Over the summer of 2009, along with Ibrahimović, Barcelona reinforced their squad with the signings of Inter Milan defender Maxwell, Brazilian club Palmeiras forward Keirrison (sent on loan with Portuguese club Benfica, then loaned out during the winter transfer window to Italian side Fiorentina), and Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dmytro Chyhrynskyi.

Continuing its tradition of using canteranos on the first team, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola also promoted four players from the youth reserves, Jonathan dos Santos, Jeffrén, Andreu Fontàs and Marc Muniesa.

On 23 September, it was discovered by Catalan newspaper El Periódico of an investigation into the daily lives of four possible candidates for the Barcelona presidential election in 2010.

[3] Oliver stated in a press conference the next day at the Camp Nou that "Barça did no spying but were just protecting the entity of the club".

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola stated that "he has shielded the squad from the scandal of the investigation" and that "the subject has not been spoken of in the locker room and even the captains have not mentioned it, there's total concentration.

[6] President Joan Laporta took action by restructuring the board of directors and making Albert Perrín, the new vice-president.

[8][9][10] Messi dedicated his triumph at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to "my family, who have always been by my side and my teammates at Barça who've done everything to ensure I could win the award".

On 13 January, the International Federation of Football History & Statistic named Xavi the 2009 World's Best Playmaker and both teammates Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta received second and fourth place respectively.

[20] Total squad cost: €200 million Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Last updated: 2 DecemberSource: http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_08- Last updated: 26 NovemberSource: FC Barcelona1Barcelona goals come first.National flags for Ground and Opponent columns are only shown when different from that of Barcelona.M = Match; Ground: H = Home, A = Away, N = Neutral, HR = Home replacement, AR = Away replacement.

As in nine out of the last ten seasons, Barcelona is going to be present in all major competitions: La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey.