Who are the best Barcelona players of all time? These players had the greatest impact at one of the most iconic clubs in the world.
Best Barcelona Players of All Time
These legendary individuals left their mark at one of the greatest clubs ever. Let’s take a look at the best players in Barcelona’s history.
10. Pep Guardiola
Before Pep Guardiola became a legendary coach he became a Barcelona icon as a player. Joining the club’s La Masia youth academy as a 13-year old he rose through the ranks and made his senior debut six years later in 1990. An intelligent and technically gifted defensive midfielder, he was a part of six La Liga titles for the club, and he helped win Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992.
9. Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique formed one of the most commanding centre back partnerships in history with Carles Puyol. Pique’s defensive ability was world class and he displayed excellent positioning, composure, intelligence and leadership. Another product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, he returned in 2008 from a stint with Manchester United and featured in 307 league games in La Liga. He is a 9-time La Liga champion and won three Champions League crowns with Barcelona.
8. Cesar
Cesar was one of the best centre forwards to ever play for Barcelona with an ability to score with a powerful header and by using both feet. One of the best Barcelona players ever, he won the Spanish title five times during his career.
In addition to his excellent finishing he could create opportunities with his excellent dribbling skills and he held the record for most league goals for sixty years until Lionel Messi overtook his goal tally in 2012.
7. Rivaldo
Rivaldo was an unstoppable force at Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles in his five years at the club. Across his 157 league games he scored 86 goals, dazzling across the pitch with his enthralling dribbling, pace, passing and finishing ability. Rivaldo’s career peaked in 1999 after winning the Ballon d’Or, the ultimate rags to riches story after overcoming physical hurdles and a tough upbringing.
6. Johan Cruyff
The greatest player never to win the World Cup Johan Cruyff revolutionized Barcelona’s style of play. His elegance, intelligence, and technical brilliance earned him many accolades including being crowned the Ballon d’Or three times. Cruyff managed to win one La Liga title in 1973-74 and scored 48 goals in 143 league games. He also helped guide Barcelona to their first La Liga title in nearly 15 years as manager in 1990.
5. Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol starred for Barcelona across a fifteen-year career, with ten of those spent as club captain. Beginning his career as a right-back he fast became one of the world’s best centrebacks and had a formidable partnership at the back with Gerard Pique.
Despite his 5-foot-10 height he was physically imposing, great in the air, showed immense bravery and had a no-nonsense mentality which made him one of the most consistent defenders in the world. He won La Liga six times and the Champions League on three occasions.
4. Ronaldinho
During his prime Ronaldinho was one of the most exciting players to watch in football history. He joined Barcelona from PSG in 2003 and in five seasons, won the Champions League in 2006, and La Liga on two occasions. His silky skill, flair and speed was a key part of the beginning of Barcelona’s domination in European football.
Ronaldinho earned himself the Ballon d’Or in 2005, the same year he became the first person since Diego Maradona to earn a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.
3. Andrés Iniesta
Andres Iniesta was a huge part of Barcelona’s golden generation and is one of the best Barcelona players of all time. Indispensable in midfield, he had immense skill, composure and flair, and he formed a legendary trio with Xavi and Lionel Messi.
Iniesta played 442 games in La Liga and provided 86 assists. He had an ability to take his game to another level the bigger the occasion was, earning nine La Liga championships, four Champions League titles, was awarded Ballon d’Or runner-up in 2010 and third place in 2012.
2. Xavi
Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders ever. Beginning his career at the club as a 11-year old he was instrumental in over 500 league games for Barcelona. Able to dictate the pace of games, he could easily find space and is one of the greatest passers in history with 129 La Liga assists. In 17 years with the club he won La Liga eight times and added four Champions League titles. Xavi never won the Ballon d’Or but arguably deserved to in 2010.
1. Lionel Messi
Arguably the best soccer player of all time, Lionel Messi is certainly the greatest player to ever play for Barcelona. The Argentine joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy at the age of 13 in 2000. At 17 years of age he would make his competitive debut for the club against rivals Espanyol wearing the number 30.
By the time he left in 2021 he made the #10 his own and created an unmatched legacy in his 21 years at Barcelona. Personal accomplishments for Messi include a record 7 Ballon d’Or awards, 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League crowns, and 474 goals in 520 league games. Messi is no doubt the undisputed best Barcelona player of all time.
