Champions League What Happened After?: Barcelona 2010-11
BARCELONA'S 2010-11 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNING SQUAD: WHAT HAPPENED AFTER?
28th May 2011:Wembley Stadium, London, England
Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
Two years after their triumph in Rome, Barcelona returned to their perch after one season, and won their fourth Champions League title and their third in six years. Pep Guardiola proved once again why he is one of the best mangers in the world, as he won his second Champions League in three years, in what was only his third season of managing a senior team. However, a lot has changed in 14 years. So what happened to this iconic squad after the events of London?
1) Víctor Váldes (#1, Spain)
Váldes is arguably one of Spain and Barcelona's greatest-ever goalkeepers, and one of the most decorated as well. He started the final in London and played the full 90 minutes of the final. After the final in Wembley. Váldes spent another three seasons with Barcelona, winning more domestic trophies, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. In 2014, Váldes decided to leave Barcelona and joined Premier League giants, Manchester United. He only ever made 2 appearances for the Red Devils while spending half of the 2015-16 season on loan at Standard Liege in Belgium, where he won the Belgian Cup in his 6 month tenure. He then spent his final years in Middlesbrough before eventually retiring in January 2018. While with Spain, Váldes was part of their infamous World Cup winning squad, serving as backup keeper to Iker Casillas, as well as the 2012 European Championship team. Váldes currently serves as the head coach of fourth-tier side, Real Ávila CF.
2) Dani Alves (#2, Brazil)
Alves is one of the greatest right backs in the history of the game, and is one of the most decorated players in history. Alves started the final in Wembley, and played 88 minutes of the game, before coming off for Carles Puyol. Following Barcelona's Champions League win, Alves spent another five seasons at the club, winning another Champions League title in 2015, while winning 3 La Ligas, 3 Copa del Rays, 2 Supercopa de Españas, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. After the 2015-16 season, Alves left Barcelona and joined Juventus, and in his one season at the club, he won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and made the Champions League final, falling short to Barca's arch rivals, Real Madrid. He then joined PSG, where he achieved domestic success, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue and the Trophée de Champions. In 2019, Alves returned to Brazil to play for Sao Paolo before returning to Barcelona for half a season. After the 2021-22 season, he joined Mexican side UNAM, but his contract was terminated after Alves was imprisoned for sexual assault. He then retired in January 2023. While achieving great success in club level, Alves also enjoyed success with Brazil, winning the Copa America and the Confederations Cup twice while winning gold for Brazil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Alves currently resides in Barcelona where he spends retirement.
3) Gerard Piqué (#3, Spain)
Piqué is one of the greatest centre-backs in Barca's history, best known for his good technique of passing and his strength and tackling ability. He started the final in London and played the full 90 minutes against his former club. After the final, Piqué played out the remainder of his career with the Catalonian side, winning another Champions League title in 2015 while winning other domestic trophies. In November 2022, Piqué announced his retirement right before the winter World Cup. Piqué also enjoyed great success with Spain, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012, racking up over 100 caps for La Roja. Piqué currently is the president of the Kings League, a league made up entirely of influencers across social media platforms.
4) Carles Puyol (#5, Spain)
Puyol is probably not just one of the best centre-backs and leaders in Barcelona's history, but in the world as a whole, making him one of the greatest centre backs to grace the game. Puyol started the final on the bench but came on in the closing stages of the game for Dani Alves. Puyol remained with the Blaugrana until the end of his career, spending another three seasons with the club, winning domestic honours but not another Champions League title. In 2014, following the conclusion of the 2013-14 season, Puyol announced his retirement from football. Meanwhile, Puyol recorded 100 caps for Spain, winning the European Championship in 2008, and the World Cup in 2010, while scoring the winning goal in the semi finals in the latter competition. Puyol currently resides in Barcelona, enjoying retirement.
