Top 5 Brazilian flops at FC Barcelona

#1 Geovanni (2001-2002)

King of Brazilian flops at Barca, Geovanni was unprepared to put in the work needed to achieve greatness

The most expensive and biggest disappointment to the illustrious image of Brazilians at FC Barcelona has to be the former Cruzeiro man who promised so much and delivered less than nothing.

Purchased for €18 million from the Brazilian club, Geovanni was an attacking midfielder who was billed to continue the established tradition of great Brazilian attackers thriving at the Nou Camp; Rivaldo was still strutting his stuff at Barca then while Ronaldo and Romario were still remembered with fondness.

He had burst unto the scene in 1997 as a right winger and pundits in his homeland were said to have been enchanted by his close control, fantastic dribbling which coupled with his low centre of gravity made him a difficult proposition for defenders.

Barcelona fans never saw any of these skills at the Nou Camp as it became very clear almost right away that the step up to La Liga and European football came too soon for the then 21-year-old.

He only featured in 15 games in his debut season, most of which were from the bench scoring one goal as most Cules were bemused by the sight of a diminutive, sullen kid who seemed not to know what he was doing.

Run-ins with Barca’s manager at that time Carles Rexach in his second season didn’t help Geovanni’s cause and he spent the majority of that season languishing on the bench or in the stands.

No tear was shed when he moved to Benfica on a free transfer as Barcelona seemed only too eager to wash their hands off of what was an embarrassing signing for them.