The 2006-07 campaign for Frank Rijkaard's FC Barcelona saw a season of near-glory and heartbreaking near-misses. Blaugrana finished 2nd in La Liga with a sensational Ronaldinho leading the attack with 21 goals, but ultimately losing the title on the head-to-head record to their rivals. Despite winning the Supercopa de España, the side, which featured the brilliant trio of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and the emerging Lionel Messi, suffered disappointment with a Round of 16 exit in the Champions League, marking a pivotal year for a squad expected to dominate Europe.. The 2007-08 campaign for Barcelona was a turbulent yet pivotal season, marking the end of the Frank Rijkaard era and the beginning of a profound transition. The Blaugrana finished 3rd in La Liga and reached the semi-finals of both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, ultimately losing to Valencia and Manchester United, respectively. While the team was stacked with stars, including the league's joint-top scorer Samuel Eto'o with 16 goals, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and the new signing Thierry Henry, the season was defined by the fading magic of Ronaldinho in his final year and the simultaneous, electrifying emergence of a young Lionel Messi as a key player. This period of disappointment and struggle laid the groundwork for the revolutionary era that was to follow.