The 5 greatest Barcelona players of all time

4. Andres Iniesta

Xavi’s partner in crime, Iniesta is now 32 and just four years younger than his former midfield mate but it took a lot longer for him to establish himself in the first team. Having made his debut in 2002 under Louis van Gaal, he struggled for regular action under Rijkaard thanks to Portugal star Deco. Guardiola’s arrival changed everything.

Deco departed and the new boss put his faith in Iniesta. When at La Masia, Iniesta looked up to Guardiola and the feeling became mutual during Pep’s playing career. He told Xavi that Iniesta would send both of them into retirement.

What made his and Xavi’s time together so devastating was the way their differences perfectly complimented one another. Xavi’s forte has always been controlling the tempo of a game with short passes, Iniesta was given the freedom to impact the game higher up the pitch with his ability to carry the ball and create chances. Add Sergio Busquets, the safety blanket who protects the defence and it worked like clock work.

It would have been impossible to leave Iniesta out here, and he features so highly because he impacted the biggest moments in the clubs dominance so well.

Think of the Champions League success in 2009,it was his goal in the dying minutes against Chelsea in the semi final that took them to Rome against Manchester United, before he put in a man of the match display at the Stadio Olimpico. In 2011, against the Red Devils at Wembley, he helped secure a fourth European Cup with another sumptuous display.

For Spain, too, he was crucial. There is just the small matter of his extra time goal against Holland in the 2010 World Cup final and being named the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2012.

He is truly one of Barcelona’s greatest ever soccer players.