Much has been made of Barcelona’s dire financial situation in recent years. Although it has improved since Lionel Messi’s enforced departure in the summer of 2021, the Blaugrana could still find themselves in trouble if they do not manage their finances adequately. Three years ago, the club found itself with more than $1 billion in the hole, and with global events not allowing supporters into the Nou Camp, times were looking hard.
Thanks to the selling of assets and some thrifty moves in the transfer market, the Catalonians managed to navigate those waters, even claiming the La Liga crown under Xavi in 2023. This season, Barcelona looks like title contenders once again, currently sitting at the top of the Spanish top flight, three points clear of archrivals Real Madrid. It is Los Blancos that the popular Bovada sports gambling site makes the -175 favorite for the crown this term, with Barca a narrow +135 second favorite.
However, the thrifty deals that Barcelona has been forced to make in recent campaigns are nothing out of the ordinary. Despite being one of the planet’s biggest powerhouses and forking out some of the biggest transfer fees the beautiful game has ever seen, the Blaugrana have also picked out a bargain or two over the years. Here is the best of them.
Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué’s return to Barcelona in 2008 was a masterstroke. The classy central defender was a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, but he made the move to Manchester United at just 17 years of age. After struggling to break through into the first team at Old Trafford, Pique returned to the Nou Camp in 2008 for just €5 million and he went on to become a cornerstone of Barcelona’s defense.
He wasn’t expected to be thrust immediately into the first team, but that’s exactly what happened during Pep Guardiola’s maiden campaign, and he went on to form a dominant force at the heart defense alongside captain Carles Puyol. In that iconic 2008/09 season, the recently retired star won an unprecedented sextuple, with the crowning moment being defeating his former side in that year’s UEFA Champions League final in Rome.
Pique would remain in Catalonia for 14 years up until his retirement in 2022, helping the club secure 31 major titles, including nine La Liga and three UEFA Champions League trophies. His 616 appearances were marked by his strong defensive skills, aerial prowess, and unheard-of ability on the ball for a central defender, making him crucial to Barca’s playing out-from-the-back philosophy.
Jordi Alba
Left-back Jordi Alba burst onto the scene at Euro 2012, taking over a starting berth in the La Roja lineup and helping them become the first team in history to successfully retain the European Championship. He scored a blistering goal in the 4-0 final victory against Italy, slotting home from Andres Iniesta’s through ball past Gianluigi Buffon. His displays alerted Europe’s biggest clubs to his potential, and courtesy of Valencia’s financial troubles, he was available for a cut price.
Barcelona was only too happy to pay just €14 million to secure his services, and Alba would go on to become a crucial part of the Blaugrana’s left flank for the next decade. Known for his blistering speed and attacking prowess, the current Inter Miami man-made 313 league appearances at Camp Nou, contributing significantly to both defense and attack. His partnership with Neymar down that left-hand touchline helped Barca win the UEFA Champions League under Luis Enrique in 2015, and Alba would go on to become a club legend.
His consistency and ability to perform under the harshest of pressure were crucial in helping Barcelona to 11 trophies throughout his tenure with the club, including six La Liga titles. Such as Alba’s ability, he was made club captain in his twilight years with the club, before ultimately leaving to wind down his career in Miami last summer.
Marc-André ter Stegen
Marc-André ter Stegen’s move from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014 for €12 million was a shrewd investment. Barcelona was looking for a new goalkeeper following the departure of long-term number-one Victor Valdes, and it was the German shot-stopper that was chosen. Despite being relatively unheard of compared to some of the continent’s biggest names, Ter Stegen immediately set about proving himself as a reliable last line of defense.
After initially playing second fiddle to fellow new arrival Claudio Bravo, the former Gladbach number-one nailed down the starting berth in 2016 and never looked back. He quickly established himself as one of the world’s top goalkeepers during that maiden campaign, before claiming his first of three La Liga titles as a starter the following season. His exceptional shot-stopping ability, calmness under pressure, and ability to play with the ball at his feet endeared him to the Nou Camp faithful.
Ter Stegen remains in Catalonia today, where he is the club’s captain. HE has racked up over 400 appearances for the club, claiming 15 trophies in the process. Now, he has the chance to shine on the international stage as well following the retirement of long-time number-one Manuel Neuer, and it remains to be seen whether he can enjoy the same success for Die Mannschaft as he has for the Blaugrana.
