Barca Blaugranes Awards: Best Team Goal: The Nominees

There are few things in football more aesthetically pleasing than a well-executed team goal – and in that respect, FC Barcelona are one of the best in the business. With a selfless style based on making that one extra pass, Barça play opposing teams off the pitch, scoring majestic goals in the process. Of course, 2012-2013 was no exception, as Tito Vilanova’s side passed their way to La Liga glory – and as per usual, Barça’s tiki-taka style created some special highlights. Here are the nominees for the Best Team Goal Award:

Andrés Iniesta vs Celtic (23^rd November 2012) – nominated by dlapa, footblob, Arron Duckling and Bostjan Cernensek

Rounding off an excellent team move, Andrés Iniesta is the first nominee for this season’s award as his equalising goal against Celtic received the joint-highest number of nominations from the Barça Blaugranes community. And it is easy to see why. Starting off the move himself with a cross field pass, Iniesta ghosts into position in the Celtic area and is on hand to slot the ball past Fraser Forster after a delightful one-two with midfield colleague Xavi Hernández.

Lionel Messi and David Villa vs Rayo Vallecano (17^th March 2013) – nominated by IamisFCB

Full of confidence after their midweek victory over AC Milan, Barcelona welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Camp Nou and ran away with the three points courtesy of a brace from Lionel Messi. Each of Messi’s goals were set up by David Villa, who was merely returning the favour after Messi set up his opening goal. Nominated by IamisFCB, who suggested that "Messi and David Villa against Rayo Vallecano" be put forward for this award, I felt it would be harsh to single out any one goal above the rest.

Pedro vs Paris Saint-Germain (10^th April 2013) – nominated by Al Benson

Prior to Barcelona’s defeat against Bayern Munich, one might have argued that Pedro’s goal against Paris Saint-Germain was the most important goal of the season; and even if it didn’t lead to a title, it still ranks among the best. The build-up was sensational, the finish was superb; perhaps accentuated by Pedro’s relatively poor scoring record over the course of the season.

Lionel Messi vs AC Milan (12^th March 2013) – nominated by FCB4Ever, Luis Mazariegos, Som-i-Serem and Uncharted_Almo

From the start of this video, I count six passes as Barcelona work the ball forward, down the left-hand side of attack, back into the centre of the pitch and forwards, into the heart of the Milan defense. In total, this takes the Blaugrana nine seconds, and then the ball is off again, this time towards the back of the net via the left boot of Lionel Messi. Simply unstoppable.

Xavi vs Real Madrid (23^rd August 2012) – nominated by craig00000

Xavi has proven that he has something of a penchant for scoring important goals against Real Madrid, particularly when he receives a pass from his midfield partner, Andrés Iniesta – and this goal from the Spanish Supercopa was no different. Created by Iniesta’s close control, Xavi capitalised on some ghastly Real Madrid defending to extend Barcelona’s lead – even if his hard work was undone by Victor Valdés’ late error...

Cesc Fàbregas vs Real Mallorca (6^th April 2013) – nominated by footballfordoze

Simple, but deadly. All it took Cesc Fàbregas and Barcelona to find their way through the Real Mallorca defense was a straight-forward one-two, as Alexis Sánchez’ perfectly weighted return pass paved the way for Fàbregas to score the first goal in what would be his first-ever career hat-trick. If only every team could defend like Real Mallorca...

Cesc Fàbregas vs Sevilla (29^th September 2012) – nominated by PlayerFan

Before he stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons late on in this match by "making the most" of a headbutt from Gary Medel, Cesc Fàbregas had inspired a terrific comeback against Sevilla with a superb brace, scoring his first goal after a superb backheel from Pedro, before firing home a second off an assist from Lionel Messi.

David Villa vs Celta Vigo (3^rd November 2012) – nominated by Kazzem

Starting from just inside the Celta Vigo half, Barcelona worked the ball around in search of a chance – and thanks to more magic from Andrés Iniesta, they created an easy chance for David Villa, who was on hand to fire home from inside the Celta six-yard box.

Lionel Messi vs Real Betis (5^th May 2013) – nominated by fcb123

Scorer of a superb free-kick earlier in the match, Lionel Messi’s second was just as sensational as his first – albeit for completely different reasons. Rather than curling home an individual effort, Messi was merely the finisher in an excellent team goal as Alexis Sánchez and Andrés Iniesta combined to give Messi an easy tap-in.