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Barcelona trotted up to Les Parc des Princes full of verve and confidence after their fabled trio of MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar) had pulled them back into the league title race and put them into the Copa del Rey final with some emphatic displays of attacking football. But apparently, that was just papering over the cracks. What happened in Paris was not a pretty sight for any fan of the Blaugrana.
They limped their way back to Catalonia after being hammered to smithereens by a resurgent Paris Saint-Germain who were led by the irresistible Angel di Maria. Having never given the Catalans a moment’s peace when he used to ply his trade with Real Madrid, he continued in a similar vein for Les Parisiens – and with a brace took his goals against Barcelona tally to 4.
Drawing inspiration from this, we look back at the 5 players who have tormented Barcelona the most – as you would expect it’s dominated by players from their fierce Castilian rivals, Real Madrid.
All Stats courtesy AS
5. Rafael Marañón (Espanyol) – 9 goals
Espanyol may not have many happy memories of playing their richer, vastly more successful cross-town neighbours Barcelona but in the mid-70’s ace striker Rafa Marañón did give them something to smile about.
He scored 111 goals in all competitions for the lesser known Catalans (a record he held until Raul Tamudo broke it in 2007), 9 of which came against their illustrious counterparts in blue and red.
4. Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, and memorably once for Chelsea) – 11 goals
The man they call El Nino loves playing against Barcelona. Starting off with a glorious solo goal on the 1st of February, 2003 he has scored 11 goals against La Blaugrana – his last coming in the UEFA Champions League on the 5th of April, 2016.
And he’s done this regardless of form. Even when he could barely hit a barn door while at Chelsea, he stabbed them to death with a brilliant breakaway goal that was taken with a flamboyance that harked back to the glory days of old. He even marked his return to Atletico by scoring a sumptuous goal in a crucial 3-2 win.
Considering the form he is in, don’t think Barca will fancy their last trip to the Vicente Calderon come the 26th of February.
3. Raúl Gonzalez Blanco (Real Madrid) – 15 goals
There were few teams the Prince of Madrid liked scoring against more than Barcelona. From his first season in the famous all-white that he made his own (1994), till his penultimate season (2009) Raúl banged in goal after goal against the arch rivals – and more often than not he ended up on the winning side.
An arch predator, his 15 goals against Barca are like a mini-CV of his greatest attributes – unmatched poaching abilities, underrated pace, great heading and a ruthlessness in front of goal that has made him a legend in Spain’s capital and one of the greatest left feet the game has ever seen.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 16 goals
When will the myth that Cristiano Ronaldo does not turn up for the big games die down? The man has done everything, against everyone - and 16 goals against his arch nemesis Leo Messi and co. are just a statistical testament to the ruthless goal scoring ability of the Portuguese. He has scored all manner of goals against Barca including some trademark power headers, pacey individual goals and goals that just plain embarrassed the opposition.
Also, Read: Cristiano Ronaldo - Is he the Greatest European footballer of all time?
These days the main subplot of El Clasico is also about Ronaldo vs Messi, and it’s a very rare day when neither one of them are the difference maker.
1. Alfredo di Stefano (Real Madrid) – 18 goals
The great Argentine has always been a pain in the side of Barcelona. Initially brought over to Spain by Barcelona, and then ordered by FIFA to spend a season each for Barca and Real Madrid, La Blaugrana had disgustedly given up the case and let Madrid take him.
5 Champions League titles, 8 League titles, 5 Pichichi trophies, 2 Balon d'Or and 18 goals against them would definitely not have helped Barca ease their pain of the transfer saga.
He was a prolific striker who tormented Barcelona throughout his distinguished playing career.
Di Stefano’s goal comes up around the fag end of the video – but the vintage football makes for some wonderful viewing.
