The new generation in 'La Masia'

The FC Barcelona youth academy is an endless conveyor belt of talent. Year after year, the first team is always joined by a few young guns from this talent factory, players who often find a place in the first team and make a name for themselves on the national and international stage.

Examples throughout the club’s history are countless and, far from becoming a thing of the past, it is flourishing. With the arrival of Luis Enrique, the manager who led the reserves from 2008 to 2011, several players have taken their first steps with the first team and are making the most of their chances. Such is the case of forwards Munir El Haddadi, Sandro Ramírez and Sergi Samper, an academy player who looks set to become a replacement for Sergio Busquets, his role-model player.

From the U18s to the Liga BBVA

The one who has clearly turned the most heads is the 19-year-old striker from Madrid, a player who stood out with the Blaugrana U18s last season, finishing the year as the top scorer in the UEFA Youth League. He made his Liga BBVA debut and scored, becoming the youngest player to score on matchday one of La Liga with Barcelona. After a great start, El Haddadi was called up for the Spain U21s for the first time, but after Diego Costa’s injury, Vicente del Bosque gave him a place in the senior squad, where he also enjoyed some time on the pitch. Another goal against Villarreal CF and a UEFA Champions League debut against APOEL FC have made for a perfect start to the season for the academy graduate.

Dream debuts 

Two of his teammates in the Barça reserves have also got off to a good start with the first team. U21 international Sandro Ramírez has already experienced Liga BBVA football, found the net (two goals in five matches, one of which was the winner on matchday two against Villarreal) and also played his first Champions League match against APOEL. For his part, midfielder Sergi Samper, 19 years old, is yet to debut in the topflight, but he has played in Europe, starting against the Cypriot side and producing a remarkable performance. Meanwhile, academy keeper Jordi Masip, who faces hot competition between the sticks, is waiting for his opportunity.

Experienced academy players 

But there are other players in the academy beyond those who have already proven themselves, who are already members of the first squad and have minutes under their belts and hope to follow in the footsteps of Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi, among others, and become Azulgrana stars. Defenders Marc Bartra and Martín Montoya, midfielder Sergi Roberto, who just renewed his contract until 30 June 2019, and Rafinha Alcántara, a player who is back ‘home’ after an excellent season with RC Celta de Vigo, will be hoping to establish themselves in the first team this season.

In the 2008/09 season, ex-reserve manager Pep Guardiola moved up to the first team and found success with a model based on a blend of big stars and academy players. Now Luis Enrique, six campaigns later, will be trying to maintain the formula that has brought so much success in recent years and that both Tito Vilanova and Gerardo Martino tried to continue during their respective spells at the helm of the team. So far, he has demonstrated that he has confidence in the system, giving opportunities to the youngsters, and now it is time to see if he can produce results to match those of his predecessor, a Guardiola who won it all.