BARCELONA'S 2008-09 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNING SQUAD: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

27th May 2009: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United

Barcelona were a phenomenal team in the 2008-09 season and completed something no Spanish team has done before, as they defeated the reigning European champions in Rome, to complete a historic treble and their third Champions League title in their history. They would then go on to win 6 trophies in a single calendar year, achieving something that no other club had done before. So where is this squad that guided Barcelona to European Cup number 3?

1) Victor Valdes (#1)

Valdes is arguably one of Spain and Barcelona's greatest-ever goalkeepers. He was the man between the sticks for Barcelona in the Rome showdown and managed to keep a clean sheet. After the final in Rome, Valdes spent another five years with Barcelona, winning the Champions League once again, and domestic trophies in Spain such as La Liga, the Copa del Ray, and the Supercopa de España. In 2014, Valdes decided to leave Barcelona and joined Premier League giants, Manchester United. He only ever made 2 appearances for the Red Devils while spending half a season on loan at Standard Liege in Belgium. He then spent his final years in Middlesbrough before eventually retiring in January 2018. While with Spain, Valdes won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012, while making 20 caps for La Roja. Valdes has previously managed Barca's youth academy and has become the first-team coach at Horta. He is currently a goalkeeping coach for young generational goalkeepers.

2) Martin Caceres (#2)

Cáceres has had quite an interesting career, mainly because he had many transfers. He was, however, an unused substitute in the final in Rome. After the final, Cáceres spent the next two seasons on loan at Juventus and Sevilla. In 2011, he left Barca and joined Sevilla on a permanent deal. However, he didn't stay for long, and the club loaned him out to Juventus again for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. After further spells in Italy and Spain and a spell in England with Southampton, Cáceres eventually settled in the MLS side, La Galaxy, where he currently plays. Caceres also still plays for the Uruguay national team, and he has enjoyed success with them, winning the Copa America in 2011, and finishing fourth in the 2010 World Cup.

3) Gerard Pique (#3)

Pique is arguably one of Barcelona's greatest-ever defenders. Pique wasn't part of United's squad the previous year for the final in Russia, but still grabbed a winner's medal. This time, he started the final against his former club and played the full 90 minutes in Rome. After the final in Rome, Pique became a first-choice center-back for Barcelona over the next 13 years. He then managed to win another 2 Champions League titles, while winning domestic trophies in Spain, such as La Liga, the Copa del Ray, and the Supercopa de Espana. In November 2022, Pique announced his retirement from football, thus ending a glorious career. Pique has also enjoyed success with Spain, having won the World Cup in 2010, while winning the European Championship in 2012, as well. Pique is currently the owner and president of the King's League, a competition in Barcelona made for social media influencers.

4) Carles Puyol (#5)

Puyol is one of the greatest center-backs in the history of not just Barcelona but the whole game. He started the final and played the full 90 minutes as captain. After the final, Puyol stayed at Barcelona for another five years, winning another Champions League in 2011, as well as winning domestic trophies such as La Liga, the Copa del Ray, and the Supercopa de Espana. In 2014, Puyol announced his retirement and departure from Barcelona, leaving the club a legend. Puyol has also enjoyed success with his national team, winning the World Cup in 2010, while scoring a decisive and sole goal in the semifinal against Germany. He also won the European Championship in 2008, before retiring in 2013, making 100 appearances for the club. Puyol currently works as the technical staff for FC Andorra.

5) Xavi (#6)

Xavi remains to this day, one of Barcelona's greatest midfielders and is best remembered because of his midfield partnership with Andres Iniesta. Xavi started the final and set up an assist for Lionel Messi's goal to wrap up the title for Barca. After the final in Rome, Xavi continued his impressive tenure with Barcelona, winning another 2 Champions League titles in 2011 and 2015. In 2015, Xavi declared his intention to leave Barcelona after another six years of achievement. After his departure, Xavi announced that he would sign for the Qatari side, Al Sadd. After four years in Qatar, Xavi announced his retirement from football. While playing for Spain, Xavi enjoyed lots of success, winning 2 European Championships back-to-back, while winning the World Cup in 2010, making him one of Spain's greatest-ever midfielders. Right after retiring, Xavi immediately became the coach for Al Sadd, before eventually returning to Barcelona as manager, winning them their first La Liga title in the post-Lionel Messi era, and their first since 2019. He was then sacked just recently in May 2024.

