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Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia has produced some excellent footballers over the years. The institution does not only make you a master of the craft, it also teaches you the ethos and values of FC Barcelona. Any player who has gone through the academy or has had the privilege of being intricately involved with the Barcelona B team knows just how different the club is.
Barcelona may be struggling a bit in the transfer market right now, but that is no excuse to ignore the pull they have over former players. Several Barcelona players and graduates dream of donning the prestigious kit once again, and today, we will take a look at those who were successful.
5 top stars who had the privilege of re-signing for Barcelona
#5 Denis Suarez
Barcelona have had the privilege of seeing good players turn into great ones, justifying the faith the club showed in them. Denis Suarez, unfortunately, could not manage to make himself a part of that elite club, despite getting a second shot at Barcelona.
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Suarez was first signed by Barcelona in 2013 for an undisclosed fee from Manchester City. The player was registered as a Barcelona B player and managed seven goals and 11 assists in 2013-14 for the reserve team. Failing to break into the first team, he left Barcelona for Villarreal in 2015.
After seeing him impress for Villarreal, Barcelona came calling in 2016 and snatched him up for €3.5 million. He, once again, had very few opportunities and was sold to his current club Celta Vigo in 2009. A regular at Vigo, Suarez registered nine assists in La Liga last season.
#4 Cesc Fabregas
Unlike Denis Suarez, Cesc Fabregas was a worthy addition to Barcelona and proved to be pivotal in multiple tournaments. Fabregas was brought up as an ardent Barcelona fan and graduated from their famed academy, La Masia. In 2003, however, he was registered in Arsenal’s youth academy and eventually enjoyed an eight-year spell at the Premier League club.
After his successful run with the Gunners, Cesc could not help but try his luck at his boyhood club, Barcelona. He signed for the club for £35 million in 2011 and went on to celebrate six trophies with Barcelona. Fabregas won the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup in 2011. He won La Liga in 2012, and the Spanish Super Cup again in 2013.
After registering 42 goals in 151 appearances for Barcelona, Fabregas signed for Chelsea in 2014. The Spaniard won the Premier League at the end of the 2014-15 season.
#3 Jordi Alba
Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba currently serves as a proud captain of the team, but he, too, was not given a starting berth at the club right away. The Spaniard, who captained Spain at the recently concluded Euro 2020 tournament, was a trainee at La Masia. He was with the academy between 1998 and 2005 before joining Cornella and graduating in 2006.
Alba made his professional debut with Valencia and proved himself to be quite a versatile full-back. His pace and ball-playing fetched him many suitors in the summer of 2012. But it was Barcelona who managed to get him on their books. Ecstatic to return to his boyhood club, Alba agreed to personal terms right away and confirmed the €14 million transfer.
Since returning to the club in 2012, Alba has established himself as an invaluable member of the starting 11. So far, he has won five La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, and a Champions League with Barcelona.
#2 Hristo Stoichkov
Barcelona legend Hristo Stouchkov was one of the best in the world during his first spell with the Catalan club. He was a strong-willed, trigger-happy forward who rarely failed to make the most of the opportunities. For his explosive qualities in front of goal, Stoichkov was nicknamed "El Pistolero" by Barcelona fans.
Stoichkov was an invaluable member of Johan Cruyff’s dream team that dominated Spain in Early 90’s, winning four La Liga titles on the trot. The Bulgarian also won the 1992 European Cup with the Camp Nou outfit. After his remarkable first spell, he left for Serie A side Parma in 1995, but returned to Barcelona the following season.
He won the league, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Spanish Cup, and UEFA Super Cup during his second spell before signing for CSKA Sofia in 1998.
#1 Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has been nothing short of a revelation for Barcelona and is completely deserving of his spot at the summit. Pique was part of Barcelona’s youth system between 1997 and 2003 but eventually moved to Manchester United’s system to earn his graduation cap in 2004.
He became a member of the senior team but did not get enough opportunities to flourish at Old Trafford. Following the disappointment in England, he returned to Barcelona.
He has been an icon at Barcelona over the last 14 seasons, winning eight league titles, seven Copa del Reys, and three Champions League trophies, among other honors. He is the club's current captain and is set to reprise his role as a first-choice centre-back over the course of the 2021-22 season.
