Barcelona's best ever XI ... The right-back 🤜 | OneFootball

With the football on hold at the moment, we’ve been thinking about who gets in Barcelona’s all-time XI.

Today we’re choosing the right-back.

Here are the nominees …

3rd – Urbano Ortega

Urbano started out a midfielder but was often Johan Cruyff’s choice on the right of a back three at Barcelona.

Under the Dutchman, Barcelona’s fluid style meant players frequently switched positions as they carried out unconventional roles.

That meant Urbano often found himself at the back, and often on the right. His Barcelona career was often as a backup player but was a key member of the ‘Dream Team’ in their emerging years in the late 1980s.

Two LaLiga titles, three Copa del Reys and a Cup Winners’ Cup later, his contribution shouldn’t be forgotten.

2nd – Albert Ferrer

The man who usurped Urbano, Ferrer is your classic Barcelona wing-back. Wickedly quick, snappy, the defender became first choice at the age of 20 and kept his place there for eight years.

A solid defender, Ferrer’s movement was great going forward, displaying excellent movement as well as being a strong dribbler. When Cruyff played a back three, Ferrer was good enough at the back to tuck in, when it was a back four he attacked from the flank.

With  five LaLiga titles and a key role in Barcelona’s first ever European Cup win, he’s a shoe-in for second place.

And the winner is … Dani Alves

But Dani Alves simply had to come out on top, didn’t he? On his day, and it usually was his day during his Barcelona career, he was probably the best right-back to ever play the game.

All the pace in the world, dribbling ability like no defender has ever had before or since, a dogged determination, and an incredible understanding of the game.

He could’ve been – and sometimes was – a winger. He could’ve been one of the game’s best midfielders, too.

No, Dani Alves was a wing-back like no other, with a partnership like no other when Lionel Messi played ahead of him. The most decorated man in world football, and deservedly so.

Here’s how the team is looking so far …

GK: Andoni Zubizarreta RB: Dani Alves

Check back tomorrow when we will be choosing Barcelona’s greatest ever … left-back.