--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great players have passed through…" description: "\"Great players have passed through Barcelona, __the best in their time, but Leo is special.\" — Joan Laporta" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg" --- # Great players have passed through Barcelona, \_\_the best in… ![“Great players have passed through Barcelona, __the best in their time, but Leo is special.” quote by Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg) > “Great players have passed through Barcelona, \_\_the best in their time, but Leo is special.” [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker acknowledges many great players, but asserts that Lionel Messi stands out as uniquely special among them. **In simple terms:** Messi is considered uniquely exceptional among great players. Key Takeaway Recognize true exceptional talent. Themes sports excellence legacy comparisons Mood respectful enthusiastic Type observation opinion When to use this quote - team meetings - sports journalism - fan debates Key Concepts greatness individual impact Questions to Reflect On - What makes a player truly special? - How do we compare greatness across eras? A Different Perspective Subjective bias may color judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barcelona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barcelona/) [Barcelona \_\_The](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barcelona-the-4139534/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-players/) [Leo Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leo-special-4139535/) [Passed Barcelona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passed-barcelona-4139536/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [When I passed through Barcelona, Amsterdam and Milan on my way to Manchester United, I had people who helped me on that journey. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-onana/when-i-passed-through-barcelona-amsterdam-and-milan-on-my-way-to/) [Andre Onana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-onana/) > [The advantage of these great players who become great coaches is that they immediately know their moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/the-advantage-of-these-great-players-who-become-great-coaches-is-that/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [We will do our best to have Messi ending his career at Barcelona and being applauded by everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/we-will-do-our-best-to-have-messi-ending-his-career-at-barcelona-and/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I would like to be president of football club Barcelona, look at the accounts, know perfectly what the possibilities are that we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-would-like-to-be-president-of-football-club-barcelona-look-at-the/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [Koeman is a cule and a reference point for Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/koeman-is-a-cule-and-a-reference-point-for-barcelona/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I love Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-love-barcelona/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [What I don't like is a conformist attitude, a certain defeatism; that can't be allowed at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/what-i-don-t-like-is-a-conformist-attitude-a-certain-defeatism-that/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [Through Unicef, we, the people of FC Barcelona, the people of Barca, are very proud to donate our shirt to the children of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/through-unicef-we-the-people-of-fc-barcelona-the-people-of-barca-are/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [The end of Leo at Barcelona was not the best. It was a difficult time. We had to take a decision and put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/the-end-of-leo-at-barcelona-was-not-the-best-it-was-a-difficult-time/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I've played with some great players and against some great players, and Sonny is special, he's so humble and I think that you underestimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-vertonghen/i-ve-played-with-some-great-players-and-against-some-great-players/) [Jan Vertonghen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-vertonghen/) > [“Great players don't always make great teachers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harris/great-players-don-t-always-make-great-teachers/) [Paul Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harris/) > [I've played with a lot of great players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brook-lopez/i-ve-played-with-a-lot-of-great-players/) [Brook Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brook-lopez/) > [Or I could see Fish, Just a button up, Like a Mayor, Like a President, Just demands so much from his teammates, Has played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durant/or-i-could-see-fish-just-a-button-up-like-a-mayor-like-a-president/) [Kevin Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durant/) > [I have to keep working, keep getting stronger, keep shooting - every day, every day, to get better. That's how great players become great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-fournier/i-have-to-keep-working-keep-getting-stronger-keep-shooting-every-day/) [Evan Fournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-fournier/) > [We've all seen talented young players who get to a certain level but there comes a point where that talent will only take you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-gatland/we-ve-all-seen-talented-young-players-who-get-to-a-certain-level-but/) [Warren Gatland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-gatland/) ## More by Joan Laporta > [I want to unite all Barca fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-want-to-unite-all-barca-fans/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [A lot of clubs would like Eto'o in their team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/a-lot-of-clubs-would-like-eto-o-in-their-team/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [When you've been president, you can't act like an outsider; it would be ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/when-you-ve-been-president-you-can-t-act-like-an-outsider-it-would-be/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [We want the post-Messi era to be very successful and I think that it will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/we-want-the-post-messi-era-to-be-very-successful-and-i-think-that-it/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [What we want to strengthen is the team we have that plays based on a genuine Barca system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/what-we-want-to-strengthen-is-the-team-we-have-that-plays-based-on-a/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I know Leo and what he's interested in is winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-know-leo-and-what-he-s-interested-in-is-winning/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [These players who have signed for clubs like PSG have almost signed their slavery. For money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/these-players-who-have-signed-for-clubs-like-psg-have-almost-signed/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [The end of Leo at Barcelona was not the best. It was a difficult time. We had to take a decision and put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/the-end-of-leo-at-barcelona-was-not-the-best-it-was-a-difficult-time/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [If I was born again, I would