5 former Barcelona team-mates of Lionel Messi who went on to become managers

Soccerex Asia - Day 2
Soccerex Asia - Day 2

#3 Victor Valdes

FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga

Victor Valdes is one of Barcelona's most successful players.

The former goalkeeper represented Barcelona for 12 years, enjoying great success at the Camp Nou.

The shot-stopper was a key figure during Barcelona's dominant era and contributed a large deal to the club's success. He won six La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, six Supercopas and three UEFA Champions Leagues with the Catalan club, making him one of their most successful players.

In 2018, Valdes announced that he had completed his coaching badges and would take up the managerial role at amateur side ED Moratalaz. In May 2020, he was appointed manager of UA Horta before leaving in 2021.


#2 Thierry Henry

Barcelona v Lyon - UEFA Champions League
Barcelona v Lyon - UEFA Champions League

Thierry Henry is arguably one of the best players in football history.

The Frenchman spent three years at Barcelona, lining up alongside Lionel Messi in attack. He enjoyed memorable stints at Arsenal, Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls.

Widely considered one of the best attackers in the history of the game, Henry is a certified club legend at Arsenal. He spent eight years with the Gunners, winning several trophies and becoming the club's record goalscorer.

His three years with Barcelona brought great success as well. Henry won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and one UEFA Champions League trophy with the Blaugrana. He formed a great attacking partnership with Messi and Samuel Eto'o.

Henry was named assistant coach of the Belgian national team in 2016, working alongside Roberto Martinez. He joined his former club Monaco as full-time manager in 2018 before taking charge of MLS outfit Montreal Impact in 2019. He spent two years there before rejoining the Belgian national team as an assistant coach in 2021.


#1 Xavi Hernandez

FC Barcelona v Levante UD - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Levante UD - La Liga

Xavi Hernandez is one of the most influential players in the history of FC Barcelona.

The Spaniard spent 17 long years at the Camp Nou, winning several trophies and establishing the club's dominance in Spain and Europe alongside Lionel Messi.

Xavi, along with Messi and Andres Iniesta, formed one of the most successful attacking trios in Barcelona history. The Spaniard won eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and four UEFA Champions Leagues during his time at the Catalan club.

His best attributes were his precision passing and his close control in tight spaces. Xavi and Iniesta are credited as arguably the best-ever midfield duo in football history, having won every trophy possible for both club and country.

In May 2019, Xavi signed a deal to become the manager of Qatari outfit Al Sadd. He led the team to three domestic trophies in two years before recently agreeing a deal that would bring him back to Barcelona as first-team manager.

The deal has been described as a poetic reunion of past and present, as the ex-Barcelona man has been entrusted with the task of restoring the club's former glory years. Xavi comes to the Camp Nou during a difficult phase as Barca find themselves in debt and also struggling on the pitch.

Only time will tell if Xavi is able to replicate the success he achieved as a player with Barcelona.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar
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