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Ousmane Dembélé apparently a huge fan of Man City winger, Report: Barcelona could include La Masia gem in a swap deal with Italian giants, Watch: Valencia vs Barcelona, Match Preview, Barcelona legend reminded Messi that “Barcelona is the best place ever”, Predicted Barcelona lineup against Valencia, Valencia vs Barcelona: Overview, Team news, Match facts, Marquee player, 3 takeaways from Barcelona 1-2 Granada: Huge blow to Barça’s title hopes, Barça crumble at home to Granada: Player Ratings, Barcelona and Koeman’s lineup crisis as La Liga heads into its final weeks, The quality of Marc-André ter Stegen: Keeping things in perspective, Ronald Koeman and life at Barcelona without a natural number ‘9’, Why the 3-5-2 can never be a long term option for Barcelona, Riqui Puig: The fallout and future of the La Masia jewel, Antoine Griezmann at Barcelona: A tale of chaos, failure, and finally redemption, Three reasons why Neymar will not solve the problems at Barcelona. FC Barcelona’s fabled La Masía is often regarded as one of the best academies in world football. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. [10], From 1979 to 2009, 440 youngsters have left their homes and families to stay at the academy. La Masia houses about 60 players: 10 in the farmhouse, and the rest in rooms of the adjacent stadium; the rest of the youth players must provide for their own accommodation. He had a breakout season last year, with 6 goals and 10 assists, as well as an astounding 5.22 successful dribbles per game — one of the highest in Europe. Albert Dalmau (Llagostera, 28, right-back) He was called up by Guardiola to play against Atletico in … Players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta all lived and learned at La Masia, or the farmhouse as it’s called. Oriol Romeu may not be a familiar name to most, nor is he someone fans are clamouring to have back, but his performances this season for an impressive Southampton have earned him a spot in this XI. Oriol Rosell | Orlando City. In his current club PSG, the goals have continued raining in as he has scored 22 times in only 38 appearances. As a result, he left the Catalan giants in the summer of 2013 for Bayern Munich, where he would cement his status as one of the best midfielders in the world. In return, FC Barcelona gives money, coaching and technical advice to these clubs for their services. The academy is one of the most expensive in Europe, operating at a cost of £5 million a year. The La Masia players added a much needed spark. He had five assists last campaign and will be looking to improve upon that. He’s a player Barça should have tried to sign back and will be remembered as one of the best La Masia graduates of the last decade. After making his official debut for Barcelona B against Andorra Ilias Akhomach became the youngest player to debut for Barça B in Segunda B. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/11409358/best-25-barcelona-youth-players-messi The first stage of a youth player's career involves a rotation scheme with Barcelona B. Romeu left the Catalan side in 2011 for Chelsea but struggled to settle anywhere before moving to Southampton in 2015. Since the 2018-19 season, he has 23 assists and eight goals across all competitions. Throughout my life of constant change, one thing has never faltered: my love for FC Barcelona. Adama Traoré followed the path of many before him, leaving the Camp Nou for greener grass. The best 200 are selected. He’s leading the Premier League in tackles this season, averaging 4.42 tackles plus interceptions per game. Tiago Pinto (Benfica Sporting Director), 2020, Copyright © 2017 - 2020 Barca Universal -. Barça Universal gives me the perfect opportunity to do so, as I can combine my love of writing with my love of Barça and the sport. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A certain Cesc Fabregas was left as an outcast in this team; there was only so much Thiago could do. [23] Joachim Löw, coach of Germany, said after his side's defeat by Spain that the opposition had a distinct Barcelona style: "You can see it in every pass, how Spain plays is how Barcelona plays. In 2019 he was promoted to Cadet A while being part of 2004 generation in La Masia, which included talented players like Diego Almeida, Marc Jurado, Aleix Garrido, Ilias Akhomach, Angel Alarcon. La Masia’s lost sons: The players you might not know have … He’s finding his footing after being in and out of the lineup for the last few seasons but already has two assists this campaign. To alleviate the expenses of this scouting, the club has an agreement with 15 local clubs for them to train players who are not ready for entry into the youth academy. The Cameroonian international left Barça at 19, and has not looked back since. 