Even by Barcelona’s high standards, this is a glorious era in the club’s history. With just one European Cup to their name until the turn of the century, the tenures of Frank Rijkaard and Josep Guardiola ushered in genuine Champions League success, with the Dutchman’s Ronaldinho inspired side victorious in 2006, and Guardiola’s slick unit comprehensively beating Manchester United in the 2009 and 2011 finals.
That 2009 success was part of a unique treble: a league title, domestic cup and European Cup triumph has never been achieved by any Spanish club in the history of the sport.
The mix of talent from the club’s famous La Masia academy such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, and expensive signings like Daniel Alves and Javier Mascherano make Barca a fearsome prospect at home and abroad.
Quick Facts:
- Founded: 1899
- Home Ground (Capacity): Camp Nou, Barcelona (98,787)
- Nicknames: Blaugrana
- Home Colors: Blue and Red
- Top Goalscorer All-Time: Paulino Alcantara (357 goals)
- First Division/La Liga Titles: (20) 1928-29, 1944-45, 1947-48, 1948-49, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1973-74, 1984-85, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
- Spanish Cup/Copa del Rey Titles: (25) 1909-10, 1911-12, 1912-13, 1919-20, 1921-22, 1924-25, 1925-26, 1927-28, 1941-42, 1950-51, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1956-57, 1958-59, 1962-63, 1967-68, 1970-71, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1982-83, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2008-09
- European Cup/Champions League: (4) 1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11
- UEFA Cup Winners Cup: (4) 1978-79, 1981-82, 1988-89, 1996-97
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (Now the UEFA Europa League): 1955-58, 1958-60, 1965-66
- Intercontinental Cup: (2) 2009, 2011
- European Super Cup: (4) 1992, 1997, 2009, 2011
The Team:
- Current Coach: Josep Guardiola
- Top Goalscorer 2010-2011: Lionel Messi (50 in all competitions)
- Captain: Carles Puyol
- 2010-2011 League Finish: 1st
Barcelona Squad:
1 Valdes · 2 Dani Alves · 3 Pique · 4 Fabregas · 5 Puyol (c) · 6 Xavi · 7 David Villa · 8 Iniesta · 9 Alexis · 10 Messi · 11 Thiago · 13 Pinto · 14 Mascherano · 15 Keita · 16 Busquets · 17 Pedro · 20 Afellay · 21 Adriano · 22 Abidal · 23 Cuenca · 24 Fontàs ·
A Little History:
Barcelona’s “more than a club” slogan epitomizes the unique social, political and cultural identity of the Catalan outfit. In the early days, the club represented the Catalan people’s desire for freedom.
With founder Hans Gamper as president for a combined 25 years in the opening period of Barcelona’s history, the club were a force in the Copa del Rey and various regional tournaments, with all-time top scorer Paulino Alcantara a major figure in the success.
But financial problems dogged the club as well as the political difficulties of the Spanish Civil War and post-war period, which led to the assassination of president Josep Sunyol in 1936. After the war the Catalan language and flag were banned and clubs were prohibited from using non-Spanish names.
The club won three Spanish titles in the 1940s and another four in the 50s, with Hungarian Laszlo Kubala an influential player after joining in 1950. Barca outgrew their Camp de Les Corts Stadium and moved into the Camp Nou, which is now regarded as one of the best stadiums in the world.
Johan Cruyff's arrival in 1973 helped the club to their first title since 1960, and his appointment as coach in the late 80s signaled a period of domestic dominance with four title triumphs in the first half of the 90s. Cruyff’s “Dream Team” containing the likes of Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov, Michael Laudrup and match-winner Ronald Koeman beat Sampdoria 1-0 in the 1992 European Cup final.
