Midfield: Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta
In the last decade, Barça can stake a claim to having the best midfield of all-time. In international teammates and fellow La Masia graduates Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta, Barça found a trio which did wonders for the club.
Xavi was considered a decent player before Guardiola took over. He was part of Frank Rijkaard’s first-team, and was reliable. But Guardiola was aware of his former teammate’s skillset, and unlocked his potential at a late stage.
Xavi became the best midfielder in the world under Guardiola, and was one of the first names in the FIFPro World XI every single year before he decided to leave Barça. Xavi enjoyed some of his best years as a player in the last decade, and truly bloomed.
Andrés Iniesta was always considered a gem of a player, even before Guardiola arrived. But it was Guardiola, yet again, who unlocked his true potential. Iniesta began the decade on a high by netting the winner in the 2010 World Cup final for Spain.
He carried through this brilliance till his last game for Barça. He was an integral part of all Barça teams under all managers, and rose to captaincy after his mentor Xavi left the club. Iniesta can be considered as one of the greatest playmakers of all-time, alongside Pirlo and Cruyff.
The only player in the trio still remaining at the club is Sergio Busquets. A brand new discovery of Guardiola, he spent a season under the ex-holding midfielder at Barcelona B before comfortably making the jump to the first-team squad.
Like Piqué, Busquets has been a part of the Barça first-team for the last 11 years. He has always been underappreciated in the presence of creative geniuses like Iniesta and Messi. But the solidity provided by the La Masia graduate in midfield is unique.
Busquets has enjoyed a great understanding with all of his old teammates, like Piqué and Messi. Although his considerable powers have been on the wane recently, his connection with his fellow La Masia graduates remains steadfastly amazing.
Ivan Rakitić is a player who would have entered the XI, if not for either Xavi and Iniesta. He was instrumental in delivering the treble in Luis Enrique’s first season in charge, and even got onto the scoresheet in the 3-1 victory against Juventus in the Champions League final.
Although the 31-year old Croatian playmaker is nearing the end of his Barça career, he will always be remembered for his reliability and creativity in midfield.