Ranking the 10 greatest Barcelona midfielders of all time

#3 Ronaldinho

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho Gaucho.

Ronaldinho was the first Barcelona superstar of the 20th century. Arriving from PSG in the summer of 2003, the smiling Brazilian transformed the fortunes of the club, both on and off the field.

Although he stayed only five years at the club, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner won two La Liga titles and a Champions League with the club. The first league title (2005) was incidentally Barcelona's first in six years. In over 200 appearances, Ronaldinho scored 94 goals and provided 76 assists.

Having won the FIFA World Cup in 2002 with Brazil, Ronaldinho is the only player to win the World Cup, Champions League and the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

A magician in midfield, Ronaldinho could make the ball talk, endearing the Barcelona faithful with his mastery and silken skills on the ball. The midfielder earned a rare standing ovation from Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid for a sumptuous brace at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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#2 Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta is a bonafide Barcelona legend.

Andres Iniesta is one of the best midfielders in not just Barcelona's but also the game's history.

The diminutive playmaker was a pocket-sized dynamo in midfield. Operating in a slightly advanced area of midfield, Iniesta often made late runs into the opposition box and wreak havoc. Although he wasn't a prolific scorer, he is a bonafide Barcelona legend and assist-creator.

He also scored a few memorable goals for Barcelona. Their 2008-09 continental treble wouldn't have come to fruition if not for Iniesta's late strike in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Six years later, he would win another continental treble with the Blaugrana.

The 37-year-old, one of the best La Masia graduates ever, never saw red in almost 700 official games for Barcelona.

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#1 Xavi Hernandez (former Barcelona player and present manager)

Xavi returned to Barcelona this year.

Xavi Hernandez, better known only by his first name, is the player who was the engine room of a brilliant Barcelona midfield.

Operating in a deep-lying playmaking role, the midfield metronome orchestrated plays like few else. Xavi could pierce the tightest of opposition gaps with defence-splitting passes.

With 767 competitive appearances in nearly two decades at Barcelona, Xavi is Barcelona's second-most capped player.

The diminutive playmaker was a key player in the Blaugrana midfield that won a plethora of league titles (eight) and two continental trebles.

Now the manager of the club, Xavi has his task cut out to return the club to its halcyon days. However, no matter how he fares on the other side of the touchline, Xavi is already assured of his place in Blaugrana folklore.