La Masia’s lost sons: The players you might not know have Barcelona ‘DNA’
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, Andrees Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique and, yes, Lionel Messi too. It’s produced many great players besides them, like Jordi Alba, Cesc Fabregas, 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. But not all of the players go on to wear the famous Blaugrana; or if they do they wear it, they do so just briefly before making such a name for themselves elsewhere that people often forget their roots.
Here’s a list of 15 of the most memorable of La Masia’s lost sons, and a couple who eventually returned to the club after making it elsewhere…
1. Mauro Icardi
Position: Striker
Career path: Barcelona, Sampdoria, Inter, PSG, Galatasaray (loan)
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 allege to stand 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 permeating through all teams, Icardi lost his spot to Rafinha before, in the end, deciding to leave for Sampdoria.
No one could blame him, and he shone brightly for Sampdoria before eventually joining Inter. In Milan, he amassed more than 200 games and over 100 goals. Things deteriorated for the Argentine, culminating in a move to PSG (initially on loan and since made permanent) where he’s largely struggled for consistent form.
He most recently spent 2022/23 on loan at Galatasaray, where he nabbed 23 goals in 26 games.
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2. 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 dogged his most recent seasons, stunting his growth somewhat, but there can be no doubt that when healthy he was a genuinely game-changing force from right-back.
That was recognised by Barca, who brought him back to his sacred home last summer, but he was out of the door as quickly as he returned, joining Sporting CP in January.
3. 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.
4. Pepe Reina
Position: Goalkeeper
Career path: Barcelona, Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli (loan), Bayern Munich, Napoli, Milan, Aston Villa (loan), Lazio, Villarreal
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 Catalunya and would excel for every team he turned out for. His cheery personality was so infectious 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.
5. 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. Xavi, too. So he left, linking up with Ronaldinho and Mauricio Pochettino at PSG prior to 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 being 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 close in the Premier League title race last term, and has the Gunners back in the Champions League.
6. 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 four years. A return to La Liga was what he needed and he was one of the key men that helped lowly Alavés reach the 2001 Uefa Cup final, only to sadly lose despite his 88th-minute equaliser.
After retirement, he was sporting director of Maccabi Tel Aviv for four years, and was briefly manager of the Ecuador national team – though left without taking charge of a game in 2020. After another spell in China with Shenzhen (previously managing Chonqing Dangdai Lifan), Cruyff is now back at Barcelona as a sporting advisor.
7. Keita Balde
Position: Forward
Career path: Barcelona, Lazio, Monaco, Inter (loan), Sampdoria (loan), Cagliari, Spartak Moscow
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 Spartak Moscow.
8. Adama Traore
Position: Winger
Career path: Barcelona, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Wolves, Barcelona
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 with adopting the tactical demands of the Blaugrana and coach Luis Enrique was hesitant to pick him.
Traore left, making a bad career move by joining Aston Villa – who gave him such a big contract they ended up benching him just 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 becoming truly elite, and he will be a free agent this summer.
9. Giovani dos Santos
Position: Forward
Career path: Barcelona, Spurs, Ipswich (loan), Galatasaray (loan), Racing (loan), Mallorca, Villarreal, LA Galaxy, Club America
Giovani dos Santos broke through at the same time as Bojan and Messi. The three should have been the “trident” of the future, but Dos Santos wanted to get paid sooner rather than later.
He left the Blaugrana for Spurs, where he was such a flop that he spent the next few years being so terrible people genuinely forget he was once almost as bright a prospect as Messi. After a four-year spell in MLS with LA Galaxy, the Mexican is currently without a club, last playing for Club America in his native Mexico.
10. 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. A very promising player, he went on to make his Barcelona B debut at just 15 years and 349 days in 2011. This made him the youngest player to play in the Segunda Division. The following season saw Grimaldo establish himself in the B team where he would go on to make 92 appearances in 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 snip.
In Portugal, he established himself as one of the most threatening and creative left-backs, helping Benfica win four Primeira Liga. Next season, he will be playing in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen after recently confirming his departure from the Estadio da Luz after 303 appearances.
11. 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.
12. Andre Onana
Position: Goalkeeper
Career path: Barcelona, Ajax, Inter
Onana joined Barcelona’s youth academy from Samuel Eto’o’s Foundation in his native Cameroon but would never represent their first team. A handful of games at 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 for him, where he has once again flourished in Europe to help Inter reach last season’s Champions League final.
13. 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 has just come off the back of a sensational 2022/23 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 come to regret. But, Barcelona may also be lamenting losing the Japan international when he was on their books.
In 2009, an eight-year-old Kubo competed in the FC Barcelona Soccer Camp and was quickly awarded an ‘MVP’ award, generating huge hype around his potential — even in those very 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 were later found to have breached FIFA’s international transfer policy for U18s, meaning Kubo was ineligible to play for them.
He returned to Japan for FC Tokyo, where Real Madrid would come knocking a few years later.
14. Sergio Gomez
Position: Left-back
Career path: Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Huesca (loan), Anderlecht, Man City
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 last summer.
15. Alex Moreno
Position: Left-back
Career path: Barcelona, Llagostera, Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Elche (loan), Betis, Aston Villa
Another full-back who was a winger in Barca’s academy, Moreno spent 2011/12 in La Masia, but moved to third-tier side Llagostera shortly after. There Moreno has worked his way up up the footballing food chain to first establish himself as a consistent fixture in La Liga, and now in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
