Establishing oneself amidst the glitz and grandeur of Barcelona has long been akin to traversing a labyrinth of complexities. As the curtain falls on countless talents, a select few find themselves thrust into the cauldron of Catalan scrutiny. However, for others, the shadow of La Masia‘s prestige proves inescapable, pushing them toward pastures new. Amidst the glittering constellation of footballing constellations, these uncelebrated exiles burgeoned, forging their own resplendent paths in the annals of the sport. We will look at 10 players who left and had a better career.
Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia, once an enigmatic figure in the corridors of Barcelona‘s labyrinthine squad dynamics, embarked on a spellbinding journey across the English Channel, adorning the famed red of Liverpool. In the hallowed arenas of England, he etched his name in footballing annals, securing silverware that glittered like the fabled treasures of Atlantis. Garcia managed 122 games and scored 30 goals, some of the goals was very important and vital, Luis won the FA Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the mercurial maverick of football’s grand stage, embarked on a nomadic journey that stretched from Milan’s serenity to the sizzling lights of Paris, and even across the hallowed turf of Manchester. In the storied pages of Serie A, he claimed titles with AC Milan, serenading the trophy room twice while orchestrating 163 games, 93 goals, and 35 assists.
Paris Saint-Germain bore witness to his divine prowess, as Ibrahimovic carved his name with a flourish. Four Ligue 1 triumphs, seasoned with Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue glories, all under his charismatic spell. Zlatan managed 180 games, 156 goals and 62 assists these number are insane, its a goal or assist per game, show what kind of player he is.
A brief yet impactful stint at Manchester United unfolded, delivering UEFA Europa League and EFL Cup glory. Ibrahimovic played 53 games resulting to 29 goals and 10 assists, Zlatan was also the oldest player to reach the 15-goal in a single Premier League season.
Here are some of the records he holds while he was dominating countries to coutries. From Italy’s Derby della Madonnina to Spain’s El Clásico, and even the California Clásico in the United States, Ibrahimovic’s imprint remained indelible. Ibrahimovic scored for six different teams in Champions League, and became the sole player to debut with goals in Europe’s top leagues. In Serie A, he stood alone, claiming the Capocannoniere (Paolo Rossi Award) with both Milan giants and etching his name as the oldest Serie A goalscorer. Zlatan, a name synonymous with footballing enchantment.
Ricardo Quaresma
Ricardo Quaresma, the enigmatic virtuoso of the footballing realm, embarked on a journey that found its crescendo in the harbor of Porto, where titles flowed like the Douro River. In the hallowed echoes of Primeira Liga, he inscribed his name upon the roll of champions, claiming triumphs in consecutive seasons and hoisting the Taça de Portugal. Quaresma also won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira and Intercontinental Cup.
But Quaresma’s odyssey knew no bounds, as the Inter Milan chapter unfurled with an aura of Serie A supremacy. In 32 games, he contributed with guile, recording an assist tally that transcended mere statistics. Ricardo won two league titles, a Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League
The symphony of Quaresma’s career, composed of 220 games, 49 goals, and a mesmerizing 60 assists at Porto, continued its opus in Milan, where his influence echoed through the corridors of footballing legend.
Simao
Simao, the footballing artisan whose elegant touch graced both the Estádio da Luz and the Vicente Calderón, wove a tale of triumph across two storied clubs. At Benfica, the Primeira Liga championship found its home amidst his exploits, embellishing the trophy cabinet with the Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. In 222 games netting an impressive 91 goals and made 54 assists.
Yet, it was at Atlético Madrid where Simao’s brilliance truly came to life, under the watchful gaze of European lights. The UEFA Europa League gleamed in their trophy cabinet, accompanied by the UEFA Super Cup. Simao managed to score 31 goals and 31 assists in 168 games
Juan Roman Riquelme
Juan Roman Riquelme, a virtuoso of the footballing symphony, orchestrated his brilliance across the hallowed fields of Europe and the passionate grounds of South America. At Villarreal he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup, managed 143 games, tallying 45 goals and providing 9 assists.
Riquelme returned to Boca Juniors, the Argentine Primera División adorned his illustrious journey, with triumphs in the 2008 Apertura and 2011 Apertura seasons, Copa Argentina and Copa Libertadores. Juan managed 48 goals in 194 games not including the first time he was at Boca,
Considered the quintessential “classic number ten,” Riquelme’s grace, flair, and elegance graced the pitch, defining an era of creative brilliance and intelligent passing. Riquelme was maestro whose legacy continues to resonate as one of Argentina’s finest footballing treasures.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta, the nomadic virtuoso of the footballing arena, left his indelible mark across the tapestry of Europe. In the Parisian lights of Paris Saint-Germain, he lifted the UEFA Intertoto Cup, his skills shining through 53 games, bearing five goals and crafting five assists.
Mikel went to Rangers for awhile, in 57 games, Arteta sscored 13 goals and three assists, where he won Scottish Premier League and Scottish League Cup.
But it was at Arsenal, amidst the grandeur of the English Premier League, where his brilliance truly flourished. The FA Cup gleamed twice in their trophy cabinet, alongside the FA Community Shield,16 goals and orchestrating 11 assists in 150 games.
Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina, the guardian of goalposts in his footballing odyssey, traversed the landscapes of Europe, clutching trophies along his path. His journey commenced at Villarreal, where he grasped the UEFA Intertoto Cup, etching his name in the club’s history books in both 2003 and 2004.
Liverpool, the fortress of English football, witnessed Reina’s heroics, winning the FA Cup and Football League Cup in the 2005-06, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.
At Napoli Reina won the Coppa Italia and then he continued to the Bundesliga, where Bayern Munich won Bundesliga 2014-15.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo, affectionately hailed as “O Fenômeno” or R9, blazed a trail of glory across the footballing cosmos. R9 won the UEFA Cup in the 1997-98 season, and in 99 games he managed to score 59 goals and making 10 assists, leaving an indelible mark on the Nerazzurri faithful.
Real Madrid, the grand theater of Spanish football, bore witness to Ronaldo’s ethereal brilliance. In the 2002-03 season he won La Liga, the Supercopa de España alongside Intercontinental Cup. In 177 games he scored an impressive 103 goals and making 35 assists also FIFA World Player of the Year (Ballon d’Or) 2002 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o, the relentless force of footballing nature, etched his legacy on the grand canvas of Inter Milan. In the hallowed realms of Serie A, he seized the league title in the 2009-10 season, an embodiment of tenacity and skill. Eto’o won alot of trophies here Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. cementing Eto’o in 102 games, he scored 53 goals and 25 assists, leaving an indelible mark on Inter’s history.
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara, the midfield maestro with a trophy-laden journey, weaved his brilliance across the footballing tapestry. At Bayern Munich Alcantara managed to win the Bundesliga in an astonishing seven straight seasons, 4 DFB-Pokal, 2 DFL-Supercup, UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He chipped in with 31 goals and created 37 goals in 235 games.
Liverpool, the hallowed ground of English football, witnessed Thiago’s wizardry, culminating in FA Cup and FA Community Shield triumphs in the 2021-22 and 2022 seasons.
Catch you in the next one.