'%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)
Central Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets | 523
Barcelona and Spain legend Sergio Busquets has the distinction of having played the most number of games alongside Leo Messi in the Argentine's career. The Spaniard has been a colossus in every single one of Barcelona's all-conquering teams since 2009, of which there have been a few renditions.
Trending
Be it their sextuple-winning side in 2009 or Luis Enrique's treble-winning team of 2014/15, Busquets has been an ever-present figure at the base of Barcelona's midfield. At 32, the Spaniard might not be in a position to play games week in week out, but he certainly still remains a top-notch player who can break lines with ease.
Busquets has amassed a staggering eight LaLiga titles at Barcelona, along with three UCL titles, having represented the Catalans on 579 occasions throughout an incredibly illustrious career. The World Cup-winning midfielder has played alongside Leo Messi 523 times for the former Spanish champions.
Central Midfield: Xavi Hernandez | 399
Widely regarded as Barcelona's finest and one of this generation's greatest midfielders, Xavi Hernandez was pivotal to Pep Guardiola's golden era at the club. The midfield controller had an excellent understanding on the pitch with Messi given that he played on the same side as the Argentine for many years.
Xavi was Barcelona's chief orchestrator, and was one of the most reliable figures in possession for Guardiola's side. He formed what is arguably the most extraordinary midfield trio of the century with Busquets and Andres Iniesta. This midfield went on to dominate on both domestic and international fronts with sheer dominance. Xavi's combination play with Leo Messi, and Dani Alves on the right was a sight to behold, as well.
The 40-year-old racked up an astonishing 767 appearances for the Blaugrana, chipping in with 85 goals and 185 assists in that period. The eight-time LaLiga winner and four-time UCL champion played 399 games alongside Messi at Barcelona, making him one of Messi's most memorable teammates.
Central midfield: Andres Iniesta | 489
With the exception of Sergio Busquets, no player in Messi's career has played more games with him than Andres Iniesta. The Spaniard, who was at one point the best midfielder in the world, was part of the famed midfield that conquered the continent on four separate occasions.
On the international front, Iniesta took control of proceedings in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and scored the winning goal in the final to lead Spain to glory. He was named Man of the Match for his sublime performance in the game, and replicated his display two years later in the UEFA Euro 2012 final against Italy as well. With a whopping 35 trophies to his name, Iniesta, to date, remains the most decorated Spanish footballer of all time, and has more LaLiga titles than any Barcelona player in history bar Leo Messi.
Out of Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta, it was the nine-time LaLiga winner that pushed forward the most and combined with Messi to produce slick, stunning goals for Barcelona. Iniesta played alongside Messi on 489 occasions throughout his 22 years at the Nou Camp.
Also Read: Ranking the top 10 U-23 players in world football currently
