10 best midfielders in La Liga history

#7 Pep Guardiola

Guardiola has created history for Barcelona both as a player and a manager

Celebrated manager Pep Guardiola was also one of the best defensive midfielders to grace the game. A product of the famed La Masia academy, Guardiola was a role model to superstars like Xavi and Iniesta.

Pep learned his playing style, perfected it and built an entire philosophy around it. At the core of Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ of the 1990s, Guardiola occupied the ‘pivot’ role and formed a direct link between defence and attack. The Spaniard had excellent positioning skills and he was exemplary at circulating the ball and keeping possession for Barcelona.

The little Spaniard believed in holding possession and utilising it to the utmost effect. He played a vital role in the club’s first European Cup win in 1992, won four successive league titles between 1991 and 1994, and has since gone on to transfer his tactical genius to the sidelines. It is certain that the man from Santpedor remains one of the finest footballers and managers of all time.

Guardiola is definitely one of the most intelligent players to have ever graced the game.