I was born in the early nineties. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to watch the Barcelona 'Dream Team' led by a certain Johan Cruyff. which dominated European football at the time and brought back home the first European Cup (now the Champions League) won by FC Barcelona in 1992. While stars like Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Romario and Hristo Stoichkov stole the limelight, it was Josep Guardiola which kept the clock ticking. His presence was profound and it was a delight watching him spray passes all over the pitch from his deep-lying position from in front of the back four. He was, arguably The central midfielder of his decade. But, upon all that significance, Josep Guardiola was forced into early retirement from the elite clubs in Europe, only to finally stop playing football at the age of 35, with arguable some magic still present in his feet.
