La Masia has produced endless talent for FC Barcelona over the years. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Carles Puyol and Cesc Fabregas have all come through the ranks of the club’s youth academy. However, Barcelona moved away from La Masia after those elite teams in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Barcelona spent money on transfers aggressively. The team’s performances then were satisfactory, but the club lost its future and finances.
Now, with Barcelona struggling for money and desperate for success in a new era, La Masia is back producing elite players at an alarming rate. In their most recent game against Athletic Club, three of Barcelona’s mainstays came through La Masia, Gavi, Alex Balde and Fermin Lopez. However, they were only three of the key players on the day. Xavi replaced 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and introduced 17-year-old Marc Guieu.
With Barcelona unable to find a goal, it took seconds for Guu to score his first goal for Barcelona. This goal proved to be the winning goal for the Catalan club. As a result, Barcelona closed the gap on Real Madrid at the top of the table to a single point. Guiu’s celebrations and , fit the moment of a teenager who is the difference for Barcelona.
This season, Gavi, Balde, Yamal and now Guiu have had a huge impact on matches. The best news for Barcelona is that going into the season, each of these four were teenagers. Three of them still are, but Balde turned 20 just before the Athletic Club match.
Barcelona have relied on these players in an injury-riddled and big-money season. In this way, he can change the fortunes of the club for the better.
La Masia is shaping Barcelona’s present and future
In the current season, Barcelona have faced a host of injuries. In addition, there are injuries to key players. For example, Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Jules KoundΓ© and Sergi Roberto missed the Athletic Club match. Despite this, Xavi managed to keep Barcelona in LaLiga while picking up a pair of UEFA Champions League wins.
These players will be back. Pedri, Lewandowski and Raphinha are possible for next weekend’s Clasico. However, that is not the significance of what the La Masia players were able to do for Barcelona. The Spanish side has always had an issue with quality depth. Expected to compete and win many competitions this season, Xavi needed more options.
The first part of the campaign has solved its problems. Not only do Barcelona have elite options all over the pitch coming out of La Masia. These young players have the desire to play for a club legend in a moment of need. As mentioned, the celebrations by Guiu and his teammates showed what his goal meant to him and the club.
Balancing the revamped team
Xavi now has the welcome task of ensuring these young players are satisfied behind proven first-team talent. Lamine Yamal made the most of his early chance this season when Rafinha picked up a three-match ban for a red card. Guiu has now done the same in his lone appearance with Robert Lewandowski on the sidelines. Fermin Lopez has a goal in the current campaign and has shown early potential.
In all likelihood, these La Masia graduates understand their role in the Barcelona system. With the rapid development happening at Barcelona, ββLa Masia are once again a key part of one of the best teams in Europe.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Pressinphoto