First time in the history of football the final three nominee for Ballon d’Or were from same school of football, it was only the third time that a World Cup winning team had seven players from the same youth system, they are called the factory of magician who always leave their supporters spell bound and it is the might be the only school in the world where humility is the first lesson for rest of your life. Yes I am talking about La Masia whose English translation comes out to be The Farmhouse and this is the farmhouse which has given the galaxy of football most of its stars. And the list includes Pep Guardiola, Luis Milla, Guillermo Amor, Sergi Barjuan, Ivan de la Pena, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Pepe Reina, Thiago Motta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Mikel Arteta and Pedro.
La Masia is actually the name given to the youth academy of the present La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners the Catalan giants FC Barcelona. It caters and develops more than 300 youngsters who one day dreams to be a star which shines in the world and stands apart from the rest. As the world says and agrees La Masia have a huge hand in Barcelona
If a personal unknown to this youth academy passes by this facility all he would see is a 18th century country house but this is the place where every young footballer dreams to get a diploma in tiki-taka which is a Spanish term given to an attractive style of football involving short 1-1 passes. As the present manger Guardiola may be the most decorated player and coach that La Masia has ever produced with 16 trophies as a player and presently 10 trophies as the coach quotes “The player who has passed through La Masia has something different to the rest”. And sir the world agrees to this especially when in the present side you see Xavi, Messi, Iniesta and Pedro in the midfield Pique, Puyol and Valdes in the defense every time you see this side play all you say is Oh My God. The only reason being the players of La Masia are taught the lesson of comradeship and humility first then the lessons of football.
La Masia being world’s most high maintenance youth system in the world with every 5 million pounds spent on the academy. Its different from other academy in a lot of way first of all being studies are given equal importance as the knowledge of football as its gives a sense of self confidence that even if you don’t prove to be a big star you are able enough to live your life. Second being the youth system on which La Masia runs which is said to be the brain child of then coach the Dutch footballing genius Johan Cryuff its based on three stages involving advancement of a player from being a Juvenile to Barcelona B and then finally first team. And at all stages there is always a sense of interaction or connection in all the three levels.
This whole system as Guardiola puts in front of the world comes out with the first stage involving a rotation policy for the youth players in the Barcelona B side. Second stage involves making a player aware of the team its importance its capability and its drawbacks and even making a young player the captain of the side irrespective of the experience that might be one of the reason why Fabregas at such a young age is the captain of the Arsenal side. And the last stage involves giving a key role to a player and may be given a call into the first team depending on your performance.
These are the few reasons why La Masia is at present the best academy in the world and a lesson to all the clubs which prefers to buy players rather than growing a player. Cause I believe the players who have grown together seen the ups and downs together are much better as a team than any other team.
And I would end this blog of mine with description of La Masia by none other than the best player in the world Messi :
“As a kid they teach you not to play to win but to grow in ability as a player”
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