Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain renew their Champions League rivalry today, with the latest meeting bringing attention to the connections between two clubs that have repeatedly crossed paths in the transfer market and on the European stage.
While their modern encounters are often defined by elite attackers and tactical innovation, their shared history also includes players who have represented both sides.
While names such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ousmane Dembele and Zlatana Ibrahimivoc have been widely recognised, there are some who you might not remember have played for the two European powerhouses in the past.
Their experiences range from a formative loan spell and a trophy-filled career to a move that never quite fulfilled its potential.
Mikel Arteta found an important stepping stone in Paris
Arteta’s connection with Barcelona began in the club’s academy, where he developed as a midfielder before progressing to Barça B.
Mikel Arteta could not break into Barcelona’s senior team. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Between 1999 and 2002, he made several appearances for the reserve side, but breaking into the senior team proved difficult amid fierce competition for midfield places.
A loan move to PSG in the 2000/01 season offered a different route towards first-team football.
The Spaniard spent 18 months in Paris, making 53 appearances and scoring five goals as he gained experience in a senior environment.
Although Arteta never established himself in Barcelona’s first team, his time in France formed part of his development before subsequent spells with Rangers, Everton and Arsenal.
His playing career eventually led him into management, where he has become one of the most prominent figures in English football as Arsenal’s head coach.
Thiago Motta enjoyed success on both sides
Motta’s connection to the two clubs was more substantial.
Thiago Motta achieved success at Barcelona and PSG. (Photo by Bagu Blanco/Getty Images).
After developing through Barcelona’s system, the Brazilian-born Italian midfielder made his first-team debut in 2001 and went on to record 139 competitive appearances for the Catalan club, including 96 in La Liga, scoring nine goals.
His time at Camp Nou included two La Liga titles and the 2005–06 Champions League triumph under Frank Rijkaard.
Injuries interrupted his progress, but he still played a part in one of Barcelona’s successful periods.
Motta moved to PSG in January 2012 and remained there until 2018, recording 232 appearances and 12 goals.
He became an influential presence in midfield as the Parisian club established domestic dominance under Qatari ownership, collecting multiple Ligue 1 titles.
Unlike Arteta, whose Barcelona career largely unfolded away from the first team, Motta experienced significant success with both clubs, making him one of the clearest examples of their shared footballing history.
Rafinha’s move to PSG brought his Barcelona journey full circle
Rafinha’s impact at both Barcelona and PSG was extremely limited. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Rafinha’s route began at La Masia, where he followed his older brother, Thiago Alcantara, through Barcelona’s youth system before reaching the senior squad.
His time with the first team coincided with a successful period for the club, although recurring injuries repeatedly disrupted his progress.
During his Barcelona stint, he spent several seasons on loan at Celta Vigo (twice) and Inter Milan, but despite those exposures, he never fully reached the desired potential.
Ultimately, in October 2020, the midfielder moved to PSG, seeking a fresh opportunity in Paris. He made 28 Ligue 1 appearances, while his overall competitive record for the French club reached 39 matches.
His stay was shorter and less influential than Motta’s, but the transfer added another Barcelona academy graduate to PSG’s list of former players.