‘The Treble Is Possible’—Can 10 Out of 10 Barcelona Be Stopped?

Barcelona are looking imperious. | Ferda Demir/Getty Images“It’s always possible. We’re the best team in the world.”

“It’s always possible. We’re the best team in the world.”

That was Lamine Yamal’s emphatic response when asked by CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry whether the treble is a target this season. Based on the evidence of the first two months of 2026–27, it is more than just possible.

That was Lamine Yamal’s emphatic response when asked by CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry whether the treble is a target this season. Based on the evidence of the first two months of 2026–27, it is more than just possible.

Barcelona have started the season on fire, with Tuesday night’s 4–1 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray making it 10 wins from 10.

Barcelona have started the season on fire, with Tuesday night’s 4–1 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray making it 10 wins from 10.

Yamal bagged two assists in Istanbul—including one after a viral rabona skill—as Barça continued to score freely even in the absence of injured top scorer Raphinha.

Yamal bagged two assists in Istanbul—including one after a viral rabona skill—as Barça continued to score freely even in the absence of injured top scorer Raphinha.

Across all games in La Liga and the Champions League, Barcelona—powered by an unstoppable forward line—have bagged 43 goals (an average of 4.3 per game) and conceded just nine.

Across all games in La Liga and the Champions League, Barcelona—powered by an unstoppable forward line—have bagged 43 goals (an average of 4.3 per game) and conceded just nine.

As a result, Hansi Flick’s side sits top of both La Liga and the Champions League’s League Phase, laying down a marker as the team to beat in Europe this year.

As a result, Hansi Flick’s side sits top of both La Liga and the Champions League’s League Phase, laying down a marker as the team to beat in Europe this year.

The additions of Rodri and Anthony Gordon this summer have bolstered an already impressive roster, while the shift of Raphinha to center forward has proved a masterstroke—albeit an enforced one.

The additions of Rodri and Anthony Gordon this summer have bolstered an already impressive roster, while the shift of Raphinha to center forward has proved a masterstroke—albeit an enforced one.

Meanwhile, Yamal continues his ascendency to soccer greatness as the poster boy of a hugely talented generation of academy graduates that form the backbone of the team.

Meanwhile, Yamal continues his ascendency to soccer greatness as the poster boy of a hugely talented generation of academy graduates that form the backbone of the team.

Barcelona’s lightning pace out of the blocks has not been matched by any club in 2026–27, with no other side in Europe’s top five divisions enjoying a 100% record across all competitions.

Barcelona’s lightning pace out of the blocks has not been matched by any club in 2026–27, with no other side in Europe’s top five divisions enjoying a 100% record across all competitions.

Barça also matched their own best-ever start to a La Liga campaign by making it eight wins from eight in the 3–0 win over Getafe on Saturday—a game in which they enjoyed an astonishing 82.7% possession.

Barça also matched their own best-ever start to a La Liga campaign by making it eight wins from eight in the 3–0 win over Getafe on Saturday—a game in which they enjoyed an astonishing 82.7% possession.

Should Barcelona beat Real Betis on the road in their next league outing on Saturday, they will become only the second team in history to win their first nine La Liga matches of a season. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are the only club to have previously achieved the feat, doing so back in the 1968–69 season. No one has ever made it 10 in a row.

Should Barcelona beat Real Betis on the road in their next league outing on Saturday, they will become only the second team in history to win their first nine La Liga matches of a season. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are the only club to have previously achieved the feat, doing so back in the 1968–69 season. No one has ever made it 10 in a row.

Though there is a long way still to go this season, Flick’s team will also be quietly keeping an eye on a whole host of La Liga records. It could even become the first club to enjoy an ‘invincible’ campaign since Athletic Club in 1929–30.

Though there is a long way still to go this season, Flick’s team will also be quietly keeping an eye on a whole host of La Liga records. It could even become the first club to enjoy an ‘invincible’ campaign since Athletic Club in 1929–30.

Barça have yet to face one of La Liga or Europe’s big boys this season. | Ferda Demir/Getty ImagesBarcelona have been unstoppable so far this season, but a busy month may determine whether they are simply an in-form team or a truly great one.

Barcelona have been unstoppable so far this season, but a busy month may determine whether they are simply an in-form team or a truly great one.

As yet, Barça have not faced any of last season’s top six in La Liga—a fact which changes this Saturday, with the trip to La Cartuja.

As yet, Barça have not faced any of last season’s top six in La Liga—a fact which changes this Saturday, with the trip to La Cartuja.

Betis are a tricky test for any visiting team, with José Mourinho’s Real Madrid already suffering defeat against Manuel Pellegrini’s charges this season.

Betis are a tricky test for any visiting team, with José Mourinho’s Real Madrid already suffering defeat against Manuel Pellegrini’s charges this season.

That match comes just three days before the Champions League trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain on Oct. 20.

That match comes just three days before the Champions League trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain on Oct. 20.

The big games continue to come thick and fast with the first Clásico of the season following the next weekend, while a visit to Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano is also on the horizon.

The big games continue to come thick and fast with the first Clásico of the season following the next weekend, while a visit to Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano is also on the horizon.

Over the next six games, Barcelona will undoubtedly face challenges at a level (and frequency) they have yet to come up against this season. If they are still unbeaten in a month’s time on Nov. 14, there are likely to be far fewer people out there willing to doubt Yamal’s assertion that the treble is possible.

Over the next six games, Barcelona will undoubtedly face challenges at a level (and frequency) they have yet to come up against this season. If they are still unbeaten in a month’s time on Nov. 14, there are likely to be far fewer people out there willing to doubt Yamal’s assertion that the treble is possible.

Published 21 minutes ago | Modified 21 minutes agoANDREW HEADSPEATHAndy Headspeath is a Real Madrid correspondent for Sports Illustrated FC. Originally from the UK, the weather, culture and soccer lured him to Spain over a decade ago where he lives with his wife, son and two untrainable dogs. A player of unspeakably limited talents and only one fully functional knee, he has more than a decade's experience in a wide variety of editorial roles within sports media, from match reporting to in-depth feature writing and interviews. He specializes in soccer history and culture, as well as—of course—La Liga.