The Sextuple: How Barcelona became the first club to win six titles in one year
In short: In 2009–10, FC Barcelona achieved a feat of sporting dominance never before seen in football. By securing six major trophies in a single calendar year, they moved beyond mere success into the realm of historical anomaly. But behind the silverware, the club navigated internal scandals and high-stakes transfers.
The 2009–10 campaign was defined by an unprecedented pursuit of silverware. After securing a treble in 2008–09, Barcelona aimed to triumph in six primary tournaments: La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Supercopa de España. They succeeded, becoming the first club in history to achieve 'The Sextuple' within one calendar year, culminating in a 1–2 victory over Estudiantes in the FIFA Club World Cup final on December 19, 2009.
The season was also a landmark for individual accolades. Lionel Messi became the first Argentine and 'canterano' (youth academy graduate) from La Masia to win the Ballon d'Or on December 1, 2009. His position was solidified when he reached 100 official club goals as the youngest person to do so on 16 January, 2010. His teammates also saw significant recognition, with Xavi named the 2009 World's Best Playmaker and Pep Guardiola named the 2009 World Club Coach.
However, the era was not without friction. In September 2009, an investigation revealed that the club had hired a company, Metodo 3, to gather daily information on four potential presidential candidates. While Director General Joan Oliver claimed the club was merely 'protecting the entity,' the scandal led to the resignation of Vice-President Joan Franquesa in November 2009. Despite this boardroom turmoil, manager Pep Guardiola famously shielded the squad, ensuring the players remained focused on the pitch.
On the pitch, the squad saw significant evolution. The club swapped Samuel Eto'o for Zlatan Ibrahimović and €48 million in a deal with Inter Milan. They also reinforced the ranks with signings like Maxwell and Dmytro Chyhrynskyi, while continuing the tradition of promoting youth talent like Jonathan dos Santos and Jeffrén. The season concluded with Barcelona claiming their 20th league title on May 16, 2010, finishing with a then-record 99 points.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2009–10 FC Barcelona season
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