FC Barcelona, founded in 1899, is one of the world’s most famous football clubs. In the history of the team, hundreds of players have excelled. Barcelona’s history as a champion team attracts players all over the globe. Here are the ten greatest Barcelona players.
1. Lionel Messi
- Ten-time La Liga Champion
- Three-time FIFA Club World Cup champion
- Three-time UEFA Champions League champion
- Five-time Golden Ball Winner
- Nine-time Golden Boots Winner
- The 2009 FIFA World Player Award
Lionel Messi, not only is one of best players of FC Barcelona’s history but also of all time. While playing for Barcelona, he became famous and accumulated historic statistics. Messi was at Barcelona from 2004 to 2021 and made 778 appearances, scoring 672 goals.
He has a legacy of scoring goals, but he also recorded 269 assists. This earned Barcelona 35 titles including 10 La Liga titles and 7 Copa del Rey title. Messi has scored over 50 goals multiple times in a season. In the 2011-2012 campaign, Messi broke Gerd Müller’s record of most goals in a season. He scored 73 goals. Messi has played a total 63,529 minute with Barcelona. His gameplay earned him seven Ballon d’Or awards. Messi is regarded as one of the best forwards in the history of the team, if not even the best.
2. Johan Cruyff
- La Liga Champion (1974)
- Copa del Rey Champion (1978)
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1997)
Johan Cruyff has been credited for changing the style of play at FC Barcelona. In 1974, his first season with Barcelona, the team won their first La Liga championship in 14 years. He was then named La Liga’s top player. During his six-year tenure with the team he played 143 games, scored 48 goal and helped win three titles. Cruyff returned to the team after winning La Liga as a striker. Cruyff has been credited for popularizing the “Total Football” strategy.
Cruyff had a great devotion to Barcelona, and he returned to manage the club. He won 11 trophies and managed 421 matches, of which 267 were victories. Cruyff had a huge impact on Barcelona as a player, and continued to have an influence during his time in management. He is one of the greatest players ever.
3. Ronaldinho
- Two-time La Liga Champion
- Two-time Supercopa de Espana Champion
- 2006 UEFA Champions League title
Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever to wear a Barcelona jersey. In the time he spent with them, from 2003 to 2008, Ronaldinho made 207 appearances and scored 94 goals. He also made 71 assist. Ronaldinho won 10 trophies in his time at Barcelona. This includes two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy. He also received two FIFA World Player of the year awards. His fantastic goals against AC Milan in the quarterfinals were a major factor in FCB winning their first Champions League in 2006. This was the first title they had won in 14 years.
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Ronaldinho’s legacy is more than his dribbling and goal-scoring skills. Ronaldinho is remembered for his infectious personality, which always made both his teammates and fans laugh. Ronaldinho was also credited with assisting Messi’s goal in 2005. He is forever remembered for reviving the squad in the early 2000s, and credited with its rapidly growing popularity.
4. Andres Iniesta
- Nine-time La Liga Champion
- Four-time UEFA Champions League champion
- Three-time FIFA Club World Cup champion
Andres Iniesta, another of Barcelona’s best midfielders, is also a native of a small village. Iniesta was born in a village and began playing soccer at the age of eight. He played his first Barcelona match in 2002. Iniesta has shown his loyalty by playing 16 seasons for Barcelona. Statistics speak for themselves: 674 games, 57 goals, and 139 assist. Iniesta won 32 trophies in his FCB career. This includes nine La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
Iniesta played a key role in Barcelona’s most successful seasons 2009 and 2011 when the team won a treble. Iniesta was awarded the UEFA Best Player of Europe and the World Soccer Player of the Year awards in 2012. Iniesta is still remembered at Camp Nou for his wide passing range, and for his ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
5. Xavi Hernandez
- Eight-time La Liga Champion
- Four-time UEFA Champions League champion
- Two-time FIFA Club World Cup champion
Xavi was a top midfielder for Barcelona from 1998 to 2015. During his Barca career, he played 767 games, scored 85 goals and provided 181 assists. During his career, he won 25 trophies including eight La Liga titles and four UEFA titles.
Hernandez played a major role in Barcelona’s “tiki taka” style of play, which heavily relied on his passing skills. He won individual awards as well, including the UEFA Best Player of Europe Award and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 2010.
In 2009, Hernandez was instrumental in helping Barcelona win their first triple. In his last season at FC Barcelona, the team won another treble. Hernandez has accepted the role of Barcelona’s coach in 2021.
6. Carles Puyol
- Six-time La Liga Champion
- Three-time UEFA Champions League champion
- Two-time FIFA Club World Cup champion
Carles Puyol is the greatest defender that Barcelona has ever produced. He played 15 seasons for Barcelona between 1999 and 2014. He played 593 times, scored 18 goals and won 21 trophies. Six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies and 21 trophies are among his team’s accolades. Puyol has also received several awards as an individual, including the UEFA Team of the Year Award five times and the FIFA FIFPro world XI award.
