Picking an Ultimate Barcelona XI Since 2000
Barcelona have had some terrific players during this century, but who would get in a best XI of it so far?
The Catalans have enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their glorious history ever since 2000, and you could probably name two or three excellent XIs which would which would beat several similar select sides for a wide variety of clubs.
These are the ultimate XI that we've gone with, though, starting with a solid last line of defence.
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes
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Long before he became something of a joke figure at Manchester United, Victor Valdes was the last line of defence who helped Barcelona to 21 major honours during 535 appearances for the first team.
Quick, agile and able to spring off his line, Valdes was perhaps fortunate to play behind so many great outfield players, but he can't doubt both his longevity and his ability to keep clean sheets.
He won La Liga's Zamora Trophy for the concession of the least goals in five different seasons, as well as winning the division's goalkeeper of the year award on two occasions.
Valdes was unfortunate that the height of his career coincided with the rise and rise of Iker Casillas at Real Madrid, meaning that his efforts went somewhat unrewarded in the national team setup, but they fully appreciated his talents at Barcelona, where he stands as their No. 1 stopper so far this decade.
Right-Back: Dani Alves
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Michael Reiziger, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta have all played at right-back for Barcelona this century, but none did so while enjoying the same amount of success as Dani Alves has.
The 2008 signing from Sevilla has been a mainstay on the right-hand side of the Barca defence ever since that big-money move, winning five La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies as well as a host of other medals.
Alves' ability to get forward and also act as a right winger at times has been crucial for a largely attack-minded Barca side, while he also retains a spikiness to his game which makes him one of the fiercest competitors in European football. He's an obvious pick for our side.
Centre-Back: Carles Puyol
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The wild man at the heart of the Barcelona defence for 15 years and seen by many as a symbol of Catalan pride, Carles Puyol is one of our centre-backs.
Puyol won six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a Barca career which began when he joined the youth setup at La Masia in 1995. But while that famed academy is known for producing skillful, technical players, it was the defender's heart and will-to-win which most shone out as developed into a leader for both Barcelona and Spain.
His influence in the heart of the back line was sure to intimidate any forward that he came across, with his distinctive shaggy hair making him a well-known figure in the world game all the way up to his retirement in 2014.
Centre-Back: Gerard Pique
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Gerard Pique's dislike of all things Madrid is well established, but so is the Barcelona defender's trophy haul.
After leaving Barca as a youngster to begin his senior career with Manchester United, Pique returned to Catalonia in 2008 and has gone on to claim 21 major trophies to date, a haul which looks certain to increase even further come the end of the this season.
The World Cup and European Championships winner was given an education in centre-back play by Puyol when he played alongside him at the beginning of his career in the Barca first team, and he's now risen to become the senior centre-back as well as a consistently reliable figure.
Left-Back: Eric Abidal
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One of the most hotly contested positions in the team, current Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba can consider himself unfortunate to miss out here, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst would also have been a strong contender.
We've gone for the Frenchman Eric Abidal, though, largely because of his role in one of the most consistently successful teams in the modern football era.
Due to the health issues which completely destroyed his 2012/13 campaign, Abidal only ever played five "proper" seasons for Barcelona, during which he won a remarkable 15 trophies.
Centre Midfield: Xavi
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One of the first names on our teamsheet, Xavi accumulated a remarkable 25 major honours during his 17-year spell with Barcelona, which ended with his move to Qatari club Al-Sadd last year.
The mesmerising midfielder was capable of some sublime passing as well as a seemingly psychic ability to know just where his team-mates were at any given time.
He could spot a run almost before a team-mate had even made it, and he was a huge part of the Spain teams which won the European Championships, the World Cup and then the European Championships again in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Controlling play from the centre of the pitch and looking to get this team moving, he's also a strong contender for the captain's armband.
Centre Midfield: Andres Iniesta
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Another obvious choice in the centre of midfield, Andres Iniesta has inherited the captain's armband from Xavi and embraced the status which comes with that honour.
The midfielder has won an amazing 26 major trophies during his 14 seasons in the Barca first team, and at just 31 years of age, he looks almost certain to add to that haul in the years to come.
A stylish link between midfield and attack, and a player capable of the most outstanding feats of artistry, Iniesta is a player who was always going to command a place in our side.
Attacking Midfield: Ronaldinho
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It is easy to overlook in today's Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo narrative, but there was a time when Ronaldinho ruled them all.
A Barcelona player between 2003 and 2008 following his move from Paris Saint-Germain, the fun-loving Brazilian was the standout player in world football in the mid-2000s, when his maverick style and outrageous skills thrilled world football fans.
Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles and the 2005/06 Champions League with Barca, but while his trophy collection might not match up with some of his team-mates in this side, he is certainly guaranteed to provide more entertainment than most of them.
Right Forward: Lionel Messi
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Ah, you knew that this one was coming, didn't you?
Lionel Messi takes his place in our XI thanks to his staggering efforts in the Barcelona team for the last 12 seasons, during which he's won 26 major honours as well as a remarkable four Ballon d'Or awards.
The Argentinian ace has almost redefined the modern game thanks to his mesmerising skills, and quite frankly, this team couldn't even be possible without him.
Centre Forward: Samuel Eto'o
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Plenty of great centre-forwards have worn the Barcelona No. 9 shirt in recent years, but none have managed to be so potent for so long as Samuel Eto'o, the Cameroonian forward whose success was seemingly made all the more enjoyable because he was considered not good enough for Real Madrid.
Eto'o won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona, as he provided the cutting edge on a team which could carve out chances at will.
The likes of Patrick Kluivert and current No. 9 Luis Suarez have strong claims to this shirt, but it's Eto'o who takes it ahead of both them and several great Atletico forwards.
Left Forward: Neymar
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We've gone with a current Barcelona superstar for our final position in the XI, with Neymar taking his place on the left side of the attack to complete a remarkable striking trio.
The Brazilian has been a revelation since moving to Barcelona from Santos in 2013, getting his hands on five trophies last season as he played a key role in the team that won the Champions League and La Liga trophies.
Playing in a remarkable attacking quartet alongside Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o, Neymar would add an even greater goal threat to our side, and it isn't exactly short of that already.
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