Was Pep or Messi the KEY to Barcelona's famous 2011 team? | The Football Show 

This Barca team was perfection. The whole 2010-11 season was a footballing masterclass. And the best thing happened at the end when Xavi and Puyol gave the captain's armband to Abidal and let him lift the CL trophy first because he just had recovered from liver cancer and had surgery. More than a club!

When Alex Ferguson says hes never got destroyed that much in a football match you know that Barcelona team was the best

They reached the pinnacle of football, I don’t care what anyone says.

Pep had the greatest midfield of all time, luis enrique had the best forward line of all time.. But both had the greatest player of all time!

Could listen to Graham Hunter all day, articulates his points brilliantly

Pep was the door & Messi was the key.

Pep Guardiola : I want to make him the best player , but he ended making me the best coach ... 🙃

Ray Hudson "take a look at this people, this is the art of human. Messi don't make defender's cry, he makes them wear diapers"

For me, mascherano is one of the most under rated players in the last 10 years.

i to this day have never seen a more one sided final before, not in terms of score line, but in terms of outplaying the opposition. madrid can have their 3 in a row all they want, fact is, any non madrid deluded fan knows that barca 2011 are the GREATEST club side ever.

this guy knows his stuff

"I don't think we have ever seen or ever will see anything like Lionel Messi again. "

I think with how Spain won the World Cup it’s fair to say that the rest of those players in Barcelona’s team where all top drawer players, however I do feel that Messi was the main reason Barcelona won all that they did. Messi was in his absolute prime back then, and it was a joke how good he was. The guy was completely unplayable..

Both were key lmao

Best ever footballing side, transcended the game. Poetry on the pitch

Some say it's Messi, some say it's Xavi and iniesta and others say it's down to Pep''s tactics and they all forget that it's a team game. So long are the days when football matches were won because of reliance on pure individuals skills.. the modern game everyone has to put the effort, so yeah they were equally important.

The team was loaded with talent, but the answer to the question as posed is G.O.A.T. _Messi,_ without whom the team would not have achieved as much.

People r sleeping over Xavi and Iniesta. If it wasnt for them two, Barca wouldnt have achieved what they achieved. Messi is the GOAT and without him Barca wouldnt be the Barca we saw during those great years but Xavi and Iniesta were equally as important to Barca.

This guy knows his stuff

As a Barca fan, it was Xavi Iniesta, Busquets - the insane midfield trident, our front three Pedro Villa and Messi's fluidic exploits, Puyol's leadership and Pep's masterful tactics. Everybody deserves credit not just Messi or Pep.

Both/Everyone in that team. Pep is undeniably one of the greatest ever managers and Messi is maybe the greatest player ever. There were many different factor's for that team's unparalleled success. Attributing that success to one "Key" factor is nonsense.

As a United fan, that was an amazing Manchester United team that won the prem and was 3 wins away from a treble. The Barcelona team were the best team of 2011, played beautiful football. One win away from a treble. Thrashed Morin real Madrid 5-0. Got to feel sorry for Manchester United, would of been bloodpool in Europe if it wasn't for the Barcelona side

Barcelona won nothing in 2007 and 2008 before Guardiola came along. They had a great foundation of players but Guardiola brought them to that level, he flicked the switch to turn them into the greatest team of all time.

Messi obviously, what's crazy is Messi has played with the likes of Thierry Henry, zlatan ibrahimović, Ronaldinho, Suarez, Neymar, Xavi, Iniesta, griezmann coutinho, he was a beast for us at Liverpool, but they all look average next to Messi, no matter how good they are, they all come second to Messi, he really is the best player in the world, and the greatest player ever to live.

Messi has always been the key, even back then in 2011 everything went through him. He was literally at the center of the attack. I mean just look at Messi’s UCL performances last season. If Barcelona didn’t bottle it at Anfield he could’ve easily won another UCL.

Greatest player to ever play the game. Should never be an or at the end of his name

What Ferguson achieved with Aberdeen was out of this world

The Barca of 2009 was a newly discovered supersonic jet engine that had some flaws but the world has never seen anything like it before.. But the Barca of 2011 was the most efficient well oiled engine with some major upgrades. I guess the Barca of 2011 was the greatest club team of all time.

I’m a United fan and even I could appreciate how good Barcelona were in 2011. 2009 was a bit closer and don’t forget we beat Barcelona in the 2008 semi final. They certainly got their own back!! We deserved to win in 2008. 2009, we just didn’t turn up but if we had it could’ve gone either way. 2011 we got a football lesson.

There was no single “key”, they all fit together perfectly.

Pep was the key. he designed everything. he maximized what he had at his disposal. he introduced new methods. Awareness, anticipation and quick thinking; all these components were 'aroused'. it was like an orchestra. he redefined teamwork.

It's a mixture of both but you can't leave out xavi, iniesta and puyol players that were fundamental to peps success.

2008 - 2011 was Barcelona Era

What about their incredible midfield and axis? Almost everyone in that team were in the prime of their careers, winning WC's and personal titles like it's nothing.

