'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Attack
Left-wing: Ronaldinho
Barcelona's rivalry with Real Madrid transcends the sporting formalities between the two sides. In the context of what has been a geopolitical and ideological battle that has raged on for the better part of a century, only one player has truly inspired awe on both sides of the spectrum.
Trending
Ronaldinho is one of a select few players in the history of Barcelona to receive a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian magician's supernatural showing against Los Blancos in 2006 will go down as one of the best individual performances in the history of El Clasico.
Ronaldinho's arrival at Barcelona sparked a stunning revival under Frank Rijkaard and the Brazilian forward's presence allows the Catalan giants to create a special team that went on to win the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2006. Ronaldinho might not have the best numbers for a forward at Barcelona but the transformative impact that he had on the club speaks volumes about his stature as a Barcelona legend.
False Nine: Johan Cruyff
To put into context the impact that Johan Cruyff had on Barcelona, it is imperative to consider the fact that the Catalan giants had not won a single La Liga title for an astonishing 14 years prior to his arrival. The Dutch maestro's inclusion in the Barcelona side in 1973 set the Blaugrana off to a 26-game unbeaten streak.
The best, however, was yet to come. In what is widely considered a point of inflexion in Barcelona's history, Johan Cruyff's revolutionary 'Total Football' stunned Real Madrid into a 5-0 defeat and caused an unprecedented upheaval in the power structure that dominated football at the time.
Pep Guardiola, who played under Johan Cruyff and is a fierce disciple of his beliefs, perfectly encapsulated the Dutch legend's importance to Barcelona.
"Johan Cruyff painted the chapel, and Barcelona coaches since merely restore or improve it."
Johan Cruyff usually started his games as an attacking midfielder but often became the focal point in Barcelona's attack and changed the way the beautiful game is perceived and understood with his free role. The Dutch legend made FC Barcelona the symbol that it is today and his ideals continue to shape many of the visionaries that emerge from the club.
Right-wing: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is probably the only obvious and preconceived inclusion on this list. Neither words nor numbers can do justice to the supernatural aura that surrounds the Argentine genius when he has the ball at his feet. Lionel Messi is the best player in Barcelona's history and is arguably the best player in the history of the game as well.
With an astounding 635 goals and 279 assists for Barcelona, Lionel Messi has established himself as an emblem of the club. His unique exploits at the club and his records are likely to remain untouched for decades to come.
Lionel Messi has won almost every individual award available to a player today and will likely end his career as one of the most decorated players of all time. The Barcelona captain's sheer ability has resulted in some of the most legendary moments in the club's history.
Honourable Mentions: Laszlo Kubala, Paulinho Alcantara, Josep Escola, Mariano Martin, Cesar Rodriguez, Diego Maradona, Enrique Castro, Romario, Samuel Eto'o, Luis Suarez, Hristo Stoichkov
Also Read: 10 Greatest Football Managers of all time
