Ranking the 5 greatest players to wear the #10 jersey at Barcelona

Bhargav
Ronaldinho (left) and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest #10s in Barcelona history.
Ronaldinho (left) and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest #10s in Barcelona history.

#3 Laszlo Kubala

Laszlo Kubala was Barcelona's top scorer until 2012
Laszlo Kubala was Barcelona's top scorer until 2012

Laszlo Kubala is arguably the first Barcelona superstar. He put the club on the footballing map with his goalscoring exploits to endear himself to the Blaugrana faithful.

Kubala arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 1950. He began to enthrall the club faithful with his free-kick prowess, creativity and vision to conjure plays for teammates. The late Hungarian remains the last player to score seven goals in a La Liga game.

The son of Hungarian immigrants, he was one of Barcelona's first regular #10s. The four-time La Liga and five-time Copa Del Rey winner was Barcelona's top scorer for close to six decades before he was surpassed by Lionel Messi in 2012.


#2 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or with Barcelona
Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or with Barcelona

Ronaldinho is one of Barcelona's most famous #10s since the turn of the century. The smiling Brazilian, who scored over 100 goals for the Blaugrana, mesmerised fans and opponents alike with his ability on the ball.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup winner won a rare standing ovation at the home of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid, in one of the great all-time El Clasico performances by a player. He scored two goals of exquisite beauty on that memorable night, helping Barcelona to a 3-0 win.

The Brazilian's arrival at Camp Nou in the summer of 2003, together with coach Frank Rijkaard, sparked a period of unprecedented success for Barcelona after a few middling years.

Ronaldinho, who wore the Barcelona #10 jersey for all five seasons he was at the club, ended the Blaugrana's six-year La Liga title drought. He helped them successfully defend the title the next season, and also led them to Champions League glory. For his exploits that year, Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or award.

It was Ronaldinho who mentored a certain Lionel Messi in his early years at the club, before injuries and poor form saw the Brazilian leave the club.


#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is Barcelona's most famous #10
Lionel Messi is Barcelona's most famous #10

Lionel Messi is arguably the best player to have ever stepped foot onto a football field.

During an illustrious 17-year stint at the club, Messi has scored goals and won laurels - both team and individual. The 6-time Ballon d'Or winner scored a staggering 672 goals for the club, twice more than the next-most prolific scorer in the club's history.

The ten-time La Liga winner also won two continental trebles and eight Pichichi awards while at Barcelona. Apart from his goals, Messi also provided 305 assists during his stay at the club.

Messi weaved magic on the Camp Nou turf with his magical left foot, weaving his way through the tightest of defences in his prime. In his later years, the 34-year-old dropped deep and excelled as a playmaker too.

Now at PSG, the 34-year-old will hope to make similar exploits before he bids adieu from the game.

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