BRAZILLIANS THAT HAD AN INCREDIBLE TIME AT BARCELONA
This write up is to give an insight of how some Brazilian football players thrived at FC Barcelona during their days at the club. This is in no way trying to mean that the players shortlisted are the best Brazilians that made their names at FC Barcelona, but this is based on the opinion of the writer. Enlistment of these five players were based on ideas which includes; the number of years played, the number of trophies won, impact made during their times in the club, their special abilities and individual brilliance. However, the selection is not based on the fact that, the best are from the top downwards but the time the player arrived at Barcelona accordingly. Readers can also have their opinion upon the best Brazilians that played at Barcelona.
ROMARIO DE SOUZA FARIA
Romario de Souza... Romario joined Barcelona in 1993 from Phillips Sports Vereniging (PSV) Eindhoven in the Eredivisie in Holland. He wore the iconic number 10 jersey during his time in the Catalan based club where he had an incredible spell during his two years stay in the club... Romario did not keep long in the club but still remains one of Barcelona's all time legends. The Brazilian attacker announced his presence at Barcelona when he netted 30 goals in just 33 games in his first taste of the La Liga season (1993-1994),this performance helped Barcelona clinched the La Liga trophy and personal glory when he won himself the Pichichi (top goalscorer award) the same year.. Hristo Stoichkov, Pep Guardiola, Ronald Koeman and Andoni Zubizarretta and many others were his team mates at that time. Romario's speed, accuracy and dribbling abilities were qualities that any other player in the world may have wanted. He helped the Brazilian national team won the 1994 World Cup and won for himself the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball as the most valuable player of the tournament. The Brazilian departed from Barcelona in 1995 with a total number of 53 goals in 82 matches.... Romario de Souza had an entertaining time at Barcelona especially his famous hat - trick and impact in the game against Real Madrid in the 1994 La Liga season...
VITOR BORBA FERREIRA 'RIVALDO'
Rivaldo joined Barcelona at the start 1997-1998 season from Deportivo La Coruna as a direct replacement for his compatriot Luis Nazario de Lima Ronaldo. Rivaldo will not be described as an out and out striker but more of a winger and an attacking midfielder. Rivaldo's performance during his five years stay in the club was something else, he could run with the ball, dribble and his ability to shoot both from long and short range was very great. Rivaldo's qualities cannot be said without touching on his ability to convert free kicks both long and short range and the most of all, penalty kicks. Rivaldo was a dominant left footed player, and to have his left foot behind any free or a penalty kick will mean danger to the opposition. The former Brazilian World Cup winner is regarded as part of the few Brazilian that had an incredible time at Barcelona. His incredible performance led him to win the Ballon d'or award in the 1999 season. Rivaldo and the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Luis Enrique and many others formed a strong team at Barcelona. The Brazilian sensation departed away from Barcelona in 2002, after scoring 136 goals in 253 matches the same year he won the World Cup with the Brazilian National Team..
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira 'Ronaldinho'
Ronaldinho joined Barcelona in summer 2003 from Paris Saint Germain (PSG) after his incredible display in the World Cup in 2002 and winning the Cup with his Brazilian National Team. It was in no doubt that Ronaldinho will join one of the top clubs in Europe because of the magnificent performance he showcased in the 2002 World Cup. To many, his arrival at Barcelona changed the face of the club and again brought the club to a certain level. You cannot mention talent in football and sideline the name 'Ronaldinho'. Qualities of Ronaldinho will take years if not decades to describe. The ability to run with the ball so glued to his feet was nothing to talk about, converting free kicks and penalty kicks, tricky dribbles cannot be left out. No opposition team would like to see Ronaldinho behind a freekick or penalty kick. Ronaldinho was described as a typical playmaker or an attacking midfielder but sometimes attacks from the wings. Football loving fans especially Barcelona fans all over the world fell in love with the style of play from the Brazilian sensation. Barcelona winning the La Liga back to back and the Champions League came as no surprise because of Ronaldinho's major influence for the club at that time. The Brazilian sensation was a threat to any defence and the inclusion of his teammates like Deco, Eto'o and Messi meant disaster for any other club at that time. The former Brazilian number 10 departed from Barcelona in 2008 after scoring 110 goals in 250 matches after winning personal glories like the FIFA BEST PLAYER AWARD (2004 and 2005) and the Ballon d'or in 2005. To many, he is a Living Legend not only for clubs he played and the national team but the World of Football.
Daniel da Silva Alves 'Dani Alves'
Arguably, Dani Alves is considered the best right back in Barcelona's long history. He joined Barcelona from a fellow La Liga giant, Sevilla. His arrival at Barcelona was not so shocking because of his top performance in the previous years back at Sevilla. The Brazilian full back was an instrumental figure in the formation of a strong team to which many considered it be the ‘Dream team' which again raised and change the face of Barcelona under the management of a certain Pep Guardiola. The Brazilian defender's extrovert personality and commitment to Barcelona made him influential and fell in love with the fans especially when it comes to the celebration of the clubs success. Running with ball, providing accurate crosses, passes, overlapping and his potent shot power were qualities he possessed. The Ex-Barcelona defender had attacking qualities such playing in the right wings and converting free kicks as well. The Brazilian defender is regarded as one of the most decorated players with most trophies in the World of Football. Again, he is regarded as one the decorated defenders in his generation. Dani Alves won 26 trophies in his eight years stay at the Barcelona when he left before the start of the 2016/2017 season after playing 414 games netting 23 goals for FC Barcelona.
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior
Neymar was the first signing for Barcelona in the 2013/2014 season. The then 21 year old joining Barcelona was no news, because of the incredible performance he displayed in the previous years back at his native Brazilian club, Santos. After the first season at Barcelona, Neymar proceeded to the 2014 World Cup which took place in his native country Brazil. Scoring 4 goals in five matches was a good statistics but though couldn't finish the fifth match due to an injury; it was no doubt Neymar was the most influential player in the Brazilian team at that World Cup before the injury occurred. The Brazilian sensation, Neymar, formed a strong bond with Messi and Luis Suarez who joined the club after the World Cup. Neymar, together with Messi and Suarez formed a popular football mnemonic known to be the 'MSN', M for Messi, N for Neymar and S for Suarez where he showcased great performance leading to his shortlistment among the top three best footballers of the 2014/2015 season. The Brazilian youngster would be described as an attacking midfielder but operates more from the wings. Neymar's abilities are something that any player can boast of, he was fast, skillful, dribbles and a good scorer as well. Neymar was said to be a lethal weapon to any defence and again, the ability to convert freekick and penalty kicks were something great about him. Neymar left Barcelona at the start of the 2017/2018 season after scoring.and winning 10 trophies. To many, Neymar is among the few youngsters with great talent and is capable of winning the Ballon d'or award as well.
Feel free to comment, your opinions are welcome…
References:
FC Barceloma.com – Barcelona news and players profile
Wikipedia (player’s history and achievements)
Google (getty images)