Illusion is one of life's driving forces. Without something to move us, to provide us with enough energy to overcome day-to-day challenges, it is very difficult to achieve goals. A feeling, that of being excited, which the Barça fans had lost in recent times. The European embarrassments against Roma and Liverpool, the economic problems after the pandemic, the sad farewell of Leo Messi, Real Madrid's love affair with the Champions League, playing in the Europa League for two consecutive years... Too many emotional blows in just a decade to try to smile. Even with Xavi's arrival on Camp Nou bench, the Barça fan could finally manage a slight smile. A League and a Super Cup were won, which is a tremendous achievement, but the team did not convey the necessary confidence to think that they could return to the top.
It is often said that things are more exciting when you don't expect them. I truly believe it's true. We could expect a lot from Flick's Barça, but always within certain limits. Because with a newly arrived coach, an excessively young and inexperienced squad, the impossibility of making big signings, and an eternal rival more reinforced than ever, no one in their right mind dared to predict what we are experiencing. But it is evident. Overnight, everything works perfectly. The Barça supporter is once again proud, boasting about the team, the youth academy, enjoying the play of their own. Something they needed like air and are now savoring to the fullest with the performances of a group that seems to reach the vital stage of the season in a state of grace.
Okay, illusion as such can't be considered a title. But in certain situations, it can have more value, if possible, than any silver trophy. The Barça supporter, as it can't be otherwise, demands joys in the form of conquests. Whether they are Leagues, Champions, or King's Cups, they need to keep adding important competitions to the club's record. However, if at the beginning of this season they had to choose between lifting a cup or feeling excited again, a good part of the Barcelona social mass would have opted for the second option, because without titles you can survive, although it's hard, but without illusion, you can't.
It remains to be seen what outcome the 2024/25 season story will have. Barça may manage to expand its record by winning one of the three important competitions, which would undoubtedly be quite a feat. Or the team may arrive very short of strength at the peak moment of the season and end up empty-handed for the second consecutive year. But whatever the scenario, the Barça fan will not be able to be stripped of the wonderful feeling of being excited about their team, of counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds on the clock, eagerly waiting to see their own on the field. The Hansi Flicks, Szczęsny, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde, Pedri, Raphinha, Lamine, and company have returned the smile to the Barcelona supporter. Whether or not another title arrives, the trophy of illusion can already be considered conquered.