More Than A Club...

Photo: http://picasaweb.google.com/facetani

Just under a week ago Barcelona won their sixth trophy of 2009 by winning the World Club Championship against Argentinian side Estudiantes.

The Spanish side claimed La Liga, the Copa del rey, The Champions League, The Spanish Super Cup and the European Super Cup before the most recent win which has led me to decide that this Barcelona side is probably the best team of my generation so far.

There's a number of reasons for this and it isn't just down to the fact that they have won 6 titles in 2009 (although that is a very important factor in my decision!) I always judge a European side on how well they have done against English opposition, mainly because that is where I know most of my football knowledge and what I watch more often. Barcelona beat Chelsea on route to the Champions League Final where they beat and outplayed Manchester United. So in order to be crowned the best in Europe they had to beat two of the best (if not the best) teams in England. So clearly they have produced the goods when playing English opposition.

The second factor is that they have repeatedly impressed and won in all competitions they have played in. A very impressive feat showing their squad depth, teamwork, fitness, and all around ability to consistently perform throughout every competition they have been involved in. The array of talent on show every week at the Camp Nou is very impressive with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Henry, Ibrahimovic, Pique, Alves and of Messi on show. This side has beaten sides across the globes, across all the competitions under young coach Pep Guardiola, another aspect I like about this side is that they have a young coach who seems to know his stuff!

This leads me on to my next point. The players that currently ply their trade for the Catalan giants really are special. The partnership between midfield duo Xavi and Iniesta is a testament to the clubs academy system as both came through the famous Barcelona academy learning to play the Barcelona way. This coupled with strikers such as Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the latter having joined over the summer, give them that vital edge in the attacking third and with the recently crowned World Player of the Year Lionel Messi (also winner of the Ballon d'Or) also in that third you have a force not to be reckoned with.

Fittingly, it was Messi who scored the winning goal in extra time to crown his side the World Club Champions. Barcelona clearly are, as the club motto reads, Mes Que Un Club.