FC Barcelona: Will Anyone Ever Stop Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Co?

When I started watching football in the very early 1990's, the most exciting sight in the game for me was either the potent striking force of Alan Shearer or the magnificent dribbling of Ryan Giggs. As a Manchester United fanatic, the full flowing grace of the 90's dominance was a real spectacle.

Alex Ferguson (a man we affectionately call "Dadu" or Grandad in my family) had the Queen's sword placed on his shoulders and the title of "Sir" prefixed upon his name for his level of achievement and contributions to football. 

Outside of English football, Real Madrid in the early parts of the last decade went just a little bit crazy by spending previously inconceivable sums of money on some of the sport's biggest names. Zidane, Ronaldo the First, David Beckham, Figo and a whole array of other stars came together to form an ensemble cast ready to have a go at world domination.

While they may not have won quite as much as they perhaps should have, European and domestic success did come at different stages and often they played a brand of football that was a wonder to behold.

What none of us knew was that in Barcelona, a silent revolution was taking place. While the Red Devils in England and the Galacticos of Madrid were receiving plaudits the world over, FC Barca were creating a side the likes of which the game has never seen. In what has become a sport dominated by size and physical power, Barcelona were developing a crop of youngsters by training them in the ways of flowing movement, constant passing, attacking and defending with the same enthusiasm, maintaining composure and adhering to one's game plan regardless of the situation.

The phrase "tiki-taka" was coined and has entered the football lexicon as a symbol of pure football. Started by Cruyff in the late-80's and early-90's, an entire generation of youth footballers at the club have been aligned to the same philosophy. Growing up as friends, rivals and teammates, the current Barcelona team has swept all before them aside and look set to do so for the foreseeable future. There is nothing negative about their play, instead there is an innocence and ruthless efficiency to their game for which there is seemingly no answer.

Lionel Messi is possibly the greatest footballer of all time with his magical touch, incredible balance and demonic speed. He is ably supported by Xavi who is widely-regarded as Spain's greatest ever midfielder —his almost telepathic passing creates chances where there appear to be none.

David Villa is Spain's all-time leading goalscorer and after a mixed first season, he seems to be gelling into the Barca way very nicely. Andres Iniesta is a player whose talent would in other players be cause for a massive ego but not he. The list goes on, with every position filled by a world-beater. After almost a decade away, homegrown Cesc Fabregas made his long-awaited return. His place as Xavi's successor seems assured and the club's future success seems inevitable.

Given that this period of global domination is the result of a 20-year plan, my question is this—is there a club in the world with the guts to play the waiting game for so long? Will anyone else be prepared to watch rivals win trophies and receive plaudits while they silently and patiently develop a long-term ideal? If not, it seems the seeds planted by Johan Cruyff two decades ago will outgrow everything else in the world game and remain on top of the pile for a very, very long time.