How La Masia Keeps Producing Stars – And What the World Should Learn From It
By Kris Garo | 19 May 2025
Just a few days ago, Barcelona secured their latest La Liga title, and their success appears to be unmatched. They have grown into a formidable team, but what’s truly special is that much of their squad is made up of young talents like Gavi, Pedri, Yamal, Balde, and López, all of whom have emerged from the legendary La Masia academy, FC Barcelona's known youth development system known for producing technically gifted and intelligent players. A clear pattern is emerging: La Masia continues to produce extraordinary talent, just as it has for generations.
When looking at today’s Barcelona squad, it feels like something old is becoming new again. It’s not just about the return of tiki-taka football; even more so, it seems to be a return of La Masia. The renowned academy that produced legends like Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi is back at the center of everything. La Masia is FC Barcelona’s school, home, and the heart of its youth. La Masia is FC Barcelona’s school, home, and the heart of its youth development. It remains a highly effective system, as demonstrated by the significant impact of its academy graduates in the first team this season, culminating in a historic treble victory, with multiple La Masia products starting in the decisive matches. In fact, it might be working now better than ever.
Take Lamine Yamal, who debuted at just 15 years old or Pau Cubarsí, who stepped up to play center back at the young age of 16 and didn’t blink once under pressure. To add on even further, factor in Gavi, who plays like a seasoned warrior at just 19, and Pedri, the midfield magician who became Spain’s centerpiece before most players even make their debut.
These aren’t just good players. They stand as world-class players who are mentally ready, tactically advanced, physically strong, and emotionally mature. According to The Athletic, Barcelona’s current squad has the highest percentage of under-20 players in Europe’s top-five leagues. That’s not by accident. That’s just the La Masia way.
So how does La Masia keep doing this?
The iconic La Masia grounds – where FC Barcelona’s youth dreams take root and legends begin
1. The Method: One Identity, One Style
From the very beginning, players at La Masia are trained to play the ‘Barca way.’ Possession. Vision. Quick decision-making. This is something molded into the players’ minds and feet the second they step onto the FC Barcelona training pitches. Everyone plays the same way, from the U8s to the first team. As one former director, Aureli Altimira, put it, “they know our idea of playing by heart.” He further explained that they do not focus on winning youth games, but on shaping players who will be ready to understand the first-team system.
2. Mentality Over Muscle
Another thing that makes these kids different is not just their skill, but the way that they have developed a special confidence on the pitch. When Xavi was head coach, he was seen giving debuts left and right, and he explained that fearlessness was the “main difference” from his generation and it was what made so many players stand out. When Pedri first walked into Camp Nou, he wasn’t big. He wasn’t fast; but, he saw the game differently. And just like Messi before him, he trusted his brain more than his body. At La Masia, they don’t just train technique. They have full-time psychological support to prepare kids for pressure, competition, and setbacks. They understand that talent is just a part of it, but you have to be mentally ready to survive the professional game. This is why the club dedicates significant time and resources to supporting players off the field through sessions with psychologists and mental conditioning programs that build emotional resilience and focus.
La Masia players share a moment of solidarity before stepping onto the pitch, embodying the spirit of Barcelona’s youth system
3. Scouting and Trust
The recruitment system at Barcelona is elite. Barcelona finds talent at a very early stage. Gavi came from Real Betis, Pedri was spotted in Las Palmas, and even Messi had to be convinced to leave Rosario, Argentina. According to The Athletic, scouts work closely with families, agents, and even friends to ensure the right environment.
According to My Tunbridge Wells, La Masia starts scouting players as young as 8 years old, ensuring they join the academy at the ideal age to develop into top-level footballers. With an estimated 85% success rate in recruitment, it’s almost like they have a sixth sense for identifying future stars.
But finding talent isn’t enough. The club needs to trust the scouts; and for a few years, they didn’t. Between 2010 and 2019, only the Spanish player Sergi Roberto truly broke through. Financial struggles and poor leadership distracted the club. But, when Xavi took charge, 16 La Masia graduates debuted in just over two seasons.
Having played in the youth systems of both Dinamo and Partizani Tirana, I’ve come to understand that true long-term success in football doesn’t come from owners or money; it comes from trusting the youth development system and the scouts. They’re the ones who spot raw potential early and shape the future of a club. Without their vision, even the best-run organizations lose their identity.
That trust makes all the difference.
4. Competitive Culture
Barcelona’s youth teams don’t just play. They compete hard. Their rivalry with Espanyol is fierce, and winning Catalan titles is serious business. When you’re raised to compete with pressure, that carries over into senior football.
The Lesson? Investing in Youth Can Lead to Success, But It Has To Be Done Correctly
Too many clubs treat their academies as backup plans, but La Masia has always been the main one. Barcelona doesn’t rush their young players or waste money on the wrong signings. Instead, they focus on developing their minds, shaping their habits (such as nutrition, recovery, and sleep), and immersing them in a culture of winning. As one senior club source put it, “La Masia is the quickest and safest way to create ready-made players.” Especially during tough financial times, Barca has realized that trusting the academy is the smartest way of doing business. The next generation, including players like Yamal, Cubarsí, Fort, Guiu, Bernal, is already emerging, and they look more than ready. But for clubs hoping to replicate La Masia’s success, it takes more than just building a facility or hiring a few coaches. They need to build a full system rooted in belief, structure, and a culture that truly invests in its youth. Barcelona has done exactly that… again. And it’s working.
Talents like Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez made their first steps into the FC Barcelona first team, proving the power of La Masia’s development
