Monaco and Barcelona last met in an official match 30 years ago. The clubs met in the group stage of the Champions League – 1993/1994. Now they will play in the first round of the updated tournament. In the 21st century, Barça acquired only four players from Monaco: defenders Philippe Cristanval and Rafael Marquez, midfielder Yaya Touré and striker Ludovic Giuly. Curiously, three of them ended up winning the Champions League with Barcelona. A successful “talent factory”. We remember the loans of footballers and their successes in Catalonia.
Rafael Marquez (2003-2010)
Barcelona matches: 242
Trophies: Spanish Championship (2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2008/2009, 2009/2010), Spanish Cup (2008/2009), Spanish Super Cup (2005, 2006, 2009), Champions League (2005/2006, 2008/2009), UEFA Super Cup (2009), Club World Cup (2009)
Rafael Marquez
Photo: Fake Images
Marquez ended up in Monaco in 1999. During this time he managed to win the French championship with the club and reject offers from several top clubs. But in 2003 he was still tempted to move to Barcelona. In Catalonia, Marquez became an important player in the first team. The Mexican was not always a starter, but he played more than 30 games in six seasons (with the exception of the last season 2009/2010). And most importantly, Rafael won a huge number of trophies with Barça – 12. And he managed to capture the phenomenal 2008/2009 season, when the Catalans won all possible titles.
Márquez left Barcelona in 2010. He didn’t quite fit in with Pep Guardiola’s ideas. But he doesn’t hold a grudge against either the team or the coach. “Last season I didn’t go out on the pitch. I spoke to Guardiola and he gave me a choice. I could stay, but I have a strong character, I’m ambitious and I want to play. Of all the titles I’ve won, the most memorable will be the Champions League won in Paris. But, above all, I value the friends I made in this team. I will continue to be a culés (Barcelona fan – Championship Note) until the last day of my life,” said Márquez after leaving Barça.
Ludovic Giuli (2004-2007)
Barcelona matches: 125
Trophies: Spanish Championship (2004/2005, 2005/2006), Spanish Super Cup (2005, 2006), Champions League (2005/2006)
ludovic giuli
Photo: Fake Images
While Rafael Marquez left a year before Monaco reached the Champions League final, Giuly played the decisive match of the 2003/2004 season. He then moved to Barça for 8.5 million euros.
In the three seasons in Catalonia, Giuly was an important player in the rotation. Yes, it was difficult for him to shine against the background of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o. But the Frenchman was more useful in attack, he did not draw attention to himself, but became a hidden hero. Coach Frank Rijkaard valued Julie not only for his footballing qualities, but also for his human qualities. “In January 2006, Rijkaard told me: “Ludo, from now on I want to see Messi on the field more often. He will play more.” I understood that he was the future of the team. It was a kind of honour for me to give him way,” said Julie. So Ludovic is Messi’s “godfather” at Barça.
The striker left Catalonia with several trophies. The most important thing is that he finally won the Champions League. What didn’t work with Monaco, worked with Barça in 2006. In his native Paris, Giuly and the Catalans beat Arsenal.
Yaya Toure (2007-2010)
Barcelona matches: 118
Trophies: Spanish Championship (2008/2009, 2009/2010), Copa del Rey (2008/2009), Spanish Super Cup (2009), Champions League (2008/2009), European Super Cup (2009), Club World Cup (2009)
Yaya Toure
Photo: asmonaco.com/Getty Images
Yaya Touré was one of Manchester City’s main stars in the 2010s. However, he never really took the lead at Barcelona. Yaya moved to Catalonia before the start of the 2007/2008 season. His performances at Monaco earned him an invitation to a top club.
However, at Barça, Toure played mainly the role of a “stopper”. In three seasons he played more than 35 matches. But he often appeared on the field from the bench. And in the 2009/2010 season, Pep Guardiola completely moved the Ivorian to the position of defensive midfielder, where the player did not reveal his full potential. The logical result was the transfer from Spain to Manchester City.
After his departure, Yaya spoke diplomatically: “At Barcelona, Guardiola has to choose between the best players in the world, and that is not easy. He knows a lot about football, he is a good person, I admire him and I cannot say anything bad.” But Touré no longer hesitated to express polar thoughts: “Every time I asked Guardiola about something, he always gave strange answers. He ignored me until an offer came from Manchester City. That is why I decided to leave. Guardiola and I have not spoken for a year.”
Ironically, Yaya and Pep crossed paths at City in 2016. Dmitry Selyuk, the midfielder’s agent, called Guardiola a “shit man” and criticised him. The conflict was eventually hushed up and Touré left Manchester with legendary status. The same cannot be said of his time in Catalonia. Although he did reach the Champions League with Barça in 2009. In addition, in the final against Manchester United, Yaya spent the entire 90 minutes on the pitch.
