BARCELONA
A versatile player, with good technique, Luis Enrique was capable of playing in several different positions, but usually played as an attacking midfielder. Despite having played 5 seasons for Real Madrid he moved to Barca in 1996 and later stated he "rarely felt appreciated by the Real supporters and didn't have good memories there".
He soon won the culers' hearts, staying eight years with the club, eventually becoming team captain and scoring several times in El Clásico against his former employers
After 5 years with CSKA Sofia, Hristo Stoichkov transferred to Barcelona in 1990.
The Bulgarian played as a left footed forward who was known for his explosive acceleration and speed dribbling, and for taking unpredictable shots on goal. He gained infamy because of his aggressive temper on the pitch, and in his first season with the club was suspended for two months for stamping on a referee's foot
He became part of Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team', and in tandem upfront with Romario, helped Barca to one of the most successful eras of the club, winning the La Liga four years in a row from 1991 and the European Cup after defeating Sampdoria in 1992.
An idol to the fans, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1994
After winning the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Gary Lineker was signed by Barcelona for £2.8m. Barcelona were being managed by fellow Englishman Terry Venables, who had also brought in Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes
Lineker's performance at the finals led to much anticipation of success at the Camp Nou, and he did not disappoint, scoring 21 goals in 41 games during his first season, including a hat-trick in a 3–2 win over arch rivals Real Madrid. He would eventually win silverware as the Catalans went on to win the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1989
Lineker found himself ostracised under new coach Johan Cruyff, who deployed him as a right winger, and eventually lost his place in the side.
Desperate to regain his best form in time for the 1990 World Cup, Lineker left Spain to be reunited with Venables who had taken over at Tottenham, where he topped the leagues goalscoring charts once again
Josep 'Pep' Guardiola played 479 games for the club he joined as a thirteen yr old. He won 16 trophies in 12 seasons and was part of Johan Cruyff's dream team that won Barcelona's first European Cup, beating Sampdoria at Wembley in 1992
A defensive midfielder, Guardiola became a first team regular in the 1991–92 season and at only 20 years old the prestigious Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo heralded him as the finest player in the world under the age of 21. As the pivot around which everything ticked, he would become the boyhood hero of Barca's next midfield prodigy, Xavi
"Why don't I give orders to my players during matches? Guardiola is closer to them and does it better than I do" Cruyff was once quoted as saying. He has since become manager in his own right at the Catalan giants and in 2010 guided them to an unprecedented 'sextuplet', including la Liga, Champions league and World club titles
Barcelona's 2009 double of Champions League and World club titles underlined the Catalans dominance of world football and helped Lionel Messi land his first Ballon d'Or.
It made him the sixth Barcelona player to take the award but the first for four years - since Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.
Messi became the first Ballon D'Or winner from Argentina, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo by a record 240-point margin. The award's 96 jurors gave Messi 473 points out of a possible 480, a near unanimous verdict, France Football magazine said on its website
At his very best, Michael Laudrup was arguably an equal for football history’s genuine elite. Indeed it was often said that, although Johan Cruyff was unique, Laudrup was the player who came closest to his style and quality
Blessed with vision, terrific technique and a devastating change of pace, the Dane was the focal point of any side he played in, with the Dutch legend himself saying “When Michael plays, it’s like a dream, a magical illusion. No-one in the world comes anywhere near his level.”
As if to give his personal approvals to the comparisons, of course, Cruyff then went and signed Laudrup for Barcelona, seeing him as the perfect supply route for Bulgarian goal machine Hristo Stoichkov.
With the Dutch mastermind on the bench, Laudrup casting spells in midfield and Stoichkov adding the finishing touches, Barça at last made the leap from big name to continental powerhouse
Together, they won four La Liga titles between 1990 and 1994, and beat Sampdoria 1-0 in the 1992 European Cup Final at Wembley, all attained with a swagger that earned them the tag of the 'Dream Team'
Maybe Barca fans would hold Laudrup closer to their hearts had he not joined Real Madrid in 1994 after falling out with Cruyff, but even the most cynical fan could not deny that Laudrup helped transform the fortunes of the Catalan giants, creating the platform for the world beaters they are today.
Xavier "Xavi" Hernández came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, and made his first-team debut in 1998. Since then he has played 697 matches, scored 78 goals and made more than 180 assists for over 50 players.
Xavi's abilities on the football pitch have led his teams to numerous titles and placed him among the most decorated footballers of all time. He is the first player in Barcelona's history to play 150 international matches and was an integral part of the sextuple-winning Barcelona side in 2009, the only time which a club has achieved six titles in a year
The claim that Xavi is one of the best midfielders of his generation and perhaps all time relies largely on his ability to find and exploit space. As he said: "That's what I do: look for spaces. All day. I'm always looking". Xavi's abnormally good vision, pinpoint accurate passing and world class ball control allow him to dictate the flow of play whilst rarely relinquishing possession. His ability to completely control some matches has earned him the sobriquet, "The Puppet Master"
The 1973–74 season saw the arrival of Johan Cruyff, who was bought for a world record £920,000 fee from Ajax, and as one would expect from the worlds outstanding footballer, he instantly had a massive impact, and would ultimately change the history of the club
Cruyff quickly won over the Barcelona fans when he told the European press he chose Barça over Real Madrid because he could not play for a club associated with the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. He further endeared himself when he chose a Catalan name, Jordi, for his son
Founded as Foot-Ball Club Barcelona in 1899 by a group of Swiss, English and Spanish footballers, the club has become a symbol of the Catalan people, hence the motto "Més que un club" - More than a club
Unlike many other football clubs, their fans, the 'Culos', own and operate Barcelona. It is currently the world's second richest football club in terms of revenue, just behind their bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The intense rivalry between the clubs reflects the political and cultural tensions between the two regions and the derby, 'El Clasico', is considered the biggest domestic match in the world
