Best Barcelona Attacking Midfielders: Amazing attacking midfielders have been created in Barcelona, as each of them has carved a lasting legacy in the club. These players redefined creativity, vision and goal scoring just like Johan Cruyff changed the game through his tactics and Lionel Messi is their greatest player.
During his short time of playing with us Ronaldinho brought joy and flair, Neymar gave excitement and skill, while Diego Maradona has brought moments of brilliance. All are different attack eras for Barcelona, bringing many trophies and worldly fame.
Best Barcelona Attacking Midfielders
Today, we discuss the best five Barcelona attacking midfielders of all time.
5. Johan Cruyff
- Career Span with Barcelona: 1973–1978
- Date of Birth: April 25, 1947
Johan Cruyff is at number 5 on the best Barcelona attacking midfielders of all time list. In 1973 he came to Barcelona from Ajax and quickly changed the club — on the field, and off.
A former attacking midfielder famed for his great vision, technique and creativity, Cruyff had the utmost intelligence. He won Barcelona their first La Liga title in 14 years in his first season, sealing it with a monumental 5-0 win over that other Spanish power trifecta – Real Madrid – in the Santiago Bernabéu.
In five seasons, he had 180 appearances and 60 goals for Barcelona. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1973 and 1974 and set the template for Barcelona’s ‘Total Football’ philosophy which would be so crucial to their later success.
4. Neymar
- Career Span with Barcelona: 2013–2017
- Date of Birth: February 5, 1992
Neymar is no. 4 on our list of the best Barcelona attacking midfielders of all time. His four years at Barcelona brought flair, skill and exciting performances, which stand in contrast with what there has been there since.
With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Neymar was a huge part of the famous ‘MSN’ attack for Barcelona. He Scored 105 goals in 186 appearances, as well as provided 76 assists. Perhaps it was his most memorable moment in Barcelona’s treble winning season (2014–15) in which Barcelona won La Liga, Copa del Rey and also the Champions League defeating Juventus in the final as Neymar scored.
At Barcelona, he lifted 8 major trophies and was a huge player in key moments, such as the famous comeback from PSG in 2016–17 Champions League returning 3–0 down.
3. Diego Maradona
- Career Span with Barcelona: 1982–1984
- Date of Birth: October 30, 1960
Diego Maradona is placed at number 3 on the best Barcelona attacking midfielders all time. One of the best talents in the world when he joined upt Barcelona he was a good player that had a long career in his short stay with side, but was affected by injury in his two years with side.
Maradona himself scored 38 goals from 58 appearances and displayed that great thing of dribbling, vision, creativity. During his time at Barcelona, he won Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, putting a point over the fact that he can perform in big games. He cut his time short, however, due to hepatitis and a severe ankle injury from a brutal tackle.
Despite all that, it was Maradona’s moments of magic including the famous solo goals that made the Argentinian one of the greatest to ever pull on a Barcelona shirt.
2. Ronaldinho
- Career Span with Barcelona: 2003–2008
- Date of Birth: March 21, 1980
Ronaldinho comes in 2nd place of the best Barcelona attacking midfielders of all time. In 2003, Ronaldinho joined Barcelona and often seen as the player who brought joy to camp nou.
His stylish play, amazing dribbling and vision were overhauling attacking midfield role. A creative striker in many senses, he played 207 times, scoring 94 goals and contributing 70 assists.
In 2005–06, Ronaldinho helped lead Barcelona to La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League, as well as performing in 2 of them. The legendary was his incredible display at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2005 when Real Madrid fans stood up and applauded him.
In 2005, Ronaldinho won the Ballon d’Or and forged his reputation on the list of Barça’s greatest players.
1. Lionel Messi
- Career Span with Barcelona: 2000–2021
- Date of Birth: June 24, 1987
At number 1 on the list of the best Barcelona attacking midfielders of all time is Lionel Messi. He’s clearly the best player in Barcelona history and arguably the best footballer of all time.
For over two decades, Messi became greatness redefined, scoring goals for fun while holding his thumb over an incredible playmaking ability. He played 778 times in all competitions scoring 672 goals and assisting 268, breaking records, including being La Liga’s top scorer of all time.
Barcelona won 35 trophies during Messi’s reign there, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions Leagues and 7 Copa del Rey titles. This showed his ability to control games on his own in his best years — particularly during the treble winning seasons of 2008-09 and 2014-15.
Messi’s impact on Barcelona went beyond numbers; he symbolized the club’s values and philosophy throughout his career, winning seven Ballon d’Ors there.