Greatest FC Barcelona players of each decade (Post 1950)

Founded in November 1899, FC Barcelona evolved from a small Catalonian side to one of the biggest sports clubs in the world. Alongside Real Madrid, they have dominated football in Spain and Europe.

Over the years, FC Barcelona has been home to some of the most illustrious names from the world of football, players who transcended generations and left a deep impression on time. Today we look at such footballers who quintessentially defined their respective decades at FC Barcelona.

Note: Due to limitations in availability of facts and details from pre-1950s, the article has been restricted to players post that period. Therefore names like Paulino Alcantara and Josep Samitier haven't been included.

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1950's - Ladislao Kubala

Kubala inspired Barcelona to four La Liga victories in 1950's

It's fair to say Barcelona wouldn't have been even remotely close to the club it is today had it not been for this man. Ladislao Kubala played at various clubs in Europe before he fled from his native country Hungary to escape its communist rule.

Despite joining Barcelona in 1950, he had to wait for a year until the end of a ban imposed on him by FIFA. With a total of five trophies, including La Liga, Kubala lead Barcelona to unprecedented success in his very first season at the club. Although he won four League titles and five Copa del Generalissimo with Barcelona, Kubala's real legacy was something else.

With his muscular frame, blistering speed and elegant style of play, Kubala captured the imagination of millions of Catalonians, who saw him as a ray of hope amid their identity crisis under Franco's rule. Unable to hold the humongous audience that turned up on regular basis to watch their hero, Barcelona decided to build the modern day Colosseum that we know as Camp Nou, a place that would forever encapsulate the legend of Lazlo Kubala.

1960's - Josep Maria Fuste

Josep Maria Fuste was part of Spain's Euro winning side in 1964

60's was a very disappointing period for the Catalonian club as Real Madrid maintained a monopoly in Spain. They had a handful of talented players though, the best of whom were Spanish footballer Josep Maria Fuste.

A La Masia graduate, Fuste was a midfield engine who controlled the play with his physical strength and passing abilities. A two-footed player who was great at linking with the forwards, he also had an incredible eye for goal.

The major titles Fuste won with the club during this period were 1965-66 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Spanish Cup 1962-63 and 1967-68. Besides this, he was also a key member of Spain's national side that won the 1964 Euro. He is currently a consultant to the club board.

1970's - Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff won two Ballon d'Or awards at Barcelona

There is no doubt in the fact that Johan Cruyff, the manager has been more influential to Barcelona than Johan Cruyff, the player. But that doesn't change the massive impact he made during his five-year-long playing career at the Catalonian side.

As discussed, Barcelona had failed to win La Liga since 1960. Already a three-time European champion with Ajax, Barcelona signed him in 1973 for a world record fee. By winning the La Liga 1973-74 season, the talismanic forward ended the club's 14-year long league drought in his very first year.

Although he won only one league and cup with the club, the psychological impact he made was massive. During his short-spell, he helped the fans, players and the club itself regain their spirit and confidence. So much that even Real Madrid, a club that dominated them for so long, was beaten 5-0 by Cruyff-lead Barcelona. They could now boast of a world-beater who also happened to be the first three-time Ballon d'Or winner.

1980's - Bernd Schuster

Bernd Schuster is the greatest German player in La Liga history

Just like in 1973, Barcelona again broke the world transfer record for Argentine maestro Diego Maradona. Unlike Cruyff though, Maradona couldn't make a significant impact in what ended being a short two-year spell. The 80's at Barcelona rather belonged to a young German midfielder named Bernd Schuster.

Schuster was just 20 when he catalysed West Germany to 1980 Euro victory. Joining Barcelona in the same year, 'The Blonde Angel' quickly became the team's backbone. With his technique, vision and strong character, he led Barcelona to La Liga glory in 1984-85, their first league title since 1974. Alongside winning three Copa Del Reys, Schuster was responsible for carrying the Catalonian side to their second ever European finals in 1986 against Steaua Bucuresti.

Bernd Schuster pulled the strings at Barcelona for eight fruitful years. In 1988, a dispute with club president Josep Lluís Núñez resulted in a shocking move to Real Madrid. With three Ballon d'Or podium finishes among a host of other accolades, he is undoubtedly the greatest German player in La Liga history.

1990's - Ronald Koeman

Koeman scored the winning goal in 1992 European Cup final

After getting glimpses of success in the past few decades, Barcelona finally turned into a super-club in the 90s under Johan Cryuff's management. A key member of his all-conquering 'Dream Team' was Ronald Koeman.

At the time of his arrival at Barcelona in 1989, Koeman had already made a name for himself as one of the best defenders in the world. Alongside his formidable defensive skills, he possessed an uncanny ability to find the net too frequently for a defender. He teamed up with stars like Hristo Stoichkov, Pep Guardiola, Romario and Michael Laudrup to win four consecutive league titles with Barcelona.

As sweet as the league victories were, there was still an albatross hanging around the club's neck, the European Cup. Despite making it to the finals before twice, Barcelona had never won the trophy. Koeman ended this jinx by scoring a spectacular free-kick in the 112th minute of the 1992 European Cup finals, earning Barcelona their first ever European Cup.

2000's - Xavi Hernandez

Xavi is considered one of the greatest midfielder of all time

Considering that the list of candidates ranged from Ronaldinho to Eto'o to Puyol, choosing the most impactful from this time-period was not easy. But it's Xavi who gets the final nod for this spot.

Joining the La Masia at the age of 11, Xavi made it to the first team in 1998. He was ever-present in Barcelona during the 2000's, from the lows of sixth in La Liga to the highs of winning the treble. A magician on the pitch, Xavi ranks among the finest passers in the history of football. His remarkable ability to control the tempo of the game throughout the ninety minutes made him an invaluable asset.

Xavi's peak coincided with the unprecedented success for both Barcelona and Spain. With a resume that includes one FIFA World Cup, two European Championships, four UEFA Champion's leagues, three Ballon d'Or podium finishes and numerous other honours, he goes down in history as one of the greatest central midfielders of all time.

2010's - Lionel Messi

Messi is the greatest footballer in Barcelona history

It's fair to say we didn't even have a choice. With all due respect to the likes of Iniesta, Busquets and Pique, none of them came even remotely close to this man. In Lionel Messi, we are not just talking about Barcelona's best player during 2010's, but their greatest ever footballer of all time.

With extraordinary vision, unparalleled dribbling skills and a lethal eye for goal, calling Messi god-gifted would be an understatement. In his nearly decade-long career, he has won four UEFA Champions Leagues, eight La Liga titles and a record five Ballon d'Or awards. Scoring over 500 goals for the club, Messi is not just Barcelona's top scorer in Spain and Europe but has more than double the goals than his nearest compatriot.

But his impact on the club is not just limited to the football field. Messi's global appeal has made Barcelona a household name across the planet and earned them a fan-base spread over hundreds of countries. To quote his former team-mate and Barcelona legend, Carlos Puyol, "This Barca will be remembered as Messi’s Barca."