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Two Minute Video Of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta Shows How They Perfected Tiki-Taka

Two Minute Video Of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta Shows How They Perfected Tiki-Taka

The trio of Barcelona legends were virtually unplayable at times, as they proved in two Champions League finals against Manchester United.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta are three of the best players in the modern era and together they helped create the football system that won two Champions League titles.

Tiki-taka is synonymous with Pep Guardiola, Barcelona and the Spain team that were the first team to win three major trophies in a row, between 2008 and 2012.

Guardiola is credited with making the system work for his incredible Barca team but without Messi, Xavi and Iniesta it wouldn't have been anywhere near as possible.

This video shows just how well the trio worked together and how they perfected the system as a trio:

Under Guardiola the team won three La Liga titles in a row between 2009 and 2011, before Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid stopped the run, and completed the treble in 2009, whilst adding the Champions League for a double in 2011 as well.

In both finals they outclassed Manchester United, with the game at Wembley in 2011 a particularly good example of tiki-taka working brilliantly, with David Villa adding to the dominance they held over Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The system also transferred to the international stage, despite Guardiola not being in charge and Spain not having Messi in their ranks, with the Spanish national team winning the Euros in 2008 and 2012 and adding the 2010 World Cup in between.

Xavi and Iniesta were once again vital to the cause with either Fernando Torres or Villa upfront, or occasionally Cesc Fabregas playing in a false nine position.

Their success on the international stage led to some questioning if Messi could perform to such a high level without his two midfield maestros.

The six time Ballon d'Or winner hasn't had any international success himself and Barca have been without a Champions League title since 2015 but he has continued to be the team's best player by far.

In the last three seasons he has scored over 30 league goals in each of them and had scored 19 times in 22 games in La Liga when the season was put on hold last month.

Barca may have not reached the heights they did when the tiki-taka trio were at the peak of their powers together but that's because there's barely been a better trio playing for one club at one time, ever.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Xavi, Football News, Manchester United, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Champions League, Spain, La Liga