Under Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona enjoyed a landmark season, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, completing a prestigious double. The squad combined Ronaldinho’s brilliance, Samuel Eto’o’s goalscoring, and emerging star Lionel Messi, supported by midfielders Deco and Xavi. Barça played attacking, possession-based football with tactical flexibility, often overwhelming opponents. In domestic cups, they reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals, while their European campaign peaked with a 2–1 Champions League final victory over Arsenal in Paris. The season cemented Barcelona’s return to continental dominance and marked the start of Messi’s rise to global stardom.
