5 players who got away from Barcelona

#3 Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin

A three-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, Hector Bellerin is a true Gunner right now. However, like Traore, Bellerin was born in Barcelona and began his career in the club's youth team before moving to Arsenal very early, not unlike Garcia who made the shift to Manchester City.

A versatile wing-back who is capable of providing attacking threat as well as defensive solidity, Bellerin is now also a Spain international. Tellingly, Barcelona recently let go of Nelson Semedo this season and picked up Sergino Dest as cover for Sergi Roberto in that position.

Hector Bellerin's average position was higher up the pitch than Nicolas Pépé in the first 30 minutes for Arsenal against Spurs.So much for that front three. pic.twitter.com/xNugmWJiXg

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 12, 2020

Bellerin might have been a home-grown solution to Barcelona's issues at the position right now.

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#2 Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi has proven his class as a centre-forward during a brilliant spell at Inter Milan and is currently showing his mettle at PSG.

Icardi was, however, another La Masia graduate who decided to leave the club early, possibly thinking that he wasn't a perfect fit as a classical forward in the fluid tiki taka system that Barcelona employed then.

Ironically, Barcelona had won the race to sign Icardi as a youth player after beating the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal. Barcelona will definitely consider him as one that got away, as the 27-year-old won the Capocannoinere twice for Inter and has scored 187 goals already in his club career.

Mauro Icardi was only 21-years-old when he won Serie A top scorer in 2014/15 with 22 goals. #Squawka23 form. pic.twitter.com/tX8Vd69fhy

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 9, 2016

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#1 Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara

A proven midfield maestro, Thiago Alcantara pulled the strings masterfully as Bayern Munich romped to a continental treble last season. He has now moved to Liverpool and has shown his class in the very few appearances he has made for the English champions.

75 - Half-time substitute Thiago completed more passes (75) than any Chelsea player managed in the entire match. Since full passing data is available for the Premier League (2003-04), his 75 successful passes are the most by a player who played a maximum of 45 minutes. Control. pic.twitter.com/UvHfrw1ggN

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2020

Unlike most of the names on this list, Alcantara actually played quite a few matches for the Barcelona senior team, scoring 11 goals and assisting 20 times in exactly 100 matches.

However, due to the legendary duo of Xavi and Iniesta being at their primes, Thiago Alcantara never became a first-team regular at Barcelona. His desire to leave the club was capitalised on by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, who promptly brought the player to Bavaria. Alcantara hasn't looked back since.

Alcantara's fellow players at Barcelona still hold him in high regard; The Liverpool midfielder won a truckload of trophies for the club despite being a bit-part player for over four years.

This is what Xavi said about Thiago then:

“I think he is an extraordinary player. Thiago is not just a player for the future, but he is someone who can make an impact right now as well.”

Thus began his rise to become one of the best in the world. How Barcelona would have benefited from having the 29-year-old at the heart of their midfield right now!