The top 20 best Barcelona legends of all time: profiles

The top 20 best Barcelona legends of all time: profiles

Claudia Kogi, Peris Walubengo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM

Barcelona is arguably the most prestigious team in Spain. It has produced and nurtured excellent players and created legends over the years. Discover top Barcelona legends in history from this article.

Barcelona legends of all time
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Fans call Barcelona players the Catalans. The club has the best football fanbase worldwide. It is also among the soccer teams with the most social media following. Some of the famous Barcelona legends are still playing while most are retired.

Who are the Barcelona legends of all time?

Most retired Barca players have coached big clubs worldwide, and those still playing have served multiple wealthy football clubs. Below is a list of Barcelona legends who improved and maintained the team's legacy and reputation throughout the years:

20. Víctor Valdés

ranking top Barcelona legends
Spanish football coach and former player Víctor Valdés. Photo: @BBCSport
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Víctor Valdés Arribas
  • Date of birth: 14 January 1982
  • Age: 41 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Capricorn
  • Place of birth: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
  • Position(s): Goalkeeper

Valdés is one of Barcelona's best goalkeepers ever. He was a 1963 Ballon d'Or winner (the first and only keeper to win this award) and a 9-time Goalkeeper of the Year (1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966). Víctor Valdés does not have verified or official social media pages as of this writing. Hence, it is hard to know if he uses social media.

19. Ronald Koeman

best Barcelona legends
Retired Dutch footballer Ronald Koeman. Photo: @RonaldKoeman.Official
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Ronald Koeman
  • Date of birth: 21 March 1963
  • Age: 60 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aries
  • Place of birth: Zaandam, Netherlands
  • Position (s): Sweeper, Defender, Midfielder
  • Instagram: @ronaldkoeman
  • Twitter: @RonaldKoeman
  • Facebook: @RonaldKoeman.Official

The Barcelona legend is now the Netherlands national team's manager. Ronald Koeman played as a sweeper, defender, and midfielder. He was equally known for his goal-scoring skills, penalty accuracy, long-range shooting, and free kicks accuracy. Koeman scored 239 goals in his career, and 90 of them were for Barcelona.

18. David Villa

top Barcelona legends of all time
Spanish retired footballer David Villa. Photo: @DavidVillaJugador
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: David Villa Sánchez
  • Date of birth: 3 December 1981
  • Age: 41 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
  • Place of birth: Langreo, Spain
  • Position: Striker
  • Instagram: @davidvilla
  • Twitter: @guaje7villa
  • Facebook: @DavidVillaJugador

David Villa is among the best retired Barcelona legends. The former striker left Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in 2016. David Villa played 119 matches for the club and scored 19 goals. He is an entrepreneur and even owns a football club in the USA.

17. Luis Suarez

20 Barcelona legends
Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez. Photo: @LuisSuarez9
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz
  • Date of birth: 24 January 1987
  • Age: 36 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aquarius
  • Place of birth: Salto, Uruguay
  • Position: Striker
  • Instagram: @luissuarez9
  • Twitter: @LuisSuarez9
  • Facebook: @LuisSuarez9
  • YouTube: @LuisSuarez

Luis is among the best Barcelona legends still playing. Fans nicknamed him "El Pistolero" because of his incredible skills in passing balls and finishing. The soccer striker for Série A club Grêmio. He was one of Barcelona's best strikers ever. Luis Suarez played 283 games for the club and scored 113 goals.

16. Gerard Pique

Barcelona legends
Spanish former footballer Gerard Pique. Photo: @3GerardPique
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Gerard Piqué Bernabeu
  • Date of birth: 2 February 1987
  • Age: 36 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aquarius
  • Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
  • Position: Defender
  • Instagram: @3gerardpique
  • Twitter: @3gerardpique
  • Facebook: @3GerardPique
  • YouTube: @3GerardPique

Pique is one of the best soccer defenders of all time. He showcased excellent tackling ability while withstanding pressure on the field throughout his career. Gerard Pique played 615 games for Barcelona and scored 52 goals. He also helped Barcelona win several European Cups, 8 Spanish league titles, 7 Copa del Rey crowns, among other titles.

