Key man
Lionel Messi
It’s impossible to look too far past the mercurial Messi. The fleet-footed, diminutive attacker has the dribbling ability of Maradona and a seemingly impossible ability to stay on his feet. The Argentine confirmed his status as best player in the world by overshadowing Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Champions League Final and built an impressive goal tally to add to his creative abilities, topping the Champions League scoring charts last season with an impressive nine goal haul.
Also look out for
Xavi
Many would argue that Xavi is every bit as important to Barcelona as Messi. Together with Andres Iniesta he is the central creative force that is the key to Barcelona’s famed ball retention. An ability to keep the ball under incredible pressure helps to break down and frustrate teams. Xavi is essentially the lynchpin of the side.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Many balked at Jose Mourinho’s claim that Ibrahimovic was the best player in the world, but Barcelona didn’t; instead, they shelled out 69 million euros (Dhs373million) for him this summer. Frequently criticised for failing to turn up in big games, the lanky striker has more than fulfilled his promise since moving, with a scary goals to games ratio. Capable of both brilliance and indolence, he is an unpredictable talent.
How they got here
A last minute goal from Xavi and some contentious semi-final penalty decisions against Chelsea meant that Barcelona scraped into the final against Manchester United. But, once there, they took no prisoners and there was no denying who was the more deserving winners, with Man Utd failing dismally to counter the intricate passing of the Spanish side.
The history
Barcelona are one of the few success stories when it comes to clubs owned by fans. They effectively run the club and can decide (by consensus) how it is managed. Famously, they didn’t carry advertising slogans on their shirts, until, in 2005, fans voted to accept a five-year deal to carry the charity UNICEF on their shirts, with the club pledged to donate US$1.9million per year to the international charity aid scheme.
The coach
Pep Guardiola
Barcelona have a proven record of being good to former players and Guardiola was well revered at the club for a successful 11-year spell as a battling central midfielder. After the stuttering form and fallouts that characterised the end of the previous incumbent Frank Rijkaard’s reign, Guardiola returned a calm to the club and focused on the attractive one-touch passing for which the team had always been known, winning both the Champions League and Primera Liga title in his first year.
How they’ll fair
It all depends on just how much they want it. European teams have a lousy reputation in the Fifa Club World Cup and, more often than not, tend to disappoint, with weary players looking like they’re on their winter holidays. But even an off-form or makeshift Barcelona have enough talent to dispatch all challengers.
Prediction
The undisputed favourites – it would take a lot to stop them.
