Hansi Flick described Barcelona’s season as outstanding — and he wasn’t wrong. Winning the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and LaLiga speaks for itself. Much of that success was thanks to standout seasons from key players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, as well as the team’s impressive squad depth. But behind the praise, there’s also a clear Plan B — a group of players Flick simply didn’t count on.
Face A – The stars of Barcelona’s season
Flick repeatedly emphasized the team as Barça’s biggest strength this season. All lines performed at a high level, but a few names stood out above the rest:
- Lamine Yamal was the breakout star. At just 17, he shattered records and terrified defenses with his dribbling and flair. His rare absences were clearly felt, especially offensively. His season has been near-perfect — and he’s now being talked about as one of the best in the world.
- Raphinha, nearly gone last summer, found a new life under Flick. The Brazilian has said it many times: things were tense under Xavi, but the German coach gave him confidence — and he delivered. With 13 Champions League goals (without even reaching the final) and 21 goal contributions, he made European history and is now a Ballon d’Or contender.
- Lewandowski, at 36, turned back the clock. The Polish striker finished the season with 42 goals: 27 in LaLiga, 11 in Champions, 3 in Copa del Rey, and 1 in the Super Cup.
- Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were essential in midfield. Pedri’s vision and precision passes earned constant praise, while De Jong returned to his best form — enough for the club to prioritize his renewal.
- Eric García was the surprise of the season. Flick insisted on keeping him, and it paid off. Whether as a center-back, pivot, or even right-back, García excelled.
- Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez formed a solid center-back pairing. Flick’s go-to duo at the back, with Iñigo proving to be LaLiga’s top aerial defender.
- Balde and Koundé were untouchable on the flanks when fit. Their consistency and quality made them staples in the starting XI.
- Fermín López and Ferran Torres became the ultimate impact subs — consistently delivering when called upon.
- Face B – The players Flick didn’t count on
Then there’s the other side: players who rarely saw minutes and never earned Flick’s trust.
- Ansu Fati is now finalizing a move to AS Monaco. He was left out of the squad multiple times, played just 11 matches and 298 minutes all season — a situation that became untenable.
- Pablo Torre started the season with hope, but ended up forgotten. Despite solid numbers in limited time (4 goals and 3 assists in 373 minutes), he never truly convinced Flick.
- Pau Víctor saw minimal action without any major injuries holding him back. He made 28 appearances but only totaled 378 minutes and scored 2 goals. He’s now eyeing a move elsewhere to find consistent playing time.
Others like Christensen, Marc Casadó, and Marc Bernal also had limited roles — but in their case, mainly due to injuries.
Barça’s 2024–25 season may have ended in glory, but not everyone was part of the celebration. While some soared, others remained on the sidelines, waiting for a second chance — perhaps far from Camp Nou.