Barcelona are the modern juggernauts. They're unstoppable, ruthless and will crush you irrespective of what kind of work you've done preparing for the game. Some might single out Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets but the way the whole team work is a testament to talent, awareness and an outright desire to win every game.
They've housed some of the best footballers this world has ever seen and they've paid a lot for those players. Some worked, some didn't but the ones who did left their mark in history as being a part of an era that not only revolutionised football but completely redesigned the way the game was played.
Here's looking at Barcelona's most successful signings in the modern era:
#5 Hristo Stoichkov
A legend in the eyes of Barcelona fans, Hristo Stoichkov, began life at Barcelona with a typical Stoichkov-esque incident. The Bulgarian was suspended for two months for stomping on the referee's leg during a game. That aside, his panache in front of goal was unmatched. His outlook to the game and his general demeanor only made it that much more entertaining.
Stoichkov scored 109 goals for the Catalans over a span of five seasons and was part of the 'Dream Team' which won the La Liga four times in a row as well as Barcelona's first ever European Cup – beating Sampdoria in the finals of 1992.
The forward enjoyed a fine relationship with Romario and was twice runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year but clinched the Ballon d'Or in 1994 for his exploits with club and country that particular season.
#4 Johan Cruyff
It's been a few months since the legendary Johan Cruyff left this world and lot more since he was last 'officially' involved in FC Barcelona's affairs. As a player, Cruyff was the kind of signing who Barcelona fans craved for. His poise, his composure, and his flair lifted his fans and Catalan as whole to a level they hadn't experienced for a while.
Cruyff signed for Barcelona thanks to a world-record fee of 6 million guilders – which is approximately €2.9 million – and won them the title for the first time in thirteen years cementing himself as a legend. The cherry on top was the 5-0 hammering of arch-rivals Real Madrid at their home to seal the title for his club.
The Dutchman returned to the club a few years after he left as a player to manage the club and brought with him the revolution the club idolise till date. 'Total football', ball-playing defenders and clever movement off the ball are just some of the revolutionary tools Cruyff instilled in the club and its youth academy.
#3 Dani Alves
I'll be honest, it feels almost absurd to include Dani Alves on this list but the Brazilian has been short of godlike for the Catalans ever since signing from Sevilla in 2008. The Brazilian has won twenty-three titles with Barcelona – more than anyone else the club has ever bought.
The 33-year-old has won the UEFA Champions League thrice, the La Liga six times and the Copa del Rey four times. That along with a host of other trophies and personal achievements outline his value to the Catalan club in his eight-year spell.
Almost always played at right-back, Alves has also made the rare appearance in centre-back proving his versatility and ability to adapt to situations better than most. He's eagerness to win is abundantly evident every time he takes to the field.
Alves now, however, has left Barcelona and has signed for Italian giants Juventus with whom he'll be hoping to usurp Paolo Maldini and take over the crown of 'Most decorated player in European competitions'.
#2 Ronaldinho
"I will never forget this because it is very rare for any footballer to be applauded in this way by the opposition fans," said an emotional Ronaldinho after being taken off in a match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The only other player to receive this rare applause was Diego Maradona.
Ronaldinho was a joy to watch. He was quick, he was technically perfect and he wrecked havoc against every team in the world. Combine that ruthlessness with his tendency to always sport a smile and you can see why Barcelona fans adore the Brazilian.
The 36-year-old didn't win the kind of trophies the others on this list did but his commitment to the team, his contribution in ending a UEFA Champions League dry spell and the class he oozed whenever he was on the ball simply makes him one of the best ever players to play for this legendary team.
#1 Lionel Messi
On the brink of his father having take him back home to Argentina and with Real Madrid hovering silently, Barcelona's then-Technical Director 'signed' Lionel Messi for the club by writing down the words “I, Charly Rexach, in my capacity as technical secretary for FC Barcelona, and despite the existence of some opinions against it, commit to signing Lionel Messi as long as the conditions agreed are met,” on a piece of napkin at a hotel.
That was it. That was the greatest ever transfer to have happened since the beginning of the sport. While there are other players who have been signed through seemingly absurd stories, do any of them match what Messi has achieved in his time as a professional football player?
The Argentine is the most celebrated player Barcelona have ever had – tied with Andres Iniesta – and he continues to torment defences and ensure he does what he does best which is dribble past defenders, abuse goalkeepers and give fans the best possible experience at a football stadium.
