5 players with the most appearances in Barcelona’s history
Barcelona is and always have been a commoners' club. If you flip through the pages of the history book, you will find that the Catalan giants have seldom relied on big-money moves. Rather, they have placed their bets on homegrown players.
Barcelona's La Masia is one of the best football academies in the world. The club's youth system has generated playing machines with out-of-the-world talent. These La Masia graduates never fail to shine at Barca or elsewhere.
In this article, we take a look at five such La Masia products who also happen to be Barcelona's players with the most number of appearances.
#5 Gerard Pique — 599
Although Pique has often faced heavy competition from the likes of Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Thiago Silva among others, the Spanish defender has successfully carved his own name in the game. After graduating from La Masia, Pique was sent to England on his first senior contract.
A young Pique had a short stint with Manchester United before re-joining his boyhood club. Gerard Pique joined Barcelona in 2008 and continues his journey at Camp Nou.
He has amassed a whopping 30 titles in this duration. The Spaniard was a part of both the Blaugrana's treble (2009 and 2015) victories. He is one of only four players ever to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams.
Until his retirement in 2018, Pique was also a crucial member of the national side.
Gerard Pique was playing up front for Barcelona last night... 😅 https://t.co/9XD62On5Ia
#4 Sergio Busquets — 666
Spain's most successful manager Vicente del Bosque once said, "If you watch the whole game, you won't see Busquets—but watch Busquets, and you will see the whole game." That sums up the prowess of the midfield maestro from Catalunya.
Lauded as one of the best midfielders of the game, Sergio Busquets plays a massive role in his team's gameplay. Even though he rarely ends up on the scoresheet, Busquets never fails to influence the game and set the tone.
Busquets joined Barca's youth system in 2005. He ascended through the ranks rather quickly to find himself with the senior team in 2008. Since then, the Spaniard has been bossing the heart of midfield for the club.
Just like his academy and club teammate Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets has also collected 30 trophies for the Blaugrana. He is now the captain of the team and working alongside Xavi to return the club to its past glory.
Barça's record with Busquets in the starting XI:
10 Wins
2 Draws
0 Loss
Without Busquets:
1 win
2 draw
3 losses
As Gary Lineker said: "Sergio Busquets is ridiculously good and could probably play until he is fifty." https://t.co/1owF5ROmgG