Manchester City superstar in awe of 2009 Barcelona and former captain: “They were my references”

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has pressed that the great Barcelona team of 2009 is the squad that, according to him, is the greatest generation the world has ever seen. 

The 27-year-old also admitted that growing up, the likes of Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso were the players who impressed him the most.

The 2008/09 season happens to be the most iconic campaign in Barcelona’s history as the Blaugrana achieved a history treble, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.

Back then, Rodri – currently a farfetched target of Barcelona – was plying his trade with the Atletico Madrid youth team and despite being born in the Spanish capital, the Manchester City midfielder admitted that he grew up watching the Barcelona team of 2009. 

“My generation was Barcelona 2009. I was very, very impressed with Busquets and Xabi Alonso. The greatest generation is in between. I was lucky to watch them and learn from them. When I was a child, I used to watch them and they were my references,” admitted the 27-year-old, as quoted by Mirror.

A historic team with significant achievement

In the 2008–09 season, FC Barcelona ventured into a transformative era under the guidance of their newly appointed manager, Pep Guardiola.

A former captain and Barcelona B coach, Guardiola steered the team to an unparalleled achievement in Spanish football – the first-ever treble. 

That season, the club underwent significant changes by parting ways with notable players like Deco, now a sporting director, and Ronaldinho.

Despite these departures, Barcelona played mesmerizing football throughout the season, clinching victories in the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League. 

This remarkable team is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest in the annals of football history.

Interestingly enough, that season marked the beginning of the glorious next years in Barcelona’s history as they won back-to-back league titles and two Champions League trophies in three years.