Where are the culés who lifted the European title in Monaco against a Portuguese side twelve years ago? This piece revisits that moment and traces where those players are today.
FC Barcelona visits FC Porto this Wednesday for the second matchday of the Champions League. The Catalans renew acquaintances with a Portuguese opponent they hadn’t faced since the European Super Cup clash of 2011. That night in Monaco remains a landmark, a turning point that still echoes in the club’s history and in the careers of many who wore the blaugrana jersey.
On Friday, August 26 of that year, Lionel Messi starred alongside Cesc Fàbregas as Barcelona beat Porto in the Monaco final. The team boasted talents like Joao Moutinho, Cristian Rodríguez, and Hulk, while Fernando Reges subbed in late for Porto in Seville’s shadow—an image of a moment when young stars began to mature on the world stage. The decisive goal came from Messi, whose movement, precision, and calm under pressure underscored Barcelona’s quality from the opening minutes. This was more than a match; it was a statement that Barcelona could conquer a continental stage with a style built on speed, control, and fluid attacking play. (Goal)
THE LINEUPS OF PORTO VS. BARCELONA, HERE
The turning point of the match arrived after a defensive mishap that exposed Porto’s vulnerability. A miscue in Porto’s back line left the ball at Messi’s feet, and the Argentine didn’t waste the gift. He turned on Helton, created space, and fired a precise finish inside the goal in the 39th minute to give Barcelona the lead in a game that promised drama from the opening whistle. The goal was not merely a score; it was a demonstration of Messi’s instinct and Barcelona’s relentless pressing that forced Porto to chase the game. (Goal)
In the second half, Porto’s defense tangled with the momentum. Rolando picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Messi, reducing Porto to ten men and escalating Barcelona’s advantage. Moments later, Cesc Fàbregas found Messi with a clever pass, and the former Arsenal man finished to make it 2-0. Porto’s challenge waned further when Guarín earned a red card late in the game, cementing Barça’s dominance. The result not only secured the club’s triumph in that season’s Super Cup; it reinforced a growing aura around a squad that blended homegrown talent with seasoned internationals. (Goal)
The Monaco victory marked the ninth edition of Barcelona’s European Super Cup triumphs, a tally that would rise again with memorable wins, including a dramatic 5-4 victory over Sevilla a few years later. Prior to that triumph, Barça had captured the trophy in 1992, 1997, and 2009, among other European milestones. The Monaco final drew a modest crowd of just over 18,000 spectators, but its impact was felt far beyond those numbers, shaping how the club approached European competitions for years to come. The squad that played in Monaco included stars who would stay with Barça as the club navigated shifts in leadership and strategy, with Xavi Hernández continuing his long association with the team in a different role later on. (Goal)
Today, those who took part in the 2011 Super Cup are scattered across the football world or contributing to Barça from different corners of the club. The story of where they are now reads like a map of football’s interconnected paths, a reminder that a single match can influence countless careers and trajectories within the sport. (Goal)
Goal proposes you to learn where the culés who won the Super Cup against FC Porto in 2011 have moved since that night in Monaco, and how their experiences have informed Barcelona’s modern identity and approach to European competition. (Goal)