Barcelona has shaped a number of the greatest and talented football players that spanned over decades; with their gallant performance, they brought Barcelona up in the ranks of one among the best clubs in Europe. There are many footballers whose career flourished after joining Barcelona.
Barcelona is arguably one among the most important clubs in world football. It has been spreading in every aspect, from its playing style to trophies to rich history and culture. The club has established its art of playing football in Europe. All over the century, Barcelona has established some magnificent players who took the club to astonishing heights.
In the process, Barcelona created a few legends. However, a number of them have retired, a couple of them still playing and earned many honours in their career and established themselves at Barcelona.
Let us check out 5 footballers whose career flourished after joining Barcelona:
1. Lionel Messi
Words would fail to describe Lionel Messi. The amount of records the genius has broken, goals he has scored, trophies and awards he has won is just out of this world.
Lionel Messi has been a Barcelona sensation for a decade. He has won a club record of thirty-three trophies and a plethora of personal awards.
His presence on the football field gives his co-players confidence; his impact on the battleground is magnificent. Messi has many talents, from dribbling past 5-6 players directly to playmaking, and goal scoring.
He is the sole footballer and a sportsperson to win the Laureus Sportsman of the year award in 2020. Having 6 Ballon D’or, he is the player who has the most appearances for the club, surpassing the Xavi record to succeed in 768 appearances.
Lionel Messi is the living greatest legends of all time for Barcelona.
2. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff signing for Barcelona, for 6 million, was a record. Cruyff started his rule at Barcelona by assisting them win La Liga for the primary time in 1960.
Johan Cruyff was nominated to be the European player of the century (in 1999) by the international federation of history and statistics.
He was included within the World team of the 20th century in 1998 in 2004; Cruyff was named within the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
However, Cruyff came back to Barcelona as a manager in 1988. He proved to be the most excellent managers in football. During that point, Barcelona was in severe catastrophe and debt. In Cruyff legacy, he renovated the club into an enduring powerhouse of La Liga and European club football.
He stimulated the club to success. Barca won two La Liga titles and put a dent to rivals Real Madrid’s dominance (1960-1980). Under his guidance, Barcelona won four successive La Liga titles and their first-ever European cup.
Taking over 11 trophies made Cruyff the club’s most effective manager and therefore the club’s longest consecutive serving manager for eight years.
3. Andres Iniesta
At an initial age, Andres Iniesta made a powerful impression in his first-team appearance in 2002. In Barcelona, he was well-thought-out to be the one among the best players of this generation and therefore the greatest midfielder of all time.
Iniesta was the key player of the club and earned two historic trebles in 2009 and 2015. He won 35 trophies, together with nine La Liga and four Champions League titles, which carved him into being the most influential midfielders within the club.
Iniesta earned the UEFA Best Player award in 2012 and was named twice within the IFFHS World’s best playmaker in 2012 and 2013. His magic in the mid-field makes him essential to the club.
4. Xavi
Talking of the best Barcelona Players of all time, one cannot overlook this pass master. Xavi is considered one among the most remarkable midfielders known for his excellent vision, positioning and ball retention. Xavi first made his inauguration in 1998 against Mallorca.
Xavi played a complete of 767 official matches for Barcelona and scored 86 goals. He has won eight La Liga titles and 4 Champions League titles with Barcelona.
With his extraordinary career at Barcelona, Xavi was the midfield expert; he was extremely comfortable with the ball. He kept his cool under pressure and controlled the whole midfield alongside Iniesta. Together with his prowess, he was among the third player within the 2009 FIFA World Player of the year, trailed by the third-place award, the FIFA Ballon d’Or, in 2010 and 2011.
5. Carles Puyol
A warrior at his root, Carles Puyol is the most ornamented defender of Barcelona; he played his complete career at Barcelona as a central defender. Together with his astute leadership and defensive qualities, he is one among the most capable captains and defenders in football folklore.
During his career at Barcelona, he bagged eighteen major club titles, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions League trophies.
Puyol was the captain of the club from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014 (the longest-serving captain in Barcelona history). Puyol made 593 appearances for the club, after Xavi and Messi.
