FC Barcelona's style of play originated in the 1970s under managers Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. It was heavily influenced by "Total Football" and focuses on short passes, player movement, and maintaining possession above all else. The system places an emphasis on the midfield, with a key playmaker like Xavi directing play, and a talented attacking midfielder like Iniesta providing creativity. Lionel Messi's game is uniquely suited to this style with his vision, close ball control, and goalscoring ability.

1. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• What is the essence of FC Barcelona’s style of play?
• Where was it originated?
• What are its main characteristics?
• What makes Messi’s game so special?

2. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• Usually soccer teams play in one of the following
formations:

3. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• Usually soccer teams play in one of the following
formations:

4. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• Usually soccer teams play in one of the following
formations:

5. FC Barcelona
gameplay
Origins
Rinus Michels
1970s. Ajax, FC
Barcelona and
Netherlands’ manager
Netherlands,
1974 World Cup Final
versus Argentina

6. FC Barcelona
gameplay
Origins
Johan Cruyff
1988-1996
Louis Van Gaal
1997-2000, 2002-
2003

7. “Since I was a kid I was told that when you have one more man than the
opposing team in the midfield you have more control over your team’s offense
and defense. Some people may say: this is useless! And they might be right;
they’re not interested in this one more man. I traveled, I went abroad, to Italy,
Mexico and Qatar, but still this is the lesson that stuck in my head”
Pep Guardiola, 2013

9. • Piggy in the middle (5’)
• Tiki taka analysis (4’)
• UEFA Final 2011: FC Barcelona – Manchester United (4’)
• Messi is a dog (12’)

10. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• The role of the playmaker is vital in FC Barcelona’s
style of play.
• Xavi Hernández has been one of the best playmakers
ever and possibly the best Spanish soccer player in
history.
• The playmaker is like the QB in American football.
Playmaker

11. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• The attacking midfielder very often is the most skilled
player in the game. They have vision, technique, power
and goal.
• Andrés Iniesta is the most talented attacking midfielder
in the last 5-10 years.
• He scored the most important goal in Spanish soccer
history.
Attacking
midfielder

13. FC Barcelona
gameplay
• In the 1990s in Europe children grew up with
Captain Tsubasa (Oliver & Benji) cartoons.
• They were set in Japan, a country with no soccer
tradition, but nonetheless they conquered world
cups.
• The actions they described were utterly unrealistic
but amazing.
Benji’s appearance
The “infernal catapult”
Learning geography and physics with Captain Tsubasa