Saturday, August 13, 2016

Barcelona Greatest All-Time team

This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams.  This blog was one of them.  It was my Russia All-Time Team here.  His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.   This entry of his was written in October 21, 2020, but mine was uploaded in a few weeks before his 2020.   Another entry of his was written in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017.  His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.  He also copied many many of my blog entries.


1992 Dream Team

Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Catalonia World Cup 2010

This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club.  The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.

Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Spanish, English, and Catalan footballers led by Joan Gamper, the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism, hence the motto "Més que un club" ("More than a club"). Unlike many other football clubs, the supporters own and operate Barcelona. It is the fourth-most valuable sports team in the world, worth $4.06 billion, and the world's richest football club in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of €840,8 million


Despite of being one of the best Spanish sides domestically, Barcelona did not win their first European Cup until 1992 when Johan Cruyff's Dream Team beat Sampdoria in the Final.  For a club with such a long and successful record, the victory was long overdue. However, in the 21st Century, Barcelona's luck changed.  They had won four, more titles.
2006 Champions' League

The Team
GK: Andoni Zubizarreta (Spain)
Andoni Zubizarreta represented La Roja in 4 World Cup Finals. He was at one point Spain's cap record holder.  He started with Athletic Bilboa in 1981.  He joined for Barcelona in 1986.  He won Barcelona's first ever Champions' League in 1992.  After the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, where Barça lost 0–4 to A.C. Milan in the final, Zubizarreta was deemed surplus to requirements. He joined Valencia.

GK: Antoni Ramallets (Spain)
Antoni Ramallets was the starting keeper for Barcelona in the 1950's. He played alongside with Laszio Kubala and Luis Suarez.  He won 6 La liga titles in an era that was known to be dominated by Alfred Di Stefano's Real Madrid.  At the international level, Ramallets played 35 games for Spain during 11 years, making his debut against Chile on 29 June 1950, during the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Antoni Ramallets 
GK: Victor Valdes (Spain)
Victor Valdes spent most of his career with Barcelona. With them, he won three Champions' league title.  He also had a unsuccessful stint with Manchester United. For the national team, he only managed 20 caps due to playing behind Iker Casillas during the prime of his career. He was part of the Spanish squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, despite not playing in either tournament.

RB: Albert Ferrer (Spain)
Albert Ferrer represented the nation in two World Cups and at the 1992 Olympic Games, winning the latter tournament. He was a part of Barcelona's Dream Team in the 1990's. He won a Champions' League with Barcelona in 1992. After Louis van Gaal took over, Barcelona gradually signed more Dutch players and his places were uncertain.  He left for Chelsea. 

RB: Dani Alves (Brazil)
Dani Alves spent 6 years with Sevilla, winning two UEFA Cup's before joining Barcelona.  He only played 109 times for Brazil at the time of writing, largely because Maicon was the regular starter during his early career.  In 2016, he joined Juventus, where he played a single season.   He appeared in his fourth Champions League final as Juventus were defeated 4–1 by Real Madrid. In 2017, he joined PSG.

CB: Ronald Koeman  (Netherlands)
Ronald Koeman was the rock solid sweeper of Holland's Euro1988 team.  He was capped 78 times. He also won two European Cups, one each for PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona FC.  He scored the winning goal for Barcelona's victory in 1992. The Cup was Barcelona FC's first ever European Cup.  In Netherlands, he played for all of the "big three" clubs, namely Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.

CB: Migueli (Spain)
Migueli started his career with Cadiz.  In 1973, he joined Barcelona, winning the 1979 Cup Winners Cup. He was known for his physical power, he was nicknamed Tarzan.  He retired in 1988 and was at that point the all-time appearance leader for the club. He had 32 caps for Spain.  He went to the World Cup Finals in 1978 as well as Euro 1980 held in Italy.

