5 of the greatest South Americans to have worn the colours of FC Barcelona

The history of FC Barcelona is littered with the magic sprinkled by South American talents who have held the Camp Nou spellbound with their trickery, skills, passion, and performances.

Like most of the giant clubs from the European Latinate nations (Spain, Italy, Portugal), Catalunya has been seen as “home away from home” by countless South American players for whom the language, culture, and environment of Barcelona feel very similar to that of their home countries.

Given the rather large number of players from that continent who have worn the blue & red colours of the Blaugrana, there have been a number of disappointments, especially from the one South American nation that has provided the most players for the Catalan giants; Brazil.

However, there are some whose names will always bring back feelings of awe and happiness whenever Culés recall their exploits.

A lot of talented South Americans have been left off the list: Neymar, Diego Maradona, Romario et al among others due to their rather short stay at the club.

Here is a list of five FC Barcelona players of South American descent who have wowed football fans the world over:

#5 Rivaldo (1997–2002)

The sleepy-looking genius was the brightest spark in a troubled era at Barca

Thin, hungry-looking but with a left foot fashioned by the gods themselves and an ability to rival the best players that Brazil has ever produced, Vítor Borba “Rivaldo” Ferreira was a one-of-a-kind player who was typical of football in that era where the creative-minded number 10 was king: the genius who could sleepwalk through an entire game but change the complexion of the match with one moment of magic.

The shining light of what were some turbulent times for Barca, Rivaldo’s artistry, skills, goalscoring and assists were some of the more illuminating aspects of life as a Cule during the dark days of Josep Lluís Núñez’s presidency (1978-2000).

It is an indictment of the club at that time and not a reflection of the Brazilian number 10s talent that he would only win 4 trophies; 2 La Liga titles, a UEFA Super Cup and a Copa del Rey during his stint at the club.

He is best remembered for the outrageous quality of some of the 136 goals he scored in 253 games at the club; a majestic tally despite not being a traditional striker.

#4 Luis Suárez (2014 – to date)

El Pisotlero has more than delivered despite his bad-boy rep

El Pistolero (The Pistol) as the Uruguayan is fondly called was an almost instant hit at the Camp Nou following his arrival in a €82.3m deal from Liverpool in 2014.

He had arrived under a cloud of acrimony following the biting incident with Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil; an offence for which he was suspended from all football-related activities for four months by FIFA.

Even though Barca fans had to wait for months to view their new signing, it was as if the previous four months had not happened as he formed an almost instantaneous bond with fellow forwards Neymar & Messi which led to the terrific trio being dubbed MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar) by media and fans alike.

The Uruguayan has been an inspired signing for the Catalans as his agility, exceptional movement, brilliant finishing, and other superb attributes have seen him plunder goal after goal in the famous blue and red jersey.

With 142 goals & 82 assists in 189 games so far for Barcelona, expect The Pistol to enter the club’s pantheon of legends when he eventually makes his exit.

#3 Dani Alves (2008–2016)

The Brazilian was an inspired signing who over-performed for the club

Nobody, not even Pep Guardiola, could have guessed the impact that this straight-shooting, ball of fire and energetic Brazilian would have had at the club and why he is being spoken of as the club’s greatest ever right back.

Born Daniel Alves da Silva 'Dani Alves', the Brazilian right-back was signed for £23m (plus £7m in performance-related add-ons) from Sevilla in 2008 in Pep’s first season as manager.

He was a revelation for Los Nervionenses as he was an integral part of the team that, under Juande Ramos, won 5 trophies in three seasons including two UEFA Cups (now Europa League) & a UEFA Super Cup (where Sevilla thrashed a Ronaldinho-led Barca 3-0).

The brash Brazilian would go on to become a pillar of the all-conquering Barcelona side that swept all before it under the tutelage of Guardiola and became a firm favourite of Culés with his marauding runs down the right flank, exuberant style of play, brilliant crossing and almost telepathic understanding with teammates, especially Lionel Messi.

In an 8-year period which also happens to be the best in Barcelona’s history, the Brazilian won a staggering haul of 26 trophies including 6 La Liga titles & 3 UEFA Champions League trophies.

He featured in 414 games for the Blaugrana and scored 23 goals; his departure was met with anger by the fans who blamed the club’s board led by Josep Bartomeu for this fans favourite’s exit.

#2 Ronaldinho (2003–2008)

Ronnie's signing was the catalyst for Barca's present success

While the buck-toothed eighth wonder of the world’s time at the Camp Nou was short-lived, such was his influence on the change in the club’s fortunes that it would have been impossible to leave him off this list.

While campaigning for the presidency of the club in 2004, Joan Laporta had promised Culés a marquee signing which would help galvanize a club that was in the doldrums at that time with zero trophies in 4 years.

Originally thought to be heading to Real Madrid, Laporta was reportedly more interested in getting David Beckham from Manchester United but after Real supremo Florentino Pérez decided to go for the more marketable Beckham, the Barca president swooped for the Brazilian genius in a €30 million deal from then French strugglers PSG.

From a footballing perspective, it was the mother of all mistakes by Pérez and one of the luckiest breaks for Barcelona as Ronaldinho went on to be the galvanizing force of a side that swept away all in its path, winning 5 trophies including two La Liga & a UCL title in his time at the club.

Skillful beyond compare, his dribbles, passes, moves, goals, assists, and trademark smiles made Culés dream again, ensuring his place in the pantheon of Barca greats.

In 207 games for the club, he scored 90 goals and made 71 assists, a phenomenal record.

Probably the only Blaugrana player in the long & often bitter history of El Clasico to get a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronnie was the undisputed star of world football at that time and won two FIFA World Footballer of the Year awards while in Barcelona colours.

#1 Lionel Messi (2004-Present)

Without a shadow of a doubt, he is the greatest Barca player of all time

Was there any doubt as to who would be number one on this list? It could only be the magical, mesmerizing, magnificent, mercurial and majestic La Pulga Atómica (The Atomic Flea) as Messi is known.

Such has been the little genius’ brilliance for the Blaugrana that there are genuine fears that when he eventually hangs up his boots; the club (one of the biggest in the world) could easily slip into a comatose state once again.

Having arrived at the club as a scrawny but highly rated 13-year-old with medical issues: he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency while still at hometown club Newell’s Old Boys, the gawky little kid has grown into a man whose every move brings joy to the hearts of all football fans worldwide.

A book can be written about his abilities alone; low centre of gravity which makes it almost impossible to push him off the ball, dribbling abilities better than anyone else’s in world football, passing abilities that are out of this world, goalscoring feats that even the most accomplished strikers would kill for, Messi has been the go-to guy for the club since he made his debut.

With 543 goals in 628 appearances, he is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer as well as the leading scorer of all time in La Liga.