Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi highlight Barca's US tour roster

Story courtesy SUM Communications

NEW YORK (Tuesday, July 29, 2008) – Argentine scoring sensation Lionel Messi highlights an all-star roster dotted with World Cup veterans and national team heroes, as one of the world’s great soccer clubs, FC Barcelona, arrives in the United States this Thursday, July 31, for the start of their week-long 2008 U.S. tour. Barca takes on legendary Mexican side CD Guadalajara at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Sunday, Aug. 3 (6 p.m. CT), and Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at Giants Stadium (7 p.m. ET) in E. Rutherford, NJ. In addition to game action, the team will participate in a number of public appearances, media events and philanthropic endeavors.

FC Barcelona brings to the states some of the most popular soccer icons in the world, including Messi, French World Cup champion Thierry Henry, Mexican international defender Rafael Marquez, Cameroon standout Samuel Eto’o, and a trio of Spanish national team standouts who recently helped their squad win the 2008 UEFA Euro Championship – defender and captain Carles Puyol, midfielder Andres Iniesta and tournament MVP Xavi. As a club, Barca has captured 18 league titles, two European championships, two European Super Cups, four Cup Winner’s Cups and several other national and continental cups.

FC Barcelona U.S. Tour Roster
Goalkeepers – Albert Jorquera, Jose Manuel Pinto, Victor Valdez
Defenders – Eric Abidal (FRA), Daniel Alves (BRA), José Martín Cáceres (URU), Rafael Márquez (MEX), Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Sylvinho (BRA)
Midfielders – Sergio Busquets, Marc Crosas, Xavi Hernandez, Alexander Hleb (BLR), Andres Iniesta, Seydou Keita (MLI), Victor Sanchez, Victor Vazquez, Toure Yaya (CIV)
Forwards – Eidur Gudjohnsen (ISL), Thierry Henry (FRA), Bojan Krkic, Lionel Messi (ARG), Samuel Eto’o (CAM), Pedro, Jeffren Suarez
Head Coach – Josep Guardiola