Spanish media salute all-conquering Barca

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MADRID, Dec 20, 2009 (AFP) - Spanish media on Sunday eulogised Barcelona, who claimed their sixth title of the year with Saturday's 2-1 extra time win over Argentina's Estudiantes in the Club World Cup final.

The win, clinched with a goal from footballer of the year Lionel Messi, handed Pep Guardiola's side yet more silverware to add to their Champions League, Spanish League, Spanish Cup, European and Spanish Super Cup wins for an unprecedented haul.

"Eternal" and "Barca eternal" were the headlines in Catalan dailies La Vanguardia and El Periodico, while Spain's top national daily El Pais paid tribute by observing "Barca, six-time champions, make history."

El Periodico reported that Guardiola had told the team beforehand: "Gentlemen, if you lose today you will continue to be the best in the world - but if you win today you will be eternal."

ABC daily noted that "Guardiola's Barcelona is unequalled."

Although the Madrid-based sports newspapers devoted their main interest Sunday to Real Madrid's 6-0 win over Zaragoza which kept the club in the title race behind Barcelona, AS sports daily affirmed that "Barca have scaled the roof of the world" and are "champions of everything."

Barca almost lost out to Messi's compatriots as Mauro Boselli put Estudiantes ahead only for Pedro to grab the equaliser in the dying moments to force extra time, whereupon Messi poached the winner.