Barcelona, a club known for greatness, once did the impossible. Not so long ago, there was a time when the footballing world looked at the Balon d’Or stage and saw nothing but the dominance of Blaugrana. In 2010, exactly 15 years ago from today, the Ballon d’Or podium lit up with three faces from La Masia. These names on the podium were not just club legends, they were and are living examples of footballing masterclass; Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta. All three are products of La Masia, all three are footballing artists, but most importantly, all three are wearing the same crest on their chest. This was an unreal moment that can never be recreated in football.
In recent years, Barcelona suffered due to the club’s financials, which led to poor administration and management and eventually influenced the club’s performances and reputation. Now, after a prolonged period, Barcelona has recovered and reclaimed a stable position in terms of performance and prestige. The club completed this season winning the domestic treble, including La Liga title, Copa del Rey title, and Super Copa de Españea.
After a successful season, the idea of Barcelona painting the Ballon d’Or podium with Blaugrana colors could be witnessed again. This time, it could be dominated by a new generation knocking; a blend of passion, talent, and fearlessness.
Lamine Yamal: The Fiery Youngster
The flag bearer and front of this wave is Lamine Yamal, being only seventeen, this youngster plays as if he is from the future. Every time he touches the ball, he brings a spark and creates a tremendous display. Lamine’s confidence, decision-making, and natural ability have made him one of the most exhilarating players in the world. He is one of the few players who gets idolized by his senior football players. His moment started right after his debut under Xavi Hernandez. This season, he has brought back the spark that Barcelona fans were missing. If he keeps moving in this present trajectory, there is no stopping him. He has contributed to 18 goals and 25 assists this season. These stats for a seventeen-year-old teenager are just hard to believe. He was crucial for Barcelona in every competition, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the SuperCopa. Last year, Vini Jr. from Real Madrid was the main candidate for the Balon d’Or with his stats being 25 goals and 12 assists. There is someone else who took the 10x statement more seriously.
Raphinha: The Mentality Monster
Now let’s talk about Raphinha, a pure fighter who reclaimed his spot in the team. At the start of the season, he was on the verge of leaving FC Barcelona due to poor performances. This season, he has the highest G/A across Europe’s top 5 Leagues with 59. Just a gentle reminder, he is a winger. Raphinha brought something unique this season, which certain Barcelona players don’t: passion, resilience, and mentality. The Brazilian earned the captain’s armband at the start of this season and has proved game in and game out why he deserves to be on this podium. From being clutch for Barcelona in games, which seems impossible, to scoring goals for fun, Raphinha has it all. He is a complete package who deserves this award and can serve the club for years.
Pedri: The Artist
The third candidate on this list is Pedri. Pedri is one of Barcelona’s key assets this season and can be helpful for the club for years. Pedri brings a sense of composure and calm to the team, hinting at an ability that Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta possesses. Previously, Pedri missed many games due to injuries, which hindered the Spaniard’s ability to unleash his potential. This season under Hansi Flick, Pedri has shown the world that a fit Pedri is the best midfielder in modern football.
Factors That Affect Ranking
These are three standout names for this year’s Balon d’Or award, and there is no doubt that there are certain factors that affect these rankings. PR stunts would be a factor in this award. From this list above, Raphinha was the main candidate until Lamine made a last-minute change after his outstanding performances and confident PR. Another factor could be the Champions League factor, adding up players from either PSG or Inter, but none of their players had an impact on what these three did. The landscape is changing. Messi and Ronaldo no longer dominate the standings as they have departed from Europe. For some, Haaland and Mbappé are regarded as the new kings, but their places are far from secure. The performances these Barcelona players showcased this season are an epitome to why the award is still credible. But the main question is, would we again see a Ballon d’Or podium with three players from the same club?