Was This The Greatest Midfield Ever? | End Of An Era

A midfield so legendary, that for years here in Argentina there was the belief that Messi couldn't play as well for the national squad because of their absence.

2 posts in 2 days? What did we do to deserve this?

Most midfields could make a player dissapear in a storm, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets could make an entire midfield dissapear

Worth noting that when Pep brought Busquets into the first team Yaya Touré was playing in that position. And he was crushing it. At the time people thought Pep was nuts to play a young, unknown Busquets instead of Yaya.

The crazier thing about these 3 was they all came from the same footballing school. They weren't fast or tall (Busi is tall i know), but good fkin luck trying to take the ball from em. Xavi, will keep the ball forever. Don Andres, will get it in absolute shite conditions and give it back to you on a golden plate. And Busi, will orchestrate the team's movement from his position. It's been a pleasure. The 3 of you + The GOAT Leo, Dani Alves and El Capita Puyol. They made me a Barça fan. And that made me a football fan. I grew up watching them toy around with world class players for almost two decades. It's sad this will end, but boy I am glad to see it all. And with the internet, I'll always rewatch them. Because that team was frightening if you're not a fan, as a fan? The gigantic confidence I had during those days I tell ya. Visca Barça!

It’s crazy how dominant these guys were, and if you look at them, none of them scream world class athlete, but they were the engine behind the success of the Barcelona machine.

The fact that one of the last games Busi will play is against Iniesta's team in Japan with Xavi as his manager...... I'm not crying I'm SOBBING

I always felt like Busquets never got his flowers bc he played next to Xavi and Iniesta. Often he gets overlooked and you won't see his name mentioned in talks of great mildfielders. As you said people lean towards more offensive/attacker heavy players, while Sergio was more defensive. Also I think this video further shows just how great Pep is. Whom still gets disrespect from football fans. Pep noticed all these guys potential before anyone else and called it. He's a mastermind, master tactician, and elite at seeing talent and potential. As a Barca fan these guys spoiled me on what a midfield should look like and how one should perform. When I watch teams that have crazy talent up front but struggle to score, I'm always like "I swear if this team gets a good midfield, they'll run this league." That is my usual comment on Angel City FC here in the States. The creative, playmaking work of midfielders is underappreciated bc viewers just see scores, not the setup for the score. This isnt hockey where every player who took part in a goal score setup gets credited for an assist.

The Barcelona team of 2011 was truly legendary. Literally none of the players were physical specimens, but they were so skilled and competent at passing the ball that pressing them was useless. Shows that at the end of the day, football ain't all about athleticism.

All the essential skills needed to run a team put and compacted in these 3 players. Sad to see Busi is leaving Barca but he is leaving huge huge shoes to fill. Definitely every Midfielder idolises Iniesta Xavi and Busquets. Players like them are a coach’s dream!

These 3 are the best ever in their positions. No one else touches them.

Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets… all blessed with talent AND a good attitude, all as humble as ever and that’s why they achieved legendary careers. No egos, just humble geniuses that love the game. We will never see it again.

Spain won rhe world cup sub20 in 1999. Xavi dominated that tournament. He played in the role he would play years later, a bit more advanced than the 4. It was a masterclass.

I want more stuff like this on iconic midfield trios

4:13 what a sight!! Iniesta with all his trophies!! 😂

Yes, because they defined their positions to the point that we reference them when we teach/analyse any midfield player according to their position or qualities.

The Hungary Golden Team from 1950 - 1956 went unbeaten for 4 years and only lost once in 6 years of international football is worthy of being mention. The midfield that consist of Gyula Lóránt, József Zakariás and József Bozsik are the original creators of "Total Football" that was later used effectively by the Dutch in the 1970s Barcelona and Spain 2010s teams.

that trio never had a trophyless season… started their first season together with sextuple and won their last season with a treble.

As someone who is only 1.70m in height and was rarely selected for my team in the 70s because of that, I always enjoyed watching Xavi and Iniesta. And Maradona, And Messi. And Pirlo. They all made the tall guys look like parking-meters, and I just loved it.

my future kids will be hearing about this trio these were just amazing times