As the music bellowed out around the Sports City Stadium during the closing ceremony, dancers in fancy costumes peeled away on either side of the pitch. The two huge pennants in the colours of Barcelona and Estudientes were slowly pushed away. On one side of the stadium pockets of Estudientes fans cheered and waved their flags, on the other side a smaller number of Barca fans waved theirs. In between the remaining crowd numbering 43,000 and overwhelmingly supporting the Catalans, sat impatiently waiting for the kick off.

In the midst of it all strolled out the two teams. Both in their own way wanting to claim a piece of history. For Estudientes it was a matter of their first title in this competition in over forty years. The chance for a father and son to have won the trophy. They were led out by captain Juan Sebastian Veron, whose father helped Estudientes win the then named Intercontinental Cup in 1968 when they beat Manchester United. And then there was Barcelona, recognised as the best team in the world, but wanting the title to confirm it. Aiming for their sixth trophy in one year a feat never achieved by any club side anywhere in the world. As Sepp Blatter and company passed down the line with the ritual pre match handshakes, one wondered what exchange of words, if any, took place between himself and Thierry Henry. A FIFA Disciplinary Committee still has to take a decision about his handball incident which helped France reach the World Cup finals.

Over 120 minutes later Veron was laid out on the green baize, a spent force. He played with the magnificence of a prince, on the day of his impending coronation, and displayed the courage of a lion as he prompted and pushed, and led his Argentine team mates into battle. A winner in defeat, its easy to see how even at the age of 34 he is the linchpin of Argentina's ambitions in the World Cup in South Africa. But all around him were the celebrations of the team that has rewritten every history book on football you could ever care to think of. Six titles in just one year. It is so immense an achievement its worth listing them all, just so one can see written down exactly what the Blaugrana have won. The La Liga title, European Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, Club World Champions all won in 2009.

The project that Cruyff started (and still influences) all those years ago, is today a raging fire. The ideology of the club for developing its own superstars was highlighted in every respect in this game. It was the latest sensation to come out of the club's academy, Pedro, who scored the equaliser on 89 minutes. He has scored in all six title winning competitions. It was Gerard Pique, who left the academy, studied under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and then came back, who flicked the header onto him. It was the world's best player, who awaits his confirmation of that title in FIFA Headquarters in Zurich on Monday, Leo Messi, who came to Barcelona as 13 year old who scored the winner. And what a way to do it by chesting the ball into the net. And then there was another glimpse of the next generation. Jeffren who came on to replace Henry and who was devastating on the flank. Quicksilver down the line, this still raw unfinished product is brooding with excellence. He is a talent that when polished and ready for service,only goodness knows what he is capable of. Its easy to see why Barcelona only want a loan agreement for Robinho. The potential of what they have in reserve is far deadlier.

And then there is the leader, the organiser the man with the vision. He was the captain of Cruyff's Dream Team, he was the Dutchman's recommendation to take over from Rijkaard, he is also probably his best friend. Pep Guardiola, a product of the system is everything that is Barcelona. He has only been in in management at this level for over a year, but has done the whole shebang.. He has not only had the cake, but eaten the whole thing in one sitting. If Jose Mourihno is the “Special one” then Pep Guardiola is his God.

At the post match news conference, a tired, emotional Guardiola, answered every question put to him switching with ease from Spanish, to Catalan to English. Over the last week he has spoken about his affection for the Gulf region based on his time in Qatar. He has embraced all that has been put his way and he has accepted all the adulation with simple humility and finally with the open emotion as displayed on the pitch. The cameras picked out the moment, and showed it on the giant screens. The whole stadium erupted in applause and cheers as the crowd shouted his name. Asked what images were going through his mind in that moment, he said ultimately there were too many. In a previous news conference someone asked him what it felt like being being the favourites to win against Atlante. Guardiola replied, “Name me a match in which Barcelona isn't the favourite? Its something we just live with, but we never see ourselves as the favourite.” And in the end when this reporter asked him jokingly how long had the team been practicing Messi's chested goal routine. Guardiola got the joke and ran away with it.....

“Oh we've been training that routine every single day,” he told me. “In fact at half time I took Leo aside and told him I wanted a goal from him from that came from his heart. He scored that goal with his heart.”

It is, of course, a classic soundbite, a classic remark. For all that you have achieved, Mr Guardiola, we salute you.