After exploring the best goals and goal celebrations, now it’s time to turn to the best performances of 2010. What was the best team performance, the best showing by an individual, and who does the totalBarça team consider the most improved player? Find out below, and have your say by voting in the poll and voicing your thoughts in the comments.

Best team performance

Almost everyone agreed: FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, El Clasico, November 29, 2010

This performance was voted the best by Alexandra, Cardenas, doris86pl, Hady, Ivich, Rakun, Spencer and Watton.

As Watton states, this was a match I think most cules will remember where they were and what they were doing while watching it for years.

Some other standouts

doris86pl: FC Barcelona 5-0 Sevilla, October 30, 2010

Spencer: Osasuna 0-3 FC Barcelona, December 4, 2010
Arsenal 2-2 FC Barcelona, March 31, 2010

This was a standout performance considering what the team had to go through just to make it to the stadium in Pamplona, and also breaking Osasuna’s home streak (without a loss) which dated back to March of the previous season.

Despite the elusive scoreline, Barcelona completely dominated Arsenal at their home stadium, especially in the first 45 minutes.

Best individual performance

The consensus was: Messi during FC Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal, April 6, 2010

This showing by Messi was chosen by Alexandra, Cardenas, Hady, Rakun, and Watton.

Watton: He’s so dominant that I tend to expect things like this performance out of him and that almost dulls it.  But this is as good of a chance as any to remember how lucky we are to have a player like him.

Alexandra: Messi against Arsenal, it can’t get better than that.

Cardenas: Messi against Arsenal, in the Champions League when he scored 4 goals. Simply insane.

Some other stand-outs

Ivich: Xavi during FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, November 29, 2010

I know everybody is going to say Messi against Arsenal at Camp Nou, but Xavi’s performance in El Clasico in November was sublime. It pains me to think what will happen to us once he leaves. I know many think that Cesc is his ideal replacement but I think he is miles away from reaching Xavi’s consistent and supreme level. A close second is Pique (first) and Puyol’s (second one) marking of Cristiano Ronaldo in the the Clasicos we played this year.

Amanda: Messi during Real Zaragoza 2-4 FC Barcelona, March 21, 2010

This was a match where Messi could have scored 4 goals. In fact, he scored three, the first a header, the second one of the best goals of the season, and the third not too shabby either. He earned the fourth goal, a penalty which he handed over to Ibrahimovich, to ease the frustration which the Swede must have been experiencing after numerous missed chances. Four goals earned and a great gesture to help a teammate, an amazing performance.

Most improved player

Again, the majority went with: Sergio Busquets

The number ’16′ was voted as the most improved player by Alexandra, Cardenas, doris86pl, Hady, Ivich, Mateo, and Watton.

Ivich: Hands down Busquets. I must admit he was the loophole for me in the majestic Barca, especially in that game against Inter at Camp Nou. But he has only impressed me since the World Cup. That he is only 22 is even more impressive.

Watton: I was horrified by his acting jobs against Arsenal and Inter, and it seems he’s started to learn that we don’t need to be doing that.  But he’s also becoming more and more quietly efficient on the pitch at the same time.

Cardenas: Man the World Cup did him GOOD. Bow down to Busi.

Some other notable nominees:

doris86pl: Busquets has definitely improved for sure, and I’m also happy how Villa and Adriano have settled in the team (especially Adriano in preseason and his hardworking attitude).

Rakun: Most improved player: Pedro–from nobody in the beginning of 2009-2010 season to a solid starter now, his plays and finishes are amazing too.

Now it’s your turn. Do you agree with the majority of totalBarça’s staff in these categories? Cast your vote and comment.