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The Barcelona XI of the most successful decade in its history

By Chiranjib Ghosh

(Top Row L-R) goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona, Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona(Front row L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Neymar of FC Barcelona, Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona, Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelonaduring the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC on April 19, 2017 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(Top Row L-R) goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona, Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona(Front row L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Neymar of FC Barcelona, Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona, Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelonaduring the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC on April 19, 2017 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona’s Brazilian defender Dani Alves celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the second leg of the Spanish Cup quarter-final “El clasico” football match Barcelona vs Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Brazilian defender Dani Alves celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the second leg of the Spanish Cup quarter-final “El clasico” football match Barcelona vs Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /

Defence: Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba

Pep Guardiola built what was arguably the best defence that Barça ever had, turning Dani Alves into the best full-back into the world and getting the best out of an ageing Carles Puyol. He also instilled confidence in Gerard Piqué, readying him to succeed his captain.

While Puyol may not have played for much of the last decade, his record as captain and defender cannot be eclipsed by Samuel Umtiti or even Javier Mascherano. The club legend retired without any major trophies in his last season, but it was the end of a storied career.

Gerard Piqué has been a constant in the Barça defence for the last 11 years. He has adapted to a variety of roles, and has matured as a player. From the free-roaming, expressive centre-back playing with the protection of Puyol, Piqué has become a consistent, calm team leader.

He is one of the greatest players that Barça have ever produced, and may even have surpassed the legacy left by his mentor. Piqué has tutored the likes of Samuel Umtiti and Clément Lenglet, and was a good partner to Javier Mascherano.

At right-back, Guardiola inherited a good player in Dani Alves. But he moulded the Brazil international into the best in the world. Alves’ form continued late into his Barça career, which ended with a fantastic treble in the 2014/15 campaign.

As for Jordi Alba, the former Valencia winger has turned out to be one of the best signings Barça have ever made. The speedy former La Masia player returned to Barça and instantly became one of the best left-backs in the world.

Alba made the full transition to superstardom under Luis Enrique, who utilised his unique connection with Lionel Messi. The 30-year old speedster is a unique player, and would be the best left-back in the world, if not for Marcelo.

It is too early for the likes of Sergi Roberto and Nélson Semedo to stake a claim to the Barça legacy. But both players have a lot of potential, and the duo could become important first-team members in the next few years, depending on the circumstances.

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