http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/edi...roduction-line
Barcelona's famed academy la Masia academy in decline?
Quote:
La Masia is at its lowest ebb in recent years. Envied by the world for more than a decade after forming some of the game's greatest footballers, with Lionel Messi at the forefront, Barcelona's fabled academy is no longer producing players for the first-choice XI at Camp Nou.
Not since 2008. Then, with Pep Guardiola in charge, Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodriguez were promoted to the first team and went on to become regular starters in the side which would dominate domestically and in Europe, winning three Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in four spectacular seasons.
In that team, there were a number of other La Masia graduates, among them goalkeeper Victor Valdes, captain Carles Puyol, midfielders Xavi, Andres Iniesta and later Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and, of course, Messi. Busquets and Pedro established themselves in the side as well and Barca boasted a team made up principally of homegrown talent. In Puyol, Xavi and Messi, La Masia had produced the best defender, midfielder and forward in the world
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http://www.theguardian.com/football/...e-neymar-pedro