CB: Carlos Puyol (Spain)
As an one-club man, Carlos Puyol served as the long-time team captain for his only club Barcelona after taking over from Luis Enrique in August 2004, and went on to appear in 593 official games for the club and win 20 major titles, including  three Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11. He earned 100 caps for Spain, winning the World Cup in 2014 and the European Championship in 2008.
Carlos Puyol 

CB: Joan Segarra (Spain)
Joan Segarra played for Barcelona from1949 to 1964.  He was a part of the great Barcelona team of the 1950's. He was the captain of the "Barça of the Five Trophies". They finally reached the 1961 European Cup Final, but losing to Benfica.  It would take Barcelona 31 more years before finally winning the Cup.  For the national team, he had 25 caps.

CB: Ferran Olivella (Spain)
Ferran Olivella was capped 18 times for Spain, but better remembered for being the captain of the Spanish national that won the European Championship in 1964. He was also an unused sub at the World Cup Finals in 1966. For club football, he played his entire career with Barcelona, winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup three times in the 1960's.

LB: Jordi Alba (Spain)
Alba started his career at Barcelona, but was released after being deemed too small. After joining Cornellà, he moved to Valencia. In 2012 he returned to Barcelona. At the time of writing, he has over 70 caps and was a member of the team that won the Euro 2012. He attended the 2014 and 2018 World Cup Finals.


DM: Pep Guardiola (Spain)
At the club level, Pep Guardiola won a Champions' League with Barcelona in 1992. It was Barcelona's first ever European Cup. He was their captain from 1997 to 2001.  He also played for Brescia and Roma in Italy, Al-Ahli in Qatar, and Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico. He was capped 47 times for Spain, winning the Olympic Gold Medal in 1992, and later appeared at the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000. He also played friendly matches for Catalonia.

Albert Ferrer and Pep Gaurdolia
CM: Johan Neeskens (Netherlands)
Johan Neeskens was considered to be one of the greatest Dutch midfielders. He had 49 caps for Netherlands.  Her led them to two second place finishes at the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978.  He was Holland's top scorer at the 1974 World Cup Finals.  At the club level, he also won three straight European Cups with Ajax: 1971, 1972, 1973. He also played with Barcelona FC and New York Cosmos.

CM: Josep Samitier (Spain)
Josep Samitier played for Barcelona between 1919 and 1932. He is the club's all time third top goalscorer.  He joined Real Madrid in 1932 from Barcelona FC and then played for Nice in France from 1936 to 1939.  In 1920, Samitier was also a member of the first ever Spanish national squad. The squad won the silver medal at the 1920 Olympic Games. He subsequently made 21 appearances and scored 2 goals for Spain.  

AM./CM: Xavi (Spain)
Xavi was perhaps one of greatest playmakers of his generation.  He won everything in football.  Xavi has won 31 trophies, only surpassed by Andrés Iniesta as the most successful Spanish player in history.  For the national team, he had 133 caps and was a part of  the team that won the  2010 World Cup and two European Championship in between.  He was named Euro 2008's player of the tournament. He was finished third at the Ballon d'Or in 2010 and 2011.

CM:  Luis Suarez Miramontes (Spain)
Considered to be Spain's greatest player until 1970's, Luis Suarez won Ballon d'Or in 1960.  In 1964, he led La Roja in winning the European Championship.  For club football,  he played as a midfielder for Deportivo de La Coruña, CD España Industrial, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and Sampdoria. He was a member of "Grande Inter" and won two consecutive European Cups.
Luis Suarez Miramontes 
LM/CM/AM:  Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Andres Iniesta scored the World Cup winning goal in 2010 that gave Spain its first ever World Cup title. At Euro 2012, Iniesta led Spain to their second consecutive continental crown, again being chosen as the Man of the Match of the final against Italy, and was named the Player of the Tournament. He also won Champions' league trophies with Barcelona.

AM/FW: Rivaldo (Brazil)
Rivaldo was a part of the attacking trio known as "Three R's" with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at the 2002 World Cup Finals.  He scored 5 goals in 5 games as Brazil took its 5th World Cup. He also went to the World Cup Finals in 1998. He won the 1999 Ballon d' Or. He played for many clubs in his career.  He spent five years with Spanish club Barcelona.

