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Barcelona has one of the most famous and successful youth academies in world football. It was modernized by the Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff and became known to many as La Masia.
Barcelona's youth system has produced some of the greatest players in world football. Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernadez, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets are all products of La Masia.
While some climbed up the ladder at the Blaugrana, others found it extremely difficult to stamp their presence. They left the club for better opportunities or were forced out. Many went to prove that it was not the end of the road and succeeded at other clubs.
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On that note, let's take a look at the youngsters who failed at Barcelona but succeeded elsewhere.
#5 Mikel Arteta (ex-Arsenal & ex-Everton)
Currently, an assistant coach Manchester City joint, Mikel was a product of the La Masia. who joined Barcelona's youth system at the age of 15. Despite his potential, the Spaniard failed to break into the first team and went out on loan to Paris Saint-Germain in 2000. Upon the end of his loan spell in 2002, Arteta was sold to the Scottish giants Rangers in a £6m transfer deal.
He then returned to his hometown club Real Sociedad after a hugely successful 2-year spell at Scotland. He had an underwhelming start to his Sociedad career and was sent out on loan to Everton in January. Arteta helped Everton to a 4th place finish in the Premier League that season and his switch was made permanent during the summer of 2005.
2005/06 was the breakthrough season of his career as he picked up Everton Player of the Season award. 2006/07 was even better. He scored 9 goals and assisted 9 more in his 39 starts. After a six and a half years of successful spell at Everton, Arteta moved to Arsenal in 2011.
He had 3 great seasons with Arsenal but injuries curtailed his game time during the 14/15 and 15/16 seasons. He finally left Arsenal in 2016, after making 149 appearances. He could have been a great midfielder at Barcelona had things worked out his way.
#4 Pepe Reina (Napoli)
Pepe Reina joined La Masia at the age of six. Reina made his La Liga debut in the 2000–01 season, aged 18. When Barcelona signed German goalkeeper Robert Enke in 2002, the Catalan giants told Reina he was free to leave.
He joined Villarreal in July 2002 and went to make 136 appearances for the club in three years. He helped them to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in 2004 and to a third-place finish in the La Liga in 2004/05. His great performances for Villarreal attracted the attention of some top European clubs and Liverpool signed him in 2005.
The shot-stopper went on to become Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper for eight long years, making 394 appearances for the English giants. He lifted some trophies during his successful days at the Anfield.
Reina played in Germany with Bayern Munich for a year and then moved to the Napoli in 2015. He is currently their first-choice keeper as Napoli sits on top of the Serie A table this season, above Juventus and Inter.
#3 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
The Spanish right-back started his football career in the youth system of Barcelona at the age of 8. After 8 years with the Spanish giants, Bellerin switched his allegiance and moved to Arsenal in 2011.
The move to England has worked wonders for the Spaniard. At the age of 19, Hector Bellerin became a regular at the Emirates. He is currently one of the best right-backs in the Premier League and is getting interests from some of the top European clubs, including Barcelona.
Bellerin has already made 132 appearances for Arsenal and his best years are ahead of him. At only 22, he has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the world. Barcelona has certainly missed out on a great talent.
#2 Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Cesc Fabregas was a part of La Masia ever since he was 10. Despite his brilliant performances for the club's youth teams, Fabregas did not manage to get an opportunity to play for the first-team at Camp Nou.
After 6 years with the Catalan Giants, Fabregas moved to Arsenal in 2003. He did not waste any time in England and became a first-team regular at the age of 17. He became one of the best midfielders in the world at Arsenal and Barcelona brought him back for €29 million in 2011. Fabregas made 303 appearances for Arsenal in his 8 years spell.
He played at the Camp Nou for three seasons but was sold again, this time to Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea. The Spaniard lifted back to back Premier League title with Chelsea. Fabregas made 110 appearances for the Spain national team and has lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
#1 Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
The Argentine is currently one of the top strikers in world football. Current Inter Milan captain rejected offers from top European clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Real Madrid to join Barcelona in 2008 at the age of 15.
He played in the Barcelona youth teams from 2008-2011 but could not make the progress he expected. He joined Sampdoria in 2011 and made 33 appearances for the Italian club. He then moved to Inter in a €6.5m deal for the 2013/14 season.
The 24-year-old has scored 96 goals in 168 appearances for Inter Milan. With 18 goals in Serie A, Mauro Icardi is currently 2nd in the race for Europe Golden Boot award for 2017/18. Given the current transfer market scenario, one cannot buy the Argentine for anything less than €100m.