6) Eiður Guðjohnsen (#7)

Guðjohnsen was a substitute in the final for Barcelona, yet made history by becoming the first Icelandic footballer to win the Champions League. After the final. Guðjohnsen joined Monaco for one year before being loaned out to Tottenham Hotspur for the remainder of the 2009-10 season. After spells in Greece, Belgium, China, Norway, and India, Guðjohnsen retired from football and became a manager. Guðjohnsen was part of Iceland's EURO 2016 squad, finishing in the quarterfinals in their debut campaign in a major tournament. After retirement, he worked for Iceland's U21 team as the assistant manager, before joining FH as manager. He then became the Iceland national football team's head coach before returning to FH, where he worked until 2022.

7) Andres Iniesta (#8)

Iniesta, considered one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace the game, has won a wide range of trophies and awards, making him the most decorated Spanish player of all time. He started the final in Rome and played the full match, just being subbed off in the 92nd minute. Iniesta stayed another 9 years with Barcelona, winning the Champions League twice in 2011 and 2015, while winning 6 La Liga titles between 2009 and 2018. Iniesta announced that he would leave Barca at the end of the 2017-18 season, after spending three seasons as the club's captain. He then signed a three-year contract with Japanese side, Vissel Kobe. However, he extended his contract for another two seasons in 2021. Iniesta then said goodbye to the club in 2023, with his last match being a friendly against Barcelona. He then joined the UAE Pro League club, Emirates, where to this day he currently plays. Iniesta was also a huge player in Spain's success between 2008 and 2012, winning the European Championship twice, winning Player of the Tournament in the latter tournament, and winning the World Cup in 2010, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands.

8) Samuel Eto'o (#9)

Eto'o is one of the greatest African strikers in the game, scoring all sorts of goals. He even scored in the final in Rome, opening the scoring for Barcelona. After the final, Eto'o made a stunning choice to leave Barcelona. He then joined Italian giants, Inter Milan, and in his first season, he managed to win the Treble, consisting of the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League. Eto'o left Inter in 2011, and from then to 2019, he had spells in Russia, England, Turkey, and Qatar, including brief spells with Chelsea in the Premier League. In 2019, Eto'o announced his retirement while playing for Qatar SC. Eto'o holds some great records with Cameroon, being the highest goalscorer for the national team, while winning 2 African Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. He also won gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Eto'o currently is the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation.

9) Lionel Messi (#10)

Messi is regarded as the greatest player of all time, due to his incredible skills, goals, records, and achievements. He played an instrumental part in the final for Barcelona, scoring a header to seal the game for the Blaugrana. Messi continued his impressive tenure with Barcelona, winning multiple La Liga and Copa del Ray titles in Spain, while also winning two more Champions League titles in 2011 and 2015. While he was playing for Barcelona, Messi won an astounding 6 Ballon d'Or titles. In 2021, Messi said goodbye to Barcelona after 21 years with the club. Messi then made a shocking decision and joined Paris Saint Germain in the summer of 2021. After two years with the Parisian giants, Messi won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles. In 2023, Messi left Europe and joined MLS side, Inter Miami, where he currently plays. Since his arrival at PSG, Messi won another 2 Ballon D'ors, extending his tally to 8 titles. Messi is also a true icon when it comes to international football. He is currently the third-highest goalscorer in international football, the highest goalscorer in Argentinian history, and the highest appearance maker in a World Cup finals. After many years of second-place finishes, specifically in 3 Copa America finals and 1 World Cup final, Messi finally won a major trophy with Argentina in 2021, winning the Copa America. One year later, he inspired Argentina to win their first World Cup title since 1986, winning the 2022 edition in Qatar. Messi still plays with Argentina and has recently captained them to back-to-back Copa America wins in the USA.