15. Hristo Stoichkov

retired Barcelona legends
Bulgarian former footballer Hristo Stoichkov. Photo: @hristo8oficial
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Hristo Stoichkov
  • Date of birth: 8 February 1966
  • Age: 57 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aquarius
  • Place of birth: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Position(s): Forward, Midfielder
  • Instagram: @hristo8oficial
  • Twitter: @HStoitchkov8
  • Facebook: @Hristo8Official

Stoichkov is currently a journalist for TUDN. The Bulgarian football legend led Barcelona to win four consecutive La Liga titles. He also made 151 appearances and scored 76 goals for the club from 1990 to 1995. Hristo Stoichkov left Barca for high-flying Parma in Italy.

14. Neymar

Barcelona legends of all time
Brazilian footballer Neymar. Photo: @neymarjr
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
  • Date of birth: 5 February 1992
  • Age: 31 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aquarius
  • Place of birth: State of São Paulo, Brazil
  • Position: Forward
  • Instagram: @neymarjr
  • Twitter: @neymarjr
  • Facebook: @neymarjr
  • YouTube: @neymarjr

Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr is among the Barcelona legends still playing. He is a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. Neymar played 186 games for Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and scored 105 goals.

13. Sergio Busquets

Barcelona legends still playing
Sergio Busquets of Barcelona. Photo: @5sergiob
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Sergio Busquets Burgos
  • Date of birth: 16 July 1988
  • Age: 34 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Cancer
  • Place of birth: Sabadell, Spain
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Instagram: @5sergiob
  • Facebook: @sbusquets16
  • Twitter: @5sergiob

Spanish player is the captain and defensive midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona. He arrived in Barcelona's first team in July 2008 and has spent his whole career life at this club. Sergio Busquets has made over 600 appearances for the club and has won 30 trophies, including 7 Copa del Rey titles, 8 La Liga titles, and 3 UEFA Champions Leagues.

12. Dani Alves

ranking best Barcelona legends
Brazilian player Dani Alves. Photo: @DaniAlvesD2
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Daniel Alves da Silva
  • Date of birth: 6 May 1983
  • Age: 39 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Taurus
  • Place of birth: Juazeiro, State of Bahia, Brazil
  • Position: Defender
  • Instagram: @danialves
  • Facebook: @DaniAlvesD2
  • Twitter: @DaniAlvesD2

Alves is a right-back for Liga MX club UNAM and the Brazil national team. He is among the top Barcelona players of all time. He left Barcelona on 2 June 2016 even though his contract was to expire on 30 June 2017. Daniel Alves played 391 games for Barcelona between 2008 and 2016, won 286 matches, and scored 21 goals.

11. Diego Maradona

top Barcelona legends
The late Argentine footballer and manager Diego Maradona. Photo: @dreamteamfc
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Diego Armando Maradona
  • Date of birth: 30 October 1960
  • Zodiac sign: Scorpio
  • Place of birth: Lanús, Argentina
  • Died: 25 November 2020 in Dique Luján, Argentina
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Instagram: @maradona
  • Facebook: @diegomaradona

Maradona is among the dead Barcelonaa football legends commemorated and celebrated by many worldwide. He played 490 official club games in a 21-year professional career and scored 259 goals. Within this time frame, Diego Maradona scored 34 goals in the 91 games he played 91 games for Argentina and 38 in the 58 games he played for Barcelona.

10. Rivaldo

Rivaldo
Former Brazilian footballer Rivaldo Ferreira. Photo: @Raddad Jebarah
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira
  • Date of birth: 19 April 1972
  • Age: 50 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aries
  • Place of birth: Recife, Brazil
  • Position(s): Forward, Midfielder
  • Instagram: @rivaldo
  • Twitter: @rivaldooficial

Ferreira is among the top 10 Barcelona legends of all time. He debuted at the club in 1999 and won the La Liga title, FIFA World Player of the Year Award, and Ballon d'Or. The Brazilian national left an unforgettable mark on FC Barcelona when Deportivo de La Coruna took him in 1997 for $22 million. His fame skyrocketed in 2001 during the last season of Valencia. Rivaldo Ferreira made a hat trick combined with a bicycle kick from outside the box in the 90th minute to make his club the winners.

