Does Barcelona have the best academy in the world?
Tom Leeder looks at Barcelona’s famous academy and tries to discover why the Catalan club can produce world class players with such ease
Barcelona’s current first team squad contains an astonishing ten players from its illustrious academy. This figure is staggering considering they spent well over seventy million in the summer on players such as Alex Hleb and Dani Alves. The nearest clubs to this is Bayern Munich, Lyon and bitter rivals Real Madrid, who all have seven players respectively.
As each of these clubs have to register a first team squad in order to compete the figure is even more astounding. The closest English team to this figure is Manchester United who have had seven academy or former academy players represent them, the latest of which is Danny Welbeck.
Barcelona’s academy is known as La Masia, and is located next to the Nou Camp. In 1979 La Masia became a hall of residence for all the academy prospects. The academy is a type of football boarding school for all of the players who live outside of Barcelona to stay and train. The complex is six hundred and ten metres squared containing rooms for sixty boys to sleep, eat and continue their studies both on and off the pitch. It is very important from Barcelona’s point of view that they not only improve the boys’ football ability but also further them intellectually as well.
The list of players, which have graduated from this academy and turn out for the famous Catalan club makes some interesting reading. Players such as current manager Pep Guardiola, current captain Carles Puyol, Xavi, Messi, current Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool number one Pepe Reina, have all graced the halls of La Masia.
The graduates alone make the claim that this is the best academy in the world, but according to former players it is the way the youngsters are taught the beautiful game that makes a significant difference. Lionel Messi has been quoted saying that;
“At Barca, we trained every day with the ball, I hardly ever ran without a ball at my feet. It was a form of training aimed very clearly at developing your skills.”
He goes on to say that;
“As a kid they teach you not to play to win, but to grow in ability as a player.”
This is a stark contrast where most academies try to install a winning mentality almost immediately. The Barcelona theory is that with superior technical comes victory. If you can simply outplay your opponents then you will win.
The latest players within La Masia which are being touted for a big future are a young Israeli player called Guy Asulin and Thiago a superbly talented central midfield player.
The only problem Barca has with their talent conveyor belt is hanging onto their prized assets. We all know that Cesc Fabregas was swiped at a tender age along with Fran Merida who also swapped Barcelona for North London. Also with Pepe Reina being at Liverpool while he could easily be Barcelona’s number one goal ahead of (another academy product) Victor Valdes. Unless rules are introduced then clubs will just be waiting at the end of the line to pick up the world’s next superstar.
Good point about the winning mentality. I think Steve touched on it in the column about English grassroots and whereas I still think you need that winning mentality you have to concentrate on outplaying the other team.
In saying that Man United were outplayed by Barcelona last year in the semi’s of the Champions League and still came through, I’m sure because of their great winning mentality – admittedly it could have gone a lot differently.
Heard a lot about Thiago, think I read he’s the son of former Valencia and Celta legend Mazinho. Meant to be a very gifted creative midfielder. It’s impressive how many of these graduates end up playing at a high level, be it at Barca or not.
They’ve definately got a fantastic system and I love their approach. To me winning is not important when compared to development. Which other academies in world football do you think compare? Boca Juniors, Ajax Amsterdam?
I have to say that I too am surprised at how many of them end up playing at a high level.
I always find it exciting when youngsters gets to take the big step up to first team action. It’s just too bad that most top Serie A club’s ship their youngsters off to the so called “minnows” to gain experience before they are given a fair chance. Just look at Giovinco, such a typical example.
The youth academy is one thing for which everyone could admire Barcelona, that is for sure.