It has been over two years since the footballing world was amazed by how “broke” La Liga giants Barcelona were, after failing to finance an extension of star player Lionel Messi’s contract, strictly due to the financial constraints at the club, and what a financial burden the Argentine staying at Camp Nou would be.
The result? Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain. That season, Barcelona had a run of poor results that led to the sacking of then-manager Ronald Koeman who was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez. Although Xavi didn’t have the best of starts, he managed to rescue Barcelona’s season and finished the season second, 13 points behind winners Real Madrid.
Now, although the club have not fully recovered from its financial woes, it looks like they have recovered from woeful performances on the pitch, as they currently sit five points clear of longtime rivals Real Madrid at the top of the 2022/23 La Liga season.
Although the club have not spread their wings widely in recruitment, the few players they got in the summer like marksman Robert Lewandowski, Marcos Alonso, and Frank Kessie among others have put in stellar performances, with the help of club-grown youngsters to propel the club to the summit of the table.
This makes you wonder how they would have performed if their finances could get them the players they wanted! It also makes you wonder if they can hold tight onto the lead until the end of the season.
Real Madrid, who were accused of getting preferential treatment from the referees by Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin, have not had the best of the season yet even though their youngsters seem like they will be able to fill the big shoes of aging stars Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and the now departed Casemiro. They are not too far off, and they know that five points can be caught up with and exceeded, should Barcelona step on the brakes in the run-in to the title.
