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Despite all the odds, Catalan giants, FC Barcelona managed to clinch both the LaLiga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy last term - and they were on course to claim a historic treble before an embarrassing exit in the UEFA Champions League dashed their hopes during the campaign.
Once again, under the leadership of newly appointed captain Lionel Messi, the Catalans will come with a mission to sweep all the three trophies this season. The Argentine who assumed the captaincy following the departure of Andres Iniesta recently talked about his desire to help the club to maintain their domestic dominance and also bring the Champions League trophy to Camp Nou this term.
Lionel Messi played influential roles during Barcelona's treble-winning seasons (2008/2009, 2014/2015), scoring unbelievable numbers of goals and producing magical displays during the decisive moments. Therefore, we take a look at 5 reasons why the Argentine could also lead La Blaugrana to repeat that feat this term.
#4. Incredible Form
It is evident that Lionel Messi has finally put his disappointing FIFA World Cup outing in Russia behind him and he has switched his total focus to helping Barcelona achieve a successful campaign this season.
The Argentine is feeling comfortable wearing the red and blue stripes of Barcelona once again and he has wasted no time in making his impact felt at Camp Nou during the new term. A brilliant performance from the playmaker in the Supercopa de Espana triumph was followed by another scintillating display in which he opened his account for the new season - scoring an amazing brace against Deportivo Alaves last weekend.
In the game against the Alaves, Messi was so unlucky to see two of his brilliant efforts fly to hit the goalpost - if not, he could have finished the match with 4 goals to his name. With the Argentine in such an incredible form, there is no doubt Barcelona have a huge chance to win the treble this season.
#3. Determination
The last time Barcelona won the treble was in 2015, during Luis Enrique's tenure when the popular 'MSN' trio ran riot and delivered the three trophies at the Nou Camp. Ever since then, they have thrived domestically but have been deprived of European glory - failing to progress from the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League in each of the last 3 years.
Lionel Messi, knowing this quite well is determined to help Barcelona to maintain their domestic dominance and also deliver the UEFA Champions League trophy this season. In his first speech as Barcelona captain, the playmaker addressed the Camp Nou faithful saying:
"Regarding this year, I think we have set a platform to get excited, the signings that came will help us a lot to be better than we were. Although last year we won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, we all got stung in the Champions League. We promise that we will do everything possible so that this beautiful cup returns to the Camp Nou again."
This rigid determination to add the UEFA Champions League trophy to their domestic success could also produce a third treble at the Nou Camp this season.
#2. He is the leader
Lionel Messi became the captain of FC Barcelona after receiving the armband from club legend, Andres Iniesta, who departed the Nou Camp to join Vissel Kobe in the Japanese league this summer - paving the way for a new era at the club.
It is true that the Argentine has been a leader at Barcelona for the past few years, but the captaincy represents a bigger responsibility and a higher level of impact in the Catalan capital. As the leader, the Argentine is in a position where he can have more impact on the team and inspire his mates to fight and deliver success at the Nou Camp.
Fortunately, the attacker has stood up to the responsibility as evidenced in his quote that was included in the previous slide. With Messi aiming to fight for everything as the leader this season, there is no doubt a third treble could land in the Catalan capital during the campaign.
#1. Barcelona's squad strength
Following a brilliant transfer window in which Barcelona signed a number of world-class superstars including the likes of Clement Lenglet, Arthur Melo, Malcolm and Arturo Vidal this summer, the Catalans clearly have one of the strongest squads in Europe at the moment.
Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele have been integrating themselves into the team perfectly after joining during the previous campaign. Juan Miranda and Ruqui Puiq were both called up to the senior team from the youth system while the likes of Munir El Haddadi and Rafinha Alcantara have all returned from loan spells.
With a lot of quality in all areas of the pitch including the bench, it is evident that Lionel Messi will get the necessary support from his teammates this season - and that could eventually help him in his bid to inspire the Catalans to claim a historic treble during the campaign.
