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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Barcelona fans vote Lionel Messi second in list of club greats amid transfer speculation

Lionel Messi has been voted as Barcelona's second greatest player in a fan poll despite breaking numerous club records.

The Argentine is the Catalan club's all-time top goal scorer and has made more appearances than anyone else.

Despite that he has been topped in the voting by compatriot Diego Maradona, who spent two years at the Nou Camp.

Messi's future at Barcelona remains uncertain following his attempts to leave the club last summer.

But he has given the best part of two decades service to the La Liga giants and helped them enjoy the most successful period in their history.

Barcelona's illustrious history means there was no shortage of players to choose from.

Lionel Messi only came second in the voting (Getty Images)

It is testament to their quality that players like Neymar, Rivaldo and Ronald Koeman couldn't break the top ten.

Ronaldinho, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner, rounded out the top three behind Messi.

The Brazilian was Barcelona's star man when they won their second European Cup in 2006.

Johan Cruyff, who spent time in Catalunya as a player and manager, came fourth.

The mercurial forward was instrumental in forming the blueprint that has now become synonymous with success at the Nou Camp.

Diego Maradona topped the fan poll (Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Midfield pair Andres Iniesta and Xavi came fifth and sixth respectively having teamed up to devastating affect.

Both are renowned as some of the greatest players never to win the Ballon d'Or.

One man who did - on two occasions - was the Brazilian Ronaldo. He has been voted in eighth despite only spending one year at the club.

He scored 47 times in his single season - a total only topped by Messi and Luis Suarez.

Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, the centre-half partnership during Pep Guardiola's tenure, both came through the club's academy.

They were voted in the top ten alongside Suarez.

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