In December 2009, Spanish football giants Barcelona arrived in Abu Dhabi to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup, a continental tournament that pits the winners of each confederation title against each other.
Led by current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, the team included many memorable names such as Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. But one name dominated the buzz of the crowd, a player that most fans who flocked to the UAE capital came to see play with their own eyes – Lionel Messi.
The Argentine star was only 22 years old at the time but had already become a global sensation. Earlier that December, he had won his first of eight Ballon d'Or trophies, an accolade given to the best player in the world during a calendar year.
Abu Dhabi hosted the Fifa Club World Cup tournament for the first time that year, with games played at Zayed Sports City Stadium and Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. Seven teams participated: European champions Barcelona from Spain, South American champions Estudiantes from Argentina, Central American champions Atlante from Mexico, Asian champions Pohang Steelers from South Korea, African champions TP Mazembe from Congo, Oceanic champions Auckland City from New Zealand, and Al Ahli Dubai, who represented the host nation.
After five games, Barcelona and Estudiantes faced off in the final at the 50,000-capacity Zayed Sports City stadium, which was filled to the last seat to see Guardiola’s team potentially win their sixth trophy of the year, a feat that had not been achieved by any team in the football world.
Estudiantes took the lead in the first half and held on until the last minute of the game, when Barcelona equalised with a goal from future Chelsea star Pedro. The hard-fought match went into extra time, and before the Argentinian team could ponder the prospect of a win in the penalty shoot-out, Messi scored the goal that secured the trophy for the Spanish champions.
The crowds in Abu Dhabi experienced a true European-style final between two great teams that went toe-to-toe for glory. Barcelona could not be beaten, though, and the fans who came from all around the Gulf to see their team were not disappointed after being treated to a masterclass from their favourite player. It was one of many Messi would deliver during his long and successful career.
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, currently the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, crowned the champions alongside former Fifa president Sepp Blatter. Messi, having won man of the match, was presented with a Toyota Prado as his prize.
The triumph sealed the sextuple – six trophies in one calendar year for Guardiola and Barcelona – a feat that Bayern Munich would only repeat in 2020. While that 2009 team had many stars, Messi was the fulcrum that moved everything forward.
He remained a Barcelona player until 2021 when he left for Paris Saint-Germain, where he would play for two years before taking his talents to Inter Miami in the United States. Currently 37 years old, Messi is still baffling defenders with his ability. His speed might not be what it once was, but he is still producing moments of magic.
Messi’s story within the Gulf region started in 2009 in Abu Dhabi, and ended in incredible fashion with his World Cup win in Qatar in 2022.
