At the risk of sounding an alarmist and “offending the sensibilities” of Barcelona fans and supporters worldwide, I am of the view that Barcelona is nearing the end of an era.
It is a colourful story that started with the exit of Frank Rijkaard and the enthronement of Pep Guardiola. The Dutch, Rijkaard was successful seeing to the Blugarauna emerging champions in Europe and Spain.
His team had the triumvirate of Ronaldinho, Etoo and Deco as the pivot. Xavi, Iniesta were on the fringes. Then Messi was showing glimpses of his huge talent his full crystallisation decimated by injuries.
The Catalan Pep came and ushered a new era. Xavi and Iniesta became the core nucleus. Ditto for Messi moved from the flanks to the centre in what was known as “false nine “. The rest is history.
From Late Tito, Gerard Martino, Luis Enrique, Valverde, and the current gaffer, it has been Messi being the arrowhead, the team tailored with him being the main orchestra. Xavi and Iniesta are no longer there.
Barcelona has achieved humongous success over these years. Messi is no longer getting younger. Age and nature are catching up with him. Barcelona is not firing from all cylinders with the dexterity we saw under Pep that lasted through Enrique, with minor tweaks though.
Ernesto Valverde’s era should be said to be the herald of the decline. Suarez is now old. Dembele is lukewarm. Nelson Semedo is not Alves. The coitus of Pique /Umtiti/Lenglet is not comparable to the era of Puyol and Javier Mascherano.
Arturo Vidal is on past glory. De Jong is not as daring as his Ajax days. Busquets is becoming insipid. Griezman is yet to click. Indeed the entire team has fallen from grace no longer winning with style and class.
Barcelona needs to carve a new identity in readiness for the post-Messi era. Stats don’t lie, without denigrating the efforts of his teammates the petit Argentine is hugely responsible for the glittering success of the Catalan giants.
There may not be another Messi but life must go on.
This script is nearing its end, if not already!
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