Xavi was the glue to Spanish/Barca dominance on club and international level from 2008 - 2012...it was Xavis pass that unlocked Germany defense in the 08 euro finals...it was Xavis pass that unlocked United defense for the first goals in the 09 and 11 UCL finals...

It's really shameful how people never mention xavi and iniesta in this conversation. Those two won the world cup with their game. Neither messi nor pep have world cup medals in their cabinet and that says something.

Lionel Messi has been and always will be the greatest player of all time. If you think otherwise, you really do not know football.

Would a team with Iniesta, Xavi and Messi have won titles regardless of the coach? YES! Even my dog would've managed that Barca and have won things and I don't even have a dog lol. The real question is: would someone else have made them play the way they did and bring up the utmost of those players potential? NO! Put Mourinho, Ancelotti, Benitez or any other top manager at the time and they would make that team a winning machine (each in their own style), but only Pep could make the Catalunia team play total football. He had the guts to bench YYT for a young Busquets and to sell Etoo (didn't agree at the time), it's true that buying Ibra was a mistake but he corrected that by signing Villa (the best Spanish striker I've seen play). The guy beat Sir Alex Ferguson TWICE! People may critize him for his choice of clubes to manage but you can't deny his ability as a coach. Tiki-taka only worked because of the players chacteristics and skill but it also only worked because Pep USED the system. Last, I'd like to point out once again how important it was to make Busquets a starter in tha team, people tend to leave him out when mentioning Barca's success, wish he could get more recognition.

I would say pep.. He is the one who rearranged the playing style. He is actually the one who unleash xavi and Iniesta. Interms of players, xavi and iniesta are the two most important players and pep is the one responsibility for vitializing them.

I love Messi and Pep, but there is no right answer to this question, and if it was one, I would say Xavi and Iniesta because remember, they are the ones who took two Euros and a World Cup in between which is unprecendented in the same 2008-2012 period. And of course this Spanish team had some Real Madrid players, David Silva, Torres, Fabregas and so on, the core that made it click was exactly the same. But together it was perfection.

Sorry to be that person Sky but ‘incite’ in your description should be ‘insight’. Great video though!

they should have 4/4 champions league those years

Hmmmmm opinions from people who haven’t watched a game in la liga

Xavi and Iniesta were the key. There's a reason why both Barcelona and the Spanish national team were steam rolling everyone and it was that midfield engine.

Grahams classical Barca commentary gives me goosebumps. So many beautiful memories

Redknapp - "that is some claim"lol did he see the football they played

for me barcelona from 2009-2013 was the best football team ive ever seen and messi from 2009 to 2015 ive never seen that quality of play from a foottball player he was on a whole another level

Neither. Iniesta and Xavi were. The best partnership in football history the chemistry was unparalleled. That is why 08-11 Barca was the best team ever.

This discussion is like trying to put an “i” in “team”

People still forget this Barca side were a toe-poke from Bendtner from being knocked out well before Wembley, in the RO16. Not to mention the absurd Van Persie sending off.

Pep and Messi both play massive roles and will be the ones remembered, but Johan Cruyff is the godfather of all success Barcelona have had in recent times.

Why cant they get people like this on as pundits on TV who are articualte as opposed to getting stupid ex footballers who cant even string sentences together, while some are all about how manly they sound and look like Graeme souness. Joke

Man Utd NEVER dominated europe.

I think Xavi & Iniesta were just as important as Messi or Pep

Players like suarez coutinho Griezmam Neymar are so far behind Messi its ridiculous. He’s so many levels above everyone else. Last year against Liverpool, it was a one man team. Suarez and coutinho were a shambles in those matches. Messi puts it on a plate for these guys and they fluff it. LIONEL MESSI is a one man team especially now. The greatest the world has ever seen and ever will see probably.

Why does Pep get so much credit when they stole the CL against Chelsea in 2009 and Luís Enrique won every trophy in a season too with Barca in 2015. But what Pep did in 2011 seems to get more praise than anything. Don’t get me wrong it was a great team but every great team does it over a period of years which that Barca team didn’t do under Pep...

CELTIC SHOULD SIGN DAVID LUIZ ON A FREE!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☘️

The whole squad actually, they were perfect

In terms of results that Pep team was unbelievable. In terms of entertainment the Frank Rijkaard all day. I was more mesmerised by Rijkaard’s team. Pep just wanted to monopolise possession. A decent team that knows how to defend and counter-attack with fast players who are clinical in front of goal could beat that team. Tbh if you take out Messi it’s a typical Spanish team with a solid midfield.

Answer is easy. The players made it easier for Pep. Look at how Pep transformed City without Messi, xavi, inesta etc etc and look at Barcelona now

It’s worthwhile remembering, prior to Messi’s debut in 2004 Barcelona hadn’t won a league title for 6 years. Xavi and Iniesta were undoubtedly great players but they didn’t exactly dominate Spanish football and achieve anything that special prior to Messi coming along.

