Ranking and Grading Barcelona's Players on Champions League Performances so Far
After four Champions League group matches, FC Barcelona find themselves in a tough battle for the lead in Group F. The Catalans currently trail PSG by a single point but will have face the French side in a matter of weeks.
The Blaugrana have only suffered one defeat in the group stage—a 3-2 loss to PSG—but performed quite well in their other matches. Only two games are left to decide the group, which means Luis Enrique’s men must lock down and finish this stage strong.
That being said, it is now time to take a look at how the Barcelona players have been performing during the group stage. In this article, we will rank the 21 players who have seen action in the Champions League group stage and give them a grade to this point.
Please keep in mind that player rankings will be based on how well each player has performed, as well as how important they have been for Barcelona in the competition thus far. Because of this, some players may have a higher rating than their grade suggests.
As always, feel free to get involved in the discussion in the comment section below and let us know who you think the most outstanding players have been so far.
*All player statistics are courtesy of WhoScored.com
Ranking 21-16
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21. Sergi Roberto (Final Grade: D)
The young Barcelona midfielder has only played a select amount of minutes in the Champions League group stage so far. While Enrique does seem to be in favor of utilizing Roberto more than previous managers, the Catalan has yet to make an impact.
Roberto still looks lost when compared to his teammates in the middle of the pitch and he is often the weak link in the Blaugrana chain. Having yet to make his presence felt for Barcelona, Sergi Roberto receives a rather low grade to this point.
20. Pedro (Final Grade: F)
Like Roberto, Pedro has done very little throughout Barcelona’s group stage run this far. In fact, the case can be made that he has been the club’s most disappointing player overall this season.
Pedro’s inability to provide an attacking dimension going forward, coupled with his severe drop in form, mean the Spanish winger is on the fringes of the Barcelona squad. Though Enrique continues to call his name due to the need for depth, fans no longer see Pedro as a major part of the team dynamic.
19. Luis Suarez (Final Grade: C)
How could Luis Suarez be so low on this list? Well, it is simply because the Uruguayan has only played in one Champions League match for Barcelona and struggled.
Suarez started alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Ajax, though he was certainly a third wheel. His unfamiliarity with his fellow South Americans showed a lot against Ajax and he was relatively unable to get involved in the attack as a whole.
Thankfully for Suarez, he is looking more comfortable with each passing game. It should only be a matter of time before he finds his scoring boots for the Catalan giants.
18. Gerard Pique (Final Grade: D)
It has been yet another up and down season for Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. After scoring the club’s winner against APOEL, Pique has returned to being the team’s most unreliable defender.
For the most part, Pique continues to allow himself to be caught out of position and has to make up for the errors by fouling. His troublesome decision-making has already put Barcelona in dangerous territory several times this season and fans have to wonder how much longer it will be before Enrique does something about Pique.
17. Rafinha (Final Grade: C+)
Rafinha has spent a good portion of this season dealing with injuries, but that has not kept him from seeing the pitch in European play. The Brazilian midfielder has participated in three of Barcelona’s four matches to this point and looks to be gaining momentum as he fights for a spot in the lineup.
The 21-year-old featured as a substitute in all three contests he participated in, and his introduction seemed to have a positive impact each time. His ability to stretch defenses by making runs and dangerous passes helped the team a lot, while his fresh legs caused major problems for opponents.
Rafinha also provided a key assist in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Ajax a few weeks ago. However, due to the fact that he has only played limited minutes, the midfielder is relatively low on our list.
16. Jeremy Mathieu (Final Grade: D)
While Jeremy Mathieu has been absolutely solid in league play this season, his lone Champions League appearance left a lot to be desired. The French defender started in Barcelona's 3-2 defeat against PSG and struggled to deal with the attack for long stretches of the game.
While it may seem unfair to judge Mathieu off of a game in which the entire defense struggled, it has been his only continental showing for the Catalans so far. Fans should not expect this regularly from Mathieu, who has been the club's best defender this season, but with only a disappointing showing against PSG under his belt, it is difficult to justify a higher place on our list.
