Barcelona’s 'shouldn't have sold' XI

Throughout its illustrious history, Barcelona has let some of the world’s best players slip through their hands. Some players were deemed surplus to requirements while others left the club because of various issues.

Players like Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pepe Reina, Mark van Bommel, Gary Lineker, Romario, Ronaldinho, and Deco have left the club too early in their career but went on to achieve greatness elsewhere.

On that note, let’s take a look at the starting XI that Barcelona should not have sold.

Formation: 3-4-3

Goal Keeper - Andoni Zubizarreta

17 full seasons in La Liga, 833 competitive games, and 6 times La Liga winner, Andoni Zubizarreta was one of the best goalkeepers in the world during the 80’s and 90’s. Johan Cruyff sacrificed him after the 1994 UEFA Champions League defeat in the finals and was made the scapegoat. He was sold to Valencia during the summer of 1994.

Though he left the Catalan giants at the age of 32, he went on to make 184 appearances for Valencia at the highest level. Barcelona struggled to find a replacement for him and it turned out to be a big mistake from Johan Cruyff. He also made 126 appearances for Spain national team and represented them in 4 consecutive World Cups.

Honorable Mention: Pepe Reina

Defence

Alves is still arguably the best full-back in the world

Dani Alves

Dani Alves spent 8 years at the Nou Camp, making 391 appearances for the club and won 23 trophies along the way. However, the Brazilian left the club during the summer of 2016 and joined the Italian giants Juventus. He lifted the Serie A title during his one year stay at the club and also led them to the finals of UEFA Champions League.

He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Even at the age of 34, Alves is one of the best right-backs in the world. "I have to say that I did not feel as comfortable anymore at Barca," Alves told the official FIFA website. "Things changed at a club level, and as time went on, I always seemed to be the one in the firing line."

Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc joined Barcelona in 1996 but the departure of Johan Cruyff immediately after his arrival played a major part in his disappointing stay at the Camp Nou. He left the club in 1997, just 12 months after his arrival.

He was a high-scoring defender, known for his ability to read the game, anticipation, and technical ability. He was excellent in the air and has scored 130 goals in his senior career. Though he left Barcelona at the age of 31, he produced some brilliant football in his next six seasons at Marseille, Inter Milan, and Manchester United. He also lifted the Premier League title with Manchester United in his last senior season.

Miguel Angel Nadal

Dubbed by British tabloids as the "Beast of Barcelona", Miguel Angel Nadal lifted five La Liga, two Copa del Rey and the 1992 European Cup with the Catalan giants during his eight years stay at the Camp Nou. He was the defensive lynchpin of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team.”

Though he left Barcelona only at the age of 33, he played six full seasons at Mallorca, making 149 La Liga appearances. It took a while for Barcelona to find his ideal replacement and they could have used Miguel for few more seasons. He retired at the age of 39, with 487 La Liga appearances.

Midfield

Sanchez never really settled at Barca

Luis Figo

Luis Figo switched Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000 for a fee of £37 million. He was arguably the best midfielder in the world at the time and moved to Real Madrid at the peak of his career. After making 172 La Liga appearances for the Catalan giants, Figo switched allegiance in 2000, aged 27.

Known for his passing, vision, dribbling, crosses, and set piece abilities, Figo went on to win two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League title with the Galacticos. Florentino Perez masterminded the deal and Figo later said, “Barça weren't treating me properly – it was too late when they did, so I joined Real Madrid"

Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean was deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou when Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, and Neymar joined the club. He had 3 good seasons with Barcelona where he scored 39 goals in 88 La Liga appearances. However, Barcelona sold him to Arsenal in 2014.

Alexis Sanchez was a great hit at the Emirates where he scored 60 goals in 122 Premier League appearances. Known for his pace, stamina, strength, creativity, and versatility, the Chilean has become one of the best midfielders in the world under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger. A big mistake by Pep Guardiola.

Thiago Alcantara

Thiago graduated from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy before making his senior debut in 2009. His first team chances were reduced because of the presence of Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fàbregas. He joined the German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £17.3 million.

Thiago is a technically gifted playmaker with excellent ball control and dribbling abilities. He is absolutely brilliant in possession and accurate with his passing. Though Barcelona wanted him to stay, the departure of Pep Guardiola made his decision to leave Barcelona an easy one. He is now an integral part of the Bayern team and a world-class player.

Yaya Toure

Since switching Barcelona for Manchester City in 2010 for a reported fee of €30 million (£24.6m), Yaya Toure has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. A typical box-to-box midfielder, Toure is known for his ability to convert defence into attack. His pace, physical presence, and marauding attacking runs are phenomenal.

Deteriorated relationship with Pep Guardiola was the primary reason for his departure. Toure told ONA FM, “Whenever I asked Pep something, he always gave strange answers. He pretty much ignored me until City's offer came in. That's why I eventually opted to leave. I didn't speak to Guardiola for a year. "If he had talked to me, I would have stayed at Barcelona.”

Honorable Mention: Mark Van Bommel

Forward

Neymar moved to PSG in the summer

Neymar

The most expensive player in the world right now. It shook the footballing world when Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer of 2017 in a €222 million deal. He was touted for greatness at Barcelona and regarded as the heir to Lionel Messi. However, he left the club after 4 successful seasons.

Neymar is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world right now and arguably in the top 3. The Brazilian is known for his energy, pace, dribbling, and prolific finishing abilities. He formed a ruthless strike partnership with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, famously known as MSN. However, the 26-year-old was sold at the peak of his career.

Diego Maradona

Oh, my word! What have you done Barcelona? Arguably one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Diego Maradona was expected to take Barcelona to glory when he joined the club in 1982. However, minor injuries and issues with the then club president Nunez led to his Camp Nou departure in 1984.

He went on to score 115 goals for Napoli and also helped them to two Serie A titles. Jersey no.10 was retired by Napoli as a recognition of his contribution to the club. He also played a stellar role in Argentina’s 1986 FIFA World Cup success, winning the Golden Ball. A true legend of the game.

Ronaldo

No Barcelona fan can forget this. Regarded as one of the greatest forward of all time, Ronaldo was let go just after one season when the 20-year-old scored 34 La Liga goals in 37 appearances. He left the club because of problems with the renegotiation of his contract and Joseph Nunez was primarily to be blamed for his departure. Inter Milan signed him in 1997.

He scored 59 goals for Inter Milan and moved to Barcelona’s fiercest rivals, Real Madrid. He led them to 2 La Liga titles and scored 104 goals. His ultimate success came with the Brazil national team as he led them to World Cup success in 1994 and 2002.

Honorable Mentions: Zlatan Ibrahimoic, Samuel Eto'o