FC Barcelona´s European Cup hero Juliano Belletti, who scored the winning goal against Arsenal in last year´s final in Paris, has been offered an extension on his current contract until 2009. The club and the player agreed on improved terms and the player is ready to put pen to paper by the end of this week, once the contracts have been drawn up.

It becomes more and more likely that FC Barcelona will let Brazilian right full back Juliano Belletti move to AC Milan during the January transfer window for an estimated € 5 mill fee. Rumours are mounting and it seems only matter of days when the transfer should be confirmed.


Belletti has seen little action this season following the arrival of Italian world champion Gianluca Zambrotta and several injuries. Belletti´s contract with FC Barcelona expires in 2008 but reports from sources in Barcelona suggest that his brother, Sandro Belletti, has brokered a new 4-year deal with the Rossoneri.
Thanks to his Champions League winning goal against Arsenal last May that brought the European Cup to Barcelona again for the second time, he will always have a special place in the heart of the fans and the club will not stand in the way for his last lucrative contract in his career.


FC Barcelona are not short for right full back options. Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol and Thuram are all capable of playing in this position.


AC Milan have been looking for a replacement for veteran right back Cafu and seem to have found the player in Belletti.

On Monday morning, Barca defender Juliano Belletti reported back for training. The Brazilian is almost fully fit after picking up a leg injury two weeks ago. Belletti worked out at Camp Nou with barca´s physios and did various running exercises with and without the ball.

Juliano Belletti has been ruled out for up to two weeks after suffering a calf injury in training on Friday evening at La Masia. belletti will miss this weekends match against Real Zaragoza in Camp Nou and next weeks travel to RCD Mallorca. belletti will probably also miss Barca´s important Champions League away match against Levski Sofia on November, 22.


Barca´s right full-back underwent a medical exam and the FC Barcelona doctors confirmed the injury:

Belletti has suffered a contraction in the calf on his right leg. The player will now start a round of physiotherapy and the approximate recovery time is two weeks.

Belletti had just recovered from a shoulder injury that left him out of the Champions League clash against Chelsea.

FC Barcelona right full back Juliano Belletti confirmed the importance of the match against Chelsea on Tuesday. In an official press conference on Sunday the Barzilian defender reveald that winning 3 points against Chelsea is vital but that the team is full of confidence:

Barça have to go into the game as we always do, treating it as the most important game of the season. To win on Tuesday would be very important for our position in the table. The whole squad is aware of the importance of winning.
We have never lost confidence in ourselves. When Barça lose two games it is like something from another world, nothing appears normal. All we ever want, is to play well and for the fans to enjoy watching us.

Juliano Belletti was surprised to find himself in the starting line-up again, just two weeks after injuring his shoulder:

I was surprised myself. I thought I was going to be out for a month, but it has only been a fortnight and when I played I just gave everything. Whether I play against Chelsea is now up to the coach.