The lineup Barcelona could use to start 2021/22 season without Lionel Messi
For the first time since the mid-2000s, Barcelona will be starting the season without Lionel Messi being the first name on their team sheet.
Years of financial mismanagement has finally come back to bite the Blaugrana, with the club unable to find the funds to extend Messi's contract.
The implications - both on and off the field - of this cannot be overstated. In the short-term it leaves Barcelona a much weaker team with the La Liga season just around the corner. Here is the starting XI who will be kicking off the post-Messi era...
1. Neto (GK)
Amid all the other ridiculousness that has befallen Barcelona this summer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury has been somewhat swept under the carpet.
With the German not set to return to the fold until September, the Blaugrana will be starting the campaign with second choice Neto between the sticks. Ter Stegen's understudy has performed perfectly well when called upon in the past. Still, it's not an ideal situation.
2. Sergino Dest (RB)
Still only 20 years old, Sergino Dest ended up playing a lot more football that he might have expected during his maiden season at Barcelona.
Last term he made 41 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and one assist from right-back. They're hardly Dani Alves figures are they?
Emerson Royal - who finally arrived at Barça this summer after spending two years at Real Betis in a part-ownership deal - could steal his place if Dest does not improve his output. Sergi Roberto will be pushing to start as well.
3. Gerard Pique (CB)
Gerard Pique has taken Messi's departure particularly hard, posting a gushing farewell message on social media. The pair came up together in La Masia and have won every trophy under the sun since.
In an ideal world Barça would have liked Pique to be departing in Messi's stead. The 34-year-old's lack of pace has been exposed more and more frequently in recent times. However, as long as he is paired next to someone swifter it should not be too much of an issue. It's not like they can afford to replace him anyway...
4. Ronald Araujo (CB)
As long as they can register him in time, Eric Garcia - signed on a free transfer from Manchester City back in June - should partner Pique at the back for the majority of the campaign.
However, as he played at both the Euros and Olympics, Ronald Araujo will start the season at the heart of defence. He is Uruguay's third or maybe even fourth choice centre-back, which says it all about Barcelona's current situation.
5. Jordi Alba (LB)
Handing Jordi Alba a lucrative five-year deal back in February 2019 is a fine example of the reckless business that has got Barcelona into their current financial mess.
At least Alba is still doing the business on the pitch - for now. Last season he managed 14 assists and only missed three La Liga games. Barça will need a similar level of durability this term as they look light at left-back.
6. Sergio Busquet (DM)
One of the last remaining pillars of Barcelona's glory years, Sergio Busquets proved he can still perform at the top level by seriously impressing at Euro 2020.
This season his experience and calming presence will be vital in midfield. He will need to guide his less experienced teammates.
7. Riqui Puig (CM)
With Pedri only just back from the Olympics, Frenkie de Jong injured and Miralem Pjanic looking likely to depart the club, Barcelona's midfield options are limited.
Out of this chaos Riqui Puig should make a strong case for a first team spot. Largely a bit-part player last season, he will need a miracle to keep his place once Pedri and De Jong are available again.
8. Illaix Moriba (CM)
Illaix Moriba got tongues wagging at the end of last season with a string of stylish performances.
There have been rumours that some of Europe's biggest clubs might try and take advantage of Barcelona's perilous financial status and snap him up on the cheap. For now though, he remains in Catalunya and should get some playing time at the beginning of the season.
9. Antoine Griezmann (RW)
For most of the summer Antoine Griezmann had been assumed to be leaving Barcelona. However, the Messi situation will surely mean he will be sticking around.
Overall, Messi's departure is a disaster but Griezmann could benefit. If he becomes Barcelona's offensive talisman - like he was at Atletico Madrid - we could see a return of the world class performances that earned him his big-money move in the first place.
10. Martin Braithwaite (ST)
Messi's gone and Sergio Aguero is injured for three to four weeks. Step forward...Martin Braithwaite?
The Dane was supposed to be just a back-up option for Barça when he initially signed in 2020. So long as no one coughs up his €300m release clause, he'll most likely be leading the line at the start of the season. A real sign of the times.
11. Memphis Depay (LW)
It may have come a year later than we all expected but Memphis Depay will finally be lining up Barcelona this season - provided he can be registered.
Depay comes in off the back of a strong season at Lyon where he managed 20 Ligue 1 goals and 12 assists. Can he replicate these figures in La Liga? The jury is out.