AM/LM: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
Ronaldinho was a member of tyhe "Three R's" with Rivaldo and Ronaldo that helped Brazil winning the WC in 2002.  He started his career with Gemio before moving to Europe. He played with Paris St Germain and Barcelona before his form started to drop. He formed the REM line with Etoo and Messi before fighting among them destroyed the team. 

FW: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
Johan Cruyff is the greatest Dutch player ever.  He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974.  He was considered one of the best players in history.  He was noted for his brilliant performance at the World Cup in 1974.  He also won three straight European Cups with Ajax in the 1970's.  He moved to Barcelona in 1973 for a world record transfer fees, where he became a legend. He also played in the NASL.
Johan Cruyff
FW: Laszlo Kubala (Slovakia/Hungary)
Born in Hungary of a multi-cultural background, Laszlo Kubala  was known as one of the greatest Barcelona players ever.  He still managed to win 4 Li Liga titles in the 1950's in an era dominated by Real Madrid.  In 1961, Barcelona eliminated Real Madrid from the European Cup, the first ever loss by Real Madrid at the tournament. He was capped by Hungry, Spain and Czechoslovakia. He was a guest player for Catalonia national football team.
Kubala
RW/FW:  Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child. At age 13, he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona. At time of writing, he won 4 World Player of the Year and 5 Ballon d'Or.  For Argentina, he has played over 140 times.  At the time of writing, he has not won an international trophy for the national team, but reached three Finals in his career.
Leo Messi
ST: Romario (Brazil)
Romario helped the Seleção to win the 1994 FIFA World Cup, receiving the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He missed the 1998 WC Finals because of an injury. One of very few strikers to surpass the mark of 1,000 goals. He was best remembered for his stint with Barcelona.

ST:  Paulino Alcántara (the Philippines/Spain)
Born in the Philippines of a half-Spanish, half-Filipino, he made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club. He also scored 100 goals in 69 matches, making him the club's highest goalscorer He was selected for the Philippine national football team in 1917 and represented his country at the Far Eastern Championship Games.  In 1921. he was selected to play for Spain.  he scored 6 goals in 5 games for Spain.

ST/FW: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)
Hristo Stoichkov is Bulgaria's greatest player. At the 1994 World Cup, Stoichkov was awarded the Golden Boot as the joint top goal scorer of the tournament with six goals, as well as earning the Bronze Ball award. Bulgaria reached the semifinal before losing to Italy. At Barcelona, he was part of Johan Cruyff's "dream team" that won four consecutive La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League.  He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1994.
Hristo Stoichkov
Honorable Mention
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Luis Figo (Portugal), Diego Maradona (Argentina), Bernd Schuster (Germany), Sandor Kocsis (Hungary), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Carlos Rexach (Spain), Estanislau Basora (Spain), Evaristo (Brazil), Luis Enrique (Spain), Jose Mari Bakero (Spain), Michael Laudrup (Denmark), Neymar (Brazil), Miguel Ángel Nadal (Spain), Cesar Rodriguez (Spain), Txiki (Spain) Guillermo Amor (Spain), Gerard Pique (Spain), Ronaldo (Brazil), Luis Suarez Diaz (Uruguay), Jordi Alba (Spain), Salvador Sadurní (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Rafael Márquez (Mexico), Zoltán Czibor (Hungary),  Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Sigfrid Gracia (Spain).

