Guardiola- The player

Pep Guardiola has always been associated with Barcelona. Having started there at the age of 13. He joined the world famous academy, La Masia and spent six years honing his skills until he was eventually picked for the first team.

In the 1991-92 season Guardiola became an integral part of Johan Cruyff's legendary side. An achievement very impressive as the player was only 20 at the time. He helped the team from his defensive midfield role to both the league title and the European title.

Guardiola quickly adapted to his central role after Cruyff decided to move him there whilst observing a reserve game. His success earned him the title of the finest player in the world under the age of 21 from Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo.

Guardiola's cup success didn't end there as Barcelona went on to retain the league title for the next 2 seasons. The only negative for the "Dream Team" was an embarrassing 4-0 Champions League final defeat to Fabio Capello's Milan.

After Cruyff left the club in 1996, Barcelona's title winning run came to end and they finished the next two seasons fourth then third.

Guardiola was still seen as important member of the squad and whilst other players were experimented with, he kept his place in the heart of the midfield. After the arrival of Sir Bobby Robson in the 1996-97 season, Barcelona won their first piece of silverware in three years. Starting with the Copa del Rey, they went on to win Supercopa de España and the Cup Winners Cup. Guardiola was again praised for an impressive season.

The next season started with transfer speculation for Guardiola. Roma and Parama were both interested in his signature but Guardiola, after some hesitation, committed to Barcelona until 2001.

The central midfielder spent much of the season on the sidelines with a tricky calf injury. Nevertheless Barça went on to win a league and cup double, guided by new manager Louis van Gaal.

Having recovered during the break, Guardiola was fit to play for the 1998-99 season in which Barcelona again won the league. After missing out on the 1998 World Cup, Guardiola decided to have surgery to try and remove the lingering problem is his calf. The operation was successful but Guardiloa was again rules out towards the end of the 1999-00 season, this time because of an ankle injury.

After 17 years of service in which he played 479 games for the club, Guardila decided it was time to leave the Catalan club. He then went on to join Brescia, Roma, Al-Ahli and Dorados until he eventually retired at the age of 35.

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