I Think the answer is based on the fact that they have Messi as well. My answer would be Iniesta, but not because he was the worst, i Think they’re all around the same caliber of player. Theres never Been a better player in (recent) history to play the Busquets role as defensive midfielder+ball progressor. The same Can arguably be Said for Xavi as a tempocontroller/playmaker. Iniesta shared the tempo-controlling responsibilities with Xavi, but also had more final 3rd responsibility, with breaking the opponents defensive structure with his dribbling (a delicious croquets here or there) and final 3rd passes. A lot of this responsibility was also handled by Messi. So in an alternative world we would have a player who maybe doesn’t have the tempo-Controlling and security of Iniesta but was even better in the final third (high ask, I know) to alleviate Messi of this responsibility and allow him to focus more solely on end product. But it would have to be someone who was also secure in possession as well as the game plan hinges on that.

The introduction of Fabregas I think was a step in this direction. Thiago being equally talented but more in the mould of Xavi (and down the pecking order) and then shipped out.

My answer to this would be someone like De Bruyne, Zidane, Maradonna (but maybe not him as he and Messi would fulfill the same role as main man).

Out of geniune curiosity - what is the consensus on Modric vs Xavi vs Iniesta for the body of work over their respective careers? I know Modric doesn’t have much left at the top level but I’d be interested in knowing how people stack them up at both their peak performance and throughout the 2010’s.

Busquets was more integral to the system IMO. Take out Xavi and put in Kroos

I can’t

Marcos Senna for Sergio Busquets

Busquets has a lot of cool hipster points because of how long he was underrated compared to the other two, but personally he’s absolutely who I’d cut.

Rodri is a very similar profile of player and IMO comfortably better. Different type of CDM but I think the best Barça team was starting Yaya instead of Busquets. Either of those would be great upgrades.

Xavi, with Matteaus/Beckenbauer or Cruyff depending on age of busquets

Iniesta and Buesquets are extremely technical and you’re not going to find anyone that does what they do better in that team. Xavi is decidedly less technical, but more cerebral. You could only replace him with a true total footballer.