Lionel Messi is of course FC Barcelona's best player. But personally, I can't figure out who is Barça's second best player. I think Sergio Busquets has a great mentality and a fantastic vision, apart from a very good technique. Gerard Piqué is also one of my favourites, and then Dani Alves, Tello, Thiago Alcântara, Fàbregas, Sánchez, Valdés, Mascherano... But Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar are a class apart, of course... HELP! What do you think? (Players out on loan don't count...)
As somebody who has watched every Barcelona game since 2009, it is my opinion that trom 2008 to 2012 it was Xavi, in fact I think in the year 2010 Xavi was the best player in the world and deserved the Baloon D'OR. However, over the last year or so Xavi has declined, which is perfectly normal considering his age and now it is Iniesta who is clearly our second best player. You can also see for Spain that Iniesta is clearly the best player now, it's clear that Iniesta hit his peak from Euro 2012 onwards and I see no reason why he can't keep this level for another couple of years. And lol at Neymar, very talented and may be as good as Iniesta or Xavi one day but he still needs to improve on a lot of things and prove himself in Europe.
I voted Valdes. He was immense against PSG where he single handledly kept Barcelona in the tie. Messi may have made the difference in Barcelona winning the tie, but it was Valdes who kept Barcelona in it. The thing is, Barcelona have been figured out and all those miles run on their legs are beginning to catch up to them. That said, Xavi and Iniesta are exceptional. Xavi completed 96 out of 96 passes against PSG, a record, and I'd name him as the second best player but Xavi just seems to be impressing statistically without truly making a difference.
Best for Barca today excluding Messi? Iniesta, if had to pick one. But it's tough to compare positions. Xavi is declining physically a bit as he is getting older, otherwise he'd be right on par with Iniesta (if not higher). Neymar? He's not there yet. Hopefully he adapts well though.
You shouldn't laugh, the goalkeepers are the ones doing it when Spain or Barcelona have their backs to the wall. Casillas I felt was Spain's best player in EURO 2012, even if Iniesta won the honor officially. He was magnificent against Croatia and he proved the difference in the penalty shoutout against Portugal. Likewise, Valdes is the one who will keep Barcelona in games they have trouble performing. I can't think of a game in recent memory where Valdes was genuinely to blame for any of Barcelona's failings. He's been magnificent when called upon. If it's Messi who wins them games, it Valdes who bails them out.
Valdes weren't even that good last season. In fact he hasn't been at his best for longer than that, who remembers his positioning for Ramires's goal at the Nou Camp? Or Drogbas shot in the 1st leg that he should have saved? He's a good keeper but there are at least 7 or 8 keepers in the world better than him. He is poor coming for crosses and doesn't command his box that well IMO.
Up to now: Messi Iniesta Cecs Busquet Xavi Pedro Pique Villa ... next season .... Messi and then ... NEYMAR
If I get it right, I got it right, but if I get it wrong, I got it wrong. He's a great player though and I really don't think he gets enough credit for Barcelona's success. Granted, however, this vote has got to be between Iniesta or Xavi.
Valdes? Comes down to the impossible task of comparing different positions quickly, and it's especially difficult when one compares a goalie to out-field players. Anyway, Valdes deserves a lot of credit and is more or less the best goalie Barca has ever had, being very important to the team. But to put him as best in Barca currently after Messi is too much.
Xavi was Barcelona's Best player up until 2010, Iniesta took over until 2012. Messi just had his best year and became Barca's best player now. People just don't realize how good Xavi was because he wasn't scoring goals.
Nah, it really isn't like this at all. Messi really has been Barca's best player from the 09-10 season, or more like the season before that, and he is the best still. Xavi has been absolutely great for quite a few seasons, but better than Messi? No. Also - people do realize how good Xavi has been, and Xavi has been very respected from at least the 2008 Euros.
Did someone post that Messi just became Barca's best this last season? I want some of that crack you're smoking.