The FC Barcelona squad has a legacy associated with it. The team was always decorated with star players. They were the team that always had a face of the team. So, let’s make a team that has all the star payers of Barcelona. Let’s make an all-time 11 of Barcelona:
1) Lionel Messi (Right Wing) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time that has ever taken the field. A strong authoritarian on the field Messi has done it all and won it all. Messi has made 520 appearances and has scored 474 goals for the men in red and blue. Messi ruled over Spain for all the years that he played for Barcelona. One can never forget his single runs against teams like Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
He made the Spanish defenders dance to his tunes single-handedly. He was the heart of the Catalonians. Messi made sure that the fans remain involved in all of the games. The high point of Messi’s career was winning the six-tuple with Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. A true football fan can never forget the scenes at the farewell of this true club legend.
2) László Kubala (Striker) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
Kubala is a lesser-known striker who played the best phase of his career at FC Barcelona. He played from 1951 to 1961. Laszlo scored a total of 131 goals in the 180+ recorded games that he played. What makes me raise an eyebrow is his goal-per-match ratio. It is interesting to know that in an era where the teams played defensive football, Kubala was scoring at 0.7 goals per game.
Kubala was known for his soft touch, his ball work, and his physique. He made the game look sexy back in the day. Kubala asserted authority with the ball at his feet. He played for many clubs but his peak years were with FC Barcelona.
3) Ronaldinho (Left Wing):
What a better option than Ronaldinho to accompany Messi in the front line. Ronaldinho was the one who established the “Play hard or go home” culture in Barcelona. Many analysts may criticize Ronaldinho for his off-field antiques but his on-field performances shut their mouths. Ronaldinho played for Barcelona for only 5 years from 2003 to 2008 but all his performances were very impactful. He scored 70 goals at Camp Nou. The world of football has never seen a more naturally gifted player than Ronaldinho.
He appeared in 145 games for the Catalonian side. One can remember him for the El Classico goal in 2005. And the way he conducted himself outside the pitch. He lives life to the fullest and doesn’t regret anything.
4) Andres Iniesta (Right Mid-Field) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
Coming to the mid-filed. The Barcelona team witnessed their greatest mid-fielders all at the same time. Firstly, it is Andres Iniesta. Andres Iniesta is synonymous with FC Barcelona. He played for most of his professional career at this amazing club. From 2002 to 2018 Andres played 442 games for the men from the Nou Camp. He currently plays for Vissel Kobe. He scored only 35 times but his playmaking was the real deal. Andres knew to intercept the ball precisely and pierce the gaps between two defenders.
Andres was a magician on the field. When Iniesta left, he took along with him a big part of the Barcelona legacy. People from the Catalonian city worshipped this mid-fielder. He was also the captain of the team for a considerable amount of time.
5) Xavi Hernandez (Left Mid-Field):
Xavi and Iniesta are two names that go hand in hand. Just like common people say bread and butter, we say Xavi and Iniesta. Xavi Hernandez who also happens to be the current manager of the Barcelona team was an integral part and leader during the 2000s. He played for the club from 1998 to 2015. He left behind him a big void of a classy and smart player.
The star part of his tenure at Barca was winning the six-tuple with Pep Guardiola. The 5-0 defeat to Real Madrid was also something that Xavi was a part of. In the last season of his, he won the UCL for Barcelona. He played 505 recorded games and scored 58 goals for the club. He had world-class ball control.
6) Sergio Busquets (Centre Defensive Midfield) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
One of the greatest defensive midfielders to ever take birth on the planet is Sergio Busquets. “Watch the game you won’t see Busquets, but watch Busquets and you’ll see the game.” The above statement effectively explains the style of play implemented by Sergio. He was a devoted player. He gave a 100% when on the field. What worked well for him is his judgment of the game. It was always very precise.