Puyol became Barcelona’s team captain in 2004 and remained so until his retirement in 2014 He was well-known for his ability to stop attacks before they became dangerous, and anticipate any move that could be made by an opponent. Puyol is still remembered as one of the greatest captains the team has ever had.
7. Pep Guardiola
- Six-time La Liga Champion
- Copa del Rey Champion (1997)
- Two-time European/UEFA Super Cup
Pep Guardiola is the only person who can be described as a blue-and-gray fanatic. Pep Guardiola began his Barcelona career at the age of 13 in 1988. In 1990 he was promoted to the first-team and quickly became a legendary player on the field. Guardiola played defensive midfield, scoring 11 goals and winning 16 trophies. He made 479 appearances. Six La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies are among his team’s accolades.
Guardiola and Barcelona flourished under the coaching of Johan Cruyff. Guardiola served as captain of the Dream Team during its last few years. He received several awards including the UEFA Champions League’s Best Midfielder Award and the FIFA World Cup dream team. Guardiola was a very successful player. He also won many awards as a coach. He became the most successful FCB manager in history.
8. Samuel Eto’o
- Three-time La Liga Champion Copa del Rey (2009)
- Two-time UEFA Champions League champion
Samuel Eto’o was a striker for Barcelona for 5 years. He is one of the greatest strikers the team has ever had. He was a top scorer during his career, and played an important role in helping Barcelona win several titles. During his career, he made 199 appearances and scored 130 goals. He also won eight trophies. Three La Liga titles, and two UEFA Champions League trophies are among his trophies. He has won four African Footballer of the year awards and was twice the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
Eto’o formed partnerships with his teammates. When he was partnered up with Messi and Thierry Henry, Barcelona was unstoppable. They scored 100 goals together during the team’s 2009 triple campaign. Eto’o will leave a legacy in Barcelona, including helping the team to achieve the dominant position it currently occupies.
9. Hristo Stoichkov
- Five-time La Liga Champion
- Two-time Copa del Rey Champion
- UEFA Champions League (1992) Champion
Hristo Stoichkov is a Bulgarian football player who played for Barcelona from 1990-1995, 1996-98. Stoichkov is known for his powerful left foot, and ability to score. He played 175 times as a forward and scored 92 goals. In total, he won nine trophies. Five La Liga titles are included, as well as one European Cup and one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Stoichkov is a player who was admired for his ability to dominate in any forward position. He could play either wing or striker equally well. Stoichkov and Romario formed a formidable partnership under Johan Cruyoff, who was also his coach. He became one of most respected forwards around the world. Stoichkov has won several individual awards including the Ballon d’Or and European Golden Boot on two occasions.
10. Diego Maradona
- Copa del Rey Champion (1983)
- Copa de Liga Champion (1983)
- Spanish Super Cup (1984)
Diego Maradona wasn’t at his best when he played for FC Barcelona. He played only for two years for Barcelona, but despite being only half as good as he would become, he was still able to shine. In his two years with the team he made 58 appearances, and scored 38 goals. He was forced to miss his first season due to a series of injuries and a bout with hepatitis. Despite this, he still managed 11 goals out of 19 appearances.
His second season, which he had hoped to use to win some trophies for FCB, was cut short due an ankle injury. Maradona played some of his most memorable matches against Real Madrid. In 1983, he won the Copa del Rey with the team by a score of 2-1. Maradona, the team and Madrid would then go on to win the Copa de Liga again. Maradona’s goal was so impressive that Madrid fans cheered for him. Maradona has been widely regarded as the greatest player in the history.
Conclusion:
FC Barcelona boasts an illustrious history filled with legendary players that have left an indelible mark on both their club and the sport of football itself. From Lionel Messi’s mesmerizing skills to Johan Cruyff’s visionary leadership, each of these individuals has contributed in some way to its success – be it goal scoring, masterful playmaking or defensive fortitude – in elevating Barcelona to become an unparalleled force on the pitch and cementing their place as some of footballing’s finest ever seen before.
FAQ’s
Which player in FC Barcelona history should be considered the greatest?
While opinions may differ, Lionel Messi is widely acknowledged to be one of their all-time greats. His incredible success, longevity and numerous records set at Barcelona during his tenure has cemented his place as one of the icons of sports history.
How many Trophies Has FC Barcelona Won?
FC Barcelona has amassed many major trophies throughout their history, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League championships as well as several FIFA Club World Cup victories. As of 2018, there have been 95 major trophies won - such as La Liga titles, Copa del Rey crowns and FIFA Club World Cup wins!
What was Carles Puyol's role as captain of FC Barcelona during their most successful years?
Carles Puyol led FC Barcelona during some of their most prosperous times both on and off the pitch with his unsurpassed leadership qualities and defensive prowess.
Who was FC Barcelona's most successful manager ever?
Pep Guardiola is widely considered to have been the greatest manager in their history, leading them to unparalleled domestic and international success - winning two UEFA Champions League crowns, multiple La Liga championships, etc.
Who holds the record for most appearances for FC Barcelona?
Xavi Hernandez holds this distinction, having played in 767 matches during his distinguished midfielder career at Barcelona.