I would say that Xavi and Iniesta were actually what made the 2011 Version of Barcelona one of, if not the, greatest team to ever walk onto a football pitch. After all, they didn't need Messi to win the 2010 World Cup or the 2012 Euros. Messi is the best footballer but he never had those 2 with Argentina. Xavi and Iniesta for me, because this is a team sport, were actually the co-MVP's of Barca during the peak years. Not Messi or Pep as brilliant as they are. You're spot on that Barcelona suddenly became vulnerable when those two left. It's unfair to Rakitic or Arthur to even compare them. It's like comparing people to Messi or Ronaldo at the midfield position.