2019 Barcelona Third – Lionel Messi #10 Small

The 2019–20 season was one of the most dramatic and turbulent campaigns in FC Barcelona’s modern history, a year defined by internal instability, changing leadership, and a painful European collapse. The season began under Ernesto Valverde, but inconsistent performances and growing unrest led to his dismissal in January 2020, with Quique Setién appointed as head coach.

In La Liga, Barcelona finished 2nd, narrowly losing the title to Real Madrid after surrendering a mid-season lead. Dropped points following the COVID-19 restart proved decisive, exposing a squad struggling with balance, aging legs, and tactical clarity. Domestically, Barcelona were eliminated in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Athletic Club at San Mamés, a late defeat that further fueled criticism of the club’s direction.

The defining — and devastating — moment came in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, where Barcelona suffered a historic 8–2 defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon. It was the club’s heaviest European loss and marked the symbolic end of an era, triggering institutional fallout, player departures, and eventual presidential change.

The 2019–20 Barcelona third kit, manufactured by Nike, stood out visually and culturally. Featuring a bold mint / teal green base with pink detailing, the shirt broke sharply from tradition. Inspired by streetwear aesthetics and modern Barcelona culture, it represented innovation and experimentation — a sharp contrast to the instability unfolding on the pitch. Despite the season’s struggles, the kit has become iconic for its uniqueness and its association with Lionel Messi’s final dominant year in his prime.

2. Player’s Impact – Lionel Messi

Despite the chaos surrounding him, Lionel Messi delivered one of the most extraordinary individual seasons of his career in 2019–20, reaffirming his status as football’s ultimate constant amid disorder. At 32 years old, Messi carried Barcelona almost single-handedly, operating as captain, chief creator, and primary goal threat.

Messi made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring 31 goals and providing 26 assists. In La Liga, he finished as both top scorer (25 goals) and top assist provider (21 assists) — the first player in league history to lead both categories in the same season. His influence was overwhelming: Barcelona’s attacking structure revolved entirely around his movement, vision, and decision-making.

Tactically, Messi played deeper than ever, often dropping into midfield to initiate attacks before arriving late in the box. His performances against Napoli in the Champions League, Atlético Madrid in La Liga, and numerous league fixtures were masterclasses in control and creativity. Even in the infamous Bayern defeat, Messi remained Barcelona’s most dangerous outlet — a sobering reflection of how dependent the team had become.

Individually, the season capped Messi’s legacy in Spain. Having won the 2019 Ballon d’Or earlier that campaign, 2019–20 would effectively be his last dominant season at Barcelona, closing a chapter defined by loyalty, brilliance, and sustained excellence despite institutional decline.

3. Full Squad List (FC Barcelona – 2019–20)

Managers: Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setién

Goalkeepers:
Marc-André ter Stegen, Neto

Defenders:
Gerard Piqué, Clément Lenglet, Ronald Araújo, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Junior Firpo, Nélson Semedo, Sergi Roberto

Midfielders:
Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Ivan Rakitić, Arturo Vidal, Arthur Melo, Riqui Puig

Forwards:
Lionel Messi (captain), Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, Ansu Fati, Martin Braithwaite