9. Cesar

best Barcelona legends
The late Spain footballer Cesar Alvarez. Photo: @IndonesianBarcelona
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Cesar Rodriguez Alvarez
  • Date of birth: 6 July 1920
  • Zodiac sign: Cancer
  • Place of birth: Leon, Spain
  • Died: 1 March 1995 in Barcelona, Spain
  • Position: Striker

People who know the history of soccer in-depth usually mention the late Cesar Alvarez when listing Barcelona's legendary players. He played during the 1930s and 1950s era and amassed 235 goals in 351 goals. Cesar played for FC Barcelona from 1942 to 1955. He is renowned for being the top scorer ever recorded globally.

8. Pep Guardiola

Barcelona legends of all time
Football coach and former football player Pep Guardiola. Photo: @PepGuardiolaTeam
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Josep "Pep" Guardiola Sala
  • Date of birth: 18 January 1971
  • Age: 52 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Capricorn
  • Place of birth: Santpedor, Spain
  • Position(s): Defensive midfielder
  • Instagram: @pepteam
  • Facebook: @PepGuardiolaTeam
  • Twitter: @PepTeam

The Santpedor-based defensive midfielder was Barcelona's backbone. The team won four straight La Liga titles from 1991-1994 when he was with them. In 1992, the Catalans captured its first-ever European Cup when Pep Guardiola was age 20. His impressive performances resulted in him being appointed as the club's manager. Pep is the current manager of Premier League club Manchester City.

7. Carles Puyol

top Barcelona legends
Former professional footballer Carles Puyol. Photo: @puyol5carles
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Carles Puyol Saforcada
  • Date of birth: 13 April 1978
  • Age: 44 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aries
  • Place of birth: La Pobla de Segur, Spain
  • Position(s): Defender, Midfielder
  • Instagram: @carles5puyol
  • Facebook: @puyol5carles
  • Twitter: @Carles5puyol

Former player Carles Puyol is often described as a golden retriever rather than a footballer. He captained the Catalans for seven years and is rated among Barcelona's legendary defenders. He played for Barcelona his entire career and is currently the club's assistant sporting director at Barcelona.

6. Andres Iniesta

Barcelona legends
Iniesta in a black and white jersey. Photo: @AndresIniesta
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Andres Iniesta Lujan
  • Date of birth: 11 May 1984
  • Age: 38 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Taurus
  • Place of birth: Fuentealbilla, Spain
  • Position(s): Midfielder
  • Instagram: @andresiniesta8
  • Facebook: @AndresIniesta
  • Twitter: @andresiniesta8

Spanish star Andres Iniesta is among the Barcelona legends who still play on the pitch. Despite his young age, the 38-year-old is among the best Barcelona players of all time. Andres suffered severe injuries that took him off the game for some time, but he still capped off the 2010 World Cup Finals with a winning goal for Spain. He currently plays as a midfielder and is the captain of the J1 League club Vissel Kobe.

5. Johan Cruyff

best Barcelona legends
The late Dutch football player Johan Cruyff. Photo: @VI Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Hendrik Johannes Cruyff
  • Date of birth: 25 April 1947
  • Zodiac sign: Taurus
  • Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
  • Position(s): Forward, Attacking midfielder
  • Died: 24 March 2016 in Barcelona, Spain
  • Instagram: @johancruyff

After shifting from Ajax, the Dutch national debuted in Barcelona in 1973. Real Madrid and Barcelona wanted him then but opted for the latter. While in the club, Johan Cruyff scored 48 goals in 143 league appearances. He also led the Catalans to their first La Liga title since 1960.

4. Samuel Eto'o

Barcelona legends of all time
Former soccer player Samuel Eto'o. Photo: @setoo99
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Samuel Eto'o Fils
  • Date of birth: 10 March 1981
  • Age: 42 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aries
  • Position(s): Midfielder, Striker
  • Instagram: @samueletoo
  • Facebook: @setoo99
  • Twitter: @SamuelEtoo

Cameroonian national, Samuel Eto'o is among the players Barcelona regretted giving away. He scored over 100 goals and won 3 La Liga titles and 2 UEFA Champions Leagues during the Nuo Camp. Eto'o also received 2 African Footballer of the Year awards and is the record holder for African player with the most La Liga appearances. He has been the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation since 11 December 2021.

