The players’ dances of joy on the pitch lasted only a few seconds. The new Spanish champions had just gathered for a first celebration at city rivals Espanyol’s center circle when angry fans of the hosts stormed the pitch.
“The celebration is normal, but I understand that we are not in our stadium and we must not be disrespectful. I know this is difficult to control. But I told the players that they had better go in quick now,” Barca coach Xavi said after the derby win. Along with the women’s team, who also won the championship, the party was scheduled to continue on Monday evening with a bus parade through Barcelona.
Barca president tries ‘everything possible’ with Messi
Another coronation from the point of view of many Barcelona supporters could be yet to come. “We are trying everything possible to bring Messi back to Barcelona,” Spanish media quoted Laporta as saying. Messi had to endure catcalls at his employer Paris Saint-Germain’s stadium on Saturday when he made his comeback after being suspended. In 2019, Messi was still there for Barcelona’s 26th championship title, and in 2021 for their 31st and last victory to date.
“Messi, Messi” was repeatedly shouted in the streets. Whether a return is possible depends on the financing plan. The club could no longer afford Messi two years ago, the debts were too massive. If it works with a return, the salaries have to be reduced and players have to be handed over. Club legend Sergio Busquets has just announced his end at FC Barcelona – some took this as another indication of a Messi comeback at the Camp Nou.
First league title without Messi since 1999
But this most recent league title is one without Messi, the first without the superstar since 1999 – the ten subsequent ones falling in his era. “The team carried the club even without Leo Messi,” wrote the newspaper “El Pais”, which also praised goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen: “The goalkeeper became the symbol of a team that was unprecedented at the Camp Nou Wall erected.” The Catalans conceded just 13 goals in 34 games.
Another crucial factor is Xavi Hernandez. “He not only knows the football, but also the club and the style,” said Laporta of the club’s highly decorated ex-player. The fact that the title was awarded four games before the end speaks for the coach, who took over the post in November 2021. After goals from striker Robert Lewandowski (11′, 40′), Alejandro Balde (20′) and Jules Kounde (53′) to win against Espanyol, arch-rivals Real Madrid are an uncatchable 14 points behind in second place.
This also makes you forget that the club had to digest some setbacks during the season. In the Champions League, the Catalans were eliminated in the group stage, in the Europa League, after the second round, things didn’t go any further. In the Spanish Cup, Real prevailed in the semi-finals.