2001 Barcelona Home – Javier Saviola #7 XL

Season Overview

The 2001–02 season was a transitional campaign for FC Barcelona, as the club sought to return to the top of Spanish and European football after several inconsistent years. Managed by Carles Rexach, Barcelona blended established stars with exciting new arrivals, including one of South America’s brightest young talents.

In La Liga, Barcelona finished 4th, securing a place in the following season’s Champions League but falling well short of champions Valencia. While domestic consistency proved elusive, the team showed its quality in Europe.

Barcelona reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, eliminating Bayer Leverkusen and Panathinaikos before eventually losing to Real Madrid in the first-ever Champions League Clásico. Despite the disappointment, the European run was one of the highlights of the season and demonstrated the club’s potential.

The 2001–02 Barcelona home kit, produced by Nike, featured the club’s classic blaugrana vertical stripes, complemented by a simple collar and, notably, no shirt sponsor, maintaining Barcelona’s traditional clean aesthetic. It remains one of the most iconic vintage football shirts of the early 2000s.

Player’s Impact – Javier Saviola

The 2001–02 season marked the spectacular European debut of Javier Saviola. Signed from River Plate after starring in Argentina, the 19-year-old immediately justified the hype with an outstanding first season in Spain.

Saviola scored 21 goals in all competitions, including 17 in La Liga, finishing as Barcelona’s top scorer. Despite his small stature, he possessed explosive acceleration, intelligent movement, and exceptional composure in front of goal.

Operating as a mobile striker, Saviola constantly found space behind defenders, combining sharp finishing with quick combinations around the penalty area. His pace and instinctive positioning made him one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe.

Nicknamed “El Conejito” (The Little Rabbit), Saviola quickly became a fan favorite at Camp Nou. His debut season remains one of the finest by a young foreign signing in Barcelona’s modern history and hinted at a bright future for the Argentine striker.

Full Squad List (Barcelona – 2001–02 Season)

Manager: Carles Rexach

Goalkeepers:
Roberto Bonano, Richard Dutruel, Pepe Reina

Defenders:
Carles Puyol, Frank de Boer, Michael Reiziger, Abelardo, Philippe Christanval, Sergi Barjuán

Midfielders:
Luis Enrique (captain), Xavi Hernández, Philip Cocu, Gaizka Mendieta, Gabri, Thiago Motta, Andrés Iniesta

Forwards:
Javier Saviola, Patrick Kluivert, Rivaldo, Marc Overmars, Alfonso Pérez