Can't catch me!
This is a photo that quickly went viral across the global internet after Leeds United's 10-0 thrashing of Barcelona.
In this photo, Rashford, wearing a white Leeds United jersey, is sprinting forward at top speed, while Piqué is tugging hard on his shirt, stretching it out, and stumbling forward, unable to keep up.
It was just a snapshot in time, but it became instantly iconic and quickly spread online.
Fans and netizens began to poke fun at Piqué.
One comment with the most likes said, "Dear Piqué, if you want my jersey, you need to be faster."
It was clearly imitating Rashford's tone, but it made everyone smile.
Because this photo vividly captured the embarrassment Barcelona suffered during that match.
Even though pro-Barcelona Catalan media insisted after the game that this match was just an accident, it was hard to believe.
After all, last season, also at Camp Nou, Barcelona had already been brutally beaten by Leeds United.
Two consecutive seasons of humiliating defeats—can that still be called an accident?
Spanish broadcasting legend De la Morena said on Cadena SER that this crushing defeat didn't feel like an accident, because something similar happened just last season.
"In fact, Barcelona often collapses when facing fast-paced teams like Leeds United."
De la Morena believes this is the fundamental reason behind Barcelona's repeated breakdowns and defeats.
If this issue isn't addressed, similar results will keep happening.
So what exactly is the problem?
De la Morena specifically called Barcelona legend Stoichkov.
As a core player of the original Dream Team, Stoichkov was extremely disappointed with Barcelona's current form, but he believed placing all the blame on the players was irresponsible.
"Barcelona's biggest problem right now is management."
"It's the stupidity of the board that has led us to our current debt crisis, to hiring mediocre coaches, and to the team's unbalanced age structure and runaway wage system."
Stoichkov stated that from players to coaches, today's Barcelona lacks a champion's mentality.
"When faced with setbacks or adversity, their first reaction is, let's just leave it."
"They've become comfortable with mediocrity, including Messi."
Stoichkov said Barcelona as a whole, starting from the top, has rotted.
He even asked De la Morena a question.
"Can you believe it? In the past few years, Barcelona has spent 1 billion euros, with nothing to show for it!"
Stoichkov finds this completely absurd, bordering on insanity.
Investing 1 billion euros only to be humiliated by Leeds United in back-to-back seasons is simply unimaginable.
In addition to Stoichkov, De la Morena also interviewed Brazilian legend and former Barcelona star Rivaldo.
Rivaldo's view of Barcelona's current crisis was essentially aligned with Stoichkov's. He also believed the core problem lies in mismanagement. But unlike Stoichkov, Rivaldo believed that Messi remains the heart of the team.
"I never thought Messi was a problem."
"If someone thinks that, then that's the biggest problem."
Rivaldo believes that with Messi's talent, any team should be built around him. But Barcelona has been trying to move away from him in recent years.
It's clear that Koeman's attitude toward Messi is not the same.
"On the surface, Messi seems more important than ever. But that's only because of how good he is. At Barcelona, there's no one else who can replace him, or even share part of his burden."
Rivaldo said the ongoing rumors and negative press surrounding the club have clearly affected both Messi and the dressing room, while management has failed badly in squad building and recruitment.
"Our central spine is too weak!" Rivaldo called it unbelievable.
The defensive midfield and center-back positions are too fragile, causing the entire defense to fall apart under pressure.
"Messi is almost 34. He shouldn't be up front fighting in tight spaces against young defenders like Militão and Rúben Dias from Leeds United. That was never his strength."
"His best position now is the number ten role, floating behind the striker and just ahead of the midfield. That's where he can unleash his full creativity."
"But unfortunately, Barcelona never signed a proper striker. The players they brought in recently—Coutinho, Felipe Anderson, and Griezmann—were all intended to share Messi's burden or even replace him."
Rivaldo said that was the root of the problem.
He also pointed out that this is not a new issue. It's a long-standing pattern at Barcelona.
