Top 10 Barcelona signings of the decade (2010-2019)

#4 Javier Mascherano

FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Arguably the most unlikely of all the transfer successes on this list, Javier Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool for a fee of €24 million in 2010. At the time, the Argentine was brought in to be a handy back-up option for Sergio Busquets in Barcelona's talented midfield.

Contrary to all expectations, Javier Mascherano left the club in 2018 as one of Barcelona's most dependable defenders of the decade.

Sergio Busquets' imperious performances meant that he was an immovable object at the heart of Barcelona's midfield, and Javier Mascherano found playing time very difficult to come by. He spent most of his first season on the bench and made occasional appearances towards the fag end of the season as a center-back.

Injuries to club captain Carles Puyol meant that Mascherano had to step up, considering that he was the only other player in the squad with the experience and defensive panache to play as a center-back in the Champions League. After a rough transition phase, Mascherano forged a formidable partnership with Gerard Pique and played an important role in Barcelona's famous Champions League triumph against Manchester United in 2011.

As Carles Puyol inched towards the end of his playing career, Mascherano found himself playing almost every game with Gerard Pique in Barcelona's backline. Nicknamed 'El Jefecito' for his vocal and hands-on style of leadership, Mascherano became the de facto leader of the Blaugrana defensive line for the remainder of his time at the club.

Mascherano also used his passing skills very effectively, occasionally using long balls to pick out wingers, full-backs and even strikers with relative ease. The Argentine was never much of a goalscorer for the club. His only goal for the club came via a penalty he scored against Osasuna in 2017.

Javier Mascherano is also the only player on this list to have been a part of both Champions League triumphs over the past decade for Barcelona. He may not be the most illustrious player on the list, but played his role to perfection and stepped up whenever the team needed a leader on the pitch.