5) Xavi (#6, Spain)
Xavi is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, and is best known for his passing, vision and positioning, tactics which heavily influenced Barcelona's midfield. Xavi played the full 90 minutes in London and served as captain for the majority of the match. Following the final, Xavi spent another four seasons with Barca, winning another Champions League title in his final season with the club in 2015, while winning other domestic trophies. Following his departure from Barcelona, Xavi joined Qatari side, Al Sadd, winning four more trophies there before retiring in 2019. While enjoying success with Barcelona, Xavi enjoyed equally enjoyable success with Spain, winning the European Championship twice in 2008 and 2012, while winning the World Cup in 2010, racking 133 caps for La Roja, putting him 4th in the table for most appearances for Spain. Following a disappointing World Cup campaign in 2014, Xavi retired from international football. After his retirement, Xavi transitioned to management, becoming the manager of Al Sadd before two years before returning to Barcelona in November 2021, winning the Supercopa de España and La Liga in his first full season in 2022-23. Following the 2023-24 season, Xavi left Barcelona and currently looks to resume his management career soon.
6) David Villa (#7, Spain)
Villa is one of the greatest strikers to grace the game, proving to be one of the most versatile and well-rounded forwards in the history of the game. Villa started the final in London and scored Barca's third goal to seal the win. Following the 2010-11 season, Villa spent another two seasons with Barcelona, scoring another 25 goals while helping them to another La Liga title in 2012-13 and the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2011. In the summer of 2013, Villa made a shocking decision to join Atletico Madrid, where in his lone season with the club, he won La Liga again and made another Champions League final, falling short to Real Madrid in Lisbon. Following a four year tenure with New York City FC and another year stint with Vissel Kobe in the 2019-20 season, Villa retired from football in November 2019. Villa has appeared for Spain in 3 World Cups and 1 European Championship, being an instrumental part in their EURO 2008 and World Cup 2010 winning squads, while racking up 59 goals for La Roja, being their all-time top goalscorer. Villa is currently the president of fifth-tier Spanish side, CF Benidorm.
7) Andrés Iniesta (#8, Spain)
Iniesta is widely regarded as the greatest midfielder of his generation, as he's well known for his flair, balance, ball control and agility, making him one of Barcelona's greatest ever players. Iniesta started the final in London and assisted Barcelona's second goal, which was scored by Lionel Messi. Following the final, Iniesta spent another seven seasons with the Catalans, winning the Champions League again in 2015, before winning 4 more La Liga titles and bunch of more domestic honours, as well as 2 UEFA Super Cups and 2 Club World Cups. In 2018, Iniesta said goodbye to Barcelona after spending 22 years with the club. He went on to join Vissel Kobe in Japan, and spent five seasons with the Japanese side, before joined Emirati side, Emirates Club in the summer of 2023, eventually playing out his career there before retiring in October 2024. Iniesta was also a pivotal and influential member of Spain's golden generation, creating a heartbeat in the midfield which helped them win the EUROs twice in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in between in 2010, where he scored in the final to seal a 1-0 win over the Netherlands, sealing Spain's first World Cup win in their history. Following the 2018 World Cup, Iniesta retired from the Spanish national team. Iniesta currently resides in Dubai and is working on his coaching course, looking to return as a manager some time soon.
8) Bojan Krkić (#9, Spain)
Much like the final two years ago in Rome, Bojan was an unused substitute in the final. Following the end of the season, Bojan left Barcelona and joined Roma, but much like his time in Barcelona, he struggled to find consistent form in Roma, scoring 7 goals in 33 appearances, while spending the 2012-13 on loan at AC Milan, were he was mainly used a substitute, making 19 appearances and scoring 3 goals. After permanently leaving Roma in the summer of 2013, Bojan returned to Barcelona but his return was brief, and he joined Ajax on loan for the 2013-14 season, where he won the Eredivise, but was sold permanently and joined Stoke City. He then spent two and a half seasons with the Potters, before spending half of the 2016-17 season on loan at Mainz, followed by another season on loan at Alaves, before spending one more season at Stoke before leaving in 2019. He then joined Montreal Impact in August 2019, and spent a season and a half before joining Vissel Kobe in August 2021. He spent a season and a half with the Japanese side before retiring in March 2023. Bojan had a brief career with Spain, making only 1 appearance against Armenia in EURO 2008 qualifying. Bojan currently works as a monitor for La Masia in Barcelona.