Sergio could predict the positions of players by looking at the game. He had one of the softest yet cleanest touches on the football. He was a skillful maestro. Busquets has been playing for the Catalonian club since 2008 and will leave an unfillable void when he departs. This magician is at the far end of his career. What is commendable is the fact that he has managed to remain injury-free and in the prime of fitness. He was also a part of the “Tiki-Taka” revolution bought by Pep. He has represented Barcelona in 451 games and has scored 11 goals.
7) Ronald Koeman (Centre Back) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
Today’s generation might be knowing Koeman as a great manager but he was also too good a player. He was the manager of the Barcelona squad last season. The fact that Ronald has managed so many teams gives us an idea that he is a tactician. He relies heavily on strategic planning and this is exactly what football is all about.
Koeman played for the majority of his career on the Catalonian side. He played from 1989 to 1995. In this period he played 192 recorded games and scored 67 times. The number 67 is significantly high for a center back and this shows Koeman’s attacking nature. The same is visible in his strategies as a manager. Koeman won the La Liga with Barcelona for 4 years in a row. The winning years were 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. His team also won the Copa Del Rey in the 1989-1990 season.
8) Carles Puyol (Centre Back):
When we talk about leaders in football, the name of Carles Puyol comes to mind. Puyol was a true gentleman to have played the game. Puyol played all his life for the club he loved. He joined the FCB scouting system in 1996 and since then continued playing for them till 2014. He was a part of Barcelona C, Barcelona B, and eventually the first team of Barcelona. Puyol will also be the captain of my team. He holds the record for the greatest number of games as captain.
Carles had a great sense of play. He was nominated for the UEFA Team of the year 5 times. This shows that he assured dominance on the field for quite some time. Puyol played for 15 years and competed in 481 cumulative games for Barcelona. He scored 18 times. His interceptions and aerial duels are worth talking about.
9) Dani Alves (Right Back) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
The Brazilian legend also happens to be a Barcelona legend. Dani Alves is one of the most decorated players across the globe. He has won the La Liga, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Copa Del Rey, and Confederations Cup. He has also won Copa America twice. Dani is a dominant force as a right-back. He was the one who used to ensure that Lionel Messi stays in touch with the game throughout.
Dani Alves is very well-known for his pace and his reading of the game. He was brilliant with the interceptions. He had his first stint with Barcelona from 2008 to 2016. In that stint, he played 247 games. He hit the back of the net 14 times. His dream year was the one with Pep Guardiola as Barcelona manager. He was also a strong authoritative figure on the pitch.
10) Jordi Alba (Left Back):
Jordi Alba and Dani Alves are two names that go hand in hand. If Dani is the best right-back, one cannot have a better left-back than Jordi Alba. Alba could cover the whole right-wing. He brought the culture of a wing back running throughout the pitch on his side. Along with Xavi Hernandez, he spoiled the party of many Spanish defenders. He was also a key member of the Tiki-Taka brand of football promoted by Barcelona.
Jordi is currently playing for Barcelona. He joined the team back in 2012 but was also a part of their youth program till 2005. Barcelona is blessed to have him on the team as he is the only remaining player of the golden generation of Barcelona. He has played 289 recorded games and has scored 15 times. His pace is his strength.
11) Andoni Zubizarreta (Goal Keeper) Will play in my All-Time FC Barcelona 11:
Barcelona is blessed that Zubizarreta has his name associated with the club. The Spanish goalkeeper played 300 games throughout his career. He won 4 La Liga titles with Barcelona. He also won the European Cup, today called the UCL in 1992.
Zubizarreta promoted a few practices that are very commonly done by keepers today. He was very vocal on the pitch. He instructed his defenders very well. His carry of the ball was very safe and sound. His calls were clear. He played from 1986 to 1994.
To read more such articles go to Real Madrid: Top 5 Players to Ever Player for Real Madrid.
Read more such articles at Indian Football: Top 5 Indian Footballers, Best of the Country (2022)
To read more such articles go to Football Transfers: Legendary Players To Leave their Clubs this Season.
To know more go to the official website of FCB.