Back then, they drove out Maradona, then later got rid of players like Rivaldo, Guardiola, Ronaldinho, and Eto'o. And now, it's Messi's turn.
"He was never going to become one of them, just like me."
Rivaldo believes Leeds United is the complete opposite.
In this Premier League club, you can still feel the most original beauty of football, and the cohesion of a team that operates with total unity from top to bottom. That's something Leeds United has not only maintained but continuously improved over the years.
"This is a very impressive team, not just because they win."
"What's more impressive is their commitment to attacking football, their tactical philosophy, and the way they play with unity, concentration, and passion. It's something you rarely see anymore."
Rivaldo mentioned Haaland, explaining that the striker joined Leeds United when he was just nine.
At the time, Leeds didn't even have a formal youth academy. But because he was the son of a club legend, the team set up a U10 group just for him and provided professional training.
And there are many stories like that.
For example, Rashford.
He was always a phenomenal talent, but after a rapid growth spurt, his form and coordination suffered. His style of play also had to adapt.
Under those circumstances, most clubs would've given up on him, especially a talent-packed side like Leeds United.
But what did Leeds do?
They spent two years helping Rashford readjust, adapt to his body, and develop a new style. They even tailored tactics for him.
That's what led to the explosion of the trident this season.
Rivaldo believes Barcelona keeps boasting about La Masia and telling its own story, but in reality, they've always wanted to be a team like Leeds United.
But they've never succeeded.
...
Leeds United's 10-goal thrashing of Barcelona quickly caused a global sensation, not just within European football.
The biggest proof of this was that on the night of the match and into the next day, three stories related to the game topped global trending charts, sparking intense discussions around the world.
First, it was a football match, but the score looked like volleyball. Outrageous.
Second, Leeds United is already a global sensation in the football world, with massive online influence. Barcelona, of course, is the same. When these two collided, sparks flew everywhere.
In traditional media, news outlets in both Spain and the UK heavily praised Leeds United, especially young Haaland.
Scoring six goals in a single Champions League knockout match at the age of 20 was absolutely extraordinary.
This is the Champions League knockout stage.
Everyone agreed: Haaland's six-goal performance was historic, like slaying the old king, Messi, and ascending the throne himself, beginning the legend of the Rose King.
Many outlets even declared that Haaland would usher in a new era of super strikers.
For a while, his rise overshadowed even Mbappé, who had been thriving at Real Madrid.
On the German transfer market, Haaland's value surged overnight, officially breaking the 200 million euro mark.
Mbappé may have moved to Madrid for 250 million euros, but that figure included a huge market premium. His actual value was lower, and it dropped after the move.
Now, only two players have a market value exceeding 200 million euros—Haaland and Mbappé.
This cemented their status as the new "definitive duo" of this generation.
Interestingly, right behind them were Rashford and Sancho, ranked third and fourth in the global market value rankings, both exceeding 150 million euros due to their outstanding form this season.
That made Leeds United's squad valuation astronomical.
Recently, other midfielders like Enzo Fernández, Declan Rice, and Valverde, who had also been performing at a high level, saw their values skyrocket too.
Especially Enzo, whose value has been rising steadily and rapidly since the beginning of the season.
All of this pointed to one fact: Leeds United is now one of the strongest clubs in Europe, and also one of the most attractive to top players.
After this destruction of Barcelona, Leeds United's reputation skyrocketed once again, and the club began to show signs of entering the ranks of global elite teams.
French newspaper L'Équipe stated that if Leeds United wins the Champions League again this season, they will officially become one of Europe's top giants. The competition among Europe's elite will become even fiercer.
German football magazine Kicker, in its Champions League special, argued that Leeds United already qualifies as a top-tier giant.
In terms of financial strength, infrastructure, squad depth, and on-field performance, Leeds United fully deserves the title.
(To be continued.)
20 chapters today because why not? : )