La Masia is one of the world's top soccer academies, a finishing school that has produced FC Barcelona stars such as Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol.
About 55 soccer players reside at La Masia, all on scholarship. Another 20 residents participate in other sports such as basketball and handball. The youths sleep two to a room in spartan dorms a couple of dozen paces from the cafeteria and a few dozen more from the study halls, audiovisual theater, massage room and gym.
“If we pick up players when they are 16, 17 they have less time to learn this process,” said Denis Silva, a coach in his ninth season. “Barca is one of the few [clubs] that have had the same philosophy for years and years and years. That’s the most important thing here. There can [be] new players, new coaches, new bosses.Konrad de la Fuente is one of two Americans in the FC Barcelona academy.
La Masia had to be overhauled, and Cruyff began by discarding a rule that said only players sure to grow to 5 feet 9 or taller could be admitted. That immediately opened the door for the diminutive Pep Guardiola, who eventually sprouted to 5-11 and, more importantly, became one of the best midfielders in club history. The change also opened the door for Messi, a five-time world player of the year, and Iniesta, one of Spain’s most decorated players. Both topped out at 5-7.
“The player who has passed through La Masia has something different to the rest,” said Guardiola, who has used the Barcelona style to win league and continental crowns as a coach in Spain, Germany and England. “It’s a plus that only comes from having competed in a Barcelona shirt from the time you were a child.”
“If your kid plays tennis, you can send him wherever you want in the world. There is no age limitation. If your kid plays golf or is a good handball player or basketball player, you can send him wherever you want. Only FIFA and soccer is limited to the ages.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tour of California's convoy of controlled chaos is the race behind the raceBehind the wheel in this Tour of California team car is more than a driver; he's coach, strategist, psychologist — sometimes while careening down a mountain.
Read more »
New Ground Broken As FC Barcelona Prepares To Host Rugby League's Catalans DragonsFC Barcelona's iconic Camp Nou stadium will host its first ever rugby league match this weekend - with the Catalan Dragons, holders of the Challenge Cup, facing off against reigning Super League champs Wigan. We spoke to Bernard Guasch, chairman of the Dragons, about what it means to the club.
Read more »
'Messi And Me': The Goal That Changed A Former Soccer Player's LifeIn 2013, Matt Eliason's life changed when he scored a bicycle kick in a soccer game against Lionel Messi. (OnlyAGameNPR)
Read more »
New Ground Broken As FC Barcelona Prepares To Host Rugby League's Catalans DragonsFC Barcelona's iconic Camp Nou stadium will host its first ever rugby league match this weekend - with the Catalan Dragons, holders of the Challenge Cup, facing off against reigning Super League champs Wigan. We spoke to Bernard Guasch, chairman of the Dragons, about what it means to the club.
Read more »
Motion picture academy appoints three new governors-at-largeOn Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the appointment of three new governors-at-large to the organization’s leadership ranks.
Read more »
Girls' soccer team beats all-boy sides to take league and cup doubleAn all-girl soccer team in the UK won a league and cup double -- which they played in its entirety against only boys' teams -- completing the season without a defeat
Read more »
Girls' soccer team goes undefeated winning their league - which they played entirely against only boys' teamsAn all-girl soccer team in the UK won a league and cup double -- which they played in its entirety against only boys' teams -- completing the season without a defeat
Read more »
English soccer team Manchester City maintains innocence at 'entirely false' financial irregularitiesPremier League title-winning Manchester City said Thursday it's 'disappointed, but regrettably not surprised,' after being referred to European soccer governing body UEFA's financial control body.
Read more »
Soccer: U.S. beat South Africa 3-0 in Women's World Cup warm-upThe United States got a goal in each half through Samantha Mewis and a late thir...
Read more »
Ex-USC soccer coach pleads guilty in college admissions schemeFormer USC soccer coach pleads guilty to allegations that she created fake athletic profiles for the children of wealthy parents in the college admissions bribery scheme.
Read more »
Women’s soccer team goes from competitors to companionsThe U.S. national team’s final push to this summer’s Women’s World Cup didn’t begin in a game or a training session. It’s didn’t even start on a field.
Read more »