FC Barcelona heads into the 2026-27 season with a squad shaped by young players who already know what it feels like to win a major international title, and a club that has not lifted the Champions League trophy in 12 years.
According to a report by Yahoo Sports, the Barcelona dressing room carries a different energy entering this campaign. Players like Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal arrived at preseason having won the World Cup, a level of experience at their age that the club views as its most valuable asset going forward.
The squad has also changed significantly in the transfer market this summer. Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford have both departed, removing two of the team's most recognizable attacking names. The club responded by signing Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both known for their directness and physical style. A young forward named Bisiwu was also brought in as a longer-term addition.
The most discussed potential move, however, has not yet been completed. The club's coaching staff and board are still pursuing Rodri Hernández, the holding midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner, in the final stretch of the window. Landing him would give Barcelona a player who has already won the sport's highest individual honor, and would create what the report describes as one of the most coveted midfields in world football.
Barcelona's academy, La Masia, continues to push players into the first-team picture. Cubarsí, Gavi, and Lamine are already regulars in the starting eleven. Coming up behind them are Xavi Espart and Brian Fariñas, both expected to take on larger roles over the course of the season.
The club's domestic record demands trophies every year, but the report makes clear that the Champions League sits above everything else in terms of what fans want. Barcelona last won the competition in 2015, in Berlin. The 2026-27 final is scheduled to be held at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, which adds a layer of motivation for a squad that would be winning it on rival territory.
No confirmation has been given on the Rodri signing, and the transfer window remains open.
