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Barcelona officially got their post-Lionel Messi era underway on Sunday in their first La Liga match of the season.
The Catalans opened their account for the 2021-22 La Liga season with a 4-2 drubbing of Real Sociedad.
A brace from Martin Braithwaite on either side of goals from Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto got the job done for the hosts, while Julen Lobete and Mikel Oyarzabal, from a sensational free-kick, scored two late goals for La Real.
It wasn't as apocalyptic as many people had predicted in the absence of Messi, as the side played like their usual selves and eked out a routine victory.
There's still a long road ahead and a lot can happen over the course of the next 10 months of the La Liga season. However, the fans will be delighted to have seen a fine start to the new campaign.
On that note, here are the
Top 5 Barcelona players who impressed the most in their first La Liga game of the season
#5 Antoine Griezmann
The jury is still out on Antoine Griezmann, who many feel is yet to play to his full potential at Barcelona since joining from La Liga side Atletico Madrid two years ago.
However, his contributions on the field are widely underrated, as the Frenchman is key to build-up plays - a phenomenon we saw once again on Sunday.
He dropped back to win the ball, hounded Socieded players into giving up possession, and looked to instigate attacks with long balls, completing all five of them.
Griezmann's work-rate was exemplary, despite not scoring, assisting or even mustering a single effort on target! He completed six tackles and two clearances, blocks and interceptions each.
The 30-year-old is certainly here to stay, and could set La Liga ablaze this season.
#4 Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay showed a lot of promise during Barcelona's pre-season with his phenomenal displays. In the opening match of the La Liga season on Sunday, he started delivering on those promises too.
Deployed in the striker's role, the Dutchman linked up brilliantly with his attacking cohort. His communication with new teammates was excellent and he demonstrated his insane skills on the ball.
Depay's flick to evade Martin Zubimendi in the fourth minute particularly stood out, whilst also laying four key passes in the game - more than any Barcelona player on the night.
His best piece of action was obviously the assist for Gerard Pique, executing a sublime free-kick which fell perfectly for the centre-back, who then made no mistake in heading it home.
No goals in his first official game but the 27-year-old looked right at home playing for Barcelona in La Liga.
#3 Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong took some time to settle in with Barcelona after his transfer from Ajax in 2019. But he's now grown into an important figure in the squad and showed that once again on Sunday.
The Dutchman was a reckoning force in midfield. He got the ball forward with his precocious dribbling skills which left the Sociedad players on tenterhooks, and laid off passes with the precision of a surgical knife.
In fact, he completed all 30 of his passes, registering a whopping 100% success rate, and created three chances on the night too, including an assist for Martin Braithwaite with a superb cross.
It was a phenomenal game from the 24-year-old, who displayed encouraging drive, versatility and hunger on the field as he continues to take his game to new heights.
#2 Gerard Pique
Barcelona's new vice-captain has been in the news lately for his off-field heroics, as his tale of taking a salary cut to help the club register three new players has garnered widespread acclaim.
Gerard Pique, now in his 14th season at Barcelona, inspired a few other senior players in the squad to follow suit and the results paid dividends on the field in their first league match of the season.
The Blaugrana cruised past Real Socidad 4-2 on Sunday and, rather ironically, the first goal came from Pique himself. He perfectly latched onto a wonderful free-kick delivery from new signing Memphis Depay.
It not only set the tone for the home side for the rest of the night, but also inspired the 34-year-old veteran to turn in a vintage performance in defense, playing the ball out effectively and demonstrating his experience against rival forwards.
Barcelona's hero on and off the field.
#1 Martin Braithwaite
Memphis Depay started as Barcelona's striker in their first game of the post-Lionel Messi era, but the goals came from striker-cum-winger Martin Braithwaite, who bagged a brace.
The Dane is often mocked for his still ridiculous transfer from Leganes, but deserves a lot of respect for how much he contributes on the field, as exemplified once again on Sunday.
Braithwaite was sensational in every regard, moving fluidly between the flanks and positioning himself perfectly inside the box to score both his goals, like a true predator.
His first was a fine header off Frenkie de Jong's cross, before latching onto a loose ball, sending a powerful shot into the bottom corner and then assisting Sergi Roberto in stoppage-time to cap off a memorable return to action.
Barcelona's attacking options even without Messi are huge and Braithwaite sent a clear message that he's ready to fight for his place in Barcelona's starting XI.
