Top 4 African players who signed for FC Barcelona

Yaya Toure had an effective time with the Blaugrana
Yaya Toure had an effective time with the Blaugrana

Barcelona has seen a host of players turn up at the Camp Nou for them over the years. Obviously, the majority of them have been Spanish by nationality, but numerous foreign individuals have been remembered by the Barcelona faithful.

Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho have been some of the best South American players to play for the Blaugrana.

Rivaldo and Ronaldo also enjoyed success at Barca and were from the same region. Dutch players like Johan Cruyff and Patrick Kluivert are also names at the top of the most successful Barca players' list.

Comparatively, the representation from Africa has been less. Europe and South America normally produce the majority of footballing talent, so that is not much of a surprise.

13 players in total from Africa had turned out for Barcelona, and the number incremented recently.

Barcelona signed Kevin-Prince Boateng from Sassuolo on loan and the Ghanian international has already started life at the club. On that note here are the top four African players who signed for FC Barcelona.


#4 Gerardo Miranda (Mauritius)

Miranda played for Barcelona from 1981 to 1988
Miranda played for Barcelona from 1981 to 1988

The majority of people won't know this player, and they can be excused. Miranda plied his trade for Barcelona quite a few time ago.

The Mauritanian played for the Catalans from 1981 to 1988, making 155 appearances for the Spanish side in the process.

Only two other Africans have made more appearances for Barcelona; they are Samuel Eto'o and Seydou Keita.

Miranda made more than 100 appearances for Las Palmas before Barcelona signed him in 1981.

His sole league title came in the 1984-85 season with Barcelona. He made 28 appearances in that campaign, scoring three goals in the process. After his Barcelona stint, he returned to Las Palmas and retired from football there.

He also won two Copa del Rey trophies at Barcelona, along with two Copa de 1a Liga, and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

#3 Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Toure was signed from Monaco
Toure was signed from Monaco

Barcelona signed Toure in 2007 from Monaco, for a reported fee of €10 million. Even though he had his differences with Pep Guardiola, he was effective during his time in Spain. He started out as the holding midfielder in the middle and enjoyed a hugely successful time in terms of trophies.

He was part of the side which won the sextuple in 2009. Surprisingly Toure started at centre-back in the Champions League final against Manchester United, as Sergio Busquets filled his role.

Busquets continued to do that in the 2009/10 season, which meant that Toure was often placed on the bench.

The Ivory Coast international left Barca in 2010, moving to Manchester City for £24 million where he arguably achieved greater things.

He made 74 appearances in three seasons for the Catalan side, scoring 6 goals. Toure's stint at the Camp Nou was a brief one, but it was a successful one for both parties involved.

#2 Seydou Keita (Mali)

Keita was an important player for Guardiola
Keita was an important player for Guardiola

Keita was signed by Barcelona in 2007, and he became the first Malian to every play for the club. Barca shelled out €14 million to recruit him from Sevilla, and in turn, set his release clause to a high figure of €90 million.

The midfielder was never one of the star figures for a season, but he was a vital player in the successful Barca side. He was in Spain for four seasons, winning a host of trophies in the process. He made 46 appearances in his debut season, as Barcelona won the treble.

Keita made 188 total appearances for Barcelona, scoring 22 goals. Surprisingly he was the player who made the most appearances in the 2010-11 campaign, one which brought another Champions League title.

He left Barcelona for Chinese side Dalian Aerbin in 2012, and he currently plies his trade at El-Jaish in Qatar.

#1 Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

Eto'o was at Barcelona for five seasons
Eto'o was at Barcelona for five seasons

Arguably the best servant in this list, Eto'o was at Barcelona for half a decade, where he attained legendary status.

The Cameroon international made 199 appearances for the club, scoring 130 goals in the process. That is some ratio, isn't it?

Eto'o signed from Barcelona in 2004, departing Mallorca after spending four seasons there. The transfer fee was €24 million, which came to fruition after lengthy transfer talks.

Barcelona won the league title in his first season, and he scored 29 goals in that campaign. Eto'o had fractious relationships with managers Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola, but his goalscoring ability remained just as good.

He scored goals in both the Champions League finals he played in, emerging victorious on both occasions. His last season was the best one when he scored 36 goals in all competitions. Inter Milan secured his services in 2010, where he enjoyed further success.

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Edited by Alan John