Ranking the 5 oldest goalscorers for FC Barcelona
Traditionally, FC Barcelona are one of the biggest teams in Spain, and by extension, Europe. The club has managed to continuously deliver at the highest level for a very long time. Based in Catalunya, FC Barcelona have had a lot of legends of football on its books. Many of these legends represented the club from a tender age until they got to the twilight of their careers.
FC Barcelona treats its old players very well
Unlike some other clubs, FC Barcelona always make sure to give their old players the utmost respect when they are at the club, and when they choose to move on. Players like Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta have left the club in recent years at a very ripe age. These men left the club with their legendary status secured for life. This kind of treatment allows players to remain at the club for a long time.
Like every other club, FC Barcelona sometimes have to rely on their golden oldies for their experience in front of goal. Without further ado, here is a list of the five oldest goalscorers in FC Barcelona history.
#5 Xavi (35 years, 3 months and 3 days)
FC Barcelona manager Xavi enjoyed a successful career at the club as a player. The Spaniard first represented the club's senior side in 1998 after he graduated from their famed La Masia academy. He made his debut for the club in August 1998 against Mallorca and went on to make 767 appearances for Blaugrana.
Xavi scored a total of 84 goals for his boyhood club in his time at the club. His first goal for the club came in a 2-1 loss to Mallorca in 1998, and his last goal was in 2015. Xavi scored his last goal for the club on April 28th 2015 in a La Liga clash against Getafe. The Matchday 34 game ended 6-0 in favour of the Blaugrana, with Xavi's goal being the fourth of the game.
ON THIS DAY: In 2015, Xavi played his final ever LaLiga game for Barcelona in a 2-2 draw against Deportivo de La Coruna.
A phenomenal career for one of the greatest midfielders of all-time. https://t.co/JtBZDPGVNa
Xavi only ever played for Qatari side Al Sadd after his FC Barcelona exit. He is currently in charge of his boyhood club as a manager and hopes to restore their former glory.
#4 Jose Ramon Alexanko (35 years, 7 months and 2 days)
Jose Ramon Alexanko was one of the first players from the Basque country to play for Barcelona. The defender joined the club in 1980 when he was only 24 years old, and went on to captain the club.
Alexanko was part of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team that won the La Liga title four consecutive times. The Spaniard scored 36 times for FC Barcelona, with his last goal for the club coming in the 1991-92 season in a 5-3 win over Tenerife.
As visible against Real Betis, the Barcelona defence lacks a leader at the back. The team cries out for a modern day Jóse Ramón Alexanko — one of Barcelona greatest ever captains.
Read more about him in third part of our 'Més que uns Capitans' series:
barcauniversal.com/jose-ramon-ale…
Alexanko captained FC Barcelona in the European Cup final in 1992 after having come off the bench to help his side lock up shop. He went on to serve as the club's assistant manager from 2000 to 2002.