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La Masia player to watch : Ilias Akhomach 5 months ago Arsen . Onana has decisive command of his box, quick reflexes, and is a great shot-stopper. A huge part of that has to do with the fact that they came up through the Barcelona system. Guardiola was the prototype of the pivotal midfielder; famous midfielders Xavi and Iniesta are its custodians. 3 Barcelona B players who could break into the first team this season. Moreover, he’s the second youngest ever after Alejandro Grimaldo, who made his debut at the age of 15 years 11 months and 15 days. I like to work with smart people, intelligent people. “In my opinion, Icardi is the second-best striker in the penalty box who I’ve ever marked.”. We have decided to go through with a 4-2-3-1 formation for the team. Thiago, in 2013 was 22 years. Between the sticks, there are few better than André Onana. The second stage involves making the player aware of his importance to the team and the expectation that the player will improve cohesion and performance within the reserve side. Coming on for Arthur Melo and Antoine Griezmann, the two provided a spark both in midfield and in attack that were missing previously. Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the game, emerged from La Masia during the 2003-04 campaign and has become Barcelona's undisputed talisman. [4] The idea for the youth academy was proposed to Núñez by Jaume Amat,[5] and Oriol Tort was put in charge of the facility. La Masia de Can Planes was an old Catalan farmhouse, built in 1702. Konrad de la Fuente. Many Benfica players are ready to, someday, play in a world-class team. His physicality is not so, so strong, but he resolves the situation by thinking. The main cost is the dormitory, La Masia itself. It has been a significant factor in Barcelona's European success, and produced some world class players in the early 2000s. In the last stage, he is designated a "key" player of the B team and might be called to the first team. Culés still remember Adama Traore’s fantastic solo goal in the Copa del Rey. Héctor Bellerín is a clear choice at right-back, edging out the … (Photo via Getty). After Dani Alves was substituted by Martín Montoya due to an injury in the 13th minute,[25] Barça played the next 60 minutes with Víctor Valdés, Jordi Alba, Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Montoya, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas, Pedro, and Messi. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. His high tactical awareness and high-grade positioning make up for lack of aerial prowess. In the youth academy, there is a large focus on technical ability, which is seen as a pre-requisite for inter-changes. Olmo is one of the brightest young Spaniards in the world and is currently in their squad for the international break. Annually top players from the AZ academy are invited to Spain to visit La Masia. The idea of the youth training center and development system was proposed by Johan Cruyff, who was a product of a similar system himself, with the Ajax academy. Although he has off-the-field issues, his sheer talent alone sanctions his spot in this draft. The La Masia players added a much needed spark. As a ball-playing defender, he’s comfortable in possession and sharp with his passing, averaging a 96% completion rate last season and 93.8% this season. He’s also great at pressing and tackling for a physical Getafe side, averaging 3.38 tackles and interceptions per game last season. Rounding out the defence is Álex Grimaldo. With the once-glorious academy ignored in the last few years, Barça Universal attempts to put together a starting XI of the best ex-La Masia players in the world, based on their ability and form. In recent months, García has been linked with a move back to his boyhood club, a testament to his abilities and a sign that Barça repent letting him go. After a few seasons in Sampdoria, he moved to Internazionale Milan, where he broke out, gathering 124 goals and 28 assists in 219 appearances. Thiago: the one that got away. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The 22-year-old is now a squad member at RB Leipzig, where he’s dazzling the Bundesliga with his dribbling, creativity, and vision. The organisation that unites ex-players from all FC Barcelona football teams. Prominence in Ronald Koeman, a Barça legend as a forward, ’. A world Cup with seven players from Barcelona, and his inclusion goes with little to no.. 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