Ranking every player to wear No.8 for Barcelona since 1995

Pedri is the latest player to wear Barcelona‘s No.8 – but how have the previous incumbents of the shirt fared?

Nine players have worn the jersey since La Liga introduced fixed squad numbers for the 1995-96 season and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag.

We’ve ranked every player to wear the No.8 shirt for Barcelona since then, from worst to best.

Pjanic arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2020 with some serious pedigree, having previously played for Juventus, Roma and Lyon.

But the Bosnia and Herzegovina international struggled with injuries and was frozen out by Ronaldo Koeman, starting just six La Liga games in 2020-21. 

He took to Instagram in May 2021 and wrote: “This season leaves me with a bitter taste and questions that still need answers.”

After being usurped by teenagers Gavi and Pedri, Pjanic joined Turkish side Besiktas on a season-long loan deal in September 2021.

The 32-year-old has been impressive in pre-season and is willing to accept a salary reduction to stay at Barca. 

Having made 36 La Liga appearances under Louis van Gaal in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign of 1997-98, Celdades was then rewarded with the No.8 shirt.

While Van Gaal’s side did retain the title in 1998-99, the defensive midfielder played a far less prominent role and started just 11 La Liga games.

He was then allowed to leave Barcelona and spent a season at Celta Vigo before joining Real Madrid in 2000.

After Barcelona replaced Johan Cruyff with Bobby Robson in May 1996, Stoichkov decided to return to the Blaugrana and was subsequently given their No.8 shirt.

During his first spell at the Nou Camp, the forward scored 108 goals in 214 appearances in all competitions and also picked up the 1994 Ballon d’Or award.

But the former Bulgaria