra el cáncer.

Vilanova había previsto que el "tratamiento pionero" este verano, pero ha sido traído hacia adelante, con Barca después de haber ganado el título de Primera División con tres juegos de sobra.

44 Años de edad pasaron dos meses en Nueva York este año sometidos a tratamiento de radioterapia y quimioterapia para el cáncer, dos veces haber tenido cirugía en su glándula parótida en España en los últimos 18 meses.

Regresó a América para exámenes de control que ocupa un par de semanas atrás y para su próximo viaje a estar fuera de Barcelona durante cinco días.

Barcelona dijo en su página web: "Tito Vilanova ha confirmado en una conferencia de prensa tiene más tratamiento para el cáncer de la próxima semana en Nueva York. El tratamiento pionero se ha desarrollado en un centro especializado y resulta particularmente eficaz.

"Originalmente fue planeado para este verano pero como Barca ahora ha conseguido el título de la Liga se ha avanzado para la próxima semana. Tito Vilanova será de Barcelona del lunes al viernes".

Barca, que se coronaron a campeones de España por cuarta vez en cinco años este fin de semana, acoger a Real Valladolid el domingo antes de completar su temporada contra Espanyol y Málaga.

Vilanova wants 100 points for Barca

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is hoping the target of matching Real Madrid's league record 100 points will keep his players motivated when the host Valladolid on Sunday.

The Catalans sealed their fourth title in five years last weekend, but can reach a century of points should they win their remaining three games and Vilanova wants to finish the campaign strongly.

"We have taken 91 points, which is a lot. We know we have the opportunity to get 100 and we will play the three games to win them," he told a press conference on Saturday.

"We can't just let it go, that is the only thing I wouldn't like. We owe it to the fans and we need to finish the year well."

Barca have endured an up and down season with the joy of the title tempered by their humiliation to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but Vilanova once again stressed that he believes his first season in charge has been an overall success.

"The fans are happy with the league. We have led from the first game to the last.

"It was important to recapture the league. The cycle which they said was ending, in the end has ended with a league, so for Barca I want to say that is has been a good season."

Victor Valdes has been passed fit to return against Valladolid in what could be his penultimate game as a Barca player at the Camp Nou with speculation linking the Spanish international with a move away at the end of the season after he said he wouldn't be renewing his contract which ends in 2014.

Javier Mascherano also returns to the squad after six weeks out, but Lionel Messi will not play again this season due to his hamstring injury.

Despite the tiredness they have shown in recent weeks, a number of Barca's Spanish internationals are likely to be called up for the Confederations Cup when Vicente del Bosque names his squad on the 27th of this month.

And although Vilanova admits he would prefer them to be rested, he accepts Del Bosque's intention to take the best squad available to him to Brazil in June.

"Personally, I would like for them to rest, but I understand that they will go. The national team manager wants to count on the best players."

Neymar no Únete Barca por dinero - Vilanova

Gerente de Barcelona Tito Vilanova ha expresado su alegría por la captura del club del brasileño Neymar internacional.

El club catalán confirmado el domingo que los 21 años de edad unirán en un contrato de cinco años en un acuerdo que es espera a los campeones de España de alrededor de 50 millones de euros (65 millones de dólares, 43 millones de libras) y Vilanova aclamado el jugador por no elegir la opción de ganar más dinero en otros clubes.

"Tenemos que felicitar al equipo de la Secretaría para la firma de Neymar", dijo en una conferencia de prensa después de la derrota de 2-0 del Barça del Espanyol en la noche del domingo.

"Es una firma importante y hemos sido muy conscientes de él durante mucho tiempo porque sabíamos que podía recibir mejores ofertas de los demás.

"También felicito a Neymar para elegir un proyecto deportivo y no una económica. Yo tengo confianza en que él va a hacer bien en Europa y va a ayudarnos a ser mejor".

Y Vilanova también rechazó afirmaciones de que Neymar es más de un jugador llamativo, más capaz de gestos llamativos y trucos que ofrecer con eficacia para el equipo.

"Si te dicen que Neymar es un reproductor de Youtube que es una buena cosa porque Marque goles grandes y engrandece juegos", añadió.

"Él ha escogido Barcelona porque piensa que puede adaptarse bien a este estilo de juego. Es un sueño tener un delantero como esta. Más mejores jugadores que tenemos, mejor serán nuestras posibilidades de ganar.

"Ahora tenemos que combinar todos de la mejor manera, como hemos hecho en el pasado".

Victoria del Barça en el derby catalán también facilitó que dentro de tres puntos del récord del Real Madrid 100 puntos tally de la temporada pasada, un registro que Vilanova está ahora dispuesto a igualar cuando ellos sede Málaga próximo fin de semana.

"Cuando empecé a oír hablar de este documento que estábamos muy lejos de él y era mejor no hablar sobre estas cosas.

"Ahora somos sólo un juego, una victoria lejos y tienen que tratar de hacerlo".