Ronaldinho, Henry, Zlatan... the stars who lined up

KOLKATA: An association that began on a paper napkin is likely to end via a burofax almost 20 years later. Technical director Carles ‘Charly’ Rexach signed on a serviette in December 2000 that the club promised to sign Lionel Messi. Since then, Barcelona have won 33 trophies.

2003-08

Messi was the artful dodger who at 16 years, four months and 23 days, debuted for the senior team. “Even then I knew he was a better player than me,” Ronaldinho told Fourfourtwo in 2014.

2008-11

By this time Messi had established himself as Ronaldinho’s successor on the right. From John Cruyff’s No 14, Messi took the No. 10 shirt.

2011-17

Sergi Roberto and Marc Bartra graduated to the first team in 2010 and Rafinha in 2011 where they were joined by new signings Cesc Farbegas and Alexis Sanchez.

2017-2020

Samuel Umtiti was signed in 2016 but by the time Enrique left in 2017, the cracks were showing.