Squad Explanation
-- The greatest ever players for Barcelona would be Andoni Zubizarreta, Xavi, Luis Suarez Miramontes, Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff, Laszlo Kubala, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Hristo Stoichkov. They are automatic selections.  Even before I started this team, I was very sure that Ronald Koeman, Carlos Puyol, Romario and Rivaldo would make this team.  So I did not have many spaces left from the beginning.
-- From Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", I selected Andoni Zubizarreta, Albert Ferrer, Ronald Koeman, Hristo Stoichkov, Romario and Ronald Koeman. They won the 1992 European Cup.
-- Since Johan Cruyff joined the club in 1973, Barcelona has been associated with Dutch players.  However, in addition to Cruyff, I only had Johan Neeskens and Ronald Koeman.
-- Barcelona completed the "Sextuple (football)" in 2009.  Victor Valdes, Carlos Puyol, Dani Alves, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi made this team.
-- Ricardo Zamora is considered one of the greatest ever goalkeepers from Europe.  But I took three goalkeepers with longer careers here.  Zamora had issue with the board of Barcelona over pay.  He left quickly for Espanyol.  Antoni Ramallets and Andoni Zubizarreta are well-known to be Barcelona's greatest goalkeepers.  Victor Valdes was one of the most decorated player in Barcelona's history.
-- Albert Ferrer (Spain) and Dani Alves were obvious choices on the right side.  Sergi Barjuan was my original choice, but I replaced him with Jorge Alba. He was capped 56 times for the Spanish national team. He went to two World Cup Finals (1994 and 1998) and two European Championships (1996 and 2000).  Jorge Alba had outdid him by playing longer than Ferrer over here.  I need a second left back, but instead, I opted for a superstar from a different position.  Sigfrid Gracia also spent a long time with the club.
-- Carlos Puyol captained Barcelona's historical treble season.  In total, he won 24 major trophies and he won his first one at the age of 27 years old.  He also operated as a rightback.  
-- Ronald Koeman scored the goal that won Barcelona their first European Cup.Joan Segarra was the captain of "Five Trophies". Migueli was at one point the all-time appearance leader for the club. The last and not least would be Carlos Puyol, a long time captain of the club winning three Champions' League.
-- Gerard Pique has regressed since his first return to the club, but his career has not finished yet.  His status with the club remains to be seen. In time, he might be added to the team.  I am very comfortable with my four centerbacks. 
--  Miguel Ángel Nadal is the uncle of Rafael Nadal.  Rafael Nadal, however, is a fan of Real Madrid.  Antoni Torres and Rafael Márquez also missed out along with Nadal and Pique.
-- Sergio Busquets was considered, but I already took six central/defensive midfielders, namely Pep Guadiola, Josep Samitier, Johan Neeskens, Xavi, Luis Suarez Miramontes and Iniesta.  Busquets has the best, defensive quality, but I won't drop any of the six for him. I could not even put wingers on the team.  I also cannot find space for Luis Enrique and Javier Mascherano.
-- This team has too many great central midfielders and attacking midfielders, but lacked players who could play wide.  I should have taken Zoltán Czibor, Charlos Rexach or Estanislau Basora for a more balanced side. Luis Figo was the best winger ever wore the Barcelona shirt. However, his controversial move to Real Madrid caused too much pain in Barcelona.  Figo was never a serious consideration because of his "deflection".  I only put him on honorable mention. Ronaldino would be the key player on the left side as I did not select any true left winger.
-- I really could not decide between Diego Maradona and Rivaldo. In the end, I took Rivaldo who won the Ballon d'or while playing for Barcelona.  Maradona's career was defined while playing for Napoli and Boca Juniors.  He did not do enough for Barcelona. Maradona's name was up for discussion because he was simply Diego Maradona.  The rest of the attackers were all icons for Barcelona.
-- I also could not find space for Michael Laudrup.  Liked Luis Figo, he also left for Real Madrid. 
-- Johan Cruyff, Romario, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Hristo Stoichkov were automatic selections for attackers.  They were selected in the beginning of my research.  Only two attackers were added onto the team.
Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho
-- Ronaldo scored 34 goals in 37 games for his only season with Barcelona.  No one in Barcelona's history had a better season than he did in 1996-1997.  However, he only played one season with Barcelona. Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff, Romario, Hristo Stoichkov and Paulinho Alcantara have sweated far more for the club. His stint with Real Madrid was not a factor for not taking him. Both Neymar and Samuel Eto'o are ahead of Ronaldo, but they also could not get into the team because of those players. 
-- Neymar's move to PSG finished his chance.  He did not do enough as compared to the others.  His career here was overshadowed by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.  If he stayed to build a stronger career, he might have gotten his credentials, but it would not happen now.
-- Paulino Alcántara was on the "bubble". I picked him ahead of Ronaldo, Neymar and Luis Figo because they left the club before building a great legacy here. Based on his numbers, he is still ahead of Samuel Eto'o and Sandor Kocsis.  Eto'o and Kocsis were the last two players dropped.  They deserved as much as Alcántara. In 2020, I started to think Luis Suarez Diaz should be considered.
-- I selected Luis Suarez Miramontes of Spain, not Luis Suarez Diaz of Uruguay. Luis Suarez Diaz has amazing stats at the time of writing, but it would be difficult for him to break into this team in the future. He had Johan Cruyff, Laszlo Kubala, Paulino Alcántara, Romario, Lionel Messi and Hristo Stoichkov ahead of him.  Luis Suarez Miramontes alongside Johan Cruyff and Laszlo Kubala were Barcelona's greatest players before the 2000's.
2015 Champions League

