PERFECTION

Most days our greatest dreams are crushed by the harsh reality of the world. That is why Barcelona completing the treble - winning the Spanish League, the Copa del Rey (domestic Cup trophy), and the UEFA Champions League - yesterday was so sweet. Indeed, no team has ever won the treble twice in its history, but that is exactly what Barca achieved yesterday!

This was an exceptionally long road to Champions League glory this time for Barca. Barcelona won its first European Cup, or Champions League title, of this young century and the second in the history of the club in 2006. In 2009, the team won its next Champions League title in Pep Guardiola's first season. Like this year, Guardiola's Barca won the treble that year. Two years later, Barca again hoisted the trophy in Wembley for the club's fourth Champions League title. However, Barcelona was a spectator during the Champions League finals in the past three seasons. Last year we did not even reach the semifinal of that competition and finished the season without any trophies at all.

This season, we started with our fourth coach in four years, Luis Enrique. This instability and an early, slow start left many observers wondering whether Barca would go trophyless again.

However, this team was not about to finish another season empty-handed. Indeed, the team went on a blistering run of form in the second half of the year. In total, Barca ended up winning 50 of its 60 matches in 2014-2015, a staggering result.

They were not always easy victories, and the team relied on a new style of play and personnel to achieve many of those victories. Perhaps that is why this season feels so very special. What we achieved, we achieved in an entirely new way - part possession-based football with a nod to our past but every bit counterattacking football, too.

Certain stars did shine more brightly this season - particularly the frontline trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar, and Lionel Messi (SNM aka "Show No Mercy" as they are known). However, this was a team in every sense of the word. Our defense improved and became more organized and less vulnerable under Enrique. Pique and Mascherano returned to their previous, exceptionally high form. Jordi Alba and Dani Alves also improved their defensive work rate. Further, the Croat Ivan Rakitic entered into the starting midfield rotation while Xavi Hernandez, the greatest attacking midfielder ever, took on the role of super sub.

Unlike their rivals Real Madrid, there was no infighting amongst this team, and Pique has called this Barca team the most unified locker room he has played in. Indeed, selflessness and service in the name of the team permeated every aspect of this team's play and on-field success.

Despite our exceptional collection of players, it was never going to be easy winning the UEFA Champions League - the toughest club competition in the world. Indeed, en route to this title we vanquished the domestic league champions of  Holland, Cyprus, England, France, Germany, and Italy. Those results, including a compelling win against Italian champions Juventus in the final, make this trophy that much more sweet and deserving.

We will not see another team like this ever again. Indeed, Xavi Hernandez is retiring from the club, and Dani Alves may also leave. There are rumors that the coach may go, too. Because how exactly does one top a season of perfection like this one?

It is for all these reasons, that this triumph by Barca reminds one to enjoy the highs in life and to not lose sight of the beauty in everyday victories, both large and small. This sentiment was best summed up by Ivan Rakitic in an interview early in the season where he described his goal. To paraphrase him, he said, "We do not want to win every game. No one can do that. However, we do want to win every trophy available to us!"

Well said Ivan and well done Barca! Simply the best!