Barcelona, who have the same points as Real but lie behind them on the head-to-head tie break rule used in the Spanish league, and dent the hopes of Samuel Eto'o of notching up a third successive Spanish league triumph.

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For what it's worth, about 10 days ago I said on the Ten O'Clock News that Spanish banks may need around 85bn euros of additional capital, including the 23.5bn already requested by Spain's fourth biggest bank, Bankia.

BBC: Spanish banks need more than 40bn euros

Its strike trio of Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi has 51 goals in the Spanish league and 66 in all competitions.

BBC: Toure fears Barcelona tiredness

Eto'o, who plays for Real Mallorca in the Spanish La Liga, is tipped to succeed Senegal's El Hadji Diouf as holder of the crown.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Eto'o tops Caf shortlist

Meanwhile Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o will be available for Barcelona, after the Spanish club and the Cameroonian Football Federation reached an agreement, before Fifa's ruling, to allow the striker to play for the Spanish club.

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Eto'o, who has scored 68 goals for the Spanish side since signing from rivals Real Mallorca in 2004, will be out for up to five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen.

BBC: Barca will cope without Eto'o, says Rijkaard

Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish has been vocal in his desire to sign him for Birmingham but has cooled his interest after handing a new contract to Scotland striker Garry O'Connor and this week signing Serbian striker Nikola Zigic from Spanish side Valencia.

BBC: Striker Kris Boyd to leave Rangers in summer

Eto'o was part of the Barcelona team that won last season's unprecedented treble of Champions League, Spanish league and Spanish Cup and scored more than 100 goals for the Catalan club.

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In addition to his Champions League medals, Eto'o has also won Olympic gold (2000), two African Nations Cups (2000 and 2002), two Spanish Cups and three Spanish leagues.

BBC: Eto'o the Great