The Argentinian and the Brazilian will pair up to lead Barça's attack next season
Before them, Kubala and César, Cruyff and Sotil, Kluivert and Rivaldo or Ronaldinho and Eto'o left their mark on the Club
|
Neymar Jr and Messi |
Leo Messi and
Neymar Jr will feature for the same team next season. The two footballers, who recently
played against each other in a charity match, will form an attacking duo that could very well mark an era in Blaugrana football.
Deluge of goals at Les Corts
Barça’s first great attacking duo was formed by
Césat Rodríguez (1942-55) and
Ladislao Kubala
(1951-61), two players who devoured defences at Les Corts Stadium for
four years. The Hungarian revolutionised Barça in the 1950s with his
tremendous skill and César played his 'Number 9' role to perfection. The
two of them scored a total of 571 goals for the Blaugrana (291 for
César and 280 for Kubala).
Peruvian-Dutch connection
Another legendary pair in FC Barcelona history was
Johan Cruyff (1973-78) and
Hugo Sotil
|
Johan Cruyff and Hugo Sotil |
(19733-76). The two players started their Barça careers in the summer
of '73, and the Dutchman’s magic, combined with Sotil’s mobility,
allowed Barça to win the league title that season. The two players
continued on at Barça for two additional seasons, until 1976, when Sotil
returned to Peru.
Heroes of the 1982 Cup Winners Cup
|
Allan Simonsen and Quini |
Three years later, in 1979, the Dane
Allan Simonsen (1979-82) arrived to Can Barça where he paired up with
Quini
(1980-84). The two players shared the same team for only two seasons,
but in that time they won the Copa del Rey and the Cup Winners Cup.
Simonsen and Quini both scored in the final against Standard Liège
(2-1).
Nearly two dreamlike seasons
The most devastating duo of the 90s was made up by
Hristo Stoitxkov (1990-95) and 1996-98) and
Romario
(1993-95). In addition Laudrup’s creative contribution, the Bulgarian
Golden combination
|
Hristo Stoitxkov and Romario |
and the Brazilian were the embodiment of attitude, power, accuracy and
imagination on the pitch, a lethal combination that carried FC Barcelona
to its fourth consecutive Liga title and to the final of the Champions
League. The two footballers went on to seduce the world with their
football in the 1994 World Cup.
|
Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo |
Patrick Kluivert (1998-04) and
Rivaldo
(1997-02) led FC Barcelona into the 21st century. The combination of
the Dutchman’s elegant right foot with the Brazilian’s left proved
lethal to Barça’s opponents. They carried the team to a 1998/99 Liga
title, and that same year, despite playing on the wing under Van Gaal’s
orders, the Brazilian claimed the Ballon d’Or award.
Magic and character
|
Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o |
The most recent duo to grace the Camp Nou’s pitch was made up by
Ronaldinho (2003-08) and
Samuel Eto’o
(2004-09). They helped the team to back-to-back league titles in 2005
and 2006, as well as the Champions League crown. The two players
combined for a total of 263 goals. Ronaldinho led the team with his
creativity and Eto’o stood out for this pace, hunger in front of goal
and character.
No comments:
Post a Comment