Barcelona may have blurred the lines between right and wrong in terms of player recruitment, with FIFA hitting them with a two-window embargo in an effort to teach them the error of their ways.
The Catalan giants were, however, smart enough to appeal and subsequently delay the start of that ban long enough for them to get their house in order and lay the foundations upon which future success could be built.
They spent big last summer, but have been handsomely rewarded.
Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were among those acquired in 2014 – along with Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen – with all four going on to play leading roles in a memorable campaign that delivered Treble glory.
The dream has come true. Enjoy the treble #TRIPL3T #CampionsFCB https://t.co/GWqvOOg07c
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 6, 2015
Bravo’s record-breaking efforts between the sticks in La Liga helped to keep the Spanish domestic title at Camp Nou, while Ter Stegen provided the most reliable of last lines of defence in Europe as Barca surged to the Champions League crown – with Rakitic and Suarez netting in the final.
Since that triumph in Berlin, manager Luis Enrique has committed to fresh terms, as have Pedro and Jordi Alba, while long-serving right-back Dani Alves has come to his senses and acknowledged that he is highly unlikely to find greener grass anywhere else.
There was a very real threat that he could depart this summer, with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain reported to be sniffing around his services as his previous contract ran down, with Barca concerned enough to secure the services of Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.
He will, however, have to wait until January before being cleared to take part in competitive action, and even then will find himself behind Alves and forced to bide his time as he looks to take important lessons from one of the finest attacking defenders of his generation.
Outside of that, it will be a case of ‘as you were’ for Barcelona in 2015/16 – and that should work in their favour.
Their all-conquering achievements this term have placed them firmly at the summit of the European pecking order, with rivals from across the continent now having to play catch-up in an effort to bridge the gap which separates the best from the rest.
Such efforts will cost money – and plenty of it – while fresh faces will have to be eased into Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 folds, which will require patience and a certain amount of luck.
Barca, meanwhile, will be kicking back and embracing the much sought-after commodities of stability and continuity.
They have no option, admittedly, but how could they improve on perfection?
They already have all of the pieces to the jigsaw and will, despite no off-season reinforcement, start the new campaign as firm favourites to boss La Liga again and top UEFA competitions betting markets as the side considered most likely to make history by mounting a successful Champions League defence.
Those looking to deliver on this promise already know each other inside out, are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and in Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi boast the most fearsome forward line in world football.
From back to front it is almost impossible to spot any weaknesses, and even harder to exploit them. So, for Barca, a break from globe-trotting in pursuit of the ‘next big thing’ should be no bad thing, with it up to those trailing in their wake to prove that FIFA sanctions were indeed a punishment and not a blessing in disguise.