9) Lionel Messi (#10, Argentina)
Messi is regarded as one of the greatest players, if not THE greatest players to ever grace the game, well-known for his skills, goals, records, and achievements. Messi started the final in London, and scored Barcelona's second goal to regain Barca's lead. Following the final, Messi spent another 10 seasons with Barcelona, etching his name into more history books, while winning domestic honours and another Champions League in 2015. During his time, he became the first player to score five goals in a single Champions League match in 2012, and racked up an astonishing 91 goals in a single calendar year in 2012, shattering Gerd Müller's 40-year record. Eventually, Messi's time with the Catalans came to an end following the 2020-21 season, which lead to his shocking transfer to PSG in the summer of 2021, where he spent two season. In those two season, he won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, while registering 22 goals in Ligue 1 and another 9 in the Champions League, bringing his goal scoring tally in the Champions League to 129 goals. After the 2022-23 season, Messi joined MLS side, Inter Miami, and helped the club win their first major honours, winning the Leagues Cup and the Eastern Conference, while serving as their captain. Messi still plays for Inter Miami to this day. Messi also still plays for the Argentinean national team, and is most likely the greatest ever player to play for the Albiceleste, who after losing four consecutive finals in the Copa America (3 times) and the World Cup, won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, while winning the World Cup in between in 2022, while also winning gold in the 2008 Olympics for Argentina. Messi is also the highest appearance maker for Argentina with 193 caps and their highest goalscorer with 112 goals.
10) Javier Mascherano (#14, Argentina)
Mascherano is often considered as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of his generation, best known for his awareness, defensive plays and leadership. Mascherano started the final in London as a centre back, and played the full 90 minutes. Mascherano spent another six and a half seasons with Barcelona, winning another Champions League final in 2015, alongside countless other domestic honours. In January 2018, Mascherano left Barcelona and joined Chinese side, Hebei China Fortune, where he spent two seasons before returning to Argentina briefly, before retiring in November 2020. Mascherano was also Argentina's highest appearance maker, with 147 caps, a record which has been surpassed by Lionel Messi in June 2021. Mascherano also was a runner up in the Copa America four times for Argentina, while winning Olympic gold twice in 2004 and 2008. After retirement, Mascherano worked as Argentina's U20 and U23 manager, managing Argentina at the 2024 Olympics. He currently works as the head coach of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
11) Seydou Keita (#15, Mali)
Keita started the bench during the final in London, only coming on in the 86th minute for David Villa. Following the events of London, Keita spent another season in Barcelona and won the Copa del Ray, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup before leaving the club in the summer of 2012. He then joined Chinese side, Dalian Aerbin, where he spent two-and-a-half seasons, before returning to Spain to play for Valencia, were he notably scored the fastest goal in their history, after just 9 seconds in a La Liga match against Almeria in March 2014. Following the 2013-14 season, Keita signed for Roma in Italy, where he spent 2 seasons with I Giallorossi, before seeing the rest of career with El Jiash in Qatar, before retiring in 2017. Keita is also one of Malis greatest ever players, if not, their greatest players, appearing in 7 AFCON competitions, winning third in 2012 and 2013, while being their top appearance maker with 102 caps and top goalscorer with 25 goals. Keita currently works as a leading entrepreneur and philanthropist, making a significant impact off the pitch.
12) Sergio Busquets (#16, Spain)
Busquets is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, best known for directing gameplay, making short and calm passes, singular reading of the game and leadership skills. He started the final in London and played the full 90 minutes. Following the final, Busquets spent another 12 years with Barcelona, winning another Champions League in 2015, while winning a total of 21 more trophies with the Blaugrana. Following another La Liga win in the 2022-23 season, Busquets left Barcelona and joined his former Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi in Inter Miami. He helped Miami win their first honours in the Leagues Cup and Supporter's Shield, and still plays for the MLS side to this day. Meanwhile for Spain, Busquets is the third highest appearance maker for La Roja, earning 143 caps for Spain, but only scored twice for them. He also won the World Cup in 2010 and the EUROs in 2012, while appearing in 3 more World Cups and 2 more EUROs before retiring from the national team following the 2022 World Cup.
