La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, is one of the best places in the world to develop footballers.
It has produced such historic legends as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Víctor Valdés, Gerard Piqué, and, of course, Lionel Messi. It has produced many great players besides them, like Jordi Alba, Cesc Fàbregas, Pedro, and Marc Bartra.
It’s a production line for quality footballers that usually succeed at Barcelona, allowing the Catalan club to be one of the best sides in the world. However, not all players go on to wear the famous Blaugrana; if they do, they often do so briefly before making a name for themselves elsewhere, causing people to forget their roots.
Here’s a list of La Masia’s lost sons, along with a couple who eventually returned to the club after making a name for themselves elsewhere…
Mauro Icardi
Position: Striker
Career path: Barcelona, Sampdoria, Inter, PSG, Galatasaray
Once Inter’s fearsome striker, the mercurial Argentine has a goalscoring prowess that is only overshadowed by his interpersonal relationships. He is a player whose very essence as a “bad boy” runs counter to everything Barcelona claims it stands for — and he was once a Barcelona youngster.
Icardi joined the club at the start of the Pep Guardiola era and progressed through the youth teams there for two and a half seasons. He was impressive, but the first team had shifted to using a false nine, and with that system becoming prevalent across all teams, Icardi lost his spot to Rafinha before ultimately deciding to leave for Sampdoria.
No one could blame him, and he shone brightly for Sampdoria before eventually joining Inter. In Milan, he amassed over 200 games and scored more than 100 goals. Things deteriorated for the Argentine, culminating in a move to PSG (initially on loan and subsequently made permanent), where he has largely struggled to maintain consistent form.
He then moved to Galatasaray, again initially on loan, and that’s where you currently find him with the Rosario-born marksman, who captains the side, having netted 61 goals across 87 matches in all competitions.
Xavi Simons
Position: Attacking midfielder
Career path: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV, RB Leipzig
Sharing the namesake of arguably Barcelona’s most outstanding midfielder, Dutch-born forward Xavi Simons was destined to end up at La Masia. As the son of former footballer Regilio Simons, he didn’t spend much time in Catalonia to break into the first team, instead opting to continue his development at Paris Saint-Germain, where he made just seven league appearances for the club.
Simons then made an important loan move to PSV Eindhoven, where his potential began to shine, scoring 19 goals in 34 Eredivisie matches during the 2022-23 season. However, PSV was unable to keep him, and RB Leipzig took over his contract, later making the loan permanent.
Now a regular with the Dutch national team, boasting five goals and 28 caps and counting, Simons’ long-term future may not lie with the Bundesliga club. He has informed Leipzig of his decision to leave at the end of the 2024-25 season, citing the team’s failure to qualify for the following season’s Champions League as a significant factor in his choice.
Hector Bellerin
Position: Right-back
Career path: Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Betis (Lazio), Barcelona, Sporting CP
One of those who has since returned to Barcelona (and left again), but his spell in La Masia is often forgotten.
The Catalan moved to Arsenal as a 16-year-old winger, and there, in the Gunners’ youth teams, he was moulded into a full-back.
This was the change Bellerin needed, and he broke onto the scene at an alarming pace. Injuries have plagued his most recent seasons, somewhat stunting his growth, but there can be no doubt that when healthy, he was a genuinely game-changing force from right-back.
That was recognised by Barcelona, who brought him back to his sacred home, but he was out the door as quickly as he returned, joining Sporting CP, which was also short-lived, with him having represented Real Betis since 2023.
Nayim
Position: Midfielder
Career path: Barcelona, Spurs, Zaragoza, Logrones
Remember Nayim? Even if you’re not a Spurs fan you’ll probably recall him as the Spaniard who came on for Paul Gascoigne in the 1991 FA Cup Final. Nayim played well as Spurs came from behind to win; it was even his corner that led to Des Walker’s unfortunate own goal.
At Barcelona, he came through the ranks of La Masia (after joining as a teenager) but because chances were limited under Terry Venables, he left for Spurs. Venables would later join him there. When Nayim left Spurs he joined Zaragoza, where he had one final gift for Spurs fans, lobbing David Seaman from 45 yards out to win the Cup Winner’s Cup against Arsenal.
Pepe Reina
Position: Goalkeeper
Career path: Barcelona, Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli (loan), Bayern Munich, Napoli, Milan, Aston Villa (loan), Lazio, Villarreal, Como
Perhaps it was because they signed him from Villarreal, but even Liverpool fans would be likely to forget that Pepe Reina came through the ranks at La Masia. In fact, before Victor Valdes, it was Reina who was the club’s big hope, so much so that he was in goal when Liverpool knocked them out of the 2001 UEFA Cup.
He obviously left Catalonia and would excel for every team he played for. His cheery personality was so infectious that he was a constant feature in the Spanish national side during their golden era, even if he barely played.
Reina spent half a season back in the Premier League helping Aston Villa avoid relegation in 2020, before joining Lazio and returning to Villarreal before hanging up his gloves at Como.
