FC Barcelona

In the wake of Lionel Messi’s 35th birthday, Juan Jiménez looks back on his Barcelona exit and looks ahead to a season in which the forward will be chasing World Cup glory with Argentina.

Piqué moves into his mid to late thirties threatened by recurring injuries. He is not Superman, but he is also not an incurable cripple.

Núñez arrived at Barça in a very difficult situation, with a debt of €777 million, equivalent to a year’s budget.