Team ethic fires Barça to glory

Morale restored
In July 2003, after David Beckham had rejected a move to the Camp Nou in preference for Real Madrid CF, Barcelona exhausted their transfer funds in signing Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain FC. Almost single-handedly the Brazilian international restored the shattered morale of a side which had plumbed the depths of disappointment after four years of underachievement. Ronaldinho's vision, passing skills and dazzling repertoire of party tricks were the catalyst for change.

Second place
Almost as important as his on-the-field displays were his smiling, laid-back attitude to life and infectious enthusiasm that transformed the atmosphere in the Barcelona squad. His performance rubbed off on the rest of the group and he inspired the Blaugrana to a 17-game unbeaten run that lifted them to second place in the Primera División behind Valencia CF, their best finish in four years.

New recruits
The presence of the 25-year-old Brazilian helped to convince players of the calibre of Deco, Samuel Eto'o, Henrik Larsson, Ludovic Giuly, Juliano Belletti and Edmílson that the Camp Nou was the place to be. The side now brims with talented footballers who share a common hunger for success, a fierce determination and a dedication to the cause that have been responsible for the Catalans deposing Valencia as Spanish champions.

Influential Eto'o
The most decisive recruit has been Eto'o, the 24-year-old Cameroon striker who has struck 24 goals. With fellow forward Larsson injured since November, African Player of the Year Eto'o has done a brilliant job of shouldering the burden of leading the Barça attack - his scorching pace, light touch and nose for goal making him the scourge of opposition defences.

Steely determination
Deco has also been outstanding, replicating the form which helped former club FC Porto to UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League success. His excellent technique and powerful shot are accompanied by a ball-winning ability and steely determination that are rare in such a skilful player. Xavi Hernández, the only surviving squad member from the 1999 championship side, has thrived alongside the Brazilian, while Giuly has been full of ideas on the right.

Best defence
At the back, inspirational captain Carles Puyol found the perfect ally in the assured Rafael Márquez, and in former youth teamer Víctor Valdés the Catalans may at last have a successor to the great Andoni Zubizarreta in goal. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Brazilian international Belletti have also played their part in giving Barcelona the league's best defensive record.

Injury problems
More impressive than anything has been the way the squad and coach Frank Rijkaard coped with a seemingly endless string of injuries that might have torpedoed a lesser team's title hopes. The versatile Gabri García and Edmílson, midfielder Thiago Motta and Larsson all fell victim to serious knee ligament complaints in the first half of the campaign, but the crop of youngsters called in to replace them performed well beyond expectations.

Fine future
With young talent such as midfielder Andrés Iniesta, centre-back Oleguer Presas and right-back Damiá Abella Pérez, Barca's future looks to be in safe hands for many years to come.