'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The beginnings of one of the greatest footballing club was a very humble one. It all started when Hans Gamper went to meet his uncle in Barcelona. The Swiss national fell in love with the Catalan city and decided to stay there. He practised football in the streets of Barcelona and in 1899 placed his advert in Los Deportes to form a football club. Apart from being the founder of the club, he, later on, went to become the captain and five-time president of the club.
In the 1951/52 season, the club secured 5 trophies including LaLiga, the Copa del Generalísimo, the Copa Latina, the Copa Eva Duarte, and the Copa Martini Rossi, which authenticates the clubs' glorious history.
One of the most prolific decision in the clubs' history was taken in 1979 when they opened La Masia de Can Planes or La Masia for short. The youth academy has produced numerous talents throughout the years, some of whom are also featured in the list.
In 1988 Johan Cruyff returned to the Camp Nou but as a manager this time and assembled one of the strongest squad in the clubs' history which was also dubbed as the "Dream Team".
In the 2008-09 season, Pep Guardiola took the charge of clubs' helm and brought with him the tiki-taka style of play. In 2009 the club created history by winning 6 trophies in a year, namely the LaLiga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de España and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Barcelona's rich history has been procured by many individuals who over the years have featured for the club. I have fielded a full-fledged playing XI of the greatest players who have embraced the club jersey.
The formation that I'm going with is a 3-5-2.
Before we start, I would like to name out a few honourable mentions: Joan Segarra, Hristo Stoichkov, Pep Guardiola, Rivaldo and many others.
Goalkeeper
Andoni Zubizarreta
Appearances: 490
Years played: 1986-1994
In between the sticks, who else can it be other than Andoni Zubizarreta, one of the greatest shot-stoppers in the Spanish club history. The Spaniard was a great motivator, encouraging his defenders from behind. He captained the club for several seasons and played a crucial role in Barcelona's first ever European Cup triumph in 1992.
Defence
Carles Puyol
Appearances: 663
Years played: 1999-2014
A one-club man, Carles Puyol spent his entire career with the Blaugrana since joining the youth academy when he was only 17 years old. Arguably the best captain the club ever had, he piloted the team to 21 trophies during his 15-year-long tenure at Camp Nou.
Ronald Koeman
Appearances: 345
Years played: 1989-1995
The Dutch defender was one of the central figures of Barca's Dream Team. Apart from being a very skilled defender, Koeman scored an incredible 102 goals during his stay with the Catalan club, a remarkable feat for a defender. The highlight of his career was his game-winner in the European cup final at Wembley in 1992.
Dani Alves
Appearances: 414
Years played: 2008-2016
It was a tough choice for the last position in defence between Dani Alves and Joan Segarra. But I've gone with the Brazilian who is the most decorated footballer in the history with 39 trophies to his name, most of which came during his stay at Barcelona. Over the 8 seasons, Alves rampaged up and down the flank for Barca, earning him the nickname The Tarantula for his physical strength.
Midfield
Xavi Hernandez
Appearances: 869
Years played: 1998-2015
There's no other player who symbolises the Barca values as much as Xavi does. A product of La Masia, Xavi wasn't the strongest player but he used his movement to outwit others. For years he pulled the strings from the midfield being the creative genius he is. He left Barça in 2015, having broken the club record for most first-team appearances.
Andres Iniesta
Appearances: 758
Years played: 2002-2018
It would be criminal of me to include Xavi and not include Iniesta. If Xavi was the puppeteer pulling the strings of the play then Iniesta was the conductor, guiding the play like a symphony with his sublime passes. The Maestro left the club after the 2017-18 season having 32 trophies as a Blaugrana.
Michael Laudrup
Appearances: 288
Years played: 1989-1994
The supremely talented Michael Laudrup is one of the most under-appreciated Barcelona legends. Considered by Franz Beckenbauer as one of the greatest footballers in the 1990s, the great Dane excelled at one on ones and his passing prowess was second to none. His vision to find players inside the box was absolute class.
Ronaldinho
Appearances: 250
Years played: 2003-2008
The most famous player of his era. What Ronaldinho brought to the game was an absolute joy to the viewers. Immensely blessed with talent the Brazilian performed jaw-dropping skills which were appreciated by even the fiercest of the Rivals. In 2005 when Ronaldinho tore Bernabeu apart, the crowd showed brilliant respect for one of the all-time greats.
Johan Cruyff
Appearances: 231
Years played: 1973-1978
Loaded with enormous technical ability, flair and panache, the Dutchman won 3 Ballons d'Or, in 1971, 1973 and 1974. Cruyff is considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of the 20th century. After having an exceptional career as a player, Cruyff had a fruitful career as a manager for Barcelona between 1988 and 1996, leaving his indelible mark at the club.
Forward
Laszlo Kubala
Appearances: 345
Years played: 1950-1961
A powerful striker, back in the 1950s, Kubala was one of the most feared attackers in the world. The Hungarian-born forward used his strong physique to muscle out the ball off the defenders. He was an absolute predator in front of the goal and scored a total of 280 goals for the Catalan club. By the time he left Barcelona, he was the greatest player they ever had.
Lionel Messi
Appearances: 650
Years played: 2004-Present
The most obvious choice of them all, who else can it be than Leo. Already acclaimed as one of the greatest players ever, the Argentine has won everything possible at club level and virtually broken down every record that exists. The little magician has picked up a total of 33 trophies and has a staggering 5 Ballons d'Or to his name. At 31, Leo is still going strong and completes our greatest Barcelona XI.