13) Pedro (#17, Spain)
Pedro started the final in London and opened the scoring right before the half hour, before playing out almost the entirety of the game, before getting substituted for Ibrahim Afellay in the 92nd minute. Following the final, Pedro spent another four seasons with the Blaugrana, winning another Champions League title in his final season with the club, while claiming other domestic honours with the club. He then left the club in the summer of 2015, and joined then reigning Premier League champions, Chelsea, where he spent five seasons with the club. He enjoyed success with them too, winning the Premier League in 2017, while winning the FA Cup in 2018 and the Europa League in 2019. Following a trophy-less 2019-20 campaign, Pedro joined Roma, where he spent a season with the club before joined their cross-city rivals, Lazio, where after four seasons, he still plays for I Biancoceleste to this day. Pedro also enjoyed success with Spain's national team, winning the World Cup with them back in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012. Pedro also finished as a runner up of the 2013 Confederations Cup. Following being omitted from the squad in World Cup qualifying.
14) Ibrahim Afellay (#20, Netherlands)
Afellay started the final on the bench in London, at sat on the bench for almost the entirety of the match, until he came on for Pedro in the 92nd minute of the game. After the events in London, Afellay's time with Barcelona was injury-ridden, as he made a total of 7 appearance in all competitions in the 2011-12 season and the 2013-14 season, in between which he had a season on loan at Schalke 04, where he made 15 appearances for the club. During the 2014-15 season, Afellay spent the season on loan at Olympiacos, where he won the Greek Super League before leaving Barcelona permanently, and joining Premier League side, Stoke City. He spent four seasons with the Potters, where he made 55 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals, before his contract got terminated in January 2019. After the 2018-19 season, Afellay returned to PSV after 9 years, but then retired in January 2021. Meanwhile, Afellay made his Dutch national team debut in 2007, and while he wasn't selected in their EURO 2008 squad, he helped the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010, falling short to Spain. He also appeared for the Dutch in EURO 2012, appearing in all games of their disappointing campaign. Afellay currently works as a football pundit for Dutch broadcaster, NOS.
15) Adriano (#21, Brazil)
Adriano is one of few players who're ambidextrous, providing versatility for Barcelona, helping them win the Champions League. The Brazilian however, was an unused substitute in the final in London. After the final, Adriano spent another five seasons with Barcelona, winning another Champions League title in 2015, while winning more domestic trophies such as La Liga, the Copa Del Ray and the Supercopa de España, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. He then left Barcelona in 2016 and joined Turkish side, Beşiktaş, where he won the Turkish Super League in his first season at the club, before leaving again in 2019. Following a brief return to Brazil, playing for Athletico Paranaense, and another brief spell with Eupen in Belgium, Adriano retired from football in 2021. Adriano also appeared for Brazil in their Copa America winning campaign in 2004, making a total of 17 appearances for Brazil. Adriano currently focuses on business ventures, mental health advocacy and charity work.
16) Eric Abidal (#22, France)
Abidal was going through some health problems at the time, having a tumour in his liver which saw him miss out on most matches since March. However, he returned for the final and played the full 90 minutes, and was even handed the captain's armband by Carles Puyol, in a gesture to mark his recovery, allowing him to be the first to lift the trophy. He spent another two seasons with Barcelona, but his time was ridden due to injuries. He then returned to Monaco in the summer of 2013, where he spent a season with his boyhood club, before spending his final half season with Olympiacos, leaving Monaco after one year, and eventually, retiring in December 2014. Abidal represented France for nine years, between 2004 and 2013, and was part of France's 2006 World Cup squad, making the final where they lost on penalties to Italy. Abidal was also one of France's three successful penalty takers. He then represented them at EURO 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, before eventually retiring in 2013. Abidal currently works as the sporting director for UAE Pro League side, Al Wasl.
