Revealed: MSN lead the attack in Barcelona team of the decade

Next up in our team of the decade series is LaLiga and European powerhouse Barcelona. It brings with it the return of MSN, in what was perhaps the most feared attack line on the continent over the last decade. 

We're taking into account WhoScored.com ratings from league and Champions League and setting a minimum of 70 appearances to ensure at least two full seasons' of service over the last 10 years. It's a current goalkeeping incumbent who kicks off this XI... 

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (187 apps) - 6.80 

His arrival from Gladbach in 2014 also coincided with Claudio Bravo's capture from Real Sociedad, but it wasn't long before Marc-Andre ter Stegen was the undisputed number one at Camp Nou. Now considered one of the best goalkeepers on the continent, the German more than warrants his spot between the sticks in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 6.80. 

Keeping 80 clean sheets across his 187 appearances, Ter Stegen has conceded an average of 0.89 goals per game in the league and Champions League during his time at the club and his excellent showings in goal has seen him win four LaLiga, four Copa del Rey and one Champions League winners' medal. 

Right-back: Dani Alves (260 apps) - 7.41 

The most decorated footballer in the world, Dani Alves enjoyed a sustained period as the best right-back in the world, with his partnership with Lionel Messi a joy to behold. The Brazilian registered 65 assists and scored 12 times over the last decade at Camp Nou, a phenomenal return for a player in his position. 

1.6 key passes per game was a fine average for Alves as he linked up brilliantly with Messi down the Barcelona right. Now back in Brazil, the experienced right-back will forever hold a place in the hearts of supporters having left for Juventus on a high in 2017. 

Centre-back: Javier Mascherano (271 apps) - 7.09 

Having joined as a midfielder in 2010, Pep Guardiola is credited with converting Javier Mascherano into a centre-back from the start of the 2011/12 campaign. It was here where he would make a name for himself as a Barcelona hero. The Argentine adjusted to the new position with ease and impressed alongside Gerard Pique as he helped Barcelona to 19 trophies during his seven-and-a-half years at the club. 

In that time, Mascherano made 774 tackles and and 614 interceptions as he routinely exhibited both his tenacity and reading of the game before his move to Hebei China Fortune in January 2018. 

Centre-back: Gerard Pique (372 appearces) - 7.13 

The second of four players still playing for Barcelona to make the WhoScored team of the decade, Gerard Pique has been a pillar of consistency at the heart of the Blaugrana backline following his return to Spain. The Spanish centre-back has made a whopping 1550 clearances during the last 10 years as he does what he can to ensure the Barcelona goal is tested as rarely as possible. 

He ends the decade with 22 winners' medals to his name and a WhoScored rating of 7.13. He'll hope to start the next decade with at least another LaLiga title to his name. 

Left-back: Jordi Alba (264 apps) - 7.07 

Rounding off the defence is left-back Jordi Alba. The Spanish defender has been a hugely effective attacking outlet down the Barcelona left flank following his arrival from LaLiga counterparts Valencia in 2012 and while now 30, and with competition from Junior Firpo for a starting spot, Alba shows no signs of slowing. 

46 assists and 12 goals is a fine return for the left-back, who doesn't need a second invitation to break up field.

Central midfield: Cesc Fabregas (121 apps) - 7.36 

Cesc Fabregas didn't perhaps hit the heights expected of him upon his return to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2011, but the midfielder was still a fine performer in the middle of the park for the LaLiga champions during his three-year stint back at Camp Nou. Indeed, 31 goals and 35 assists was a notable return for the now-Monaco man. 

His good form both on and off the ball for Barcelona saw Fabregas land a WhoScored rating of 7.36 during his time at the club at the beginning of the decade to feature in midfield in this XI. 

Central midfield: Xavi (225 apps) - 7.30 

It wouldn't be a Barcelona team of the decade without the metronomic Xavi pulling the strings from midfield. The pass master was just that before his emotional exit in 2015 as he averaged a phenomenal 90.7 passes per game between the start of the decade and his departure. 

His weren't passes for the sake of retaining possession either with Xavi's two key passes per game the third best of all Barcelona players this decade and it ensures he anchors the midfield in this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.30. 

Central midfield: Andres Iniesta (319 apps) - 7.29 

Similarly, a Barcelona midfield in the team of the decade without Andres Iniesta is unthinkable. He registered 65 assists for the LaLiga powerhouse from the beginning of 2010 up until his 2018 Camp Nou departure, doing so with an average of 1.3 key passes per game. One of the most difficult players to shake off the ball, Iniesta averaged 2.1 successful dribbles per game as he glided through sides like a hot knife through butter. 

The image of Iniesta sat alone on the Camp Nou turf following his final game for the club is one of the most iconic Barcelona images this past decade with the 35-year-old a legend of both Spanish and world football.

Right wing: Lionel Messi (436 apps) - 8.62 

Lionel Messi's stats over the last decade and out of this world. Are you sat down? You'll need to be for this. Since the start of 2010 until the present day, Messi has scored 457 goals and registered 161 assists in both the league and Champions League. He's had a direct hand in 618 goals at a rate of 1.41 per game. Mind boggling! 

2.3 key passes per game is the second most of all Barcelona players over the last decade, while five shots and 4.5 successful dribbles per game rank first as Messi amazed every football fan over the last 10 years. The game will miss him when he calls time on his incredible career. 

Striker: Luis Suarez (229 apps) - 7.66 

Luis Suarez is one of only a handful of players to make more than one XI in the WhoScored team of the decade series. He carried his wonderful Liverpool form to Spain and has led the Barcelona line with aplomb following his 2014 arrival. The Uruguayan is second to Messi for assists (79) and goals scored (162), mustering a respectable average of 3.4 shots per game for the latter. 

His age is beginning to catch up with him as Barcelona sound out successors for Suarez, but the 32-year-old continues to excel on the Blaugrana frontline. 

Left wing: Neymar (163 apps) - 8.11 

Rounding off the Barcelona team of the decade is Brazilian sensation Neymar. The 27-year-old may have departed for PSG, which was a shock to many back in 2017, but his time at the club is fondly remembered by the attack triumvirate of Messi, Suarez and Neymar - MSN. Neymar netted 89 league and Champions League goals following his 2013 arrival and provided an additional 53 assists. 

The Brazil international is the only player to have made more key passes per game (2.4) than Messi over the last decade, while 4.1 dribbles per game was an eyecatching return. Barcelona were keen to re-sign Neymar over the summer, only to fail in their efforts to bring him back to Camp Nou, but it's easy to see why they strived to secure his services for the second time in the last decade. 

Notable omissions... 

Carles Puyol (7.04) - The Barcelona hero made only 103 appearances in the decade, but always gave his all for the club as he made 168 tackles and 203 interceptions. 

Sergio Busquets (7.22) - Making more tackles (1115) and interceptions (806) than any other player over the decade, Sergio Busquets was unlucky to miss out on this XI. 

David Villa (7.02) - David Villa's time at Camp Nou was short but sweet as he scored 41 goals and registered 14 assists before his move to Atletico Madrid in 2013.