There is a particular kind of confidence that comes not from arrogance but from evidence, and when Deco speaks about Barcelona's present and future, you sense he has both in spades. Two successive La Liga titles, a squad built substantially on academy talent, and a head coach in Hansi Flick who has welded it all together with remarkable efficiency — the Catalan club's sporting director is entitled to feel the wind at his back.

Barcelona wrapped up the Spanish top flight with three games to spare, having beaten Real Madrid in El Clásico to seal the championship. It was a second consecutive title and, according to Deco, a statement of intent rather than a conclusion. "I believe that this team for me is the beginning of the era, the beginning of the history of this team because they are so young and still want to win something important," he told BBC Sport.

At the heart of that youthful core are players who have come through the club's famous La Masia academy. The likes of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Fermin Lopez have graduated from youth football into key roles at one of Europe's most scrutinised clubs, and their hunger, Deco suggests, has not been dulled by the silverware already collected. "It is true that we won two La Ligas but these players want to win more, they believe that they can win more," he said.

That belief matters enormously in elite football, where squads can grow complacent the moment trophies arrive. Deco clearly sees no such risk here, and one of the reasons for his optimism is structural. Flick, he argues, has assembled a side so cohesive that the club will not need to go to the market for four to five players in the coming window. Building from within rather than spending heavily has long been a Barcelona ideal; under Flick, it has become a reality rather than merely a talking point.

Yet the season was not without its frustrations. For all the domestic dominance — including an 11-game winning run that effectively made the title race a procession — Barcelona fell at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. For a club with their history and expectations in European competition, that will sting, and it provides the sharpest reminder that the project, however exciting, remains a work in progress.

The Rashford Factor

One of the more intriguing subplots of Barcelona's campaign has been the loan spell of Marcus Rashford, who joined from Manchester United for the season. The England forward has not been a guaranteed starter, but his contributions have been meaningful — none more so than the free-kick he scored in El Clásico to open the scoring against Real Madrid.

Deco was generous in his assessment of the 28-year-old. "We knew he had these kinds of skills, I saw him scoring at United many times, but this goal was unbelievable. It was a fantastic goal," he said. Rashford's role required him to cover for Raphinha at various points, an unenviable task, and Deco acknowledged the mental resilience that entailed, particularly when he found himself on the bench. "He reacted very well and he did everything. His season was very good and we are happy he won La Liga with us."

Rashford made 32 league appearances, scoring eight times and providing seven assists. In the Champions League, he added a further six goals and three assists in 11 outings. Whether those numbers are enough to prompt Barcelona to exercise a reported permanent option — understood to be in the region of 35 million euros — remains to be seen. Deco declined to be drawn on the specifics, though Rashford himself has indicated a desire to remain in Spain.

The market will have its say on that particular question. But Deco's broader message was clear enough: whatever happens in the transfer window this summer, Barcelona's foundations are firmer than they have been for some time. The era, as he sees it, is only just beginning.

Frequently asked

How did Barcelona win La Liga 2024-25?
Barcelona secured back-to-back La Liga titles by beating Real Madrid in El Clásico and eventually clinching the title with three games to spare, capping an 11-game winning run during the season.
What happened to Barcelona in the Champions League this season?
Despite their domestic dominance, Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which remains a clear target for improvement in the seasons ahead.
Will Marcus Rashford stay at Barcelona permanently?
Rashford's future is unresolved. He has suggested he wants to remain in Spain, and Barcelona reportedly hold an option to sign him permanently for around 35 million euros, but sporting director Deco has not confirmed any decision.