Gone is the age of innocence with soccer more marketable than ever

European club soccer's biggest night brought down the curtain on another season as a content Xavi Hernandez shared a special moment with a tearful Andrea Pirlo on Saturday.

Juventus' Andrea Pirlo before the UEFA Champions League Final June 6, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

In a showdown between two teams that managed their divergent tactics to perfection, Barcelona's entertaining style eased past the ironclad defense of Juventus in the Champions League final.

Rendering dramatically different effects on two veterans both ending their European careers, the 3-1 capitulation couldn't be sweeter as a swansong for Qatar-bound Xavi but even more bitter to Pirlo, who is increasingly linked with an overseas move.

There's nowhere to find better evidence of how Spanish and Italian soccer philosophies wax and wane than the duo, both of whom have thrived in their particular systems and lived through on-and-off debates over which is better.

Such arguments peaked during their golden years when Xavi, a tiki-taka maestro and Pirlo, a deep-lying playmaker, could still effortlessly transform otherwise mundane running and passing into art. But now, in the twilight of their careers, they were eclipsed in the Berlin night by youngsters.

Barcelona's Xavi (R) and his wife Nuria Cunillera wave after the celebration parade at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, June 7, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

A more energetic Ivan Rakitic cut in to break Barca's once unbreakable midfield combination of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, while 22-year-old Paul Pogba commanded great attention in the Juve lineup.

Unlike some of their big-spending European peers patching up formations through frenzied buy-ins, the two clubs stood out for maintaining the consistency of core regulars.

Seven Barca players appearing in the final came from the club's famous La Masia youth academy, while Luis Enrique followed the same trajectory of predecessor Pep Guardiola; from player to youth team coach and first team manager. To keep the red and blue in vein, the Catalan club favors people with Barca DNA.

Turin-based Juve also accentuated its chunk of native stars, normally featuring defensive triumvirate Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini whom, due to injury, missed out on the final and a rematch with Luis Suarez (he of last summer's World Cup bite-gate scandal).

Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon looks dejected at the end of the UEFA Champions League Final June 6, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Despite their efforts to maintain tradition, neither club can survive unchanged in an age when soccer is increasingly money-driven. To remain competitive they also have to spend on expensive signings, lose valuable players to richer clubs and exile old hands.

Among Barca's three scorers in Berlin, Suarez was the more heroic overshadowing Lionel Messi, Iniesta and Xavi. The Uruguayan's 68th minute goal broke the stalemate brought about after Alvaro Morata equalized for Juve. The newly-crowned European champion paid $110 million to poach the forward from Liverpool ahead of this season, which, though now proving to be a worthy deal caused a scene as one of the sensational transfers last summer. On the other hand, the Spanish giant hasn't stopped short of getting rid of cash-eating veterans. Xavi is leaving for Qatari club Al Sadd after ending his 17-year career in the No. 6 shirt, while defender Dani Alves is likely set for Paris Saint Germain.

Juve is on the verge of losing Pogba, a coveted target likely to send the transfer market into frenzy this summer, while both New York City FC and Sydney FC are reportedly approaching Pirlo.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez holds his son Benjamin after the celebration parade at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, June 7, 2015.  [Photo/Agencies]

The out-of-Europe move of Xavi, joined by US-bound Steven Gerrard from Liverpool and former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard via Manchester City, came at a time when soccer is more commercialized than ever and takes staff changes less seriously than before. A player can be lucky to become a good one, but hardly the special one – a good one can be replaced, while the special one, not so.

But even with money, can a replacement be so easily found? Following Xavi's departure, Barca management are racking their brains to fill the midfield metronome's vacancy, with one solution being Messi deployed further back.

The 35-year-old Barca legend did say he would return. Those Culés sad to see him go can now lighten up as a foreseeable future lies in their once beloved No. 6 taking the helm at Nou Camp from where he waved a tear-jerking goodbye.

Sometimes classics just can't be replaced.