Gerard Pique reveals whether Lamine Yamal would get into Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona team alongside Lionel Messi and Co
Gerard Pique has revealed if any of Barcelona’s current players would make it into the sextuple-winning team in 2009, managed by Pep Guardiola.
The all-conquering Catalan side won 48, drew 13 and lost just seven games in that season, and are regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history.
In Guardiola’s first season at the club, he led Barcelona to glory in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Spearheaded by Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and a plethora of other legends of the game, Barcelona were almost unanimously considered to be the best team in the world.
When asked if any current players would make the cut, Pique admitted that very few have earned the right to have their names placed next to those in the legendary 2009 team.
‘That was one of the best teams in history. I’d say very few [would get in],’ he told Marca.
Gerard Pique revealed if any current Barca players would make it into Pep Guardiola’s 2009 XI
He mentioned that it would be difficult to include any but singled out Lamine Yamal as one player that has the ‘talent and desire’ to make it to such a high level later in his career
The 2009 Barca team won the sextuple and had a record of 48 wins, 13 draws and seven losses
However, he singled out a few individuals that have the ‘talent and desire’ to be at such a level.
These were Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha, who are considered to be three of Barcelona’s best players.
Young stars Pedri and Gavi were not graced with a mention by the Spanish legend, while Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde were also omitted.
‘In our Barca there were great players,’ Pique added.
‘It’s a shame we didn’t have a Lamine Yamal, Cubarsi or a Raphinha who are at a great level, but in those positions there was Messi, Puyol, Villa, Henry or Eto’o.
‘We’re talking about top players. I think those who are there now have to earn the right to be in that team.
‘They can get there because of talent and desire, but they need to win big titles.’
Barcelona are currently playing catch-up in LaLiga’s title race, as they trail both Real and Atletico Madrid after 22 games.
Guardiola led his side to a historic season in his first year at the club and second as a manager
Lionel Messi was Barcelona’s top scorer that year (38) on the way to his first Ballon D’or award
However, in Hansi Flick’s first season in Catalunya, he has already notched silverware, winning the Spanish Super Cup in January.
Barca were second only to Liverpool in the Champions League group phase table, meaning they have earned direct qualification to the last 16.
Meanwhile, they await their opponents in the Copa del Rey semi-final, after easing past Valencia to win 5-0 on Thursday.
While this star-studded Barcelona side have already added to the club’s trophy cabinet and could bring home LaLiga title number 28 this season, Pique could not deny that their squad is still a far cry from Guardiola’s super team in 2009.