Ranking 15-11
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15. Jordi Alba (Final Grade: C)
Jordi Alba has been fairly consistent throughout Barcelona’s Champions League run to this point, though he has not played a major contributing role as of yet. His defending has been better than expected, but his better showings have also been rather quiet and under the radar.
Barcelona fans will be happy to note that Alba seems to have improved on the defensive side of the ball, but he still has plenty of room for improvement.
To this point, Alba has been a solid player but nothing more. If he is able to get more involved going forward without jeopardizing the defense, it will certainly pay off for the Blaugrana.
14. Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Final Grade: C)
It can be really difficult to judge the performances of a 'keeper when he can go entire games without being tested once. That has been the case for Marc-Andre ter Stegen on more than one occasion, but it hasn’t happened every time.
The young German is still finding his feet behind the Barcelona defense, and it has showed at times. His leadership ability and confidence are still a bit shaky.
He has accounted for three clean sheets to this point, making a few solid stops on the rare occasions he was called into action. However, the fixture against PSG saw the 'keeper have to deal with a flurry of attacks.
He allowed PSG to put three goals past him when the two sides met and has looked a bit abnormal since. His age and the fact that he is still learning the Barcelona system are reasons for this, though it is clear that the German is now starting to settle following his difficulties against the French giants.
13. Adriano (Final Grade: B)
Adriano has only featured once for the Catalans to this point, but he played very well when he was called upon. The Brazilian was solid in Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over APOEL and has looked great outside of Europe as well.
His ability to get involved in the attack helped against APOEL when Sergi Roberto was struggling to find his footing down the left flank. At the same time, Adriano’s defensive awareness paid off a few times and helped Barcelona earn their clean sheet.
12. Sandro Ramirez (Final Grade: B-)
Sandro Ramirez is yet another highly touted Masia graduate who is breaking into the first team, and he certainly has a lot to be proud of up to this point. The young striker has seen minutes in three of Barcelona’s four European Cup games and was a game changer in each appearance.
His fresh legs made a real difference in the second half of games, while his eye for goal gave Barcelona another attacking dimension going forward. His late goal against Ajax sealed Barca's 3-1 victory and was a touch of pure class from such a young player. His future is bright at Barcelona as long as he continues to develop at this pace.
11. Munir El Haddadi (Final Grade: B)
Along with Sandro, Munir El Haddadi has been both spectacular and surprising this season. The 19-year-old has already played much more than fans expected back when the season first started, and he has been a bright light on the pitch during each of his appearances.
Munir has participated in three matches to this point, making his Champions League debut against APOEL as part of the starting lineup. While he has yet to score a goal for the Blaugrana in the competition, he has been involved in a few instrumental moments leading to goals. He also struck the post against PSG in what should have been a big goal for the Catalans.
His age is still showing as defenders are finding ways to mark him out of the attack, but his influence is undeniable. He is always looking to cause problems and it is safe to say that there is no ceiling on his potential as a footballer.
Number 10: Dani Alves
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Dani Alves has started all four of Barcelona’s Champions League group-stage matches and has looked solid all around. The Brazilian’s ability to link up with Lionel Messi and the midfield makes him a dangerous player to mark for opponents, while his passing ability has yielded an assist.
Alves still struggles to be a force on the defensive side of the ball at times, but the Catalans have had little to deal with outside of their loss to PSG in that regard.
While Alves can be a very hot or cold player on any night, he has remained fairly consistent in European play and has a familiarity with his teammates. For a player who has been on the pitch for almost every minute so far, Alves has been a key component for the Blaugrana.
Final Grade: B
Number 9: Ivan Rakitic
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Depending on who you ask, Ivan Rakitic has been Barcelona’s most dependable midfielder this season. The Croatian has looked strong both defensively and going forward, but he has had his weak moments too.
