In the realm of football, the academies of many top teams often go unnoticed by the average fan. However, there exists an exception – La Masia, the renowned youth setup of FC Barcelona, often hailed as one of the greatest of its kind.
This academy has been the breeding ground for some of football’s all-time greats, with names like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and Sergio Busquets all honing their skills within its hallowed grounds.
La Masia is a unique institution that challenges conventional judgments, especially regarding the emergence of the next big talents. The academy has a penchant for swiftly promoting exceptional players to the senior squad when deemed ready.
The likes of Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Pedri, Inaki Pena, Alejandro Balde, and Fermin Lopez are already making significant contributions to the first team, with Yamal, in particular, making waves at just 16 years old.
As the conveyor belt of talent keeps rolling at La Masia, QUEST SPORTS introduces you to some promising players who could be the next breakout stars for Barcelona, continuing the rich tradition of talent development at this iconic footballing institution.
1. Pau Cubarsi (Age: 16, Position: Centre-back):
The spotlight is firmly on 16-year-old Pau Cubarsi, thanks to his standout performances at Barca Atletic. Similar to recent instances with players like Yamal, Xavi’s knack for selecting young talents irrespective of age is evident.
Despite his youth, Cubarsi has already made nine appearances for Barca Atletic, showcasing a level of maturity that suggests an imminent breakthrough into the first team. While he was on the bench for the Copa del Rey clash against Barbastro, Xavi’s awareness of his talents is undeniable.
2. Hector Fort (Age: 17, Position: Right-back):
Seventeen-year-old right-back Hector Fort emerges as the player closest to regular first-team minutes on this list, having featured twice for Barca this season.
The right-back position is currently a challenge for Xavi, and Fort is poised to capitalize on this if he continues to impress. Notably, his ability to play on both the right and left sides of the defense adds to his appeal for coaches. Following his appearance in the Copa del Rey against Barbastro, Fort is expected to solidify his place in the first team.
3. Marc Bernal (Age: 16, Position: Defensive Midfielder):
In what has been a stellar season so far, 16-year-old Marc Bernal appears to be coming of age at precisely the right time. Barca’s struggle to effectively replace Sergio Busquets is no secret, with Oriol Romeu and others currently sharing the role.
Standing at 6’1, Bernal is a towering central midfielder already touted as Busquets’ successor. Fans are eagerly awaiting Xavi’s decision to provide Bernal and other young midfield options an opportunity in the team, signaling a potential shift from looking to the transfer market.
4. Pau Prim (Age: 17, Position: Defensive Midfielder):
Another option Xavi could consider for a new deep-lying midfielder is 17-year-old Pau Prim. Though slightly older than Bernal, Prim is a midfielder in the same mold and is rapidly developing.
Interestingly, the younger Bernal seems to have a better shot at the first team, having started more games for Barca Atletic than Prim. Despite the challenge of allocating minutes to numerous talented youngsters, Prim stands out as a remarkably talented midfielder, hinting at a bright future in European football.
5. Alex Valle (Age: 19, Position: Left-back):
Taking a different trajectory, 19-year-old left-back Alex Valle is currently making waves on loan at Levante in the Segunda Division.
Despite not contributing significantly to goals and assists, Valle’s impactful performances suggest he could become a valuable squad option for Barca, especially in light of their struggles in the transfer market. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Valle stands at a crossroads in his career. If he fails to challenge Balde strongly enough in the first team, he might need to explore opportunities elsewhere.