There is no doubt that Barcelona is one of the best football clubs in the world and has a great history. That’s why many people make Barca their dream club to be able to play there.
However, in fact, not all players who defend Barca have had brilliant careers. The proof is that there are a number of players who actually appear more radiant when they leave the Blaugrana. The following are five players who developed after leaving Barca:
5. Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta started his professional career as a footballer by playing at Barcelona B. Although Arteta had potential, he struggled to break into Barca’s first team.
In the end, Arteta was loaned to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer of 2001 and then sold to Glasgow Rangers the following year. Arteta only appeared prominently when he joined Everton in 2005 and became increasingly shiny with Arsenal.
4. Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure started his career in Europe in 2001 when he joined the Belgian club, KSK Beveren. Later he traveled to Ukraine, Greece and France before anchoring for Barcelona in the summer of 2007.
Toure was actually part of Barca’s treble squad in the 2008-2009 season. However, his presence fell out of favor with Josep Guardiola so he left the Blaugrana in the summer of 2010 to join Manchester City. It was in the Citizens’ camp that Toure really shone and became a milestone in the history of Man City’s triumph in the era of modern football.
3. Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardia is actually a player from the Barcelona academy. However, Icardi failed to break into the Blaugrana first team and he was sold to Sampdoria. It was in the Italian team that Icardi’s name started sticking out until he was carried off by Inter Milan in the summer of 2013.
“Barcelona’s game is very different from my characteristics. Then I chose a change to Italian football, which suited me the most. Leaving Barcelona changed my life, “said Icardi.
2. Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara made his Barcelona debut in 2009. Despite his good attributes as a midfielder, it was difficult for Thiago to get a chance in the Blaugrana’s first team for two seasons.
This ultimately prompts Thiago to seek new adventures. Josep Guardiola, who happened to be Bayern coach in the summer of 2013, saw Thiago’s potential and brought him to The Bavarian side.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is known as one of the players who has moved between clubs quite often. Barca is one of the clubs that Ibra has defended. At first, the Swedish bomber put on an amazing performance and scored lots of goals. However, it did not last long.
The reason is, Ibra, who plays as an attacker, is placed slightly wide. This was done so that Lionel Messi could be placed as the spearhead. In the end, Ibra’s goal productivity decreased.
In addition, he had a bad relationship with Josep Guardiola, who was the Barca coach at that time. Ibra then left for AC Milan in 2010. It was at the club nicknamed the Rossoneri that Ibra regained his sharpness.
