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FC Barcelona is one of the greatest clubs in the history of football. In their illustrious history, they have achieved unattainable heights and given birth to many philosophies which changed the way football is played and won honours galore on the field.
Barcelona have had the privilege of hosting some of the greatest players of all time. Camp Nou has been home to many greats, with Barcelona's own La Masia academy producing some of the world's greatest footballers over the years. These geniuses have cemented their individual legacies as well.
At the end of the day, the beauty of football comes down to sheer entertainment on the pitch and Barca have entertained us for generations. in this article will be taking a closer look at their top entertainers.
Without further ado, let us take a look at
5 most entertaining Barcelona players of all time
Special mentions: Dani Alves, Gheorge Hagi, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Romario, Rivaldo. Thierry Henry and Laszlo Kubala.
#5 Michael Laudrup
An integral part of Barcelona's 'dream team', Michael Laudrup was similar to the great Johan Cruyff in more ways than one. Laudrup embodied the philosophy of Cruyff and forged his skills to attain great heights under the tutelage of the Dutch legend.
An attacking midfielder, Laudrup was one of the most graceful playmakers in the history of the game. The Danish legend possessed great vision and amazing pace, which helped him beat defenders with effortless ease. He also had an amazing passing range and supreme technique on the ball which made him immensely effective in the final third.
Laudrup helped the Catalan giants win four consecutive La Liga titles and one European Cup, among other notable accolades.
#4 Johan Cruyff
One of the chief architects of 'Total football', Johan Cruyff was not just any entertainer. He changed the way Barcelona played football, first as a manager and then as a coach.
A total footballer, Cruyff was extremely versatile on the pitch. He could operate from central areas or move to the flanks to keep creating chances. The Dutch legend was famous for his vision, with a unique ability to understand how to utilize space on the pitch. He was the most important part of the team, helping his teams score goals with his inch-perfect passes.
From a creative point of view, Cruyff was undisputed. He helped Barcelona win their first La Liga title in 14 years and was part of the team that famously defeated arch rivals Real Madrid 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. For his extraterrestrial exploits, Cruyff would go on to win three Ballon d'Or awards in his career.
#3 Diego Maradona
When we are compiling any list of greatest ever players, it is impossible to keep someone like Diego Maradona out. Widely regarded as the greatest of all time, Maradona left his footprint at the Camp Nou, briefly demonstrating his prowess for two seasons with Barcelona.
Along with a low center of gravity, Maradona had an ethereal touch and sensational dribbling which made it hard for the defenders to take the ball away from his feet. Sometimes, the only way to stop him was to foul him.
The Argentine legend was the first player to be applauded by rival Real Madrid fans due to his performance in the 'El Clasico'. Maradona's two years with the Catalan giants were tough as he was riddled with injuries. He still racked up 33 goals and 18 assists in just 49 appearances for Barcelona. Undoubtedly, he was one of the greatest players to watch out for every time he was on the pitch.
#2 Ronaldinho
With a jaw-dropping set of skills, Ronaldinho mesmerized fans and rivals alike when he was with the ball. He always had a smile on his face and the way he played football made others fall in love with the beautiful game.
To say that Ronaldinho had it all would be an understatement. The Brazilian legend had plenty of tricks and knew how to glide past defenders in numerous ways. He could easily dribble past opponents, perform stepovers or find his teammates in space with amazing vision.
At his peak, Ronaldinho had some outrageous moments with the ball and gifted the Barcelona fans pure joy of football. He scored 94 goals and provided 71 assists for the Catalan giants and was also a mentor to young Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.
During his five seasons at Barcelona, Ronaldinho was at the peak of his powers and emerged as the world's best player for his exploits. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year twice and the 2005 Ballon d'Or after he helped Barcelona win their first UEFA Champions League title in fourteen years.
Due to his outstanding goals against Real Madrid, he was one of the few Barcelona legends to get a standing ovation from rival fans.
#1 Lionel Messi
It is no surprise that the greatest player in Barcelona's history takes our #1 spot. Before his move to PSG this summer, Leo Messi was synonymous with Barcelona and played the most important part in the club's success in 21st century.
With his left-foot comparable to the great Maradona's, Messi was more than just a legend for the Catalan club. There have been countless times when the Argentine genius sent shockwaves around the globe with his majestic performances for his former club.
Messi has been blessed with superior control, elegant touch, quick dribbling and terrific vision, among other traits. He remains one of the most complete players of the 21st century - both in terms of creating and scoring goals.
He scored 672 goals and provided 301 assists during his tenure in Spain. It goes without saying that his outrageous statistics and legacy are unmatched and will remain intact in the near future.
