FC Barcelona is a force to reckon with. It is one of the best football clubs in the world. The club has a legacy and a history associated with it. The best of the Spanish players is always present in this team. The two of the greatest Spanish playmakers are groomed by this club. The club has witnessed several legends take the field in Camp Nou. From Ronaldinho to Zlatan Ibrahimović, from Rivaldo to Pique the team has been home to footballing legends. Also, the club and its fans are supremely passionate about this lovely game. Here’s a look at the top 5 Catalan Legends: –
5. Johan Cruyff: –
This Dutch footballing legend wasn’t present at Barca for a long time but was present at Barca during his peak. He was at the Nou Camp from 1973-1978. During this tenure, he scored 48 times in 143 games. These were supremely impressive numbers for a striker back in the day. In his entire career, the Dutch played 514 professional games and scored an immense 291 times. A Barcelona fan can never ignore the impact that he had on the club. He made sure that he leaves his taking mindset and aggressive legacy at the Catalonian Capital. He helped Barcelona win the Liga in his first season at the club and was named European Footballer of the Year for that particular year.
His ball control, skills, and dribbling abilities made him a stand-out commodity. Johan was an authoritative figure on the field and always wanted to have control of the ball. He made a mockery of the defenders in Spain. He made the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry even more legendary.
4. Ronaldinho: –
This Brazilian cannot be taken off this list. His dribbling and juggling skills, while he was at Barca, are a treat to watch even today. Not to forget the fact that Ronaldinho had made an assist to the player who is called the “Greatest of All Time” for his first professional goal. Ronaldinho is the greatest Brazilian to feature in this list. In his presence, the El Classico’s were always a delight to watch. Ronaldinho added an intense feeling to all the games in which he featured. If Ronaldinho’s on the pitch, it is sure that the game will be entertaining.
Although Ronaldinho’s work ethic was questionable, he played from 2003 to 2008. The Brazilian featured in 145 games scoring 70 times. The ball just stuck to his feet. His skills, athleticism, and vision added to the attributes of his game.
3. Xavi: –
This is one of the two greatest playmakers that Barca has produced for world football. Xavi and Andres Iniesta were like the head and heart of FC Barcelona in the mid-2000s and early 2010s. Along with Sergio Busquets, they formed an indestructible midfield. Xavi was a midfield maestro and his vision was the best. His through balls were game-changing and so were his interceptions. He also captained the Catalans for some time. He played for most of his career at the Nou Camp from 1998 to 2105. Hernandez played 505 games and scored 58 goals.
Xavi too had abilities like Ronaldinho. The ball stuck to his feet and he had the best of passing skills. The ability to hold the ball and simultaneously play quick Tiki-Taka both were possessed by him.
2. Andres Iniesta: –
The number 2 and number 3 spots are interchangeable because of the almost similar contributions done by both the players. Andres too was a midfield maestro. He played right and Xavi played left. As mentioned earlier Andres and Xavi were like bread and butter. Andres Iniesta played for a longer time as compared to Xavi but his contribution is noteworthy too. He played from 2002 to 2018. Andres appeared in an immaculate 442 games scoring 35 goals. An El Classico without the likes of Andrea Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez may seem meaningless to few 30-year-old football fans.
Andres Iniesta on the pitch is a magician. He ruled the mid-field of the Camp Nou for the 16 long years he played. One can never forget his performance in the 2015 UCL Final. Iniesta was unstoppable even by the trio of Vidal, Pirlo, and Pogba! He was a very skillful player and a thinker of the game. His strategies were supreme and execution was next to perfect.
1. Lionel Messi: –
Number 1 in this list undoubtedly with a closed eye has to be Lionel Messi. Messi was the prodigy that FCB scouted at a very young age from the streets of Argentina. Most anecdotes say that Messi signed his first contract with the side on a piece of tissue paper. In his journey to becoming the Greatest Player in the World, the contribution of FC Barcelona is of a fair share. In his career from 2004 to 2021, Leo played a total of 520 games. He has a sky-high total of 447 goals! And more heart-stopping is the number of assists that reach up to 300.
The MNS trio, the shirt showing moment to the Real Madrid Fans and the goal scored by sliding down Boateng in 2015 final are moments etched in the minds of every Barca fan. Lionel Messi just wasn’t a player but a magician and a phenomenon that revolutionized world football. In his journey with Barcelona Messi also won the Ballon D’or 6 times!