Mikel Arteta
Position: Midfielder
Career path: Barcelona, PSG (loan), Rangers, Real Sociedad, Everton, Arsenal
Everton and Arsenal’s midfield metronome was once a Barcelona boy! Arteta began his career at Barcelona as a Guardiola-esque defensive midfielder but found his path to the first team blocked by, well, Guardiola and Xavi, too. So, he left, linking up with Ronaldinho and Mauricio Pochettino at PSG before moving to Rangers for a couple of years.
Once in the Premier League, he spent over a decade showing his undeniable quality on the ball before becoming an assistant manager at Man City. There, he found history repeating itself, as his path to becoming a manager was blocked by Pep Guardiola. So, he took the Arsenal job and has done a sensational job.
Having delivered an FA Cup in his first season, he pushed Man City and Liverpool close in the Premier League title since, and has the Gunners back regularly playing in the Champions League.
Jordi Cruyff
Position: Midfielder
Career path: Barcelona, Manchester United, Celta (loan), Alavés, Espanyol, Metalurh Donetsk, Valletta
When your dad is one of the greatest figures in Barcelona, and indeed world football, history, then you know you’ve got a lot to live up to. Jordi Cruyff came through La Masia, but even with his dad’s presence, he was never going to cut the mustard.
He left Barcelona for Manchester United, where he played sporadically over a four-year period. A return to La Liga was what he needed, and he was one of the key men who helped lowly Alavés reach the 2001 UEFA Cup final, only to lose despite his 88th-minute equaliser, sadly.
After retirement, he served as the sporting director of Maccabi Tel Aviv for four years and briefly managed the Ecuador national team, although he left without taking charge of a game in 2020. After another stint in China with Shenzhen (previously managing Chongqing Dangdai Lifan), Cruyff returned to Barcelona as a sporting advisor, but now holds that position for the Indonesian FA.
Keita Balde
Position: Forward
Career path: Barcelona, Lazio, Monaco, Inter (loan), Sampdoria (loan), Cagliari, Spartak Moscow, Espanyol (loan), Sivasspor, Monza
The flying wing-forward who made his name at Lazio initially started as one of Barcelona’s many talented young players. Impatience for a first-team chance saw him sign with Lazio before he was even eligible to play first-team games, but once he did debut, he played with true verve. He joined Monaco but never really took his game to the next level, and loans at Inter and Sampdoria failed to rejuvenate him. He ultimately joined Cagliari in 2021 and has since relocated to Monza following spells at Spartak Moscow, Espanyol (on loan), and Sivasspor.
Adama Traore
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Position: Winger
Career path: Barcelona, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Wolves, Barcelona (loan), Fulham
The second of our two who returned to Barca briefly after coming through their academy.
Adama Traore had all the technical and physical tools to become a Barcelona legend. Unfortunately, he struggled to adopt the tactical demands of the Blaugrana, and coach Luis Enrique was hesitant to select him.
Traoré left, making a questionable career move by joining Aston Villa, who gave him a large contract that ultimately led to him being benched to avoid paying him. He got relegated, joined Middlesbrough, and then got relegated again. Strangely, it was Tony Pulis who managed to unlock his potential in the Championship.
He then joined Wolves and became a menace at the Molineux, prompting Barca to loan him in January 2022, though he ultimately didn’t join them permanently. Ultimately, a lack of consistency has prevented Traore from becoming truly elite, and he currently plies his trade with Fulham.
Giovani dos Santos
Position: Forward
Career path: Barcelona, Spurs, Ipswich (loan), Galatasaray (loan), Racing (loan), Mallorca, Villarreal, LA Galaxy, Club America
Giovani dos Santos emerged as a promising talent around the same time as Bojan and Lionel Messi. The three players were expected to form a formidable “trident” for the future. However, Dos Santos prioritised getting paid sooner rather than later and left Barcelona for Tottenham Hotspur.
Unfortunately, his time at Spurs was disappointing, leading to a performance that caused many to forget he was once considered nearly as bright a prospect as Messi. After spending four years in Major League Soccer (MLS) with the LA Galaxy, the Mexican forward has since retired, having last played for Club América in his native Mexico.
Alex Grimaldo
Position: Left Back
Career path: Barcelona, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen
Beginning his career at Valencia’s youth setup, Grimaldo arrived at La Masia in 2008 when he was 12. An up-and-coming player, he made his Barcelona B debut at just 15 years and 349 days in 2011. This made him the youngest player to play in the Segunda División. The following season, Grimaldo established himself in the B team, where he would go on to make 92 appearances over the next four years. He also appeared in the 2012 European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament.
Despite impressing in the B team, Grimaldo failed to make a single first-team appearance for Barcelona. With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2016, Benfica snapped him up in December 2015 for a pittance.
In Portugal, he made himself one of the most threatening and creative left-backs, helping Benfica win four Primeira Liga titles. He then joined Bayer Leverkusen and was part of their historic squad that won the club their first-ever Bundesliga crown, going an entire league season unbeaten.