like to be Pep Guardiola. And I say that only because I wouldn't dare to say that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/if-i-was-born-again-i-would-like-to-be-pep-guardiola-and-i-say-that/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [When the world's best player has to watch other clubs lift the European Cup, you know things have been done wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/when-the-world-s-best-player-has-to-watch-other-clubs-lift-the/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I take calculated risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-take-calculated-risks/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I can't forget that those who followed me tried to destroy me. We left them the greatest Barca in the club's history and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/i-can-t-forget-that-those-who-followed-me-tried-to-destroy-me-we-left/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [We cannot let European football be in the hands of states that do not belong to the European Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/we-cannot-let-european-football-be-in-the-hands-of-states-that-do-not/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [It is important that we try to present an image of sport in the world that changes the idea that football is only about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/it-is-important-that-we-try-to-present-an-image-of-sport-in-the-world/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [As I see it, Xavi can stay here as long as he wants. One thing that happens is: As he knows the institution perfectly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/as-i-see-it-xavi-can-stay-here-as-long-as-he-wants-one-thing-that/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) [Explore all 99 Joan Laporta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) ## More Barcelona quotes > [I want to concentrate on winning things with Barcelona and Argentina. Then if people want to say nice things about me when I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-want-to-concentrate-on-winning-things-with-barcelona-and-argentina/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I've played lots of games carrying an injury, but people don't value what I do for Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rivaldo/i-ve-played-lots-of-games-carrying-an-injury-but-people-don-t-value/) [Rivaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rivaldo/) > [Sometimes there's too much noise about what's happening, but this is Barcelona - it is a big club. Sometimes people make more of things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernesto-valverde/sometimes-there-s-too-much-noise-about-what-s-happening-but-this-is/) [Ernesto Valverde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernesto-valverde/) > [You never know what the future has in store, but if possible I'd like to hang up my boots at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-alba/you-never-know-what-the-future-has-in-store-but-if-possible-i-d-like/) [Jordi Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-alba/) > [ The fact that an Englishman has an Argentinian as an idol is very rare. I keep watching my \[title-winning\] goal against QPR and every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-aguero/the-fact-that-an-englishman-has-an-argentinian-as-an-idol-is-very/) [Sergio Aguero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-aguero/) > [Leo Messi is the best player in the world for me, but look at the others that have been at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-messi-is-the-best-player-in-the-world-for-me-but-look-at-the/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [My best has to be for Barcelona against Villarreal in 2006 - that is the one I am asked most about, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldinho/my-best-has-to-be-for-barcelona-against-villarreal-in-2006-that-is/) [Ronaldinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldinho/) > [In my childhood, I always played as Barcelona on the PlayStation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-reus/in-my-childhood-i-always-played-as-barcelona-on-the-playstation/) [Marco Reus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-reus/) > [Guardiola won so many trophies at Barcelona that he had a huge impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/guardiola-won-so-many-trophies-at-barcelona-that-he-had-a-huge-impact/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [I am very happy that a great club like Barcelona is interested in me, as that is priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulinho/i-am-very-happy-that-a-great-club-like-barcelona-is-interested-in-me/) [Paulinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulinho/) > [Decisions are for the brave, and I am the bravest, deciding to leave Barcelona and Juventus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-alves/decisions-are-for-the-brave-and-i-am-the-bravest-deciding-to-leave/) [Dani Alves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-alves/) > [I'm very fortunate to have worked at two unbelievable clubs, Manchester City and Barcelona, and I feel like I've really changed the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-duggan/i-m-very-fortunate-to-have-worked-at-two-unbelievable-clubs/) [Toni Duggan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-duggan/) > [The haunting of history is ever present in Barcelona. I see cities as organisms, as living creatures. To me, Madrid is a man and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/the-haunting-of-history-is-ever-present-in-barcelona-i-see-cities-as/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [If Messi didn't have it clearly in his head that Barcelona have a winning project, maybe he would go, but Barcelona are always looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quique-setien/if-messi-didn-t-have-it-clearly-in-his-head-that-barcelona-have-a/) [Quique Setien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quique-setien/) > [I first went to Barcelona in 1975 after university, and I stayed for three years. I learnt Catalan because that's what everyone speaks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-toibin/i-first-went-to-barcelona-in-1975-after-university-and-i-stayed-for/) [Colm Toibin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-toibin/) [Browse all 571 Barcelona quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barcelona/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Great players have passed through Barcelona, __the best in their time, but Leo is special.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joan Laporta" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/great-players-have-passed-through-barcelona-the-best-in-their-time/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Barcelona" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/great-players-have-passed-through-barcelona-the-best-in-their-time/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/joan-laporta-6437_barcelona_great-players-have-passed-through-barcel_481542.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Great players have passed through Barcelona, __the best in their time, but Leo is special.” — Joan Laporta", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joan Laporta", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Great players have passed through Barcelona,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/great-players-have-passed-through-barcelona-the-best-in-their-time/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/great-players-have-passed-through-barcelona-the-best-in-their-time/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```