10) Bojan Krkic (#11)

Bojan was an unused substitute in the final for Barcelona. After another two years with Barcelona, Bojan left the club and joined Roma in Italy for two seasons while spending one season on loan with Milan. Bojan returned to Barca in 2013, but with zero appearance, he was sold again. He then joined Stoke City, but between 2017 and 2018, he had loan spells with Mainz and Alaves. Bojan permanently left in 2019 and joined Montreal Impact. After two seasons, Bojan joined Vissel Kobe in Japan before eventually retiring in 2023. Bojan only ever made 1 appearance for the Spanish team, in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Armenia in September 2008. Bojan currently works in La Masia as a monitor for La Masia for young players.

11) Jose Manuel Pinto (#13)

Pinto was the reserve keeper for Barcelona and was benched due to the presence of Victor Valdes. After the final, Pinto remained with Barcelona for the rest of his career, winning another Champions League while winning La Liga, the Copa del Ray, and the Supercopa de Espana. In 2014, Pinto announced his retirement. It is revealed that Pinto is currently a Zumba teacher in Catalonia.

12) Thierry Henry (#14)

Henry is one of the most greatest and prolific goalscorers in football. He was known mainly due to his time at Arsenal but also gained some fame by winning the Champions League with Barcelona. He started the final in Rome and was then subbed off shortly after Lionel Messi's goal. Henry then stayed another year with Barcelona before leaving for the MLS to play for New York Red Bulls. He then returned to Arsenal on loan in 2012, for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, before eventually retiring in the USA in 2014. Henry was also a prominent figure for France, appearing in their 1998 World Cup winning campaign, as well as their campaign in 2006, making the final in Germany. He also won UEFA EURO 2000, as well as the Confederations Cup in 2003. After managerial jobs in France, England, Belgium, and Canada, Henry currently works as the manager for the French U21 and Olympic football teams. Henry was also part of Belgium's managerial team, where they won 3rd place at the 2018 World Cup.

13) Seydou Keita (#15)

Keita started the final on the bench and came on in the 72nd minute as a substitute for Thierry Henry. After the final in Rome, Keita became an important figure for Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, appearing in a lot more matches for the Blaugrana. Eventually, Keita left the Catalonian side and joined the Chinese Super League side, Dalian Aerbin. After a year and a half, Keita returned to Spain and put pen to paper on a move to Valencia. Keita made history during his stay in Valencia, by becoming the fastest goal-scorer in the club's history by scoring within 7 seconds in a La Liga match against Almeria. That goal was also the second-fastest goal in La Liga history. Afterwards, Keita joined Roma in Italy. Between 2014 and 2016, Keita made 46 appearances in Serie A, while scoring only three times. After one season in the Qatari league with El Jaish, Keita retired from football. Keita is quite a decorated player for Mali, making over 100 appearances for the Eagles. He's both their highest appearance maker and top goalscorer. Keita has won third place twice at AFCON, in 2012 and 2013.

14) Sylvinho (#16)

Sylvinho started the final in the left-back position and played the full 90 minutes in the final in Rome. After the final in Italy, Sylvinho returned to England to play for Manchester City for the final season of his career. After 10 appearances in the 2009-10 Premier League season, Sylvinho retired from football, at the end of the season. Sylvinho made 6 appearances for Brazil and was part of their 1998 Concacaf Gold Cup squad which won third place. In 2019, Sylvinho signed for Lyon as their manager. However, his stint with the French club didn't last a year, as a poor run of results saw him getting sacked. In 2021, he returned to Brazil to manage his former club, Corinthians. After a year, he was sacked in 2022. In 2023, Sylvinho returned to managing to manage the Albanian national team. Within his first year, he managed to qualify Albania for EURO 2024, however, he finished last in a group containing Spain, Italy, and Croatia. He still currently manages the Albanian team.

