Hansi Flick’s Barcelona Bids Farewell to Five Players After Season Finale Victory
Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés marked more than the end of a match — it was the grand finale of a remarkable season. Under Hansi Flick, the team captured a domestic treble — La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup — doing so with elegance and a commitment to their traditional style.
Legendary manager Arsène Wenger praised the club’s journey, calling it a “season of greatness and beauty,” and highlighting Flick’s quiet, meticulous approach. Rather than overhaul the system, Flick refined it, honoring the legacy of figures like Johan Cruyff and Xavi while bringing precision and harmony to the squad.
A major highlight was the rise of Lamine Yamal, who transformed from a promising talent into one of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski silenced doubters with a season marked by leadership and consistent performances.
But the celebrations were bittersweet, as the Bilbao match also served as a farewell for five players: Wojciech Szczęsny, Iñaki Peña, Ansu Fati, Pablo Torre, and Pau Víctor. According to El Nacional, these players are no longer part of Flick’s future plans.
Szczęsny, who came out of retirement to support the squad, may now hang up his gloves again, especially with Marc-André ter Stegen back in action. Iñaki Peña, a long-serving La Masia product, departs after being overtaken in the pecking order.
Ansu Fati, once seen as Messi’s successor, has struggled with injuries and form. Despite being given chances, he hasn’t recaptured his spark and looks set for a summer move. Pablo Torre, talented but underused, could leave either on loan or permanently, and young forward Pau Víctor is likely to be loaned out for development.
These departures are emotional but necessary for a team in transition. Flick has crafted a squad that honors Barcelona’s roots while evolving for the future — a message, as Wenger put it, that “real football still exists.”
With this season, Barcelona didn’t just win trophies — they restored belief in a way of playing. As the players left the pitch for the last time this season, fans knew they weren’t just watching champions — they were watching artists.
