'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona are in a huge crisis right now, as they have let go their greatest-ever player, Lionel Messi, a few days ago. The departure of the Argentine has saddened the hearts of cules all over the globe and could hurt Barcelona in the months to come.
However, the club will have to move on after parting ways with their best player this summer, especially as the new campaign kicks off in less than a week. If their performances in pre-season are any indication, there are reasons to believe there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Barcelona kickstarted their pre-season with a friendly against Gimnastic. They followed that up with matches against Girona and Stuttgart before rounding off with a clash with Juventus for the Joan Gamper trophy.
Even though there were a few things that could've been done better, the Blaugrana registered some interesting showings that will raise the hope of fans for next season. Here's a look at five of them.
#5 Memphis Depay off to a bright start at Barcelona
Ronald Koeman finally got his dream signing this summer, as Memphis Depay landed at Barcelona on a free transfer from Olympique Lyon. The attacker took no time endearing himself to the fans with his brilliant performances during the pre-season.
Depay scored his first goal in a Blaugrana shirt, albeit in a friendly, during the 3-1 victory over Girona before following that up with another against Stuttgart.
The Dutchman proved to be a huge threat to opposition defenders with his pace, and dribbling prowess. He made four appearances for the club during the pre-season, scoring three goals.
#4 Rey Manaj firing on all cylinders
Rey Manaj is another Barcelona attacker who has emerged as a winner from the pre-season. The young forward stole the highlights when he bagged an impressive hat-trick for the Catalan giants in their first pre-season clash with Gimnastic on July 21.
He found the back of the net in the subsequent game against Girona too, and concluded his outing with a total of four goals in as many games for Barcelona. With these performances, Manaj has put himself on the map, and many are already tipping him to become a future star for the club.
#3 Yusuf Demir: the next Lionel Messi?
In Yusuf Demir, Barcelona may have already found the perfect player to replace Lionel Messi in the future. The youngster's style of play is strikingly similar with that of the Argentine maestro, and to cap it all, they are both left-footed players who prefer to cut in from the right flank.
Barcelona signed the fast-rising winger from Austrian club Rapid Vienna on loan with a purchase option this summer. Yusuf Demir started the first three preseason games, and got the opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet during the 3-0 triumph over Stuttgart.
#2 Barcelona youngsters ready to step up
Ronald Koeman gave opportunities to several youngsters last season, with the likes of Ansu Fati, Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and Ilaix Moriba all impressing with the senior team. The tactician maintains his faith in developing young talents, and the pre-season provided another proof of that.
Apart from Manaj and Demir, the other Barcelona youngsters also enjoyed their time under the sun. Gavi and Nico Gonzalez ran riot in the centre, and proved that they're more than capable of helping the team. Alex Balde was a huge revelation at left-back, while Alex Collado also put in a string of spectacular displays in attack.
Riqui Puig continues to prove to Koeman that he's a huge asset for the club. The midfielder was brilliant as usual; with his vision, link-up play and marauding runs. He scored two brilliant goals, and had a couple of eye-catching moments in the pre-season.
Considering what Koeman is doing with these lads, Barcelona could be on the verge of assembling another group of youngsters to take the football world by storm in the coming years.
#1 Post-Messi era kicks off on a promising note
Many expected Barcelona to suffer on the pitch following the departure of Lionel Messi, and rightly so, considering the massive contributions the Argentine has made to the team during his time in Catalonia. However, it was certainly not as bad as it was predicted.
The first game the Catalan giants played since Messi's departure was confirmed was the Joan Gamper trophy clash with Juventus. In the encounter, the team stepped up and sent a huge message across.
Led by new captain Sergio Busquets, Barcelona put up an incredible display, beating the Italian giants by three unanswered goals. Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite and Riqui Puig found the back of the net during the encounter.
It was a great sight as the Blaugrana were able to kickstart the post-Lionel Messi era with a win, albeit in a friendly.
