Lionel Messi’s enforced departure from Barcelona and subsequent decision to join Paris Saint-Germain broke the internet, and it’s been some time since we had a LaLiga season without the Argentine.
Seeing Barcelona without their Argentine No.10 is something that seemed would never happen, but after his 17-year spell with the Catalan giants, the time has come for them to part ways.
In that 2003/04 season before the six-time Ballon d’Or winner joined the club, Barcelona still had a phenomenal team, with the likes of Rafael Marquez in defence alongside Carles Puyol, behind midfield legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
In front of that solid spine stood the creative genius of Ronaldinho.
Despite such star names, it wasn’t Barcelona that tasted glory that year, falling five points short in second place to Valencia to took the LaLiga crown with 77 points.
With Rafa Benitez at the helm, the Spanish side managed to lift the LaLiga title, as well as winning the UEFA Cup.
Despite that spectacular year from Valencia, the next 15 years were to be characterised by an era of dominance between not just Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now that both have departed from the Spanish top flight, will we ever see such a competitive rivalry again?
