Ranking the 5 best Barcelona attackers of the 21st century

Barcelona are one of the most successful clubs in Europe's top five leagues, especially since the turn of the century.

The Blaugrana have won two continental trebles, 10 La Liga and four Champions League titles in the last two decades. Unsurprisingly, considering the success and pedigree of the club, many top players, especially attackers, have turned out for Barcelona over the years.

These players helped the Catalan giants become a force to be reckoned with, both in Spain and Europe. On that note, here's a look at the top five Barcelona attackers since the turn of the century:

Without further ado, let's get started.

Note: All player stats are as per transfermarkt unless mentioned otherwise.

#5 Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o had a prolific stint at Barcelona.

Samuel Eto'o was a key player in a rampant Barcelona team in the late 2000s. The former Cameroon international played almost 200 games for the club, scoring 130 goals.

During his five-season stay at the Camp Nou, the prolific centre-forward played a huge role in the Blaugrana winning three La Liga and two Champions League titles.

He won the continental treble in his last season with Barcelona in 2008-09, scoring in the Champions League final against Manchester United.

Eto'o would go on to repeat his treble-winning exploits at Inter Milan, making him the only player to do so for two different clubs in consecutive seasons.

#4 Neymar

Neymar had a hugely successful stint with Barcelona.

Neymar enjoyed a hugely successful four-season stint with Barcelona in the 2010s. He teamed up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez (more on them later) to form one of the most devastating attacking triumvirates in the game's history.

The Brazilian winger scored and set up goals galore for his teammates, especially Messi and Suarez. Neymar tallied a rich haul of 105 goals and 76 assists for the Blaugrana, winning two La Liga titles and a continental treble.

The PSG attacker tallied at least 30 goal contributions in each of his four seasons at Barcelona. In his most prolific campaign with Barcelona, Neymar netted 31 times and provided 23 assists in 2015-16.

#3 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho enjoyed a successful stint at Barcelona.

Ronaldinho is widely regarded as one of the most skilful players to have played for Barcelona.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup winner played only five seasons at the club, but he set the stage for a dominant spell in Barcelona's history. Ronaldinho scored 94 goals and bagged 71 assists in over 200 games across competitions for the Blaugrana.

He earned a rare standing ovation at the home of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid for a sumptuous double. He won two La Liga and one Champions League titles with Barcelona.

The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner welcomed a certain Lionel Messi to the Barcelona first team with open arms. The rest, as they say, is history.

#2 Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez scored almost 200 goals for Barcelona.

Luis Suarez is one of the most lethal centre-forwards to have played for Barcelona. The Uruguayan marksman scored almost 200 goals in six hugely successful seasons with Barcelona.

Suarez was part of the Blaugrana's famed MSN attacking triumvirate and scored goals almost for fun. The former Liverpool and Ajax attacker plundered 40 goals in the 2015-16 season to win the Pichichi award ahead of his then illustrious teammate Messi.

Now with Atletico Madrid, the 34-year-old won four La Liga titles and the continental treble with the Blaugrana.

#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is Barcelona's all-time top scorer.

This one is an absolute no-brainer. Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the game's greatest players, is Barcelona's all-time goalscorer and assist provider by a proverbial country mile.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner tallied almost 1100 goal contributions (672 goals, 305 assists) in 17 hugely successful seasons with the Blaugrana. Messi won 10 La Liga titles, two continental trebles and a record eight Pichichi awards with Barcelona.

Earlier this year, Messi scored his 650th goal for Barcelona with a sumptuous free-kick, his 49th for the club.

Now at PSG, the Copa America 2021 winner has carved out a legacy at Barcelona that may stand the test of time.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Arjun Panchadar