Formation 
Since it is Barcelona, the team must play tiki taka.  The formation is a combination of various Barcelona's team.  The front three was liked the REM generation, where Ronaldinho and Messi played om each side.  Kubala took on the role of Samuel Eto'o.  Johan Cruyff would have a freer role.  The backfield was from the modern team.  Guadiola must adopt Mascherano's position.



11 comments:

  1. iniesta and uruguayan suarez are must haves in my opinion.

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  2. Pique way above Ferran because Barcelona greatest team and biggest international successes are after 2005 , Romario staid only 2 seasons that’s very little (he was a star at PSV) better to replace him with Kocsis and finally-diabolik Suarez who clearly deserve to be in this all time squad!!!

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  3. I really think Eto'o as a no9 do enough, longer than Ronaldo and Romario and better record than Kocsis ... Iniesta better Barca career than Cruyff, 2010 and 2012 top 3 ballon d or. Also i put Puyol in left back position. And finally you must have dmf and Busquets is a guy.

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  4. Zubi,alves,koeman,puyol,sergi,guardiola,Xavi,iniesta,ronaldinho,messi,kubala.

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  7. Iker Casillas Personal Life

    Iker Casillas was brought into the world on May 20, 1981 in Móstoles, Madrid, Spain as Íker Casillas Fernández. He has been hitched to Sara Carbonero since March 20, 2016. They have two kids. He has played for Real Madrid (Youth Team, 1999-2015) and F.C. Porto (2015-). He Played for Spain in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

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  8. While Cruyff was surely great individually for Ajax/Netherlands but has he really achieved anything with Barcelona to put him ahead of Iniesta, Ronaldinho or Busquets? Also i think Pique should be ahead of puyol

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  9. Zubi,Alves,Puyol,koeman,Sergi,Guardiola,Xavi,Iniesta,Ronaldinho,Messi,cruyff.bench, migueli,Ferrer,ramallets,Segarra,Luis Suárez,stoichkov,kubala.

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  10. i think at this time, you can replace Romário with Luis Suárez and make him as a starter, in my opinion Suárez is the one that can fit into the Tiki-Taka system. I always use your

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  11. Ramallets
    Puyol Segarra Koeman Abidal
    Suarez-Miramontes Xavi
    Basora Messi Kubala Ronaldinho

    Alves doesn't fit together with Basora. But the latter was the top player in his time. Puyol can interchange positions with Segarra. Miguel Ángel Nadal and Éric Abidal are personal favorites. I kept Abidal but chose Koeman, who was more iconic than Nadal and Migueli. It's hard choices for the backline. Segarra is the only defender described as the team's best player in Barcelona's successful periods.
    A second team is in order:

    Zubi
    Alves Migueli Nadal Alba
    Busquets
    Cruijff Rivaldo Laudrup
    Samiter Eto'o

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