The National's Sport cover for the Tuesday, May 19 issue, featuring Lionel Messi and Barcelona as Andy Mitten breaks down their ambitions.
On Sunday Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid thanks a goal from – who else? – Messi to secure the La Liga title.
Mitten writes it's not just the La Liga trophy Barca are after, though:
“They are hoping for two more trophies this season to match the treble of 2008/09. They have the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao, at Camp Nou, on May 30 and the Champions League final against Juventus, in Berlin, on June 6.
“Tickets for both are already being distributed to fans, but they cannot come close to meeting the demand. The mood is markedly different from the first week in January, when Barca lost at Real Sociedad, Messi was not getting on with coach Luis Enrique, a club election was called and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was dismissed.
“Winning has changed everything, and while the puritans of the Johan Cruyff/Guardiola school do not yet consider this team to be as good as the 2009 version, Enrique’s side have blossomed.”
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