Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Alves, and Busquets. These are the 5 irreplaceable players for Barcelona during the golden years. Their abilities and their resulting level of influence will likely never be matched for Barcelona (or at least until football is totally evolved/changed from now).
There's a reason why Thiago/Verratti probably won't ever be better than Xavi/Iniesta or why Neymar/Hazard/etc. will never reach Messi's level. I haven't even seen anyone even remotely close to Alves at offensive RB, only Marcelo at LB. It's due to the extremely high level of footballing IQ that has led these players to be so dominant in football over so many years. It's standout when compared to the other 'World Class' players of today or prior to them. Not only are their skills perfect for their role, their approach to the game is so brilliant and effective that they are nearly unmatched in their productivity at all levels. There's something fundamentally different in Messi's mind that allows him to be the best one-man attacking army in football so consistently. Similar with Xavi in being an orchestrating midfielder and Alves at being the greatest offensive wingback in history. It's a huge rarity and awe-striking occurrence when a player like this comes along because they literally redefine what it means to reach perfection in their role/position.
best rightback the club has ever had.