Like his teammates, Rakitic struggled heavily against PSG, though he was able to orchestrate a few chances that were not turned into goals. However, his performance in Barcelona’s first meeting with Ajax was his worst showing of the season.
Rakitic overcame his weak performance in Barcelona’s second meeting with Ajax, completing over 80 percent of his passes on 75 touches, while also making three big tackles.
It is safe to say that his early dip in form was merely a bump in the road as Rakitic continues to grow as a vital part of Luis Enrique’s squad.
Final Grade: B-
Number 8: Xavi
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After Ivan Rakitic had a few matches that can only be described as disappointments, Xavi was the one brought in to fix those mistakes.
In a tough game against PSG, Xavi was brought on to help the Catalans gain control of the middle of the pitch. His presence seemed to give Barcelona more stability and confidence, which could be the reason why Enrique continues to turn to the captain despite his age.
Xavi also had a rather big night against APOEL in the opening fixture, even if he was outclassed by teammate Sergi Samper (more on that later).
The Masia legend may have only played in two of Barcelona’s four matches in Europe, but both appearances showed just how valuable he still is to this club. Rakitic will soon hold the keys to the midfield, but Xavi remains the brains of the entire Barcelona system.
Final Grade: B
Number 7: Sergio Busquets
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It is very odd to see Sergio Busquets so low on this type of list, but there is cause for the chaos. To begin with, the midfielder has only participated in two European matches for Barcelona this season—and one of those performances will be haunting him for the rest of the campaign.
Busquets was arguably the worst player on the pitch during Barcelona’s 3-2 loss to PSG, which is saying a lot. It is rare for Busquets to put in a bad performance, but being the weakest player on the field seems impossible for someone like him.
However, that was the case against PSG and Barcelona paid the price.
Busquets was unable to read the game like he normally does and the midfield was open for attack. It is often said that every Barcelona performance relies on how Sergio Busquets performs, which seemed to be the case against the French side.
Luckily, the 26-year-old redeemed himself in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Ajax. He looked like his old self again and was able to keep the Dutch side from building play in the center of the park.
Fans will be hoping that Busquets is fully healthy and ready to play at the level he normally does over the coming weeks. But following such a bad performance against PSG and players like Javier Mascherano and Sergi Samper stepping up, Busquets finds himself outside of Barcelona’s top five performers.
Final Grade: B-
Number 6: Javier Mascherano
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Javier Mascherano’s importance to Barcelona’s Champions League campaign cannot be overstated. The Argentine has featured as both a center-back and a defensive midfielder in the group stage and looked strong in both roles.
He partnered Mathieu in the back line against PSG but was unable to keep the French side from finishing their chances, though he did step up a few times to keep their opponents from creating a dangerous run. His ability to read the game helped Barcelona keep the game close but wasn’t enough in the long run.
Mascherano also deputized for an injured Sergio Busquets against Ajax and showed the world why he should still be regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders around. He completed over 90 percent of his passes while also making seven big tackles to completely neutralize Ajax’s midfield runners.
Playing two different positions is a big deal in today’s game. Mascherano has been asked to do a lot for Barcelona and must be praised for his hard work.
Final Grade: B+
Number 5: Marc Bartra
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The biggest question hanging over Barcelona at this point may very well be, why is Marc Bartra not playing more minutes? The young defender has been flawless this season, and it is time for Enrique to repay him with a regular place in the lineup.
Bartra has started three of Barcelona’s group-stage matches and was spectacular in each one. The only match he didn’t feature in was the club’s loss to PSG, so make of that what you will.
In the match against APOEL, Bartra performed a dangerous last-man tackle to save the Catalans from what would have likely been a goal. On top of that, he kept himself in wonderful position all night and was rarely tested thanks to his ability to read the game.
His two matches against Ajax were no different. He did exactly what was asked of him and was a force in front of the 'keeper. He even gave an assist in the second meeting with the Dutch side.