15) Yaya Toure (#24)

Toure is one of the greatest African players to ever grace the game. Toure started the game as a center-back and shared the partnership at the back with Gerard Pique. After the Roman encounter, Toure spent another year with the Blaugrana, winning La Liga, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. In 2010, Toure left the Catalonian side and joined English giants, Manchester City. His time with the Manchesterians was filled with success. In his first year, Toure scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Stoke City, winning the team's first major trophy in 35 years. Toure helped Man City win their first Premier League title in 44 years. Toure spent until 2018 with the team, winning 2 more Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, and 1 Community Shield. He then left the club at the end of the 2017-18 season and after spells in Greece and China, Toure retired in 2020. Toure is also one of the greatest Ivorian players in history, captaining the Ivory Coast to AFCON glory in 2015 while finishing as a runner-up in 2006 and 2012. Toure currently is the assistant coach for the Saudi Arabian national team.

16) Pedro (#27)

Pedro has had a very interesting career, winning almost every trophy available to him. He was brought on in the 92nd minute of the game, and only played 2 minutes before Barcelona was crowned champions. After the final, Pedro continued his stint in Barcelona for another six years. During that time, he won another 2 Champions Leagues for the Blaugrana, as well as constantly conquering Spain, winning La Liga after La Liga. In 2015, Pedro left Catalonia and joined Chelsea. He then spent five seasons at the club, winning the Premier League in 2017, the FA Cup in 2018, and the Europa League in 2019. He left the club in 2020 and joined Italian side, Roma, but left after just one season. He then joined Roma's biggest rivals, Lazio. Pedro has recently completed his third season with the Italian side and still plays for the team to this date. Pedro has also enjoyed success with Spain, as he was part of their iconic 2010 World Cup-winning squad. Pedro also won the European Championship with La Roja in 2012 but lost the final of the 2013 Confederations Cup. In 2017, Pedro retired from international football.

17) Sergio Busquets (#28)

Busquets is one of the greatest defensive midfielders in Spain and Barcelona's history. He started the match as Barca's defensive midfielder and played the full match in Rome. Since then, Busquets continued an impressive stint with his boyhood club, winning 8 more La Liga titles, 6 Copa del Rays, 7 Supercopa de Espana titles, and 2 more Champions League titles. In 2023, Busquets left Barca as their captain, winning another La Liga and Supercopa double in his final season. He then joined Inter Miami and won the club's first-ever major honor, the Leagues Cup in August 2023. Busquets currently plays for Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi. Busquets won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the EUROs in 2012, and has played for them in 4 World Cups and 3 EUROs, captaining La Roja in the 2022 World Cup, his final major tournament before retiring from the national team in 2022.

18) Marc Muniesa (#46)

Muniesa was an unused substitute in the final for Barca. He then spent another four years with Barcelona, winning another Champions League while enjoying further success domestically. Due to a lack of appearances, Muniesa was sold to Stoke City in England. After five years at the club, including a season on loan to Girona, Muniesa left the Potters and joined Al Arabi in Qatar. After four years, he joined Lyngby in Denmark but left after one season to Al Shahaniya, where he currently plays. Muniesa never made a breakthrough to the Spanish team but has made a few appearances for the Catalonian national team. He still plays for the Catalonian national team.

19) Pep Guardiola (Manager)

Guardiola is one of the greatest managers in the history of the game and was the mastermind behind Barca's success in Rome. The win in the Italian capital made Guardiola, to this day, the youngest manager to win the Champions League at 37 years old. Guardiola continued his stint with Barca, winning another Champions League in 2011, as well as completing a three-peat in terms of La Liga titles, between 2009 and 2011. He left the club in 2012 and joined Bavarian giants, Bayern Munich in 2013. He completed another three-peat between 2014 and 2016, winning back-to-back-to-back Bundesliga titles, as well as 2 DFB Pokals. In 2016, Guardiola left Bayern and joined Manchester City in England. After a trophy-less first season in Manchester, Guardiola won the Citizens their first Premier League title in four years, winning the league with an astonishing 100 points, achieving the highest amount of points in Premier League history. Guardiola won the Premier League another 5 times, with another 2 FA Cups and 4 EFL Cups. Guardiola even won Man City their first-ever Champions League title in 2023, completing a historic treble for City. This made Guardiola the first-ever manager to complete two continental trebles, both with different clubs, and the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to complete a continental treble with a British club. Guardiola won another Premier League title with City last season and looks to extend his tally to 7 Premier League titles, in what could be his final season for City.

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