Ryan Giggs the greatest premier league player lol

2011 barca team just entertained the world this team had la masia players and also had world cup winners and euro winners nobody in the World could stop them they were just mesmerizing the opponents with their beautiful passsing whenever they lose the ball you could see them pressing high and regaining in few seconds currently no teams could do like that players like valdes,puyol,xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and messi will always be once in a lifetime players

Pep was the key messi was the door ‼️🔐🏃🏻😌

Messi took barcelona to the next level. Once in a life time players

No one came close to that team and no one comes close to Lionel

It's all about Messi. Pep has been trying for 9 years to win the CL without Messi and he can't do it. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta were unbelievable.

No one is the key. They were all jigsaw pieces that made the perfect team.

There is never going to another einstein, hawking's, Mozart, Shakespeare, and Messi.

When he said he is miles miles better than maradona, was he talking about pele being better than maradona or messi being better than maradona

Both important obviously but one has won two Champions Leagues without the other so 🤷🏻‍♂️

Haven’t watched the video but I can tell you it was both.

The greatest football team ever in history. I don't care what anybody else says.

the diamond of busquest_ xavi, iniesta_ messi with villa and pedro out wide. you wonder howgood they are

Nae bad aberdeen

In the 11/12 season he bagged 73 goals. That.... is just ridiculous. Like stupid. He is the greatest in my eyes.

For me that was the best football gameplay of all time, best team of all time

Is both the reason why Barcelona was so great is cuz they have the best manager who knows Barcelona chemistry well

Definitely the best club team ever.

Never seen a champions league final so one sided as when they embarrassed Man Utd

I said it then and I stand by it now, that is the best football side ever to play. Simple

When I started watching football, i thought CWC was the real deal with the thought of among the world. Although instanbul was an emotional night, It was a heartbreak losing cwc in 2006 coz we've never won it before too. Crouchy to this day had not get over Rafa for not starting him in the final At this day, i dont care abt cwc anymore , dont even wanna bother going. Still remember last 2 years, EPL refused to arrange a date for us unlike city now, we had to field 2 teams on the same day to play both villa and flamengo

From 2008-2012 Spain dominated the world without Messi you guys are not giving any credit to the greatness of that midfield , and most players played for Barca . Their success was was there because most players were of their academy they played together from their youth so they know ones weakness and greatness I would say Messi was lucky to be honest even though he's great he's the cherry for that already magnificent cake

Yh its was never pep. It was all messi. Pep is just a spectator. He has no tactics. He definitely was not responsible for promoting Pedro and Busquets. He did absolutely nothing.

This is the reason why I only watch Barcelona and really proud to be in fun of Barcelona one love all the way from somalia 🇸🇴❤️🇸🇴❤️🇸🇴❤️🇸🇴

Xavi and iniesta were. Messi was surrounded by Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning team.

Messi is much better than maradonna but Ronaldo is still slightly better. Proved it in different countries and on the international stage with a weaker team. Only a mug could argue with that

8 Ballon’s says Messi Pep needed a billion dollars and a lot of years to win a CL without him

Watch barca dreams on netflix

Messi the goat of football but its obvious to see abit of drop off when pep left they weren't as perfect as before

Messi was replaceable but Xavi and Iniesta won lots with Spain. There, you got your answer.

Messi is a GREAT player, but no great player without great manger

I really appreciate you doing this and I admire your videos. You inspire me to be a footballer.

barca have only won the ucl once since 2011, thats once in 9 seasons, so how do people downplay peps achievements? even the 2015 treble winning barca side is no where near as good as the 2011 one, FACT. Suarez was the diff that year, they failed to win it the year prior with messi and neymar. For me, real madrid were the best side in 2015, barca just peaked at the right time and had an incredible front 3, they weren't that good at all for me.

I remember that final in 2011 so well never seen sir Alex shake so much

Pep was the key. In 2008, before Pep became manager, Man United were able to beat Barca 1-0 across both the legs. But in 2009, and 2011, Barca suddenly became unrecognisably good!!

the main reasons for barcas success… the group (base layed by rijkaard) with iniesta, xavi, busquets, villa, puyol (and many others) and the once i a lifetime talent of messi was unique… and guardiola is a football-nerd… back then the other coaches had no idea how to handle his tactics…

Pep was important but lets face it, stick any manager with prime Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and success should be a cert

I’m not saying that Pep is not a good manager. But a manager is only as good to a certain degree as the players at his disposal are. Look at his first season at City. That is the only time he hasn’t had the best players domestically, and it is the only time he hadn’t won a trophy. Messi, along with Xavi & Iniesta, would have succeeded regardless of who was in the dug out. They proved it both sides of Pep’s time there.

When Arsenal beat Barcelona 2:1 first leg,which year was that? When Jack wilshere burst the midfield of Xvai, Inesta,and Bouquet ,it was the best midfield in the world. Arsenal should have beaten Barcelona in the second leg they got robbed by sending RVP, when the match was 1:1 in Camp Nou