Bartra has quietly been a very capable and dependable defender for Barcelona in European play. He has earned more playing time, and with the defense struggling like it has been, Enrique would be mad to not hand the 23-year-old more minutes.
Final Grade: A
Number 4: Sergi Samper
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Sergi Samper has only featured one game for Barcelona so far in the group stages, but that lone appearance was enough to see him this high on our list.
The Masia product started in place of Sergio Busquets against APOEL and put in a man-of-the-match performance. He completed 93 percent of his passes on 119 touches, while also winning five tackles in the process. It was an absolutely stunning night that fans will never forget.
For all the hype that has been surrounding Samper over the past few years, it was great to see the 19-year-old show what he can really do. He definitely has a big future with the Camp Nou outfit and fans are right to be excited about what could be.
His match against APOEL proved that he is more than just a highly touted midfielder. He has the ability and potential to be the next star at Barcelona, and he has already shown that on the great stage that is the Champions League.
Final Grade: A+
Number 3: Andres Iniesta
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There isn’t much that can be said about Andres Iniesta that hasn’t already been said a thousand times. The Barcelona midfielder is one of the very best in the game and puts on a masterful showing every single time he touches a football.
Despite starting on the bench against APOEL, Iniesta eventually was subbed on after the hour mark and made a huge impact. His presence forced his marker out of position and caused the game really opened up for Barcelona.
Against PSG, Iniesta was the only player—besides Lionel Messi—to put in a positive performance, as he did all he could to keep the Blaugrana in the match. It wasn’t enough, but he gave PSG all they could handle from the opening whistle, including a key assist.
Iniesta was at it again in Barcelona’s first meeting with Ajax, providing an assist and registering a spectacular four dribbles on the night. It can be easy to miss Iniesta’s brilliance when others like Messi and Neymar are dazzling, but the 30-year-old can never be appreciated enough for what he does for the Blaugrana.
The Masia product has been an absolute star in the group stage and a key performer in every game he has featured in. For that, Iniesta makes our top three, though for him it is just another day at work.
Final Grade: A+
Number 2: Neymar
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It is safe to finally say that Neymar has found his place at Barcelona. After a rather difficult debut season for the Catalans, the Brazilian forward now understands his role and is achieving great success for the Blaugrana.
So far, Neymar has managed to score two very big goals in group play. While two goals may not seem like a lot, they were both timely strikes.
Goals aside, Neymar has been a constant threat for opponents in every game. His presence is now commanding attention from defenders and Barcelona are making them pay. Neymar is growing into more of a leader with each passing week, and the fact that he now understands his role cannot be overstated.
Above all else, the Brazilian has been the perfect complement to Lionel Messi. The two forwards play off each other well and have learned how to work together. Their different styles of attacking also make defending them almost impossible.
Neymar has not been perfect so far, but he has been great. Without him on the pitch, Messi would have had to carry a lot more of the attacking burden and some matches could have turned out differently.
When Neymar first signed for Barcelona, fans expected great things of him alongside Messi. That dream is finally turning into a reality, especially in the Champions League group stage.
Final Grade: A
Number 1: Lionel Messi
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Absolutely no surprises here: Lionel Messi tops the list due to his unprecedented play in the Champions League group stage so far.
Not only has the Argentine started in all four of Barcelona’s games, he also been named WhoScored.com’s man of the match in every fixture. That is something truly special, but it is not uncommon for someone like Messi.
Through the first four group-stage contests, Messi has scored four goals and registered two assists. He has been the key to Barcelona’s success and the dominant player that everyone knows him to be.
Just when things look impossible for the Blaugrana, Messi has stepped up with a big goal or key pass to swing momentum back in the right direction. Without the Argentine, it is safe to say that Barcelona would likely not have found the success they have to this point.
Messi can receive nothing but the highest grade for the performances he has put in for Barcelona. There are still two games left to be played, and you can rest assured that Messi will have a big part to play in both matches.
Final Grade: A++
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