5 of the greatest South Americans to have worn the colours of FC Barcelona

#2 Ronaldinho (2003–2008)

Ronnie's signing was the catalyst for Barca's present success

While the buck-toothed eighth wonder of the world’s time at the Camp Nou was short-lived, such was his influence on the change in the club’s fortunes that it would have been impossible to leave him off this list.

While campaigning for the presidency of the club in 2004, Joan Laporta had promised Culés a marquee signing which would help galvanize a club that was in the doldrums at that time with zero trophies in 4 years.

Originally thought to be heading to Real Madrid, Laporta was reportedly more interested in getting David Beckham from Manchester United but after Real supremo Florentino Pérez decided to go for the more marketable Beckham, the Barca president swooped for the Brazilian genius in a €30 million deal from then French strugglers PSG.

From a footballing perspective, it was the mother of all mistakes by Pérez and one of the luckiest breaks for Barcelona as Ronaldinho went on to be the galvanizing force of a side that swept away all in its path, winning 5 trophies including two La Liga & a UCL title in his time at the club.

Skillful beyond compare, his dribbles, passes, moves, goals, assists, and trademark smiles made Culés dream again, ensuring his place in the pantheon of Barca greats.

In 207 games for the club, he scored 90 goals and made 71 assists, a phenomenal record.

Probably the only Blaugrana player in the long & often bitter history of El Clasico to get a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronnie was the undisputed star of world football at that time and won two FIFA World Footballer of the Year awards while in Barcelona colours.