When it comes to the world of soccer, Barcelona is one of the most well-known teams. They have a reputation for their incredible skill and talent on the field, and their players are some of the best in the world.
One position that is particularly important for Barcelona is number 8. But who plays number 8 Barcelona? Let’s delve deeper into this topic.
What Is Number 8 Position In Soccer?
Before we dive into who plays number 8 for Barcelona, let’s first understand what this position entails. The number 8 position is typically a midfielder who plays a box-to-box game, meaning they move up and down the field to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Roles And Responsibilities Of A Number 8 Midfielder
The number 8 midfielder has a range of responsibilities on the field. Here are some of them:
- Box-to-Box Player: As mentioned earlier, they cover both ends of the field during attacks and defensive phases.
- Creating Chances: They have an important role in creating goal-scoring opportunities for their team.
- Pressing: It’s their responsibility to pressurize opposition players with or without possession.
- Tackling: They have to make tackles in key areas to break up opposition attacks.
- Distributing The Ball: The number 8 midfielder has to distribute the ball efficiently from midfield to forwards or out wide.
Now that we have a clear understanding of what a number 8 midfielder does, let’s take a look at who plays this position for Barcelona.
The Current Number 8 Player For Barcelona
The current player who wears jersey number 8 for Barcelona is Frenkie de Jong. He joined Barcelona in 2019 from Ajax, where he established himself as a top midfielder with his impeccable technique, vision, and ability to read the game.
Frenkie De Jong’s Playing Style
De Jong is known for his versatility, technical abilities, and tactical intelligence. He can play in different positions in midfield and has also played as a center-back at times. Here are some of the key attributes of Frenkie De Jong’s playing style:
- Ball Control: He has exceptional ball control and dribbling skills.
- Passing: De Jong has an outstanding passing range, vision, and accuracy.
- Tackling: He is an excellent tackler of the ball.
- Movement: De Jong has impressive movement on the field and always looks to make himself available for passes.
Past Number 8 Players For Barcelona
Over the years, Barcelona has had many great players who have played in the number 8 position. Here are some notable mentions:
- Xavi Hernandez: Xavi Hernandez was a legendary midfielder who played for Barcelona from 1998-2015. He wore jersey number 8 for most of his career at the club.
Xavi was known for his incredible passing ability, vision, and leadership skills.
- Iniesta: Another legendary midfielder who played for Barcelona from 2002-2018. Iniesta wore jersey number 8 before switching to number 6 later in his career. Iniesta was also known for his excellent passing skills along with his dribbling and goal-scoring abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Frenkie de Jong is the current number 8 player for Barcelona, and he has big shoes to fill with legends like Xavi and Iniesta having worn the same jersey in the past. However, De Jong has shown incredible potential and skills that make him a top midfielder in the world. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of who plays number 8 for Barcelona and the role of a number 8 midfielder in general.