Barcelona have left behind many years of misery on Sunday, when they beat crosstown rivals Espanyol to become champions of Spain. It’s their first LaLiga title since the 2018-19 season, when Lionel Messi was still at the club.
Xavi Hernandez deserves a lot of credit for putting this club back on its feet, considering the financial crisis Barca have been battling with in the last few years. Now, he set the bar high again.
The Spanish manager had to make many changes in the squad, though. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for instance, had to leave to make room for Robert Lewandowski. However, all the players who left throughout the season are included in the title-winning squad.
Aubemeyang, Pique and other players who left Barca are mentioned in LaLiga champions squad
Aubemeyang is part of a group of players who despite not being with the club anymore are recognized as part of the championship-winning roster. Auba, Gerard Pique, Hector Bellerin, and Memphis Depay are all named in the team’s champions shirt.
Auba got to play eight minutes for Barca this season before leaving for Chelsea, while Pique retired in November. Bellerin and Depay, meanwhile, were sold to Sporting CP and Atletico Madrid, respectively.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