3. Lionel Messi

Barcelona legends of all time
Lionel Messi in a blue T-shirt and black jacket. Photo: @leomessi
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Lionel Andres Messi
  • Date of birth: 24 June 1987
  • Age: 35 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Cancer
  • Place of birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
  • Position(s): Forward
  • Facebook: @leomessi
  • Instagram: leomessi
  • Twitter: @fundacionmessi

Former Barcelona football player Lionel Messi is renowned globally. He won the 2022 FIFA World Player of the Year and IFFHS Playmakers awards. Messi has won four La Liga titles, two European Cups, five playmakers awards, and seven Ballon d'Or awards. In 235 appearances for the Catalans, he bagged 152 goals and 64 assists.

2. Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho
Former Brazilian forward Ronaldinho. Photo: @Harry Langer
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira
  • Date of birth: 21 March 1980
  • Age: 43 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aries
  • Place of birth: Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Position(s): Attacking midfielder, Winger
  • Facebook: @ronaldinho
  • Instagram: @ronaldinho
  • Twitter: @10Ronaldinho
  • YouTube: @ronaldinhogaucho

Former Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho scored 95 goals and made 80 assists in 5 seasons. During these seasons, Ronaldinho won the FIFA World Player of the year award consecutively in two years: one Ballon d'Or, 2 La Liga titles, and 1 European Cup. As a result, his name is now told in history books among Barcelona's legends of all time.

1. Xavi

ranking top Barcelona legends
Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona. Photo: @xavi
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Xavier Hernandez Creus
  • Date of birth: 25 January 1980
  • Age: 43 years old (as of March 2023)
  • Zodiac sign: Aquarius
  • Place of birth: Terrassa, Spain
  • Position(s): Midfielder
  • Instagram: @xavi

Former player Xavier Hernandez helped Barcelona win 5 La Liga titles and 2 European Cups since his debut with the club in 1998. He completed a La Liga season with 110 passes and Cups. Xavi's most thrilling achievements were winning the IFFHS Playmakers awards four times and being a 2nd runners-up in the FIFA Ballon d'Or award in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Xavier Hernandez is Barcelona's current manager and one of the best Catalans legends ever.

Who are the Barca legends?

  • Xavi
  • Ronaldinho
  • Lionel Messi
  • Samuel Eto'o
  • Johan Cruyff
  • Andres Iniesta
  • Carles Puyol
  • Pep Guardiola
  • Cesar
  • Rivaldo
  • Diego Maradona
  • Dani Alves
  • Sergio Busquets
  • Neymar
  • Hristo Stoichkov
  • Gerard Pique
  • Luis Suarez
  • David Villa
  • Ronald Koeman
  • Víctor Valdés

Who are the best number 10 in Barcelona's history?

  • Xavi
  • Ronaldinho
  • Lionel Messi
  • Samuel Eto'o
  • Johan Cruyff
  • Andres Iniesta
  • Carles Puyol
  • Pep Guardiola
  • Cesar
  • Rivaldo

Who is Barcelona's biggest legend?

Lionel Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Neymar are some of the most decorated players in Barca's history.

Who is Barcelona's most famous player?

Messi is probably Barcelona's greatest player ever. The 35 trophies he won for Barca make him the club record holder of the player with the most trophies among the previous and current Barcelona players.

Who is Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorer?

Cesar Rodriguez Alvarez is Barcelona's all-time leading goal scorer with 235 goals in 351 games.

Who are Barcelona's current squad?

The following players are Barcelona's current players:

Defenders

Forwards

Midfielders

Goalkeepers

Ronald Araújo

Ousmane Dembélé

Sergio Busquets

Marc-André ter Stegen

Andreas Christensen

Robert Lewandowski

Gavi

Iñaki Peña Sotorres

Marcos Alonso

Ansu Fati

Pedri

Jordi Alba

Ferran Torres

Franck Kessié

Jules Koundé

Raphinha

Sergi Roberto

Eric García

Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona legends of all time have billions of passionate fans worldwide. The world cherishes all the Barcelona legends whose outstanding talents brought glory and trophies to the club.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
Peris Walubengo photo
Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.