Luis Garcia
Position: Winger
Career path: Barcelona, Valladolid (loan), Toledo (loan), Tenerife (loan), Valladolid (loan), Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Racing, Panathinaikos, Puebla, UNAM, Atlético Kolkata, Central Coast Mariners
He of the ghost goal! To be fair, no one would know Luis Garcia had ever come through La Masia because he played for so many different clubs. Sure, Liverpool signed him from Barcelona, but Barcelona had signed him from Atletico Madrid (just one year after selling him there, gotta love the buyback!) and Rafa Benitez had managed him before, with Tenerife, but he was on loan there from Barcelona after coming through La Masia… it’s very complicated.
Still, he played more for Liverpool than he has for any other club. He helped Liverpool upset the odds against Juventus and Chelsea to win the Champions League. After that, the only way was down, and eventually, he returned to La Liga to play for Atleti again, before embarking on something of a World Tour, playing in Greece, Mexico, India and finally Australia until finally calling it quits in 2016.
Andre Onana
Position: Goalkeeper
Career path: Barcelona, Ajax, Inter, Man Utd
Onana joined Barcelona’s youth academy from Samuel Eto’o’s Foundation in his native Cameroon, but would never represent the first team. A handful of games at the youth level was enough to convince Ajax’s sporting director, and former Barca winger, Marc Overmars to bring him to Amsterdam.
Initially starting in their reserves (Jong Ajax), the Cameroonian goalkeeper would subsequently become Jasper Cillessen’s understudy. A capable back-up, Onana got his big chance once Cillessen moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2016.
After establishing himself in Amsterdam and helping the club reach the Champions League semi-finals, he became one of the most sought-after ‘keepers. Inter ultimately pounced on him, where he has once again flourished in Europe, helping Inter reach the 2023 Champions League final, only to lose against Manchester City. That proved to be his final game, and the Cameroonian opted to reunite with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, and it’s safe to say, despite some good moments, his time in England so far has been one of struggle.
Takefusa Kubo
Position: Midfielder
Career path: Barcelona, FC Tokyo, Yokohama F. Marinos (loan), Real Madrid, Mallorca (loan), Villarreal (loan), Getafe (loan), Mallorca (loan), Real Sociedad
Takefusa Kubo enjoyed a sensational 2022/23 season where he was named Real Sociedad’s ‘Player of the Season’. Having joined the club permanently in 2022, this may look like one that Real Madrid may come to regret. However, Barcelona may also be lamenting the loss of the Japan international while he was on their books.
In 2009, an eight-year-old Kubo participated in the FC Barcelona Soccer Camp and was quickly awarded an ‘MVP’ award, generating significant hype around his potential — even in those early years. Two years later, after excelling for Kawasaki Frontale’s youth team, Barcelona landed their man… well, boy.
He quickly flourished at La Masia, earning the moniker ‘the Japanese Messi’, where he scored 74 goals in 30 games in his maiden campaign for Barca Alevi C (U11). However, the Catalan club was later found to have breached FIFA’s international transfer policy for U18s, meaning Kubo was ineligible to play for them.
He returned to Japan to play for FC Tokyo, where Real Madrid would come calling a few years later.
Sergio Gomez
Position: Left-back
Career path: Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Huesca (loan), Anderlecht, Man City, Real Sociedad
Man City’s rotational left-back came through the ranks at Barcelona but upped sticks early on for Borussia Dortmund, presumably because he didn’t see a pathway to the first team with Jordi Alba very much in his prime in 2018. It didn’t really work out at BVB, either, and it took a move to Anderlecht to really fire his name into the limelight, prompting City to snap him up, but his time under Pep Guardiola was limited, with the Badalona native since relocating to Real Sociedad in 2024 and playing his first La Liga minutes since a loan spell at Huesca several years ago.
Alex Moreno
Position: Left-back
Career path: Barcelona, Llagostera, Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Elche (loan), Betis, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest (loan)
Another full-back who began as a winger in Barcelona’s academy, Moreno spent the 2011/12 season in La Masia before moving to third-tier side Llagostera shortly after. There, he worked his way up the footballing ranks, first establishing himself as a consistent player in La Liga and now competing in the Premier League with Aston Villa. However, his time in the second city may be coming to an end.
Gerard Deulofeu
Position: Winger
Career path: Everton (loan), Sevilla (loan), Everton, AC Milan (loan), Barcelona, Watford, Udinese
Many who closely follow La Masia had high expectations for Gerard Deulofeu, an exciting modern winger. However, after breaking through, his playing time was limited. He was soon loaned to Everton and Sevilla before joining Everton permanently. Even then, he didn’t always get playing time, especially as injuries began to plague him.
Deulofeu then moved to AC Milan on loan before returning to Barcelona, as the club needed attacking depth and was somewhat satisfied with his development. However, this proved to be mere lip service, as he was on the move again when Watford turned their loan agreement into a permanent deal.
Most recently, Deulofeu played for Udinese, where he enjoyed the most consistent football since his days at Vicarage Road. Now, at 31 years old, the once-promising talent is a free agent.