It was May 2013. Barcelona was kicking off against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena for the first leg of the Champions League semifinal and was fancied as the favorite to go through. The team had seemingly rebounded nicely from its Spanish league title loss to Real Madrid a year ago and was on pace to reclaim Spain's top prize. But then everything went south for Los Cules. In a matter of 90 minutes, Bayern Munich had given the world a lesson in how to take down Barcelona. The return home for the second leg was even more embarrassing as the team wound up losing 3-0 and ended up defeated 7-0 on aggregate. The aura of invincibility had been demolished completely and the beginning of the end of would begin. But what an end it would be.
For who would have fathomed everything that has happened to the top team in the world? Barcelona's latest tragedy took place on Wednesday when FIFA announced that it would ban the team from making any moves during the next two transfer windows due to alleged breaking of the transfer rules for youngster. This ban would essentially put a nail in the tomb for what has been one of the best sides in the history of the game.
That 7-0 loss against Munich was an embarrassment. And yet it was far from the biggest that the team would endure in the ensuing months. That summer Barcelona reclaimed some dignity by claiming Neymar in the summer for a reportedly low rate. But investigations into the payment slowly uncovered seedy activity that forced former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell to step down. The reveal of the rate for Neymar by his successor Josep Maria Bartomeu only led to more outrage and it is possible that the club will be forced to seek out a new president this summer.
The ban means a lot not only for the "mes que un club" public image of the institution but also for the players on the pitch. The loss of Thiago Alcantara to Munich was a huge blow to the club as it left Barcelona without a direct successor to 34-year-old Xavi. The core of players, which include Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Victor Valdes, and Carles Puyol is getting really old and some of those players are slated to leave. Valdes' future seemed certain, but his major injury could force him back to Barcelona. Puyol is 36 and has said that he is leaving. Xavi was slated for a move to the MLS, but he may no longer have that option. Iniesta is about to turn 30 and will likely be on his last legs at the peak of his powers. Messi and Busquets can be counted on for a few more years, but the team still has holes to plug.
Goalie Jose Maria Pinto is slated to leave due to an expiring contract; Barcelona was expected to bring in a major keeper this summer to replace Valdes but the transfer ban could impede that altogether and force the team to resign both keepers. But in all honesty, who really wants Pinto manning the nets? His footwork is questionable and at his age (38), he is only going to get worse.
The team was also expected to finally bring in a solid central defender to shore up the team's questionable defense. Pique has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and often looks slow. Marc Bartra has acquitted himself well, but his small frame makes the team's backline extremely vulnerable in the air.
As for the midfield, Sergi Roberto and Cesc Fabregas could be viable replacements for Xavi, but the former is still really young and the latter has yet to establish himself as an elite player since coming over from Arsenal.
Barcelona's year could still end well. The Champions League, Spanish League and Copa del Rey are all distinct possibilities right now and that alone would help clean up the team's image and give this golden generation one last chance to celebrate. Unfortunately, the future no longer looks bright for Blaugrana and this summer may be more about damage control than building up another elite side for next season.