The football season is hardly a week away from starting. And just like before any other season, there’s a storm brewing in Spain amongst two of the biggest rivals the sport has ever seen. Real Madrid has built for themselves honestly the strongest team in Europe with the arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. Their eternal rivals Barcelona, on the other hand, are still slightly financially crippled. But, that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own answer to the long list of superstars that Madrid has assembled. As they have often done in the past, FC Barcelona has once again turned to their only non-depreciating and most valuable asset in their hour of need, La Masia.
With a new coach in Hansi Flick who has radical tactics of playing football, FC Barcelona will once again rely on the gift that keeps on giving to try and compete with Real Madrid. This is nothing new for the Catalan Club as its youth academy, La Masia has had a rich history of producing top-notch talents like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, etc.
La Masia for Spain at the Euros and Olympics
There is a case to be made that not just Barca’s but even Spain’s success on the international stage can be attributed to the brilliance of La Masia. In their Golden Generation, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, Pique, Fabregas, and Busquets were crucial for Spain in winning international silverware. Now, at the 2024 Euros, both the Tournament’s Golden Boot winner, Dani Olmo, and the Young Player of the Tournament, Lamine Yamal, both belong to La Masia.
During the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, Fermin Lopez and Pau Cubarsi, both La Masia graduates have been putting in match-winning performances for the national team. Fermin Lopez has scored 4 goals in the whole tournament out of which 3 have come in the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals, while also providing one assist.
FC Barcelona’s USA Pre-Season Tour
Barcelona’s Preseason tour in the USA has given fans a glimpse of what the future holds for the Blaugrana. In the Squad that travelled to the USA, Barcelona had named a total of 15 players who are currently on a contract with their B-Team. And Hansi Flick made sure that each and every one of those players got exposure against quality opponents in Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Some La Masia products that have impressed Cules are Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, Pablo Torre, Mikhayil Faye, Alex Valle, Toni Fernandez, Unai Hernandez, etc. With the club struggling financially, Hansi Flick might need to use the vast talent resource at his disposal whenever necessary. And it won’t be a stretch to say that these players of the famous and renowned La Masia will be up for whatever challenge whenever needed.
Apart from those who might get a debut, are the already-established La Masia stars present in the first team. This long list of players includes Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, etc.
Interestingly enough, Barcelona recently confirmed the signing of Dani Olmo, who unsurprisingly is a product of the Catalan youth system! So the stage seems set. Just like during those golden Clasicos of the 2010s, it will be the Galacticos facing off against La Masia for bragging rights in Spain.
