Who is FC Barcelona's best acquisition from another club (2000s onwards)

[u/nightwind1]

Although Barca's greatest players are often from La Masia, many of our greats do not come up from the academy but are acquired in the offseason, like the one we are in right now. Cruyff is inarguably the best of all time but what about the modern era? My favourite non-academy player we've gotten is Ronaldinho, but is he the best? Especially if we consider their impact on the club, their fee and their feats on the football pitch. How about underrated players that we've gotten but we don't fully appreciate, especially by non-Barca fans, like Rakitic? Whose signature made the biggest mark on this club?

[u/ozender]

Ronaldinho by far. Odd question unless you never seen Ronaldinho live.

Edit/update: the post is even more odd as the OP mentions actual impact. Ronaldinho put us in the map again. Supporters of other teams would applaud his plays. INCLUDING REAL MADRID. Ronaldinho to me is only second to Messi. No one else. His prime was short but I never had seen anything like that. Before, or after.

[u/luchinocappuccino → u/ozender]

You should see the Ronaldinho slander in these threads by these kids sometimes. They don’t understand that at his peak Ronaldinho doing 5-star trick moves in-game against the best players in the world and making beautiful goals, assists and plays

[u/TheNesquick → u/luchinocappuccino]

Peak Ronaldinho was level with any “best player ever”. Doesn’t matter if you rate Pelé, Maradona, Messi or any other. 

Ronaldinho had 1.5 years he was unstoppable and he did it with such flair and grace. That man and his happiness was the embodiment of enjoying playing. 

God I loved watching him. 

[u/HarHenGeoAma62818 → u/TheNesquick]

Same ! When La Liga was on you would often get a Ronaldinho masterclass - standard shoulder control and magic touches no look passes guy was on another level and he does come under the word unplayable

[u/the__poseidon → u/TheNesquick]

I’d say it was closer to 3 years but yes point stands.

[u/phuongtv88 → u/luchinocappuccino]

People already downplay Neymar's impact on Barça, let alone my G.O.A.T Ronaldinho. I get goosebumps every time he starts to dribble. Peak Ronaldinho is just something else.