Barcelona's team of the decade 

Juventus v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Final
Juventus v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Final

Defenders

Left-Back: Jordi Alba (2012 - Present)

FC Barcelona v Valencia CF - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Valencia CF - La Liga

Jordi Alba spent seven years of his football developmental stage with the Barcelona youth teams, before embarking on further spells with sides like Cornelia and Gimanastic Tarragona.

It was at Valencia that he fully became established and after three seasons with the Los Che first team, Alba returned 'home' to Barcelona in 2012.

Since then, he has played his way into being considered one of the finest left-backs of his generation, while playing a starring role in the successes enjoyed by the Catalans in his spell with the club.

So far, Alba has made 309 appearances for Barcelona in all competition, scoring 16 goals, while his on-field partnership with Lionel Messi on the left flank is priceless and an essential component of Barcelona's attacking play.

Left-Center-Back: Javier Mascherano (2010-2018)

International Champions Cup 2016 - Leicester City v Barcelona
International Champions Cup 2016 - Leicester City v Barcelona

When Pep Guardiola decided to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool for the sum of £17.25 million in the summer of 2010, many openly questioned the manager's decision.

For starters, he had a certain Sergio Busquets who was gaining traction in the holding midfield role, while the fact that he had just let Yaya Toure leave for Manchester City made the decision even more baffling.

However, being the master tactician that he is, Guardiola employed a masterstroke by deploying Javier Mascherano in the centre of defence to act as a cover for the increasingly injury-prone Carles Puyol.

Despite playing out of position, the former Argentine international took to his new role like a fish to water, so much so that the legendary Puyol's absence was not felt as much.

Mascherano effortlessly switched between his defending duties at club level and his midfield role for his country and eight years after arriving, he departed Camp Nou as a bonafide legend, with the club giving him a send forth befitting those made a genuine mark on the club.

The former West Ham man made a total of 334 appearances in all competitions with just the one goal, although he had a burgeoning medal collection, with 18 major trophies won in the colours of Barcelona.

Right Center-Back: Gerard Pique (2008 - Present)

FC Barcelona v Slavia Praha: Group F - UEFA Champions League
FC Barcelona v Slavia Praha: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Gerard Pique is a member of the famed La Masia Class of '87 (alongside Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas), but like the latter, he found glory with Barcelona by way of a transitional period away from the club.

After starring with Manchester United in the Premier League, Gerard Pique returned to Barcelona in 2008 and immediately established himself in the first team, playing an integral role in what is undeniably the greatest season in the history of club football.

Since then, he has grown to not only be a leader on the field but off it as well and he has been one of the most vocal proponents of Catalunyan succession which has further endeared him to fans of the club.

Pique is currently the 7th-highest on the list of all-time appearance makers for Barcelona with 513 appearances in all competitions, while he has also shown his attacking prowess with 47 goals scored.

Right-Back: Dani Alves (2008-2016)

FC Barcelona v Real CD Espanyol - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Real CD Espanyol - La Liga

Dani Alves was the first signing in the Pep Guardiola era, arriving from Sevilla a few weeks after the Catalan was appointed and in many ways, he was one of the most impactful signings in the history of the club.

The Brazilian skipper combined attacking impetus with effortless defending and has been the standard-bearer for all right-backs in the last 15 years.

To date, Alves is the most decorated player in the history of European football and for many years, he was the player who had assisted the most goals for Lionel Messi before he was overtaken by Luis Suarez in 2018.

Indeed, proof how much impact Alves had in Barcelona's colours lies in the fact that despite having left the club over three seasons ago, the club are yet to effectively replace him on the right flank of defence.

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