17) Thiago Alcântara (#30, Spain)
Thiago is one of the most creative and gifted playmakers to ever grace the game, best know for his creative passing his amazing ball control. However, in 2011, Thiago was starting to find his way into the football world, and was an unused substitute in the final in London. Following the final, he spent another two years in Catalonia, before reuniting with Pep Guardiola in Bayern Munich, in July 2013. He spent 7 seasons with the club, winning every trophy available to him. He won a domestic double in his first season, consisting of the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. He then went on to win another five Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokals, two DFL Supercups, and in his final season at the club, he won the treble, consisting of the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and UEFA Champions League, winning his second title in the 2019-20 season. Following his Champions League win, Thiago joined Liverpool, where he played out the rest of his career. He helped them to the FA Cup and League Cup in the 2021-22 season, but agonisingly lost out on a historic quadruple, losing the Premier League by a point to Man City and the Champions League final to Real Madrid. After two more seasons, Thiago retired after the 2023-24 season. Thiago also appeared for Spain 46 times, making his debut for the team in 2011 and retiring in 2021. He missed out on competing in EURO 2012 and the 2014 World Cup due to injury, but appeared for them in EURO 2016 and 2020, as well as the 2018 World Cup. Following Spain's elimination from EURO 2020, Thiago retired from the national team. Thiago was most recently part of Barcelona's management team as assistant coach, but left the side in August 2024.
18) Oier Olazábal (#38, Spain)
Oier is one of the few players some Barca's elite squad to still actively play football. He however, was an unused substitute in the final in London. Following the events of London, Oier has had a journeyman of a career, as after three more seasons with Barcelona, where he failed to make a single appearance, he joined Granada ahead of the 2014-15 season. He was a Granada player for three seasons, going out on loan to Real Sociedad and Levante in the latter two, helping the latter win the Segunda Division in the 2016-17 season, earning them promotion to La Liga. He then left Granada permanently ahead of the 2017-18 season and joined Levante, serving as there primary goalkeeper for two seasons, before leaving halfway through the 2019-20 season, joining Espanyol. He featured minimally but contributed to their Segunda Division title in 2020-21, earning them a return to La Liga. Following a brief stint with Cypriot side, Pafos FC in the 2022-23 season, Oier returned to Spain to play for Andorra FC, playing them for two years, while helping them gain promotion to the Segunda Division. Oier recently made a return to Levante and currently plays for the club.
19) Pep Guardiola (Manager)
Guardiola is arguably one of the best, if not, the best manager in football history, best known for being a tactical genius, and for revitalising possession based football with "Tiki Taka" football. He was the brains behind Barcelona's success, winning his second Champions League title in three years. Following the 2010-11 season, Guardiola spent one final season with the Catalans, leading them to another Copa del Ray, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup title, before announcing his departure from his role. After one season of leave, he returned to coaching to manage Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich ahead of the 2013-14 season. In his first season at the club, he won his third UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, as well as achieving a domestic double of the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, sealing the Bundesliga title on March 25th, a Bundesliga record. He spent another two seasons with the Bavarians, winning the Bundesliga twice and the DFB Pokal once, before joining Manchester City ahead of the 2016-17 season. After a trophy-less debut season with the Citizens, Guardiola won his first trophies with City in the 2017-18 season, winning the EFL Cup and the Premier League, City's first in four season, while accumulating a Premier League record of 100 points. After winning a domestic treble in the 2018-19 season, another Premier League and EFL Cup double in the 2020-21, and his fourth Premier League title in the 2021-22 season, Guardiola guided Man City to a continental treble, consisting of the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League, winning the club's first Champions League title, while becoming the first English side to complete a continental treble since Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic 1998-99 Manchester United squad. After eight seasons, Guardiola still remains at Manchester City, looking to break even more record with the Citizens.
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